Oh, Ul’dah. It was a city horrible for business, but great for Rei indulging himself in his ever worsening hoarding habits. The sun was low in the sky at this point as the seeker had garnered quite the collection of new wares for himself to take home to Hingashi. He held on to only a handful of those items as he had the rest sent ahead to the airship dock to be loaded on to his transport home. It was a good haul, though to the passerby, he would’ve looked like a very rich man who had just spent an eccentric amount of gil on loads and loads of garbage. A very confusing disconnected from how elegantly he presented himself.
While in Thanalan, Rei always opted for lighter clothes than his usual silks. A sheer scar over his shoulders, much like a shall, did little to hide his exposed arms and shoulders, his tattoos a walking gallery of birds and flowers. The shirt under that was sleeveless in an attempt to keep himself cool, though he could feel the sun burning the skin on his arms. Good thing the sun was setting, no more sun burn or stupid heat to contend with. But in the dessert, as the sun sets, the cold sets in too and Rei was intent on getting inside quickly. His airship wouldn’t leave until the next morning, so heading back to the quicksand wasn’t the worst of plans.
He turned back out of the markets and into the back alley that connected the rich with the poor. He was used to street thugs, living in a household now that was essentially all street thugs. With his hair tied in a loose bun above his neck, it didn’t really surprise him that a drunk man or two called out to him. Or maybe they didn’t care? Either way, Rei kept his eyes forward as he walked, his arms loose at his side. He was oddly relaxed despite the odd sense of tension in the air.
There was a loud thud in a small alley off to the side and Rei turned around to meet the sound. “Don’t go over there…” he commanded himself, his ears flicking as curiosity got the better of him. He didn’t move initially as the sounds of a struggle seemed to grow more frequent. His tail swished excitedly behind him. For all his dark deeds, Rei did consider himself a hero and what a better way to act that part then to go over and intervene. He placed his small bag of junk on the ground, knowing that when he got back, it would probably be gone.
Picking a knife out of his boot, Rei turned around to run into the alley to spot three refugees ganging up on a tall man. Most likely Elezen from the looks of it. Not many were that tall and of that build. He maneuvered himself into the middle of the group. He was much smaller than the Elezen, but he would have the presence of someone whose hands were drenched in blood. His gaze was narrowed with a killer’s instinct, his teeth barred angrily. “Leave, now,” he demanded.
But without giving one of the refugees so much as the chance to back away, Rei swung his dagger upward into a highlander’s face, cutting the man’s cheek open and cutting off some of his nose. Blood poured down the attacker’s face as shock settled in. “Stand down, or I will cut you down,” He said that too late for one man, it seemed. Was this miqo’te really a hero stepping in to help someone?
Valen sucked in a sharp breath at Rei’s poking around his ribs. Less amused now then he had been before but not quite yet angry. After all, remaining calm was something he was good at. Even when someone was mocking him subtly. Tucking the offered knife into his boot just to keep himself from further physical harm since he had a feeling it wasn’t a joke. Not if he went by Rei’s body language. He wasn’t quite as easy to kill as Rei said. Yet he also wasn’t one who was used to physical fights. Most of his body was rather lithe and the muscles were in his arms and shoulders from using his longbow.
There was something foreign yet not about Rei. The word kami was definitely one indicator that the man was not local. Plus the mention of souvenirs. A look towards where had mentioned leaving his bag of trinkets. A shame really, no matter what the items had been. Trinkets or not. Valen lightly scratched his heart tattooed cheek.Trying to put everything he knew together.
“I apologize for the loss of your possessions. I would have likely ended up beaten bloody and left without gil of course without your intervention. Though do not entirely discount me on one poor choice. I can make many shots that are difficult for the average bowmen. I realize that does not help me here but I have not been long around Ul’dah but a few suns. I come from the Twelveswood. The Shroud to most not born there.” Once more giving the charming boyish smile he was so good at. Attempting to ease any tension. “I may not be wealthy but allow me to help replace what I can of your souvenirs. Or maybe offer you some help or entertainment. I shall leave the choice to you, the dashing young man who rescued me.”
Oh, Ul’dah. It was a city horrible for business, but great for Rei indulging himself in his ever worsening hoarding habits. The sun was low in the sky at this point as the seeker had garnered quite the collection of new wares for himself to take home to Hingashi. He held on to only a handful of those items as he had the rest sent ahead to the airship dock to be loaded on to his transport home. It was a good haul, though to the passerby, he would’ve looked like a very rich man who had just spent an eccentric amount of gil on loads and loads of garbage. A very confusing disconnected from how elegantly he presented himself.
While in Thanalan, Rei always opted for lighter clothes than his usual silks. A sheer scar over his shoulders, much like a shall, did little to hide his exposed arms and shoulders, his tattoos a walking gallery of birds and flowers. The shirt under that was sleeveless in an attempt to keep himself cool, though he could feel the sun burning the skin on his arms. Good thing the sun was setting, no more sun burn or stupid heat to contend with. But in the dessert, as the sun sets, the cold sets in too and Rei was intent on getting inside quickly. His airship wouldn’t leave until the next morning, so heading back to the quicksand wasn’t the worst of plans.
He turned back out of the markets and into the back alley that connected the rich with the poor. He was used to street thugs, living in a household now that was essentially all street thugs. With his hair tied in a loose bun above his neck, it didn’t really surprise him that a drunk man or two called out to him. Or maybe they didn’t care? Either way, Rei kept his eyes forward as he walked, his arms loose at his side. He was oddly relaxed despite the odd sense of tension in the air.
There was a loud thud in a small alley off to the side and Rei turned around to meet the sound. “Don’t go over there…” he commanded himself, his ears flicking as curiosity got the better of him. He didn’t move initially as the sounds of a struggle seemed to grow more frequent. His tail swished excitedly behind him. For all his dark deeds, Rei did consider himself a hero and what a better way to act that part then to go over and intervene. He placed his small bag of junk on the ground, knowing that when he got back, it would probably be gone.
Picking a knife out of his boot, Rei turned around to run into the alley to spot three refugees ganging up on a tall man. Most likely Elezen from the looks of it. Not many were that tall and of that build. He maneuvered himself into the middle of the group. He was much smaller than the Elezen, but he would have the presence of someone whose hands were drenched in blood. His gaze was narrowed with a killer’s instinct, his teeth barred angrily. “Leave, now,” he demanded.
But without giving one of the refugees so much as the chance to back away, Rei swung his dagger upward into a highlander’s face, cutting the man’s cheek open and cutting off some of his nose. Blood poured down the attacker’s face as shock settled in. “Stand down, or I will cut you down,” He said that too late for one man, it seemed. Was this miqo’te really a hero stepping in to help someone?
Rei glanced over his shoulder as the Elezen behind him so rudely thanked his deity instead of him for saving his life. His ears flicked, slight irate, as he stared up at the man. Rei hadn’t realized how tall the Elezen was until that moment. But he wasn’t going to relax quite yet. Not until the armed thugs decided they’d had enough. “One, two…” he began to count under his breath. But he soon found them fleeing, rather than engaging the two of them.
The seeker turned around, nearly whipping the Elezen with his hair as he did so, “There is no deity on this plane who is going out of their way to save you. I just happened to be passing by this mess…” he gestured to the blood splattered on the pavement with his blood soaked dagger. He lifted the blade a bit closer to his face to get a better look at it and then idly began flinging the blood off of it in a sharp flicking motion of his wrist.
He turned back to face the Elezen again, lowering the dagger so it was in a non-threatening position, “Damsel?” he repeated the word, tilting his head slightly, a loose lock of hair slipping from his shoulder. He seemed genuinely confused by that notion, “I don’t care if you’re a man or woman. Scum like that needs to be eradicated,” he glared back at the blood stains on the pavement from the man he had landed his warning shot on. “I’m glad you have the decency to also thank me instead of that Osch…whoever,” he shook his head.
He a came even closer to the man, his feet light on the pavement, almost silent, as he began to examine the man more closely, standing on his toes even to check his wounds, “Did they break your skin?” he asked, reaching out with his free hand to try and take hold of the arm the Elezen had over his own torso to check the wound, “I am not a healer, but I can bring you to one,” he frowned, looking up at the man through his long eyelashes,.
“What did you think you were doing? wandering around out here with nothing but a rusty old meat knife,” he chided and held out his own dagger, “It’s dirty, but at least carry this. I can always get another.” His dagger was of shinobi make. But the man himself was not a shinobi. He held out the knife handle first to the minstrel to take.
Valen would have taken a surprised step back if he wasn’t already leaning against the wall. Quite surprised by the man’s attitude. Plus the fact that his usual charm seemed to have no effect. “Well… Not an easy customer this one.” The words were muttered mostly to himself as he maintained that earlier smile.
“Oschon the Wanderer. He is one of the Twelve gods of Eorzea. The deity that watches over those of us that wander the world.” Moving his arm aside to show there were no open wounds. Maybe a cracked rib but that wasn’t visible to the eye. “I shall be alright. I will contact a healer friend later. The busted lip. Maybe a cracked rib. This is minor compared to the damage I took from a failed hunt a moon ago.”
Valen took a long moment looking at the dagger. As if deciding whether he wanted to accept such a gift. Conflicted but slowly he reached to take it. “I am afraid I might dishonor such a fine gift. My skills are with the strings rather then a blade. Not that my bow would have been much help in this situation. I am a hunter of distance. A player of songs. I never thought to need such a skill before. Nor was it my intention to wander down the wrong road. I was merely rehearsing my music in my head.”
Seeing as the situation seemed safe, the little doman magpie finally flew down from the roof. Landing lighting on Valen’s shoulder and chirping at him. The young man giving a laugh which caused him to wince. Reaching up to gently rub Lily’s belly. “How rude of me. I am Valentin and this is my companion, Lily. But you may call me Valen. Might I ask the name of my savior?”
“So Bodge friend… You seem…“ Looked puzzled for a
moment. As if trying to find the right words she wanted. “Quieter then
usual. Is something bothering you? I know you speak little but this seems even
less then before.”
Bodge had to think for a moment. Was she really being quieter than usual? She guessed so. She was still getting used to this ‘friends’
thing. She looked around at all the life
around, the trees and the plants and the sheer rocks. “I’m just listening, I guess.” It’s very important to understand your
surroundings, especially out here. In truth,
the quiet didn’t bother her that much.
She hardly even realized she liked it so much. The stump was quiet too. Apparently it didn’t want to contribute to
the conversation.
Marielle Valeroyant seemed perplexed by Bodge’s answer. Tilting her head as she looked around. Not hearing anything out of the
ordinary. At least nothing out of the ordinary to her. “I hear nothing
different. Do you hear something I do not? I have spent much time in the woods
but this is all the average sounds. Do you perhaps not spend much time in
places like this?”
Okay how to explain it?
Bodge puzzled for a moment, and then another. She loved he woods, and all other sorts of
outside things. “It’s like
breathing.” She said. That was stupid. Yes, it was like breathing, but really
Bodge? That’s how you’re going to
describe it. Bodge looked back down at
the stump. It was so much more than
that.
(( From a scene with @nebula1984 that had me both giggling and crying! ))
Ahlis was once again preparing herself for some more delving into dangerous places on her own. Not that she couldn’t handle it…she just didn’t bother burdening others when it came to her little ‘forays’ into what she considered a personal hobby.
“I’ll expect you to keep up if you’re wanting to follow along, sound fair?”
Destiney tried not to laugh and roll her eyes at the mention of keeping up. Keeping up was the easy part. Keeping people from getting themselves hurt? Well that was something else entirely. Especially with the types that made it a hobby to do dangerous things. She’d met more then her fair share of those during her time as a freelance healer.
“Sounds more then fair. Though I wouldn’t worry too much about me keeping up.” Destiney offered Ahlis a warm smile before giving the other woman a polite bow. “Destiney Delvanguard. Since it will not do to simple call one another ‘hey you’ of course.”
Ahlis acknowledged the other woman with a nod of her own; she had a point of course and it was never too late to exchange pleasantries.
“Ahlis Ildilayan, well met.”
With a final look-over of her staff she strapped it into the harness on her back, adjusting the belt and placed a hand briefly upon the grimoire at her hip. All seemed to be ready to go.
“Shall we? Unless you need anything before we leave…”
Destiney shook her head in response as a small fairy poked her head out of the pocket of her jacket. The tiny hand patting Destiney’s side to get her attention. Destiney laughed softly before giving the fairy an apologetic look. “Sorry. This is Daisy. I have all I need for the time being, Ahlis. I’ve learned to travel with the necessities because of the people I usually work with. They are always getting into trouble.
Daisy popped the rest of the way out of the coat pocket before fluttering over to Ahlis. Head tilted in curiosity as the small fairy looked Ahlis over. Finally satisfied, Daisy flew back to Destiney and sat down on her shoulder.
Destiney nodded in agreement when Nozomi gave the order for her to flank the Ixali.
Moving quickly and putting old training to use. Letting Nozomi provide something to keep their attention as she moved to a better position.
An arrow flew forward and found itself buried into the back of the Ixali Nozomi was engaged with. Destiney had found a higher perch on top of a boulder which gave her a good shot at the Ixali below. Only looking away from the scene below to motion for Daisy to go to the other woman.
Daisy fluttered down quickly before flying around Nozomi in a quick circle. A soft glittering golden light following the fairy’s path as Daisy applied a regeneration magic to Nozomi’s body to help strengthen the injured woman.
@nebula1984, I just realized I never wrote a drabble before. ))
It was only by coincidence that they both happened in the same exact ruins…Arkadion being vastly less competent than the other, which was noted by the elezen’s lack of experience that triggered the pitfall in the first place. Hopefully whatever he stuffed into that overpacked bag of his may be useful.
Or not.
Stefan heard a lot of rustling, followed by various items falling down into the pit…including a rope.
“…don’t worry bout a thing sir I’ll get you out of there! …Just stay where you are!–oh wait, you can’t actually really go anywhere. This makes things relatively easier!”
Stefan had just been doing his own thing. Minding his own business. Working with Esper as always. Wouldn’t you know it… Along comes this elezen and now he’s down in a pit trap. Thankfully unhurt other then some bruises.
Esper was staring down at his trapped master, glancing up at Ark on occasion as the man kept searching for a way to undo what he had done. Stefan sighing heavily and putting a hand to his forehead after seeing the rope that had fallen down into the pit with him. Was this man up there really that hopeless?
“What about the rope?” Stefan says as he gives the top of the pit edge a dry look, wishing it was the elezen who trapped him that he was giving that look to. He had picked up the rope but he needed to get the man above to pay attention now.
Ahlis was once again preparing herself for some more delving into dangerous places on her own. Not that she couldn’t handle it…she just didn’t bother burdening others when it came to her little ‘forays’ into what she considered a personal hobby.
“I’ll expect you to keep up if you’re wanting to follow along, sound fair?”
Destiney tried not to laugh and roll her eyes at the mention of keeping up. Keeping up was the easy part. Keeping people from getting themselves hurt? Well that was something else entirely. Especially with the types that made it a hobby to do dangerous things. She’d met more then her fair share of those during her time as a freelance healer.
“Sounds more then fair. Though I wouldn’t worry too much about me keeping up.” Destiney offered Ahlis a warm smile before giving the other woman a polite bow. “Destiney Delvanguard. Since it will not do to simple call one another ‘hey you’ of course.”
At least the thing had gone down. Riski felt his head spin when he moved to look back to check on Destiney, the sunny La Noscean day darkening around the edges. “You okay, Dest?” he asked. His voice sounded distant and fuzzy to his own long ears.
It was only the span of a blink, or so Riski thought, and suddenly Destiney stood in front of him. He brows were furrowed and the flitting light of her fairy companion compounded on his dizzy feeling. “Riski,” Destiney was saying, trying to get his attention. “It’s going to be okay. Just breathe.”
Riski tried to dredge up a smile for her. It was fine; he’d taken far worse hits before. Which was his last coherent thought before his eyes rolled back in his head and he collapsed onto the grass.
Destiney resisted the urge to squeak in panic when Riski fainted on her. Daisy’s arms flailed in a moment of worry as Dest moved to assess Riski’s condition. She knew the last night he insisted she didn’t heal him that things would be alright left alone. Good thing this time he was passed out because she wasn’t asking this time. Not that she could anyways.
She moved him so his head was resting in her lap, brushing the hair from his face gently. Daisy landed on Riski’s shoulder before looking up at her master as if asking for permission. Destiney nods before she closes her eyes, moving her softly glowing hands to Riski’s chest. Seeking the damage and making sure his life wasn’t in danger. Letting her aether soothe any pain. “Please Riski… Please wake up…” Daisy was lending her help as well to aid her friend in his recovery.
Staring was, in all honesty, expected.
Bast knows that scar is even more distracting and horrible than the one
on his face; the few who have seen it and lived to remember have all had
something to say about it. It seems Destiney is no different. Basteaux
sighs in a sort of uncomfortable resignation and crosses his arms over
his bare chest.
“Normally I prefer to take care of such things in entirely out of the
way places, or at times when I’m unlikely to be disturbed. But when one
has had dealings with morbols, suddenly the need for a bath becomes
paramount.” He catches her eye and shrugs slightly. “At least it’s only
you.”
For most anyone else, ‘it’s only you’ would be an insult. Coming from
Basteaux, however, it’s more like a gift of praise. It’s an indication
of his lowered guard and a blatant mark of… well, trust.
Dest wanted to comment on that ‘it’s only you’ but she had a feeling he didn’t mean it badly. Basteaux was prickly most times and it had taken her time to earn even a little of his trust. There was no way she was going to set things back now by asking about the scar. Even if curiosity was killing her.
“I promise not to turn around if you want to get dressed. Before I do something stupid or ask a stupid question.” She tugs her boots off and sits down at the edge of the water, putting her feet in. She didn’t really care if her tights got wet, they would dry quicker then the rest of her gear anyways. “A friend once told me that scars are the tale of something that tried to kill us and failed. That we proved we were stronger then whatever wanted us dead. That they aren’t something to be ashamed of.”
He continued to watch the young man,
still uncertain of what his name was, as he seemed to struggle to think
rationally and then to converse with his carbuncle. A small twitch of
his lips betrayed his amusement at the Carbuncle seeming to remind it’s
master to be nice. A twitch of his tail was the only visible response to
learning the carbuncles name was Esper.
Still even after the apology he stood resolute, listening to the rest
of the man’s explanation. Not a people person, yea he could figure that
out. no friends? well that was a little sad. He frowned at the rest of
the man’s explanation his tail twitching behind him again in slight
irritation, even if he started to understand a little the man’s point of
view.
“Apology accepted” he said, voice rumbling, “I can see a little more
why you were unable to get rid of the harpy’s and the reasons behind
your reaction to my help. As for strangers, it’s an easy enough thing to
remedy” Silvaire stated holding his hand out to the younger man, “Name
is Silvaire Cameron, Bard and performer, I may not be the smartest and
mayhap my brain is smaller than my head but I mean well. For a big lug
and all”
He looked at the man for a long moment glancing down at
the carbuncle and gave it a wide grin, “And thank you good Esper for
your help leading your young master home, I’m awful with directions even
at the best of times.”
Stefan stared at the offered hand for a long moment before finally taking it. “Stefan Delvanguard, explorer and researcher. This one here…” He gives Esper a very dry look. “Is my partner in my research.”
Esper seems to look very pleased with himself at Silvaire’s thanks, tail swishing about happily. When Stefan looked like he was just going to walk away with nothing more, Esper latched onto his pant leg with his mouth. Making Stefan give him another hard stare. If his carbuncle was trying to make him make friends… Yet Esper refused to budge when he tugged to try and friend his pants.
“Would you care to come inside for a drink at least, Mister Cameron?” Stefan asks as he holds back the sigh at his partner’s behavior today. “As my way of saying thanks for the rescue.” Now Esper finally let got of his pant leg. Stubborn ruby carbuncle…
Spirit of the Warlock 