Ren's Return!

Ren straightened his posture as he stood at the doors of the guildhall. It had been awhile. He was probably going to be surrounded by a host of new faces and not one person he recognized, but Ren supposed that was good. He looked extremely different in his own opinion, and he hoped it would manage to impress someone. Ren himself was extremely impressed with his changes.

He had gone off on a rather sudden journey after hearing of a magic pond that could grant wishes. Suffice to say it was on top of an extremely dangerous mountain, but since he ran his way all the way up, the only thing he gained on this journey was his new outward appearance. He asked the pond that he could become taller, much taller. And also handsomer. The pond had said something about consequences and the price to pay, but Ren at the time didn't really care.

However when he returned from this journey he found exactly what had happened. The consequence was extremely embarrassing, and Ren could just feel the laughter and teases that would emerge from it. He was lucky he owned so many hats, they were perfect for concealing said secret.

Ren shook off the embarrassing thoughts, and with a shove (he was still fairly weak), pushed the door open. "I- Uhm... What do I say...- I'm b-back!" Ren's voice cracked. Even though he looked different on the outside, he was still the same old Ren on the inside.

It had been awhile since Ophelia had last shown her face, and she decided that now would be the best time. Appearance wise, her hair had gotten darker since it was slowly growing back to its old red hue and her height... My she was knocked off a few inches, to the point where it had grown ridiculous. Poor Ophelia was now petite, and at the sight of her teammate, it infuriated her.

"Oh you have to be kidding me." The noblewoman hissed underneath her breath as she clenched her ornate fan.

Ophelia had worn a black lace gown that ended at her thighs and hugged her curves. Her hair was curled and draped over her shoulders with a segment of it pulled back and pinned with feathery accessories. Her black pumps clicked along the ground as she approached the much taller Ren. "SO," She began, using the end of her fan to poke his chest repeatedly. "NOW YOU COME BACK, HUH!? You decided it would be nice to show up TALLER!? HUH!? HOW MANY STEROID PILLS HAVE YOU POPPED YOU BLONDE FOOL!?" The noblewoman unfurled her fan and smacked the young boy across the face with it. "WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN!?"

Ah, it sure was nice to vent to the same old Ren... However she would have to get used to seeing such a tall frame since she herself was now rather short. Her shortness thankfully didn't affect her beauty, and she was still able to retain her youthful glow and flawless skin.

Kihia was standing by his usual spot by one of the pillars of the main hall, things had been quiet as of late, new members had been coming in. He gently smiled, Lamia Scale was him home, and as long as his watchful eye was over the Guild Hall, he would never let harm come to the members. Kihia’s attention was drawn to the main doorway when he saw two people who looked familiar walking in. Kihia stood up and adjusted his trench coat, he then slowly walked up to the people. After a moment of studying them, one looked similar to Ophelia, and the other looked like Ren, however both of their appearances were off… “Excuse me… but aren’t you two Ophelia and Ren…?” Kihia said that in a questioningly tone, he wasn’t sure it was them, after all the two members of Glistening Beaute haven’t been seen in some time, so he was rather confused.

Ren knew that tone of voice anywhere. It was Ophelia. Ren had been the most hopeful that Ophelia would be impressed by his new appearance, but instead he was met by yelling and being hit by a fan. Ren yelped and clung to his hat, he was very cautious about it. It could fall off at literally any moment. "N-No Miss Ophelia! I would never use any kind of steroids!" Ren reassured him. However it didn't take long to realize how much taller he was. Ren couldn't help the elated grin that came onto his face when he realized he was looking down at Ophelia. Yes, Ren was definitely happy with his wish.

He then heard a familiar voice, and turned around to see Kihia. He almost squealed in delight. He was almost as tall as him. He was so excited to be able to see eye to eye with him without looking up. "Kihia! It's me! I'm taller! Isn't it cool?!" Ren's excitement was very clear due to the tone of his voice, and he was about ready to start jumping around in pure joy. "It's good to see not a whole lot has changed here! I was worried I was going to be surrounded by strangers..."

"SCREW YOU-" Ophelia paused and glanced over her shoulder to stare over at Kihia... Everyone was taller than her wasn't she? She gripped her fan and forced a smile. "Well what a surprise... Hehe... Yes, we both came back, and better than ever. Right Ren?" She aggressively elbowed the taller blonde boy in the side. "You are looking well yourself, Kihia. I apologize for our absence, we are making a permanent return, I promise you that much." She cleared her throat and flipped her hair over her shoulder. The atmosphere was rather awkward, since they had just arrived after their long disappearance. Ophelia kept her smile on her face, which slowly grew into a slight grin as she tapped her foot on the ground to fill in the empty silence.

"Well isn't this a nice get together, hm? Just a bunch of pals... Have you always been so tall Kihia?" The noblewoman murmured, furrowing her eyebrows as she felt like a small mouse compared to two elephants.

Kihia gently smiled and followed it by a gentle bow, “Welcome back to the Hall you two, it is good to see that you two are safe and sound.” Kihia stood there for a moment, he studied the two before him, Ren had definitely gotten taller, as he was almost as tall as Kihia himself, and Ophelia seemed to have died her hair along with a new choice of wardrobe, however, there same personalities were there. When he heard Ren and Ophelia’s comment he said, “Even if we have a swarm of new members which you all do not know, this will still be your two’s home, and yes Ophelia, to my knowledge I haven’t grown at all since I have arrived at Lamia Scale.” Kihia then looked behind him, looking at the hall as a whole, looking at every part that has held a memory for him, he then turned back to Ophelia and Ren, “So now that you two are back, may I inquire what you two have in mind to try and do?”

Ren winced at the sharp jab he received in his side. No matter how tall Ren got, Ophelia would always be stronger than him. "Y-Yeah... Right..." Ren agreed, feeling the fear rising up in his throat. Ophelia seemed to be determined to keep her place as Ren's upperclassmen, no matter how much he changed on the outside. "It's nice to see you haven't changed... Ophelia" Ren said, giving out the best compliment he could that didn't sound too offensive. He still planned to try and get along with Ophelia, despite the fact that she constantly bullied and belittled him. Her hair color was darker than before, and Ren liked it. It matched her attitude pretty well.

Ren looked at Kihia, and pulled his hat down a little before he answered his question. "Well... I suppose I get better, yeah? I've been here for longer then a lot of people here and they've already surpassed me..." Ren gave a pathetic laugh. It was pretty shameful, Ren thought, to be so weak despite the fact he had joined when most had not. He definitely had to work on that. "How have things been around here? Has Zuo been... Well, Zuo?" Ren inquired. He was curious as to how his Guildmaster had been. Hopefully nothing to dramatic had happened in his disappearance.

"I plan on growing stronger as well, to aid the guild of course hah!-" She paused and turned her head to stare at Ren. It appeared as though his comment had ticked her off... Immensely at that. "EXCUSE ME!? I HAVEN'T CHANGED!?" Ophelia spat. She took off her heels and threw them at Ren before jumping onto his back and wringing her fingers around his neck. "HOW COULD I NOT HAVE CHANGED!? LOOK AT ME, I'M LIKE A LITTLE RED IMP YOU DROLL BASTARD!" She cried out, viciously shaking his head back and forth with her hands. She smacked his stupid hat off. "Don't you play dumb with me you stupid child!"

Ophelia then cleared her throat and hopped off of his back. She began to simmer down from her recent outburst and collected her shoes from off of the ground. "You don't look different my rump... Ugh, why are all of you men so stupid... If  it were anyone else I would've cut out that dirty tongue of yours!" The noblewoman grumbled as she slipped on her heels and crossed her arms. She scoffed and turned her head to the side in protest.

Kihia gently smiled as he heard their goals, and after the small outburst from Ophelia e sighed, it is good to see they are themselves still… When He heard Ren’s question he smiled, “Things have been going very well..” A cheer came from a nearby group of mages, “As you can clearly see, as for the Master, he is still himself, and has been doing well.” A nearby member who had been listening in on the conversation piped up, “Oh come on Kihia, you are leaving out a bit of important news to them.” Kihia looked at the member with a slight perplexed look on his face, “Am I?...” The member laughed before he continued, “I would say so! Kihia here has been chosen by the Master to be the Ace of Courage!” Kihia’s right eyebrow twitched in embarrassment , “Ah… yes there is that bit of news… beside this… If there is anything you need… be sure to let me know, I will be happy to assist you two…”

Ren didn't focus on Kihia's reply, he was too busy panicking. His hat fell off. His hat was on the ground and now the most his most embarrassing feature was showing. He had rabbit ears. Brown and white spotted rabbit ears. Ren was instantly insanely red in the face and tried his best to cover it up using both his hands but his animal ears were too big to cover up, not to mention they were out in the open for a good solid while. Ren had, under his hat, a big pair of ridiculous, embarrassing, and horribly twitchy rabbit ears.

Ren had achieved this new level of embarrassment upon receiving his wish to be taller and better looking. It was a "price", Ren supposed, he had to pay for his wish. Ren himself hadn't realized himself until he woke up one morning and looked at himself in the mirror. He almost woke up his neighbor with the scream of absolute terror he let out. Ren just stared at Ophelia and Kihia, absolute horror and mortification stuck on his face, as he pressed the ears flat onto his head in a poor attempt to hide them. "I-I-I, uh..." Ren stuttered harder then he ever had before.

"Ah, what a clever little title they have bestowed upon you Kihi-..." Ophelia grew silent as she stared down at Ren whom now had... Rabbit ears? Obviously, this had to be a joke. The petite woman grabbed a hold of the fluffy limbs and began pulling on them to make sure they weren't false. "Oho God, Ren what the hell are these? Are you playing a little prank? Explain yourself!" The noblewoman scowled as she began smacking the tips of the feather like objects. She began chuckling lightly, and almost began laughing at Ren's demise, since he did look quite ridiculous in such get-up.

Now, Ophelia couldn't keep her hands to herself. She pulled, twisted, and pinched the ears as test to make sure they were real, but aside from that she was just having fun with Ren's new asset.

Kihia stared blankly at Rens rabbit ears, completely unsure what to say. When Ophelia started to pull on them though and asked what the hec was going on, Kihia sighed. He saw that the ears were indeed, firmly attached, he then bent down and picked up Rens hat, dusted it off and looked at the two. He put his left hand on Ophelia’s shoulder and said, “Easy Ophelia… given Ren some space… it is apparent he isn’t too happy about them either…” Kihia then bent down and placed Ren’s hat back where it properly belonged, “Now Ren… please take a moment and relax… and tell us what is going on if you want to.”

"I-I can exp- OW! OW! OPHELIA THAT HURT- OW!" Ren yelped and was leaning over quite uncomfortably as Ophelia twisted and pulled at his ears. They were real alright, and Ren was too much of a coward to try to remove them by any magical means. "Ophelia that huuuurts!" Ren whined, trying to pull his new ears from the shorter woman's grip. Kihia did intervene eventually, and Ren rubbed his ears uncomfortably and politely tucked them back into his hat. He felt a lot better with the hat on. Until his ears popped the hat off. Ren let out a choked sob and attempted to suppress his ears in a very depressing and shameful display.

"I didn't want these!" Ren sobbed, clinging to his hat so it would stay down. "I made a wish- and the thing- and now I- It's so embarrassing!" Ren's explanation could barely be heard through his sobs, which was now attracting quite a bit of attention from the others in the guildhall. "If the Guildmaster saw me- I couldn't- I wouldn't- And then what would I do!" Ren hid himself behind Kihia, trying to control the amount of tears pooling up and spilling down his cheeks at a rate that would alarm anyone.