Not very far from the Bobbing Cork at all was a small restaurant and bar, seated a stone's throw from the walls that protected Fallgourd from the Ixali incursions just beyond. If the place had a name, Gogonji never bothered to ask for it - referring to it even in the missive that resulted in this meeting as "the meal just within the skin of the Gourd." Obnoxiously obscure, yes, but the Doman had taken to being overly discrete with disclosing his itinerary after what happened in his Coerthas hideaway. Which made Annunu's apparent ease at finding him at the Cork afterward all the more suspicious and troubling.
Gogonji shook his head, unwilling to let that unreadable Lalafell creep into his thoughts again with her flat tones and expressions. He had sent her off to gather more information just as a linkpearl chimed to let him know the veracity of her last findings, and so he would deal with her once she returned. What mattered now was the conversation currently going on in front of him.
"... and the cell in Hawthorne just gained two more members - both Keepers. They're undergoing background checks as we speak, as per your orders," Pa'Nito droned on. While the Seeker lacked proper leadership material himself, he had a knack for finding those who, like himself, were discontent with their lot in life. The disparaged and downtrodden, those left on the frayed edges of Nymeia's tapestries. Just the type of tools Gogonji needed. "If they clear, that will bolster their numbers to..."
He paused to flip through his notes.
"Sixteen," the Dunesfolk finished for him, a finger tapping idly on his upper arm. "Enough for two units of eight, or four strike squads of four apiece." He turned to the Miqo'te and gave him a curt nod of approval. "Should they clear, redirect any further applicants to one of the smaller groups."
"Right-o." Pa'Nito tucked his quill back into his hat and his notes into one of the many pockets laced throughout his jacket. "That's all I've got for ya, then."
"Erwin?"
The one-armed Highlander set down his tankard of ale with a contented sigh, the remaining drink sloshing about noisily as cup met table. His only hand freed from the mug's handle, he pulled a small pouch from his belt and tossed it playfully across the tabletop. The hide sack skipped once, twice, before grinding to a halt in front of the green-haired Lalafell.
"Along with that," Erwin added with a sweep of his hand before scooping up his tankard again, "I've got a half-dozen more boys 'n girls chomping at the bit ta remind the Garleans o' the pride'a Ala Mhigo."
Gogonji paused in his untying of the the twine about the neck of the pouch.
"And what, exactly, did you tell them?"
"Same thing you told me, a'course," the Highlander laughed raucously, his tone tinged with drink. "How the rest'a Eorzea's too wrapped in their own 'problems' ta realize the big honking one right in fronna their faces. That Garlemald's just biding its time a'fore it strikes again, 'n we need ta deal wit 'em a'fore that happens. What, was that wrong'a me?"
"I merely feared you might... embellish things," the Doman responded neatly, too easily recalling when the Hyur claimed the fireball he cast in the ruins was "as big as Dalamund" over their victory meal. He had been drinking then, too. Gogonji was hard-pressed to find a time when the man wasn't drinking outside of combat. And he figured that was only because Erwin hadn't quite figured out how to handle both an axe and a flask in one hand quite yet. At least he seemed to keep enough of his wits about him to not do anything overly stupid. Most of the time.
There were still times when the Highlander slipped up and let his anger get the best of him, of course, but those were easily enough attributed to his drunkenness and his hotblooded nature. Gogonji knew of every one as well, since he kept close tabs on both his "commanders," if he was willing to call them such. There would be no repeat of the Andienna Incident under his watch.
"It's fine, it's fine!" Erwin assured him with another laugh and a dismissive wave of his mug - sending the drink sloshing about again. "E'ry good story needs sumthin' catchy to it. Otherwise, who's gonna listen, eh?"
"Hrmph," was Gogonji's only reply as he returned his attentions to the sack. Pulling it open after a couple more seconds on the ties, and he was rewarded with the telltale glimmer of crystal as light pierced its leathery depths. Within this bag lay the crystallized knowledge of a Fist of Rhaglr, one of the most frightening units of what was once Eorzea's greatest military power. It had taken betrayal from within for Garlemald to lay the city-state low - something Gogonji was far too familiar with - so there was much knowledge to be had from it.
That was for later, though.
"Well, you know the procedures." The Lalafell didn't look up as he plucked the crystal from its resting place and palmed it deftly into a hidden pocket. The bag itself didn't look like it had anything sketchy in or on it, but one could never be too careful. "Should they meet the requirements, direct them to the Bluefog cell."
"You got it, Oan," the Highlander affirmed with another jostle of his mug before taking a long pull of it. "Man, y'know, it's hard ta believe. We're actually gonna do this, ain't we? We're gonna finally take it to the Garleans. Jus'... jus' like Operation Art Con."
"Archon."
"Yeah, that," Erwin nodded. "But better."
"I wouldn't go that far," Pa'Nito interjected, kicking his feet up onto the table. "We ain't got the backing of the Grand Companies like the Warrior of Light did." He glanced over expectantly at Gogonji. "Unless there's something you're not telling us, Tmesis."
"The three nations will not act unless they're directly jeopardized," the Lalafell stated flatly, a bit of indignation seeping into his tone. "Operation Archon was an example of that, and so too with the recent assault on Ishgard. They each only sent a paltry amount of soldiers apiece, and only after realizing that letting Ishgard fall would allow Garlemald a deeper foothold into Eorzean lands. And yet they still will not act to deal with the issue of Garlemald itself, content to return to their own political quabbles."
"Ya mean like th' whole imprisonment of th' Flame General 'n whatnot?" Erwin queried over the lip of his tankard.
"A fair example, yes, but I also mean the lack of cooperation between the nations themselves." Gogonji folded his arms neatly over his chest. "The Eorzean Alliance is a misnomer, for they are only the most tenuous of allies. It is up to us, to Khamja, to truly deal with the threat. Or, if not that, bring it enough of it to the forefront that the 'Alliance' will have no choice but to properly band together once more and aid in our endeavor."
"So, either way, Garlemald gets th' kick in th' pants it so rightly deserves," the Highlander chortled. "I like it."
"Not to mention the accolades we'll receive for dealing with them," Pa'Nito added. "I'm finally looking at a promotion thanks to that experimental Magitek armor. You'd figure it'd take a bit less than revealing an anti-magic weapon to move ahead in the world."
The Miqo'te shrugged and sighed as he tilted backward in his seat.
"Congratulations on your impending promotion, then," interjected the green-haired Lalafell. "It is well deserved."
"Here, here!" Erwin chimed, waving that tankard about again. It was a good thing it was near empty, or he would've been sharing its contents with everyone at the table. "I'll drink to that, 'n you should too! Drinks all around!"
"Well, I have a couple other matters to attend to," Gogonji corrected as he hopped out of his seat. He paused just long enough to dust off and straighten the sleeves of his jacket before continuing. "So I'll leave the two of you to your drinks."
"Aw, stick around, Oan," Erwin bemoaned, smacking his mug against the table for emphasis. "It'll be a blast!"
"No rest for the weary, I'm afraid. You'll just have to drink more in my stead."
"Ha! That I can do!"
The Highlander was in the middle of waving down someone to bring fresh drinks for both himself and Pa'Nito when Gogonji left the establishment. The sky was thick with clouds, and a faint rumble in the distance warned of rain soon to come. Violet eyes gaze up at the overcast sky, and then to the figure leaning against the wall just outside the reach of the swinging door.
The Sea Wolf was small for a Roegadyn, though he still towered over the wee Dunesfolk in spite of that. He was not just small in size, but in musculature as well - looking much akin to the "Midlander" equivalent to his brethren's "Highlander." The well-maintained Limsan flintlock at his hip, however, seemed to serve as deterrence enough against accosting him for his deficiencies. Still, he looked rather uncomfortable in Gridanian garb over his usual seaworthy attire. To the point that he had been adamant about keeping the eye-patch and bandana on.
It made for an odd ensemble, to be sure. The fact that he was trying so hard to look cool and aloof despite his constant glances through the window towards the other two didn't help matters either. Definitely signs of someone fresh into a position of power and trying desperately to make a good impression.
"I was wondering when you were going to join us, Aergoeya," Gogonji commented idly as the door clicked shut behind him. "Will you be joining the others for drinks? They might like to meet their newest compatriot."
"... Maybe. In a bit. If'n I feel like it," Aer responded, pausing briefly before each segment as he thought up the next. "Yer wantin' yer report first though, aye?"
"Of course."
"Well, as ya figgered, there's plenty'a us not content to jus' harryin' Garlean ships when they come inta our waters," the Roegadyn stated with a shrug. "Not ta mention that Castrum already sitting pretty as you please just north'a Costa. I'm pretty sure I ain't alone in wanting to sail on in there 'n take anythin' that ain't bolted down. 'n bring a crowbar for the stuff that is."
"Numbers, Aerygoeya."
"I was gettin' ta that. I ain't got quite enough to properly crew a ship yet, but a bit more word'a mouth 'n I should be able to put together somethin'." He was being evasive, garnering a stern look from the Lalafell. "Look, ya don't want me jus' grabbin' any ol' swabby who wants in so it's takin' some time! 'n I got plenty'a those. Tons."
Gogonji sighed inwardly. He had figured that dealing with Limsan pirates would be a sticking point in his plan, and his predictions seemed to have been accurate. He had been lucky enough to grab hold of this up-and-coming young ship's captain, but his brashness, posturing, and overall lack of experience was continually causing problems. If Annunu didn't pick Castrum Occidens on her own, the Doman might send her that way next to counteract inexperience with added information.
"And the others?"
"W-well, they're th'... shadier elements, y'know?" Another excuse, he was obviously uncomfortable with getting in contact with those acting against Merlwyb's wishes. "It's gonna take some work ta get them on our side. If at all."
"Just keep me informed," the eldest Gegenji child stated flatly, his tone implying that not doing so would be hazardous to the young Roe's health. "If you cannot sway the other captains, then build up your own crew to compensate. If you cannot build up your own crew, then I will build it up for you."
"Hey! I can pick me own crew, akay?" Aer interjected indignantly, bristling at the vaguest hintings that he might not be worthy of his position. "Even wit yer crazy restrictions. No problems. Could do it in me sleep."
"See that you do." Gogonji let that statement hang in the air for a moment, backed by a peal of thunder, before turning back towards the door. "Now come, I should introduce you to the other two ere I leave. I have spoken briefly to them of you, but I believe proper introductions are necessary."