Hydaelyn Role-Players

The Keeper woman pulled the mask tighter over her face, it was perfect for hiding her eyes along with the turban and it didn't impeded her gaze. A gaze that was directed firmly at the waters as they lapped against the bottom of the Aftcastle where she'd settled on a rocky outcropping. The sheer face of the cliff in front of her didn't bother her, nor did it scare her, if anything it was a comfort to know that should she have to she could jump. It would hurt if she landed wrong but she'd done her share of cliff diving with her brothers as children...when they had been able to be around her that was.

She replayed her letter over and over in her head, picking out little things that others might be able to recognize and agonizing over whether or not it was subtle enough to fool, but hinting enough that Kiht understood.


Her answer certainly had been what the young woman had wanted to hear...to an extent. The fact that the Keeper was now in Thanalan for her own reasons slightly complicated things but perhaps that could be an advantage. By now there was no suspicion of her being there, and a friendly pair of eyes and ears so keen would be useful back in the city state.


She'd hastily scrawled a note and sent it back to the woman, they would need to meet quickly and Siha had picked a spot that both of them would know well. It was off the beaten path but certainly not a suspicious place for anyone to visit, a stream under the Skylift with a waterfall at its end. Once confirmation arrived she'd be on her way but for now she was doomed to sit on this infernal ledge and agonize over each little detail...or she would have been should her pearl not have crackled to life at that very moment. Blonde ears perked as Clio's voice came over it and she smile hastily, hunching closer to her after casting a look over her shoulder as casually as she could. "I'm alright, I made it without any hiccups. Mmm, I also got a letter to our friend and she's happy to meet with me, I was discreet of course. I'm only waiting on her confirmation back before I can say where and when but I made sure it was urgent...tonight" the conversation was choppy at best but she was on the lookout for her answer to arrive.

The bright spot of a Moogle bouncing into view made a grin split her face and she moved to her feet, "Just a moment" she hurried out to the pearl and then scrambled up the wall behind her. A few coin and the Moogle handed over her mail with only a chipper noise and it was exactly what she'd wanted. Stuffing the note into her vest the Keeper took off at a light walk towards the gates that lead to Lower La Noscea, she would have liked to head straight to Summerford but it would take Kiht some time and if anyone was following...well once she was in the brush she could lose them. She knew these hills well. Once she was sure no one was behind her she lowered her head and clicked her pearl once more, "Tonight, Summerford Farms. If you need guidance just contact me but I want to check it out first, make sure there's nothing wrong...I can handle it. Really" she wasn't sure why but she felt the need to reassure Cliodhna that she could do it.

She'd not be useless this time.

Nako bit back on his bile after watching kahn'a get treated like an animal. He had to keep himself in check just to stop running in to help. Sure, he'd fought long odds before, but that wasn't in his city, and as far as he knew, these men were simply following orders. No,  better to trail them and do his research, it shouldn't be too hard to get what he needed.

After the men had cleared out from the ruckus, he approached the spot where Khan'a's blood had pooled beneath him. Looking around cautiously, he scooped and scrapped what he could of the Miqo'te's blood into a glass jar. It had some street particulate which would cloud his resulsts, but it would have to do. 

Glancing around once more, he slipped back into the shadows and slowed his breathing. His body seemed to shimmer as it took on a different form, and where a short midlander of black hair had emerged to gather some blood, a highlander emerged, nearly two heads taller. Placing his hand to his ear he mutters just loud enough to be heard over a pearl 'Erik, what the hell have you done?'

Cliodhna nodded listening, before contacting Siha she had heard some disturbing news on the Flame link line. "Siha, they're already putting the next steps into motion. I'm not sure who; but one of ours has been captured; a Keeper. I don't want to worry you but you need to know this is serious and we are risking quite a bit with our current course of action. You have the option to seek shelter and I would advise you take it, but if you insist on staying; myself or Piper will find you. He'll know what to say so you know he's with me..though he will call me Tempest. Until then I highly advise you remove your pearl; even if we're not on the Flame line, they can still trace us. This is the last time I will have my pearl active until we're in safer footing."

After the call ended, she swapped over to the Flame channel. Things seemed quite but there was no details on which Keeper was caught. It could have been either Mikh'a or Kahn'a. Sighing softly, Cliodhna placed her hands over her face and scrubbed her features from frustration. This was quickly heading into a worse situation. She could understand Mikh'a being captured but if he was; the others in Ul'Dah would of course react to rescue.....On the other hand, she couldn't figure Kahn'a would let himself be caught. Moving to Pepper; she dug into the saddle bag and removed a small leather pouch. Tugging on the drawstring to open it, Cliodhna slipped out her pearl and placed it in the bag, it landing with a soft weight next to Steiner's soul chip. He was in one of the saddle bags but at the moment it was not safe for him to be active.

Standing near Pepper, her hand idly brushing over her feathers; Cliodhna let her gaze drift over the blackness of the water as the stars twinkled above. It had been some time since the bridge and the rain but it felt like another lifetime...her free hand twisting the ring on her thumb worriedly; the side of her index finger brushing over the front of the gold ring, feeling the grooves that marked it as a Flame's signet ring. Erik used it for sealing his documents, but he hadn't notice her slip it from his hand when they parted, or he simply let her, She mused silently; both options were plausible. Though some would say it was an awful thought; Cliodhna had been grateful the captured wing hadn't been Erik. The others were....slowly becoming known to her on a personal level, but being used to being on her own for so long and not bothering to form lots of longstanding relationships; she wasn't as concerned as Siha most likely was at the moment. Erik was still safe; that's what mattered to Cliodhna.

"Hey what's with that face?" Feeling a weight around her shoulders, Cliodhna looked back, her dark green eyes meeting Piper's garnet ones.

"Well bein on the run does that to a girl, you should know that by now seein as how many you've chased off." She replied offhandedly, erasing the worry from her features and showing him a grin before giving him a poke in the chest but firmly causing him to step back as she used her other hand to shove his arm
from her shoulders.

"Aw c'mon Tempest, ya know they all pale in comparison....." He murmured softly, his mouth set into a line. "I'll never find another that can stand a chance 'gainst ya....."

Cliodhna shook her head, "Pi-Youkio, I've told ya before and I still stand at it; you're not it. I'm sorry, I really am but I'll never be what you want or need me to be. Find yourself a nice girl and settle down; ya can't keep livin in the past."
Looking away, Youkio reached up and scratched the back of his head; tousling his hair in the process. "Whatever....I'm still here for ya, where's yer guy if he's so damn-f-fuck!!" His hand flew to his quickly swelling eye as it teared. "The hell Tempest?!"

"Piper." Cliodhna murmured quietly. "You say one more GODSDAMN WORD about any of this to me and I break every bone in your body before feeding you to Leviathan. Are. We. Clear."

By this point the boat had docked and Seig was already departing, waiting for them on the dock. "Now, you need to go find my other contact. She's a keeper, blonde, short, look near water, I heard waves in the background and not a lot of people so she's most likely tucked away in a corner out of sight....Tell her..." Lowering her voice, Clidohna tugged in Youkio's ear to her height; causing him to wince as he listened. 

"Ya got it?" She asked. He nodded, still rubbing the shiner. "Yeah, yeah I got it. Now for the three of ya and your bird need ta get through the city careful and head for the Zephyr Gate, Northa there I got a small shack out by Rogue River. It ain't much but you'll be able to stretch yer legs and not be spotted as easily."
Clidohna nodded, giving him a pat on the shoulder. "Thanks....We'll be outta your hair soon." Were her last words as they parted; Youkio headed for the outskirts of Limsa and Cliodhna with Seigheart towards the gate.

The snow crunched under his high boots. He turned and watched as the Falcon raised into the air. He waved at Raimy as he walked north, nodding to Mikh'a as they and Fury began to move south. He had stripped his bird of its Flame armor, opting for a simple saddle and bridle. He offered Mikh'a a place on the saddle until they reached their destination.

As they traveled he wondered to himself how the others progressed. If all his pawns..... a terrible way to think of his friends he knew, but his time as a soldier had long changed him and he was long past even realizing it. If.... they did as he ordered, as he set them to, there was a chance they would all make it through this alive. This was going to have as price a ponz of flesh, that was obvious to him. He sighed, looking to his companion and feeling excited for him. He had fear in his eyes, but he was a brave boy. This adventure would cause lasting changes to the boy. Erik hoped he was paying attention. As the town came into view Erik pulled close his cloak, pulling the hood further down, covering as best he could. He checked the condition of his sword and shield, under the cover of his cloak. The axe he sported more for look then utility. He had been trained to good levels in the use of such a weapon in the Flames, but he preferred the sword. He mounted Fury and looked down at Mikh'a, "Are you ready for our performance?"

Kiht was deeply concerned. The first letter from Siha was a bit odd. She assumed Siha was homesick, but then later remembered that she could have sworn Siha stated that she was from La Noscea. Well, that still made the letter perfectly fine if not a bit "off". However, the second letter really bothered Kiht.


Why did Siha want to meet in La Noscea? Why be so subtle about the exact location? Siha is lucky Kiht had a good memory.

Kiht was not going to rally her Clan despite the meeting looking more and more like some kind of trap from a person posing as Siha. However, Kiht would be prepared. Kiht's Wolfram armor was strapped on tightly and secure. Her vintage Guisarme was on a sling held by her shoulder. Four throwing daggers, and two of her hunting knives were sheathed on her belt. She threw on a basic tan cloak to hide the fact that she looked ready for war then set out for Limsa Lominsa.

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Kiht arrived as quickly as she could. On the outside, she looked like a Miqo'te in a tan cloak. Nothing out of the ordinary in Limsa. Her armor was made of leather and metal plates. Most of which built in a way to where very little noise was made while walking. Most would assume she just had a thick leather jerkin under her cloak. She walked at a brisk pace; heading straight for Middle La Noscea. No one seemed to pay her any mind.

While out on the field of Middle La Noscea, Kiht's mind raced. Her scouting instincts were screaming at her that the meeting was some kind of trap, but her Lancer instincts were telling her to be courageous, and charge ahead. If the letter was indeed from Siha, then it must have been related to something urgent that concerned them both. Roen might have been in danger. The only way Kiht would find out was to go through with the meeting.

If it was actually a trap, whoever set it had better be ready for the raging ball of fury and sharp objects that Kiht would become.

"Let it be Siha." Kiht prayed as she spotted Summerford Farms. She was close to her destination. She feverishly scanned her environment and sniffed the air. She would be able to relax a lot more if she could pick up Siha's scent.

The letter told her to meet at the location where Roen hid. Kiht was hoping she did not mean Summerford Farms itself. However, she started with a quick entrance and survey of the Farms then she moved off to the bridge, ramps and cave that would lead to the small area near the waterfall.

Unless stopped sooner, Kiht would make it to the location near the waterfall.

"Cap'n, isn't it usually bad luck ta rename a ship?"

The question echoed lightly off the sheer rock walls of the small cove before being muffled into obscurity by the thick fog that so tightly embraced it. The one who had asked the question - a lanky Keeper female whose long, violet tresses spilled almost freely from the dew-rag that sought to confine them - seemed more interested in just initiating smalltalk over getting an actual answer. She idly juggled three knives with one hand, with both her attentions and the other hand focused on smoothing out the frazzled fur of her tail. It always acted up like this when the fog set in and never ceased to annoy her sensibilities.

"Now now, Jugs, don't be so negative!" Cap'n Distractin' responded, flashing his trademark smile back towards Juggling Rina - or "Jugs," as the rather flat-chested Miqo'te was ironically nicknamed - from his supervisory position. "The little vessel played its role fabulously durin' its opening performance. The least I could do is give it a proper reward for a job well done, eh?"

Floating lazily in the water was the boat in question: a small sailing ship that the flamboyant Lalafell pirate had won in a card game with a dishwasher and small-time smuggler from the Bismarck. The Cap'n hadn't expected the Miqo'te lad to respond so vehemently to his good-natured ribbing, let alone put up his own ship as a bet in response to it, but he wasn't one to let opportunity slip. He might've even bordered on possibly feeling a little bit bad about doing it if the dishwasher hadn't been trying to cheat in the first place. Of course, Distractin' had been cheating as well - such a thing was a given in the seedy Limsan dive he had decided to entertain himself in, after all - but at least he made a show of it. The Miqo'te's performance had been drunkenly sloppy and, overall, abysmally sub-par; as such, he was just asking to have the piss taken out of him for so shoddily trying to trick a trickster.

The surprise windfall had been put to just as surprisingly good use, though, Distractin' had to admit. The little ship was just the right size to be squirreled (or perhaps nutkin'd?) away and used as the method of egress from the Great Bridge Blowout - as the Cap'n had taken to calling that delightful performance with the caravan - and had spent the past couple suns resting here after they had exeunt from that glorious stage.

"Well, what if'n he ponies up th' gil?" Jugs continued, her brilliant golden orbs still fixated on the ministrations being done to her tail. Cap'n Distractin' had been magnanimous enough to offer to return the ship to its original owner for a sizable fee. He wasn't completely without compassion. It just cost a few thousand gil was all. "He's bound to be redder'n a boiled Megalocrab 'n twice as angry once he finds out."

"Well, it's under my possession until the money changes hands, so I don't see the problem." The Cap'n tugged thoughtfully at the Fu Manchu-style mustache his was sporting this day. "Besides, he can always change it back if he doesn't like it. Which would be quite the pity indeed. I feel it's a more fittin' name, don't you?"

The artisan - another one of Distractin's crew - shifted away upon completing his task in order to give his superior a better look at the finished product. What was once the "Garuda's Embrace" was now elegantly titled the "Eighth Ace" in a delightfully flourished script. The name had just come to the Lalafell upon seeing the extra ace the dishwasher had clumsily tried to slip into his hand during the match that had won him the ship in the first place. That, and the three others the Cap'n had easily identified as being literally up the Miqo'te's sleeve. Not only was it thematically apropos, it had the added bonus of rhyming with the original name!

The showman in Hohoyoho couldn't be happier.

Raimy frowns slightly when Erik tells him to check his rivalries. He'd already let that go after they saved Doc and he decided to stay with this crew for good. He'd tried to make it up to the kid, but so far has been unsuccessful. He closes the distance to the other two when given his task and reaches out to accept the letter offers him. He commits the location and person to deliver to to memory, repeating it softly to himself and out of habit to show the customer he is indeed remembering the details. He looks down at Mikh'a when the kid tries to encourage him and just smiles softly and puts a hand on the kid's shoulder in response, not saying anything in return. He's a courier. He can deliver a message.

That confidence wavered a little bit standing on the ground in the snow when he bid the others farewell. He had left his Flame gear on the ship and picked something a little more courier looking out of the options of spare clothing in the hold. He reassured the others that he had this, though it's not the first time he's said that phrase and no one believed him. He's a courier though and this task is part of his daily life... or what was his daily life before he joined the Flames. It almost feels good to slip back into that roll even as a guise. Like the only care he has is delivering the package on time and in one piece. Or in this case, still sealed.

The crew of the Zulu sailed through the night sky silently as they carried Kahn'a out into the rolling sands of Southern Thanalan. The ocean of sand stretched beneath them for hours. It wasn't until.after sunrise that they came to a towering cleft and began.to increase altitude. Midway up the cliff side was cut out a small hangar and the airship slipped into it and settled down gently. The crew of the Zulu wasted no time as they carried the limp form of Kahn'a Od'hilkas between them. They took him down a hallway to a row of cell doors pressed into the stone. There they stripped the Miqo'te of all possessions and clothing save his under garments and then one of the prison staff opened the door. They took the Kahn'a to a chair in the middle of the room and seated him in it, re-shackling him to the chair. 

The members of the Zulu and the prison guard then left, leaving Kahn'a trapped in darkness, alone with his thoughts. It would be many bells until the door to his cell open again. The light of a lantern spilled into the room as a tall female in white entered. Two hyurs carried in buckets of water and a third came.in with thick towels. The woman studied the form of Kahn'a in the chair and then bowed politely.

"Mr. Od'hilkas, are you awake? We have much to discuss."

Sieg chuckled as he went along with Clio.  That adolescent display had reminded him of his time with the Gray Lions.

Interesting relationship you keep with your contacts.

He didn't mean the comment in any negative or judgemental way.  He was just making an observation, and it was somewhat amusing.  He had, by now, stashed his axe someplace.  It was just a standard weapon, and there was no particular reason why it would draw suspicion, but one can never be too careful.  If not suspicion, even attention could cause problems.  His clothes were of typical hyur fashion.  He opted out of the robe look.  Somehow, walking around with a piece of clothing that shouted "Look at me!  I'm hiding something!" didn't seem like the best idea.

Not that I'm trying to tell you your business.  Let's just hope emotion doesn't cloud judgement, yeah?  On either part.

If only there were some help Sieg could offer other than being muscle, but the contacts he -did- know of were back in Ala Mhigo, and he was in deep cover here in Eorzea.  He didn't have direct contact with any other Ala Mhigan revolutionaries, and there was no time for him to follow the only paper trail that could connect him with his unknown contact here in Eorzea.  The one man he -did- know of that was in the region was out of reach.

What I'm getting at is...We can trust that one, right?

He didn't seem overly suspicious.  It came off more as just making sure.

Kahn'a awoke in the dark. Had he... forgotten how to open his eyes? Confused, he blinked. Once, twice. Still nothing. It was odd. He did not remember experiencing nothingness made of black and silence. Was he dead?

Ouch!

No, no this pain was very sharp and very real. The Miqo'te tried to get his bearings, almost losing balance when he turned his head left and right. His head was still heavy, and he felt even more surprised to be somehow kept relatively still. It was in this instant that he became conscious of his binds. Different than the chains but just as restraining. Vainly, he struggled in his chair, embracing the insane hope of breaking free.

Were was he? Why was it dark? Kahn'a flared his nostrils to get a taste of the air. Warm dusty air. No doubt, he was still in Thalanan. But where?

Calm down, they need you to talk. You're safe.

But even reason only managed to dim the growing concern of the Keeper. His hunter was unknown to him, but for the great brotherhood he belonged to. Kahn'a belonged to it too. Still?

He had little time to let his mind whirl. A flash of light blinded him and instinctively, he tried to shield his eyes from it with hands. Again, it barely shook the chair. Kahn'a glared at the people dragging themselves to him.

The room. The chair. It was a setting he knew, and a little too well. It was meant to be an interrogation. A drop of sweat pearled on his forehead. This was uncomfortable. And it probably was going to get worse. Silently, he watched the "lady".

Put some sodding emotion when you bow before someone. Your kind knows not humility, I can see it.

Extending a weak smirk, the Keeper looked back at her. He took some time to settle his mood, aggressivity would not yield him much.

"You're sorely mistaken."

Nako'li straightened his overcoat as he stood at parade rest Inside Commander Swift's office. The door opened behind him and he snapped a salute as the commander entered.

'You'd better know what your doing Chalahko, you've never worked with this lot before, and I don't know how well they'll take being assigned a consultant.'

Nako nodded as the commander signed a document and then affixed both his personal seal and that of the Flames.

'I know their targets Sir, I've had encounters with both the Captain, and the Lieutenant they brought in last night. Also, if they continue as they did last night, then not only will half of Ul'dah know what they are doing, it will drive their targets deeper underground, and if I may remind you sir, that's what they do best.'

Commander swift simply nodded and grunted his assent, handing Nako the letter, which was hastily rolled up and placed in a scroll tube. When the commander didn't look back at him, he took that as his cue to leave.

Moving back to the open lobby of the Flame Hall, he asked a runner to find Lieutenant A'trus, and let him know Second Lieutenant Chalahko requested a meeting with him to discuss his new assignment.

The Cell

Kresha raised her eyebrow at Kahn'A's reply. It was sarcastic yet honest. 

Kresha studied the miqo'te tied to the chair. She had orders from A'trus. Very specific ones. She was to try to appeal to Kahn'a's civil side. First. If he refused to cooperate as a former Flame, she had full.authorization to break him as an enemy of the state. Kresha was a professional. She took pride in her effectiveness but preferred to be reading than making political prisoners gasp for life.

The woman waved her hand and the door to the cell closed and was locked, leaving her and her assistants and their buckets standing as he stepped forward.

"Mr. Od'hilkas. You are a Flame. And officer. You and your unit stand accused of treason. As such, your status is suspended and I am free to deal with you as needed. My commanding officer hopes you will regain your senses and inform us where your fellow Red Wings are. The fact you have all run for cover shames your unit, you, and this city. If you are innocent, it is now easy to question if you truly are. You cooperating with us will not only speed up their inevitable.capture, it will make your sentence far lighter. You need but serve the city you swore an oath to protect from all enemeies. And right now your Captain is considered an enemy of the state. Will you let this be the end of your career Kahn'a? Do you truly not serve ul'dah?"

Kresha's tone wasn't harsh, it was almost pleading. A tone she had chosen on purpose. She was trying to instill in Kahn'a his patriotic duty to help them. 

"Because if you don't, we shall treat you as an enemy."

Ul'dah-Flame Hall

A'trus was hunched over his desk, a map spread before him. His eyes were hard and it was obvious he had not slept. He was setting up.three more hunts. He had leads on three targets. His scouts and informants were moving quickly. Promise of Ul'dah gold and good standing with the flames moved many to sell information. The hunt was easy. The research of targets was hard.

The Miqo'te ran a hand through his hair and licked his dry lips. He needed a bath.

The door to his office opened and a runner came in. A'trus stood straight and returned the salute as the runner gave his message. A'trus blinked in surprise but nodded.

"Very well. Inform Second Lieutenant Chalahko I will see him here at his earliest availability until sunset, at which time I will need to be departing."

The runner saluted again and spun on his heel. A'trus watched the door shut and studied it intently. 

What in the world did Chalahko want?

Following shortly after the runner, Nako knocked on the door and entered. His head was uncovered, his iconic Shadow Visor absent, leaving his mismatched gold and amethyst eyes free to wander over the office, taking it all in. After a glance he had it memorised, an old habit that refused to die.

Mpving to the desk he drew out the letter signed by swift. 'Lieutenant A'trus, I am Second Lieutenant  Lientenant Chalako of the Yatagahns. I've been assined to your unit to assist in the apprehension of the Red Wings. You'll find the orders in that letter.'

He fixed A'trus with a steady look and awaited the response.

Kahn'a slowly shook his head.

"I am afraid you heard but you heeded not. With all due respect, Madam, you are mistaken."

The Miqo'te rolled his head, trying to appreciate what little movement he could have. He cast a sly side glance at her. Hyurs were... stupid.

"Aye, you are," he carried on. "In those times of suspicion, you've surely heard the noise about the integrity of our Command, it seems grossly misplaced to summarize matters in such a simplistic fashion."

The Miqo'te shook with a self-depreciation snicker. The game was on. "Look at me, Madam. I stand, nay, sit, like a discarded pawn on your board. You surely think I have much to tell you. But you are mistaken."

Kahn'a averted his eyes, it was true that his current status filled him with shame. This word was... disgusting. Pouring onto his hair, his skin with the viscosity of a broken egg. Ears pinned down, he also lowered his voice.

"I refused to follow," he reluctantly confessed. "I know naught."Kahn'a slowly shook his head.

"I am afraid you heard but you heeded not. With all due respect, Madam, you are mistaken."

The Miqo'te rolled his head, trying to appreciate what little movement he could have. He cast a sly side glance at her. Hyurs were... stupid.

"Aye, you are," he carried on. "In those times of suspicion, you've surely heard the noise about the integrity of our Command, it seems grossly misplaced to summarize matters in such a simplistic fashion."

The Miqo'te shook with a self-depreciation snicker. The game was on. "Look at me, Madam. I stand, nay, sit, like a discarded pawn on your board. You surely think I have much to tell you. But you are mistaken."

Kahn'a averted his eyes, it was true that his current status filled him with shame. This word was... disgusting. Pouring onto his hair, his skin with the viscosity of a broken egg. Ears pinned down, he also lowered his voice.

"I refused to follow," he reluctantly confessed. "I know naught."