Hydaelyn Role-Players

The pair flanking Kiht had listened to everything with calm expressions, though amusement flitted across the Roe's face now and again, he could appreciate the Captain's 'show' as he thought of it. The man was quirky, but that kept things interesting didn't it? He could tell his Duskwight companion wasn't quite as impressed but then, he didn't really like anyone who could flaunt better than he could, this Grymn was aware of. His companion draped a leg over the other, watching intently but the motion wasn't all benign as one would think, it kept him even closer to another blade. Grymn himself had little more than the toothpick of a sword at his side, his fingers flexed on his knees in want of his axe in his hands, he wasn't good at this show business part of things.

Or waiting.

------

Waiting was exactly what was happening in the kitchen, her keen ears had heard the call out on herself in the forward room, and it had briefly made her slick her ears back in chargrin. Of course they had somehow known everything, Captain Distractin' was ever becoming more and more a nuisance as time went by. She'd dropped the dishes on the counter but the ruse was pointless and she gave a narrowed look in the direction of the 'barmaid' that had called out to her in the first place. A pink streak briefly circled her head on it's way out and she took that for something significant, making her move from her spot in the kitchen, carefully and with chin up to stand as near to the front room as she could get.

The fact that they had to -pay- these people. She fumed inside but on the outside her only sign of displeasure was a slicked down set of ears and tail, "If you don't want to accept her money at least consider this...how long do you think you'll last? Not against us but against those that wished to eliminate us. How long before they decide to clean -you- up along with us? If they were willing to destroy something that had immense value to them, how much regard do you think they'll have for a band of pirates they find completely disposable?" all of her words were delivered calmly, but with a grim undertone to them. She didn't say this for just their benefit, she believed it, how long would it take for them to hunt down these pirates just for the sake of being clean?

She tucked her hands at her waist and watched the masked Lalafell with grim violet eyes, she would have begged him to let her put her family back together but it would have done no good. She doubted that he had a glimmer of decency for things that didn't benefit him and she wouldn't dare show an ounce of weakness if she could avoid it. It was why she'd come out on her own, despite them knowing she was there she refused to let them be the ones to drag her from the kitchen. "Disagreements from before aside, we could very well have the same enemy...and you have proved that you're more than capable of putting on a stellar performance" the wording was coincidental of course.

Kiht crossed her arms. It was about time. She removed her Immortal Flames hat then threw it to the ground. She felt relieved that she no longer had to play games with the Lalafell.

When Siha came out, and offered her reasoning. Kiht nodded in agreement. "That is exactly what I was trying to tell him." She paused and rolled her shoulders. "However, we will be fortunate if this Captain can see a good opportunity when it is staring him in the face." Kiht said loud enough for Distractin' to possibly hear. It was insulting, and she knew it, but it was her final attempt at reverse psychology.

She would lean back in her chair, and glower at the Captain as he talked to Clio and Siha. Once again it was time to listen as they plotted, planned and schemed. Now she was starting to understand how the Red Wings functioned. They play the games the people they fight play. They follow the villains into the mud and wrestle with them. They fight fire with fire, and dirt with dirt. It was not a game Kiht was fond of, but she was glad someone would do it.

The Cap'n looked on with genuine surprise when Cliodhna emerged from seemingly nothing like a wayward ship out of a morning fog. He had remembered a couple practitioners of magic during the raid on the caravan, but had thought most of them had departed and not taking roles in this particular scene. Not to mention the fact that he recognized this one and, as such, found himself wondering if he had seen her do any such aetheric tricks during his show. Such thoughts were quickly dismissed, however, as he realized this merely meant that his audience had put a fair bit more thought into their own little performance than he had initially surmised - along with having a few more tricks up their sleeve. Truly, such intriguing and avant-garde acting was worthy of a bit of commendation, at least.

"You guess rightly. We were well aware of the props you and yours had been saddled with, for it was to be a performance in the truest sense," the Dunesfolk affirmed with a widened grin, returning to full Cheshire status. His silver eyes flitted to the pink blur, but quickly returned to the much more interesting Hyur sitting next to him. "And I'd be more than happy to trade words over meal, especially after--"

His reasoning was cut short as both the returning audience member in the kitchen and the ill-fitted Flame actor both piped up with irate words to convince the Lalafell. Siha - he remembered that particular beauty from the performance as well, he was fairly certain he had traded words with her during the chaos - threatened with doom and gloom, warning of back-stabbings and other such skulduggery. All things a pirate would expect of those not of their crew, and the Cap'n had made a concerted effort to avoid. After all, the reason he had been able to peg the Red Wings as the actors here was, in part, due to them not following the means of contact for the aforementioned patron set in place both to allow for communication... and to be forewarned should they try anything underhanded after the deed was done. They were from Ul'dah, after all, and Cap'n knew the ways of his former kinsmen well enough.

As for his little "Flame Kitten," she instead decided to cut right to the insults, even as she discarded part of her costume. He understood full well what she had been hinting at throughout their dialogue, just as much as he understood Siha's warnings. Perhaps more so than she thought, though that was not unsurprising considering of her obviously dour opinion of him. Then again, he couldn't quite blame her - forced into a role she apparently had little aptitude for. He wouldn't say as such aloud as she seemed to prone to, though, as such things would be... ungentlemanly.

"Hold, pray hold, my coquettish couerls," the Cap'n urged towards both Miqo'te, motioning with his hands as if the gesture alone would tamper down their respective tempers. "As I was going to say before you leapt ahead in your respective cues, I was quite impressed with your performance. A flaw here and there, but it was still quite enjoyable nonetheless. Besides, pray stop and think upon it: I've been given a lovely performance, and now offered some coin and a meal in the company of three lovely ladies?"

He motioned to them grandiosely before continuing.

"What right-minded gentleman could resist, wouldn't you agree?" the Dunesfolk asked, turning a wry grin towards the Roegadyn and Elezen entourage. Though, an appraising eye would see that it was aimed more towards the former than the latter. "So come, come! Let us eat, drink, and be merry. Perhaps even trade a few tricks of the trade, hm? Who knows what may slip across liquored tongues?"

After alerting Siha as directed; Skittles swooped out the kitchen door and landed lightly on Youkio's shoulder. "We're good boss, they started their meetin..." He cawed quietly in order to avoid being overhead from the rest of the kitchen.

Youkio gave a short nod in reply. "Good, head back out an give the signal if shit heads south." Waving the parrot off his shoulder as it flew back into the kitchen to hide amongst the rafters.

Once his bird was gone; Youkio returned to bouncing from one foot to the other, tail swaying with his movements. His worry only increasing as Tempest had now made her presence known. He felt she was taking a damn risky move but she wouldn't hear any of his arguing on the matter. Though normally he found her stubbornness an likeable trait; it was a rather large thorn in his side on this instance. He grumbled under his breath about her not just letting him be the go between and the absurdity of it all, but still remained at his post for the time being.

Cliodhna inclined her head towards the small pirate, dark lips curved into a soft smirk. Her elbow propped on the table, fingers idly curling a lock of her blond hair "You'll have to excuse my companions. Though they aren't strangers to fighting; necessary steps concerning the "underbelly of society" tends to leave a poor taste in their mouths." Offering the Captain a hint of a giggle with her apology.

Inwardly she was cringing slightly. This was going to be a matter handled delicately; threats and hard truths about their position could only encourage him to sew his mouth shut on the matter, despite the rather hefty bag of gil Cliodhna was willing to toss in his direction. After all; they lived the life with threats and backstabbing being the norm, what's a few more amongst hundreds?

"Regardless, our attempts to bring you out for a chat have been a success and I'd like to get us off on the proper foot; I go by the name Tempest, my fairer friend is called Moon Lily and the one you've been so charmingly calling "flame kitten" is Kihm as she stated," Cliodhna paused a moment. "Her earlier stumbling was merely due to being a bit uncomfortable in her uniform and role she had to play, as it were." Placing her palms together in front of her lips with splayed fingers, she regarded him once more with a hint of brightness to her eyes. "And since we didn't exactly catch your name at our last encounter what do you go by?"

Keeping rapt attention at his displayed movements she noticed as he talked; there was a slightly lingering glance in the direction of the Elezan. Without braking her gaze away from the table; Cliodhna gracefully folded her hands in front of her face and bit her bottom lip. By this point, Youkio's bird should be in position and catch her slight tell that meant to stay sharp.

"I thank you for the praises, you seem to be someone well versed in the spirit of theater and I shall regard your opinion highly." Dropping her hands, she once more folded them simply on the table as she leaned forwards a little towards the Captain. "Some would say a damned fool would reject such an offer, to be quite honest." Murmuring with another teasing quirk of her lips.

Giving the Dunesfolk another welcoming smile, she nodded. "It has been my knowledge that drink in the company of friends has been known to loosen lips some, however as you've already cleverly stated at an earlier point when talking to Kihm; neither group at this table is completely alone. We're also both widely aware that both Moon Lily and one of your own were in the kitchen....I don't want to talk bad about new acquaintances but we are in a bit of danger here and it's so easy for something unwanted to slip into a drink or sprinkle by mistake onto a plate of treats." Though her tone was light; Cliodhna let the implication from her words hang in the air. Despite them having no plans to poison anyone involved from the bridge; that could not be said of the pirate and his gang doing so in proper anticipation of a attack.

"So in light of that as I'll assume no one at this table wants to be met with a food related...accident," the words ending in another soft giggle. "What's say we just have a nice chat and maybe celebrate later when this is all over and all are left in one piece?"

"One must be ever-careful in this drama that is life," the Cap'n responded melodramatically with a shrug, flashing a bit of a grin at Cliodhna's giggle. "Lest a twist of plot remove them too soon from the stage, their spotlight forever darkened."

He raised an inky black brow as she introduced herself and her companions. Tempest, Moon Lily, Kihm. The latter had stumbled in providing her own name, and the Dunesfolk vaguely recalled different names being shouted about during the performance on the bridge in Lower La Noscea. Monickers, most likely, instead of names true, but that mattered little. After all, the pirate wasn't openly using his own real name either. It to be hypocritical to fault them for doing the same, especially in such circumstances.

"As I intoned to your fiery feline friend here, I go by 'Distractin'' - Cap'n Distractin'." He made a flourish as he bowed in his seat, tilting his head up sharply to flash that Cheshire smile her way as he continued. "And it's hard not to find interest in theater when the whole world is but a stage, don't you agree? Each person you meet is but an actor in the play that is your life, each monologue and dialogue combining together to form poignant scenes and overarching acts."

The brightness of his smile dimmed a bit when she turned down his offer of food and drink. Of course, poisoning was a standard literary piece, anyone with passing interest in such things would know that. Why else would he have positioned Laffy to watch over the kitchen and any of the Wings' compatriots who took up a role there? Still, to be accused thusly after he had so openly stated his distaste of harming his audience, it was a little hurtful to the showman.

"If you must, you must; though I ever so dislike the lack of trust," he intoned with a sigh, also melodramatic what with the grandiose spread of his hands. "I said once before that I seek to avoid harming audience and fellow actor both, unless it is demanded by the patron. I prefer to distract and entertain, not dispatch and maim, if it's all the same. But if it is words you wish to sup on, then words you shall have. A cornucopia of conversation, 'twixt you and I, to fill both belly and mind."

He motioned to the two Miqo'te.

"And your enticing entourage, if they are so inclined," he added, his silvery gaze falling on Kiht again. "And if they can keep matters and tongues civil. While I have nothing against such an alluring medley of beautiful and brusque, such endearment fades quick if such interactions lead not to a bed. And - as enticing as you are, my little Flame Kitten - I can only assume that such an entanglement is not in our future. Or will I be pleasantly incorrect in my guess?"

"Though I don't always wish to remain center stage; I'd like to keep my light from going out prematurely." Cliodhna replied. "But that does not keep me out of the darker alleyways when needed; as you can plainly see, here I am." Words ending with a shallow, sweep of her hands.

"Cap'n Distractin'...How charming, it suites you well." Catching his raised brow, She felt no need or desire to comment on it. Of course their names were false ones and if this character had been paying any sort of attention as he appeared to be, he most likely remembered their other names or at least the absence of these ones giving now compared to their prior meeting, she mused quietly. "Yes, all too often I find this life feeling more as if life is just something being done merely for the amusement of a higher force; but I'm not here to talk religion." Flashing him another wary, quirk of her lips.

"Now now, no need to be stung by my refusal." Holding her hands open and lifted from the table as she spoke. "To be fair; we're speaking of the shortening of one's life quite casually, you've placed one of your own in the kitchen to either do so or to ensure we hadn't. Which honestly; shows me a lack of trust as well but I'm more than willing to let it go considering the methods we had used in order to arrange a meeting. There's also the fact that you state you're not set on causing harm but lest we forget you did kill our charge...." Cliodhna paused, as if pondering something that only now made sense.

Her vibrant, jade colored eyes grew wide as her mouth curved into a small "o" shape. "Unless of course that was a ruse as well? Oh dear me.....You have been pegged incorrectly here if that were the case." Musing more aloud to herself at this point, a hand covering her mouth. "But then if that were true....oh dear....then our "innocent victim" will have had a heaver hand in this than previously thought." She smirked. "Oh dear, oh dear...and here a few of our own were feeling sorry for him and mourning his passing though only briefly known." Chuckling again, She shook her head as if it were a great joke. "To think the possibility that he could have been in on this little scheme as well...."

Leaning forwards once more; hands flat on the table as her hair tumbled around her features. "Tell me then, Captin.....If you can ensure that no harm will come to me; I'll dine with you as we further explore and dissect the intricate plan you were so wonderfully tasked with. I won't request my cohorts do the same as again, this is uncharted waters for them but I will put my life in your hands if it makes you feel more at ease. After all; trust only woks if both parties are willing, no?"

(Sorry, I wanted a song for this and this was the only one that fit.... it amused me really))

Under black cloak, and a rare storming night, Erik crept through the city of Ul'dah. Sliding from alley to alley, cautious of the light that poured from the street lamps. "This is madness..." he thought to himself as his plan unfolded in his mind. This was a drastic step, one that would surely lead him to the gallows.... if he was lucky. It had to be done though, in his mind even it had been a long time coming. He thought of Juliette, and how it had all come full circle.

From the gate to the first ladder, a city workman's ladder, someone had left it as oversight. Erik took the advantage, an early entry to the rooftops, easier to move unseen above. The ladder was not very tall, taking him only to a low awning, but that was enough. From there to the next one high, then higher and higher until he could climb no higher, the city below him beautiful and dangerous.

He returned his pearl to his ear, listening for static as he began to run. From roof to roof he lept, landing light, making little sound. Finally sighting his prey he came to a halt. The air was cold and wet, sharp was the word he used. He waited until she was alone, stepping out for air he could only assume. The roof and the awnings and porch covers below were tapered, taking them in his mind he took a deep breath and jumped. From the roof to the first balcony, to the awning, fliping from that as a gymnist to the out pointed banner pole he held to it and swung to the final awning, from there leaping to the ground near the woman. Despite his showy actions and his size, there was little sound in all his movements.

He moved now to her, letting the upwind air mask his scent and sound. Soon enough he was close enough to reach out and touch her. He whisper to her, letting his voice sink into the night air, "I have been looking for you."

The woman had remained silent for most of the interactions after her own logic had been spurned, it hadn't been intended as a threat, merely a caution and something to be pondered but the Captain didn't seem worried. Pressing her lips into a line she gracefully made her way a little closer, circling so that she could stand near 'Khim' as she'd been named as well as the two guards her father had sent. Grymn gave her a sly wink...perhaps sly was a bit generous and she tucked herself close to the Roegadyn man for comfort, the Duskwight tipped his head to her as well, much more subtly but a downward curve of his lips was enough to show he knew she was upset.

In a different time and situation Siha could have like the Lalafell's view on life, it was vibrant and refreshing, with all he revealed it even seemed he was somewhat benign in his actions. He didn't kill. Her thoughts went along the same lines as Cliodhna, either he was lying, or their charge wasn't really dead...perhaps Mikh'a had been right about him, or maybe he was captive somewhere. Both were viable and she cringed internally, no matter which it sat ill in her stomach to even imagine either one, she had shed tears for that man and if he was the cause of this. Anger flashed hot through her veins briefly and she closed her violet eyes until the raging emotions were stilled and she was placid again, she was getting better at that.

She gave a far more graceful smile than she had all night when attention was turned her way concerning eating and drinking with the man, she didn't intend to eat or drink due to the reasons that Cliodhna had stated but that didn't mean she couldn't sit through pleasantry if it would help them. She would have rather stayed locked in between the two familiar bodies as well as behind Kiht but instead she moved to grab a chair and pull it in between the small Captain and the Duskwight before settling down and folding her hands in her lap. The smoke bombs she'd brought shifted in their pouch but she slightly parted her legs to allow them to settle under her thighs, they were still good to have if anything went wrong.

"I don't see how hearing you out would have any ill effects, maybe we all got off on the wrong foot, if you are as honorable as you say and have thus shown" she inclined her head but her violet eyes studied the Captain closely for any changes in his demeanor. She hated having to waste any time, but grace was needed here, not force. Force would only shift that back to square one or worse, and her family was far more important than her roiling stomach.

It was raining, and Spahro was out in the storm chewing on half of a grilled snake and glaring at the sky.  Thin, fragile bones crunched between her teeth as she peered up into the storming clouds, shielding her eyes from the rain.  Her hair was matted down to her forehead, clothes soaked through and even the spices on her snack were being quickly washed away by the downpour.

Normally she wasn't stupid enough to stand out in the rain staring at the sky, but it had been a rough couple of days, and considering she slept on a roof being down in the streets of the city was actually more preferable to getting drenched without any protection at all.  "I hate this city," she mumbled, not really meaning it.  A street urchin darted past, quiet except for the splash of her bare feet in a puddle, and Spahro watched her go, slipping into an alley between a warehouse and a carpet shop.

When the voice rose up out of the storm she gasped, which wasn't smart with most of a snake in her mouth.  "I have been looking for you."  her meal was sucked into her throat and she gagged, choking.  Distracted from the sudden man by a life threatening situation she stumbled forward into the street, her eyes wide and panicky.  With one hand she grabbed the tail of the snake and gave it a yank, pulling the whole thing from her throat.  She threw it into the night on reflex, immediately missing the peppery flavor in her mouth, and regretted it.

"What the shite?!"  She spun, her eyes bloodshot and focused on the man who'd snuck up on her.  "You nearly killed me, you arsehole!  What do you want, money?  Piss off!  The last of my gil bought the meal you just made me waste.  Who the hell sneaks up on someone like that?  Common mugger or an assassin or something.  You come to kill me?"  Spahro extended her arms, thrusting out her chest at him, "Well have at it!  You aren't going to hear me beg or cry about it, but I can promise you that whoever hired you is going to regret it!"

Kiht narrowed her eyes at the Lalafell. He was trying to goad her and swive with her (likely literally) despite the fact that both Clio and Siha were there to keep him occupied. She was not good with acting, but she was not stupid either. He was either trying to sabotage the situation, or found it entertaining to mess with Kiht.

Kiht was not usually keen on recognizing when she was being flirted with, but she was getting better at that. However, her discipline was trained into her through a lifetime of hunting; it was only strengthened by the training from an ex-knight. She sat up straight, and just continued to gaze at him with a cold stare. "You are correct, but if you wish, I can find some barbed wire for you to entangle with." She said in a calm tone. She causally averted her eyes, and grew a very slight smirk.

Tempest was doing the best job of talking to the Captain. If anyone was going to have success with him, it would be her and Siha. Kiht was maintaining her attitude. It was probably not a good idea to irritate the Captain, but Kiht was starting to get more acquainted with her role. If Tempest needed to, she could possibly take advantage of Kiht's attitude to gain favor with the Captain. Kiht may not have liked her job or role in the whole operation, but she was Hells bent on helping; even if that meant Tempest either asking Kiht to leave, or taking the captain away from Kiht and the guards as a sign of respect and trust. Otherwise, Kiht could do little more than watch the scene continue to unfold.

"My, my, oh my, did I say that? Oh no no no, I think you're just making an assumption, and with quite a lot of gumption, dear lady," the Cap'n crooned with a grin, glad to be dealing with one who was more attuned to the more... subtle nuances of dialogue. These three were definitely turning out to be quite fun, so letting "slip" a bit of information like that for them to follow up on couldn't hurt. Besides, it was Cliodhna who had suggested such a thing, he had said nothing of the sort - so the Flames couldn't be angry with him for her figuring out that their charge had lived, now could they?

"Of course," he continued with an appropriately over-dramatic shrug of his shoulders. "I cannot keep you from following up on such... musings. That is quite outside the scope of what my patron tasked of me, wouldn't you agree?"

The Dunesfolk's silvered gaze followed Siha as she circled around to settle down betwixt him and one of Kiht's entourage. He had definitely seen her back on the bridge, though he wasn't unhappy with getting a second chance to take in the light-haired Miqo'te. Especially with the other one present being almost obnoxiously curt and abrasive to his playful proddings. Tangle with barbed wire, hmn? How quaint.

"Well, well, that you consider me 'honorable'... I wouldn't go that far," he admitted with a laugh, returning his attentions to the more personable of the two kittens. "I'm still both an actor and a pirate by trade and, as such, I could, should, and would still have many tricks up my sleeve. My loyalty lies only with myself and mine troupe, as you would rightly figure of someone of my livelihood. However, I do like to extend a... courtesy... to my audience - since what is an actor without his audience? There can be no call for encore if I leave the seats empty afterward."

"And so I merely offer a meal to go with this show, one you do not needs must partake if you do not desire such." Almost on cue, one of the tavern wenches approached the table - perhaps at Laffy's insistence - bearing a plate of braised Dodo and a flagon of ale for the pearly-toothed captain. "I, on the other hand, shall quite heartily partake, and slake my hunger. I still say I will poison you naught, my delightfully delectable audience, so it is up to you alone to decide whether I speak in truth or falsehoods."

Erik stood dumbfounded, her reaction was.... unexpected. He sighed and spoke as deeply as he could without sounding unnatural, "I am not going to kill you. I have come to seek you out because of who you are. You are Spahro Llorn, a journalist, a name that has gained eyes from the powers that be due to your sensationalism." He stopped for a moment, looking down the nearby alley, watching the Brass Blade pass the other side, the rum in his belly cloaking the Miqo'te and Erik from his notice.

He then looked back at her now, being sure that only his chin and mouth were visible to her at any given time. "You have expressed a notion that the government, both sides leave something to be desired. You have come to my attention as a person of integrity, despite your more public reputation as a printer of some rag paper. I would test that notion." He looked away again, far behind her, the same Blade staggering by again, as oblivious as before. As he passed Erik continued, "What do you know of the power of the military in Thanalan? More then most I would wager, but still not all. I would put forth the hypothetical question, what would you say, or people as a whole if there was a special forces unit within the Immortal Flames? One with access to Imperial technology, a broad Standard Operating Policy, with little to no oversight outside of higher level Officers of the Flames and some government officials."

His over-exuberant denial to her assumptions were amusing. Though he loudly boasted that she was wrong, given his toothy grin stated otherwise. Smirking, Cliodhna raised an eyebrow; so this was how the game was to be played. Rolling her shoulders, she settled more comfortably in her chair. "I've been told before I have more than my fair share of gumption," She grinned at her words. "Luckily it tends to work in my favor."

"Oh I dare say it would be; your job was to simply cause trouble that resulted in our mission of delivering the precious cargo of rocks and straw a failure. One that was handled quite brilliantly." She tilted her head, green eyes drifting upwards only a moment as if pondering some finer detail of their conversation. "So then...Your troupe was only hired on for that. I dare say it would be considered a conflict of interest if you track our movement after that point; at least if there was no discussion of payment with that sort of order from them....Tell me, O Captain; was there another job to help round us up in the works possibly?"

Cliodhna smiled wary at Siha and Khit's replies. "Barbed wire might be somewhat of a more selective taste for some. Though I dare say he's gotten your point quite clearly Khim. As for honor; I'd say that your stance on it is admirable non-the-less, Captain." She paused spreading her hands once more to illustrate. "We fight under the mighty banner of Ul'dah; risking life and limb for coin and country and look where it's gotten us? Alive still thankfully, but I dare fear that's a fleeting illusion as time passes, and worse yet! Set into motion seemingly by our own comrades!"

Shaking her head, Cliodhna let her blonde hair sway with her movements. "No I dare say that your view on honor is far too tempting after this little charade. But still....if you were to prove me wrong and restore my faith in the Immortal Flames by possibly reveling some sort of verbal tidbit of your former employer?" A hint of desperation in her tone, words making her sound truly drought over the matter.

Once the food arrived, Cliodhna eyed it as the Lala dug into it with gusto. "As stated; I will trust your desire not to eradicate your audience as you've dearly taken to calling us. Though I am not very hungry at the moment; a girl has to watch her figure after all." A quick wink accompanying her words. "I would like to think that a nice wine would be refreshing, if there's any available? I have not been to this establishment a long time I'm afraid so I'm unsure if there's been changes to their stores."

"I think you're well aware that you have much more going for you than just mere gumption, my dear." He gave a bawdy grin as he gestured to her aforementioned figure with a Dodo leg, "and I'm certain it works just as well in your favor, all things considered. Still, it is not the time nor the place to speak of such things... unless you wish us to tread that path. For now, though, if it is wine you desire, then it is wine you shall have!"

He took a sizable bite of his braised bird, letting the cooked meat and spices tickle his taste buds as the wench departed for Cliodhna's drink. Well, perhaps "tickle" wasn't quite the word. It certainly wasn't the best in Eorzea, what with the spices mostly being used to mask the low grade of the meat, but that was not unexpected. The Kobold Korner was, after all, little more than a hole in the wall where men came to simply fill their guts with meats and alcohol after a long journey. As long as they were full and drunk at the meal's end, the quality of its contents mattered little.

"Anyroad, if there were plans for a second show, they never reached my ears," the captain stated with a grand shrug of his little shoulders before quaffing a sizable amount of his ale. "They knew where to send their Extra - or some other fill-in, it was obviously just a generic faceless sort meant for little more than passing along wishes and desires - to get in touch with me again. They did not."

That was what the contact was in Distractin's eyes: an Extra, little more than a patsy. An average dark-haired Midlander superbly chosen for his role due to his complete and utter lack of any noteworthy characteristics. Even if the man thought he was the one in charge, it was obvious enough to the Dunesfolk that he wasn't the one pulling the strings. The Red Wings - a much more interesting bunch, by comparison, and certainly easier on the eyes considering present company - would be better off chasing after their "dead man" rather than a generic Extra.

"As such, keeping tabs on you - as alluring as certain members of your troupe are - was of little import until you came seeking me," the pirate affirmed. "Of course, we still had eyes on you at the Drydocks afterward to gauge your appreciation for the show. However, when you showed no immediate desire for... autographs, as it were... I deemed it best to leave you be."

His pause afterward was punctuated by the return of the wench with the lady Hyur's bottle of wine. It seemed to be a surprisingly fine one as well, considering the standard fare of the place, perhaps a bit of the owner's personal stock that he had been... convinced to part with. Laffy was quite good at convincing, after all, even despite her less than stellar grasp of the Eorzean tongue. Or perhaps because of it, relying instead on body language that was quite good at getting the tribal Lalafell's point across. Such so that Cliodhna was now in possession of a rather fancy bottle of red wine in a smoky green bottle, along with glasses for both herself and her two Miqo'te companions.

"And yet here you are nonetheless, seeking some of my stage secrets," he corrected with a grin. "Still, I would think hard on what you're asking, my dear. You're coming to a pirate to restore your faith in your precious Jewel, and seek to do so by having said dashing rogue openly break the confidentiality betwixt him and his patron. How could one such as I continue to make a living if I did such things? No patron would be willing to fund my... performances... if they thought I would double-cross them afterward. No no, you'd have better luck getting the information you desire from the dead."

He only hesitated for the briefest of moments after his recommendation before tearing into his meal once more. Each bite did little more than sate his hunger, and reaffirm that the bird in question was both over-spiced and overcooked. Still, the other hunger he had - the one he truly came to this tavern for - was currently enjoying a three-course meal much more savory and succulent. And beautifully plated, as well. There was always something to be said of proper presentation, after all.

"Still," he murmured after washing down the cacophony of spice with a torrent of ale. "There's nothing saying that an audience member could not be... inspired by the performance and seek to become a patron themselves. Perhaps they believe they could have scripted the play better, and wish to show the original scriptwriters how it should be done? And for the right amount of coin, they might be able to acquire the same cast to make the reprisal to truly hammer the point home."

He canted his head, that Cheshire smile of his looking to bisect his head.

"But it would cost quite the hefty amount of coin indeed."

Meeting the Dunesfolk's grin with a coy smile and twinging of hair between her fingers; Cliodhna gave a soft laugh. "Oh yes....I'm aware but there's something to be said for showing a bit of modesty versus boasting...Therefore, we'll leave the matter rest for now for simplicity's sake."

While waiting for the drink, She watched his movements intently as he spoke. The manner of how The Capta'n swung around the dodo leg, his overly animated shrug with the denial of intel on another planned attack. Though he was still making a bigger show of things than need be, it was clear that the words being peppered between bites of food were true. He had no further contact from whoever had ordered the initial job and furthermore, it was safe to assume the more interesting person was the supposed dead charge that had disappeared with them into the waves that night.

"Of course...It would have been foolish to assume you hadn't kept tabs on us on some level." She smirked, "But again, our intent was getting to safety and finding the one who placed the gears into motion....Not the muscle behind it until we felt there could be some valuable tidbit of information you could be holding."

Shortly after their server arrived with the requested wine and surprisingly clean glasses. "Ah, my thanks." She nodded to the server happily. The bottle was a bit dusty but looked to be due to hiding in a forgotten corner. Possibly it would taste better than Cliodhna was expecting to come from the kitchen. Long fingers already curled around a nearby corkscrew from the table; she quickly popped the cork on the bottle and distributed the wine between the glasses until each had about an ilm or so of the deep, ruby liquid. Pausing she rested the rim of the glass against her lips to sample the bouquet. It was a heady mixture of rolanberry with traces of honey to it. Feeling her lips curve against the glass; Cliodhna tilted her hand enough to let the liquid meet her mouth, further enticing her senses. Oh yes, this was much nicer than she had been expecting indeed.

Though a pleasant surprise, now was not the time to enjoy as much as she would have liked. Gently she placed the glass back on the table, fingers still framed loosely around the stem as she talked. "I dare say I can understand your point. Though roguish in nature; I had hoped there was still a bit of lingering honor in regards to assisting a lady in need." Reaching for the earlier shown bag of gil and tossing it to the the table where the coins spilled from the loosely tied leather pouch; showing quite a hefty amount. "But I'm also aware that life is not always as we hope, therefore I have brought means to help fund your endeavors in exchange for the information you have already provided."

Deftly, she took another quick sip of her lovely wine before returning to conversation. "However, as you've clearly made yourself aware as well...You have a rather unique relationship with one of our members, so to speak." She smiled again, twirling the glass gently to swirl it's contents. "He's also expressed quite an interest in becoming more of a performer in his own right but that would be up to you and your crew....I will state that part of that pouch's contents should be enough to return his lost love to him....or being such a shrewd businessman as I'm sure you are; this side show of a deal could be kept in reserved audience until you've deemed he's earned right to view."

Chuckling, She leaned back in her seat knowing full well Skittles had heard the proposal from his hiding spot in the rafters. "He's a bit of a stubborn one and would refuse my help had it been openly offered, but I'll admit he's rather close to my heart so I can't help but try to look out for him. You know how it is, family comes in many forms and some bonds can be stronger than that formed from blood."