Sweetening Impression [Phoebe's Guild Intro]

She was about Tim’s age. Her silver hair stood out more than the fact this woman was the one who slugged him with the guildhall’s doors. Her outfit screamed the visage of a hunter, er- huntress. But her demeanor and speech betrayed some form of formal education, or at least the childhood of having social etiquette drilled into her. Tim would know, his old life had been eerily similar. But that was here nor there for both of them. Tim definitely wasn’t doing them any favors keeping quiet as she apologized for her actions. The young man stood straight and met their guest as politely as possible.

“No, I should have noticed you coming.” Tim looked from behind her. There was no sign of the first batch of arrivals. “If anything, have you brought your own sled? You are not part of the first group of patrons here, I’m guessing-”

Before Tim could ask any further, he heard someone greet them from behind him. He turned and saw a very odd combination of colors: green white and gold. Yet the blonde girl who adorned the colored outfit was strikingly head-turning. She introduced herself as Leona Jarnefeldt and her body language screamed someone who was as or an even bigger workaholic than Tim; the kid looked like she just had an all-nighter.

That being said. ‘Jarnefeldt… I think I should know that name…’

That definitely was the case because upon introducing Miss Jarnefeldt’s name, Silver was all over her complete with a hint of red over her face. Tim was practically brushed off, though she did mention being glad meeting them both, her gaze was completely locked to Miss Jarnefeldt. Even sending a very meaningful chuckle to the blonde girl. Tim didn’t mind, but the lingering feeling of being out of the loop on who this blonde kid was? It was gnawing his head.

Wolf, however nudged Tim’s hand. The young man understood her suggestion and, with a ‘hmm’, tried to detect the duo’s magic signature.

This was an ongoing theme for Tim, sometimes forgetting his magical sensory ability. This ability was acquired through his accumulated month or two being a member of Silver Wolf and keeping the thing up was not yet instinctive. Tim became wide eyed as he looked at them while Silver introduced herself. Silver, or rather, Miss Suede knew about Silver Wolf and Miss Jarnefeldt, especially. Tim didn’t blame her. Whoever the blonde girl was, her magical signature was almost suffocating now that Tim bothered to look. Who the heck was she?

Listening in to Miss Suede’s proposition, it looked like she wanted to join the guild. The two were locked in conversation now, it looked like. Tim would give them an approving nod if they would acknowledge any more of his existence, but he was keen on getting the magic stamp tool if Miss Jarnefeldt were to agree on letting her join. Whoever she was, she seemed like a million times Tim’s senior. She had a higher say on the matter, Tim was content standing by.

What?

In the short time Tim had been a part of Silver Wolf, he had never met the Guild Mistress. It wasn’t something that bothered him. For such an expansive organization as an independent mage’s guild surely came a great deal of both paper and political work for someone as high up as her. But he felt compelled to at the very least have a short meeting with her, such was his case in the first days of him becoming a member.

After his very eye-opening interview with the Guild’s ace, he was very grateful for being a member. It was not an exaggeration that he would quite literally be without a home had he been turned away by the guild after the knowledge he learned during his interview. At the very least he wanted to express his thanks to the one keeping everything together.

But there had been some minor hiccups. Getting in contact with the council or being holed up in her own office drowning in paperwork are some of the things the staff would often dismiss his questions with whenever he’d ask them if he could just waltz into her office and have a quick meet-and-greet. A chorus of ‘You really don’t want to barge in there while she’s in the middle of work’ and ‘want to show your appreciation? Do more jobs!’ would the things they’d add after the initial excuses. But there was not an ounce of malice behind those words. It was the same attitude Tim had for his old boss. There was a warmth to their resolve in keeping her privacy.

So, for the past weeks Tim relented and opted to do jobs to earn his keep instead.

Now, he was face to face with the woman in question. Tim’s initial observation about her before he learned who she was hasn’t changed. She was very striking to look at! There was a raw charm to her looks that was easily backed up by her commanding presence. But as soon as he heard her speak there was a gnawing thought in the back of Tim’s head telling him this girl was being too stiff, as if her proper greeting was something like the front-desk clerk’s greeting to the patrons. She also mentioned about being a saint for something or other, but Tim was too busy looking how her eyes locked with his.

Was it nervousness? A general apathy? Or was this years of careful etiquette at work? Whatever it was, Tim had not followed the prim and proper way of talking to people for decades. But that didn’t mean he couldn’t keep up. Tim humored her and gave her his best disarming smile as he spoke.

“Tim T. Timson the forty second, a member of Silver Wolf.” He gave a slight nod as he introduced himself, his smile not faltering for even a second. “I, for one, am at a disadvantage here, Mistress Jarnefeldt. Had I known I would meet you here I would have presented myself in a far better manner.”

“Tell you what,” Tim took a step back and aside, ready to go to his errand. “Why don’t you take your time with Miss Suede while I get refreshments for you both. I could also bring the magic stamp tool- or any other bits and bobs you would need?”