☸ RACE ME I DARE YOU ☸

The young Eden witch was not really on her way anywhere specific, nor was she pursuing contracts and jobs of any kind. She merely wanted to take a walk in the Serene cliffs and woods that were present nearby to the location, as she adored the atmosphere of such place greatly. What she did not expect, however, was the fact that she was not alone out here. A rather large and somewhat menacing figure was walking right beside her, something that appeared to be the new norm for Leila. While she herself did not mind this in the slightest, the sigh of a mechanical golem who's height was well over 8 feet could probably scare many others that could be out here as well. Not to mention that he was also wearing the usual military coat over his metallic body, perhaps giving off a wrong impression at times.

"Do you really not have anything else to wear, father? Something little bit more comfortable for instance..."

They would not stop as they they started the conversation, instead, they continued on walking through the trees as the shade of many leaves hid their frames from the peering sun, allowing for the cool breeze to caress their skin. Or at least skin of the one who was actually alive in this rather odd duo.

"Other attire is not required for me. I am unable to feel discomfort from clothes alone. Besides, this outfit was designed to last throughout my entire journey across Earthland. While it may not appear like that, it is of the highest quality."

It made sense. As far as Leila remembered, he always wore this. Yup, no matter how many years back she would look, this guy was completely unchanging. But that too was not a bad thing, really. Though it depended how one looked at the situation as a whole. Thoughts like that were quickly interrupted, as something uncommon moved into the girl's field of vision, however. A large piece of coat stuck to a bush nearby? With a hurried step, she quickly got into a kneeling position in front of it to investigate. It was not any simple cloth, but a whole blazer it turned out. And it looked like someone tugged it at forcefully not too long ago?

"Don't tell me someone fell into the bushes and got injured? No, I don't see any blood... in any case..."

Holding her hand over the shrubbery, her magic started doing it's thing, commanding the fauna all around. And in mere seconds, the blazer was freed as the small branches moved and retreated momentarily. Perks of magic that is connected to nature itself, it comes in handy from time to time. Now the question was, who lost this here? Wearing something like this in place such as this was probably not the greatest idea to begin with, so it wasn't all that surprising. Although Leila was one to talk, as she too had her combat outfit on right now. An attire that provided many opportunities to get stuck somewhere. Though she did love nature and learned how to avoid situations like that by now, thankfully.

"My sensors are picking up increased organic activity nearby. From common analysis, it's probably that owner of this piece could be found there."

Simply nodding to the golem, the girl started walking towards this new destination at accelerated pace. And soon, she would find herself in front of a hut and what appeared to be two girls, freshly arrived here. Both clearly young and rather energetic, was one of them the victim of that bush by any chance? Well, there was really only one way she could find out and that was by asking them directly.

"Um... excuse me ladies, but is one of you missing this by any chance?"

"P..pardon?"

Was Leila's very first reaction when the blonde girl suddenly jumped in front of her and started talking as if she had met an idol of some sort. Not that she would mind being adored by someone else, it was just a rather interesting first meeting to say the least. Others were usually not so active when introducing themselves, asking questions as to what shampoo you use. Well, it was still the good ol' Fiore it seemed, filled with unique individuals that could easily spice up one's day and change the entire atmosphere in one go just like that.

"I mean, if you want then feel free to touch it. As long as you don't tug on it and such. I also don't really use a shampoo, just an extract from certain flowers in Eden. And judging by the rest of your attire, I imagine this blazer is yours?"

Ah, only once the words were said Leila realized this girl would probably have no idea what "Eden" is. The dimension was slowly fading away from the records of magic as it lost it's popularity. But that was probably for the best anyway, as Gardens of Eden deserved to be left alone in piece, so that they could thrive once more. Handing the girl her jacket for now, the Eden's mage would turn around to see this other girl that was present, as well as her mechanical father who was only now catching up as he did not exactly bother running after her. He would only analyze the company here before turning his eye-less gaze back at his adopted daughter and then the old man.

"This even was not planned as a part of our walk. I apologize, but we are not here for this contract and thus have no desire in partaking in it.As such, I would appreciate it if you could cease your complaints and show respect instead."

Well, that was the nameless golem alright. Leila could only sigh as she looked at the basket which was surprisingly tall. Gathering supplies didn't really seem like it would be too much of a hassle. And this company was certainly something interesting so why not stay around and help out a little when she could? Especially if there was some possible reward involved as well. And even if there wasn't one, why not help out a man in need. Even if he was kinda rude. Perhaps it would be different if he knew that Leila over here was couple of thousand years old ex-goddess. Or maybe not.

"It's okay, father. We might as well help while we're here. It's not like we had any other destination in mind, right? Ah, name's Leila Vergious, wandering mage of Golden Phoenix!"

With that said, the golem would reluctantly stare into empty space for a moment before nodding and approaching one of he baskets, lifting it above his head with extreme ease. If they were meant to be carrying anything at all, then he would take his daughter's share on his own accord. A protective father indeed, sometimes to a fault.

Well, this encounter was certainly going in ways that the girl could not even imagine under normal circumstances. But the energy that was flowing through the blonde girl was somewhat refreshing from the otherwise depressed and lazy world that the Eden's maiden had to traverse these days. And if the tall golem wasn't around, then maybe she would try to be as energetic as well. She was actually quite cute with the way she was flailing and trying to impress them all while not making anyone feel left out. It was something that should be appreciated for sure.

"Just Leila is fine, no need to worry about it~"

She would remark, her tone dancing more on the playful side as well now. In a flurry of more flails and words, the girl eventually bolted off into the distance, disappearing between the trees. Somehow, Leila felt as if that could not end well. Turning towards this Aurora, she let out a somewhat satisfied sigh. Aurora... that name rang a familiar bell. Perhaps there was another Golden Phoenix member who went by the same name? Or perhaps that was just another one of her mistakes that were happening ever since the girl came back from the dead, events that she remembered but ones that may or may not have ever really happened. In any case, they were both agreeing on the third member of this rather interesting team.

"You've said that right. The young of this world... they can certainly be quite beautiful in their own way. It almost makes me feel like I have to protect such innocence from the harsher side of life."

Her words were probably strange for the other female, but in the end, they would both go their own ways as the drunk disappeared, a sound of 4th wall shattering following sharply. Now it was just her and her golem standing there. But not for too long, as the machias activated his wings of steel and moving cogs, taking to the air with the basket in his hands and quickly disappearing in the distance without a single word. He really tried his best, but the silver haired girl sometimes wished that his creator would install better communication system. With no basket to fill, she would quickly turn towards the woods and take after Ainsley. Thankfully, she managed to find her rather effortlessly. And of course, her clothes were once more fighting with the local flora. With a snap of her fingers, the bushes and trees around would start moving away from them, the twigs and branches shying away and letting the fabric go gently.

"You should be more careful, dear. The nature here means you no harm, but you need to move in unison with it if you don't want to have your beautiful attire tarnished."

Smiling along with those words, she would kneel down next to the energetic female and help her gather whatever they could find in order to fill her basket. And after some time, the trio would once more gather in front of the hut. Trio for now, but soon, the golem soared back, piercing the clouds and landing on the ground next to them in a powerful motion. The basket he stole from Leila now placed on the ground as well, everyone could see that it was filled with fresh fish, packed to the brim. Someone worked unnecessarily hard it seemed...