#█ ▌ ╰ ☾ ╮ ┆ 「partner: revelrose.」

[arcanaaa]

❝ It's Cana. ❞ she mirrored her response with a cheeky grin. ❝ Well, no offense meant Hibiki, but the kind of distraction I'm looking for is something that's quick-- no frills or fillers, if you catch my meaning. ❞

SHE HAD NO DOUBT THAT HIBIKI KNEW EXACTLY WHAT SHE WAS ASKING FOR; DESPITE THE TAME APPEARANCE AND VAPID VERBAL EXCHANGE THUS GIVEN, THERE WAS SOMETHING ABOUT THE MAGE THAT GAVE HER PAUSE. It could easily be her heart rebelling against the very actions that brought her to this moment. Even with distance separating them, her heart still stayed behind at the guild, kept safe and sound by the only person she had trusted: her partner. Try as the Seer might to carry on and ignore the longing lingering inside her, each day was lived in heartache. Waking up every morning since that day was to know the absence of the sun's light. Yet through stubborn conviction, Cana refused to give in to her feelings.

It's for the best. Cana reasoned. It was never going to work...besides, he probably found someone else to keep him company... The thought alone caused untold agony, one that she stamped down with vicious determination. What they had was no more, and no matter how much Cana wished otherwise, their relationship could never be more than casual. That was all. No more, no less. But each day she lingered in the guild while he remained only brought memories of their time together to resurface, igniting her heart to stir with the yearning for what they had once shared together. It was becoming all but impossible for her to ignore-- and despite her heart screaming at her to stay, even when worry would linger towards his appearance ( he wasn't looking well lately, as if he was just a few steps from death's door-- ), Cana still left for the job alone.

Even if the job was easy, she missed him.

She missed her partner.

( She missed her Loke. )

DESPITE HER PRESENT DISTRESS THAT WARRED INSIDE HER, CANA APPEARED IN CONTROL OF HERSELF. With only one bottle nearly finished, she had not yet reached the height of inebriation that she sought. Though if Hibiki was determined to wine and dine her, then perhaps she could achieve the very state of oblivion the Seer was seeking.

❝ I'm sure you'll understand that what I'm looking for is something that won't bring feelings into the mix. ❞ Cana said loftily, the weight of her statement sitting uncomfortably in her mind. A familiar presence that she was desperate to ignore no matter the cost. As if to spite herself, Cana took another long pull from her bottle until it was empty. A heavy sigh slipped harshly from her lips as the myriad of emotions churning inside her fought to surface, earning a small frown that she couldn't quite tamp down.

❝ Got enough goin' on in my head that I don't need anything else complicatin' things, ❞ she murmured. The bottle in her hand swayed lightly in her hand, a signal for an exchange of a full bottle, courtesy thanks to Master Bob that was acknowledged with a small smile and a nod. ❝ 's better this way. ❞

This way I don't have to worry about getting hurt anymore...

❝ So the question now is what does your itinerary entail, mm~? ❞

There had been rumors of someone who could out drink others, a Fairy – a woman, at that. He had not had the pleasure of meeting such talent before, yet hear she was in the flesh. The only way to tell was the copious amounts of liquor bottles Master Bob had already gone through with just a single person. Of course, this caught his ear. Hibiki was known for knowing everything and anything on anyone, due to his magic and knowledge. Yet, his good looks helped with persuading silent lips into doing so. Manipulative? Hardly, when he himself is an open book to the right questions.

Though, he was quite off-guard by her odd request. Reading between the lines, it was a bold incentive. One to where, that type of hosting was not in their job descriptions.

❛ It’s Hibiki, ❜ A simple gesture from his lips to her knuckles lingered, ❛ So you’re one to skip the four-play and get right to the good stuff, hm? Sorry to disappoint, but those types of services aren’t apart of the itinerary. ❜ He’d flash a very coy smile, letting her hand find itself wrapping around another bottle neck. But he felt obligated to continue, in some way, pursuing her. Intrigued by his own curiosity, he found himself trapped with many questions, speculations, and other nosy little interrogation antics he’d love to spring in on friendly conversation. Although, she seemed to be heavily enticed with the bottle of liquor, as if dowsing herself in a regretful state.

Too many come through here with heart break written all over their faces. As much as she tried to mask it was bold phrases, and riddles, he considered himself an expert on the subject; like many other subjects before him. Oh no, a woman’s heart broken, whatever shall he do?

❛ My own itinerary, however, can be a distraction of some kind. It isn’t one I offer so easily, but you – you seem to be of mighty need, by the look in your eyes… ❜ Ah, there it was – his reason for the enticement. An image if another woman faded into the silhouette of the others, taking shape of a memory that was once lost upon him. The similarities were present, open stomach with a guild mark gracing the side of the hip, a bralette that left nothing to the imagination, and confidence drenched in bold demands. A past lover – Karen.

❛ Now, the only thing your eyes haven’t told me, yet, is your name. ❜

[arcanaaa]

BLUE PEGASUS WAS NOT HER FIRST CHOICE FOR STOPPING TO RESUPPLY HER PACK AND REST FOR THE JOURNEY BACK HOME, BUT IT WAS WHERE HER DESTINATION LANDED HER REGARDLESS. Cana could say honestly that the reputation Blue Pegasus wielded was...different from her own guild, yet this did not detract from the merit and respect they held within the magic community. The mages she observed from her seat at the bar were indeed powerful and were certainly deserving of the acolytes they earned...

But it was hard to keep this fact in mind when their members were so... flamboyant. Which was funny considering her own experience within Fairy Tail, people would likely say the same about her guild (and to some extent, perhaps they were right). The atmosphere was muted and refined, yet she felt like she stepped inside a fairy tale (hah!) where the walls glittered and dazzled all who wandered within its halls. Blue Pegasus held a certain charm to it, and none quite exuded the most charisma than the man who joined beside her seat.

❝ Me? Oh, ❞ Cana chuckled. ❝ Just stoppin' to rest and relax from a job. Y'know how it is. ❞

HIS ASSESSMENT OF HER AFFILIATION WAS HARD TO DENY WHILE HER GUILD TATTOO SHOWED PROUDLY UPON HER FLESH. But his question brought a pang to her chest that she was steadily in the process of drowning out with the bottle of alcohol Master Bob had generously ( and perhaps with a note of sympathy ) provided for her. The Master merely smiled when she had requested a room and a bottle for the night before she paid her tab. One bottle would not be enough, but it would at least jumpstart the process of oblivion the Seer sought. Whether Master Bob could see her heartache was a question she would never ask, but the appearance of the attractive-looking gentleman before her provided Cana her exactly what she was looking for-- a diversion and, quite possibly, comfort.

❝ Yeah you could say that...though, now that you mention it... ❞ the Seer drawled out lazily with a coy quirk of her mouth. ❝ I was told that members of Blue Pegasus were the best at providing a girl a good time... ❞ She let her statement sit between them, her eyes locking with his while slowly tipping her bottle back for a long swallow. ❝ But 'm not really lookin' to be wined and dined. 'm mostly just looking for...a distraction... until I head back to Fairy Tail, so, maybe you can point me in the right direction, Mr...? ❞

❛ What's a pretty little Fairy all the way out here for? ❜

He'd cling his glass with the neck of her bottle in hand. Her outspoken ruckus, and charming demeanor was simple to determine the kind of people she associated with. Fairy Tail had a reputation, but what gave it away was the guild mark rest beautifully upon her hip. Can't blame a man for staring, especially when she wasn't shy to expose it. But, he would remain respectful nonetheless, no women deserved to be an object of desire without their consent. Yet, he was bold enough to approach @arcanaaa.

❛ You're pretty far from home. ❜