❝ I SHOULD HAVE EXPECTED SHENANIGANS WHEN THE WIND KEPT GIGGLING IN MY EARS ON THE WAY HERE. ❞ breath exhaled not as annoyance, but rather mere amusement. It's been a while since Dahlia's walked all the way to the Thousand Winds Temple, never mind climbed the steep steps and settled himself in such a spot just to have a perfect view of this lancer bullying the local robotic wildlife. And the eye of the storm that wandered into the arena and he just casually shot out of the sky with his spear. It dawned on him on the way here that Venti purposefully sent him to deal with... this guy.
At hearing he's got an audience now, Lohen's head immediately snaps up. Squinting, he takes notice of the figure now sauntering downwards, greeting it with an exaggerated bow. ❝ Oh? Should I have known you'd come to watch, I would have waited so you'd see more than just the end. Well, regardless of that, what do I owe this visit to? ❞
Now face to face, having observed the ease of movement and the peculiar noises the other's weapon made upon coming to rest at his side, Dahlia can understand why his dearest friend ushered him out the gate so hurriedly. The Vice Captain could truly use his help! It wouldn't do to abandon one of the wind's many children, cast to the wayside only because he's quirky, would it? A little trip and nothing else, lend a helping hand eventually, see that whatever trouble he got into only affected the other party and that he's fine for the most part.
( Lord Barbatos, where have you found such person to take under your wing? Seriously. )
The sooner they return, the sooner he can get his hands on a drink or two and so; ❝ No need for such formalities! A little wind sprite whispered to me that you decided to venture off while everybody else remained in the city to celebrate the success of the expedition to Nod-Krai. It was wondering whether something ailed you, that is all. ❞ though, by the looks of it, the only ones troubled now lie in a pile of scraps, the outer shell that held a mini hurricane previously and what looks like the bones and staffs of various 'churls. Right. Even with overhearing Varka and Aether talking about him, it still feels surreal to actually witness the carnage.
❝ Quite chatty this wind sprite friend of yours. And nosy. Curiosity killed the cat, you know? It would do well to keep its nose out of business that doesn't concern it. ❞ each word paired by dark abyss taking holy light in in return. A smirk begins to curl lips upwards, voice smooth and soft as he leans in. ❝ Or is that, perhaps, you hope to wrangle a confession out of me, Deacon Dahlia? I, Lohen the Vice Captain of the Fifth Squad, plead guilty to the slaughter of all that wandered willingly inside this abandoned arena. ❞
Ah. That was a lot easier if not for the fact that it wasn't his intention in the slightest. Still, a twist in his plans that doesn't entirely derail them. It doesn't look like Lohen is planning to resist going back with him, merely banter with him, play with him and see if there's any reason to stick around or wander off again.
❝ Truly bold words spoken there. Perhaps I'll consider looking the other way if you make good on your earlier offer -- allow me to tag along a little longer and see your performance from beginning to end. ❞ after all, he's always enjoyed being in the thick of the action. And if he ends up somehow helping Lohen after all? All the better for it.