"Ech." Cole scoffed in discontent. Noticed by the Royal Guard under the logic and goal that Cherry had? No thanks! "If for some ungodly reason I'm considered for a position, you know I'll turn it down and refer them to you. A promise is a promise." Indeed, an old one at this point, but it still was one. "You only just turned eighteen like a few months ago; far as I can care to remember, thats how old you should be to be eligible to begin with or whatever."

"Meh? Its nothing." Cole shrugged, what he was thinking about could have been a fluke. "Yeah, it is odd. That is partly what I'm thinking; if its meant to be a container or whatever then it was doing a pretty shit job... So then either this, uh, June, or whatever their name is, was able to escape from it." Cole paused to give himself some time to think. "Or it isn't the container we think it is at all; because— Yeah, wouldn't it have followed more closely? Something doesn't add up here. Whether or not its sentient, what it wants, none of it links up." He smirked when Cherry sort of just failed at a friendly shoulder punch out of excitement. "Smell of adventure? Hah, more like the stench of coincidence." Returning another friendly shoulder punch, Cole nodded in agreement. "Just one problem, where do we start? We could go back to that passage but who knows how it looks now after all the quakes."

Cole also blew a raspberry. "Yeah, total flaky chicken. Can't handle these guns." He said jovially, flexing one of his arms for the sake of the joke. "It was interesting though, yeah. Never seen anything like it and all."

Shrugging casually at the thought of going after it, Cole gave a resounding "Meh." He shook his head. "Nah, didn't see where it went. I wouldn't go ahead and say 'out of sight out of mind', but..." His face scrunched up, his 'flame' curling in indignant dissatisfaction. "Doubt the Guard has time for this— whatever it is." On one hand, Cole didn't want to interact with the Royal Guard beyond acknowledging they exist and not getting in their way like an actual delinquent; even though he technically did a very risky thing. On the other hand, it was something they should know about in the grand scheme of things. "Might as well tell em at some point anyway." Cole's head moved as if he was rolling his eyes once again.

Cherry had her own interesting story; she was at the CORE. Now, this wasn't the biggest surprise, Cherry was around in the mines, and it wasn't like her to stand idly by and let people get hurt; regardless of being a Royal Guard or not.

The biggest news, was one of the Six Souls had resurfaced and there was an altercation. Initially taken aback at this news, Cole soon enough tapped his chin in thought. "Throw me the too long didn't read. How'd it all end, and... What colour was it..?"

Cole whistled oh so innocently after Cherry's warning not to tell Cinder about a few things. He could totally do that, the subject matter wasn't something Cinder didn't already know-- perhaps in a bit more depth than Cole himself for all he knew. "Dunno what you're talkin' about." The whistling continued for a moment until Gust accepted Cole's preference of nickname. "Thanks, that means a lot to me." Cole gave Gust a bright smile, leading into a bit of a snicker as the speedster returned similar friendly gestures.

Now, Cole was beyond hypnotized by the sight of new light, new life, new family. Rendered speechless; all he could muster to respond to Fia's words and supportive hug was naught a bit of a sniffle and an incredibly proud nod while he had been given the responsibility of holding onto Fia's phone. Hearing Cherry so excited; going so far as to even imply without a single shred of a doubt that Cole would be the best uncle ever only intensified Cole's current mood. If only she really knew how much this meant to him.

Noticing that Gust had somehow managed to not catch a glimpse of the photo; Cole motioned for him to come over and have a look. "Oh, dude, c'mere." Pointing to the new pair of parents, Cole introduced them to Gust by proxy. "The tough guy with the gold flame there is Erruptus, that there-- to quote Erruptus himself--" Cole huffed a little, slightly putting on an immitation of his cousin's voice. "-- Blue Bombshell, is his wife Azuria. As for the little one, they haven't texted back with a name... Heh, any suggestions? Y'know, for fun."

After simmering down slightly; Cole returned the phone to Fia, opting to take a good few sips of his drink and a couple of hearty bites of the first sandwich he had ordered. This young man had quite a bit to think about. His thought processes were not dissuaded from their course even when the door was practically thrown open by an enraged little turd of a Shyren. Cole did indeed notice the events that followed, thankful to Yanezi and Luis for the swiftness in their actions. Cole usually would've called out the one that caused the annoyance, but since they immediately wussed out and left, Cole let it be. He wasn't in the mood to pursue; the appropriate consequences for such shoddy behavior would catch up with Aceline Trinity soon enough. Upon Luis' triumphant return from table-catching, Cole slowly stood up. "Thanks. I'm.. Gonna go for a bit of a wander. Got some pep in my step, might as well make use of it. Won't be long." He brought out a zip-lock bag and placed his remaining sandwiches within for now. As per his word, Cole began to wander off on his own accord, momentarily considering going for a walk around the block...

The next Monster to use the front door caught Cole's attention, they entered with a stark contrast to Aceline; with the level of tranquility and grace one would expect from someone of nobility. 'Now that is how it is done. Geez, Ass-lint Trinity.. Take notes.'. Cole gave the newcomer an energetic and welcoming wave, accompanied by a big smile-- his eyes still present and glowing. "Hey there. Couldn't help but notice that proper elegant entrance of yours." He twirled once on the spot and gave a double pistols gesture. "If you're stuck on what to get; I recommend one of the caramel swirls. S'good stuff. Have a good day. Espresso Yourself is quite the place." Giving a thumbs up, Cole practically skipped and sauntered out of the door to go get some air.

"Make sure you practice as often as you can; but don't use the potions back at your house. Remember that one time I sneezed next to that shelf and broke all the bottles when we were like, seven? Yeah, don't risk that." Cole laughed, it was a fun memory, namely because that particular shelf had party related potions on it and nothing actually all that important-- but the advice remained sound, if only because Cinnamon always made it clear to be careful as best as the two of them could be just in case.

Cole bumped his fists together. "Yeeeeeah, that boy is gonna get it real good!" Agreeing with Cherry's sentiment in a somewhat cheeky manner.

As for family? Cole tapped his chin in thought when Cherry asked a few interesting questions. "I dunno? Remember Fjall and Ifvra from school? They just have a mother and.." Cole scoffed somewhat annoyed. "Cinder is a natureborn. I.. I just don't get why shes so sour about that, either? She's..." Cole sighed. "Nevermind..." He folded his arms as the 'flame' on his head swirled a little faster in his brewing annoyance. It died down however, he was with Cherry, not Cinder, after all. He wasn't one to complain about people behind their back. "Anyways, I dunno, its not weird if thats what you're saying? Its not weird to me, at least--"

Then Cherry lost focus, dropping the lake. In unison with Cherry, Cole also said "Oh, shit."

However, Cole was often an attentive young man. Plus, he had a bit of pent up aggression having thought of something that confused him in some manner; so when the water breached its own barrier and washed towards the two of them, Cole lifted one hand forward and flicked two fingers upwards, sending a swathe of vantablack magical force out in front of him, swinging into he water-- it spread very quickly in a manner akin to fire, but as Cherry would know without a doubt; it did not act like normal fire. It gave no heat, and therefor no steam as a result of coming into contact with water; it did not burn... It did something else.

It destroyed.

The good news was Cole had a harshly tempered control skill, so it never got out of hand, even when he was grumpy. When he was well and truly pissed off? Another story entirely; and Cherry knew well enough to avoid making that happen.

"Huh. Neat." Cole nodded along as Cherry listed off more things that she could bend with her goofy mind. "So, s'more like liquids in general then? Sounds to me like your proper Magic is awakening!" He grinned, yet not mischeviously. Normally he would say something along the lines of 'took you long enough', but since this was actually something of a momentous occasion; he had something else to say. "Congrats, dweeb!" Ehhhh? Close enough.

"Psh, I never said it was cute, dingus. Just that he might find it endearing or attractive. Listen, I can't speak for him-- even though hes a bit of a dip and I probably should-- but anyone worth a chip of their Soul aught to think that being honest with oneself is totally the most attractive thing. So yes, I think he'll find it cute." Cole pulled another raspberry in defiance at Cherry. "Also, totally sock him a good one in the jaw. Mostly for you, but also for me for him making you feel bad."

An allegedly flaming question-mark formed above Cole's head at Cherry's sudden outburst. "So he fidgets in his sleep, whats the big deal? S'just a bed. You're not sharing a burner faucet  so you're not accidentally sleep merging different ignition chemicals or anything." Cole shrugged. Elementals clearly slept differently, then. "Seriously, family reunions on my end are ass in that regard. I'm lucky I never have to share my burner faucet with anyone cuz of my condition. Yeesh."

At Cherry's signal, Cole stepped back to watch the show, and he did so patiently; noting that Cherry had decided to sing before anything began to happen. Upon her success, Cole clapped, nodding with a smirk. "Awesome."

"Ask him sometime, then." Cole shrugged, throwing another flat stone into the water. "Also, yes, I know. Any ideas on who I should blame that little tidbit on? Know any other pastel punk tiger shark nerds that use drinking straws as a hair accessory?" He said fluidly, throwing yet another stone in the same manner of grace. "Undynes preeeeetty taaaaaaaaaaall, you're gonna need a growth spuuuuurt~" Oh, how very mature of Cole. "Kidding, by the way."

He watched Cherry manipulate the water of the lake to form a sizeable sphere, she did it well enough; no doubt she had practiced beyond her initial discovery of this ability. Cole wheezed a little at Cherry's joke. Oh that poor monster indeed. "Its whatever, not the first thing on my mind."

"Jelly tummy? Snrk-- Heheh.. Really?" Cole's grin widened. That was the absolute most unabashedly childishly sweet thing he had ever heard Cherry say. Whats next, did she believe in cooties? "PFhfhfhehehhfehhhahahAHAHahahaHAHAHAHha THERE IT IS, YOU DID THE THING YOU USED TO DO." Cole was laughing, but not mockingly, he was genuinely happy that Cherry could lighten up, so much so that she momentarily fell back into an old quirk she had; making sweet and sugary analogies for things. "Hooooo, holy shit. Agh, ho'my god. Hooh. Okay. To answer that legitimately, no. But I'm okay with that."

Cole simply nodded to Cherry. Her request would be followed in due time.

"Oh, am I?" Cole chuckled, but it quickly devolved into a low cackle. "Thats riiiight, the mistake I'm making is allowing you to keep breathing"

Cole stomped on Lekio's right shoulder-- not to break it or anything, just to cause pain and pin him further to the ground. "Whats wrong, lowlife? CAT GOT YOUR TONGUE?!" He leaned in after roaring, uncomfortably close to Lekio's face again. "Those are a poor choice for last words... But its faaaarrr from the worst decision you've made today."

Abruptly, Cole yanked Lekio up to a standing position. "Your lack of social decency is one thing.. The fact that you are so entitled, witless and disgusting." He growled, circling around Lekio slowly like a true shark. "Then you have the gall to say that socializing with ones own kind should be held above all else. Oh how basic you are with your elitism." Cole leaned in near one of Lekio's ears. "Its repulsive. Don't you know blood ties don't matter?" The ending part of the quote was one that Cinnamon and Cherry would know Cole fairly well for; 'Everyone you love should be considered family' "Your mentality is one thing., but you toyed with a good man and threatened his girlfriend with your vile thoughts." Cole jabbed a finger at Lekio's shoulder, slinking away from him... What was left around Lekio was an inhospitable haze of black smog and fire. Cole continued to speak from within it. "Then you did not heed my honest warning... That was foolish of you." Another jab came from a random direciton, at one of Lekio's kneecaps this time. "You pressed on and tried to encroach upon the privacy of another," Two jabs came, both to Lekio's chest. "and you hurt her mother."

The haze lifted and Cole was standing in front of Lekio again, and no matter the difference in physical height, in this moment, Cole towered over him. "Go ahead. Pick a god and pray." Cole cooed sweetly. "I know I won't listen." If there was one thing Cole knew about egotists like Lekio, whenever their oh so precious status was threatened, they typically did really really dumb shit.

"The one you see as 'princess', on her behalf I hereby declare you... Unworthy of our time.. Her current suitor is a wonderful match for her." Cole's jagged maw had a bit of a smirk added to it now, it was time to straight up just mess with this guy.

"As such; for crimes against this humble, small kingdom, I, her highness's first knight; hereby banish you." Cole tilted his head, speaking sweetly still... Then without warning-- "You will never lay eyes on her again." he swiped at Lekio's face, namely, his eyes- Cole was going to reduce Lekio's sight to ash! The black flare did that, and that alone; there was no mark of injury or dust leak, and in seconds Lekio would have his sight impaired, only to see in vague blurs. "Nor will you hear her voice." Cole then swiped past Lekio's ears, doing much the same as he did to his eyes; now crippling his hearing and leaving no wound. "NOR WILL YOU PUT YOUR VILE THOUGHTS INTO WORDS" Cole once again grabbed Lekio by the neck with one hand, forcing his jaw open with the other... Dear god, he was going to tear Lekio's vocal chords apart too! A small flicker, nary more than a pinprick was sent down Lekio's gullet. If the reality of the situation was hard to swallow, this would represent that in the pain it gave for all of 3 seconds, and the scars would last a lifetime.

With that, Cole simply dropped Lekio, who would at this point, miraculously; still be alive. "Oh, and this one is a bit more personal, and I know you can't respond, but... You don't get to be orange anymore." Cole waved a hand, sending a pulse of his magic over the poor son of a bitch, removing the hues of every colour; namely orange; from his being. "You're not worthy of Bravery's colour. Coward."