what am i doing

[manforflowers]

How could I have not known about a city which so many gorgeous women? I suppose fighting the Risen didn't leave much room for matters of the academic... To think, so many beauties deprived of my charms! How could I, the daring and loveable Inigo, allow such a thing to pass?

These cafes aren't... quite what I'm used to, but it looks like they serve tea and cakes just as well.

[Or perhaps you'll just come across this wandering mercenary in the city. He's for hire - and if you happen to be a pretty girl, he'll work for free.]

Comments

[magicdancer]

[Hey Inigo, were you perhaps planning at some point to sneak off and practice dancing? Well guess who you'd find in the studio practicing her belly dancing moves?

This girl.]

[manforflowers]

[The dance studio was definitely one of the first places he wanted to check out in this academy, but when he got there, an incredible sight awaited him: an absolutely stunning girl, and her absolutely stunning dance moves. How did she get her hips to move like that?! It was hypnotizing...

He just wanted to watch her forever. He certainly wasn't going to interrupt. Half-hidden in the doorway, Inigo was transfixed.]

[magicdancer]

[She kept at it, engrossed in her practice, until she realized someone was there. She came to a stop, gaze cast upon the door. Her immediate reaction was to accuse him of peeping, but she reminded herself that she HAD put up a notice and tried to organize a dance club... He was probably curious about it. So she softened her approach.]

Hi! You're here about the dance club?

[manforflowers]

[Inigo immediately flushed red. Yes, yes he would've loved a dance club! But the sudden thought of bumbling around trying to learn those moves with her watching made him die inside. There was nothing worse in the world than the idea of such an amazing performer thinking his dancing was garbage - really, it would've been like watching a donkey with a seizure. He couldn't possibly bastardize her routine like that.]

Ye... u-uh, I mean... [NO HE WAS STARTING TO STAMMER. He had to cover up this terminal shyness. Quick, Inigo, lay on the charm.]

I was just passing by and I couldn't help but be captivated by your beauty! Your muscle control is amazing how do you do it...

[magicdancer]

So... You just came to watch me dance.

[Okay, never mind. At least he didn't look like a womanizing jerk!]

Well, thank you. I've been practicing most of my life. Dancing is in my blood.

[manforflowers]

[So she came from a family of dancers too... well of course she did, that's how she was so good. Naturally she'd be a dancer by trade. Not like him. Men in the army didn't exactly need male dancers. How could he compare when he was such an amateur?

No, the more he thought about her dancing, the more anxious he was getting again. On instinct, he swallowed those thoughts down and replaced them with the one surefire tactic he had to fight his shyness: flirt.

Instantly, that blush was replaced by a confident, charming swagger.]

My lady, I would have happily watched you forever. Your talent truly is a marvel to behold. The only thing that could possibly give me more joy than the beauty of your dance and your fair form would be to share a cup of tea together.

[magicdancer]

[Okay, yeah, this was as bad as she originally thought. She felt her eyebrow twitch. Why didn't she trust her gut more often? But why did they always have to be so transparent when they started throwing out pickup lines?]

Oh, I see. You're looking for some company, aren't you?

[manforflowers]

[Ah yes, the eyebrow twitch was much more familiar territory.]

That and more, if you'll have me. I can think of no fairer company than yours.

[magicdancer]

You know, it's bad enough that we just met and you're already throwing pickup lines at me, but could you be any less obvious about it?

[docilehearted]

Oh... so you're new here, then? If you like tea and cakes, maybe I can be of help?

[manforflowers]

[PRETTY GIRL ALERT]

I hope so! They're the perfect pick me up.

But being able to share them with someone makes the cake sweeter, and tea all the more aromatic... fair maiden, would you do me that honour?

[docilehearted]

You talk so elegantly! You don't have to call me anything like that, though. I'm just plain old Alorah.

[Fair maiden. It's enough to make a girl blush! He must be from somewhere really far away, if he talks like a fairy-tale prince.]

I know it can be a little lonely visiting somewhere new, so I'd love to join you. If you don't mind homemade things, I... well, I sort of like baking in my free time, so maybe...?

[manforflowers]

[Oh my god a girl is offering to make him cake THIS IS GOING SO WELL.]

I'd be delighted to! If your cakes are even half as sweet as you are, then I must be in for a treat.

But 'plain', and 'old'? I'll not allow such nonsense. But I will call you Alorah, for it is a name as elegant and fair as the lady who carries it.

[docilehearted]

[My goodness, all this attention! Alorah's hardly used to being on the receiving end of this kind of flattery. A little flustered, she instead tries to turn the focus back on this new visitor.]

You said your name was Inigo, right...? I'll do my best to make you something you'll love, but first, I'd like to know a little more about you.

[manforflowers]

Then I am an open book for you! Whatever do you wish to know of ol' Inigo?

[docilehearted]

Well, we could start with what sort of cakes you like.

[manforflowers]

Oh, I've never met a cake a didn't like! But my favourite is lemon with chocolate frosting. I like those little frosting flowers too...

[silversky]

[Here's also someone wandering around the city, carrying a rather large mechanical sword around. She's looking around curiously; she was supposed to go fight some monsters but she somehow ended up in this strange not-so-destroyed world and she's not sure how to go about this.

She sees you and pauses for a moment before speaking up.]

Um, excuse me...

[manforflowers]

[Wow. That was like no sword he'd ever seen before. Was it real? How on earth could it be practical?

Well, those weren't important details. What was important was that she was adorable! Inigo beamed, ready and eager to be of service.]

Speak up, my sweet! Are you lost? Lonely? Your dear Inigo is at your service!

[silversky]

[Oh wow, this person is overly friendly. Ciel's taken back by it but proceeds to continue with what she was going to originally ask.]

Yes... That is correct. I am wondering what area this place is called. I have never seen a district this lively and large.

[manforflowers]

[Well, he wasn't familiar with the city either... but that wasn't going to stop him from trying to help!]

Well, before she kicked me out of the shop, a pretty merchant lass told me this was 'Final Destination City.' It's quite a sight, isn't it? I've never come by such a strange place.

Perhaps we could explore it together, get to know the city... while we get to know each other, too.

[silversky]

[Ciel's not sure whether she should completely trust this guy. What did he exactly do to get kicked out of somewhere?

The last part Inigo says completely goes over her head; her mission-oriented mind is focused a little too much on trying to understand how she ended up in a different world.]

I agree with surveying the area for more information. I was in a middle of a mission with a... friend... before I found myself here, and must return as soon as possible.

[manforflowers]

[Hmm... well, she did some pretty serious about this mission. It must've been something of great import.

This was the very reason he became a mercenary - to help people (specifically pretty girls) in need. So even if he had no idea how, he was going to do his best to make sure she got where she needed to go.]

Then I will accompany you until you safely find your way, fair lady. Tell me, where do you need to be? And who is this, um, friend. [Please don't let it be a boyfriend.]

[silversky]

[Sorry to crush your dreams, it may be a boyfriend. Or a girlfriend. Let's leave it ambiguous for now.]

"Fair lady?" My name is Ciel Alencon. As for my... friend, they were the Captain of the unit I am a member of. A very reliable and kind leader I have the fortunate time of working under.

[She gives the tiniest of a smile for a moment, but catches herself as she clears her voice to return to her normal stoic face.]

I was heading to the City of Mercy before I ended up in this strange place. This place looks similar, but the area we were headed towards was more rundown.

[manforflowers]

[City of Mercy... he couldn't quite put his finger on it, but it was a rather ominous name. Well, that would have to be enough to go on.]

I suppose we should start by asking around! Don't stray too far from me, sweet Ciel - a beautiful name, by the way.