Hydaelyn Role-Players

The Cap'n's ebony-hued brow rose in earnest at that one.

"Aye, I knew he had thrown in his lot with your troupe, but I didn't know the two of you shared any sort of... history betwixt yourselves," the Dunesfolk murmured as he deftly speared the pouch with the now-meatless bone and slid it and its contents towards him. He poked and prodded the sack with the bone, eying the coin with a practiced eye in search of any frauds or other surprises hidden within the leather-bound depths. "Nor that you'd be willing to go so far as to purchase the Eighth Ace in his stead."

The Lalafell hooked the mouth of the sack with the bulbous end of his improvised tool, lifting it up and letting the albeit meager lighting of the Korner pierce the gloom within. His silver eyes flicked over the contents in earnest now, still wary of any dangers even as he counted up the number of coin. His attentions were still on the contents of the bag as he continued.

"While I certainly find what sort of alignment of interested you share with an Extra such as him, I do believe that now is not the time to discuss such matters at length. Of course, that does not needs must mean we still can't work out something about his 'lost love' that should meet to your satisfaction."

Once he was satisfied with his search, the pirate captain flicked the dodo bone into the air with a jerk of the wrist. In the time it took to twirl about before noisily clanging neatly into his empty tankard, he had scooped up both bag and the wayward coin that had sought to escape their imprisonment from within it. Cinching it tight, the dark-haired Lalafell held it up loosely in his upturned hand, as if showing it to the Hyur woman and her entourage.

"And... perhaps... even his."

Cap'n Distractin' idly tossed it up and down a couple times, glancing up and over his shoulder at seemingly nothing with a small grin. Listening to a Linkshell conversation, perhaps? Whatever the reason for his momentary distraction, it was naught but short-lived as his attentions were soon turned back onto the lovely ladies before him. Smile still plastered upon his cherub-like Lalafellan features, of course.

"By the time you have finished your drink, the Ace will be moored to the docks outside for your perusal. You have purchased it in the Miqo'te's stead, thus by all rights it is yours to do as you see fit - though whether you decide to return it to its 'rightful' owner or hold off on doing so in return for favors, it matters not," he crooned with a cant of his head, spinning the gil pouch about in his hand as if it were little more than a conversation piece. "As for your companion's other interest, though..."

The Dunesfolk waved his other hand in front of the bag with a flourish as it twirled, and it was gone. Silver orbs widened and looked at the suddenly-empty palm in mock alarm, and then up at Cliodhna before being accompanied by a wide grin and a shrug of the shoulders. Distractin' clasped his hands neatly in front of him again before continuing.

"... Should he wish to join my troupe, I should hope he is better at performing than trying to cheat at cards. And he needs must learn to have better hold over his drink besides." That ever-present smile faded briefly into a look of cold seriousness, which stood in stark contrast to the Cap'n's all-smiles demeanor thus far. "Otherwise I'm afraid he'll find no gainful employment here. I will not have my or my crew's reputation sullied by the antics of an ale-drenched alley cat."

He cracked into a smile once more, but it still held no mirth in it. In fact, one might go so far as to suggest that it was icier than that brief moment of seriousness that it had just come from. The only way to make it more dangerous would possibly be to replace the Dunesfolk's pearly whites with a couerl's fangs.

"Furthermore, should he somehow manage to worm his way into my ranks... and he turns out to be little more than a hook covertly placed to forcibly remove us from the stage? Well, I don't believe I will have to explain what that would mean, do I? Both for him, and for you and yours."

His smile widened a bit, somehow looking even more sinister despite his diminutive physique.

"Because, as you said: family comes in many forms... and woe be upon those who seek to harm mine."

Cliodhna smiled warily, staring into the glass as if memories floated on the surface of it's blood-hued contents. She let those thoughts linger a moment before dispelling them with a quick tilt of the glass; sending small ripples in the wine. Turning her attention back to the Cap'n, she replied. "War is a hell of a thing to live through....It has an uncanny way of making strangers closer than lovers in some respect."

Expression softening, her gaze drifted to his poking and prodding at the bag of coins with the greasy bone. "Though he feels as if there's a debt that needs repaying, I was only doing then what I'm doing now; watching out for him as one would a younger sibling. His sort wasn't cut out for that sort of lifestyle and I managed to save him from it..."

Watching his narrowed eyes further inspect the coins, Cliodhna gave another soft chuckle. "They're real, I assure you...I wouldn't be trying to buy the information needed or Garuda back with false promises, lest the repercussions were to fall on him or myself."

Pausing, Cliodhna took another pull from her wine as her companion was momentarily distracted. Once the promise of Piper's ship being returned was given, she let go of the glass to rest her chin in upturned hands. Merrily, she regarded his showmanship of taking the bag of gil and stashing it in a pocket for safekeeping. "I'm sure he'll be angry but part of him will be elated for having it back in the end."

She sighed, this was true. Youkio did have a unhealthy habit for drink and gambling but hopefully this would help correct his priorities, at least a little; this hope Cliodhna could not keep herself from voicing. "Though I have tried to save him, Piper still wishes to walk an ill suited path. Though overall lacking in skill, he is still young and has promise...but that I will leave to your discerning eye. I can't and won't be there every bell of his life just to ensure he keeps himself from being strung up, but i also can't ignore a problem of his that can be fixed easily enough."

She paused, hand forming into a fist resting against her lips in thought. "Granted I'd like him to learn this lesson himself but I can't abide with his current living conditions that were a result of his drunken carelessness." Throughout the conversation, Cliodhna was slowly dropping the mask of morally confused solider lost in her current plight of duty or survival.

Seemingly un-bothered by the Dunesfolk apparent threat, she simply frowned. Shaking her head; hair swaying before brushing it back from her face once more. "No, I can assure you that he is not intending to be a decisive factor of ending an act early in regards to your grand show. If anything; I was against his half-brained idea when he first voiced it, but as stated...He'll do what he wishes, or at least try to" Sighing she held her hands out helplessly. "If you see potential in Piper, you can do as you see fit; otherwise turn down his scramble plea that I'm sure you'll receive shortly and leave him to his own devices."

Draining the last of her wine, Cliodhna slowly scooted back the chair and stood. "However if you ever find a need to contact me; you may do so through him. I will not forget the help you've been, regardless of payment being a factor in your decision to do so." Inclining her head, she regarded the Cap'n one last time. "I wish you luck in your future performances and I thank you for the hospitality and indulging my conversation." Giving him another wary smile; she then turned to take her leave.

~~~

Youkio stared in disbelief, garnet eyes the size of saucers. Tail flicking to and fro, ears flat against his head and mouth hung open like a gasping fish. She couldn't have....She wouldn't have dared to....

"Seven hells, Tempest...." He grumbled, hands balling into fists and nails digging into the palms. Youkio had told her not to meddle in getting Geruda back, but she did anyway.

Still staring at his boat as it slowly made it's way into the docks; he vigorously scratched at his scalp. Mostly from his frustration. He had told her no! That was still running through his brain. No, no, no, no, no! And she still did it anyway!

"I ain't ever gonna pay her back after this....afore...maybe...but now....gods damnit..." Still swearing and grumbling, Youkio kicked a rock as he stomped around by the kitchen door. Skittles swooping through the kitchen and settling on his shoulder; cawing with laughter.

"A way to contact you, hmn? Well, that would make him a bit of a two-way street, now wouldn't he? For you could get hold of me through him as well. I'm not so sure if I like being so readily accessible," the Cap'n commented with a grin and a laugh, though neither were fully honest. And for good reason.

While his expressions were dishonest, his words carried an underlying truth - it was always far easier to take in one with no connections over one who had deep obligations to another. Obligations that could loosen tongues and result in things being said that shouldn't be said to people who shouldn't be told. Loose lips sink ships, after all, especially the vessel that Hohoyoho was manning. And, from the sounds of it, this Piper fellow was already fully Cliodhna's. He would have to put forth quite the show to be worth the risk, and much effort be made so he understood the position he was in.

It was almost certain that he would find no home on the Stage Left, at the very least. Even if he swore off his drinking and muzzled that chatty pink bird that kept swooping about and squawking heedlessly in Man's tongue, the pirate captain was still not certain enough to entrust him with the knowledge of the double life of the Jolly Rogers. Not when such words could slip so easily into the ears of the Flames and risk everything he had built.

And yet, Piper could still have his uses, if utilized properly. Quite the hornet's nest had been stirred with the bridge performance, giving glimpses to a more complex undercurrent within the Jewel's hierarchy. The Cap'n could very well have himself a means to have an ear at Raubahn's door, should he need it. While he plied his trade far from the Thanalan sands for the most part, such an asset was not something to give up so quickly. This required... finesse.

Perhaps if he kept Piper like the unremarkable man the Flames had brought to him - a mere Extra, just as he seemed to be under Cliodhna's employ. An outlier that could be called upon when an a small role opened up on their grand stage, to fill in before being set aside once more. He would know the Cap'n as only the Cap'n, and never truly become one of the family unless he was fully and utterly willing to choose the Pirate over the Tempest. To cast aside his current shackles to truly become one of the Jolly Rogers, Hohoyoho was uncertain the Miqo'te could manage it.

All of this ran through the Dunesfolk's mind in the space of time between Cliodhna's words and her turning to leave. Planning and scheming, calculating and plotting, weighing pros and cons as only one with everything to lose could. The Hyur was only a couple steps away when the pirate captain spoke up again.

"I will give him a chance, yes, if nothing else but," he intoned, sitting back in his seat again and folding his arms over his chest. "However, he has much to prove. I will send word to him when I'm ready for his... audition. In the meantime, I believe he'll be quite interested in the Eighth Ace, how it was acquired, and what you plan to do with it. Not to mention that you and yours still have your own grand finale to perform."

He stood then, standing on that box that he had been using as a booster seat the entire time. The one that creaked and moaned with his various movements throughout the conversation. It whined again as he stood and made a most elegant bow.

"So, as one actor to another, I will say this..." He tipped his visor lightly and grinned his biggest grin yet. "Break a leg out there."

And then the tip of his steel-toed boot slammed into the crate, releasing a cacophony of light and noise and smoke. Fireworks and glitter, bells and whistles. A most glorious flashbang, to be certain. And, in its aftermath, the Cap'n was gone. Along with almost all of the other denizens of the Korner. A once-crowded pub was left with only a few bewildered stragglers, the wench, and Cliodhna and her retinue.

Should they continue to the Garuda's Embrace - still blatantly decorated as the Eighth Ace - they would find whoever had brought it into the docks had vanished as well. All that was left behind was the ship, tied neatly to the dock, and a deck of playing cards left next to the sail - the same deck that Youkio had lost the ship with, for Cap'n Distraction's flair for presentation wouldn't allow for anything less. And should that deck box be opened, an inquisitive folk might find an extra four aces almost the other 52 along with a folded up note.

Just as she was about to reply; there was an explosion of color sound and smoke. Coughing harshly, Cliodhna frantically fanned the air around her face as she struggled to see though the sparkled mess; blinking bits of glitter from her tearing eyes. "The hell?" She grumbled, still coughing as the smoke slowly started to clear; revealing the bar to be mostly empty, showing just how many of his crew had been present. Staring at the confused stragglers; Cliodhna merely shrugged and - still coughing - picked up the wine bottle from the table and left out the front door.

Youkio sat on his boat, turning the cards over in his hand. Shuffling and folding, flipping them carelessly as they settled back into place; never losing them to the wind off the water as they threatened to fly away. There had been a note...they had known his plans. How? He had only thought it through this morning. There was no way they could have....unless they had tabs on them the whole time. Youkio kicked at an leftover crate that he kept on hand for storage. It was of course empty; he had to empty everything out when he lost Geruda, before she was known by her apparent name change. This thought was met with a small growl.

"Aw quit yer bitchin, ya got er back an a chance at a new job like ye wanted." Skittle pipped up, preening on the helm.

"But it weren't on my terms!" Youkio fumed. "She had to save my ass again! I'm never gonna get to pay her back, she keeps this goin!"

Skittles tilted his head, eyeing Youkio. "Well then, ya got a chance to prove y'self now don't ya?"

Youkio glanced down at the card that had been slipped in with his deck. "Yah....I do..."

It had been several days since Erik had spoken to the journalist. He had returned to and remained in Black Brush as he waited for what he knew would come. He was somewhat surprised when the young and confused Flame messenger arrived and started asking about him. He let the recruit look for awhile before making himself known. No sooner had the messenger delivered his paper then Erik took to Fury, Montblanc riding behind.

The Flame Hall was alive with movement, and none seemed unnerved or surprised as Erik entered, business as usual. He dismissed Monblanc and Fury to their base, to survey the damage and to reopen and organize the Hall. As they did, he took a deep breath and moved on to Commander Ryder's office.

There was no fanfare as he entered. Ryder looked up and spoke softly as he returned his gaze to the papers, "Lock the door behind you Captain and sit down." Erik complied, pulling down his hood and sitting. Ryder looked again, holding a copy of the Tomberry in his hands, "This is by far.... I don't even know what to say other then what is your neck size? I have heard more then one voice talking about how they would see you swing." Erik smiled, "Thirteen ilms Sir." Ryder was not amused, "Captain, this is no time to be funny." Erik stiffened and took a serious tone, "I had to do something drastic, not only to stop the rot, but inoculate against it. The faction responsible is still in play, as is their Roe front man. You cannot redact or make disappear someone known." Ryder stood up, anger noticeably, "Several of your people have left, many unhappy with the way things were done." Erik smiled, "Torture, terror, unorthodox recruitment, these are things that are part of the load we must carry. It was to much for some of them. If their morality was troubled, or they were to paranoid, or simply not cut out for the life, maybe it is for the best. I wish them well. But sometimes, some must sometimes dirty their hands so others will not have to. That is how I protect my nation, by doing the work no one wants to. I have that freedom, my soul is already weighted and bound for the Void."

Ryder pulled out a stack of papers from his desk and tossed them to the Captain, "You gambled high and won, had you lost we would have all swung. I stuck my neck out for you to help you and you turned and bet it all on a single hand of Triad. I will not stick my neck out again Captain, am I clear?" Erik nodded, "Sir." Ryder nodded and sat, "You can read those orders but the gist of it is the Red Wing's status as a classified covert unit is revoked. Your cover as a humanitarian aid is also revoked. In short, you will remain a covert action unit, but will be held to government oversight now as well as public scrutiny. As for the people who left you, it seems like a good time to restructure." Erik nodded, "Already done, I used the last few days to do some head hunting. I have leads on ten good officers waiting to fill the gaps. I assumed this would be the new rules, so I took the liberty to add some security to my operatives." Ryder eyed him, "Codenames Captain.... really? You are just a child in a man's body." Erik smiled and stood to leave, taking the papers as he stood. Before he turned to go, Ryder stopped him, "Captain, this whole event was nothing but trouble, causing strife in your ranks, confusion, and almost by some's hopes, the destruction of the Red Wings. But you carried on as if nothing was wrong. Even now you act as though none of what has happened bothered you." Erik reached the door and stopped, turning to the Commander he smiled, "The colours of the Red Wings' sigil, the same as the heraldry of my father's family, do you know what it is?" Ryder thought then spoke, "A red bird on a white field, what of it?" Erik turned to leave, speaking over his shoulder as he did, "The field is the stillness after the devastation of total war. The red bird is a Phoenix, rising from its ashes. It is not a symbol of hope, it is a symbol that no matter the force our enemies bring upon us, both from without and within, no matter the total war brought onto us, we will rise again."