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**Unnamed Mercenary** · **08-29-2014, 04:16 PM**

He put his hand down. For now at least. He supposed he could manage to let Kage get a few more sentences in before trying again. It was nice to have no worries. No fighting. Although a little weird for Kage to still be friendly. But with some time, that would come to pass as well.

Of course, his willingness for coin had been an issue. Or rather, the perceived morality around it. But he hadn't known Jin'li's plans at the time. And it wasn't in the nature of his line of work to ask. How had that not been made clear? Then again, each day, he was getting softer. More...attuned, if he wanted to put it that way, with his new Eorzean lifestyle. The same people he would have tried to kill just a few years back were becoming acquaintances, some even....friends. Was this really what he'd become? A prideful Garlean, "settling" for a peaceful life, about to rationalize his actions against a former-enemy's city He might as well just march to the nearest castrum and have himself removed. But he hadn't.

"Of course I had no issues with it. As I'd said before, we didn't know what out actions were for. Only the most minimal of details were given." He found an easier way to explain the situation. "Let's say that Natalie told you to go apprehend a person in the name of the Sultana. A person you didn't know, and had no reason to care about. for all you would have known, this person would have needed to do something wrong for such an action in the beginning! Now, after you'd locked that person up, Natalie lets you know that she just wanted the person off the streets because he had spilled his drink on her and pulled her tail, but not because he'd actually been a danger to Ul'dah."

He let Kage consider it for a moment, before continuing. "Would you have done things differently, having known the reasons behind your actions?"

"I think I would have in my case."

There. If that couldn't convey his perspective, he didn't think anything else could. Were all Eorzeans this stubborn?

Kage · **08-29-2014, 04:44 PM**

Kage rolled his eyes.

"Do you not have a brain or do highlanders just have an empty skull? You don't think it might be questionable causing a ruckus when you don't know the employer?"

Kage shook his head, "The difference is I -trust- Natalie and the Sultana does too. She wouldn't do something so frivolous or idiotic."

"My point is, do you think about things or do you just mindfully follow plans or orders without a single thought whatsoever to the contrary?"

**Unnamed Mercenary** · **08-29-2014, 06:10 PM**

He thought about glaring for a moment, but did his best to keep cool. "I'm not a Highlander, and we both know that. And yes, a mercenary is a morally grey role. It comes with the work to not question the employer. Instead of trust on a personal level, we're stuck with using money. You may not have noticed, but I haven't taken a single one of those jobs since."

Well that had gone nowhere.

"And are you really trying to tell me you've never made a mistake in your line of work? Can you honestly say that all of your orders have only done Ul'dah good? Never hurt anyone? "

It may be perceived as mean, rude, or any other variety of things. He thought of it as showing concern. Who was Kage to judge his actions? No man was perfect. Franz had been doing the best he could to make a better life. He might as well defend it.

"Of course I think about my actions. Most of the time. But just thinking about something doesn't make it any better. Actions speak louder than words. But there is still an obligation to follow orders correctly, even if they're morally ambiguous."

"Ul'dah is a harsher city than you may be able to see. Without established connections, that was the best job I could get. And I'd rather not use 'his' money. Remember when you complain I'm not working. Ul'dah doesn't exactly have job openings. Especially so for the likes of me."

He hated bringing Fhranz into this. Partly, because it would always serve as a reminder to himself of the events that happened. Worse, it would be a painful reminder to Kage that his friend was dead, and it was due to the Garlean man. It didn't matter whose fault it was. That past could not be changed. All that had really happened at this point was a playful gesture and some well-meaning words had soured the mood.

He'd wait for a response, as usual.

Kage · **09-08-2014, 10:29 AM**

"Twelve yer head is as hard-headed as your personality," Kage growled, his eyes narrowed as they filled with some hate... some anguish over the man's words. He looked around the establishment, very thankful that it was not overly crowded.

"You did it for your own selfish reasons. Ye don't just attack the city walls and think 'this be a good thing for Ul'dah' ye dumb shite. Ye wanted coin, simple. Don't make it seem like you were a poor bystander. Ye weren't under any orders but yer own free will to take the job," the miqo'te hissed. Even angrier, "Ye could do jobs for the Flames. Is simple. I know a'plenty of people who work for them, supplying them with arms or equipment or doing jobs for them. They were all perfectly fine with not having to take a job that attacks a city's defenses." The hissed words were almost said so quietly and under his breath that only the two involved could here.

Kage's nostrils flared as he poked the man in the chest. "Ye don't even know what happened. Ye don't know who was involved. You just know that someone I love got hurt." The miqo'te clenched his fists tightly before growling as he turned to leave with tears in his eyes, "It's still the better for 'er. This place doesn't deserve her and she deserves better."

Nothing else was said as he left briskly, not looking back or at anyone else... but at the ground.

Kage · **09-10-2014, 09:18 AM**

Kage stared at the equipment forlornly. He let out a shaky breath as he laid a white beret atop of the items. With a big sigh, Kage shook his head and closed the chest, covering them. The miqo'te stared at the chest, almost without a single look of concentration... just looking at it its general direction.

He blinked his eyes, as he slid down with his back against the chest as he slumped over and his head flopped backwards. Small tears ran down his cheeks as he closed his eyes and clutched a piece of paper in his hand.

His head slowly rocked forward and back, sometimes having a soft thunk against the chest as his thoughts ran this way and that.

He wasn't no 'Sworn.

He couldn't teach Koporo.

He was a nobody in it all.

Nothing he did mattered. He was just a loose cog ready and waiting to be disposed of as the well-oiled machine of the city continued.

It would be so easy for everyone to continue their lives without him in it... He wouldn't be a burden to Natalie. Franz could finally start to completely receive the acceptance and peace of life he seemed to be striving for. Iron could take what he had and build his own room. Honzo was fine already. Kopo would find a mentor who would actually do him good. Roen, thankfully, already did not have him in her life. She was back on her feet it seemed for which Kage was glad.

With a heavy sigh, Kage walked down to his bench with the paper still clutched within one hand. Still clutching the paper, Kage looked at it. Resignation meant he would never be able to join its ranks again. But would it matter? With a mirthless chuckle and a shake of his head, Kage knew it wouldn't. It was already as if he was not one. What difference would it make? This letter. He closed his eyes once more, pausing a second before he re-opened his eyes. Using the hand clutching the paper, he slowly tugged on a ring hanging about a chain necklace about his neck.

"Together forever in arms and above all else." The engraving.

He took a deep breath, throwing both the ring and the paper into the forge. He watched as the paper turned to ash before turning to the ring. Watching as it turned orange-hot, he took his tongs out to retrieve it. He closed his eyes before taking another deep breath. He re-opened his eyes as he raised his hammer high up in the air.

Kage · **09-10-2014, 01:29 PM**

Kage surveyed his work. The ring was no more and good riddance to that. The peddler who sold it to him with the engraving cheated him of its cheap metals. The thing had irritated his flesh. He chuckled at that, wondering if perhaps that was a sign from Menphina.

A sign... The cooled but warm piece of metal had been re-shaped into a cross of a hoplon and kite shield. Kage took off his gloves and apron, hanging the items in their respective spots before he took the warm piece into his hand.

A shaky breath. He gripped the thing tightly, clasping his other hand around it as he held it between his two hands. He closed his eyes as he brought them to his chest, walking up and out of the house.

No words. Just gone.

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What does not Kill...[Closed Archive|FIN]

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