Return of the Lion

"Another please if you would, gorgeous."

A full tankard of beer would join a cluster of several empty ones as it was set before the owner of the voice, his eyes watching the young woman's every move from the moment she looked around at him, face flushed red, to the moment the glass touched the counter of the bar. A hand gripped the handle and raised the tankard in thanks before being raised to the man's lips, one electric blue eye closing in a wink that caused the already cherry-faced maiden to go a shade redder, unable to suppress a giggle. Gods I've missed this place...

Placing the tankard down, the figure turned to look out at the rest of the tables around him, all filled with people not unlike himself; mages each and every one of them, all from varying backgrounds and lifestyles but all drawn to this one point on the map of Fiore by a single name.

Sabertooth.

Of course many of the faces were different now. Many weren't around anymore, either moved on or tragically passed. Some were older and wizened by their experiences. Many were new members of the guild, fresh-faced and enthusiastic as ever. A smile crossed the lips of the figure as he absent-mindedly rubbed his neck where his own guild mark was located. It had been a long time since he'd been here. Far too long. But that was the price he paid for his family and he wouldn't have changed any of it.

After a few moments the figure rose to his feet, somewhat enjoying the current lack of attention he was getting from all except the barmaid who couldn't stop glancing his way. Once upon a time he couldn't take a step without someone watching him, such was the respect many had for him here. But much had changed since then. Several guildmasters had taken the mantle and left it for the next and the majority of those who he'd left behind had now followed suit, leaving others to take their places. It was mostly due to the former that Marick Lowell had arrived at this precise time. Sabertooth had just announced another new change in Guildmaster; a girl named Lynn who had joined shortly after he'd left the guild was now replacing 'Lord' Frederick, a man whom Marick had faced on countless occasions. It was a peculiar turn of events during a turbulent time and, although he had been absent, Marick knew he needed to return immediately if only to step in if needed.

He downed the remainder of his beer and let out a sigh. He was calm now. Relaxed. Now he could approach the Guildmaster's Office without any worries. Without interruption? Doubtful.

Ryo yawned as he woke up in the day yet again. He hated waking up during the day now being what he was. Still, he had things to do, and he had to pretend to be mostly human. As he walked through the guild hall however Gora was padding along right next to him just as was the case most every day now. He had at one point let Gora wander about, but increasingly so Gora didn’t seem to want to leave his side, that was likely to have something to do with the loss of Ian. There really wasn’t much to be done about that at all, but it was just a truth they had to live with.

The pair walked closer to the bar where they would be spending a good chunk of their time. As they moved however Ryo stopped dead in his tracks. A very familiar face was leaving the bar that was inside of the guild hall. It was a face that he hadn’t seen for a very long time, and it was a face that he both liked and resented now. He frowned trying to figure out what to say, but Gora had seen him first and he bounded up to the card mage. Gora had some memories of Marick, and he was fond of the other Card mage.

The great wolf rushed him and tackled him to the floor of the guild hall licking his face quickly and repeatedly. He was happy to see the card mage and he barked on occasion to show his happiness. Ryo only walked up silently and he tried to be mad, he tried to be upset, he tried to find some negative connotation to this meeting. However, he just couldn’t and he smiled showing his full set of teeth and fangs “Well, I really didn’t think I’d ever see you again Marick…It has been a very long time.” He said watching the scene with his amuse smirk on his face looking much the same as he had when Marick left aside from older, and with a few more scars.

Today was one of those rare days were everything seemed to be perfect for a change. His job from which Frederick was just returning was simply put 'a walk in the park' so to speak. A small village threatened by an one-eyed giant, eating it's livestock and trample all over their fields. Just because it could. And since Frederick was well, Frederick, he'd knocked out with the full might of his force. After all holding back wasn't an option, not if you want the job done quick. Either way, from there on out everything seemed to be going smoothly. The giant fled, he encountered nothing annoyingly on the road back. Even the sky was clear from any clouds or disturbances. Nothing but the endless ocean blue color and the golden sun that shined down it's warmth down on the earth.

However, that perfect day came to an abrupt end when Frederick approached the gates to the teleport that would take him up to the guild. Gathered in front of the locked gates, was a large gathering of people. No to be more specific, women. As an harbinger of bad luck they were all packed in front of the gate, yelling at the guards to let them in. ''We know he's in here!!!'' ''He didn't think he could've come into town without us knowing!!!'' ''Let us through!!''

''eeh...'' A bit dumbfounded Frederick approached the group, as he after all had to pass through them. ''Could you maybe let me pass?'' It was however after he spoke up Frederick realized he made a grave mistake, as in unison the entire group of women turned their heads towards him. Their eyes glowing red with the fiery flames of hell itself. And Frederick could only feel terrified as the scorned ladies realized he might know more. Which he didn't... unfortunately.


With the doors slamming shut behind him, Frederick was pressing and leaning against the giant doors. His silver long hair which under normal circumstances was always perfectly taken care off, was now ruffled up. His long cloak, was torn and shredded. As if a beast had gotten hold of it, and sunk its claws into the fabric. His face red from being out of breath, in fact Frederick was still panting as if just barely escaped with his very life. Which in a sense might be true. ''Thank god... those'' Before he could even finish his sentence, he saw a rather familiar and unsettling face laying on the ground. And suddenly it all made sense, the women outside, why they were angry and why they had to enter the guild at all cost.
There in front of him laying on the ground, his face being licked by the giant dire wolf Gora which was Ryo's pet. Was Marick Lowell.

''You!!!'' Shouted Frederick angrily ''I could have known that those harpies outside had something to do with you!!'' Infuriated that he was, Frederick stampeded down the hall towards Marick. His hands already clenched into fists. And even some of his magic already materializing around them. Ready to strike the womanizing disappearance act, also known as Marick Lowell