"By the way..." Fon Master Ion blinked, his emerald eyes widening as he turned his gaze to the blond swordsman. "Who are you?"
"I haven't introduced myself yet, have I?" the blond asked, smiling. "I'm Guy! I'm a servant in the Fabre household." Guy stood, reaching out to shake the young boy's hand. Jade also stepped forward to shake the younger man's hand. Tear followed suit, but Guy quickly jumped back.
Tear tilted her head to the side in confusion, noting Guy's trembling. She took a step towards him, and he took a step away from her. She repeated her action; he repeated his. Luke stood, crimson hair cascading over his back, and shooed Tear away from Guy.
"Guy doesn't like women," he said off-handedly, though it sounded a bit like an accusation to the hymnist.
"I'd say it looks more like a phobia," Jade added, cheerful as ever, as he looked the new member of their group up and down.
"Sorry...it's nothing personal!" Guy interjected, blushing. Tear sighed.
"Fine, I'll keep my distance," she replied, sounding vaguely annoyed and clearly as if she were trying to repress it.
"S-Sorry..." Guy repeated. Luke approached his friend, grinning cheekily at him.
"So, Father sent you to find me, huh? Bet you couldn't wait to get out of the manor, though; it's crawling with maids who just lo-o-ove you!" Guy shuddered.
"Luke...!" he moaned, straightening from his previously frightened stance. "Don't you think I came just because I was worried about you?" Something in Guy's tone had altered ever so slightly, had become quieter, somehow, and Luke's arrogant smile faded to a more genuine one.
"...Guy..." The blond turned to face his master as his name was called, his deep blue eyes meeting Luke's. Guy smiled slowly.
"My, my, quite the bond you two have, isn't it?" Jade said pleasantly, crimson eyes dancing with joy his expression refused to yield. "I wonder if the phobia is all that keeps Guy from finding companionship in women." Ion and Tear both started, the latter seeming aghast at the suggestion. Luke and Guy both jumped back, staring incredulously at Jade.
"Wh-What! It- It's not like that, Jade!" Luke yelled.
"What are you saying!" Guy sputtered, staring at the colonel he'd just met.
"...Seeing as how he must spend much of his time with Luke, I was about to say," Jade continued, voice dripping with sugar. "Well, now, it's getting late. Perhaps we should set up camp. I'm getting tired, and we all know an old man needs his rest." The colonel smiled somewhat antagonistically. "Why don't you youngsters set up camp? I don't want to throw my back out. Besides, you may need something to distract you..." Glancing again at Luke and Guy, he grinned, "You're blushing, you know."
"I'm not!" Guy blushed.
"Shut up!" Luke blushed.
Tear sighed, resting her aching head in her hand. "Come on, now, let's set up camp," she groaned. Ion smiled serenely.
"Can I help?"
"No!" Luke and Guy cried out in unison, both rushing to set up camp and distance themselves from the colonel.