Coatleque stepped into the door of the estate wearing her white dress after a long afternoon at Bronze Lake. Her previous clothes had been drenched as three rain storms had come and gone in the course of two hours. "This feels much better already.", she remarked as she scanned the ground floor of Coral's house. "We...have much to discuss? Perhaps in some degree of privacy I'd hope?", a large Roegadyn asked rather amused that they were both so nicely dressed. It was the voice of Iron Sea. Having put aside his mourning long enough to sober up, he decided to take her up on the offer of work. She had the mind to keep him busy to distract him from Natalie's absence. They did indeed have much to discuss. She nodded in agreement. "Yes, of course. Either upstairs at the table, or here should suffice, unless you desire more security. I am afraid I have no room of mine own here. I spend most of my nights in the Hourglass, or the Palace's barracks."
"Depends on the flow of conversation; There are things I hold extremely sensitive. That may or may not actually come up... but I trust this home thus far. Those who live here have treated me well for no reason beyond their own kindness." He paused as if to consider their options versus necessity. "Upstairs would suffice. I could find you something to drink... lady." He opted not to use the title Ser for the time being. The choice was made, however, and she nodded once more in agreement. "That sounds lovely. Shall we then?", she replied. The Knight had come bearing two items of interest as well. A wrapped bottle of something or other, and an opened letter as well. The man regarded her for a moment before motioning to the stairs first. He would not take it upon himself to take the stairs before her. She smiled at his gesture before walking to the stairs.
"I note you carry something that looks like a bottle. Should I only retrieve glasses then?" She shook her head as they continued onward. "Unfortunately, this is not for drinking tonight." "Fair enough...", he nodded before stepping off to the cabinet beside him at the top of the stairs. She continued to the next room and took her seat at the table, placing the bottle and letter in front of the chair beside her. "Red or white...?", came Iron's voice from around the corner. "Shall I be so daring in this dress?", she said with a hint of playfulness to lighten the mood. "Red it is." Iron Sea laughed lightly, glad he had such large hands now, as two glasses were more than easy to hold by the stems. The bottle he tucked under his other arm, before heading off to the next room to join her. Placing both glasses down, he removed the cork and carefully filled her glass first, then his own. The bottle he then placed between them, cork slipped back within, before taking a seat himself.
"Thank you.", she said as she took up her glass. She swirled it before taking a sip and placing it back down. "I had said that I had work you may wish consider.", she began once they were both settled. "Indeed you did, which I can only presume has something to do with this whole... mess?", he asked, taking up his own glass. Though he idly stared at his reflection in it for a moment before also drinking. "It is, yes. The letter before you is one of two remaining leads I have on the whereabouts of the Pirate Lazarov." The man inhaled deeply in thought. "Nero...", he said at length. "Roen's beloved..." Coatleque tilted her head with some measure of amusement at how fast news seemed to travel these days. "I was not aware this was common knowledge." "It's not.", he replied curtly. "When Nat went to Limsa, I was contracted to follow and seek our Roen. I stalked until I located her, and forced my way into her table at the Bismark. I had eyes on her ever since, but called it off. I was asked to keep her safe, despite whatever else was going on, but I let it go; Another lapse in my judgement..." His voice trailed off forlornly. "As far as I know she still is safe.", Coatleque interjected trying to keep his thoughts from bringing him down once more. "She did not believe Nero was capable of the claims brought against him, and sought to figure it out herself. As for that contract... I've dropped it. Her security is not my concern. " The man made no eye contact now. Iron had far too much information, and had acted on nothing all of this time. For his inaction he had lost someone dear. He lifted his glass, taking a long, slow drink of that wine.
Coatleque turned to him, trying to meet his gaze. "No, t'is not.", she replied in a firm voice. "I believe at this point it is mine, though. Which is why I need others for a more hands-on approach.", she continued. "I can see to Roen while others are seeing to things I cannot." He was hesitant to agree. "Following orders like that got Nat killed, did it not? Is this also part of what that man named Jameson is directing? The one who made her go about this all?", he asked. His voice took on a more sinister tone. "I'd sooner find my hands around his throat as I would some two-bit pirate and weapon smuggler..." She shook her head trying to reassure him. "Leave Taeros to me." This caught his interest once more. "Just what is it you are planning?"
Coatleque turned back to her wine and took a sip before continuing. "Right now, our chief concern is to be damned sure the pirate really is harmless. If he is not, I hope to also prove he is a threat to Limsa Lominsa. It would go a long way to smoothing over relations after the warehouse incident, as well as keeping my neck from the hangman's noose." He nearly recoiled at the thought. "Your neck will see no such fate." She knew he only spoke out of his reaction to her suggesting it. In all reality, the matter was not yet in his hands to decide her fate. "It may yet if the Admiral presses this issue.", she continued. "Which is why we must prove our actions... Natalie's actions, were justified." Again his words seemed to come before his thoughts. "If the Admiral presses the issue, I will draw so much blood through these streets that your name will be a distant memory.", he said frowning in anger.
She shook her head once more before turning her gaze back to him. "A foolish notion, even if your heart is in the right place." "I've had many a victory on a foolish notion.", Iron sighed softly as he tilted his head back to drain what was left in his glass. "I jest though. Surely during the course of this conversation it's clear I am far from a brute." She paused for a moment, recounting every meeting she had had with the man before. "Considering I have not seen you be anything but cordial, I would only have rumors to go on if you were otherwise." She gestured to the letter as she turned back to her glass, signalling for him to read it when ready. "Under my command I have a small force, all of different skills, all not part of any faction or public eye. They work for me, to do what I need. They are my eyes, my ears. A bow, a lance, poison; Whatever it is that a situation will require. If I am to be brought into this, I would cast a net wide enough for your pray to not realize he is even ensnared.", he remarked. His voice lowered to a mutter as he took the letter into his hands. Flipping it open he began to read. She paused for a few moments letting him finish and consider the short notice within, as well as its implications.
"Of course I would expect you to make use of them as needed.", she said as she sipped her wine again. "This letter was all of interest that Natalie recovered from the warehouse. That and the bottle. I do not know where she found them as I was outside at the time." He stared at the letter while considering her words. "Hmm... So the belief then is this letter will lead either to Nero, or to someone who was working with him? This is what she ran out... smiling holding as she died? The proof she gave her life for?" Coatleque sighed and turned to face him once more, her expression stern to draw his thoughts once again to the matter at hand. "Regardless of how it sounds, Master Sea, this is all we have. I wouldst prefer NOT to let her sacrifice to go waste."
"I do not hold back my words. That reality will sting. It will hurt... and it will be the drive to make us march forward in what must be done. I'll go, I'll follow the instructions... and take this bottle with me. I'll walk into what may or may not be a trap myself... but not for the sake of a dead woman Crofte. For your sake... and do not forget that." She nodded, admittedly touched at his determined words. "Thank you.", she replied softly. "For that, I require something..."
In the months since her promotion, Coatleque had grown used to the political posturing. The back-room deals and favors called in exchange for more favors. She had been forced to make enough of them herself, despite the sickening rock it always left in her stomach. Still, hearing this from Iron Sea was a surprise. She was in no position to argue the point, however, so she swallowed her pride once more. "And that is?" He began to plead his own case then. "One of the people I need at my side... What is the situation regarding Miss Leanne?" She leaned back in her chair with her arms folded as she recounted the official order once more. "She is wanted by the Brass Blades for assaulting an officer. Let me guess, you need her charges dropped?" "I need her.", Iron stated bluntly. There was no room for question about it in his tone of voice. This was not something to be debated. "I'll give the Blades bribery if need be.", he continued. The Sworn held up one hand as if to stop his thoughts in protest. "I have dinner plans, as it were, with Master Jameson Taeros. I will make mention of her plight. He has some pull with the Brass Blades via his employer. His cost may be steep in other ways than mere gil, however." Iron Sea shook his head in disgusted protest. "Many people are assaulted in the streets of Ul'dah. Many more can be too if need be. There are a lot of people who wear fancy hats." Coatleque shook her head as well, though slower and in more disgust at what he was implying. "T'is my job to avoid needless bloodshed. Do keep that in mind."
He sighed. "These political games sicken me. Jameson deserves a knife in his gut for playing this game. And yet we are to fool around and beg and plead? Leanne is a hero. Leanne fought at my side, helped me save the damned city from a cult that your walls were NEVER breached by, due to OUR sacrifice. We received no thanks, no reward... we did it because we cared." His voice was growing deeper, angrier as he continued. She stopped him once more trying to keep control of his emotions. "You need not plead her case to me, Sir. Please, simply allow me to do my part and be content." He grumbled under his breath, nodding on concession. "Second thing.", he continued. "Aye?"
"Lady Edda is to be taken care of in the event anything befalls me. This... all has taken a toll on her. I've not seen her, and the only time I did our words were pained and harsh... I worry for her sake. As I've made clear, she is my utmost priority." She had no reply to this request. After thinking for a moment she finally responded as best she could on the matter. "I believe that is more a matter to set to your will. I will do what I can, though." He continued, "The void is not so deep... should something befall her and I have to come back to this realm, I'd be worried for you all." He smirked and laughed lightly. "When should I go to this meet? I'll need a small amount of time to assemble what I need."
Demands and promises aside, Coatleque nodded to him. "Per the letter, you, or someone else, will need to pose as this Master Redgrave. I do not know who he was to meet.", she said with some frustration behind her voice. She was certainly not keen on having him walk into a complete unknown. "The bottle of wine was included with the letter, most likely to smooth things over from the start." "Would I not stand out?", he asked. "That would depend on how well known you are.", she replied. "T'is the same reason I cannot go myself. Other than the fact I am not male. My face is known in Ul'dah and would be recognized in the Goblet." "Hmm... I've never met Nero or his men. Only Roen, and I doubt she would have spoken of me... Even in a worst case scenario, I can forgo diplomacy and deception for the sake of getting what we need by force. I do hope it would not come to that though." Something she had already considered. The possibility of violence erupting. "If it does, you had best keep people close by to call upon. I can be stationed nearby at the time as well." "I always do.", he nodded, "I'll get back to you... I'll need to head out now and send some word out to my people."
"This mission is an infiltration, pure and simple. We must needs get in, find what information we can, and leave alive. The meeting is already nearly three weeks late, so pray do not take much more time to gather people.", she interjected once more. "While you do, I will check with my one other lead in the Maelstrom. Let me know when you are ready and I will return post haste." He turned back to her for a moment. "Sounsyy Mirke is part of the Malestrom. If you need information or help regarding working with them, then drop my name to her. I have faith she will do whatever she can for me."
"I shall keep her in mind then."
"I'm going to head off now lady. I've got much to do... much on my dance card beyond fighting for sport it seems."
"As you say, Sir. Thank you for meeting with me. I shall inform you as soon as my dinner with Master Taeros is complete, as to the state of the charges against Miss Delphium."
"I appreciate that. Without her, I am far less capable."
"Twelvespeed to you, Master Sea. Do keep well until then."
"Be well lady... this promise I will make sure to keep."
"Depends on the flow of conversation; There are things I hold extremely sensitive. That may or may not actually come up... but I trust this home thus far. Those who live here have treated me well for no reason beyond their own kindness." He paused as if to consider their options versus necessity. "Upstairs would suffice. I could find you something to drink... lady." He opted not to use the title Ser for the time being. The choice was made, however, and she nodded once more in agreement. "That sounds lovely. Shall we then?", she replied. The Knight had come bearing two items of interest as well. A wrapped bottle of something or other, and an opened letter as well. The man regarded her for a moment before motioning to the stairs first. He would not take it upon himself to take the stairs before her. She smiled at his gesture before walking to the stairs.
"I note you carry something that looks like a bottle. Should I only retrieve glasses then?" She shook her head as they continued onward. "Unfortunately, this is not for drinking tonight." "Fair enough...", he nodded before stepping off to the cabinet beside him at the top of the stairs. She continued to the next room and took her seat at the table, placing the bottle and letter in front of the chair beside her. "Red or white...?", came Iron's voice from around the corner. "Shall I be so daring in this dress?", she said with a hint of playfulness to lighten the mood. "Red it is." Iron Sea laughed lightly, glad he had such large hands now, as two glasses were more than easy to hold by the stems. The bottle he tucked under his other arm, before heading off to the next room to join her. Placing both glasses down, he removed the cork and carefully filled her glass first, then his own. The bottle he then placed between them, cork slipped back within, before taking a seat himself.
"Thank you.", she said as she took up her glass. She swirled it before taking a sip and placing it back down. "I had said that I had work you may wish consider.", she began once they were both settled. "Indeed you did, which I can only presume has something to do with this whole... mess?", he asked, taking up his own glass. Though he idly stared at his reflection in it for a moment before also drinking. "It is, yes. The letter before you is one of two remaining leads I have on the whereabouts of the Pirate Lazarov." The man inhaled deeply in thought. "Nero...", he said at length. "Roen's beloved..." Coatleque tilted her head with some measure of amusement at how fast news seemed to travel these days. "I was not aware this was common knowledge." "It's not.", he replied curtly. "When Nat went to Limsa, I was contracted to follow and seek our Roen. I stalked until I located her, and forced my way into her table at the Bismark. I had eyes on her ever since, but called it off. I was asked to keep her safe, despite whatever else was going on, but I let it go; Another lapse in my judgement..." His voice trailed off forlornly. "As far as I know she still is safe.", Coatleque interjected trying to keep his thoughts from bringing him down once more. "She did not believe Nero was capable of the claims brought against him, and sought to figure it out herself. As for that contract... I've dropped it. Her security is not my concern. " The man made no eye contact now. Iron had far too much information, and had acted on nothing all of this time. For his inaction he had lost someone dear. He lifted his glass, taking a long, slow drink of that wine.
Coatleque turned to him, trying to meet his gaze. "No, t'is not.", she replied in a firm voice. "I believe at this point it is mine, though. Which is why I need others for a more hands-on approach.", she continued. "I can see to Roen while others are seeing to things I cannot." He was hesitant to agree. "Following orders like that got Nat killed, did it not? Is this also part of what that man named Jameson is directing? The one who made her go about this all?", he asked. His voice took on a more sinister tone. "I'd sooner find my hands around his throat as I would some two-bit pirate and weapon smuggler..." She shook her head trying to reassure him. "Leave Taeros to me." This caught his interest once more. "Just what is it you are planning?"
Coatleque turned back to her wine and took a sip before continuing. "Right now, our chief concern is to be damned sure the pirate really is harmless. If he is not, I hope to also prove he is a threat to Limsa Lominsa. It would go a long way to smoothing over relations after the warehouse incident, as well as keeping my neck from the hangman's noose." He nearly recoiled at the thought. "Your neck will see no such fate." She knew he only spoke out of his reaction to her suggesting it. In all reality, the matter was not yet in his hands to decide her fate. "It may yet if the Admiral presses this issue.", she continued. "Which is why we must prove our actions... Natalie's actions, were justified." Again his words seemed to come before his thoughts. "If the Admiral presses the issue, I will draw so much blood through these streets that your name will be a distant memory.", he said frowning in anger.
She shook her head once more before turning her gaze back to him. "A foolish notion, even if your heart is in the right place." "I've had many a victory on a foolish notion.", Iron sighed softly as he tilted his head back to drain what was left in his glass. "I jest though. Surely during the course of this conversation it's clear I am far from a brute." She paused for a moment, recounting every meeting she had had with the man before. "Considering I have not seen you be anything but cordial, I would only have rumors to go on if you were otherwise." She gestured to the letter as she turned back to her glass, signalling for him to read it when ready. "Under my command I have a small force, all of different skills, all not part of any faction or public eye. They work for me, to do what I need. They are my eyes, my ears. A bow, a lance, poison; Whatever it is that a situation will require. If I am to be brought into this, I would cast a net wide enough for your pray to not realize he is even ensnared.", he remarked. His voice lowered to a mutter as he took the letter into his hands. Flipping it open he began to read. She paused for a few moments letting him finish and consider the short notice within, as well as its implications.
"Of course I would expect you to make use of them as needed.", she said as she sipped her wine again. "This letter was all of interest that Natalie recovered from the warehouse. That and the bottle. I do not know where she found them as I was outside at the time." He stared at the letter while considering her words. "Hmm... So the belief then is this letter will lead either to Nero, or to someone who was working with him? This is what she ran out... smiling holding as she died? The proof she gave her life for?" Coatleque sighed and turned to face him once more, her expression stern to draw his thoughts once again to the matter at hand. "Regardless of how it sounds, Master Sea, this is all we have. I wouldst prefer NOT to let her sacrifice to go waste."
"I do not hold back my words. That reality will sting. It will hurt... and it will be the drive to make us march forward in what must be done. I'll go, I'll follow the instructions... and take this bottle with me. I'll walk into what may or may not be a trap myself... but not for the sake of a dead woman Crofte. For your sake... and do not forget that." She nodded, admittedly touched at his determined words. "Thank you.", she replied softly. "For that, I require something..."
In the months since her promotion, Coatleque had grown used to the political posturing. The back-room deals and favors called in exchange for more favors. She had been forced to make enough of them herself, despite the sickening rock it always left in her stomach. Still, hearing this from Iron Sea was a surprise. She was in no position to argue the point, however, so she swallowed her pride once more. "And that is?" He began to plead his own case then. "One of the people I need at my side... What is the situation regarding Miss Leanne?" She leaned back in her chair with her arms folded as she recounted the official order once more. "She is wanted by the Brass Blades for assaulting an officer. Let me guess, you need her charges dropped?" "I need her.", Iron stated bluntly. There was no room for question about it in his tone of voice. This was not something to be debated. "I'll give the Blades bribery if need be.", he continued. The Sworn held up one hand as if to stop his thoughts in protest. "I have dinner plans, as it were, with Master Jameson Taeros. I will make mention of her plight. He has some pull with the Brass Blades via his employer. His cost may be steep in other ways than mere gil, however." Iron Sea shook his head in disgusted protest. "Many people are assaulted in the streets of Ul'dah. Many more can be too if need be. There are a lot of people who wear fancy hats." Coatleque shook her head as well, though slower and in more disgust at what he was implying. "T'is my job to avoid needless bloodshed. Do keep that in mind."
He sighed. "These political games sicken me. Jameson deserves a knife in his gut for playing this game. And yet we are to fool around and beg and plead? Leanne is a hero. Leanne fought at my side, helped me save the damned city from a cult that your walls were NEVER breached by, due to OUR sacrifice. We received no thanks, no reward... we did it because we cared." His voice was growing deeper, angrier as he continued. She stopped him once more trying to keep control of his emotions. "You need not plead her case to me, Sir. Please, simply allow me to do my part and be content." He grumbled under his breath, nodding on concession. "Second thing.", he continued. "Aye?"
"Lady Edda is to be taken care of in the event anything befalls me. This... all has taken a toll on her. I've not seen her, and the only time I did our words were pained and harsh... I worry for her sake. As I've made clear, she is my utmost priority." She had no reply to this request. After thinking for a moment she finally responded as best she could on the matter. "I believe that is more a matter to set to your will. I will do what I can, though." He continued, "The void is not so deep... should something befall her and I have to come back to this realm, I'd be worried for you all." He smirked and laughed lightly. "When should I go to this meet? I'll need a small amount of time to assemble what I need."
Demands and promises aside, Coatleque nodded to him. "Per the letter, you, or someone else, will need to pose as this Master Redgrave. I do not know who he was to meet.", she said with some frustration behind her voice. She was certainly not keen on having him walk into a complete unknown. "The bottle of wine was included with the letter, most likely to smooth things over from the start." "Would I not stand out?", he asked. "That would depend on how well known you are.", she replied. "T'is the same reason I cannot go myself. Other than the fact I am not male. My face is known in Ul'dah and would be recognized in the Goblet." "Hmm... I've never met Nero or his men. Only Roen, and I doubt she would have spoken of me... Even in a worst case scenario, I can forgo diplomacy and deception for the sake of getting what we need by force. I do hope it would not come to that though." Something she had already considered. The possibility of violence erupting. "If it does, you had best keep people close by to call upon. I can be stationed nearby at the time as well." "I always do.", he nodded, "I'll get back to you... I'll need to head out now and send some word out to my people."
"This mission is an infiltration, pure and simple. We must needs get in, find what information we can, and leave alive. The meeting is already nearly three weeks late, so pray do not take much more time to gather people.", she interjected once more. "While you do, I will check with my one other lead in the Maelstrom. Let me know when you are ready and I will return post haste." He turned back to her for a moment. "Sounsyy Mirke is part of the Malestrom. If you need information or help regarding working with them, then drop my name to her. I have faith she will do whatever she can for me."
"I shall keep her in mind then."
"I'm going to head off now lady. I've got much to do... much on my dance card beyond fighting for sport it seems."
"As you say, Sir. Thank you for meeting with me. I shall inform you as soon as my dinner with Master Taeros is complete, as to the state of the charges against Miss Delphium."
"I appreciate that. Without her, I am far less capable."
"Twelvespeed to you, Master Sea. Do keep well until then."
"Be well lady... this promise I will make sure to keep."