Growth (Social)

((Tax payment has been deducted))

When Aro and Iwamichi walked into the guild hall they would see a big grouping of people sitting down at tables and some over at the bar. All of these people stopped what they were doing and stared at the two “newbies” walking in. A couple of the people at the bar made a loud comment about Aro and Iwamichi better have good news because the Taskmaster was in a bad mood since people haven’t been completing missions lately. After Aros declaration of wanting to rise in the ranks of Blackmist, he and Iwamichi would be able to hear the sound of gold coins hitting each other.

Looking around the main hall of the guild they would notice that the sound of the money clanking together was coming from an overlook directly above and to the front of them. After a good minute or two a person in a deep black cloak would jump from the overlook which was a good 25 to 30 foot drop. Upon landing the cloaks hood would be pulled back to reveal a really dark stained skin of a man with golden earrings, small oval glasses and the guild crest right under his right eye. The man would take the glasses off to look at Aro, Iwamichi, and the bloody head on the ground.

Speaking with a low and bass like voice the Taskmaster would start to say “so you say that have completed a mission as well as this girl behind you, one moment.” He starts rummaging through his cloak for something Aro and Iwamichi have no clue to. Finally he says “ah yes here it is” pulling forth from what Aro and Iwamichi can now see is a roster of everybody in the guild. The Taskmaster begins to speak again. “Let’s see those guilds marks shall we?” at this the Taskmaster mumbles some words that neither Aro or Iwa can understand and their marks begin to glow through the clothing that is hiding them if there is any clothing at all on the marks.

Glancing at the location of the marks and scanning the paper the Taskmaster moves his head back up to look at Aro and Iwamichi. “You must be Aro and she undoubtedly is Iwamichi Rikage". Continuing on that Taskmaster pulls out and looks at another piece of paper. “And you both were sent on that village job”. “Well it seems like you have completed it and have brought the tax for the mission as well”. “You both have made my miserable day a little better with this good news”. “Ah and it looks like you both are due for an advancement as well is that why you have come?” Not waiting for an answer the Taskmaster continues.

“Of course that’s why you’re here with that bloody head”. “ Well you could have just waited for your summons when the call comes in that it was completed but it looks like you two are far more impatient and ambitious “. “ The master and I like that in our guildlings”. Aro and Iwamichi could at those words see the spark in the Taskmasters eyes when the Taskmaster said that phrase. “Show me your marks and we can get that advancement rolling”. He continues to speak while Aro and Iwamichi show the Taskmaster their guild marks. “Our marks are very special you see starting out at the D rank the Guild crest on your body is just one black line and the rest of the crest is just outlined in black and filled in white. Once you advance to the next rank more of the crest is filled in.

This is how the people in our guild can easily designate who is of a higher rank without asking each other as you can see by mine”. If Aro and Iwamichi looked closely at the guild crest on the Taskmasters face they would see that all of the guilds crest was black and nothing was white. “Since I am of the highest rank every part of my crest is black were yours is still only outlined”. Now by this time Aro and Iwamichi should have their guild crest out and Iwamichi should have moved up closer to the Taskmaster. “Now this will sting a bit but the pain is just like a bee sting so nothing to worry about”. The Taskmaster would proceed in touching both marks and Aro and Iwamichi would see some more of their guild crest turn black. “There all done now you both are C rank mages so have fun and go make the guild more money”. The Taskmaster would then tell Aro he can keep his bloody trophy then grab the money pouch and jump back up to the overlook with ease and go back to counting the guilds money.

( D class guild crest) ( C class guild crest which you now have) and this is what the Taskmasters looks like

Iwamichi listened patiently to the taskmaster's rant about the guild and their guild marks and such. It was a good thing that his mood was improving; she heard that he was a frightening guy when he was angry. Because the guild mark was located under Iwa's eye patch, the taskmaster would have to grope an empty hole to give her her new c-class designation. Maybe it was awkward, but she had to get over that. The pain was really nothing. She shrugged it off as just a simple static shock that had got her in her eye socket. The other guy seemed to be in a little more pain, so maybe it was a sensitive area for him. She'd have to keep that in mind.

Unexpectedly, the other one turned to her as the taskmaster floated back to his balcony to do whatever it is he does all day. "You're not bad. Though you'll need a bit more of an oomph if you'll want to take on jobs alone. I guess I can let you keep following me around." That surprised her even more. But this worked to her advantage. Yes, she could certainly use the help and experience working with this man would bring. He was right when he said it was probably still too dangerous to be working alone. She had only completed one job so far. After a while, maybe they would be close enough to be companions. Not friends, though. Friends would weigh her down, probably. Still, if they were close then she wouldn't have to worry about fighting him for a while. It would still probably come eventually though.

"Well, I guess I should feel honored then. It was interesting to work with you. Let's continue to make our way to the top together then, since we both share that goal. It will go faster since there are two of us. I'll be ready when you decide to go on another mission." She didn't expect him to answer. He was more of the "I'll talk, you listen, and I won't respond to you if you try to talk to me" kind of guy. Everything felt better though. Her way to the top was straight before her. She decided to hang around in the library for a bit while she gave him time to figure out another mission to do. She told him where she'd be and went on her way. She had to get smarter, faster, stronger. He said so himself. And that was exactly what she intended to do. She wouldn't count on others her whole life.