Marion stared at the young man who had signalled out to him.
He had dirty-white hair, a pale face and a slightly sinister aura that, although suppressed, made Marion a little on edge.
The young trader's crimson gaze teetered on the edge of a deep scarlet, resembling a vast pool of blood. Marion ignored how his insides instinctively squirmed at that. Doubtless, it was a visceral reminder of the truth he had learned not too long ago.
Finally, a pitch-black phoenix rested on the young man's shoulder, its intelligent amber eyes scanning Marion suspiciously for any threat. The dark-haired youth almost laughed.
What a cute bird. It was still an adolescent - the phoenix equivalent of baby fat clinging to its avian features in little hints, here and there - but Marion could tell that the familiar had already taken a few steps towards its journey of growing up.
His fingers twitched.
