Siha

Siha smiled as warmly as possible but there was still tension in her face, every minute wasted was a minute Mikh'a or Kahn'a could be getting hurt. She kept the sentiment to herself however and had a distraction a few moments later in the form of a very odd talking bird...she'd seen parrots mimic but speak freely?! Her violet eyes widened a fraction before she shook her head to clear it and turned her attention to the occupants, something in the air felt...off. A quick furrow of her brow and assessment of them however yielded nothing and so she settled on giving them both a nod in greeting as she stepped into the smallish interior. She didn't really mind the mess so much, her own room was often cluttered with books, notes, sketches, clothes, and a myriad of other things related to cooking and weaving. His own mess was nothing to be ashamed of, just noted in a curious sort of sense. She only let her eyes sweep the room quickly before she was back to her own business, her gaze moving over to Kiht for a moment to check on her, before she was focusing on Clio's words. As much as it hurt her she felt doubt burgeon at the orders, could they afford to lose a day on saving who was at the Flame Hall and risk their quarry moving on? She wasn't sure they could. She swallowed the question however, she wanted to save their friends just as much as Clio did, but she didn't want to lose their chance at salvation on the same token. There was of course a simple answer to this and once her mind settled on it her doubts were quelled, "I can speak with someone in the city and have them keep an eye on these bandits if we can find their whereabouts. He's discreet and we can trust him implicitly...Youkio could even speak to him if needed" her father. He was a resource and his movement around the city was normal as could be, no one knew of their attachment as she'd always been careful. Kiht's question made her heart ache and she fixed her with saddened eyes, "We're not sure but they mentioned it was a Keeper...that could only mean they have Kahn'a or Mikh'a...I believe you've met him as well at the eclipse celebration..." she answered softly. She hated thinking of either of them in the grips of people who didn't trust them, there was no telling what was happening to them. Her stomach knotted and bile rose but she swallowed, perhaps nothing, perhaps she should have more faith in the Flames than she did now but with this being anything but the first time... She needed to focus. As for the task of the Flame's Hall, it would be dangerous throwing themselves into the maw of the beast but she had a half plan already forming in the back of her mind. "I might have a plan for the Flame's Hall if you haven't got one already..." she looked to Cliodhna and there was a spark in her eyes, it could be stupid but maybe so stupid that it might work given their reputation right now.

All of the gear, just...oh my. *Faints* So lovely...so...lovely.

They were at their destination much faster than the Keeper would have preferred if only because it would have been nice just to keep walking. But that wasn't an option. She lifted her gaze to Youkio and for once let herself really take in his appearance and commit it to memory, the black eye that was starting to puff up sparked concern in her as it would with any hurt creature, and her gloved hands flexed. His apologies about his home made her shake her head, "It's wonderful, just what we needed" she reassured him and gave him a warm smile, it didn't matter where anyone lived to her, mansion or shack, she was equally grateful that he'd offered them sanctuary. She nodded at his offer of rounding up supplies, "That will be appreciated for sure, but right now I'm not sure what we'll need to pull this off" she admitted quietly and looked to Kiht for a brief moment. She had kept hoping on the walk that Clio would have a plan, because nothing she thought of would be good enough, however her resolve had strengthened. She didn't have the military training the others had but she had spent more than enough time around the Red Wings to have picked things up. And she was not stupid. That burgeoning thought had made her a bit more confident and she lifted her chin, looking towards the shack and taking purposeful steps in that direction. The faster she spoke to the others the better. She could hear Kiht asking the male a question and she hesitated...had she forgotten to ask his name? She had. She winced internally, how rude of her, she cast a glance over her shoulder and stopped though she had been reaching for the door. It was only polite that she hear his name and that he give her permission to enter...she had been eager was all. She wanted them all together again, and she wanted them all safe.

Siha's violet eyes jumped between Kiht and Youkio with wariness, she had a feeling there wasn't much love there, at least on Kiht's end. Thankfully Kiht was graceful and didn't bother biting back at the semi taunt the male threw out, Siha make sure to give her a grateful look before she turned her attention to Youkio when everything was said and done. "No, we can't afford more exposure than necessary, we have too many we don't need catching wind of where we are" she admitted to the scarlet haired male. She tossed one more look around them before waving at Youkio to lead the way, "Take us there then, quickly, I'm sure Miss Kiht and I can keep up with you..." she assured and took steps to follow him when he moved. She had a lot of thinking to do on the way, she was sure Clio likely had a plan on getting the Bandit Captain that had attacked them but that didn't mean that every detail was worked out. They would need more than the five of them if they wanted this to be easy and quick, they really couldn't afford for it to be done any other way. Her expression creased as they moved, perhaps her father would be of use, he had his crew and if nothing else they'd be good informants...though she loathed involving them at all. She knew Yuzu'ya was seasoned enough that he wouldn't be stupid enough to be caught, and he wouldn't be cowed by the situation, he never was. She'd have to make a call to him or send a messenger, perhaps Youkio or Kiht would be better than a linkpearl. Less possibility of being traced. Her thoughts would continue to entertain her until they arrived wherever it was the male was taking them, though she knew her feet would remember, it was one of the perks of her upbringing.

Siha's face only reddened further and she jumped her purple eyes to Kiht, thankful that the male hadn't somehow ended up on the sharp end of a lance. She smiled tightly at the dark haired Keeper before looking back to the very animated and relaxed male, she didn't feel the same and she envied his ability to be so cool. Then again he wasn't being hunted down like a rabid animal. She willed herself to stay calm and the heat started to fade from her face...until he decided to throw out more flirty words and the flush creeped up her neck again. One day she'd have a handle on it, but her mind was fixed completely on what they needed to do and so she nodded to Kiht instead of acknowledging his compliments towards Cliodhna's...rear. "W-Worry not Kiht. I won't let you walk in alone, you have my guidance every step of the way, as much as I can offer you. Anything you need from me that I can give I will for your assistance" she assured the woman with a nod and a set jaw. She tossed Youkio a look when he threw in his own hat and she even gave him a tight lipped smile, "The help is appreciated, so long as it is alright with C- Tempest. You are her contact after all" she added. After a deep breath she rubbed at a temple briefly and then dropped her hand first to the crystal around her neck and then to her side. "Right. We can discuss the finer details of the plan once we get back to wherever it is we'll be hiding...I believe you'd be our guide there?" she looked to Youkio again at the latter with a curious gaze.

Yeah... too bad NO ONE does CT. Should get together groups to farm for the Fuma stuff. I definitely have friends that wouldn't mind running CT, some of us are farming various sets from there and I certainly wouldn't mind a premade group going in there!

Personally I think the Fuma set (at least the top) is nice, from Labyrinth of the Ancients!

Kiht's disbelief was typical, did she deserve her place in the Red Wings? In her mind no, not in the least, but she was theirs and they were hers, and that meant everything to her. It was why she continued speaking with fervor even after the outburst, watching the nuances in Kiht's expression as she took it all in with disbelief and anger it seemed. Siha winced when the woman had another outburst, but she was right, the whole situation stunk and she couldn't quite believe it herself. Ul'dah wasn't what she had thought it could be, the Flames were not the allies she would hoped they would be, and her father in them was forever ruined...especially knowing this was not the first time this had happened. "They only do what they think is right...I suppose. Someone on the inside has either paid very good money for this, or something with clout is very angry with us. Either way the Flames are not our allies and who knows if they will be even after we prove we are not the traitors they seem to think we are. I don't know if I would want them to be, this is apparently not the first time they've done this to Erik...for them not to have learned...well they obviously have no love for him or our unit." She smiled tightly, it was hard to take pleasure in any of it, but in that moment she was proud to know the Keeper woman that stood before her. It was no wonder Roen prized her as a sister. "Thank you, it means the world to have you at our side, to have friends that we can trust" she opened her mouth to say more after a pause but never got the chance. Over the smell of salt and the thudding water she'd not smelled nor heard the male Miqo'te until he came into view on his own. It set her on edge and the woman threw her hands up, aether already shimmered along their length, green and turbulent winds in nature. Hands were held up in peace on his end, his comments flustered her and heat rose to her face but she resolutely set her jaw and kept her arms held in such a way she could fling the wind at him if need be. "Who are-" he kept talking and she flipped her ears back, watching him warily as he moved ever closer to her, she would be surprised if Kiht didn't react badly just as she was currently. Trusting everyone wasn't an option right now. However the name Tempest rang with her...hadn't Clio warned her. Her hands eased down to her sides slowly and she gave Kiht a look that asked that she stay her hand for the moment, when the name Lumiere joined the other her eyes widened and her mouth dropped just a little. "Erik..." she breathed softly and then held up a hand at Kiht. "I know who sent him" she said with a bit more volume and nodded to the male, he was an ally, for now. "Just a few more moments sir," she turned her eyes to Kiht again and smiled in a strained fashion again, "one of my allies that was split up with me sent him, we can trust her. I believe for now we would require your help to capture this...Bandit...that accosted us and set this whole thing in motion. I believe my ally has more information on a plan for such a thing...and I trust you enough to think it would be fine to bring you to wherever it is we currently hide, that is if it's not been forbidden" her eyes turned to Youkio curiously and she blinked once. They had been forbidden the use of their pearl so perhaps this male was the best way to communicate with Clio for the moment.

Relief flooded the Keeper's features as soon as Kiht revealed her face, not a detail was off and she let the aether along her arms drop completely. The tone the other greeted her in made her stiffen briefly, she must have set her on edge, not her intention but it was actually a positive side effect. The more alert the other was, the better. Her expression was apologetic for a brief moment, and then she settled it back into something stoic and grave, how did one even explain what was going on when they didn't believe it themselves? "The Red Wings are in trouble Kiht" she started off slowly and her expression crumbled in confusion and slight distress before righteous anger surfaced and snaked up her throat, heating her face and neck. "We don't know why but the Flames have suddenly decided that we are no longer needed...ah...redacted is I believe what Erik called it. The mean to destroy us by one means or another, in this case it seems someone sent us down phony orders and intends to frame us for something. What we're not sure, but it involved quite a bit of Imperial Tech" she rushed quietly, just loud enough for the Keeper to hear her. She'd rather not have the dock workers by chance hear a scrap of anything should they decide to stray this way. With that in mind she moved closer, cautiously, and tried to judge the woman's face while she continued speaking. "We were forced to split and flee while we try to figure things out. I believe Erik sent me to you with good faith that you could hide myself and two others in the Shroud...but we have other plans. Those who set us up used professionals to steal the tech that I spoke of, they know something, and we intend to find out what but there are only three of us. We need more than that if we intend to take him down and extract what we need to know, namely who ordered his raid on us" she wrinkled her nose in disgust as the thought of the merry little Captain and his friends. They had killed a man and she wouldn't forget that. Her violet eyes again moved to judge Kiht's expression and her own expression hopefully looked completely sincere when she next spoke, "We did nothing wrong Kiht. We would never do anything to hurt Ul'dah or anyone in it. You know that. Will you help us? Even the extra eyes and ears in the city would do us good. They...they have captured one of our own and gods know what they're doing to him" she couldn't bring herself to speculate again on if it were Mikh'a or Kahn'a they they held in their hands. Both prospects were grim and she needed to stay strong if she were to be of use to anyone.

As soon as she'd stopped her conversation with Clio, Siha had pulled her pearl from her ear and tucked it away in a pouch at her belt. Her eyes prickled with moisture and her heart raced in her chest, they had caught a Keeper. Was it Kahn'a? Was it Mikh'a? Were they hurt? What was going to happen to them now that they were caught? All of those question flew through her mind as she walked and eventually started to run. They would be jailed...and that was if they were lucky. There was no telling what would happen to them if they were in the hands of people who wanted them to disappear, and she shuddered even thinking about the possibility of their death. They should have never gone back to that awful house. Fangs stung her lip as she bit into it and waded through the brush, ignoring the sting of the branches as they whipped at any exposed skin. They had to finish this, even more quickly than before. With one of their own in the hands of the...enemy...it was odd thinking of the Flames as the enemy. Of Ul'dah as no longer a safe haven. She swallowed as her worries turned her stomach, they would not die, she wouldn't even think of it. She couldn't think of it. She couldn't let despair overwhelm her, she had to use it instead, use it to make her work faster and harder to save them. No brother of hers would die on her watch. Not Kahn'a. Not Mikh'a. If they did...darkness flashed across violet eyes and she swallowed at the sick feeling that rose. It would not happen. The Keeper woman didn't slow until she reached the Skylift, only then did she let herself stop and breath, her chest and legs aching but the run had been thoughtless after she'd focused merely on navigating. Pausing she left herself look out towards the ocean that spread away from the cliff that lift was set into, the sea...she could see why her father sailed as he did, why pirates existed. It was only you out there, you and your own laws if the pirates were to be believed. Dangerous and wonderful all at once, Yuzu'ya had once lamented the fact that he ever even had to stop on land and deal with any politics or people. She had only smirked at him at the time but looking back now she could see what he meant. A tight frown pursed her lips and she started to make her way past the myriad workers that milled about the docks and lift, thankfully she blended but dodged the work until she was able to lay boots on the dirt path that led into Woad Whisper Canyon and the waterfall. Siha hadn't bothered with armor and she was starting to regret it as she stood near the waterfall, the spray from it had already coated her lightly and she could feel her blonde hair starting to stick to her cheeks. The rock she'd tucked herself behind was just tall enough to conceal her short figure, and she folded her arms, leaning back and watching the entrance to the canyon over her shoulder. When she spotted the cloaked figure heading her way her heart raced and her teeth clenched, from a distance she couldn't tell if it was Kiht or not...it could be a trap. Her hands tightened on her arms and she willed her aether to build, dropping her arms so that they rested behind her back where she could course aether along them. Wind. And Earth. Her best allies. As the figure grew nearer she tucked herself farther back, only when they stopped did she get a good look at them, a flash of dark hair and definitely keeper. The lance fixed to her back was wicked in appearance but she didn't blame the woman for being on edge if she was, looking back she might have been suspicious herself. The Keeper filtered in a deep breath to catch the scent, there was some familiarity in it and on good faith she hesitantly grabbed her turban before pulling it from her face and stepping from behind the rock into view. The only thing she didn't relinquish was the hand that vibrated with earth aspected aether, should she need it the rocks would be ready to shield her... "Miss Kiht?" she started and leveled her violet eyes on the Keeper that stood only fulms away from her hiding place.

The Keeper woman pulled the mask tighter over her face, it was perfect for hiding her eyes along with the turban and it didn't impeded her gaze. A gaze that was directed firmly at the waters as they lapped against the bottom of the Aftcastle where she'd settled on a rocky outcropping. The sheer face of the cliff in front of her didn't bother her, nor did it scare her, if anything it was a comfort to know that should she have to she could jump. It would hurt if she landed wrong but she'd done her share of cliff diving with her brothers as children...when they had been able to be around her that was. She replayed her letter over and over in her head, picking out little things that others might be able to recognize and agonizing over whether or not it was subtle enough to fool, but hinting enough that Kiht understood. Her answer certainly had been what the young woman had wanted to hear...to an extent. The fact that the Keeper was now in Thanalan for her own reasons slightly complicated things but perhaps that could be an advantage. By now there was no suspicion of her being there, and a friendly pair of eyes and ears so keen would be useful back in the city state. She'd hastily scrawled a note and sent it back to the woman, they would need to meet quickly and Siha had picked a spot that both of them would know well. It was off the beaten path but certainly not a suspicious place for anyone to visit, a stream under the Skylift with a waterfall at its end. Once confirmation arrived she'd be on her way but for now she was doomed to sit on this infernal ledge and agonize over each little detail...or she would have been should her pearl not have crackled to life at that very moment. Blonde ears perked as Clio's voice came over it and she smile hastily, hunching closer to her after casting a look over her shoulder as casually as she could. "I'm alright, I made it without any hiccups. Mmm, I also got a letter to our friend and she's happy to meet with me, I was discreet of course. I'm only waiting on her confirmation back before I can say where and when but I made sure it was urgent...tonight" the conversation was choppy at best but she was on the lookout for her answer to arrive. The bright spot of a Moogle bouncing into view made a grin split her face and she moved to her feet, "Just a moment" she hurried out to the pearl and then scrambled up the wall behind her. A few coin and the Moogle handed over her mail with only a chipper noise and it was exactly what she'd wanted. Stuffing the note into her vest the Keeper took off at a light walk towards the gates that lead to Lower La Noscea, she would have liked to head straight to Summerford but it would take Kiht some time and if anyone was following...well once she was in the brush she could lose them. She knew these hills well. Once she was sure no one was behind her she lowered her head and clicked her pearl once more, "Tonight, Summerford Farms. If you need guidance just contact me but I want to check it out first, make sure there's nothing wrong...I can handle it. Really" she wasn't sure why but she felt the need to reassure Cliodhna that she could do it. She'd not be useless this time.

"It's better than doing nothing, if we can end this quickly..." she trailed off but she was sure the others knew exactly what she was thinking, it would be worth it. She merely nodded to Clio's directions, of course, she gave Sieghart a strained but reassuring look before she stepped away from the pair of them. "I'll get a letter out immediately, I'll ring you on the pearl when I'm done and we can go from there. I'll be fine on my own for now" she said simply and pulled her robes closer before heading towards her own alley without letting them protest. She need only find a post Moogle and they could be on their way, they'd need to move quickly if they really wanted to catch their assailants by surprise and she had every intention of not hindering that. Though most saw it the Miqo'te had grown up in clan and having taken care of herself she had learned early on that being swift and using her environment was necessary to survival, she called on that now to sink into the shadowy recesses and thanks to her short robes she was able to dart down the streets at a fast pace. She drew little looks, just another Miqo'te skulking through the La Noscean port, her robes however would net her more attention...she'd need to replace them. She'd need to cover her hair as well, maybe her eyes. That ran through her mind as she jogged briskly towards her best bet for a Moogle, Limsa Lominsa, she didn't relish the idea of going into the city so soon but it was needed. Well she had plenty of time to think of a way around that on the run there didn't she? As paranoid as she'd been there was no contingent of soldiers waiting at the gates or the bandits for that matter. Composing herself she'd walked through with a bashful smile at the guards, she even recognized a few of them, it would be sad if this got to them. Ducking her head she'd headed straight for Hawkers Alley and snagged herself some new clothes, an unassuming outfit of a dock worker. With the bandanna on her head she felt much better, hair tucked beneath it to give her a little more comfort, while she casually made for one of the post Moogles. It would be simple enough to send a letter to Kiht and then she had a few other things to check into, maybe her father could help them while they were in the area in fact, that thought brought a smile to her face and with a bit more confidence she lengthened her stride.

*Stares at the chat in this one* For shame on this Siha person for jumping people at a ball. Pah. What is she an animal? :angel: ILU Roen.

Dang it all. I've been volun-told to be a DD again?! Oh well. Should be amusing. I need volunteers! I'm not taking EVERYONE home myself. I'm not a professional or anything but I have a two seater bird and I'd be happy to cart off the sad sacks who pass out! It would not be the first time Siha has rolled a drunken Highlander into their room... *coughRagnarcough*

Eeeeeee, everything starts in less than an hour! Looking forward to seeing the turn out!

There's actually no IC security needed for this! Thank you for the offer though. ^^ *Is relaying for event holder*

The blonde woman was much more at ease after Sieghart answered her question and she unwound her arms from herself for the moment. So he wasn't a mindless soldier, and that meant that he could be trusted...well she assumed so for now. He seemed alright and she tried to put any fears aside long enough to flash him a relieved smile, her brows furrowing again as Clio smirked and continued with her train of though. Her frown had nothing to do with disapproval, no, she was thinking. Her eyes widened quickly when Cliodhna turned her gaze onto her and she flipped her ears back briefly before setting her jaw with a curt nod. "Y-Yes, Miss Kiht and I know each other through a mutual friend and she's been nothing but welcoming. I don't have a direct line but a message could be sent to her discreetly via the Moogles I'm sure..." she suggested before falling silent. It was the best she could offer but she can be discreet, offering to visit as Kiht had invited so long ago. It wouldn't alarm the Keeper but she could try to convey some discreet urgency, the woman had been versed enough in subtlety when she'd met her with Roen and it make her confident. "O-Osric would be easy enough to get hold of...ah...maybe not without Erik knowing but we do have our pearl" she reached to touch her ear. Thank the gods they still had those in their possession, if one group went down at least the others would be able to be told. She hoped against hope that wasn't necessary and that they'd all remain safe but it didn't stop it from settling at the back of her mind.

No problem it can get a bit confusing, especially with that pesky calendar doing it's thing and saying it's today (at least for me) but as someone in the FC of the person throwing the ball I can safely say it's definitely tomorrow. :thumbsup:

I saw it mentioned by Nako first but seriously anyone who needs this, I know how much of a pain it is, so I'd be more than happy to actually offer my healing services to you! Free of course. Those DPS queues hurt and I had help so I'd like to pay it forward. ^^

Yes, this event is tomorrow, on the 21st, and starts at 6 pm EASTERN time and will last until midnight Eastern. At least this is what I've understood from the first post and it will be at the Sanctum of the Twelve in the East Shroud.

All I can see and hear in my head is him going..."You gonna eat that?" about the holly on her dress, in like that old Italian Godfather type voice. I don't why on the last part, the eyes maybe. lmBQfhK7uDA ... The Godcobo... AHAHAH I HAD FORGOTTEN THIS. No wonder I heard that voice! Thank you! Lmao.

All I can see and hear in my head is him going..."You gonna eat that?" about the holly on her dress, in like that old Italian Godfather type voice. I don't why on the last part, the eyes maybe.

That new race, just...hnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnngh.

Cautious and inherently worried about others she was, but a coward she was not. The Miqo'te set her jaw just as soon as Clio was done speaking, "You're not going alone, La- Cliodhna, you can count me in." She wasn't one to go tracking down such wily enemies so quickly but Clio had a point, they needed to know what their attacker had known and he'd said it was a job, that meant there was more to it and someone had hired him. "I'd rather be doing something than hiding, especially if that means the others can come home faster..." she glanced to the side and fixed her eyes on the Highlander curiously. From what she'd seen of the man she doubted he'd refuse Clio either but then again he had said he was a soldier and this was technically disobeying orders by not fleeing immediately.

They had promised that man. That was all she could think about while they made their walk back to the Drydocks. They had promised him and they had failed him. Her brow had stayed furrowed the whole time and she'd fought Mikh'a for the spot of back of the pack, eventually ending the stalemate by taking his hand instead and turning watchful eyes on the back of her family. None of them had died as the poor Elezen man had, and none had been injured save Clio, even then her injury seemed to be preexisting and...complicated. Mouth set in a line the whole explanation had set her on edge and she'd cried out a few times in protest of what was being said, redaction? How could they dare redact the Red Wings after everything they'd done and given up for that city?! Her outrage was for the others and less herself, she was not a Flame and they owed her no allegiance but Erik, Kahn'a, Osric? They had given so much for that city, protected her from threats that would have been devastating. Quivering anger settled in her stomach and a little fear. They were splitting up, it was smart but she hated it if only because she wanted to watch them all, protect them all. The hug she'd given Mikh'a had been tight when they'd parted and after whispered instructions she'd left him along with Clio and the others to step outside into the rain that had plagued them since the attack. Her ears were flattened to avoid the drops sliding into them and she peered up at the sky, normally she enjoyed the rain but now...somehow it just seemed ominous and her brow furrowed before she was wrapping her arms around her quickly dampening form. Sliding to sit on a bench near the door she directed her gaze finally to her teammate, Sieghart. She didn't know much about the man except that he'd seemed to enjoy the fight and had been able to make light after, a man had -died- but perhaps that was something he was used to. Regardless it made her uneasy and she swallowed, unease or not he was hers to watch over now and he was a Red Wing, that was enough to warrant her attempts at getting to know him. A few moments on the bench were all she could handle before her nerves brought her to her feet and she drifted over the large Highlander's side. She didn't lift her eyes at first, clearing her throat to let him know she was there if he didn't already, "What...what did you make of all that?" she asked quietly, lifting her gaze finally to settle a purple gaze that was full of mixed emotions onto his face. She looked strained to say the least and her hands rubbed lightly at her arms to coax some warmth into them, but her cold had nothing to do with the rain, it would not be chased away so easily.