Day 10, Week 1 - The Step One before the Step One

[Corporal Light]

If anything had changed, it was that animals must've hated Koal a whole lot more than they hated Ballad.

Seeing the winter fox literally dive-bomb into his chest was as amusing for the gunsmith as it was probably annoying for Lynch. The other part of his lips curled into a full smile as he saw the kid try to pick the vulpine up off the ground, getting bitten in the process. He started to chuckle as the kid cursed, but it was subdued as soon as he saw two other new things about him. The first was a long, scythe-like weapon with a five-foot handle that took on the color of silver. The blade on the scythe looked to be made of darkened steel, and its activation created precise cuts in the snow still blowing with the wind. Seeing the gangster holding gave the gunner that he had stolen the weapon from the Grim Reaper. He could feel that kind of energy radiating off of the weapon even from the spot he stood on.

The second was his left arm, or more accurately, what was around it. His hand and elbow were covered entirely in a bright, red flame though it somehow had no effect on Lynch. This fact made little sense to Ballad and caused his other self to watch in curiosity as the fox turned in his direction, growling. There was no reason for the fire to have licked his skin so without so much as a grimace from the kid. Despite his grin, his eyebrows lowered into a frown. If this was what Lynch was capable of, he could be in for a rough ride.

As he drew closer, the gunsmith couldn't help but want to say "Miss me?" in a sarcastic manner as the kid stopped. His widened eyes sold how he felt, and a small part of Ballad felt the same way. What could possibly bring someone like Lynch to a war torn region like the Fields?

He kept his revolver pointed up into the sky as the gangster kid moved a bit closer, looking all over him. He was apparently trying to see what had changed. It hadn't occurred up until that moment that maybe puffing out smoke from your limbs and staring at him wasn't the best of plans, and with a swift motion, he slid his revolver into his holster. As Koal looked back up at him, his eyes reverted to its normal, glowing yellow color, and he was simply standing there with his arms on his front, holding his hands together. His eyes held no hint of malice or even so much as annoyance, and it remained that way even as Lynch tested the waters.

The soldier was more than happy to answer his question. "An inquiry easily answerable, former desperado. I am Ballad." He replied, his tone polite and welcoming, "You need not fret, Lynch. I house no ill intent. Unless, of course, your friend does?"

The gunner smiled behind his crimson scarf, crossing his arms across his chest. "Has the Archdemon of Despair come to slay the virescent inventor, o orphaned individual? If that is so, I beseech you to reconsider. I have business to take care of here in the Fields."

Ballad did not specify exactly what his "business" was, but SPB was already well underway coming up with a variety of things that they could use as an excuse to be there. All except for the actual reason. In the case Koal grew curious, he would have an answer.