Finding Myself (Marick's Leaving Thread)

The guildhall was busier now than it had been in a long time. Young mages from all over had joined Sabertooth in recent times and it seemed that the guild was finally recovering from Alexander Zenneth's betrayal. As the figure of Sabertooth's Paragon of Selflessness looked out at the numerous faces around the guildhall he couldn't help but be proud and excited about the guild's future. Even as he stood here though he knew that future would not involve him, at least not for the time being anyway. After all his time working with the guild and the new members it was time for him to do something for himself. That was why he was stood the way he was today. Thus with a relaxed demeanour the Rising Star approached the bar and rang the bell that hung above it, ushering silence about the entire hall.

"Good day to everybody, I apologise for interrupting but I have an announcement that I need to make." he called out, receiving a few murmurs. When it came to the guildhall, Marick was usually the guy sat at the bar drinking and generally leaving everyone to their own devices unless they needed help, leaving Zenshin to make any announcements. The fact that the former Solitaire had an announcement was something of a surprise.

"There's no easy way for me to say this...but I'll be leaving Fiore shortly, and therefore, effectively, leaving Sabertooth for a while. I have some urgent business I need to attend to in Pergrande and I don't know how long that will keep me away for." His eyes looked around at the faces and a warm smile fell upon his lips. "Truth be told, I've needed to go for some time now. Unfortunately due to certain circumstances that I need not mention...I have been unable or uncomfortable leaving Sabertooth behind. But now that I see you all here and I can see the future of the guild, with or without me, is bright...now I feel I can take my leave. But let it be known that if you ever need to talk to me then you can always get in touch with me. I'll ensure that Zenshin informs everyone of how to contact me in Pergrande." he continued, clearly showing that this speech wasn't exactly a planned and prepared one. "I wish all of you the very best...and I look forward to the day I return to Fiore and see you all again."

He was about to turn around when he stopped and grinned. "Oh, one last thing." He placed a considerable amount of jewels onto the bar counter. "I'm paying for a full round of drinks, so come get yourself a nice cold beverage and chat for a bit before I bugger off eh?"

Obel who was sat beside Aayla looked up at the man she had never seen before, only heard rumours of, Sabertooths Marick. She didnt know the man. The man didnt know her. Yet she was still saddened by his leaving, she stood up silently and hugged Marick who was sat on the table in front of her.

The reaction he got wasn't what he'd expected, although then again he wasn't exactly sure what he expected. Still, it certainly wasn't to be hugged by two of the newest members to the guild, one of which he hadn't met. However it was Aayla who caught his attention most. She'd not been in the guild for long but the two mages had already formed a surprisingly close bond after the events that surrounded her joining the guild. The Ace looked down at the top of the young girl's head before gently bending down and lifting her up into a proper hug. "Come on kid, keep your chin up eh?" he spoke softly before smiling warmly at her.

"It's not like I'm leaving forever. I'll be back before you know it. And if those bas-...creeps, dare to come back and bother you again, Zenshin will tell me and I'll come running." he added, before then looking down at Obel, the girl he'd seen and just about knew the name off, but otherwise hadn't spoken to. Still she obviously felt something about his leaving. "Obel...right? I didn't get chance to officially welcome you, but I wish you all the best here at Sabertooth. Hopefully when I return you'll be feeling really at home."

The nun looked as her friend hugged the man who had declared his intent to leave, and bit her lip trying to decide what to do. She had never met this Marick person, or even really heard much about him. But his departure seemed to have caused Aayla to be upset... And that was one thing the young nun could not truly abide for. So she stood up from her table and went over to the blue haired girl, and went to try and give her a brief hug from behind. "It'll be alright... he said he's coming back..." she said softly. "So, it's not goodbye... its more... see you later... Right?" asked Kiersa as she looked up at the man as she tried to comfort the Water Dragon Slayer.

Aayla gave a light sniffle as she put her arms around his neck so that she wouldn't fall back down. She knew he wouldn't be gone forever... and that Zenshin would still be here to protect her but... it wouldn't be the same not having him here...

"Yeah... but I'll miss you... I... well... I wanted you to be here to... to see me get stronger..."
She muttered under her breath as she looked up into Marick's blue eyes. She really didn't know what to say, or how to say what she wanted too. She hadn't told anyone but Kiersa about her becoming a dragon slayer yet, not even Marick. She wanted him to be proud of her for having turned from a useless girl who could barely fight for herself, to someone who could stand up to protect others. At the same time, she still relied on him a lot...

When Kiersa came up and mentioned that it wasn't quite a good-bye she nodded lightly to her friend before wiping at her eye before any tears started to fall.

"I promise... you won't need to run back just to protect me... I've... I've been working on getting stronger... but I... hoped you'd be here to see it..."
She said softly again, her cheeks turning red as she glanced at both her friends.

Obel walked up to Aayla and held her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. She looked up at Marick with tearfull eyes however she didnt say a single word.

Just like that events within the passing day spiraled downward faster than a certain raven haired mage could catch. Her entrance into the main room was quiet and unknown as Marick spoke his farewell to the guild members present. Such words seemed to pierce at her heart for an unknown reason as if she was losing someone important all over again. With her hands shoved in the pockets of her trademark pink jacket, shoulders shifting upwards in the process, Brielle glanced down at the tile floor as a soft aura of sadness enveloped her form. Indeed, he was leaving but the keywords were 'a while'. A flicker of hope then sparked within the heart that considered the fact that he would return. No matter how long the Rising Star would be away, Marick would still return to them once again. That still could not wither away the sadness still present, however. It couldn't be helped that the members were distraught by the man's leave - Aayla a considerable individual who isn't taking the news all too well. The McCloud decided from that moment on that a bold move was to be made, one that may seem rather strange considering how calm she was.

"He's coming back...! He won't leave for good...!"

Brielle's voice leveled in pitch as those words passed her lips, her form almost trembling as she slowly began to near the group. Even if the temptation to cry was still existing and taunting considering the other members' who were crying before her, the McCloud kept her head held high as she finally neared the group despite the borderline droplets daring to betray her front of strength. The girl smiled at those present in a form of comfort before her attention was fully turned to the Paragon of Selflessness. "No matter how long you're gone, Marick... You will be deeply missed it seems, heh." An almost sorrowful laugh escaped the raven haired mage's lips before she continued on, not ready to give up her front of strength just yet. Locking her own pair of electric blue irises with Marick's, it was almost as if she was gazing upon a reflection once more just like when the two first met. Opening her arms with a soft smile, Brielle tilted her head as a soft laugh escaped her lips once more.

"How about a hug for the road? I know you'll do wonderfully in taking care of your business, Marick."