The Crusade Begins

Being alone all these years had been difficult for Nathaniel. Having to scrape whatever jewels he had to pay off his landlord by being a peace keeper in the Mountain Village doesn't really pay well. On top of all that, he must continue training his use of his magic and swordsmanship, so he could deal with local villains by killing them. Yes, it had been a hard long road to reach this point of Nat's life, but it all paid off and he was ready. Ready for the next level in his pursuit to protect the innocent and destroy evil. But he knew Nat could not do this alone, he needed comrades to face the greater evils of this world, and so Nat leaved another home behind, towards another that could be his new one: Dies Irae.

To Nat, it is the only guild he thought that suited his goals. A legal guild so as to not be mistaken as a bad guy, and is willing to result to extreme measures unlike the Rune Knights, Sabertooth, and most importantly Fairy Tail. But having only a few jewels in his pocket, travelling to Hargeon to catch a boat for Amber island would be a challenge in itself. So, he started walking due East to find the nearest road.

Two days and after surviving the wilderness passed, Nat had finally arrived in Hargeon. His clothes torn in some places and dirty but he was relieved all the same. Now his final test begins, getting on a boat. He made his way to the port to secure a ride to the island, but it would seem his jewels were not enough, especially after buying some food after arriving in town. Resulting to plan B, Nat kept an eye for a boat heading to Amber island and observed any cargo he might smuggle himself in. Fortunately, he was able to find a shipment of cotton that could fit him. Waiting for the perfect opportunity, Nat made his way in the crate covering himself with the cotton while the porter was not looking.

After an uneventful journey, he had arrived in Amber Island. He disembarked from the ship, blending in with the crowd and making his way towards the castle decorated with red and gold banners excited. He had arrived at a magnificent archway that left him at awe thereafter. The guild is certainly equipped to deal with the evils of the world if they can afford this fancy of a place and couldn't wait to get started.

Opening the doors, Nat stepped in to the hall revealing a magnificent throne room in front of him that made him nod at how impressive it was, all the while scanning the room for any food or drink he can find and purchase but was saddened to find none. "Should've packed a cheesecake." he thought to himself.

Post WC: 481
Nat's Total: 481

There might not have been any food to purchase, but that wasn't to say there was no food in the Throne Hall. There certainly was, simply because a certain Ambassador was there. Seated on the oversized throne itself was a rosette young woman. Despite her calm demeanor and impeccably curated appearance, the area around her was chaotic. She was situated in the right corner of the seat, sharing the space with a plate piled high with various desserts. Different cakes, cookies, mochi, eclairs, macarons, and brownies were stacked haphazardly, and every now and then her slender fingers would pluck up a sweet victim to munch on. An office assistant she'd borrowed hovered nearby, apparently enlisted to help Sivvy with whatever it was she was doing. There were stacks of books and newspapers around the throne itself, slightly disheveled as if she'd just rustled through them in a search for something specific. Maybe it was the old newspaper she had in her hand, dated a few months back. Crimson eyes scanned through it with almost robotic precision, while her hand shoved an entire chocolate chip cookie into her mouth and managed to make it look elegant.

Now, this didn't seem the place to be doing all this, but this wasn't something she felt comfortable doing in her shared office with Johann, nor did she ever feel motivated in her own living quarters to do...well, much of anything. The only time she was in her room, despite its top-tier design and size, was to sleep. Sleeping wasn't something she was fond of, perhaps betrayed by the steaming mug of coffee nearby. Strangely enough, the slayer felt most at ease and focused in the center of the busiest part of the guildhall. At least it made her easy to find and readily available to new recruits.

"Ahem," the thin man lingering around prompted, seeing the newcomer enter while also noticing Sivvy hadn't looked up from the paper to notice. "Ambassador, there's--"

"Can you bring me the Fiore paper from two months before this one?" the clone asked suddenly, not realizing she was interrupting. She may have the heightened senses of a slayer, but right now she was absorbed in whatever it was she was researching.

The slight man sighed, appearing to be vaguely annoyed but not enough to cause a scene. "Of course. But you should know, there seems to be a visitor approaching," he added more urgently.

Sivvy heard it that time. Peeking over the top of the paper, sure enough, there was the slightly bewildered she'd become accustomed to. Nearly every hopeful mage had it when they walked in, looking for a way to join. Folding her paper in half and replacing it on the top of one of the nearby piles, she stood. Now that she was on task, her helper disappeared to find what she'd requested.

The Ambassador he was about to meet was in a sleek black pantsuit with ornamental accents like crimson sleeve cuffs, and glittering gold chains swagged horizontally between white buttons. It wasn't as militaristic as Johann's was, but it was a step up from the plain black powersuit she usually opted for on days like these. Her hair was down and free to fall about her shoulders in gentle waves of pink. A polite smile settled on the lips of her otherwise completely neutral face, though her eyes were sharp with some sort of crisis that had her anxiety on edge. Still, she tried to push it aside and do her duties.

"Hello," she spoke formally, possessing the general vibe of a high-ranking position. Trying to ease this upon meeting someone new was hard for her, so the next part might seem a bit awkward, but was vastly improved from the way she used to introduce herself. "I'm Sivvy, one of the Ambassadors of Dies Irae. Can I help you?"


[646]

Nat sighed out of fatigue and failure of nothing finding any food to buy. His journey had been a long and grueling one, and no one looked as if anyone can be bothered to ask for such trivial matters because they were all busy. Fortunately, he noticed eyes peer out from behind a newspaper and briefly locked onto it and they were mesmerizing. Suddenly, the newspaper was folded and it beheld mounds of delicious foods and desserts that made his eyes widen and  a young beautiful rosette woman and apparently well dressed... and... approaching him. Though Nat wasn't the shy type because being twenty five, he's had his fair share of speaking to women. He was nervous because the woman approaching him was elegant, and graceful as her hair flowed gently while she walked. Not unlike him haggardly carrying himself in his brownish white shirt with tears, a pair of slacks, also with tears, topped off with scratches and puffs of wool, all as a result of his journey to the island. He could at least heal himself and to remove the unsightly injuries, but it was too late.

The woman who looked to be getting prettier the more she got close had arrived before him and the angelic figure had begun to converse with him. He thought is current attire would have to do despite thinking how rude it was, but furthering his crusade against evil would come first. Clearing his throat and posturing himself properly, he replied "Hi. I'm Nathaniel Stratford. I came here because I'm ready to join the big leagues when it comes to ridding Earthland of evil."

Post WC: 272
Nat's Total: 753

Well, he was certainly off to a good start. While others that looked like her might have judged his ragged appearance with condescending eyes, Sivvy wasn't one of those. Things like that didn't matter to her. Just because she enjoyed clothes and wacky fashion didn't mean she expected everyone to look a certain way. Besides, she regularly destroyed and had to remake her clothing given her line of work. This new person just looked like a hard worker.

The Ambassador was silent for a few short moments as she sized him up, or at least tried to. Her perception of people wasn't the best, but she was trying to get the hang of it. Nathaniel seemed genuine to her. If it was ridding the world of evil he wanted, the was definitely in the right place. "Nathaniel Stratford, are you able to keep our code of maintaining the order of this world by bringing justice to all forms of evil, by any means necessary? Can you commit to always growing stronger through discipline and training? This road you intend to travel will not be easy," she informed him sternly, though after a beat her expression softened a bit, "but it is rewarding. Do you still wish to join?" Sivvy asked, reaching into her pocket for a vial of red liquid. If he was certain, she'd issue him his stamp.

[876]

There was a moment of silence between the angel and the mere mortal but to be clear, Nat didn't know if the woman known as Sivvy was indeed an angel but rather she just looked like one to him. He didn't know why there was silence between them and what could it be that was in her mind. Was he not worth her time? If so, he will prove her wrong though fighting her was out of the question. Being able to sit on that throne and have piles of food next to you and be called Ambassador must mean she's a big deal, and usually big deals have even bigger deals when it came to their power. This comes with the fact that Nat cannot sense anything unusual with the seemingly calculating woman in front of her which made it her more dangerous because Nat is aware of his own limitations. That his power is too weak, to feeble to even comprehend the power people far stronger than him possessed. But perhaps she was assessing what kind of mage he is? That could be, but that would only lead her to believe that he is no more than a man with a sword. But wait, he remembered that others can sense his power. A power a keen to a small flicker of ember in his heart that would soon grow into a blazing inferno as soon as he attained more power to turn evil to ash.

In any case, Nat must stay confident in his own abilities if ever he was asked to show what he can do. He must not falter now after going so far. And finally he was asked if he was sure that this was what he wanted to do. Warning him that this was no easy life as training and discipline is constantly required in the life he was about to live all in the pursuit of justice in Earthland, a statement that made a smirk creep into his face because little did Sivvy know that was already Nat's life before coming to the island and it made him confident that he got this lifestyle in the bag. Sivvy even added that although this life could be harsh, it certainly had its benefits glimpsing at the plates stacked by the throne from where Sivvy came from earlier thinking to himself that that was the part his former life did not have, holding no reward other than the satisfaction of knowing that he will soon be in the next phase of his crusade. It was this thought that transformed Nat's smirk from earlier into a full smile, confidence brimming within him as he continued to think that this was total upgrade from his previous life. He nodded slightly while still keeping his fiercely determined eyes onto Sivvy's as he replied  "I've lived my life constantly training ever since I left Magnolia after a dark guild's second invasion. So yes, I am ready and committed to do what must be done to rid Earthland of evil."

Post WC: 510
Nat's Total: 1,263

Nat was prepared for whatever may come next after he had replied. His entire body clenching in anticipation he even had a few moves he was ready to use in a demonstration. But he was caught off guard with Sivvy's next words. So much so that he blinked a few times in wonder and surprise. Wait, that's it, I'm in? he thought to himself. What was it that made the woman before him think he was Dies Irae material? Perhaps his conviction is enough, perhaps Sivvy was convinced with how he answered. And if so, he must not let this guild down. Let this girl down who had faith in her.

Nat's body had eased up when he was asked where his new guild mark would be and what color. He thought of it for a short while because normally, most guild mages would have it on their shoulders, back or upper body with most of the more... voluptuous women having it on their thighs or near their waist or chests. But Nat wanted it to be a bit more rare, smiling at Sivvy after his silent reflection. He held out his left hand out and replied "Right here, in the palm of my hand. The same hand that will mete out justice to the wicked, and avenge the innocent. And I would like it blue as the sky above us."

After he had been given his glorious mark, Sivvy had already begun to walk towards the West Wing which she had explained to Nat housed their mess hall where he could get food at a discounted rate, paying no attention to the other rooms she had mentioned, just that there was a wonderful mess hall, instantly saying yes to her offer of showing it to him. And if it held the same kind of delicacies she had been eating next to the throne earlier, it truly would be wonderful. He even had his jaw slightly lowered at the sound of the word mess hall because he was still hungry. He could even count himself fortunate at this point because his stomach hasn't been making any audible gurgling sounds as of yet.

Nat even thought of asking Sivvy some questions about herself and what it is she does in Dies Irae. Getting to know one of the important people in the guild could certainly help Nat get the hang of things quickly. And he might've thought that he's not here to make friends or anything like that, there was something comforting about the woman that made him feel as if he could make some exceptions if they were as lovely or even more lovely than her, if ever that was a possibility. Perhaps it was the fact the Sivvy likes cakes like Nat does that made him think she was an exception. And surely not a lot of people could have this much of an appetite for that kind of food right? And yet, he hoped he was wrong and that he could be friends with more than one. For if they were united and their bond strong, their crusade against evil will go smoothly. And so happily, Nat followed Sivvy to the Dies Irae mess hall.

Post WC: 538
Nat's Total: 1,801