Hydaelyn Role-Players

Youkio tilted back in his chair, hands gripping the back of it till he looked upside down up at Kiht. "Ya like me huh? Well, that's a step in the right direction!" He grinned with a quick wink at her. "I'll show ya...." Snapping back upright, he hopped up from his chair and wondered back outside.

Curving around the shack till they neared the river. "Typically I like my drinks cold." He replied over his shoulder before reaching down and tugging on a rope that was tied to a stump and leading into the river. After a few more quick pulls; Youkio reached into the river and grabbed a sealed bottle. Popping the cork he took a quick sniff. "Nope....that ain't it."

He casually dropped it back into the water and pulled out another one that had been tied as well. Again, removing the cork. "Ah-ha...thought I had some left!" Giving Kiht a lopsided grin, he quickly freed the bottle from the rope and handed it over.

Cliodhna turned her attention to Siha at her suggestion. "That's fine. Once the meeting gets started, I'd like a few to move closer in and around the building if available. Most likely Seig and Youkio will be at the back to cover any attempted fleeing through the kitchen and if we can have a few more posted in the front outside along with the numbers inside; that should be sufficient. We're not out to kill them. They were just doing their job for one and two; I don't waste unnecessary time on vermin."

Standing, Cliodhna quickly grabbed the saddlebags for Pepper. "Gather your things, I want to be there as soon as possible." Calling over her shoulder as she strode out the door and to her bird. This needed to be done with quickly, the sooner the information was obtained; the quicker she could give it to Erik then a much needed regrouping could be placed into motion before a retaliation could be attempted.

"...Is dinner ready?"

A confused little voice, that of a Lalafell, piped up in his head, it was the souvenir of an encounter that had occurred not so long ago. From his bench, Kahn'a met the eyes of the hooded figure, and while he did not make out much, he saw a glint in those eyes, a glint he recognized. It must be him, he thought. The good Sergeant Zanzio. Newest addition to The Red Wings, and an upstanding one at that, as far as he could tell. The two men had shared words and stories over a pleasant dish. Pushed by curiosity, the Lieutenant had then looked up for his service record, and in it, what he saw fleshed out the hint of respect he knew the Lalafell deserved. So many fancy words to talk of a nicely wrapped little bundle of a good man. A man he could certainly learn loads from, if given the chance.

Chance... What was chance? Something he did not possess, perhaps he once did, but whatever amount he had, he exhausted it all over the course of the moons spent in the city-state. The Miqo'te had been burnt for playing the hand he was dealt relying on chance, this had been a hard-learnt mistake, and not one he was wont to make in the rest of his existence. Yes, chance seemed like the prayer of the fool; an alluring figure conjured by lust. Beautiful, but treacherous.

Kahn'a balled his hands into fists. Fortune had played him for what he had been: a gullible kid tricked into obedience. This would change...but not now. At the moment, all that mattered were friends and family. And for him to be met with success in that quest, he needed information, something the Lalafell must possess.

So when the tiny figure turned away, Kahn'a tucked the mask into the wraps of his robe and rose in an eerie fashion from his seat as if pulled by an invisible bond tied to the Sergeant. The soil of The Black Shroud was one he knew well, one he had learnt to move silently on. It was only natural then that the Miqo'te found himself right behind the cloaked Lalafell in barely a few leaps. The distance remained prudent, and his sight was clear.

"...It isn't a drill, that much I can tell you've figured out, Sergeant. Why else would you come here for, if not to fade out of sight? But now I must ask, what do you know? What of the others, what of...you?"

Words spoken, Kahn'a took a step back. A light cast over a roof and through the thick mantle of the tall trees revealed his messed up features and exposed flesh. The Miqo'te looked exhausted, but his tired eyes shone with a grim resolution. He would not give up on them until he had done all he could, and pulling off his escape had inspired some confidence back into him.

With trusted friends, he could do this.

Their preparation had finished rather quickly, her father having sent along 10 men including the two that would posing as Kiht's subordinates. Both of the latter were swathed in the uniform of lowly soldiers and had been kind enough to bring along an Officer's uniform for Kiht, Siha hadn't asked where they'd got it and hoped that it wouldn't fit too ill on the other Moon sister. She herself had braided her hair until it appeared as short as possible before she wrapped a simple turban around it and donned the uniform of one of the bar maids, they had seen her face yes but she didn't plan on actually being in the serving area, instead she was tucked back in the kitchen with her back to the whole thing.

She'd regrettably had to have one of her fathers men, Ricard a Highlander gentlemen, knock the proper cook unconscious and hide him away before she showed up and assured the owner that she was his replacement for the night after he took ill. A few gil in his hand had stifled arguments on the matter and she'd gone about actually working while she waited for the others despite the squirming nerves in her stomach. Only the heavy bundles in her belt kept her somewhat calm, Yuzu'ya had delivered, the smokebombs were only three in number but they'd come in handy if things got out of hand. With what little she knew of this bandit and his troupe she was extremely sure something was going to get out of hand, especially if they caught wind that something was wrong.

A barking voice yelled at her to speed herself up, more orders had come in, and a quick glance was tossed over her shoulder. Perhaps they had finally arrived. With that she ducked her head and turned an ear, a silent prayer going out to the gods. Please let this work.

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A trio would have been nearing the bar at this point, a Roegadyn the color of sea foam with black hair and stormy grey eyes, a tall Duskwight with equally dark hair but shocking fuschia eyes accented by a curling white mark, and a Moon Keeper. The two much taller men flanked the woman, walking only steps behind her, and conversed in soft tones before speaking just a little louder so the Roe, Grymdorn, could reassure the Moon Keeper woman. "Don' werry abou' a thing Lieutenant, we won' let anythin' happen to ye" he couldn't suppress the thick accent but that wouldn't be a problem if he kept his mouth shut. Which he planned on, let Ciceroix and the pretty Moon Keeper do the talking, he was much more accustomed to the breaking part of most jobs. He knew the Captain's girl hoped it wouldn't come to that but if it was up to him it would, he'd be more than happy to twist the head off the little bugger that had caused her trouble and he knew most of the others had felt the same when she'd come to them for help.

Ciceroix gave the woman a reassuring smile of his own, his much more charming than the sloppy grin of his companion and his fuchsia eyes danced with delight that he was going to be in the thick of things. "What he means is, we won't let anything happen in the first place" he said silkily and would have normally patted the woman but he had more manners than that. When they'd gotten close enough both straightened their postures and looked grim, it wasn't their job to smile, it was their job to look uncomfortable at the fact that they were doing business with pirates. The Elezen almost chuckled but kept the noise to himself instead. His eyes were on the move as soon as they walked in the door, noting each patron to size them up, at the very least he was glad soldiers were armed, it was a good reason to have a sword at his hip...nevermind the knives hidden under his clothes and the axe he knew had been tucked away in the back for Grymn.

Now where were their hosts~

As the Falcon came into view, Erik sighed despite himself. While Nako'li told the rest of his tale, Erik loaded Fury into the ship, beckoning the moonkeepers to follow. Stage one was finished, help had been alerted on the inside of the Flames, now came the second phase. He would gather up Raimy then head south. Political prisoners and traders were taken to Bluefog. They would set for there, then on to Ul'dah.

Once on route to Thanalan, all on board, Erik told his Montblanc of the flight plan, then spent five minutes arguing with the mammet. Erik insisted then turned to the group, "There are two places he could be held, in the Flame Hall as Nako'li saw, or if they were moved, in the Flames' Prison near Bluefog. I have to do something in Ul'dah, so you two, if you are willing to help further Nako'li, will be to gain entrance into the prison and see if he is there. If not seek out any useful information. I will send Montblanc back for you once he drops me in Ul'dah." He then looked directly to Montblanc, "Lay in the course. Drop them in hell, then take me to the dragon's cave."

"C'mon, mate, wot's keepin' ya? Ya spittin' a whole Aldgoat back there or sumfin?" the barking voice called to the disguised Siha. The Lalafell doing the shouting gesticulated wildly from the stool that let her gaze angrily into the kitchen through the long window set in the wall. One hand detoured from its wild motions to point into the pub proper. "We gots a buncha starvin' blokes out 'ere! Chop chop!"

Of course, she couldn't have known that the person doing the shouting was, in fact, in disguise as well. Laughing Rina had similarly removed one of the workers at the Kobold Korner, the delightfully rustic little hole-in-the-wall that this meeting was going down, bells before and quickly adapted to the role of fiery little tavern wench. The tribal Lalafell had also been there at the raid, sundering the crates under the fierce blows of her old hunting spear whilst the Red Wings were distracted by her flamboyant Cap'n, so perhaps the Miqo'te was not as unnoticed as she might have thought... or have liked.

Inwardly, Laffy was grinning.

As for the star of the show, Capt'n Distractin' was easy enough to find. Not only was he sitting at a table alone in the middle of the otherwise crowded little pub, his was visually hard to miss. He still wore that overly pirate-y garb he had when he had assaulted their convoy to begin with, but his raven-hued hair was done up into an afro of all things - which was further accentuated by a horned little visor over his brow that gave him a look not unlike that of some crazed fool who was wearing a sheep on his head. Glittering silver eyes glimmered beneath the visor, and the pearly whites of his smile glimmered beneath those from within the confines of a finely trimmed circle beard.

Both eyes and smile were directed at the disguised Kiht and her entourage, and perhaps had been as soon as they had stepped through the door. Almost as if he had known they were coming. He had been resting contentedly with his hands clasped atop his stomach at first, but took a more languid pose once they drew closer. The crate he was using as a sort of booster seat creaked a bit as he crossed his legs and rested his booted feet atop the table, folding his arms behind his head.

"Well well, I was wondering when you would show," he purred as smoothly as silk, that Chesire smile growing wider as he looked Kiht up and down. "You must be new, though, for I think I would've noticed a Flame kitten as charming as yourself during our last meeting."

He laughed cheerfully at his own little flirt, uncrossing and then recrossing his legs. His eyes flitted to the Roegadyn and then the Elezen, his gaze surprisingly piercing as he looked them over. There was an intensity to it that was almost unnerving, as if he was evaluating their worth through little more than a glance. And perhaps he was. Still, he was just one lone Lalafell... wasn't he?

"Come, sit!" he continued without giving them much time to react to his flirts and his ascertainment, unfurling one arm long enough to lazily motion towards the empty chairs set out for them. Three chairs exactly, with one of a heavier make made for burlier folk. Returning to his languid position afterward caused his earrings jingle a bit, two little blue slime-looking things that seemed to be as just as cheerful as the Cap'n himself. "And regale me, if you would be so kind: what brings the Flames back to the Cap'n so soon?

Kiht had been thankful for the Pineapple juice. She was no longer in a mood that made her take Youkio's playfulness the wrong way. Her favorite drink had put her mind at ease. Deception was not her strong suit, so she needed all the ease she could get before putting on the act. The task was at hand soon enough.

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"Immortal Flame, Immortal Flame. I am an Immortal Flame." Kiht repeated over and over again in her mind. She had to try and act like a member of the Ul'dahn Grand Company when she had never even made a good member of the Gridanian Grand Company. Her second attempt as being a Twin Adder did not last long, but now she had to act like a Flame. She kept thinking of all the Immortal Flames she had known, and was trying to think about how to emulate their attitudes.

Kiht neared the bar with her over-sized companions. Her ears perked as they talked at her. A Roegadyn and a Duskwight? Were they -trying- to make her look small in this little plan. She wondered to herself. However, their words were kind, and it somewhat reassured her. "My gratitude." She said sincerely, but her tone was serious. Kiht was not worried about danger. She did not have her spear, but her hunting knife was hidden under her uniform. She could fight better than some might expect with that. What she was worried about was ruining the plan. She took a deep breath, and steeled herself before entering the bar with them.

When she approached the odd-looking Lalafell at the table, the act was on!

The Lalafell made a creepy smile at her, but she maintained a serious and professional expression. It was not hard under the circumstances. She almost scowled when he called her a 'Flame Kitten', but she mostly resisted, and the Lalafell would only see her ears and lips twitch.

However, before she could even respond to him, he offered them a seat. She remembered Kahn'a doing a Flame salute to her once, so she mimicked the gesture at the Captain before taking a seat. Standard military gestures were important. That is what she remembered from the Adders.

"Greetings Captain." She said in a neutral tone. "I am Ki-." She paused; almost saying her real damned name. "hm... Kihm Jakk... Son... Lieutenant Kihm Jackson." She said in her serious tone, but the pauses made it a bit awkward. Shite, she thought. She needed to refocus.

She took a deep breath, interlocked her fingers together and placed them on the table. "I bear a message for you." She stated as she surveyed the bar area. She then reached into the coat pocket on the uniform, and drew out the sealed letter. She tossed it on the table, so that it slid towards the Lalafell.

"Is your crew here... Captain?" She asked as she looked back at the Lalafell, and forced a wide, awkward grin that displayed her sharp Keeper canines.

Captain River's office was in shambles. He had been on the rampage for the better part of an hour now when it was reported that the moonkeeper had vanished. The midlander was not the wanted target, soon released "back into the wild". The people within the Flame Command River answered to were not interested in the scientist. His information was not what they sought, and killing him would cause to much unwanted attention. So he was quietly reassigned, his story was his own now. But the Lieutenant, that was on a whole another matter entirely.

Hearing the silence and building the courage, some of the Roe's men slowly entered the room. The Hellsguard sat breathing hard in a corner, his eyes snapping to his mean as they entered, ".... What?" he whispered. One of the men who's bravery had not been shaken completely spoke softly, "... Orders s-s-Sir?" Captain River stood now, brushing the dust from his overcoat, "Idiots...... find him." Some of the men looked confused, straining to hear their whispering commander. He turned in a rage again, "FIND HIM!!!!"


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The airship mad its landing within sight of the city. Ul'dah's towers and domes visible in the distance. He would walk from here. A last minute argument from his aid spurring him to leave swifter, "I will be fine. I just need to see if the two of them are here and if so help them. But we both know they would have been moved north." he said as he aided Fury from the back hatch, removing his saddle and bridal. The little mammet, his speech even more limited then others of his kind, whistled and beeped and screeched his argument. Erik shook his head as he finished tucking the signalling pearl in his chocobo's feathers, "Well even if they are gone they will be well. Mikh'a and Raimy will see to him. And besides, what I have in mind here will solve it all I think..... for a price." Erik looked to his adopted city, the sun just raising over the horizon. He looked back and waved the mechanical man and the ship away, "Before the light gives you away. I have to go make a deal with the devil." He patted the chocobo, who also protested and shewed him away as well. Wait for me Fury, somewhere quiet please." Lifting his bag as the bird and ship vanished, Erik began the walk for Ul'dah.

(01-18-2015, 09:49 AM)Knight Kat Wrote: [ -> ]"Greetings Captain." She said in a neutral tone. "I am Ki-." She paused; almost saying her real damned name. "hm... Kihm Jakk... Son... Lieutenant Kihm Jackson."

Cap'n Distractin' raised a brow at the Keeper's stumbling over her own name, his silver eyes glittering a bit - though that could be attributed to the uneven lighting of the Kobold Korner. Still, he gave the odd little moment little more than a slight tug at the edge of his already wide grin. He had done the same when he had seen the minute twitches wrought from his playful flirtings. If nothing else, he certainly seemed to be enjoying the Miqo'te's presence at his table.

"A pleasure to meet you, Lieutenant," the pirate captain responded cheerfully, a booted foot waving back and forth playfully. "Quite the pleasure indeed. I assume you already know who I am, but in the name of gentlemanly courtesy, please allow me to introduce myself as well."

Rolling his head lazily backward a bit to rest languidly on his left shoulder, Distractin' gazed downward across the contours of his own face and across the table towards her. One hand unfurled from behind his head again, whirling about in a flourish a couple times before gesturing grandly towards himself. Again, his silver eyes seemed to glimmer.

"They call me distracting, and I suppose that is quite true," he chuckled as he raised his free hand so as to tap lightly on a cherub-like cheek with one finger. "Yet that is also the name to which I have taken to calling myself: Distractin'. Cap'n Distractin', if I may be so bold as to title myself such. A professional - if precociously playful - popoto of a pirate with a debonair flair to bewitch and ensnare, which I always care to share to be perfectly fair. Here, there, or anywhere, the whole world is but a stage upon which I cay-tair."

The fabulously-dressed and fantastically bombastic Dunesfolk folded the hand back behind his head along with the other and barked out a laugh.

"Pray forgive me, it's a bit of a stretch of pronunciation I know." He canted his head cheerfully to one side. "But I do so love to embellish my performances. For that's what I do, of course: I perform. It just so happens that members of the audience and their belongings oft get appropriated in the process, as I'm sure you and yours are fully aware."

Cap'n Distractin' seemed all the more willing to continue on in his playful, lilting banter, but halted abruptly when Kiht interlocked her fingers and chilled the tone of the conversation with her grand exhalation. The sudden change to matters more serious caused the pirate's smile to subdue somewhat - though not completely, since one would be hard-pressed to believe this lighthearted Lalafell had any other expression beyond some manner of grin - and his head rolled forward into a less haphazard position. The afro-wearing Lalafell almost seemed... disappointed by the transition, like he had expected a bit more witty banter betwixt him and his "Flame Kitten" before cutting to brass tacks. And it was this same, weaker smile that remained plastered on his features as he sat forward as well, the crate creaking again, and emulated steeple-fingered pose. Whether it was in mockery of the Keeper's stiff and proper behavior or just a position he too enjoyed when talking manners more serious was still up in the air, however.

Distractin's head canted a bit again as Kiht retrieved the letter from within her coat, his silver eyes following the envelope as it skittered across the rough wooden tabletop to rest before him. He leaned forward a bit further once it settled, resting his chin on one hand as the other sought out the missive. Holding the letter lightly between his index and middle fingers, the pirate held it up before his gaze and turned it this way and that with no apparent desire to rush into opening it and discerning the contents inscribed within. Instead, he seemed much more interested in Kiht and her two tall companions as she piped up and inquired as to the location of his crew.

"Ah, who knows where they are?" the Lalafell sighed bemusedly, spinning the envelope around in a slow, lazy circle as he spoke. "Though, I could easily ask the same of you. You would figure the Flames would be used to dealing with the seedier underbelly of Eorzea, given all the nasty rumors that circulate about them and the Blades. Still, your entourage numbered a near-dozen, and yet before me are but three. If I may be so bold as to ask..."

That Cheshire smile was back again, full force, to completely outshine the Keeper's own awkwardly forced grin.

"Where, oh where might the rest of them be?"

Bouncing on the balls of his feet; Youkio paced a small circle around Seig. He only stopped when the Elezan gave him a slight glare of annoyance. "Sorry man, you know how it is, right? Gotta keep movin an all that." He said with a careless gesture of his hands. Though Youkio's outward appearance was relaxed, he was a concerned on the inside. They were there to guard the back door; that was their job but still....Youkio's mind floated to Miss Siha, Kiht cat (another petname that wouldn't see the light of day unless he mumbled in his sleep by mistake) and Tempest. They were strong for sure; but still...

Shaking his head; he glanced over at his fellow guard once again. "So uh....Tempest's guy...you know him?" Youkio asked with a sidelong glance; his ears till tilted towards the slightly ajar door of the kitchen for the signal of trouble from Skittles as he hid in the rafters of the building.

Cliodhna suppressed a sigh. He was on to them, this was clear. Than again...the runt seemed to be enjoying himself at least, though the sight of his hair nearly broke her concentration on her cloaking; exposing her behind the flanking Roe and Duskwight. As it was concentration was hard with a shooting pain in her side but it was thankfully one she had grown accustomed to as time with it wore on.

Carefully she reached out and very lighty placed a hand on the keeper's back to help steady her. The letter once opened would read as followed but if the Captain was already aware they were not the flames who ordered the first job as she suspected; it would be a pointless rouse. Either way, Cliodhna was ready.

Kiht 's face reverted to a straight expression when Captain Disturbin' Distractin' answered her question with the same kind of question. She resisted the urge to sigh. It seemed the Lalafell wanted to play more.

Right when she thought of what her answer might be, she felt a hand rest on her shoulder. It was Tempest with her aether invisibility. An impressive trick. Kiht inclined her head as she regarded the Captain; suddenly feeling more bold.

"They are likely at Bronze Lake... Drinking Pineapple juice, and other things..." She answered in a tone that made such a thing sound perfectly normal. "Tell me Captain, is it not unwise to travel without your crew? I myself brought two people despite having the status as a member of a Grand Company to afford me protection. But you are a privateer, are you not? I know such things are legal in Limsa, but you must have enemies, do you not? " She asked in a calm tone, but it was clear she was about to try and make a point. Kiht was starting to catch on to what she saw as someone trying to impress her. If the captain was a performer then he would like positive attention from his audience. It was time to appeal to his pride... Or threaten it.

"Tis not an impressive way of doing things; meeting us alone in a tavern... Mayhaps the rest of my squad you asked about are actually here. Mayhaps they are waiting for you to make one wrong move in your performance." Kiht stated in a calm tone then leaned towards the Captain a bit more. Her eyes would try to meet with his as her expression grew into a mild smirk. She was clearly gaining confidence. "Mayhaps you should open that letter to find out why I am here..." She said in a quiet voice that bore a more serious tone.

The Cap'n tilted his head at her answer, his expression never wavering as he mused upon how to respond to it. He was fairly certain he had hinted obliquely enough to the fact that he knew that they were here, in Candlekeep. Either she was forcefully trying to avoid revealing her hand, or she was just bad at picking up contextual cues from her fellow actor. For that was what he saw her as: another actor performing on this stage with him, together in a scene set in a stuffy tavern where a "Flame" met with a "Pirate." She was certainly visually appealing - he found most Miqo'te to be, really - but she seemed ill-fitted to playing such a major role.

At least she was starting to slip into her character a bit better, with less stumbling over her lines as the scene continued. That brought a more sincere smile to his face as he curled his resting hand into a fist, rolling his head sidewards to rest his cheek upon the back of it. He continued to make lazy circles and figure-eights in the air with the envelope as the Keeper jockeyed for control of the conversation again.

"Enemies, detractors, hecklers; I have my fair share, yes," the pirate captain answered simply enough, though the way he said it made it seem more like bragging than anything else. "Enough to ensure that any scene is properly set before I take the stage, and that my troupe is ready to move into whatever position required. We have to be ready for any slips and stumbles our fellow actors take, after all, and react accordingly to the whims of our audiences. I can only assume that you have done the same?"

His smile faded a bit as Kiht continued, however. The calm yet serious tone heavily implying that she wished to turn the delightful back-and-forth dialogue betwixt them into something more sinister, more dramatic. He was happy enough to oblige, of course, but had they truly reached the part of the scene where they descended into lightly veiled threats? It certainly felt like someone was trying to jump ahead in the script. How naughty.

"Mayhaps, mayhaps; perhaps, perhaps," Distractin' countered liltingly with a light shrug of his shoulders. "Yet, you seemed so certain of your entourage's whereabouts before. Is your own troupe truly so motley and disarrayed? I mean, I have eyes on them easily enough." Both his stare and his tone suddenly gained a dangerous edge to them, making his smile seem a bit less cheerful and infinitely more threatening. "Like your fellow kitten in the kitchen, for example..."

And then the edge was gone, as if it was never there to begin with.

"But yes, let us take a look at this missive of yours, I'm sure it'll be quite entertaining," he mused, lifting his head off his fist. That hand snapped up and over in one sudden motion, both revealing and opening the switchblade that had been concealed within. Had it always been there? Without waiting for the reactions of Kiht and her crew of two, he slid the knife under the wax seal and broke it in one deft motion. Its purpose complete, the weapon-turned-tool was relegated to spinning idly betwixt his dextrous fingers as he withdrew the letter and began to read.

"... My, oh my, oh my," Distractin' purred as he skimmed over the albeit brief contents of the letter. He had noted the seal's authenticity before slicing it in twain, which was a delightful touch. The contents within were also quite well-scribed, and the Dunesfolk might have easily mistaken it for the real thing...

... Had it gone through the channels the Cap'n himself had originally set to deal with any criticisms of his performance. Of course, Kiht's troupe apparently had not known of that, so he supposed he could be magnanimous and continue to play along. They had come all this way to see him, after all. It was the least he could do.

"Speaking of detractors and hecklers," he alluded with a more wry edge to his grin, his silvery eyes flitting up to the Keeper. "It appears that someone isn't happy with my performance. A shame."

Distractin' ceased in his spinning of the switchblade, nimbly closing it one-handed before concealing it back within his fist. When that hand opened again to stroke at the Lalafell's beard, the blade was gone. A simple sleight of hand, perhaps? Or mayhaps he was hinting that he had other such tools readily at his disposal, ready to be drawn seemingly from nowhere if his guests got too aggressive. With the slight tipping of his own hand to match hers not moments before, it was certainly hard to say.

"So, my little Flame Kitten." The Dunesfolk idly began to crumple both missive and envelope in his hand. It had said that Kiht had not been informed of the contents. Perhaps he would test that. "It says that you require restitution for my supposed failings. So, what - or how much - do you need? And - if you would oblige me in this, at least - what exactly did I do wrong?"

Kiht wasn't a good actor. Deception was never her strength. She felt she had accomplished what she wanted though. The Captain Distractin's pride made him reveal that he did indeed have his crew there, and that he knew about at least one other put in place by The Red Wings. Kiht resisted the urge to smirk at this.

She may have been out of her element with the scene, but the situation breaking into a possible fight did not scare her, for that would be her very element. That fact made it so her confidence did not waver. Her body returned to an upright position as the Captain began to respond to the contents of the letter. Contents Kiht did not read before Clio sealed it, and put it in the coat. Hopefully Clio was listening carefully. What the Captain knew, and what he revealed was important.

Kiht's ears twitched at being called a 'Flame Kitten' again. She would show him a Flame Kitten! Her gaze averted for a moment as she made a quick glance to another part of the tavern. She then looked back to the Captain with an unwavering neutral expression. Kiht was perfectly calm now, and it showed.

"I was not made privy to the contents of the letter, or what you did wrong. You see, the higher-ranking officers want to keep most of us ignorant. My orders were to deliver the letter then collect the amount of gil you were payed for a job you swived up on." She said in a professional, but stern, tone.

Tempest hadn't really given Kiht more information than that, so she felt her answer was the only one she could give. Kiht leaned back in her chair then moved her hands to her lap. She let out a bored sigh which was intentional. She wasn't truly letting her guard down. The captain's little switchblade was adorable compared to her mythril hunting knife she had in her coat, but she would not underestimate pirates.

"You sound unconcerned about your enemies Captain, but would it not be better to have a couple less, and still be standing in a position of power?" She paused for a moment and inclined her head slightly. "I am sure you and your crew are capable, but how many foes can you handle really? You should pay your dues, Captain."

Well, that part of the letter checked out - either by coincidence or by actual purpose. The letter had indeed said that its carrier would know nothing beyond the fact there was a payment to be made, but if she had read it she would've still known that fact. Still, the Cap'n wasn't surprised by this approach - he himself was familiar with the goings-on of Ul'dah and its law enforcement, after all, having hailed from there way back in the day - but it also allowed him to poke and prod some more for his own amusement. Try to see if there were further flaws in the Keeper's performance.

"Really? All of it? 'Sloppy' or not - a statement I'm still quite uncertain of - the letter itself states we were still able to achieve the goal," the Dunesfolk pressed, raising an eyebrows as he further crumpled the letter. "Which would mean that doing as you ask... nay, demand would leave your superiors with what they wanted, and us with nothing for our performance. A free show, as it were."

He leaned forward a bit more, his expression darkening somewhat.

"And, as you may recall, we are pirates; not a charity."

The pirate captain settled back in his seat again as the gloom in his expression faded away again. He folded his arms neatly across his chest as he tapped the booster box he sat on lightly with the heel of his boot, letting his reminder sink in a bit. His response to her sigh, however, was a simple shrug and spread of his hands, palms up in some semblance of maintaining peace, before returning them to their crossed position.

Cap'n Distractin's smile widened at bit more at her next words, though, despite what was said. Was this another subtle threat, a challenge perhaps? Was there to be a fight scene in this play after all? A grand clash in a tavern between his Rogers and her entourage? How exciting.

"It's not a matter of simply being unconcerned, my fiery little Kitten." He was actively rubbing that nickname in now, Kiht could be fairly certain. "If I spent all my time worrying about my enemies, I'd have none left at all for anything fun. Besides, it's fine enough to keep one's ear to the winds and listen for any whisperings that herald their arrival, don't you think? Plus, it trains one's ability to think on their feet. A most useful skill indeed."

He canted his own head in the opposite direction of the Keeper's, acting like some sort of twisted Lalafellan mirror in the motion.

"As for how many foes we could fight, that would be telling," he stated simply. "Rather than showing, and we both already know I prefer the latter of the two. Or perhaps you don't? After all, they told you so little. I mean, did they even bother to let you know the amount we were paid, or could I just give you a random sack of gil that seemed laden enough and you'd accept it?"

He paused for a beat.

"Of course, now that I said that, I suppose I could provide you with any amount and you'd still be left wondering if it was the right one," His expression turned thoughtful. "Quite the quandary indeed. Assuming I'd pay, of course; which I might not, being a pirate and all that. It would be bad form indeed to let the supposed 'law' shove us rambunctious rapscallions around, now wouldn't it?"

A hand lazily snaked up to adjust the little horned visor he wore to complement his audacious afro. It was supported by his other arm moving to cup his elbow, giving the pirate quite the thinking man's look. His fingers slowly traced along one of the horns as he continued.

"So, what's to happen, then? Will both our hidden players leap onto the stage and begin a grand performance that surpasses even the climax of our previous Act? I do so hate to kill my audience and fellow actors if I don't have to, but it would be in self-defense at this point, would it not?"

He paused in his ministrations.

"Or, you could stop your hissing and posturing, my little Kitten. It's adorable, really, but also becoming a bit grating. Especially for one in such a dubious position as yourself."

At that point Cliodhna was tired of the verbal game of cat an mouse. With quite a bit of relief; she discarded her aetheric cloak and appeared behind the sitting Keeper. "Or we could just have a chat over tea. Unless you've already eaten?" Cliodhna stated simply, leveling her gaze at the Captain, knowing full well he'd recognize her from the bridge. "Though it's apparent the means were clumsy, I thank you for meeting us." She added with a quick curve of her lips.

Tousling her hair off her shoulders, Cliodhna paced around Khit's guards and dragging a nearby chair from another table; took a seat next to the Dunesfolk. Tilting her head, she once more regarded the pirate. "Your performance on the bridge and here were both well played; I won't withhold credit when it's due, but I care little of the matter or our passed on charge from the incident." She paused, splaying her fingers on the table as a pink streak flew unnoticed from the rafters and out the back door, pausing only to swirl once around Siha in the kitchen as a sign for her to keep eyes on front if she hadn't been already.

"What I do care for is the identity of your employer from the previous job. As I'm most certain you're aware; the cargo was a farce as the mission we were placed on. You didn't steal anything except for a box full of straw and rocks. It's also a well placed assumption that your only real target was our charge and make us seem all the more useless in the eyes of those holding authority over us. Though we had little choice but to go along in this "mission" we did not walk in completely blind; it was clear this was a set up and an inside job. I want to know who hired you and what means you use to contact them with." Her tone lowering, she leaned forwards slightly.

"I also am aware that this sort of thing isn't just given away with goodwill." Cliodhna offered a small giggle at the absurd thought. "As you so clearly stated, this isn't a charity and I have not shown up empty handed." Slowly she withdrew a small, heavy bag and shook it; the coins clinking inside musically.