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RE: Balmung Bulletin Board - Warren Castille - 06-23-2014
Warren sat before a sputtering candle, the base of the lantern joined by a few seemingly random objects. Calloused fingers moved to each one, turning them over thoughtfully as he reflected on the going-ons of the end of the week, everything before him accumulated by someone else.
He picked up a small bite of chocolate, heart-shaped. It somehow seemed a greater trophy than the remnants of the pile of gil beside it, emblazoned with the mark of the Grindstone. He'd kept his word and split half of the purse with the Captain, and he fully expected that portion of it was already converted into rum via pirate alchemy. His own bit was diminished from pouring drinks for those who ventured with him, following the conclusion, but a fair sum remained.
He let the chocolate rest on the table knowing full well he'd never bring himself to be able to eat it and instead picked up a string of pearls, each beautiful but flawed, their sizes varying and inconsistent. In the center was a carefully carved rune of Menphina. He ran his thumb across the surface, thinking back on the conversation that led to his possession of the item.
"She forgives," he had been told. Warren's brow furrowed subconsciously, immediately questioning his decision to reveal anything about himself to who was more or less a complete stranger. He corrected himself after; He had fought her twice already, and through combat you grow to know someone. He didn't suspect deceit on her end, and he couldn't imagine what she would have to gain from misleading him on that point.
His eyes turned wearily towards the last item on the table, a sack of marbles. He picked up the one loose one, careful not to activate it and thought briefly to their exchange.
"I warned you, I'm not exactly social amongst our brothers and sisters. Everyone I know and trust already has one of these."
"It pains me to admit I feel the same way."
Warren knew better than to trust the high of his days prior. The world had long since beaten into him that you only succeed and find purchase moments before the boot comes down on your neck.
He knew better, but that wouldn't stop a damned thing.
RE: Balmung Bulletin Board - FreelanceWizard - 06-23-2014
It started as a pressure, gentle for a moment on her chest before it began to build, a crushing, burning need to breathe, but all she could do was gasp. She looked up at Menphina's light, filtering through the meshwork of trees, heard the clashing of steel and shouts distantly, and tried to speak -- but instead, all she could do was spit up hot, sticky blood, dribbling down her chin. She clawed feebly at her ear, trying to trigger her linkpearl, to get anyone's attention, as she fell backwards to the ground, ice creeping up her limbs...
...and then she awoke, jerking straight up in her bed and eliciting an unintelligible murmur from the green-haired miqo'te lying next to her. L'yhta's eyes darted around the room -- door, soft light, freshly made beds, the ever-present pile of clothes at the foot of hers -- and took in the sounds. Water softly rushing, from the bath; the quiet hum of the Tower's ceiling fan downstairs; the peaceful breathing of the one sharing her bed. Her hand went to her forehead, coming away slick with cold sweat. With a sigh, she wiped it off on the sheet in which she was entangled and laid back against the pillow, staring at the ceiling as her heart raced. Her fingers dabbed at the spot beneath her breast where the spear cut its way through her -- smooth skin, as before, with nary a hint of a scar. She took a few deep breaths and closed her eyes, drifting back into sleep as her companion rolled over and wrapped an arm around her waist.
RE: Balmung Bulletin Board - Warren Castille - 06-23-2014
The lalafell was confused. He knew there was an increased presence of Sultansworn patrolling around the city lately, but he definitely recognized the huge highlander. He'd overheard him chatting with the red-haired one who'd been cleaning up the messes not a bell before. That's why he was so startled by seeing the same man, who had been smiling and mild-mannered shortly before, storming the chocobo stables with murder in his eyes. A long grey cloak was drawn tightly around him and a tightly-packed satchel was at his side, and he followed the man in against all logic. Something exciting was happening!
The paladin had his bird in a flash, climbing atop it and kicking it hard in the sides to spur it on. The lalafell smiled to himself, wondering what was going on. Someone was in trouble!
RE: Balmung Bulletin Board - Coatleque - 06-24-2014
The moogle turned and quietly left the palace on it's next errand. Another letter, born from the Sultansworn, which read:
Master Krell,
I write to inform you that my investigation has born fruit. We should meet once again.
Lady Crofte, Sgt.
Later...
The Knight sat on the edge of the bed. She had sprung for a private room at the Quicksand this night. The barracks were just too public. She had already made ready for sleep but it would not come. Slowly she reached up and removed a thin and fraying piece of twine from around her neck. The one object she had managed to keep hidden from all of her friends. It held an old opalescent ring carved from a sea-shell.
She slowly turned the ring over and over again in her hands, thinking back to the events of the past few days. Everything was moving so fast now and she could barely keep track of it all. Try as she might, she could not contain the lump rising in her throat. Grasping the ring tightly she threw herself upon the pillow as the stress poured from her eyes. "Oh John! I'm sorry... I'm so so sorry", she managed to heave at length.
RE: Balmung Bulletin Board - Elyscia - 06-24-2014
They hate each other. They still bloody hate each other.
How many times have they tried? How many times has she tried to make them tolerate the other's Godsdamned prescence in the same room?
Elyscia cussed under her breath, mocking, "Wains." The two loves of her life older than she - one moreso - acting like bloody Godsdamned children. Twelve have mercy.
Walking down the path to the Mist, the miqo'te took a detour to find a pen full of sheep; the look she gave them was either one of endearment, or hunger - you couldn't really tell.
Deep in thought, she mulled over ways to make them stop acting like wee shites, and recalled the brief lapse in her lovers' voice a few suns ago when the topic of her sister had come-up. Again. As always, he felt demonised and couldn't understand why it appeared he was the one at fault when all he ever does, all he ever tries to do is protect his one and only love, but Elyscia laid-down the truth:
"Ah ken yer worried she'll hurt me 'n' all that, but that wis ages ago...'N'.. if y'think 'bout it...las' time anybody hurt me.. wis prolly you.. when we firs' met ea'chother 'n'.. y'called me names 'n' all.. "
He was always so stoic; held himself proudly, and whenever he spoke to her his voice was softer, more compassionate, more loving.. yet he still held his well-learned, refined tongue - his 'fancyfolk' way of speaking. But it faded momentarily when she told him the fact.Â
He uttered out, "Yeah... you're right."Â
The change in his speech surprised her.
It finally seemed like she was getting somewhere, though. "Ah'll bloody keep tryin'.." she confessed to the sheepies, pivoting and continuing on the path back home, and now thinking about her two-week trip back to Ul'dah. Apprehension and anxiety was settling in as she began stroking her tail that was tightly curled around her waist - the city would serve to give her night-terrors.. but she should be fine. Hopefully.
When she arrives in the city surrounded by sand, the chocobo stables would be one of her first visits, and it would be a good-time to carve more trinkets out of wood.Â
She smiled. Finally.
RE: Balmung Bulletin Board - Warren Castille - 06-24-2014
The line between waking and slumber didn't exist for the foreseeable future. He had stormed out of Ul'dah like a man possessed, grabbing only the barest essentials and stuffing them into a satchel for easier carrying. A change of clothes that had been left behind moons ago, as many blankets as he could tear from the beds downstairs, carefully packed rations. The last step before exiting was to tear the map from the wall and smash it out of the frame. Bits of glass crunched into the carpet beneath heavy boots but that didn't garner any attention. There wouldn't be anybody around to cut themselves. It could wait. Everything could wait.
Victory was one of the hardiest birds the stables in Ul'dah had ever produced but even he had his limits. The pair had stopped briefly in Bluefog, chiefly for the chocobo to rest. Warren wouldn't begrudge the animal a chance to recover after the hard run they'd already undertaken but he couldn't put the timetable out of his head.
Bells, at the most. They don't have warm clothes. They're not near camp. They're not going to be found.
The man paced, his tempo insuring that even the most curious Flames on guard wouldn't approach him. He wore a warm cloak on his shoulder, though it did nothing to conceal the bulky armor of a Free Paladin or perhaps more important the massive sword at his hip. Whatever they might have figured his business was, alone, clearly in a hurry, they knew better than to turn that attention on themselves.
He's fast. We're making better time than any other bird could. We'll make it.
Warren tried to ignore the ticking of the clock. He didn't know where he was looking, but he did know where he was NOT looking. Nowhere near camps. Nowhere near towers. Dragonhead and Whitebrim were ruled out by necessity; She was traveling alone and wouldn't want the attention. The Observatorium would be possible, but it was the opposite direction of open fields with running water. A quiet voice told him it wouldn't matter, which he summarily silenced with a growl.
Victory rose on his own accord. Warren rested a heavy hand on the bird's helm. Already the temperature was dipping as they made their way from Thanalan's hotter regions, and the air in the dead of night did little to hold onto what warmth the area did collect. He spared a brief moment of worry for his mount's welfare, but brushed it aside.
They didn't have a choice. Warren tried not to think of how much time had passed since the crunching of the linkpearl and their break. He brought forth the map in his head again, closing his eyes as Victory lumbered into a heavy, determined trot stretching further north past the battle site of Castrum Meridium. His eyes slipped shut as he focused, and he was still going over possible locations when sleep took him.
He dreamt of ice and blackness.
(Edit: Moved to thread http://ffxiv-roleplayers.com/showthread.php?tid=7457&pid=90988 so I stop spamming the bulletin board all the time.)
RE: Balmung Bulletin Board - Melodia - 06-25-2014
Ruru sighed as he lay in bed, thinking of the events of the day. Alulu was asleep by his side and he welcomed her peace, wishing he could sleep. It was supposed to have been a simple night out, just the two of them, and that Sultansworn had shown up and spoiled it. Why in hells was a Sultansworn in Limsa? And why did she know him...his alias as well? She'd mentioned an Osric....he'd told her. That irritated him and he gritted his teeth. If Kink found out that his name had gotten all the way back to Ul'dah, she'd skin him alive.
Crofte....that had been her name. She'd mentioned such confusing things and trying to sort them out in his head hurt. Someone implicating him of making threats against the city? Natalie "anything but a Ser anymore"? And Kage no longer a Lalafell?
His world was just starting to make sense and she had come and turned everything upside down in an instant. He sighed again and closed his remaining eye as he turned on his side to sleep the best he could, wrapping his arms around Alulu, seeking comfort in the one person he felt he could completely trust anymore.
RE: Balmung Bulletin Board - Clover - 06-25-2014
On the small table beside Clover's bed, there's a brief and forgotten letter no one will read. There are many things she could tell him, perhaps, but only one she wants to say.
'Dear Xydane,
I hope you finally found the path that takes you home.'
RE: Balmung Bulletin Board - Berrod Armstrong - 06-25-2014
"Do you see, Outsider? I had no need for your interference."
The Elezen's smile sickened Berrod into an internal fury. He choked back the swell of profane retorts that rose in his throat like bile. A good hard fist to the fellow's pale, slim and smug face would bring so much satisfaction...but also so many consequences. Instead, the red-haired Highlander nodded in painfully terse agreement. "S'right," He mumbled. "Y'got the job done. It's dead."
Slowly, the Elezen looked up toward the grey sky. It was thick with clouds; the sun had not showed since Berrod's arrival. "It's cold," He commented quietly. The complaint was quite out of character, given that the slender armored knight took every opportunity to chastise Berrod on his incessant fussing about the unforgiving Coerthas winter. Berrod knew all too well that his cold had nothing to do with the snow. "We'll get ya near a warm fire an' then yer gonna be fine."
"You are, in every sense, an idiot," the Elezen groaned. Exasperation saturated his every word. "The only fire left for me is upon my funeral pyre. Honor me, pray -- do not take me for a fool in my last moments."
Berrod jerked back slightly as if he'd been slapped across the face. He had intended to comfort the knight until his moment had come, but he saw that it was not meant to be so. Who could blame the lanky bastard for calling him an idiot? There he was on his back in the snow, his middle in the locked jaws of a dead Aevis. His blood mixed with the dragon's and reddened the snow underneath them both. The smell of his entrails was sickening, and was bound to stick with Berrod long after that moment.Â
"Awright," Berrod murmured awkwardly, "Awright. Is there anything you want me ta do for ya?"
The poor Elezen could not manage a laugh in his condition, and so performed a strained hiss. "No service that I would ask of an outsider. My brothers are on their way here, they will find me, and they will attend me. Should you choose to regale them of my triumph...well, that is up to you. I can only hope that you do the tale justice."
It was always at that point that Berrod awoke; not with a start, but with a vivid opening of his eyes. The room was dark, and warm. The desert outside was in the cold of night. Almost frantically he pawed at the body that laid next to him. Breathing. Alive -- and would continue to be alive for some time. There were no dragons here. No snow. No harrowing swarms of beasts that tore men to jelly. He was home. Long had he returned from Coerthas.
And he would never go back.
RE: Balmung Bulletin Board - Coatleque - 06-25-2014
Coatleque stepped off the airship, feeling quite exposed as the cool morning air blew across the landing. She was not accustomed to wearing such clothes in public. In fact, she hadn't worn anything quite as revealing since... well, that was in the past now.
The white and black velvet had worked nicely as a choice of under-cover dress while she was away on business. In truth, she would have never bought this herself - but when the great Otto Vann demands the opportunity to dress you, it is hard for any woman to say no. It was his way of showing appreciation for services rendered a few nights ago. She now understood why his clothes were in such demand in this city.
Feeling strangely confident now, she strode up to the attendant and flashed the royal seal she carried, that all Sworn carried on official business. The attendant smiled and nodded. "Welcome back, Ser. Did you enjoy you stay in Limsa Lominsa?"
"Aye. I did."
RE: Balmung Bulletin Board - Oscare - 06-25-2014
"Oscare."
Grumble, grumble.
"Oscare?"
Who the hell was that voice?
"OSCARE!"
The shocking alarm of a little sister's voice was the start of the day for Oscare, sheets practically flying out of his arms as he looked up, meeting a match dark tone of skin and shade of purple hued eyes; long red hair that was kept in a ponytail, slung over the front of her right shoulder and dropping down to her chest. "Do you know what time it is?" She spoke quickly, leaving Oscare to remain in his state of confusion. "It's a bell past 8 AM! Come on, we gotta get moving!" She rushes the topless man out of bed, Oscare's steps slow and heavier than normal. "I can't even FATHOM the fact that you would oversleep today!"
What day was it? Did it even matter? She could of at least let the man sleep for another half-bell.
RE: Balmung Bulletin Board - Jancis - 06-25-2014
It was warm and very sunny in Limsa.
Jancis walked around to every venue on the Upper Decks, starting in the Wench, asking about a tall man with red hair that had been in the city the past couple days.
She knew Alveo was taking on more formal leads, asking the Maelstrom and the city guard what they saw and knew. That man, once given ambition, was very reliable and quick-witted.
Still, Jancis wanted to be useful. If she could find any information out from the locals, it would at least be of help. She described what little she knew of the man from word of mouth. Very tall with vivid red hair. He was seen with a bow in his arm, the bow was an heirloom piece and quite important. The man was seen around the Admiral's offices and was rumored to be heading for Ul'dah next.
Jancis continued around the city, checking with the ferryman and other basic merchants who knew the caravans and people on the road. She had an ache in her heart; she wasn't sure if it was from pure concern or some guilt. From the notebook Oscare had given her, Jancis was sure the bow was of great sentimental value and had to be recovered. But also, she felt a need to be nice to Oscare. The man had depth beyond the garish exterior; he was selfless and warmhearted. He had asked her to be his friend and she was going to dedicate herself to that task.
As much as Alveo would permit. "Oi, just don't be too nice. Okay Dear?" he had said before.
It was such a gray area, such a blade for her to walk on.
But surely, someone would have information on this mystery man.
RE: Balmung Bulletin Board - Coatleque - 06-25-2014
The Knight sat across the desk from her Captain. Legs crossed, leaning back. She chewed on her lip nervously as she looked all about the office, but not at Jenlyns. He, meanwhile was pouring through document after document of her report. She had laid out everything. Her involvement with Chief Melkire. Her presence during Gharen's rescue. The dead Blades she saw. The admissions she had overheard. The heartless cruelty of McBeef and Kiryuu in all these matters. She described in great detail the rescue of Ser Deneith from her vantage point above the docks. The state of both prisoners, the names she knew of those who were present.
Jenlyns leaned back at length and folded his hands in front of him. "Why did you give me this?" She straightened up suddenly in the chair as he addressed her.
"I have made my report for the week, Ser, as is expected, Ser."
"So you are openly admitting to acting against your orders to remain uninvolved?"
"I am a Knight of Ul'dah, Ser. A sworn blade of Her Grace. I did what I had to, for the security of her Resplendence. For my shield brothers and sisters. And for the sovereignty of Thanalan" she said, with head held as high as she could muster. "I have made my full report to avoid the embarrassment of someone else making it for me, Ser." In her heart at least, she figured she had all of her angles covered now.
There was a long pause.
"I suggest you spend the next two nights in reprieve of your duties while I review your report in more detail. I will summon you when I am ready to pass judgement. You are dismissed... Ser Crofte."
Silently she rose and left the office. The sound of steel on stone... did not echo quite as loudly.
RE: Balmung Bulletin Board - Kage - 06-26-2014
Kage nursed the mug of ale as he sat in the Quicksand. His harrowed eyes watched the patrons as he looked out not just for Brass Blades but for anyone and everyone he knew associated with Flame Sergeant Melkire. He finished the contents and stood, leaving the gil tip he usually did.
It was hard, feeling like there was no choice to go to the devil you wanted to punch. But yet he still needed to. Where was Jameson Taeros that fop when one actually needed him?
RE: Balmung Bulletin Board - Berrod Armstrong - 06-26-2014
Berrod swore loudly into the open air as his own blood spattered upon the cooling desert rock of evening. He was certainly glad that no one was around to hear the brief, whining ululation of agony that left him after the initial roar -- the man was not aware that he could achieve such a pitch.Â
He stood in the rocky clearing near the Sil'Dih excavation site, clutching his left arm which shone with the red of his blood. Several shallow cuts ran the length of it -- nothing particularly crippling, but enough to pour. The blood that escaped was hot, very hot. His swearing never ceased, though it boiled down to a grumble. Â
It was too good to be true. The Heart chakra suddenly under his control all on its own like that? Of course there had to be some sort of catch, some sort of complication. His body had not yet caught up with what it could unleash, and the result was a dripping, steaming and torn up arm. Each of the other three chakras he had grasped had taken moons before he could harness them to their full potential -- or what he perceived as such; even the non-violent Sacral, which he had only recently used to heal himself before an opponent's eyes. It was a shame that it had not yet filled  since that fight, or healing the arm would be an easy affair.
The Heart chakra's aether did not automatically sync with him as the Solar Plexus' had. The lightning that surged from the third opening needed no conscious aim, it was a part of him just as much as the red hairs that speckled his skin. The fire of the Heart, however...if he did not guide it precisely to where it needed to go, it pent up and exploded from within, doing him far more harm than was wise to endure. Directing that sort of power was not easy, especially in the heat of battle. He would have to train.
A slow smile crept onto Berrod's lips as he cradled the blood-reddened arm. Truly, he'd have it no other way.