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Sylanwood, West Tarrabria: The Streets, Time: 10:00 AM
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Elliott lunged forward, spittle flecking his lips. "YOU! I've been looking all OVER for you! You think you can get away with what you did back at Autumndusk?"
Mianne blinked at the sudden commotion, putting herself between the two boys. "Whoa, whoa there. What exactly did he do? And who the heck are you, anyway?"
Elliott, slightly stunned, pointed an accusing finger at James. "This… this brute! He ruined my perfect streak– made a fool of me in front of the crowds!"
James blinked, confusion replacing his previous anger. "I don't even– what are you talking about? We trained together like twice..."
Mianne rolled her eyes. "Great, another egomaniac. Look, Sparky, I don't know what went down at your fancy school, but James barely remembers his own name half the time, let alone grudge matches."
Elliott fumed, fists clenching. "But he... he humiliates me during the fight! Made me miss a crucial counter, lose the entire spar..." His voice trailed off, a dawning realization crossing his face. "He even meant it, did he?"
"Every waking moment! I could feel his stupid little 'spiky thorn' pierce my stomach!" Eliott grabbed James's collar but didn't bother lifting him because they were in the same height range.
"I don't even know what that is supposed to mean!" Mianne put her hand on her hip, "James would never harm someone like that!" She looks over to James, who is just staring off with an awkward expression.
"Well…" James held a guilty expression this time, causing Mianne's eyes to widen. "I mean I didn't know the full extent of SwampPurger during that time!"
"And yet, you lay your vile vine on me!" Eliott yelled, "I know your facade! I could see through your face, James Woodheart!"
James blinked, his eyes narrowing. "Look, I get that you're worked up, buddy, but maybe this isn't the best place to hash this out?" He gestured to the curious crowd starting to gather. "Let's...talk, alright? Maybe get some coffee or something?"
"Hell no! Matter of fact, you wasted my time enough!" Elliott pulls out a Custodiae and Medal Rune of his own.
The Custodiae seem to be more simpler white design with a trapezoid shape. On the left corner, is a white octahedron with a black interior and a small clear sphere inside it. A BOE watermark is on the right corner, and a black line is decorated around it.
The Medal Rune seems to be covered in a fluffy cloud with golden ornaments clothes around it. In the middle of the rune, was a depiction of a man with wings.
People started to gather around to see what the commotion was about.
"Dammit, he's causing a scene for all of us." Mianne, annoyed at how many people were gathering so quickly by this guy.
"Hey, I think I recognize that girl from somewhere. Didn't she have a catfight with someone in Autumndusk?" one of them stated in the crowd, causing a murmur to stir up.
"OH GOD DAMMIT!" Mianne yelled out, her reputation now boiled down to that level?! 'I need to stop getting into trouble but I guess me and James share those same traits…'
"James Woodheart. I shall cast upon the judgment that shall be rightfully delivered!" Elliott lifted his rune into the sky, covering his left eye with his arms. This caused the crowd to go wild in a roar.
"HEN-" A shadow dashed toward Elliot
Chop!
"Shinnnnnnn…" Elliott mysteriously collapsed slowly to the ground by an unknown force.
"Thank gods, someone finally shut him up…" Mianne sighed, she could finally hear nature again, it was like Elliott suppressing the entire noise around them.
"Ah, I'm so sorry about him!"
James and Mianne look over to the person who is apologizing.
She dresses in maid attire, with square glasses that cover her grey eyes. Her hair was violet short hair with a ponytail, she seemed to be carrying a huge briefcase over her shoulder.
"Master Elliott could be quite tempered and out of control…" She stated, that her face was covered in guilt for what she just witnessed.
The crowd went into a hush that fell over them after Elliott's collapse was replaced by whispers and speculation about the mysterious newcomer.
"Ah, thank you sister for silencing him!" Mianne arched an eyebrow at the newcomer. "You certainly know how to make an entrance. Who are you, anyway?"
"Just call me Natalie!" The maid gives a playful wink, "I am Master Elliott's own personal maid actually."
"Of course, he has his own maid…" Mianne muttered through her teeth but decided to ask the real question.
"You sure not very a good one if he's allowed to run off and harass us like this," Mianne stated, confused at how much Elliott could get away with this.
"I am flatter by your compliments, but let's just say he ran off on his own." Natalie laughed, "Of course, he was just going for a meal that isn't part of his diet…"
Natalie chuckled, the sound light and airy. "Master Elliott has a way of… defying expectations." She knelt beside the unconscious boy, skillfully checking his pulse. "Nothing to worry about; a well-deserved nap is all he needs."
A ripple of mixed reactions ran through the crowd. Some muttered disapprovingly; others seemed amused by Elliott's dramatic display and his swift demise. Mianne couldn't help but grin slightly. Despite the annoyance, she had to admit the situation was oddly entertaining.
"Well, thanks. But if he wakes up looking for a rematch…" James scratched the back of his head, an awkward edge still in his voice.
"I'll handle him," Natalie reassured them, a peculiar glint behind her glasses. "You two, though…" Her lips curved into a knowing smile. "You must be James and Mianne. I've heard about your exploits back at Autumndusk."
Mianne's face flushed. She could feel James stiffen beside her. "Oh… really?" she managed, trying to play it cool.
Natalie nodded. "Master Elliott speaks of you… often. And Miss Mianne, your reputation certainly precedes you."
The crowd exploded into whispers. Mianne could feel the heat rising in her cheeks, but before she could protest, Natalie continued, "However, he's not the most reliable source, as you've witnessed. Care for a stroll? I do love some company before we part ways."
Intrigued, and not wanting to stick around for Elliott's inevitable awakening, Mianne shrugged. "Sure, why not?"
James, ever the awkward turtle, gave a quick nod. "Yeah, sounds… better than this."
As they moved away from the dispersing crowd, Natalie hefted Elliott over her shoulder with practiced ease and a smile. "Don't worry, with a physique like his, a few extra pounds won't slow me down."
Mianne chuckled. "You're stronger than you look!"
"Looks can be deceiving," Natalie winked, leading them down a charming cobblestone street between colorful storefronts. "Now then, where shall we start? Perhaps with what brought you both to lovely Tarrabria?"
"Well, both of us got invited to come here by The Archsentiels to be here," Mianne stated, deciding to tell her the truth since it would make the situation easier to understand.
Natalie's eyes sparkle and widen, "Wow! What a star you guys have been!" Natalie smiled before it turned into a smirk, "Someone won't be happy if he heard about this." She looks over to the unconscious prince.
"Please don't tell him about this." James pleaded, he hoped that this wouldn't become a trend.
"Or you could bribe me into not telling," Natalie suggested, a teasing tone in her voice.
James thought it was genuine, and decided to pull out his coin purse, "How much would it be-"
Natalie quickly waved her hand in denial, "Ah! I was just joking, joking!"
Mianne decided to take the purse away from James, "I think I should hold onto this before something like this happens."
James decided to ask something, "Natalie…can I ask something?" and then started to reassure her, "If it's too personal then I don't mind."
"Oh, just ask away dear!" Natalie reassured, ready to ask any question that James would throw at her.
"How close are you and Elliott?" James asked, "he seems…troubled for how he acts this way."
Natalie closed her eyes before letting out a sigh. "You ever meet someone who tries so hard to wear a mask, they forget who they really are underneath? That's Elliott. I remember back in kindergarten…" She smiled softly, her eyes taking on a distant look.
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