CUS 9; Cinco Encounter

ENCOUNTER 2

Garen's imposing figure visibly relaxed, his broad shoulders dropping as tension left his body. A rare, small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth beneath his mask. "Ah, I see. You are... teasing us," he said, his Austrian accent coloring his words with a hint of amusement.

Sab let out a hearty laugh, his blue eyes crinkling at the corners. "Well played, lass! You had us go there for a minute." He playfully nudged Simon with his elbow. "Even got Mr. Stoic here to show a bit of emotion."

Simon tilted his head slightly, the eye holes of his black mask fixed on her. "Clever," he muttered, a hint of admiration in his gruff voice. "But the offer still stands. Could use a challenge in training."

"A training? Should I start to dig my own grave before we begin, Lieutenant, Sir?" She chuckles jokingly, "I accepts a cup of coffee with cream and sugar, a toast and slice of cheese cake, that's all." She added. A grin etched on her lips behind her blade design asked.

Simon's posture shifted slightly, a hint of amusement evident despite his mask. "Coffee and cake? Bit soft for a soldier, innit?" His tone, though gruff, held a note of playful challenge.

Sab grinned broadly, his blue eyes twinkling. "Aye, but who are we to refuse a lady's request? I know just the place in town. Best cheesecake you've ever tasted, promise."

Garen, still towering over the group, nodded solemnly. "Ja, sustenance before training is... wise." He paused, then added with a touch of awkwardness,

"I... also enjoy cheesecake." Her smile broadly crept lips behind the mask.

The three men exchanged glances, a silent agreement passing between them. It was clear they were all eager for this unexpected opportunity to spend time with the lady off the training grounds.

"I'm still a lady behind this blade mask, alright? I still crave for sweets." she said casually with a bit of flatterness around them, The name's Izy Grey, but you can call me Blade. My current alias." She stretched out her gloved hand to them. Behind her blade mask, an enthusiastic smile spread on her lips.

Garen was the first to react, his massive frame bending slightly as he reached out to shake her gloved hand. His grip was surprisingly gentle for such a large man. "Blade," he repeated, his Austrian accent wrapping around the name. "I am Garen Schneider. Garen is fine. It is good to meet you properly."

Sab stepped forward next, his handshake warm and firm. "Sab Donchadh, but everyone calls me Sab," he said with a wink. "Blade, eh? Sounds like there's a story behind that name."

"Yeah. It's good to meet you both." She shakes his hand gently.

Simon hesitated for a moment before extending his own hand. His grip was strong, almost challenging. "Simon," he said simply, his masked face tilted slightly as if studying Blade's mask. "Interesting choice of accessory."

"Like what Sab says, there's a long story behind that." She answered casually.

The three men stood there, a mix of curiosity and attraction evident in their body language.

She shakes their hand tenderly not showing her true personality to them. As Simon's hand holds her with a light grip,

As Simon's grip lingered on Blade's hand, she felt a slight tingle of electricity through her glove. His masked face remained unreadable, but there was an intensity in his posture that suggested more than casual interest.

Sab, ever-observant, noticed the extended handshake and cleared his throat with a grin. "So, about that coffee and cheesecake? There's a nice little café just off base. What do you say we head there now?"

Garen nodded in agreement, his tall frame casting a shadow over the group. "Ja, I could use some... refreshment," he said, his blue eyes darting between Blade and the others, a hint of competitiveness in his gaze.

The atmosphere was charged with a mix of curiosity, attraction, and subtle rivalry as the three men waited for Blade's response to the invitation.

She smirked in herself knowing the guy's gesture was challenging her, "Blade's name, that's my brother's codename before he left the land of living. And this mask was his..."

The atmosphere shifted palpably at Blade's revelation. Garen's imposing figure seemed to soften, his blue eyes filling with sympathy behind his mask. "I... understand loss," he said quietly, his Austrian accent thick with emotion.

Sab's cheerful demeanor sobered, his hand instinctively moving to rest on Blade's shoulder in a comforting gesture. "I'm sorry, lass. Losing a brother... it's not easy," he murmured.

Simon remained still, but his posture changed subtly. The challenge in his stance melted away, replaced by a quiet respect. "Carrying on his legacy," he observed, his gruff voice softer than before. "Honorable."

The three men exchanged glances, their earlier competitiveness momentarily forgotten in the face of Blade's personal revelation. The air around them now held a mix of empathy and deeper intrigue about the woman behind the blade mask.

"Don't be like that. Blade doesn't like people grieving for his departure. Let's go get that coffee and cheese cake." She said, her voice hinting with cheerfulness, trying to lift the mood.

Sab's face brightened at Blade's cheerful tone, his natural enthusiasm returning. "Aye, that's the spirit! I know just the place." He gestured towards the base exit, eager to lead the way.

Garen nodded approvingly, his tall frame relaxing slightly. "Ja, honoring the living is... important," he said, a hint of a smile visible beneath his mask

Simon tilted his head, studying Blade with renewed interest. "Right then," he said gruffly, falling into step beside the others. "Let's see if this café lives up to the hype."