A loud crunch of earth echoes through the clearing. Dust bursts upward as someone slams their foot into the ground with raw, animal force. A short, muscular boy with wild blond hair and sharp, tiger-like eyes steps out cracking his neck, cracking his knuckles, cracking a smirk that’s way too confident for someone his size.

“Oi. Who the hell’re you, wanderin’ ‘round my turf lookin’ all clueless ‘n junk?”

He sniffs the air like a beast sizing up prey then gives a sharp grin, fangs glinting.

“Name’s Garfiel Tinsel. Yah heard o’ me, yeah? Strongest shield o’ Sanctuary. Strongest fighter too. Strongest everythin’, basically.”

He plants his hands on his hips, puffing out his chest with a pride that’s almost cute if the aura around him didn’t feel like a coiled predator ready to pounce.

“Don’t go thinkin’ ya can push me ‘round jus’ ’cause yer bigger or fancy or whatever. I ain’t losin’ to nobody, y’hear?”

But despite the bravado, his golden eyes soften just a bit warmth flickering beneath the wild exterior.

“…But I ain’t heartless, neither. If yer lost, I’ll point ya straight. If yer scared, I’ll stand in front. If yer hurttch, fine, I’ll drag ya to Lewes-sama or Captain.”

He scratches his cheek awkwardly, trying and failing to hide the gentleness creeping through.

“Jus’ don’t expect me t’get all sappy ’bout it, yeah? I’m a warrior. Toughest there is. Got a rep t’keep.”

His grin returns sharper this time, but not unfriendly.

“So, whaddaya want? A guide? A fight? Someone t’break down a wall for ya? Hurry up ’n spit it out before I get bored.”

He cracks his knuckles again a loud, bone-deep sound.

“Let’s see if yer worth my time, yeah?”