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A bright, shining sun hung high overhead, illuminating a surprisingly beautiful day in the city of Zenith. So beautiful was the day that, given his recent elimination coupled with his latest job complete, the Pirate-turned-Assassin known as Knight took it as a day to relax and enjoy himself. With that in mind, the young Ice Elf ventured to the far end of the city, until he spotted his destination—a small hill, overlooking the Northern Coast.

“Perfect!” Knight smiled, as he made himself comfortable, against the root of a nearby tree on the hill, prepared to spend the afternoon taking an amazing cat nap in the warm sun. The former sailor watched the waves roll against the coast for a few minutes before the warmth and laziness of the day began to wrap around him, causing his eyelids to grow heavy. “So perfect,” he thought, just as he anticipated the sweet sleep that awaited him.

BOOM!

A thunderous noise seemed to rock Zenith to its very core, and needless to say, woke Knight with a start who looked around. Though he failed to find the cause of the commotion, the young man did stumble upon a treasure of sorts.

Near the gate to the city, a Dark Elf walked out coughing and covered in what appeared to be soot. Vaguely recalling her from a ceremony for the Zenith contestants he correctly surmised she was somehow involved with the noise that roused him from his would-be nap.

“Last time I help Aeren with an experiment,” Nilvasi mumbled, coughing black smoke as she approached the hill Knight had set up camp upon. “It probably won’t explode. It’s barely flammable—just a prototype mixture,” she said in a mocking tone, not realizing someone else was nearby.

“For a bunch of mages…you guys sure know how to make a lot of noise,” Knight chuckled, as he caught Nilvasis’ eye.

“Huh? Uh…” Nilvasi squinted, attempting to place the semi-familiar face to a name. “You’re…Knight? Right? You’re from The Shadows. What’s an Assassin doing out here in the middle of the day? Thought you guys only came out at night?”

Knight chuckled. “Well, granted I’ve been called a little different compared to most Assassins in The Shadows…but still, even we like to come outside and have some fun every now and then—just like anyone else,” the blue-skinned Elf explained. “And while we’re doing exposition, you’re Nilvasi correct?”

Nilvasi nodded confirmation. “Just coming out for a little fresh air,” she said before moving to sit in Knights’ former spot by the tree root. “What are you doing out here?”

Knight grinned, taking a seat next to Nilvasi. “Just enjoying the day. Was thinking about taking a nap out here in the sun…but…probably not now.”

The Dark Elf turned to Knight. “Hm? I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to intrude. I just had to get out of there for a minute, but I’ll let you get ba--,” Nilvasi attempted to leave, but stopped when she felt a gentle grip on her arm.

“It’s alright. You’re fine,” Knight said, gently pulling her back down. “The company is nice, anyway. I can sleep anytime.”

“Lucky you,” the Mage muttered. “Seems like there’s always something they need me for back in the Academy. In fact, I should probably get back in there soon.”

Knight scoffed. “You seem like you have way too much to do, pretty lady.”

Nilvasi was about to respond, before she fully registered his comment. “Huh?”

“You sound like you could use a day off,” Knight replied.

“Yeah, well…unlike you, we Mages tend to do most of our work during the day. So a day off isn’t exactly within my reach at the moment,” Nilvasi sighed, exasperated.

“Hey, now,” Knight said, in mock surprise. “I used to have a day job. I was once a Pirate, I’ll have you know.”

“You mean a Sea Hobo,” the dark-haired elf said, chuckling at her joke.

“Well…I actually do have an idea you may find interesting. If you’d be willing to trust me, pretty lady,” Knight said.

Nilvasi caught the designation again. “Pretty lady,” she asked laughing at the flattering nickname. “Whatever…what’s this idea of yours?”

“Well…you don’t happen to have potions for changing hair color and skin tone, do you,” Knight asked, beaming.