John
"Well since you asked." He said, spinning on the rail so that he now faced her. They were only a few feet away from each other now and he leaned closer, his hands on his cheeks like a school boy looking at his lady love. He quickly compiled the list and ran it through his head, deciding in the moment how much to tell her exactly and what to keep. Noctis had already begun to make plans, weaving his thoughts and designs together. 

For example the moment he'd lain eyes on Eliza he knew she would be perfect to go to the Far Spirit Woods. As content as Esme was, he needed her armor broken down and to know so much more about her. He needed to understand her magic and her connection to the weave, but he could not afford to get close to her. Affection had brushed him and he had decided that needed to die. So, who better to send that someone like Eliza? A vampire would be able to face the dark powers of the haze and the way that Eliza made him feel... Well, it reminded him of Esme, but as if it were a flipped coin, or the opposite side of the moon. Eliza and Noctis walked the shadow, Esme treaded the Twilight so where was the final piece? Who was the one meant to walk the light, surely... He almost scoffed at the idea that it could be *Him.* He was an assassin, a thief, a crook, a spy, a killer- not a hero. 

"There is Valac Carnifex, he is... A demon I think. The demon kind are powerful entities from the Beyond Lands. Creatures of the shadow, but this ones different. He wants to be better. He has a heart. I want to continue to foster that in him. I've never heard of a demon that wasn't just a tool for the forces of evil. I believe he is extremely important." 

"Then there is Sylvar, a shapeshifter. He is our thief, though don't worry I don't just go knicking any silly thing from good folk. Sylvar primarily steals information, or steals things from crooks without us needing to shed blood. He has a feud with someone very powerful on the ocean and if he continues to be of ass

Itance, I will ensure he rules the seas one day." 

"Most recently we have gained one Eliza Tenebrian. A vampire- and a damn powerful one at that. I have no idea how old she is, but she must be and I am sure she rules a coven of her own. A very, very dangerous friend to have but... Well, you can fight fire with fire. Be wary of her, I know what she wants and I have it, as long I haven't given it to her I think we can trust her. For the most part." 

"Lastly there is Esme. She is a witch, a member of the Twilight Coven though from what I have gathered she is likely the only reason the coven exists. She is very powerful and luckily, under agreement to assist me. Witches cannot and will not break promises easily, so I consider her one of my party though she does not travel with me currently." 

He hopped off the railing and crouched in front of her, tilting his head to study her face. His slender finger reached out to push a loose strand of her shorter hair back away from her eyepatch to study it. "Then there is you, an extremely powerful flame mage and swordswoman. I wonder just what dreams someone like you could have..." His voice was almost a soft whisper as he crouched there, only a foot or so away from her and seemingly lost in thought as he studied her face without even a hint of disgust or contempt for her scars despite his own flawless features.
Terry
Sitting at the table as she silently watched Noctus recount the fabled crew she would now be working with, her expression was about the only thing that could help the demigod figure out her thoughts. At first it was rigid and focused, wanting to hear detail and see just what it was noctis had to offer. However slowly and over the course of the people listed off from the man's mouth, her expression changed. Narrowed eyes, a raised brow of confusion, a serious look in how she glared.

A demon? That already was dangerous. Wisteria couldn't fathom why Noctis would willingly employ someone as dangerous as that considering their mysterious nature. Unlike most of the races of Aeterna, mot many details were known about them. Their abilities were powerful, yet also twisted and uneasy to fight against. Their demeanors were also unstable at times and nothing ever came for free or from simple curiosity. She had heard of them, but never seen one with her own eyes. The way Noctis spoke of this Valac however, he seemed hopeful. How much trust did he have in this person? He looked like a parent wanting to see their child grow up strong.

A certain name caught her attention. Sylvar. She had met someone by that name before a few years back after meeting Noctis. He appeared as a drow, so there was no telling if a shapeshifter had been his true form. Still, he was skilled and knew his way around the ports and oceans. They worked together to deal with bandits occupying a nearby sea town and split the money and ways afterwards. She wondered if this was the same person. She'd have to see for herself.

Her eyes narrowed and she had an expression of doubt when she heard of this Eliza person. She had never met a vampire, but knew of their kind. While they looked similarly to humans, they had the skills of seasoned hunters and the bloodlust of a dragon that was having a bad day. Few could ever face one of her kind, but their abilities were odd and tough to discern. Why Noctis had not only let a demon, but a vampire join his ranks was hard enough to understand, but to hear him make mention that he possibly thought trusting her was easy so long as he had... Whatever he had to hang over her head, things would be fine.

He had little riches to his name. No valuables to his person. All wealth, prestige or titles he had were gone. He had nothing but the clothes on his back. What left did he have?

*His life. His blood. That's the only conclusion. Fool.*

She said nothing, but pinned the thought for now as Noctis wrapped up his explanation with the final member; one who wasn't even with them. A witch known as Esme. All that was certain was very rarely did witches break promises without knowing the consequences, so their partnership was as guaranteed as the one with the vampire. Noctis only had what he could go off of for the time being.

Hearing the end of it, she let out a heavy sigh, feeling her shoulders grow heavy from the stress of all this information. Not because it was a lot, but because the crew Noctis had seemingly put together was a miss match of various people of curious backgrounds, powerful abilities, and loyalties that seemingly hung by a thread. He mentioned how desperate he was to not let time pas shim again and to get as much power as he could, but even this was dangerous territory. Especially if their little team caused trouble.

Such a plethora of people with great power could spell trouble to those unhappy with what they could do if deciding to cause chaos across Aeterna.

"This crew sounds like a mess." She said, shaking her head. "At this rate all you're going to accomplish is getting yourself killed faster if you make any of these people your enemy." Voicing what could have been concern, the scarred dragon watched Noctis hop down from the railing and move closer to her. She watched him with a raised brow, only to sit still as an arm reached out towards her. She didn't know what he was doing, so there was little time to react appropriately before the soft, velvet touch of his fingers could be felt on her skin. Her hair was moved ever so slightly, her eyepatch covering most of her left face on full display to him.

His eyes gave away no hidden meaning. More akin to curiosity and marvel. His words asked to wonder more of what she dreamed of, hoped for, believed in—

And a gloved hand snapped like a snake, wrapping around his wrist as if to bite him. Her expression was the venom as it had morphed quickly, her lone amber eye almost glowing yellow with the glare she gave Noctis and the frown that appeared on her face.

Her hand squeezed on his wrist tightly, more so than she probably would have even expected. Somethign rattled inside her from the contact, the closeness. This was too much. He thought himself worthy of this because he'd gotten on her good side. Made her part of his crew. She was getting too complacent.

**"Don't touch me."** 

Her tone was deadly serious, her grip as solid as stone as she starred down the man crouched before her. Their standoff was like this for a few more seconds, Wisteria wanting her words to be taken seriously to the ever charming demigod. Loosening her grip and pulling his hand away from her, the dragon woman got up fro her seat, moving towards the elevator of the balcony.

"We're done. Let's go."
John
"Very well." He said calmly as he rose behind her, pulling out coins to place onto the table as payment. He took one last glance out over the massive city they found themselves in and let it remain within his mind. So much armor was worn even now, when there were no outright wars. This womans armor was as hard as dragon scales- he wondered exactly why it had formed. Still it was perhaps what made her so strong and so maybe he should be grateful. 

That would be the best way of thinking, logically he needed her at her strongest and she was so with her armor intact, right? Yet that burning wonder at what was hidden beneath was there like the ember of a fire he couldn't put out- but he could ignore it and give it no fuel to grow. So he leaned against the wall of the elevator, massaging his poor wrist and running a coin across his fingers as he thought. What was next? They'd rest a few days then head back further inland, get away from the cold and deeper towards the Capitol. That was where so much of the realms power lay, if any of them wanted big change the best place to start was the Capitol. Despite her anger with him, he once again seemed lost in his own world of plans and schemes, all the while massaging his wrist as his eyes shifted back from that amber to silver. 

"The crew might be the death of me or... They might be the salvation of Aeterna. I have died once for the nine realms, I can do it again." His words were soft, too soft, as if he didn't want to say them. He had sacrificed everything and it hadn't thanked him. It had spit him out and left not even his name in the histories. Still, the crew had been brought to him through fate or some other strange weavings of the world. It was the hand he was dealt and so he was going to damn well play it.
Terry
Wisteria said nothing as Noctis followed her into the elevator, the two warriors quiet as the lift took them slowly back down to the rest of the world.

Wisteria stayed still the entire time, arms crossed and hugging herself as if to protect herself from her be companion. In some way there was a truth it. She'd let her guard down during this small moment of peace. Noctis got too close, she didn't keep her guard up. When he touched, she felt something bubble up inside her. Something warm and comforting, but couldn't place what it was. All she knew was that it made her relax, but it put her at a disadvantage. It left her open to letting something slip. To letting this all crash down. 

Even with the words he told her, the honesty he put into his thoughts on the dragons, it was just words. Something he said, but wasn't sure if he could put it into practice when the time came.

Neither would know u til that time came.

She'd heard the quiet muttering of the knight beside her. That this crew, this chaotic amalgamation of a team, could be something that saved the entire lands. She didn't have a good opinion of them all so far, so she had little to say in his hopes.

She heard his final thought. A comment that was heavy with finality and acceptance to a fate he could see ahead. All to willing to allow it to happen.

"Warriors who are so easily willing to die don't survive long." Her tone was leveled, a slight bubbling of anger still in her voice, but that deadly aura she'd had was beginning to simmer little by little. 

She turned her head ever so slightly to look to Noctis over her shoulder, her lone amber eye narrowing on him with a serious look. "Focus on living if you want to be remembered."
John
"I never said I was willing to die." Was his only retort, and when the elevator opened he kept stride and even surpassed her as they they exited the restaurant. She acted as if he were some ignorant idiot. She was a *Human*, maybe thirty years old at most and that was if she was *Incredibly* Well preserved, likely closer to her early twenties. Who was she to lecture him? 

Then he remembered that he likely seemed the same age too and some of the frustration disappeared. She was likely worrying about him in her own way, and she probably didn't even know it. How fierce of a life had she lead that something like compassion was so foreign and scary to her? For a moment he'd seen something in her eye when he'd touched her... 

But what she was scared of, he was scared of too. He saw so much of himself in this beautifully damaged woman. 

"Are you ready to return to the ship? Do we need to go collect some of your things?" He asked, his face once again a mask that only showed a carefree expression that was so perfectly constructed, only truly knowing him made it possible to believe it was anything but the truth.
Terry
"Yet you still said it without hesitation. It says more than you'd think." She countered, turning her gaze from Noctis as the doors opened. The two walked out in a momentary silence, their expression more than likely not the ones the human running the establishment expected. He'd gotten his money. It shouldn't have really mattered all things considered.

Before they walked side by side or merely some inches from one another. Noctis's playful aura had subsided; becoming something somewhat similar to how he had been before with his long strides and pearl white smile. But it was forced. Unlike the one she'd seen on the balcony, it was stiff and painted on as if an artist was trying to fix a mistake.

Maybe he believed his charismatic ability was enough that she wouldn't notice. But she'd seen him vulnerable before. He bounced back like this when he'd spent time with her years ago. Pretended like situations like these didn't phase him as much as they deeply did.

He compensated by walking a bit faster this time. Leading the way and her following behind. There was distance. This was good.

For some reason the voice in the back of her mind had to keep insisting. Why? What was this pit in her chest?

"No. I have my items on hand in my pouch. It's charmed to carry more than it looks." She curtly responded, showing the small pouch tied to her belt. "Let's go. The more we wait, the colder it gets." She said, arms reaching up to hug herself; a cold breeze having blown through. She didn't understand why it affected her. She could regulate her body heat with ease. She shouldn't feel cold in the slightest.

*I'm losing my focus.*
John
He let her win the argument. It was not always worth it to win, perhaps she was right. She believed she was right and therefore that was what mattered to her, Noctis did not mind losing an argument. What he had meant when he'd spoken was that he'd chase his dream even if it killed him, but he'd never die without kicking, screaming and shredding every last ounce of his humanity beforehand. Yes he would die, all creatures even the gods and their stars burned out, but he would never die willingly. There was a difference in accepting death happened and accepting death. 

"Okay, good. We'll need a larger vessel at this rate, but I know you can handle less than fantastic sleeping conditions." He said, and he veered them towards the river where the sloop would be docked. There was a quiet melody drifting from one of the high towers and a pair of cats ran playfully past their feet, all the while Noctis gazed up at the sky as if his feet could see the earth before him. He'd always had a dream to fly and never quite gotten to achieve it. Then he heard her last sentence and he slowed. As she caught up to him, she'd find that he had slipped off his raven black cloak and held it out towards her. 

It was black as pitch and seemed to get swallowed by the night, with golden rune work along the hem and crow feathers carefully added along the bottom of the hems. It was a masterpiece of a cloak, soft and smooth as silk on the skin, but warm and tough as wool. His slender fingers were positioned so she wouldn't have to touch his skin if she took it- seemingly he had made note of her reaction to being touched and adjusted himself even if he had not verbally responded to it. 

Noctis' visage was turned away, not looking at her as if to say that he had no intent of shaming her or acknowledging if she took it- so her pride would not be damaged or for her to avoid embarrasement. It was simply a cloak that he happened to have, it was as casual as that. If she took it, she'd smell his scent

All over it, which was always whatever the person talking to hims favorite scent was, whether it be one that allured them or made them feel comfortable.
Terry
The sounds of the river carried through the quiet, late night wind. Snow still fell, crunching beneath her boots as they walked and made a pattern of their journey behind them. The two walked in silence, glances here and there made before they veered elsewhere. For Wisteria her gaze settled around the scenery, at a moment a small pair of cats playing nearby them. Her mind was seemingly elsewhere for the time being. Calming down, settling on their next plan. Thinking...

She hasn't noticed Noctis stopped in his tracks until she noticed a large coat placed on her reach. His face was turned away from her. As if it would give her all the privacy in the world. He must of heard her last comment about the night chill.

She starred at the article of clothing, not saying anything at first. Her mind couldn't figure out how to respond. She should just turn down the gesture. She just had to use her fire abilities to fix her temperature again.

But some part of her was against it. Or at the very least didn't want that. Why?

Amber glanced over the intricate details of the cost. Weaved with gold, feathers harvested for decor, the fabric a work of a master craftsman. A gesture gifted to her.

Memories of the past sent her back. Hundreds of years ago. A lost boy. A parent and child reunited. A flower outstretched to her and a smile.

Her right arm moved, her hand reaching out to the coat, only they moved of their own accord to take the coat where Noctis's fingers were.

He'd feel the brush of velvet of her gloved hand brush over his own. Not the painful sting of earlier, but instead soft and delicate. They lingered there for what felt like forever, before she grasped the cloth in her hand and took it from her newly formed *Ally*.

"Thank you." 

Softly spoken, genuine, almost lost along the soft winds of a snowy night. She took the coat and wrapped it around herself, taking in its lingering warmth from its owner and the scent of something familiar.

Wisteria?

*My mind is playing tricks on me.*

"I'll sleep wherever there's room. I don't care." She commented, remembering what Noctis said earlier.
John
"Now then, lets get you onboard and introduced. I get the sense that we have a long couple of weeks ahead of us." He said, once again walking beside her. His silver eyes stayed on the street in front of them, but still he could feel the ghost of her fingertips upon his hand, the gentle touch of a wisteria flower being swayed in the breeze. Her touch had lingered upon him and it confused him, he had always been good at reading people but Wisteria was a book written in another language. Still the soft touch reminded him of the gentle graces of Esme, which only frustrated him further. At least the touches of Eliza were simple and easy to udnerstand, every inuendo and look were a clear and concise language. 

The dark, the twilight and a burning flame. It was more than enough to cast a spell of unparalleled devastation, mixed with a demon and a drow whos history was as murky as the briniest waters and well... The cousin conflicts had been easier than this. 

*"That is because you were just following orders. What makes you think you can run this? Any success you have have ever known was earned off the back of Scipio the Conqueror. The one that history remembers, not one of his failed side projects."* A venomous voice whispered. It took him a moment to realize with a sinking heart that it was Emi's. All the same his stride never faltered, because he would not die without fighting. It was his mothers dream, his child hood loves, his idols- and so it was his, it was all he had left. 

"To the future."
Terry
"With how many people there are. I just about wonder how you intend to keep everyone in line." A simple comment, one both questioning the future and perhaps a playful response. For all that was said and done, Wisteria was now in this situation for a bit. Working with other people. Fighting alongside them. Needing to trust them.

She wasn't sure how long she'd stick around.

"To the future." Noctis's rang through the cold night.

She watched him silently, debating how to respond to the conviction he had. There walked a man who was ready to set off on his journey once more, whether it be towards the skies that lead to paradise or the depths of the underworld.

Fingers gripped the soft fabric of the coat that settled on her shoulders, tugging to wrap it more around her body.

The scent of wisteria flowers tickled her nose. And... Something else. She couldn't place it, but it was soothing.

For now she's have to believe it would all turn out okay.

"To the future."