❝ So, I see the little White Rabbit has already made it to Holy Knight…Either he is more skilled than I thought, or they are being too lax with him. ❞
Smoke rose from the mouth of the male as he sat back in the large chair, his legs propped up on the massive, round table. His fingers curled around a cigarette, drawing from it before blowing out the smoke upwards, whilst he raised a brow and looked over to the female knight who sat beside him. Adon Estel Markus was one of the younger Paladin’s, but as the Grandmaster of the Agrovian Royal Guard, he was a man who was greatly respected among his peers. Tall, handsome and lithe, but one who was unmatched in the way of the blade, and in the way of bedding woman. The male sighed as he brushed his long, blonde hair to the side as he fixed the white solders cap he wore on his head, which held the symbol of ARK – Being a single sword wrapped in a wreath. The same symbol was commonplace with the Knights of Baria, and was present on the attire he wore. It was a typical ARK uniform, the white double-breasted trench coat with matching trousers, though his epaulettes were embellished with gold stars and the multiple stripes to show his rank. He had the same design on his left chest, and similar stripes on his wrists and the hems of his jacket which reached his ankles, his blonde hair reaching halfway down his back. Estel was one of a pale complexion, and had almost white blonde eyes. He glanced over to the female, and raised his hand in a gesture of question.
❝ You know, you shouldn’t let your sister hear you speak like that. She dotes on that boy, and wouldn’t take too kindly to your words. Besides, you aren’t in any position to talk. You are always off in Candria… ❞
The dark haired female replied, sighing softly as she straight in her chair, with one leg crossed over the other. Adon Delty Metz, a rather short but agile knight, and one who was widely respected for her tactical prowess. Standing at just over four feet tall, she was one of the smaller knights in the kingdom, but had a loud presence in both voice and presence. With long, lush black hair and brown eyes, with pale skin and a small characteristic mole under her right eye. The female knight wore a similar attire to her friend, though hers was black through and through, with the red trims to boot. A stark contrast to the usual prim and ‘pure’ white, but one that is wholly unique to her. Sighing, Delty shook her head and waved her hand in front of her face to get rid of the stench of smoke.
❝ And you shouldn’t smoke in here, its disgusting. ❞ She added.
❝ Tch. Course you take the kids side, I’m beginning to think its your maternal instincts that make you woman so interested in the twerp- ❞
Estel sneered, taking one last drag of his cigarette before putting it out on his tongue, and tossing the butt out of the nearby window as he spoke. Though, he did seem to have a whole rant, he stooped his words when he saw the glare that Delty wore. Whether it was her anger at him littering, or his words, he didn’t want to know. The blonde male sighed, and leaned back in his chair and slipped his cap over his eyes as he stared up at the ceiling, seemingly about to take a nap. Though, when he heard the large doors of the dining hall open, he shifted his cap to see who it was, and contorted his face when he saw his sister approaching.
❝ Slacking off, are we? Biiiiiig brother~ ❞
Adon Riley Markus, Estel’s younger, and overly bossy sister now stood over him with her usual coy grin. The female was about five foot tall, well endowed and wore an attire similar to the ARK uniform, though it was navy blue with golden hems, and embellished the symbol of SOAR, an arrow with two wings wrapped around it. It was one of the more recent factions under URN, and Riley was the overseer for the Barian branch. Though she still worked under ARK and ran her own Crusade, she was more of an ambassador of sorts between the factions, and as she used to be part of the taming corps, PET, she was well versed in the area of flight and air warfare. Riley had a short cut bob of blonde-green hair, with a two tone silver top and deep blue eyes. Riley grinned as she snatched up his cap before throwing it out the window before turning around to Delty and smiling, giving the dark haired woman a wave.
❝ Heyyy~ You seen lil’ Blueberry around? I was- ❞
❝ Hey, that was my hat, you wench! ❞
Estel growled, and slammed his hands on the table as he sat up, though just as he was about to stand up to tower over his much smaller sister, he backed away and crossed his arms over his chest, muttering something under his breath before he turned to walk over to the window. He was older than her, but Riley was always the one in charge. The smaller female chuckled, and stuck her tongue out at her brother. It seemed clear where Erenn got that from. When she turned back to face her friend Delty, she sat down in her brothers chair, and crossed her leg over the other.
❝ Erenn? Oh, no… I haven’t seen him. I think he was visiting August, as he just returned from his mission. ❞
Delty replied, shaking her head as she watched the banter between the two siblings, and chuckled to herself softy as she rested her chin in the palm of her hand whilst she leaned back in her chair. It was always amusing watching those two go at each other, though sometimes Solf would intervene when they got a little too heated. Delty yawned, and her attention was drawn to the opposing end of the table, where another individual sat.
❝ Hm? Oh… Shit, Faust – You scared the living crap out of me. ❞
The large being that sat across from the dark haired knight merely glance up at her, showing naught but a blank stare with its porcelain mask upon their face. The Paladin known as Faust was an odd one, and was rarely ever seen. He stood a almost seven feet tall, and wore a ragged attire of layers of black clothes, with a large grey trench coat slouched over their hunched form, and a top hat upon their head, and a large bell around their neck. Faust did not speak, merely grunted as he looked over to the doors to see more arrivals. Nobody knew his real name, just that he only responded to Faust.
❝ Has Estel been smoking again? It smells like shit in here. ❞
August grimaced as he entered the room, shooting a glare at the Paladin in question before giving the two females a gentle nod. August was an older male, with long, straggly and greying black hair tied up in a pony tail, and a rough visage to match. He always seemed to wear the same pair of shades, and his bright red attire made him stick out like a sore thumb. He had a similar trench coat design, but it was blood red and covered in belts, and a high collar that surrounded his face, and kept the lower half covered. One thing of note was how he always had his left arm slicked in his coat as if it was broken, though he seemed to move it just fine. Probably a style thing, who knew. His hair was lazily slicked back so a few strands hung over his eyes. The Paladin, Adon August Ester Marik, is the head instructor of ARK, and oversees all of the training for the knights of the kingdom. He was an older one, but the woman seemed to love him. The red Paladin looked over to Faust, nodding slightly before going to sit down beside the larger knight, throwing his legs up on the table as he leaned back, cracking his knuckles as his eyes fell on Estel before speaking in a more than snarky tone.
❝ And how is the great Grandmaster doing today? ❞
To which Estel turned his head slightly and did not reply before gazing back out the window. August sighed, and shook his head. Estel reached into his pocket to pull out a pack of cigarettes before putting one up to his lips and went to light it, though his eyes widened when both the cigarette, and his hand was covered in a dense frost. Spitting it out, he looked over to the doors to see both Phinnease, and Solf entering. Estel did not remark, as he knew it was pointless. His brow raised when he saw the young upstart, Erenn standing between the two Paladin’s.
❝ I can account for Kuvira, and Tetra is most likely still in Leitner. Elly, well she is missing…But Serra should be here. And what of the other two? They slacking off again, eh? ❞
Solf shook his head as he stepped into the room, tapping his staff on the ground as all those present took their seats and quieted down. Phinnease waved to everyone before walking down to the end of the table to take his seat at the large throne. Erenn was in tow, and sat to the left of him, where Solf’s seat would be on the right. The round table, more than just a symbol for knights, it was also the meeting place for the highest ranking officials of the Barian Knighthood. Solf and Phinnease wore their usual attire, and Erenn was dressed in a simple white dress, seeming to have taken the female appearance today, though having a rather modest body. Given his ability to shape shift, Erenn often changed between male and female to either mess with people, or for his own amusement, though one would wonder if it was more his own curiosity. Erenn’s hair was neatly braided and tied up into a ponytail which hung over their shoulder. This would be the first time Erenn had even entered the room, and he sheepishly looked around to the others before sinking in his chair and looking up to Phinnease, who gave him a smile.
❝ So…The first order or business…We believe we have located the missing Saint, and our fellow Paladin Ellianette. ❞
