<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ff8000"><i>This was definitely not part of the planâ?¦</i></span>but then again, when was it ever? Brand continued to just stare at the second newcomer, as he followed Jiuâ??ne pass the gates. His mind wasnâ??t completely calm, as he suspected something dangerous from the Captain, but there was something else that made his heart beat an extra beat. It wasnâ??t the thrill of something sweet and lovely, but rather, of a powered charge that made his adrenaline spike randomly like thunder in the sky.<br/><br/>Valen was being as protective and strung as ever and whether or not that was a change in his behavior wasnâ??t something Brand noted. He had always known the eldest knight to be an older brother of sort, or perhaps closer to an uncle he didnâ??t have. But the words that he seemed to throw at Jiuâ??ne were almost as deadly as his spearâ??s point towards Xion at the moment.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ffff00">â??You can show us later, when heâ??s not around.â?</span>the blonde offered, as if the newcomer was afraid of showing his face towards the dragon in human form. Truthfully, he had to wonder who this person was as well, because the feeling of being around Jiuâ??ne was familiar. He couldnâ??t pinpoint it though, even though he remembered plenty from the â??older daysâ??. Peace never lasted long, but Brand considered himself lucky to have been born in peaceful times.<br/><br/>When he was able to focus again, as he had allowed his mind to wander, he saw that the dragon had brushed Ariochâ??s face and left without another word. Pressing his lips together to prevent him from shouting out at the redhead that he should keep his paws to himself, he briskly walked up to the Elf and pulled out a small cloth he had that worked as a handkerchief.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ffff00">â??Well, that was certainly new. Didnâ??t scare you, did it, Ari?â?</span>Brand joked, knowing that she was probably irritated rather than scared. Pausing before her, he reached out with the handkerchief and gently brushed it against her cheek where Xionâ??s hand had touchedâ??as if the dragonâ??s flesh was dirty compared to the Elfâ??s.<br/><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ffff00">â??Letâ??s not pursueâ?¦ we should catch up with our fiery one. Lynnira has left us for shelter it appears.â?</span>he softly chuckled, eyes seemingly sparkling towards Arioch as he addressed Valen. He just hoped that the wind knight didnâ??t scold their female counterpart, as she had broke formation and left without counsel. Whether or not she could handle herself wasnâ??t the question. Lynnira was strong and temperamental. But if they were to get attacked, they would be more vulnerable when separated.<br/><br/>Teamwork was apparently another â??thing of the pastâ??, and he had to bite down hard on his tongue to prevent himself from becoming emotional about it. He wouldnâ??t doubt them or their cause though, because he had fate in their group uniting to be stronger than the scrambled group of the Dark Army.