Didn't everyone say that? It's not what you think.

At his apology, Cressida rolled her eyes but could barely suppress her smile. Looking from Bob to Loyal, the student raised her eyebrows in amusement.

"We're not going to do anything to you Loyal. Come on, get up," she said, offering her hand in the process. It was a wonder that Loyal was older than her. It sometimes felt like he was a child, but Cressida had to admit that she was probably fond of that aspect about him.

Loyal took Cressida's hand and turned to the male. He waited for the guy to calm down and when he realised that it won't come soon he turned a bit red. "Will you stop laughing!? You making me feel stupid..." He muttered before turning back to Cressida.

"It really isn't what you think." He smiled before laughing. "And I really am sorry." He turned to the guy again, this time curiosity took on his features. "Well, I haven't seen you around here before...Who might you be?"

Loyal smiled, knowing that this person was trust-worthy. "I'm Loyal Esperance. I KNow it was a bad way to meet but I assume that from the fact that you are laughing your lungs out, you don't mind me that much?"

Bob wiped tears away. "Sorry, I just had a moment there."

He flipped back up on his feet and walked back over. "We'll see what I think. Trust would be my first mistake."

He held out his hand, "I'm Bob."

Cressida pulled Loyal up and retracted her hand.

"So what is it then?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. If it really wasn't what she thought, then what was it?

Bad way to meet? Yeah right. Why don't you rephrase it to terrible way to meet, Cressida thought sarcastically. She didn't know how long Loyal was there and how much he picked up. It made things dodgy and her skin crawl at the same time.

Sighing exasperatedly, Cressida said, "Now that we've done introductions and all of that, can we get a move on. We haven't got all day you know."

Loyal smiled sheepishly before replying to Cressida. "Uh, passing by?" He laughed before he put his hands together and rasied it to his face. "Sorry."

The Sorceror looked at the fellow named Bob before grinning widely. "Yo! Nice to meet ya." He exclaimed shaking Bob's hand vigorously. "And sorry to you too." He said, poking his tongue out jokingly.

"You seemed like you had a lot of time Cressida." He said with a sneaky smile on his face. "Besides what's wrong with spending some time here, it's not gonna rain or anything." He laughed, throwing his arms behind his head and sitting down against a tree. "Like you said, we aren't strangers anymore."

"Passing by in a tree," Cressida repeated in a monotone voice. "Right…" You could clearly hear her disbelief dripping from her words. She nudged him lightly with her foot, giving the mage a small smile, "You don’t need to apologise though."

Sighing, she decided she would drop the matter. Loyal wasn’t going to give a clear answer any day soon.

Cressida narrowed her eyes slightly. If only she could control the weather. How wrong Loyal would be then. Dwelling on the thought, she slashed it mentally.

"Fine. Have it your way."

With that, Cressida stalked off until she was within a clear distance between Bob and Loyal.