[To those who frequent The Quicksand on Balmung: I’m totally cool if your character saw or heard bits of the following story.]Â
“Amalj’aa!?â€
The midday hustle and bustle of The Quicksand helped soften the booming voice belonging to a Elezen male; a Wildwood. The tall, tan, tence man(who had brown slicked back hair and sideburns that framed a soft, yet angular face) Â focused his stone hard stare on his company who sat across the table with straight posture.
With her wrist balancing her clasped hands on the edge of a rounded table that separated the two, D’ly‘s fingers flexed. “It- it is best not- not to raise your voice in- in this place.†Her words offered a suggestion, her tone was a warning. “Let- let us speak of something else.â€
She knew how curious people could be; especially the ones who stood up on the raised floor by the railings. They liked to watch and listen. ‘Railing huggers’, she came to call them, and was often one herself. Except for that point in time. Right then D’ly was on the other side along with her company. They were the ones other who were most likely being listening in on. She hated it, but she dared not let her eyes waver from the man in fear of possibly meeting her’s with a railing hugger’s.
“Amalj’aa…†The Elezen repeated.
“Vorsaile--†D’ly cooed, her face softened.
“I hope you do not fight them in this.†Vorsaile gestured to the garments that D’ly wore.
D’ly’s gaze fell to her body.
What she wore was much dressier than her regular attire. Though her black, high neck, sleeveless top; brown, hard leather choker; and fingerless black hard leather gloves were familiar the long white flowing skirt; off-black ankle boots that flared at the top; and large straw capeline were not.
“Do- do you think- think me a fool?†Shaking her head she added, “I- I have perfectly conditioned gear- gear for such excursions.â€
“A fool? No.†Vorsaile too shook his head.
D’ly arched a curious brow. She could hear his words linger. So she waited, fully aware  that there was going to be more to that reply.
“Though I can’t help but think...†He leaned against the back of the chair as he spoke. “... that people who do foolish things are called fools.â€
“You- you are going back- back on your words.†D’ly replied, frowning. She pulled her hands onto her lap where they rested, fingers still clasped together.
“Ah-†There was a pause as he concentrated with effort. “- then I go back on them.†He answered shortly.
D’ly’s ears that were facing Vorsaile lowered against her head while her tail moved onto the chair next to her leg. “Did- did you come here to- to belittle me or- or to visit?â€
Closing his eyes Vorsaile sighed. “I mean not to offend-â€
“You- you are doing a- a poor job at- at it.†D’ly muttered.
He ignore her comment and continued, “I simply am worried for your safety.†There was a genuinely concerned tone in his voice.
“Then- then find another way to- to show it.â€
Another pause. It was only when a tall, graceful, blond haired female Hyur came over placing plate of finger sandwiches, a bottle of ale, and two mugs onto the table that the silence in their imaginary bubble broke. Turning toward the female, D’ly also broke their gaze to give a warm smile to the female. “Ah, thank you Aya.†Aya(who D’ly was convinced was the embodiment of happiness), the barmaid returned a smile before walking off to tend to other Quicksand patrons.
“I don’t understand how you can eat here.†Vorsaile commented.
“Is it- it the noise?†D’ly asked, reaching for the bottle to uncork it by biting down on it and with a POP!, opened the bottle.
“It is.†Vorsaile sneered at D’ly as she spat the cork into her hand. Disgusting.
“It- it is not- not so bad at night.†She set the cork on the table and began the poor the amber colored liquid into the two mugs.
“There is no bad time at the Bismarck.†He replied.
D’ly slid the first mug to be filled across the table to him.
“It would have been nice to have gone there.†Vorsaile took a pull from the mug. He wasn’t too pleased with the taste; it caused a warm bubbly burn-like feeling on his tongue, however it wasn’t strong enough to have him dismiss the drink. D’ly was kind enough to pay for their drinks and meal. The least he could do was enjoy what he was given, considering his vocal disappointment in her recent activities.
“I- I enjoy it here.†D’ly finally spoke. The bottle was placed back onto the table after her mug was filled. “There is- is always a story to- to be heard. A drink- drink to drink. Or food to- to be eaten.†With her mug’s rim resting on her bottom lip she added. “The company can- can be interesting…â€
“And dangerous.†Vorsaile was quick to put in his two gil.
“Do- do you think all the- the ones who step- step foot in the Bismarck are- are Saints?†D’ly chuckled. “Ah- haa… Vorsaile. I- I thought I was suppose to- to be the fool.â€
The corner of Vorsaile’s lips drew up into a smile. Slowly, but surely a chuckle worked it’s way up his chest and out of his mouth… right into his mug which splashed the ale at his nose. He set his mug on the table, lifted his arm up, and while dabbing away at his nose with the end of his sleeve he replied, “I guess the tables have been turned.â€
“Now that- that they have…†D’ly took a moment to take pull from her mug. A satisfied gasp slipped past her parted lips. “Do tell- tell me,†She smiled. “how are- are things in Limsa?â€
“The same as always.â€
“Oh?â€
“Indeed. Why don’t you come back so you can see for yourself?â€
“I… I can not.†A hint of hesitance shook D’ly’s voice into an unsteadiness.
“Why not?†Vorsaile brought his mug back to his mouth and waited for a reply as he drank.
“I- I am far to- to busy here.â€
“With the Amalj’aa?â€
D’ly frowned. “I- I have family here.â€
“As well as in Limsa.†Vorsaile tilted his chin up ever so slightly. He carefully watched D’ly. “Or… do you not think of me as family?â€
Mentally she was eased back toward a corner. She wouldn't have it though. Not in a million cycles would she allow herself to fail where she so many times succeeded. This game of theirs was not over...
“Ahh!†D’ly’s face lit up. Her ears perked up. Her head pointed toward the double doors that swung open at the front of The Quicksand. Warm rays from the sun poured into the first quarter of the building and faded into the other lighting that keep the building from falling into darkness. “It- it looks nice out- out!†She exclaimed, raising from her seat which she pushed back with her legs. “Come now, let- let us go for a walk.â€
At first Vorsaile looked as if to protest, but his expression softened as he asked reasonable question. “What about our food? Are we just going to leave it here?â€
“Oh- oh no. It- it can be wrapped.†Setting her almost empty mug on the table she turned to look around the room. It didn’t take long to spot Aya. With a wave from D’ly and a nod from the barmaid she soon came over after finishing an order with patron.
There was talk, some explanatory hand gestures, smiles, and nods. Without taking hardly any time Aya was gone with the plate of finger sandwiches and back again with them wrapped. She handed them to D’ly and in return she was given payment for the food, plus extra.
After exchanging a few more smiles and ‘hope to see you again’s the barmaid was off, being waved down by another patron.
From under the table, where the mugs and bottles remained, waddled a sleepy eyed Dodo. He had been there the entire time, snoozing by their feet being a good little bird.
D’ly, mentioning giving a tour of the city, slipped her arm around Vorsaile’s in a familiar manner and the three of them walked through the double doors and into the warm daylight, leaving the chatter of The Quicksand behind them.
“Amalj’aa!?â€
The midday hustle and bustle of The Quicksand helped soften the booming voice belonging to a Elezen male; a Wildwood. The tall, tan, tence man(who had brown slicked back hair and sideburns that framed a soft, yet angular face) Â focused his stone hard stare on his company who sat across the table with straight posture.
With her wrist balancing her clasped hands on the edge of a rounded table that separated the two, D’ly‘s fingers flexed. “It- it is best not- not to raise your voice in- in this place.†Her words offered a suggestion, her tone was a warning. “Let- let us speak of something else.â€
She knew how curious people could be; especially the ones who stood up on the raised floor by the railings. They liked to watch and listen. ‘Railing huggers’, she came to call them, and was often one herself. Except for that point in time. Right then D’ly was on the other side along with her company. They were the ones other who were most likely being listening in on. She hated it, but she dared not let her eyes waver from the man in fear of possibly meeting her’s with a railing hugger’s.
“Amalj’aa…†The Elezen repeated.
“Vorsaile--†D’ly cooed, her face softened.
“I hope you do not fight them in this.†Vorsaile gestured to the garments that D’ly wore.
D’ly’s gaze fell to her body.
What she wore was much dressier than her regular attire. Though her black, high neck, sleeveless top; brown, hard leather choker; and fingerless black hard leather gloves were familiar the long white flowing skirt; off-black ankle boots that flared at the top; and large straw capeline were not.
“Do- do you think- think me a fool?†Shaking her head she added, “I- I have perfectly conditioned gear- gear for such excursions.â€
“A fool? No.†Vorsaile too shook his head.
D’ly arched a curious brow. She could hear his words linger. So she waited, fully aware  that there was going to be more to that reply.
“Though I can’t help but think...†He leaned against the back of the chair as he spoke. “... that people who do foolish things are called fools.â€
“You- you are going back- back on your words.†D’ly replied, frowning. She pulled her hands onto her lap where they rested, fingers still clasped together.
“Ah-†There was a pause as he concentrated with effort. “- then I go back on them.†He answered shortly.
D’ly’s ears that were facing Vorsaile lowered against her head while her tail moved onto the chair next to her leg. “Did- did you come here to- to belittle me or- or to visit?â€
Closing his eyes Vorsaile sighed. “I mean not to offend-â€
“You- you are doing a- a poor job at- at it.†D’ly muttered.
He ignore her comment and continued, “I simply am worried for your safety.†There was a genuinely concerned tone in his voice.
“Then- then find another way to- to show it.â€
Another pause. It was only when a tall, graceful, blond haired female Hyur came over placing plate of finger sandwiches, a bottle of ale, and two mugs onto the table that the silence in their imaginary bubble broke. Turning toward the female, D’ly also broke their gaze to give a warm smile to the female. “Ah, thank you Aya.†Aya(who D’ly was convinced was the embodiment of happiness), the barmaid returned a smile before walking off to tend to other Quicksand patrons.
“I don’t understand how you can eat here.†Vorsaile commented.
“Is it- it the noise?†D’ly asked, reaching for the bottle to uncork it by biting down on it and with a POP!, opened the bottle.
“It is.†Vorsaile sneered at D’ly as she spat the cork into her hand. Disgusting.
“It- it is not- not so bad at night.†She set the cork on the table and began the poor the amber colored liquid into the two mugs.
“There is no bad time at the Bismarck.†He replied.
D’ly slid the first mug to be filled across the table to him.
“It would have been nice to have gone there.†Vorsaile took a pull from the mug. He wasn’t too pleased with the taste; it caused a warm bubbly burn-like feeling on his tongue, however it wasn’t strong enough to have him dismiss the drink. D’ly was kind enough to pay for their drinks and meal. The least he could do was enjoy what he was given, considering his vocal disappointment in her recent activities.
“I- I enjoy it here.†D’ly finally spoke. The bottle was placed back onto the table after her mug was filled. “There is- is always a story to- to be heard. A drink- drink to drink. Or food to- to be eaten.†With her mug’s rim resting on her bottom lip she added. “The company can- can be interesting…â€
“And dangerous.†Vorsaile was quick to put in his two gil.
“Do- do you think all the- the ones who step- step foot in the Bismarck are- are Saints?†D’ly chuckled. “Ah- haa… Vorsaile. I- I thought I was suppose to- to be the fool.â€
The corner of Vorsaile’s lips drew up into a smile. Slowly, but surely a chuckle worked it’s way up his chest and out of his mouth… right into his mug which splashed the ale at his nose. He set his mug on the table, lifted his arm up, and while dabbing away at his nose with the end of his sleeve he replied, “I guess the tables have been turned.â€
“Now that- that they have…†D’ly took a moment to take pull from her mug. A satisfied gasp slipped past her parted lips. “Do tell- tell me,†She smiled. “how are- are things in Limsa?â€
“The same as always.â€
“Oh?â€
“Indeed. Why don’t you come back so you can see for yourself?â€
“I… I can not.†A hint of hesitance shook D’ly’s voice into an unsteadiness.
“Why not?†Vorsaile brought his mug back to his mouth and waited for a reply as he drank.
“I- I am far to- to busy here.â€
“With the Amalj’aa?â€
D’ly frowned. “I- I have family here.â€
“As well as in Limsa.†Vorsaile tilted his chin up ever so slightly. He carefully watched D’ly. “Or… do you not think of me as family?â€
Mentally she was eased back toward a corner. She wouldn't have it though. Not in a million cycles would she allow herself to fail where she so many times succeeded. This game of theirs was not over...
“Ahh!†D’ly’s face lit up. Her ears perked up. Her head pointed toward the double doors that swung open at the front of The Quicksand. Warm rays from the sun poured into the first quarter of the building and faded into the other lighting that keep the building from falling into darkness. “It- it looks nice out- out!†She exclaimed, raising from her seat which she pushed back with her legs. “Come now, let- let us go for a walk.â€
At first Vorsaile looked as if to protest, but his expression softened as he asked reasonable question. “What about our food? Are we just going to leave it here?â€
“Oh- oh no. It- it can be wrapped.†Setting her almost empty mug on the table she turned to look around the room. It didn’t take long to spot Aya. With a wave from D’ly and a nod from the barmaid she soon came over after finishing an order with patron.
There was talk, some explanatory hand gestures, smiles, and nods. Without taking hardly any time Aya was gone with the plate of finger sandwiches and back again with them wrapped. She handed them to D’ly and in return she was given payment for the food, plus extra.
After exchanging a few more smiles and ‘hope to see you again’s the barmaid was off, being waved down by another patron.
From under the table, where the mugs and bottles remained, waddled a sleepy eyed Dodo. He had been there the entire time, snoozing by their feet being a good little bird.
D’ly, mentioning giving a tour of the city, slipped her arm around Vorsaile’s in a familiar manner and the three of them walked through the double doors and into the warm daylight, leaving the chatter of The Quicksand behind them.