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A Forlorn Fortnight 【Complete】 - Printable Version

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RE: A Forlorn Fortnight 【Closed】 - Nero - 09-21-2014

Daegsatz tilted his head, attempting to clumsily mime the movements. He'd never been exposed to the more delicate and refined pleasantries of Hyurs. Dancing of this sort was a very far cry from the usually inebriated flailing of limbs that typically served as a dance activity. The elegant movements contrasted heavily with the Roegadyn's stocky form as he attempted to replicate the manoeuvres. He crossed his arms, frequently glancing down at his feet in an attempt to gauge whether or not they were in the correct position. He felt a ruddiness rise to his face as he realised how foolish he must look.

Reaching the end of the routine, the Sea Wolf rubbed the back of his neck, clearing his throat. "Be a wee bit confusin', aye? What be the point o' a dance with no touch o' yer partner?" Nonetheless, he attempted to repeat the movements from memory before losing track of one of his feet, the rest of the routine escaping him.

"I be a poor pupil in th' subject, lass," Daegsatz confessed sheepishly.

RE: A Forlorn Fortnight 【Closed】 - Roen - 09-21-2014

Roen gave him a patient, warm smile. She tried to remember how her mother looked at her when she gave her these lessons.

“I was a much poorer student at my first lesson,” the paladin reassured him. She stepped forward and lifted the Roegadyn’s elbow and held her own arm opposite his. “Think of it as a sword fight. You are crossing blades, just not quite clashing against each other.” She then changed her hand, and waited for him to do so, crossing her arm with his, like blades in battle. She did it thrice more in slow motion to allow Daegsatz to follow.

“And then when the two meet and neither would give…” She held his arm up and hers, wrist to wrist. “Then you circle your opponent, preparing for the next move.” She slowly walked in an arc, and gestured for him to mirror her on the other side.

“It is much easier when you are just matching your partner, the crossing,” she said gently. “And it takes discipline not to get tangled. It is about knowing your partner’s movements and countering them. Complementing them. Moving opposite from each other, but together.”

The paladin smiled at Daegsatz as she went through the same motion again, slowly and deliberately so he could follow. She cared not for the exact details of his footsteps, only that he matched her. “It was the first dance I was taught, and it is still my favorite today.” She curtsied when they finished their circle.

RE: A Forlorn Fortnight 【Closed】 - Nero - 09-21-2014

Daegsatz shook his head. "If'n I be wantin' a sword fight, I think I rather just be engagin' in a sword fight," he said a bit helplessly. He slowly repeated the same motions that Roen had showed to him, the awkward stiffness in his movements receding somewhat as he mirrored the way she moved her arms and body. Three times he mirrored her gestures, slowly growing accustomed to the strange movements of arms and legs.

Daegsatz grunted as their brief routine concluded. "Ye be doin' this with Nero yet? It be a mighty shame if I be th' only one ta be made light of durin' our reunion." He hazily attempted to recall the movements he had just been making naught but a few minutes ago.

RE: A Forlorn Fortnight 【Closed】 - Roen - 09-22-2014

Roen’s expression quickly soured at the mention of Nero, though she tried to hide it as best she could.

“Ah. Nay. He and I…we do not do things like this.” She chewed her lower lip. The paladin turned toward his cell, crossed the threshold to retrieve the music box that had long stopped playing. She closed the lid, her fingers tracing the ornate metal carvings on it.

“We mostly argue,” she confessed quietly. “Then we argue some more. I would think something like this would only bring about more ridicule.” Her eyes narrowed, as if steeling herself against the imaginary barbs that would await her in their next meeting. "He is an angry man, your captain."

When Roen turned back around, it was with a forced, cheerful smile. “But I daresay, after today, you might be a bit more refined than he.”

“Even though I know you will never speak of it.”

RE: A Forlorn Fortnight 【Closed】 - Nero - 09-22-2014

Daegsatz coughed awkwardly, staring at the stone floor as he shuffled his feet about. In their carefree lessons of dancing, he had completely forgotten about the vitriolic relationship Roen and his captain seemed to share. Though Roen said they had argued, the Sea Wolf could not deny the similarities between the paladin and the pirate. They were both passionate people with a firm sense of justice. Both of them were kind in their own way--though evidently Roen had not been privy to the smuggler's compassion.

"'E wasn't always like that," Daegsatz said quietly, almost sheepishly. "When 'e came ta us as naught but a boy, 'e was 'opeful. 'ad a love of life, tried ta help when 'e could, the fishermen an' the beggars in Limsa."

Suddenly feeling exhausted, the Roegadyn plopped down on the floor of the corridor. The air had taken a heavy sense of melancholy. "'e used to smile a lot more, laugh a lot more...what ye be seein' now...it ain't Nero at 'is best." Daegsatz sighed, rubbing his temple. "'es changed. Garalt be seein' it. I be seein' it. 'e left Cap'n Vail an' went back ta Ul'dah near eight cycles ago...an' when 'e returned, 'e be diff'rent. Changed."

The Sea Wolf sent a forlorn glance at Roen, taking note of the paladin's stiffed, forced expression. "I be truly sorry that ye be 'avin' ta deal wit' 'im, the way 'e is right now. Nero be a good man...ev'n if'n 'e be tryin' ta bury it."

RE: A Forlorn Fortnight 【Closed】 - Roen - 09-22-2014

“I do believe he is a good man,” Roen replied quietly as she exited the cell. She lowered herself to a seat next to Daegsatz on the floor. “Else we would not be working together.”

She wound the music box in her hand and laid it in the Roegadyn’s lap, letting out a weary sigh. She opened the lid again to allow the simple metallic chimes to fill the corridor, to lighten the dark mood that had fallen between them. It saddened her to imagine that Nero’s childhood had been so hard, but despite that he had smiled and laughed freely as a boy. Even though she had only known the pirate for a few suns, she found herself mourning the loss of that bright spirit greatly.

Roen peered up at the Sea Wolf, some of the tension ebbing away. “And you do not need to apologize for him. I can take care of myself.” She rolled her shoulders. “Perhaps someday we can unearth what he is so desperately trying to hide.”

She glanced at the music box once more, before she rose to stand. “I think Ser Serojon is getting impatient with us.” Roen gave a nod down the corridor to the Lalafell who was glaring at them with arms crossed.

“I will leave the box here with you? Perhaps a small respite from the silence.”

RE: A Forlorn Fortnight 【Closed】 - Nero - 09-22-2014

Daegsatz tilted his head at the music box, eyeing it curiously. The idea of a sentimental gift was, even with all of his years, still a bit strange to them; Vail's pirates being pirates, gifts were not given often, and those gifts that didn't contain generous amounts of alcohol typically had some kind of practical value: weapons, an extra sack of gil, new boots, the like. The music box could arguably be defined as the antithesis of that principle. Nero would have certainly gotten a kick out of disassembling the thing, but the Roegadyn himself held no value for it.

And yet he kept it. Even the simple-minded Sea Wolf could see that it represented Roen's compassion. Daegsatz took care not to accidentally crush the fragile-looking box in his massive hand, and nodded at the paladin. "I'll be holdin' on ta it till me release, then," he offered as he lumbered back into the gaol, having caught the Lalafell's glare.

"Wish ye luck, lass. In whatever it is ye be seekin' ta do," the Roegadyn rumbled as he sat back down on the cot and watched her retreat.

Day 9

Nine suns. Much of Daegsatz' days in the gaol had been filled with idleness and boredom; those bells when Roen visited him were the only times he could expect to do anything besides lay in the cot. Even with all of the amenities she provided with him, the bells seemed to take years to pass. The stack of parchment in the corner had grown, the images on them becoming increasingly more elaborate as the Roegadyn made a conscious effort to soak up as much of his idle time as he could with them.

The music box, sentimental gift that it was, provided no comfort in the end, though Daegsatz was aware of its meaning. How much longer would he be in here? The question echoed in his mind with growing frequency. He was sure that sooner or later he would simply stop counting the bells and the suns, but he had not reached that point yet.

RE: A Forlorn Fortnight 【Closed】 - Roen - 09-23-2014

"An alliance between us… will not work. I have no use for those who cannot make the hard choices. Protect the people. Provide for them. Guard them from the wolves at the gates."

Roen still could not accept the words that echoed in her memory.

So...that is it?

Nero had ended their accord without warning. He sounded cordial even, and he did it casually, over lunch. It had left her speechless, stunned. She obviously had more hopes invested in their partnership than he had. She felt a sudden emptiness inside, as if some vital essence had been ripped out and left her to bleed out without a purpose. It surprised her--not just what he did, or how he did it, but her reaction to it.

When Roen entered through the barred doors of the gaol cell, she said nothing. She just greeted Daegsatz with a muted expression and a nod, making her way toward his cot and setting the basket of goods by his side. She just sank to a seat on the floor, her hands folded in her lap. The paladin stared at the basket for a long time before she spoke.

Talk, Roen. Just talk.

“I suppose you will be out of the gaols soon,” her voice sounded hoarse. “Either by your captain’s doing, or...perhaps if Ser Jenlyns feels generous.”

RE: A Forlorn Fortnight 【Closed】 - Nero - 09-23-2014

Daegsatz could tell from Roen's troubled expression that something had happened. Yet, though he wanted to ask, he had the uncomfortable feeling that it was something else to do with Nero--again. Something about constantly talking about his absent captain was beginning to make the Sea Wolf feel rather awkward, and so he avoided the topic.

"I be hopin' so. Seems far too long since I be seein' th' sun," Daegsatz said. "This visit ta th' gaol be everythin' I ever be 'opin' fer in a tour o' Ul'dah, but I admit I be tirin' o the city."

Daegsatz tried to think of more things to say, just to ramble, to distract the paladin from whatever uncomfortable thoughts she might be holding, but the Roegadyn was not nearly the same fast talker as his captain.

RE: A Forlorn Fortnight 【Closed】 - Roen - 09-23-2014

Roen nodded--an empty gesture at best. After an awkward moment of silence she forced a redirection of her thoughts. These visits should not be about her, nor should they be about Nero. She was tired of dwelling on doubts, or on the void of uncertainty that was her future now. She wanted--no, needed--to distract herself with something else.

“I confess, this is not the best view of Ul’dah,” she began with a forced but amiable tone. Her gaze drifted from the basket to the stack of parchment in the corner. She was avoiding meeting the Sea Wolf’s eyes. “Despite its faults, the city has a beauty all its own. I will show them to you one day, if you have not yet had the chance.”

She rose from her seat, coming to kneel next to the drawings. She was grasping for anything else to talk about. “Your home is Vylbrand, aye?”

RE: A Forlorn Fortnight 【Closed】 - Nero - 09-23-2014

Daegsatz shrugged. "After this experience, I not be sure that that a tour o' th' city be somethin' I be wantin' fer a while now." Though the Sea Wolf appreciated Roen's visits, sometimes they were unbearably uncomfortable. The paladin was very forthright and did not succeed very often in hiding her turbulent thoughts. Daegsatz shifted on the cot.

"Aye, Vylbrand be me home...th' weather be far fairer than 'ere. Though I s'pose the gaol skews me impression o' Thanalan quite a bit," the Roegadyn said, his attempt to carry the conversation forward coming out rather awkwardly.

RE: A Forlorn Fortnight 【Closed】 - Roen - 09-24-2014

Roen absently flipped through the pieces of parchment, though her eyes saw none of the detailed drawings on them. She was trying to keep her hands busy--no, her mind busy--but was failing miserably at it.

Daegsatz was not being much of a help, which irked her...but she was forced to admit that it could have been just her own frustrations boiling over that clouded her judgement.

The parchment was set back down with a quick slap, the paladin scowling. “It is probably best,” she blurted out without warning. “He and I never saw things eye to eye, anyroad.” She shot Daegsatz a sharper look than he deserved.

“Your captain has his way of doing things and will brook none other. No council. No mercy. No reconsideration.” She released a sharp exhale through her nose. “He and I were never meant to work together. We would have never succeeded.”

Even as she spoke them, Roen knew these were just words of anger fueled by bitterness. She thought proclaiming them aloud would make her feel better.

It did not.

RE: A Forlorn Fortnight 【Closed】 - Nero - 09-24-2014

Daegsatz wasn't sure how to respond to that. He had attempted to divert the conversation away from Nero for the paladin's sake, and yet it seemed that whatever had happened between them was severe enough for Roen to begin venting at him without provocation. 

He sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. "Not ta be makin' light o' yer circumstances, lass, but I be beginnin' ta feel like a parent bein' lectured by a schoolteacher 'bout 'is unruly child," the Roegadyn said. It was meant to be a joke, but on immediate reflection he sounded like he was chiding Roen for complaining to him. Daegsatz' face awkwardly split into an amused but compassionate grin. "What 'e be doin' now, lass?"

RE: A Forlorn Fortnight 【Closed】 - Roen - 09-24-2014

Roen’s face fell. She bowed her head, a hand coming over her eyes, her hiding her grimace.

“You are right,” she grumbled ruefully. “Every time your captain does something, I come to you seeking advice. Or an outlet. I should not. I should be asking him.” The paladin let out an exasperated sigh. “But he shares so little! And now he has broken off our agreement. He wishes to work with me no longer. I am too unwilling to bend to his ways, his ideals.”

“Our partnership lasted what...suns?” Roen let out a sorrowful chuckle as she glanced back to Daegsatz. “And you are in here because of it.”

The paladin sighed, her frustration giving way to regret. She gave Daegsatz a helpless look.

“I was wrong to think that he and I could achieve something together.”

RE: A Forlorn Fortnight 【Closed】 - Nero - 09-24-2014

Daegsatz frowned, rubbing his chin. In his years of having to deal with the smuggler and watch him grow, the Roegadyn had caught on quickly that Nero rarely said what he actually meant; the meaning was usually hidden in intricacies and social cues, and Nero's tendency to think too far ahead for his own good usually complicated things to an unnecessary and frustrating degree.

"Were ye?" the Roegadyn asked in contemplation. "'ave ye considered that 'e may have parted from ye fer yer own sake?" It was hard to make a true judgment call considering that Daegsatz didn't even know what Nero's plans were besides the incredibly broad idea of changing Ul'dah. It was completely possible that he was off the mark.

"Mayhaps 'e be 'fraid of bein' a negative influence on ye. Wouldn't be th' first time 'e's broken a girl's heart ta try an' save 'er, hmph." The Sea Wolf's audacious implication was accompanied with a grunt and a chuckle.