Over coffee? (Social/Saya/Nothel)

The town of Magnolia was its most beautiful in the early afternoon. On many days, Saya would leave home and enjoy the lovely atmosphere around her for a brief break before heading towards the guild. The young mage loved stopping by the local cafe not too far away from Fairy Tail every now and then to do so and she's been there so many times it's like second nature to her at her age at this point. And she loved coming here, too; the old lady shopkeeper was her favorite barista due to her motherly nature and natural friendship over the years of being a regular customer.

Today was generally no different. Saya entered the small cafe shop, which tended to be most empty during the early hours. She greeted the old barista warmly, who smiled and welcomed her back in return. Next minute later, a cup of coffee was on her table. The mage eagerly replied courteously. "Thank you, Oba-chan!"

While enjoying her coffee in peace, Saya's eyes wondered around the empty shop, before settling on the nearby request board. It was a wooden stand that looked so much like the one in her guild and she couldn't help but wonder to herself - was it time for her to take on a job and go on a mission? She was now a member of  Fairy Tail, and many mage careers began with errands and jobs. She wondered what her first job would be and if she could make friends with her guildmates and get them to come along? Specifically, would her first partner be? It was very interesting to think of the future and she couldn't wait to find her answer.

Not many people would be out in the streets at this time of the afternoon, except a few people that is. Nothel would be no exception as he paces down the various streets, a job paper in his hand. It would be detailing where and what he had to do, only one problem though. The job was written in such bad handwriting he couldn't make out where he had to go. He had already paced this street at least three times with no luck.

Sighing out, he would stop in front of the cafe'. The wind would blow slightly, rustling the coat he has on, chilling him slightly. He wasn't one to takes breaks like this, or to skip on a job. But he has honestly had enough of it today. He can ask the barista for a drink, pay her, and then ask for directions. Simple right?

He nods to himself, being one to make plans in his head then agree with them out loud. He never understood why he did this but, it was an odd idiosyncrasy he has always had. Anyway, he puts his hand onto the doorknob, opening it and stepping inside the cafe'. Taking no real notice of the customers inside he would step behind a small line, one or two people. Patiently, he taps his foot, waiting for the line to shorten. During this time his eyes would glance over Saya, not really giving her two thoughts, just viewing her as another customer.

About two minutes later he would stroll up to the counter. He would exchange words with the barista. Saya would probably hear the exchange, and Nothel would start it with something along the lines of, "I'm looking for this specific place to do this job..." it would drone on for a few minutes, and it seems the old barista couldn't really help him. He shakes his head, slightly angered at this. After the small exchange he would then just ask for a drink, "Fine can...hm, can I just have some tea with honey in it..." he forgets to be courteous and say, 'please.'

Saya's thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of another customer. A pleasant surprise, since not many people came here. He was unique, being fairly tall with white hair and crimson eyes, and dressed in a dark longcoat. As mysterious as he looked, Saya found herself curiously listening in to his conversation with the old shopkeeper and she was able to pick a major keyword from his sentence - "job".

Jobs were commonly associated with mages, and feeling small traces of magic energy radiating off this man, it was certainly the case. This was interesting and it appeared that he was looking for help with whatever he had to do. Poor Granny couldn't seem to help him and the sigh of frustration was a sign that he wasn't satisfied with the answer.

Saya felt strangely inclined to help the stranger. It had always been in her nature to befriend strangers and help others, an altruistic mentality some would say. And with him occupied by the shopkeeper's serving, the young mage stood up and approached the man before him. She kindly spoke "Hey there, I overheard you needed some clarification with a job. Perhaps I can help?"

Nothel would have been pulling out money for the barista as Saya approached. See, this would be an odd experience for him. Most people don't talk to him, on top of that they even pretend to not notice him. Even again, when he is approached, no one offers him help... This confuses him slightly, making him wait a few seconds before acknowledging Saya.

Turning on his heel, he would face Saya. Before talking, he would take a second to get a good look at her, taking her image in. Surprisingly, he would recognize her as someone much younger than him, around eighteen he would presume. He also notes her red eyes, like his, this makes him slightly happy for an odd reason. Smiling slightly he nods, hoping he remembers how to talk casually to someone.

He would attempt to try and be courteous to her, maybe he can actually make a friend here. Though, of course, his regular traits of arrogance and meaness would shine through at point.

"Mhm, yeah, maybe you can...er..sorry, do you want to sit down?" He gestures to the tables.

Saya was pleased to see the man respond positively to her approach and smiled at his offer. She nodded and took a seat opposite of wear the man was sitting across the table. He sounded a bit uncertain, but he was without a doubt a pleasant person underneath that gloomy exterior.

After sitting down, she tried starting another conversation with him; first beginning with the identity of whom she was specifically speaking to, "You're a mage, right? What's your name?"

Inside, Nothel would feel actually quite happy he is talking to someone. All his life he has never had someone to help him. His parents were always away or he was too busy to really talk to someone. Though, this wouldn't really come out as a smile on the exterior, more of a neutral frown-ish type. Sitting down in front of her, he would nod at her question.

"Nothel, and I am a mage." He says this with no real emotion attached to it, and he holds back a lot of information. Never having opened up to someone it would be awkward for him to talk about himself

"Whom are you?"

Nothel. That was a unique name eerily fitting for this mysterious individual. What was more interesting was that he was indeed a mage - on some job no less. His followup question after the reply was quick to catch her attention.

Saya answered with a slightly more cheerful demeanor, compared to Nothel's stoic one. It was only natural to show some common courtesy. "Saya. Saya Tadeyoshi, I'm also a mage and it's nice to meet you, Nothel-kun. Are you part of a guild by any chance?"

Nothel nods at her response, but is slightly puzzled at her saying she is a mage. After she mentions it, he can feel the slight magic energy coming off of her.

'A fellow mage huh?' he would think to himself. muttering to himself, albeit a bit loudly, 'I wonder what her magic is based around...' After this, he would look up, and smile lightly at her, his cold exterior breaking slightly, "Actually I am associated with Black Rose...are you in a guild yourself Saya-san." He would mark her with some respect, as previously mentioned, not many people talk to him, so it deserves something.

Saya nodded at Nothel's first statement to confirm it. She could see a small smile form on his face following that; Saya enjoyed a good chitchat with others and it's nice to see that kindness can be appreciated even between the distant of strangers.

Nothel's reply, however, struck a few chords that concerned her a bit. Black Rose was the name of one of the more unknown guilds in Fiore that was  a bit distant from the Magic Council, if she recalled correctly. She heard rumors of it being a bounty hunter guild, but she wasn't sure if this was true or not given her limited knowledge of the name itself. Her kind smile dwindled a bit from this newfound information, unsure what to make of it. But this man was friendly and most likely well-intentioned, it would be ill for her to judge him based on his guild alone. His respect towards her was more than enough to allow her to give him the benefit of the doubt, and she was certainly that Nothel had his good reasons for being in Black Rose, similar to why she picked her guild out of the others offered in Fiore.

Nothel's next question was coincidentally exactly the case, and she was more than happy to answer, her smile returning.  "Oh...yep. I just joined Fairy Tail a few days ago."

Nothel would notice her smile fade a bit, and he wonders what he did wrong. He was never one to do good conversation. Internally, he panics slightly, wondering if he just messed everything up. Externally, he shakes his head to himself, and then nods at Saya.

"Oh, you just joined your guild too? That's coincidental, I joined Black Rose two days ago."

He smiles lightly, remembering debating joining Fairy Tail from the list of choices. It seemed to high up for him to achieve, and he decided to go a bit lower key. That is when he found Black Rose and it was perfect for him.

"I hear Fairy Tail is pretty up there, I bet you are strong then?" his smile continues, enjoying the conversation. His responses would be pretty awkward, but enough for casual conversation..hopfully.

Saya was a bit flustered by Nothel's remark, her smile becoming meek and sheepish. She replied with a more timid voice, "Well, truth be told, I'm just a beginner getting used to my magic."

This made her curious, ironically enough and prompted her to ask him. "Say, Nothel-kun, while we're on the subject - what kind of magic do you use?"

Before the second sentence she says, Nothel would notice her timid actions, finding them slightly funny, which makes him chuckle under his breath. But, when her next sentence comes out Nothel's face darkens. He has always associated his magic with more evil things. Then this person who is in the most lawful guild - Fairy Tail, asks him what his magic is. He wonders if he can dodge the question or not. Shaking his head slightly he asks:

"You are just a beginner? Hmph...I guess I can't say anything different...I am too a beginner, Saya-san." He dodges the question, though if pushed any he will probably tell her.

Saya blinked at Nothel after he spoke and it only took seconds for her to take notice of the latter's sudden change in expression, almost going from indifferent to grim the moment she asked about his magic. This was, to say the least, unsettling. She would've never guessed that such a mundane question would be taken in such an offensive way.

She had to rectify that mistake and was fast to apologize. "Oh, um, sorry...I didn't mean to say something offensive....beginner levels of magic, you said?"

The young mage was anxious for a response. She was curious about the magic he used but hoped she didn't rub off Nothel in the wrong way, maybe talking about magic was a little too sensitive for his comfort. Either way, she made a mental note to herself to pick her next words carefully.

Nothel realizes what he did by dodging the question, and made her apologize for something that isn't that huge a deal. Quickly changing his grim expression back to indifferent he apologizes,

"No, I shouldn't have dodged the question, sorry." He smiles lightly at her, trying to rectify the situation

"Yes, I am just now starting to use my magic professionally, and well my magic..." he bites his lip, not wanting to scare her. Shaking his head he continues, "Involves the manipulation of blood."

He looks ready to take a blow, thinking that she might be scared off because of his magic. Well, his magic isn't the full story, he also has his cursed bloodline, but that shouldn't come up in this talk...

Nothing could've prepared the young mage for the reply she was able to receive. Saya's apologetic expression changed into surprise when he heard Nothel admit to using blood magic, something that usually wasn't heard of. To say she couldn't believe her ears was an understatement.

Saya once again took notice of Nothel's expression. He seemed...afraid for some reason. It was like he felt ashamed of what he just said, as if the stigma of his magic was getting to him before the Fairy Tail mage could even begin to respond. It was all too familiar to Saya; she knew this feeling all to well. In fact, this was a near mirrored moment to how she reacted when she admitted her own magic to guildmaster Heero when she first asked to join. She empathized with the poor mage in front of him, as she too had her share of secrets.

"Nothel-kun, you use blood magic?" she gently asked, trying to get him to feel at ease. She looked over his shoulder and saw the old shopkeeper smile and nod to her.

Saya would read Nothel perfectly, he was in fact quite scared of rejection here, just like the rest of his life. Her immediately not wanting to get away from him cheered him up slightly.

Nothel nods, "Y..Yeah..." he looks down towards the ground, unable to really meet her eyes. After responding he feels a wave of sadness wash over him. Was it because someone was taking pity on him? Was it because he was taking pity onto himself? He couldn't tell, but this was a new area of exploration for him, sadness. His cold exterior seems to be breaking down at this point, as he is opening up to Saya.

Nothel had a very intimidating appearance but beneath his dark exterior was a scared child. Saya could feel that he didn't like discussing his magic in public and his body language tried to shield him from the potential from any negative immediate reaction that any person would've had upon learning of a blood magic mage.

Not Saya, however. It appeared he was upset over the matter and the female mage felt it was worth a try to lighten up the mood. Truthfully, Saya had been ostracized in the past for the nature of her magic, but she learned to grow tolerant of the opinions of others; outside factors didn't dictate who she was as a person and she felt that now was the right moment to show Nothel that. He may not have gotten used to accepting his magic, but it helps to learn that he's not all different.

"I would've never guessed..." she said calmly, placing the tip of her finger in her mouth. Biting lightly, he pricked herself an open wound allowing blood to flow out of it. The trail wouldn't go down her hand however, as instead travelled upward, as she slowly manipulated the droplets to form a shape resembling a ribbon. She twirled it slowly around her before allowing the blood to return to her finger and heal her small wound. "Feel better?"

OOC: Gtg sleep~

((Good night, I have to go to bed right after I make this post, also, I didn't even realize your magic was blood as well, gg))

Nothel would look up as she starts to talk. He hates himself slightly for opening up like this. But....honestly it felt good to open up, to have someone to talk to, to have someone to be around. When Saya starts talking he looks up, his eyes expressing his sadness. Well, they are sad until they see Saya expressing her magic.

His eyes would become wide after seeing Saya manipulate blood with her magic, and his mouth kind of goes agape.

"Y..You are a blood m-mage too?" He stammers slightly, and then smiles widely at Saya, being instantly cheered up, knowing someone else is a mage like that. His voice sounds like a mixture of cheerfulness and just utter glee. For years he thought he was weird for not having a normal magic, thinking he should have been in a dark guild. Then here comes this little lady who is in Fairy Tail to show him he isn't weird.