The tension in Jyuuzou's eyes slowly drained, replaced by one of resigned dejection. It was almost as if the Ariana from yesterday had been a completely different person; though she had projected a frivolous aura, he could still say that at some point in time she had possessed a sharp edge to her demeanor. Today, however, it seemed like this woman had regressed to that of a, how did they say....a miner of metals? Brass pounder? Jyuuzou scratched his chin as he tried to remember the word that he had only just recently learned. Regardless, it was still an unexpected result that not only did it look like Ariana genuinely believed that this man was a Seraph, but also that 'Gill' was actually worth something. Jyuuzou released his grip as he felt Ariana tugging on 'Gill's' other arm. He decided to give up on trying to scare this shoddy imposter away; it would have been a fruitless endeavor anyhow, as the woman clearly looked like she was enthralled with her find.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">Just how much did this woman love money?!</span><br/><br/>On the other hand, it looked like his words had at least informed Kaleissa of the situation. He felt her gaze resting briefly on 'Gill', before a frosty, disinterested look flitted into her eyes. After looking up at the sky briefly, she met his gaze with a questioning look. Jyuuzou nodded back in assent. He couldn't be bothered to watch any more of this ridiculous scene; there were much more important matters at hand, after all. As he turned to leave, however, Ariana blurted out a line which caused him to pause.<br/><br/>“Do you want to travel with us?”<br/><br/>'Gill' replied almost instantly with a confident affirmative. Jyuuzou was about to voice his objection, but Kaleissa had already beat him to the punch.<br/><br/>"Leave him, Ariana, let's go. The man's worth is even less than that statue we found yesterday. They're both ugly, but at least one of them has cultural value."<br/><br/>With that, Kaleissa turned around and left the spot. Jyuuzou turned towards Ariana, hoping that the next words would dissuade the woman of her actions. She would be sorely mistaken if the object of her desire was the money which this 'Seraph' was supposed to have. There was simply no way that this imposter would have anything close to the amount of money a real Devout One's family would have. Furthermore, given the nature of what they were about to discuss, having an unworthy, untrustworthy piece of trash in their midst would only lead to more problems down the road.<br/><br/>"Gill, the Seraph of Kanzem...the one who singlehandedly lost his entire family's sizable fortune, driving them to poverty and mass suicide. The fool is penniless. He is also known as a man of little virtue, of little intelligence, and of little prowess. Such a tiny, worthless man is not fit to travel with us."<br/><br/>He pushed aside his cloak to reveal the two blades dangling underneath. Each word he spoke resonated with enough<span style="font-style: italic">sakki</span>to turn the average man instantly into a blubbering, piss-soaked and defacating mess.<br/><br/>"Should he wish to join us, this<span style="font-weight: bold">puny, penniless</span>one will have to prove his worth -"<br/><br/>Jyuuzou motioned to the mercenaries around them.<br/><br/>"- either with his money, -"<br/><br/>He turned his gaze pointedly to the weapons holstered on 'Gill's' belt.<br/><br/>"- or with his own skill."<br/><br/>All of a sudden, the mercenaries around them had become interested once more. The chill of impending battle, and the sweet smell of what could turn out to be an easy job, was in the air. Hell, even if they weren't hired, there'd still be a fight to watch; if there was something they liked even more than working an easy high-paying job, it was to watch a pompous fool get his face bashed in.