Edda

Currently Gilgamesh, I've been debating on switching to Balmung though I'm not biased, but. You should do it. No wait, I'm totally biased. Sorry Gilgafriends!

A very large shellfish dish - oysters, mussels, clams, etc. Edda is allergic to them, and would die from eating too many.

I'd like to sign up for event 1 if possible.

The skin of her palm still stung. She did not strike the man particularly hard, not as much as he deserved, but the action left a bad taste in her mouth, as if the ire she felt at his disrespect reflected more poorly on her than it did him. Still, it was not something she could simply let go. An assault on those under her care, in any capacity, may as well have been an assault on her. She listened in as Roen spoke, a frown etching its way onto her features. “So, this display here was a farce?” She adjusted the towel around her as she spoke, having come loose from slapping the ingrate. The woman had no great love for mind games, and she felt very much the fool for being treated as such. Roen glanced between the two others before bowing her gaze. “Something of the sort. My knight captain needed proof, however loosely, that both your accounts, and my belief in both your accounts was not unfounded.” “The sword will be returned to me tomorrow morning,” Edda said, tone stringent. It was not a question. The paladin narrowed her eyes. “Do you understand the seriousness of what could have happened? If he was charged with murder, then you could have been an accessory.” There was no anger in her words, but her imploring was clear to even Edda, who softened her expression at the tone. “It is imperative that he…” She stopped herself, and turned. “That you understand, the laws of this land are very strict.” “I do. I know that he is no cold-blooded killer. However, if that idiot troglodyte had managed to provoke Khadai into violence, I know full well it would reflect poorly on me. If I am to be tried and found guilty, then such is my fate.” Roen let out an exasperated sigh. “And that would be the last thing I want.” “Such rigidity is not unfamiliar to me,” Khadai said. “I will act within reason.” “You are clearly here out of benevolence and generosity,” Roen said, before looking up at the Xaela. “Despite your aggravating lack of social awareness, I do not believe…” She paused, a dash of consternation on her features. “I suspect Edda is right about you in that no more deaths will follow in your wake.” Roen turned back to Edda, and continued. “But there are more men like Bellows that you will encounter. Many eager sellswords answered the call of Ishgard. They may be crude and perhaps even despicable…” She gave a glance to Khadai over her shoulder. “But that does not mean they deserve death.” “Of course not,” Edda said softly. She cautioned a quick peek at Khadai to see if had clothed himself or not. He hadn’t, and she looked back to Roen, her cheeks dyed pink. “I trust you to tell your own truth of things. You will not hold back for my sake, nor for his. Least of all mine. So long as you keep your awful subordinate in line.” Roen rolled her eyes. “They are really not my subordinates,” she said wryly. “It is just that the captain entrusted me with this task. But Bellows insisted on being a second pair of eyes and ears. Distrusting one, he.” She sighed. “And I confess… perhaps I too needed to be certain.” There was a sudden stir in Khadai’s corner of the room. Though Edda faced away from him, she could see the blur of his form out of the corner of his eye, and the motions and noises of the man dressing himself could be heard clearly. He seemed perfectly content to be nude before, why would he start dressing now, of all inopportune times? The blonde woman stretched her left arm behind her and held up a hand to stop him. She still faced Roen – not at all eager to turn around and face the man. “Stop, Khadai,” she said, her voice clear and commanding. “Do not clothe yourself just yet.” Her face was furrowed in concentration, before she broke into a nervous smile at Roen. “It is only understandable. You are more than welcome to witness Khadai’s nature for yourself – at least, if he is alright with it.” Roen blinked, clear shock on her face. “P-pardon?” Khadai stilled, and his inquisitive stare burned into the back of her head. Edda tilted her head. Surely what she had said had not been so confusing? “If you are so concerned, why not come to Ishgard with us? Assuming of course, we are set free.” The paladin licked her lips, the shock on her features melting away. She shook her head and continued. “Ah. To Ishgard.” The woman fell silent for a moment, her brows knitted. Edda felt a twang of guilt for having asked such a demanding question. Roen had her own duties to attend to, and that she was here in a foreign land, busying herself with work, spoke more about her than she might realize. “I may be able to argue for it. It… may even work in your favor if I presented that to the captain as an option.” She sounded neither enthused nor dismayed, but the frown upon her face was as clear as anything. “We would be glad to have you. Is that not right, Khadai?” “I do not object,” he said absentmindedly. Edda smiled. “That is good, then.” She figured the Xaela would have minded terribly, considering his initial reaction to the woman. That he was warming to her – or at least seemed to be – was a good sign. “Do speak to your superior on it. Also do be sure to remind him the sword is not his to keep.” Roen exhaled, her cheeks puffing out slightly as she did so. She nodded.”Aye. I think I will do so. I think this went… as well as it could...” She barely turned her head. “…for you.” She cleared her throat. “I will leave you two to finish… getting dressed.” She murmured the last few words quickly. “Take care, then. And thank you, Roen. For what it is worth.” The paladin nodded as she exited the room with some haste. Edda smiled at the woman’s retreating back, before her expression sobered tremendously. She sighed, and put a hand over her heart. What a trying interruption that had been, and for what? Perhaps Roen trusted Khadai now, but what good would that be if his ultimate goal turned out to be reprehensible? Trust would not only be lost in Khadai, but herself as well. The thought weighed in her mind, and suddenly her heart felt very heavy. “Am I to be dressed now?” Khadai asked with some confusion. Edda frowned at the floor, her musing interrupted by a question with an obvious answer. She half-looked over her shoulder at Khadai’s face, and only his face. “Tell me, what would be the point of bathing if you are only going to change back into your filthy clothes? I will go and fetch you suitable items to wear while I clean your own.” The Au Ra glanced at his furs and leathers and nodded. He gathered up his clothes before approaching Edda, placed a hand on her shoulder, and shoved her out of the room, dropping the clothes beside her in a messy pile. He shut the door, leaving Edda in the silent hall. There was work to be done, and she wasted no time in heading downstairs to the foyer, not sparing the time to clothe herself. It was remarkably easy to harass the Innkeeper for a pair of spare bed clothes and a few fire and water shards, and Edda had to wonder what she had done to be so deserving of hospitality in a notoriously inhospitable land. She brought the woolen dalmatica and slacks upstairs. They were fitted for an adult male Elezen, and though getting his horns past the neck hole might be trial, Khadai would be able to fit them. Edda left the bundle of clean clothes in a neat pile outside Khadai’s door and knocked once, before gathering his dirty leathers. She recoiled at the smell of them. Cleaning them would be no small task. The woman shivered in the cool air, and quickly entered her room and dressed herself in her own nightgown. Now dressed and warmed by the hearth in her room, sleep suddenly seemed to be a most attractive idea. She had two more sleeping potions with her – one more, after tonight. The thought gave her pause. What would happen then, when she arrived in Ishgard? So clearly she had thought her job would be done then, but would it be wise to leave Khadai on his own? She could not expect Roen to look after him. Frowning, Edda searched her satchel for a small slip of paper and envelope, and sat at the desk to write a short letter. Gideon – I hope this letter finds you well. Knowing that you are staying in Gridania, I would ask a most urgent favor of you. I have made my way to Coerthas, and plan to head to Ishgard as soon as I am able. Would you be so kind as to join me in the city? I have great need of you, and am lacking in many basic items – mostly clothing. The situation is a strange one, though I am quite well. I will explain in more detail once I see you. As always, you may bill the manor for whatever travel expenses you may incur. - E.E. Edda sealed the missive to be mailed in the morning. It seemed unfair to ask him to make such a journey at her idle whim, but she had little doubt of the good he would be able to do. Roen had been the one to ask her to take him in, so at the very least it would be good to reunite them. She smiled at the thought, before gathering the shards and her and Khadai’s dirty clothes, and went to work.

It was bad enough that her long, relaxing soak had been cut short at the very end. Worse still was that Roen and her entourage had interrupted it for reasons she could not quite comprehend. To be suspicious of Khadai was a natural reaction, but the purpose of an interrogation – here and now – seemed unusually silly. Yet there was little she could do but watch; her input would carry no weight in an exchange between the two. The roegadyn man that stood behind Roen seemed to be distracted by her, for whatever reason. Perhaps he was not used to having a civilian bear witness to such proceedings, and Edda peered curiously at him over her shoulder. He was not participating in the interrogation, and so she had to wonder what purpose his being here served. “Is something the matter?” Edda asked softly as she met his gaze. Oak licked his lips, his eyes having difficulty concentrating on her face. “It could get cold out here, Miss. If ya want ta be puttin’ on somethin…” he murmured. He was not wrong – it was becoming rather cold out in the hallway. She could bear it however, and she must. There would be no chance for her to step back into her room and change; she would not miss a moment of this. Edda looked back to the doorway which Khadai lay beyond. “I am quite fine,” she said quietly. She had no intention of interrupting the two, though she frowned as they continued bickering. Their conversation was quickly going nowhere. “I trust my dear chocobo is taken care of,” she said to Oak. His stare could still be felt on her shoulder. “Your bird is doing fine Miss, likely being fed some—“ Oak cut himself off when Roen spun around to face Edda, her expression one of suppressed indignation. “How long will you serve as guide to this man?” She hesitated, the question an unexpected. “I- I do not know,” she said, and put a hand to her chest and looked down. She would quickly become useless to Khadai once they reached Ishgard, her familiarity with the city tenuous at best. No doubt he would want to be rid of her, and quickly. “Should more fall by his blade, you know you may also be held accountable. Do you understand that, Edda?” Her words were grim, her eyes intent on the noblewoman. She looked up at the paladin, her face set in resolve. “Of course. The burden would be mine alone to bear. As it should be now.” Roen shook her head and looked at the woman searchingly. “No. His actions are his own. As clearly as he stated his role in it, naught that happened falls upon you. At least… not yet.” The redhead licked her lips and looked sidelong to where Bellows was leaning against the wall. She looked as if she wanted to say more, but did not. “Be that as it may,” Edda began slowly. “It is my responsibility to see he follows the laws of this land. His actions are his own, yes, yet if he fails to behave under my supervision, I alone should shoulder the blame.” “Just why did you enter into a contract with this man?” A strange question, one she felt was already quite clear. Did it really seem so strange, for her to do such a thing? Edda looked away to gather her thoughts, before glancing back with a small smile. “Would you not do the same? I become lost quite frequently. Eorzea is as much of a labyrinth to me as it is to him… I could not abandon someone with whom I empathize.” A pause. “Besides, he will be helping me as well, when the time comes. I need him.” Roen bowed her head slightly and let out a sigh before nodding. “I think that will be all,” she said quietly, her voice having softened slightly. Edda relaxed through a sigh of her own, and Khadai could be heard pulling himself up from the tub. It seemed her answers had been adequate, and the investigation drew seemingly to a close.

Speaking from my own personal experience, finding random, open world RP in the housing districts is possible, but difficult and unpredictable. With so many houses spread out over so many wards, and no guaranteed activity from FC members, there is a lack of a centralized "spot" for people to gather and mingle randomly on a day to day basis. There is only one Quicksand, one Drowning Wench, so they make for a much easier point of congregation for random open world RP. Now, walking into an open RP FC house is probably going to be your best bet, and is usually very fun and pleasing for both yourself and whatever FC members may be around. Alternatively, if you wanted to find some random RP on the beaches of Mists, you will probably have a much harder time. Not that these places are not used for RP, but they are usually planned in advance, or utilized primarily by nearby FCs. Unfortunately, in most wards (which are always a mix of RP, PvE, Social, and Abandoned houses), the streets are rather dead with the exception of the occasional passerby.

Ahhhh <3 I love it so much, thanks Sasha! It's so Edda...

Pretty much this. Barring skilled techniques and tricks, the game pretty much holds your hand in terms of teaching you how to play your job adequately, though the system itself, and via other players. I do not expect Savage-tier raiders in every DF Expert Roulette I run. I do not mind helping people with any questions they may have about their job. I have no issue pointing people in the right direction when it comes to playing the best that they can. However, I do not join an Expert Roulette so I, a WHM, have to do over half of the damage of two DPS so we can finish the run in just under an hour. No one expects greatness, and if they do, they are an asshole. And yet, by failing to perform at even a mediocre level, so too are you. In a subscription based MMO, time is money, and players that cannot do even 1/5 of what they are required to waste not only their own time and money, but that of others.

I would go gay for Merlwyb in two seconds flat. But I cannot! For I am eternally devoted to Haurchefant, the NPC love of my life. I love you Haurchefant. I love you.

Sasha, my love... I will sign up for this. One needs the practice in drawing fabulously wealthy ladies, amirite? I can send screen shots when I am home, if necessary. I am terrible at self-scoring, so I think I have 4 points... maybe more? What is math? I owe you RP, too. Yes.

Yes, u were holding us back edda. We had to kill u like scar in the lion king. Mufasa, whatever Yeah well, whatever, at least I can rest easy knowing that whatever the creepy red mist touches belongs to me.

Cardinal directions are -literally- for losers. Also you can all thank me for the last clear, had I not walked off the edge like a boss you would have all died. So you're welcome.

Racist characters are interesting - especially if they have a good reason to be the way that they are. A soldier who fought against the Garlean invaders and lost his comrades during the Battle of Carteanau is very likely to distrust anyone and anything related to the Garlean Empire. So when that soldier meets a Garlean who happens to be reasonable and morally pure...there's a good deal of room for interesting conflict in my opinion. Pretty much this. Obviously, we should not take things too far and respect the OOC wishes of others (communication is key here), but there is definitely value in RPing themes that are not necessarily pleasant. It's not about making things as grimdark and heavy-handed as possible - it's about creating conflict, which is hella fun to RP and really great for character interactions and development. Racial, national, and social tensions are a great way to introduce a good, healthy dose of conflict into your RP whilst fitting in nicely with the setting of the game.

Yeah nah. At least in Bismarck Ex you know you are getting people who are level 60, and who know they are supposed to perform on a consistently high level, especially with pugs (even if they sometimes don't). Bismarck HM through trials roulette? Same problem with Steps of Faith pre-nerf. You'll get new people, impatient veterans, people who ignore mechanics, people who don't understand the mechanics, and DPS that may or may not average sub 200 dps. It's a veritable recipe for disaster, and - even though the fight is far easier than EX in theory - if you don't get extremely lucky and land in a decent group, you can expect to wipe. Probably more than once.

Bismarck HM is the new Steps of Faith of Trials Roulette. Just why. Fucking why. Just. Jesus Christ.

It had been some time since Edda had been in Gridania. The thick canopy of trees, the sound of nature, the tranquil air of the city – it all struck a sharp contrast with Ul’dah and Limsa Lominsa. She was not so familiar with the Black Shroud as she was with other regions, though she supposed she was as much a stranger to Thanalan and Limsa Lominsa as she was to Gridania, despite her time spent there. The chaos of population still managed to awe her. Jancis led her through the city with as much practice as a native would. It occurred to Edda that she knew little about the kind woman, even through their many conversations and encounters. She was a skilled conjurer, that much was certain, so it was understandable that she knew the area. Her mannerisms and way of speaking were different, though not in a jarring way. Despite the trust Edda placed in the woman, it felt odd to realize she was a near-mystery. Not an entirely unwelcome feeling, but a strange one, as if she herself had missed something somewhere, or committed some type of wrong. It was silly, and Edda brushed the feeling aside with a small shake of her head. Jancis continued to speak as she led her down to the ferry. Truly, the way she spoke was perplexing, her voice light and cheerful, yet full of a learned wisdom. Though a response to the woman’s eager words escaped her, Edda felt herself smiling in a response to the woman’s own expression. Perhaps this was not so bad an idea after all. “Do you have any expectation of our time together?” This was an unexpected question, and one that made Edda think. She paused as the two boarded the ferry. “I am not so sure,” Edda began, slowly. “It has been some time since I received any sort of lessons in this regard. Most of what I remember was being taught to channel and control my aether in a variety of different ways.” And there had been plenty of that. A focus on conjury for her perceived natural talent, a dabble in thaumaturgy, and a brief overview of basic arcanima. The lessons had been as much for the benefit of learning those magicks as it was for the family profession. If she could not control her aether, she could not work. “I am confident that both you and I know that I do not need training in such basics,” Edda said with a sheepish smile. “Beyond that, I am not at all sure what to expect. I imagine us traveling to the Shroud serves a purpose - but what purpose, I could not say.” Edda turned away as the ferry made its way across the Whispering Gorge and towards the East Shroud. The scenery was unlike anything she had ever seen, with massive trees growing out of the placid water, the streaks of sunlight beaming down through the breaks in the canopy. Edda breathed in the clear air, and sighed. Even now, it amazed her that she could feel such peace. The ferry arrived at Sweetbloom Pier and the two women disembarked onto the docks. Edda turned to Jancis and smiled nervously. Judging by the map she had provided they still had a ways to walk.

The trio arrived in Camp Dragonhead without incident. It was a difficult journey, trudging through the gathering snow, which wearied Edda more than the awkward length of silence that pervaded the group. She was quite tired as they arrived and could think of little more than a hot bath and a soft bed. Roen seemed expected as they arrived, and she supposed that was hardly surprising. They were approached by a Hellsguard and Midlander, no doubt her companions, who seemed quite eager to engage her. Edda paid them little attention as they spoke. It was not her business, nor her place to interfere with the paladin’s duties. Besides, she had more pressing concerns at hand. She scanned the area as best she could, the battlements at the far side of the camp shrouded by the steady snowfall. The last and first time she had been in Camp Dragonhead, she had left no sooner than she had arrived, only there to visit a dear friend at a makeshift infirmary. Her knowledge of this place was negligible. “Is that blood?” Edda snapped out of her reverie at the voice of a disgruntled sounding Midlander. He pointed at Khadai – a terribly rude thing to do – and glared at him. A natural reaction to be sure, yet she could not help narrowing her eyes at the man. Roen was looking at her with a beseeching expression, and so she said nothing, watching as the paladin addressed him. “It is. They ran into some trouble on the road.” She turned away. “You can listen in as I make my report to Ser Tournes.” Yes, the report. Edda had forgotten it. Such a thing could prove troubling depending on any number of factors, and she felt her breath catch in her throat. She was nervous, though there was nothing she could do about it now. The man appraised herself and Khadai quietly while picking at his teeth. The Midlander was failing to make any sort of decent impression on the woman, and she hoped he would take Roen up on her offer. “Alright,” he said after a time. “Stay with ‘em eh, Oak? Show ‘em yer hospitality of the grand ol’ Dragonhead while I go with Deneith here.” Edda felt some relief, but she frowned at the prospect of an escort. “Make sure he don’ run into any more trouble within the walls.” Roen and her rude companion took their leave, both looking at the pair over their shoulders with contrasting expressions. The Hellsguard remained. He did not seem overjoyed to be saddled with the task of looking after them, but his expression was placid enough for Edda to find him infinitely more pleasing than his friend. She turned to look up at him expectantly. He smiled awkwardly and reached up to scratch the back of his head. “Erm, right, grand ol’ Dragonhead,” he began. “If ye two would-“ Edda held up a hand to stop him. “Whatever it is you had in mind, it will not be necessary,” she said. “We seek lodging for the night – warm meals, baths, and soft beds – any place these can be found. You will take us there immediately.” The Hellsguard paused and looke dat her with an incredulous expression. “Aye, if that’s what ye need, but we should first check in with Ser-“ “That is not what I asked.” He blinked. Edda smiled sweetly at him. An innocent expression, but one that begot no argument. His orders were unclear, so it would not be too difficult to sway him in the right direction, or more accurately, the direction she wanted. “Right… This way, then.” He turned and began leading them into Dragonhead. It was not a densely populated area, but enough so that it stood to reason there would be basic amenities available. She did not expect anything grand, and when the man – who she gathered was named Oak – led them to a small building with a red door that desperately needed a new coat of paint, she was not let down in the slightest. Edda retrieved her knapsack from the saddle and approached the door, before turning to the Roegadyn and thrusting Gullinbursti’s reigns into his hand, as she had done with Khadai back in Fallgourd. “Surely this town has acceptable stables,” she said, and paused. She lowered her voice, and spoke in a kind tone. “Would you not take my precious steed, Ser Oak, and see him properly stabled? He must be quite weary.” The woman did not wait for an answer. “If you must keep an eye on us, we shall remain here. You are welcome to return and keep guard outside, but we have little intention of doing anything other than rest. The choice is yours. Until next we meet, then.” As soon as the words left her mouth, Edda had ushered Khadai into the building and closed the door behind them, leaving behind the bewildered Hellsguard. The inn was well-kept despite its outward appearance. There was a small reception area before a set of stairs, with a dining area and kitchen in the next room. A bored looking Elezen was leaning on the counter, and offered little more than an arched eyebrow in greeting. His eyes stayed trained on the Xaela, and he straightened up and took a step back as the two approached. Edda reached into her bag to fetch her gil purse, and deposited a random handful of coins on the counter. Whether it was too little, or too much, she did not know, nor could she be bothered to ask. “I will take two rooms for the night,” she said. If Roen had need of one as well, she would rent another, or share her own. “You will send hot water for a bath and a warm meal.” Edda looked at the Wildwood with a gravely serious expression. “Immediately,” she added. “For both rooms.” The inn-keep smirked nervously at her. He did not seem perturbed by the Au Ra’s presence – skeptical more than anything else. He reached into a drawer beside him before setting two keys carefully on the counter. “Second floor, end of the hall,” he said as he began collecting the gil. Edda motioned for Khadai to follow and ascended the stairs without another word. The hallway lay at the very front of the building, the dim light from outside pouring in through the windows, illuminating the empty hall in a dusky glow. The two rooms lay at the end of the hall, the entrances perpendicular to each other. Edda opened the door to the room at the very end of the hall, and waved Khadai inside before handing him the key. “You will stay in here. There will be water for a bath and food brought up to you.” She wrinkled her nose as her gaze settled on his bloodstained clothes. She would have to buy him new ones, and remove the blood from his. It was beginning to smell quite bad, appearance aside. “If you must leave for any reason, I will be in the room next door. Do not wander alone – it would be unsafe.” The woman turned and let herself into her own room. Their location was a good one – if Khadai had a mind to leave on his own, or anyone came knocking on his door, she would be able to hear them first. None of that was currently on her mind, however. She was ready, so very ready to strip out of her dirty clothes and soak for as long as she could, eat a real meal, and sleep in a real bed. The prospect of Roen’s report was but a shadow of a thought in her mind, the nervousness she had felt before all but melted in the warmth of her room. Edda sat on the edge of her bed and waited. She had made it this far, alive and in good health. There was no more room for anything unexpected or untoward to happen.

[Your Caption Here]

It's in Ward 2 for those who were wondering.

Edda took a step away from the man as he questioned her. The proximity at which she stood placed a great deal of strain on her neck to look up at him. He stood taller than most Elezen, or at least he seemed to, perhaps his imposing appearance making him seem larger than he was. In hindsight, telling him to ‘keep his head down’ seemed a silly thing to say – whether or not he pretended to be demure, he would still stick out like a sore thumb. “The stern woman,” Edda began, a small smile flitting about her face at the epithet. “You mean Roen. Yes, she will be. She will guide us to Camp Dragonhead, for she knows the way far better than I.” Khadai did not seem too pleased, if his frown was anything to go by. “Pray do not worry about our agreement,” she continued. “In fact, I would not prepare for any type of combat in the near future – I still have not discerned whether or not I will have need of your services. I imagine you will have need of a new guide once we arrive in Ishgard, or perhaps even Roen herself will show you the city. If I have need of you in the future, I have my own methods of seeking you out, and I will appear before you. Yet, if you depart Eorzea for good in order to return home, then you may consider our arrangement complete.” Edda looked up at with him with a reserved smile. His confusion was understandable; no doubt he wanted the trade over and done with so he could be rid of her and continue his quest unhindered. She could not blame him, but it was difficult to attempt to appease him when his culture was so vastly different from her own. “For now, it would be best if you considered yourself to owing me a debt in the future.” She paused. “No, not even a debt – a favor. That will have to do for now.” They had spent enough time talking, and the warrior seemed prepared to move on. Edda looked over her shoulder for Roen, who would doubtless be ready as well. The paladin stood some distance away, already at the road, waiting with her chocobo. “We should be going,” she said softly, and turned to make towards the road. The three continued on the road in silence for a ways, Roen walking slightly ahead of the two. Neither of the women rode their mounts. It was a considerably faster journey by chocobo, even at a mild trot, but it did not seem fair to make the Xaela match the speed of the birds, nor tire them out by riding them at a walking speed. To say it was an awkward walk would be an understatement. There was a palpable tension leaking off the two, and Edda silently lamented her position – trapped between one whose moral compass was as rigid as steel, and another who might as well not even have one. “As for your earlier statement,” Edda began, in order to both address his concern and do away with the uncomfortable silence. “There is little advice I can give you to avoid confrontation, outside of being as peaceable as you can be.” She turned to face the Au Ra, who was doing his best to match her pace on her right side. Her tone was normal, and well within earshot of Roen. “You – nor anyone else – can control the actions and perceptions of others. If, for whatever reason, someone brandishes their weapons at you, their intent is already made clear. It is up to you how you respond, however. You are already intimidating, and your weapon is as well. Threatening them with death or bodily harm may scare away the weaker ones. It would not always work, but you lose nothing in trying. Beyond that, could you not fight without killing? Perhaps you could disable them, strike with the flat of your blade, or disarm them...” She frowned and brought a loose fist up to her mouth, tapping her thumb against her lips in thought. This was hardly her area of expertise. Edda sighed and looked up at the man with a bashful smile. “Forgive me. I am no soldier, so it is difficult for me to proffer advice on such things.”

Edda felt no lack of happiness that Roen agreed to accompany them. No doubt the woman did so begrudgingly, and for that she could hardly be blamed. Still, it was a relief that the woman was safe and sound. Those that worried for her – those that Roen considered friends – would surely be pleased to hear she was well. She knew it was not her place to speak of her so freely, however – if the woman had wanted her status known to those who held her dear, she would have already contacted them herself. It would have to wait. As the paladin turned to retrieve her chocobo, Edda made her way back to the outcropping. Khadai had indeed retrieved her belongings as he said he would, piled neatly at the center of camp. He had not placed them on Gullinbursti, which did not surprise her. The Au Ra treated the bird warily, as if he did not to know what to do with it, and she wondered if the man had not seen one before. She loaded her items onto the saddle and fed the chocobo more krakka root from her satchel. Edda made her way over to Khadai, who had finished disposing of the remains. The snowfall began to stick to the ground, the trails of blood beginning to disappear underneath. She came to stand beside him, and craned her neck to look up towards his face. “She is not entirely wrong, you know,” she began. “As we approach Ishgard, it would be wise of you to keep your head down. The people of Coerthas do not take well to strangers, least of all those with horns and scales.” She hesitated, and continued in a quieter tone. “I know not where it is you seek to go, but Coerthas and the surrounding lands are vast. Will you go the city, Ishgard? Or does your destination lie beyond? You need not answer right now – think on it, if you must.” The woman looked up to the sky and sniffled as quietly as she could. She did not mind the cold, but she was still unaccustomed to it. Khadai’s ultimate goal was still very much a mystery, though it was plain he had a destination in mind, even if he himself did not know where that was. Edda did not trust him in full just yet, and she did not feel she could be at peace until she learned what his purpose was. If so many lives had been lost for any sort of nefarious cause, she would… The thought gave the woman pause. What would she do?

Closed Beta screenshots! Prototype Edda! She looks so much more mature... Ahhh, the memories...

Are you nuts? I'd marry Edda in a heartbeat. She's loaded, I'd never have to work again!

Khadai’s sudden explanation came as quite a surprise. Edda looked up at him and blinked as he came to stand in front of her. Her lips parted in wonder, and she drew her hood up to cover her head in order to busy herself with something. His actions were both mortifying and gratifying at the same time. The Xaela had not spoken so many words in a single breath since she had met him, and she had to wonder if the ordeal tired him. She watched him step away and make back to the camp, before turning to Roen and giving her an exasperated and animated shrug. “And there you have it,” she said. “In the simplest of terms. Pray do not think him dangerous –.“ She stopped herself. Of course he was dangerous. “At least, inasmuch as his race is concerned. The Au Ra dwell in the far reaches of Othard, though they have been trickling to these lands in great number recently. I do not imagine he will be the first you meet. Though his appearance belies it, he is no Dravanian – of that you have my word.” As she spoke of him, Edda looked over her shoulder to watch him wrestle with the sorry ruins of her tent. A smile creased its way onto her face, both from watching him and remembering Roen’s earlier words. ‘So your companion is a murderer.’ It was an obvious statement if anything else – yet it touched her somehow, giving rise to a blunt and far off pain that welled up and settled in her chest. Edda turned back to the paladin with a smile, gentle and slow. Yes, Khadai was a killer, but he was not so different, for so too was she. “I found him wandering the North Shroud,” Edda began in a quieter voice. “That he did not kill me the moment he saw me surprises me even now. I tried to run, but, well…” She motioned to herself, as if that was all that needed to be said. She did not mention the three dead Wailers, as now was neither the time nor the place. It would not do to have Roen attempt to bring him in shackles to Ishgard or Gridania, nor think that she had taken up a new hobby of slaughtering innocents. “He is callous and impulsive, but he is a stranger to these lands, and perhaps knows no other recourse. When I had awoken this morning, the deed had already been done.” She sighed and shook her head. “He had mentioned before that your two companions were hunting for dragon tails, and drew their weapons once seeing his, presumably to harvest it. A regrettable event, but I do believe him. I had fashioned him a cold-blooded killer in my mind, but if that were truly the case, I would be dead.” Edda paused and examined Roen carefully. That she appeared confused would be an understatement. It had been some time since she had seen the paladin, not since she had disappeared after that wedding. The threats that had plagued the woman so disappeared as well, and so Edda assumed that her departure was an intentional one. It seemed her suspicions were true, with the woman now standing in good health before her. “I will be taking him to Camp Dragonhead – beyond that, I know not.” Edda looked at Roen with searching eyes, her distant smile ever present on her face. “What will you do? Will you come with us? Or will you not come with us?”

That Khadai did not immediately strike down the stranger was a blessing. Her position beside him felt like a nuisance, but it was enough if it managed to stay his hand. The woman that appeared before them was armed and considerably well-dressed compared to her presumed companions. She did not seem ready to strike, rather defensive, and for that she could hardly blame her. “We do not seek trouble,” Khadai growled at the woman, and Edda nearly rolled her eyes. His penchant for trouble and his desire to avoid it seemed ever at odds with each other. “Is that what you told them before you cut them down?” Edda frowned, and narrowed her eyes. That she had somehow been remiss in inspecting the stranger’s face suddenly seemed quite silly. “One does not murder people and avoid trouble.” The voice, the posture, the appearance – they were all rather unmistakable when put together. The woman stood perfectly still, unsure as to whether or not she should approach or flee. Her presence in such a place would be considered outlandish by most, and alongside her unexpected companion, she would not be surprised if Roen failed to recognize her. Understandably, she seemed rather preoccupied by the Au Ra wielding a bloodied sword, but once her eyes came to rest upon her, if only for a brief moment, she knew. “…Edda…?” The look of confusion on her face was palpable. The paladin remained in her defensive position, weapon still drawn, Khadai having the same idea. Edda relaxed her grip on the man and gave him a stern look, before withdrawing herself from him completely. She stepped forward, blonde hair still loose and disheveled, blowing in the quickening wind of the early dawn. She came to stand between the two warriors, and though they could see each other past her frame, they would need to cut through her in order to harm each other. “Roen,” she began softly, a cautious smile blooming on her face. Snow began to collect on her long eyelashes, the precipitation coming down heavier than before. “It has been some time. What are you doing here?” Edda looked around before turning back to Roen with a steady gaze. She clasped her hands in front of her; ever calm, but aware that she may seem just as guilty as the Xaela behind her. White puffs of her breath dissipated in the air as she waited, hoping the two did not do anything rash.