Outside the Quicksand, a bespectacled Elezen flips through a well worn leather journal, making various calculations, "Hmm… But if I apply aether to the wyrmtear just so..." She scribbles a few calculations, then nods, "Yes yes… That might work."
Nearby, a silver armored dragoon walks about, seeming at a glance to be lost as her head turns this and that way, scanning about but clearly not finding what she is looking for. She mumbles to herself, tail flicking with annoyance. "Evangeline Primrose... Primrose... I know I've met this person before… I feel like I'm walking in circles in this city..."
The Dragoon looks down at her feet as she walks, frowning, "Perhaps I ought simply treat myself to a drink, then settle for the night. Resume searching tomorrow..." Absentmindedly, she manages to collide with someone in her path "Oh, excuse me- YOU! I knew I remembered that name!"
Evangeline hisses in pain as poky bits of dragoon armor impact her, and she snaps her book shut, "Hey, what's the big idea. You can't go around in that walking pincushion and not pay attention." Frowning, she examines a tear in her robe, "I should send you a bill."
"T'was you that caused me trouble in Horizon! And t'was you that sweet Kyra- erm, the buffoon gave the wyrmtear too!"
Evangeline rolls her eyes, "You created the trouble. We could have just walked in asked that researcher. But noooo~"
V'aleera waves her hand dismissively, "There is no time for debating such minor things; I come on far more important business!" She points accusingly, "Kyrael said you specifically asked to be given the wyrmtear taken from the fool thaumaturge. I demand to know: what business have you with such a thing?"
"I didn't ask, I simply took it. No one else there knew what it was, or what precautions to take. It's why the drake appeared to begin with. The stone was left in the hands of one who had no concept of its danger."
V'aleera crosses her arms, looking dubious, "And I suppose you would know better, then?"
Evangeline taps the brand on her cheek, "I suppose I would."
The Dragoon narrows her gaze, focusing in on the mark, "I am not familiar with this mark. However, as I recall, you harbor sympathies for the heretic filth that infest the lands of my people, do you not?"
Evangeline laughs, "Forgive me, I forget that Dragoons are our soldiers, not our lawmen. I was branded and exiled for being a member of a dravanian cult. Lady Iceheart’s to be exact. I would have been executed, had not my family connections stayed the headsman's axe. So trust me when I say, I have a /very/ good idea what I am dealing with."
V'aleera clenches her teeth and narrows glares menacingly at the woman. "An unashamed heretic; I would see you resting upon the end of my spear were you not so cowardly as to hide behind the laws of this wretched city."
Evangeline waves a hand, "You have one thing wrong. I'm quite ashamed by it, I was manipulated, I admit. Lady Iceheart does not have the solutions Eorzea and Ishgard need."
V'aleera seems ready to start throwing punches, then momentarily casts her glance aside, as if distracted by a stray thought. CLosing her eyes for a moment she takes a deep breath, then assumes a more stoic and stone-like gaze at the elezen. “That is an answer I was not expecting in its entirety."
The Elezen chuckles, "How so?"
"I have met few heretics that express shame in their behavior. Granted, most of them couldn't form complete sentences either..."
"Dravanian corruption will do that to you. Fortunately, I was always on the outskirts, and I've had a bit of time to recover from what influence I did fall under."
V'aleera continues to stare at Evangeline, her suspicion bald, but her wrath and fervor clearly tempered. "I do not trust you, Primrose. One who has touched such dangerous magic, to say nothing of such dangerous ideas, can never be fully trusted. But you have yet to use the wyrmtear, clearly, so it would seem your motives are not rampage and destruction."
"Think of it this way, as I have told Master Orrin, Once bitten, twice shy. However as for the tear, it has been destroyed. So no worries on the amulet. Instead I have new threats to stamp out."
“That Fortemps oaf is involved in this matter still?" She rolls her eyes, “I suppose you will not render the object to me were I to demand it?"
Evangeline laughs, "Oaf? I find him well meaning and a bit dashing. As for the amulet, I could not, as it was destroyed by the Sultansworn of Ul'dah. Lady Crofte likely has the remnants still if you wish to look them over. Master Orrin was witness to its end."
"He is a fool that showed mercy to a murderous enemy and allowed his escape."
The Elezen waves a hand, "Maybe. It’s not like I follow his every move."
V'aleera blinks, the surprise writ upon her face, "Is that so? This is good news then." She strokes her chin, her gaze refocusing on the woman in front of her, "Why did you relinquish the wyrmtear to this Sultansworn woman? What was the benefit to you?"
"None, except that I wished it in a more secure location than my desk. Some ignorant fool got hold of it before, turned into a drake, killed a squad of flames, and nearly myself as well."
"She was wise to destroy it. It begs the question why you did not."
"Oh. I'm researching them. They're quite interesting, you know."
The Dragoon sneers, batting the air with contempt, "Nonsense. It is heretic magic; foul and good for nothing but the reaping of death and sorrow. While I shan't give approval for your cowardice in fleeing your due fate in the Holy See, I can not comprehend why you cling to such ways when your own actions have earned you a chance for redemption and rehabilitation."
"Because your ways are not working."
"The ways of Ishgard have been working for one thousand years." She counters.
"The Holy See has had centuries to win this war, and failed. They've crushed every attempt to research the drakes. I intend to learn if there is something they have missed."
V'aleera looks curiously, "To what end?"
"To defeat them. Obviously. I do not appreciate being manipulated and controlled, not by Ishgard, and Especially not by a Dragon."
"I suppose... that is a sensible motivation, if self-centered. Am I to believe the Sultansworn of Ul'dah have involved themselves in this matter? Or simply this one woman, the Ser... uhm..."
"Crofte."
"Right."
“We have something of a history. Anyway, I intend to obtain another tear if possible, for research purposes, and samples of dravanian bone... hopefully flesh and blood as well."
V'aleera is clearly having to put her brain on overdrive in order to process all of this. She remains silent for a few moments, stroking her chin. Finally speaking up she asks, "Where would you acquire such things? Marked as you are, you can not simply waltz into Coerthas and hunt a dragon. And there is no good that will come of possessing an artifact such as the wyrmtear!"
"I know not of the tear, but I know where I might gain a few slivers of bone. Well a whole skeleton, but I only wish for a few slivers.I intend to destroy the rest. No good may come of it as you say, but I intend to find out for myself. Master Orrin, along with the Sultansworn and Flames have agreed to assist."
V'aleera doubletakes and sputters, "An entire skeleton?! What nonsense! Do you speak of some novelty dragonfly spine some fool outsider merchant happened to acquire on the rode to the highlands?"
Evangeline grins, "Do you want to know? "I will tell you, on one condition. After all, we could use all the help we can get."
V'aleera Evangeline a dubious look, remaining silent and listening.
"You allow me my samples. And watch as I destroy the rest."
The Dragoon furrows her brow, not answering for several moments. Finally she sighs and nods, "This is... agreeable. But make no mistake: I -will- be watching you, Primrose
Evangeline nods, "Of course. As I told Orrin, It's something of an insurance policy. If the worst does happen, you and him will be aware enough to deal with it."
V'aleera continues nodding, her frown still present but lessened, "I suppose I lack any other option. Very well. I shall adhere to these terms. For now. When the deed is done, however, they shall be up for... renegotiation. Am I clear on this?"
"You are. And if we somehow find a tear, then we will discuss what to do with it. Agreed?"
"Agreed."
"Are there any others I must know of that shall be involved in this... venture?"
Evangeline counts off names on her fingers, "Lady Crofte of the Sultansworn, Ser Orrin, Corporal Jana of the Flames. "Then. There is a museum. You remember the dig site, of course. Where those artifacts were found. They were not the only thing found. There were bones, and a skull. I snagged the logs of the dig site."
V'aleera grumbles "Wouldn't have needed logs were I left uninterrupted..."
"An enterprising merchant is opening a museum, two weeks hence, a beast of their own creation, the TARGDAFTIGOPS, is the prize attraction."
"..." V’aleera gives Eva a suspicious look, "...the what?"
Evangeline pauses, "The Targdaftigops.. the prehistoric beast of legend...? From the ancient poems, they roamed the pains. Supposedly the first lalafell road one of them to Thanalan."
V'aleera stares blankly, her unimpressed stare bald and accusing. "You are jesting with me. There is no such creature that could possibly go by such a... ridiculous name!"
Evangeline blinks, "What? Here, take a look at the flier."
V'aleera Lhuil reaches out to take the flier, still not believing as she holds it up to read. Her eyes widen, her head tilting to the side in curiosity and bewilderment.
"It's quite well known in the creation myths of this area... and it could be? Who knows if it ever even existed. But even so, its name will sell tickets."
V'aleera her brow in thought, "And... you believe the bones taken from the dig site were used to construct this replica beast?"
"I do, several reports confirm it, and there are workmen in the camps outside the walls. Apparently prolonged exposure to the bones... likely the ones who were building it, caused a level of corruption in them. If I am wrong, then we shall make our escape."
The Dragoon widens her eyes, her hands forming fists, "They mean to utilize this construct and false attraction to sow corruption into the unsuspecting hearts of the citizens! This cannot be allowed!"
"It cannot. Which is why I am acting. And... why I am telling you. If my aims were truly as heinous as you suspect, we would not be having this conversation."
V'aleera frowns, looking Eva over, before turning her gaze aside and elsewhere. "I suppose then, I should... offer my thanks."
Evangeline holds out a hand, "There is no need. Despite our allegiances, I think we have similar goals.Shall we shake on cooperation? At least in this small enterprise?"
V’aleera looks suspiciously at the extended hand. She glares instinctively for a moment, then softens her expression and reaches out tenderly, finally grasping the other woman's hand into her own. “We have an accord, Ms. Primrose."
Evangeline shakes it firmly, "Well then, we have a raid to plan."
Nearby, a silver armored dragoon walks about, seeming at a glance to be lost as her head turns this and that way, scanning about but clearly not finding what she is looking for. She mumbles to herself, tail flicking with annoyance. "Evangeline Primrose... Primrose... I know I've met this person before… I feel like I'm walking in circles in this city..."
The Dragoon looks down at her feet as she walks, frowning, "Perhaps I ought simply treat myself to a drink, then settle for the night. Resume searching tomorrow..." Absentmindedly, she manages to collide with someone in her path "Oh, excuse me- YOU! I knew I remembered that name!"
Evangeline hisses in pain as poky bits of dragoon armor impact her, and she snaps her book shut, "Hey, what's the big idea. You can't go around in that walking pincushion and not pay attention." Frowning, she examines a tear in her robe, "I should send you a bill."
"T'was you that caused me trouble in Horizon! And t'was you that sweet Kyra- erm, the buffoon gave the wyrmtear too!"
Evangeline rolls her eyes, "You created the trouble. We could have just walked in asked that researcher. But noooo~"
V'aleera waves her hand dismissively, "There is no time for debating such minor things; I come on far more important business!" She points accusingly, "Kyrael said you specifically asked to be given the wyrmtear taken from the fool thaumaturge. I demand to know: what business have you with such a thing?"
"I didn't ask, I simply took it. No one else there knew what it was, or what precautions to take. It's why the drake appeared to begin with. The stone was left in the hands of one who had no concept of its danger."
V'aleera crosses her arms, looking dubious, "And I suppose you would know better, then?"
Evangeline taps the brand on her cheek, "I suppose I would."
The Dragoon narrows her gaze, focusing in on the mark, "I am not familiar with this mark. However, as I recall, you harbor sympathies for the heretic filth that infest the lands of my people, do you not?"
Evangeline laughs, "Forgive me, I forget that Dragoons are our soldiers, not our lawmen. I was branded and exiled for being a member of a dravanian cult. Lady Iceheart’s to be exact. I would have been executed, had not my family connections stayed the headsman's axe. So trust me when I say, I have a /very/ good idea what I am dealing with."
V'aleera clenches her teeth and narrows glares menacingly at the woman. "An unashamed heretic; I would see you resting upon the end of my spear were you not so cowardly as to hide behind the laws of this wretched city."
Evangeline waves a hand, "You have one thing wrong. I'm quite ashamed by it, I was manipulated, I admit. Lady Iceheart does not have the solutions Eorzea and Ishgard need."
V'aleera seems ready to start throwing punches, then momentarily casts her glance aside, as if distracted by a stray thought. CLosing her eyes for a moment she takes a deep breath, then assumes a more stoic and stone-like gaze at the elezen. “That is an answer I was not expecting in its entirety."
The Elezen chuckles, "How so?"
"I have met few heretics that express shame in their behavior. Granted, most of them couldn't form complete sentences either..."
"Dravanian corruption will do that to you. Fortunately, I was always on the outskirts, and I've had a bit of time to recover from what influence I did fall under."
V'aleera continues to stare at Evangeline, her suspicion bald, but her wrath and fervor clearly tempered. "I do not trust you, Primrose. One who has touched such dangerous magic, to say nothing of such dangerous ideas, can never be fully trusted. But you have yet to use the wyrmtear, clearly, so it would seem your motives are not rampage and destruction."
"Think of it this way, as I have told Master Orrin, Once bitten, twice shy. However as for the tear, it has been destroyed. So no worries on the amulet. Instead I have new threats to stamp out."
“That Fortemps oaf is involved in this matter still?" She rolls her eyes, “I suppose you will not render the object to me were I to demand it?"
Evangeline laughs, "Oaf? I find him well meaning and a bit dashing. As for the amulet, I could not, as it was destroyed by the Sultansworn of Ul'dah. Lady Crofte likely has the remnants still if you wish to look them over. Master Orrin was witness to its end."
"He is a fool that showed mercy to a murderous enemy and allowed his escape."
The Elezen waves a hand, "Maybe. It’s not like I follow his every move."
V'aleera blinks, the surprise writ upon her face, "Is that so? This is good news then." She strokes her chin, her gaze refocusing on the woman in front of her, "Why did you relinquish the wyrmtear to this Sultansworn woman? What was the benefit to you?"
"None, except that I wished it in a more secure location than my desk. Some ignorant fool got hold of it before, turned into a drake, killed a squad of flames, and nearly myself as well."
"She was wise to destroy it. It begs the question why you did not."
"Oh. I'm researching them. They're quite interesting, you know."
The Dragoon sneers, batting the air with contempt, "Nonsense. It is heretic magic; foul and good for nothing but the reaping of death and sorrow. While I shan't give approval for your cowardice in fleeing your due fate in the Holy See, I can not comprehend why you cling to such ways when your own actions have earned you a chance for redemption and rehabilitation."
"Because your ways are not working."
"The ways of Ishgard have been working for one thousand years." She counters.
"The Holy See has had centuries to win this war, and failed. They've crushed every attempt to research the drakes. I intend to learn if there is something they have missed."
V'aleera looks curiously, "To what end?"
"To defeat them. Obviously. I do not appreciate being manipulated and controlled, not by Ishgard, and Especially not by a Dragon."
"I suppose... that is a sensible motivation, if self-centered. Am I to believe the Sultansworn of Ul'dah have involved themselves in this matter? Or simply this one woman, the Ser... uhm..."
"Crofte."
"Right."
“We have something of a history. Anyway, I intend to obtain another tear if possible, for research purposes, and samples of dravanian bone... hopefully flesh and blood as well."
V'aleera is clearly having to put her brain on overdrive in order to process all of this. She remains silent for a few moments, stroking her chin. Finally speaking up she asks, "Where would you acquire such things? Marked as you are, you can not simply waltz into Coerthas and hunt a dragon. And there is no good that will come of possessing an artifact such as the wyrmtear!"
"I know not of the tear, but I know where I might gain a few slivers of bone. Well a whole skeleton, but I only wish for a few slivers.I intend to destroy the rest. No good may come of it as you say, but I intend to find out for myself. Master Orrin, along with the Sultansworn and Flames have agreed to assist."
V'aleera doubletakes and sputters, "An entire skeleton?! What nonsense! Do you speak of some novelty dragonfly spine some fool outsider merchant happened to acquire on the rode to the highlands?"
Evangeline grins, "Do you want to know? "I will tell you, on one condition. After all, we could use all the help we can get."
V'aleera Evangeline a dubious look, remaining silent and listening.
"You allow me my samples. And watch as I destroy the rest."
The Dragoon furrows her brow, not answering for several moments. Finally she sighs and nods, "This is... agreeable. But make no mistake: I -will- be watching you, Primrose
Evangeline nods, "Of course. As I told Orrin, It's something of an insurance policy. If the worst does happen, you and him will be aware enough to deal with it."
V'aleera continues nodding, her frown still present but lessened, "I suppose I lack any other option. Very well. I shall adhere to these terms. For now. When the deed is done, however, they shall be up for... renegotiation. Am I clear on this?"
"You are. And if we somehow find a tear, then we will discuss what to do with it. Agreed?"
"Agreed."
"Are there any others I must know of that shall be involved in this... venture?"
Evangeline counts off names on her fingers, "Lady Crofte of the Sultansworn, Ser Orrin, Corporal Jana of the Flames. "Then. There is a museum. You remember the dig site, of course. Where those artifacts were found. They were not the only thing found. There were bones, and a skull. I snagged the logs of the dig site."
V'aleera grumbles "Wouldn't have needed logs were I left uninterrupted..."
"An enterprising merchant is opening a museum, two weeks hence, a beast of their own creation, the TARGDAFTIGOPS, is the prize attraction."
"..." V’aleera gives Eva a suspicious look, "...the what?"
Evangeline pauses, "The Targdaftigops.. the prehistoric beast of legend...? From the ancient poems, they roamed the pains. Supposedly the first lalafell road one of them to Thanalan."
V'aleera stares blankly, her unimpressed stare bald and accusing. "You are jesting with me. There is no such creature that could possibly go by such a... ridiculous name!"
Evangeline blinks, "What? Here, take a look at the flier."
V'aleera Lhuil reaches out to take the flier, still not believing as she holds it up to read. Her eyes widen, her head tilting to the side in curiosity and bewilderment.
"It's quite well known in the creation myths of this area... and it could be? Who knows if it ever even existed. But even so, its name will sell tickets."
V'aleera her brow in thought, "And... you believe the bones taken from the dig site were used to construct this replica beast?"
"I do, several reports confirm it, and there are workmen in the camps outside the walls. Apparently prolonged exposure to the bones... likely the ones who were building it, caused a level of corruption in them. If I am wrong, then we shall make our escape."
The Dragoon widens her eyes, her hands forming fists, "They mean to utilize this construct and false attraction to sow corruption into the unsuspecting hearts of the citizens! This cannot be allowed!"
"It cannot. Which is why I am acting. And... why I am telling you. If my aims were truly as heinous as you suspect, we would not be having this conversation."
V'aleera frowns, looking Eva over, before turning her gaze aside and elsewhere. "I suppose then, I should... offer my thanks."
Evangeline holds out a hand, "There is no need. Despite our allegiances, I think we have similar goals.Shall we shake on cooperation? At least in this small enterprise?"
V’aleera looks suspiciously at the extended hand. She glares instinctively for a moment, then softens her expression and reaches out tenderly, finally grasping the other woman's hand into her own. “We have an accord, Ms. Primrose."
Evangeline shakes it firmly, "Well then, we have a raid to plan."
