Roen

There it was again. That person he was trying to save. And his question of what would she do… it made her pause. Indeed, what would she do to save someone she loved? She had made the choice to sacrifice her heart for the good of all, once. And it nearly broke her. A somber expression flitted over her features, for it was her turn to look to the distant horizon. “There was a time when I would have told you that the good of all would always take priority over the good of one. But now…? I pray that such a choice never has to be made.” She turned back to Ashur, leaning in towards him, more intent. “Who framed you? And how do you know that they aren’t working with your employers? Isn’t it a little convenient that they offer to just make your problems go away?” She narrowed her eyes. “From what I know of them, the people you work for likely have the power to do as they promised. But they also have the power to have orchestrated it in the first place.” She shook her head. “I think… if you keep an open mind and a cool head,” she said the last two words with a pointed look, “... then perhaps we can explore the possibilities of what this keystone can do with the Xaela tribe you seek.” Roen exhaled, returning her attention to the rowing again. She sounded confident enough, but she herself had no idea how she and Ashur would even be received by Kasrjin’s people. If they would even listen to her in the first place. She could only hope that her familiarity with a Khadai would at least allow her to implore with him personally. “Who is this that you are trying to save?” She shifted the subject, her tone turning more quiet and neutral. “What kind of danger are they in?”

Roen watched Ashur carefully, at first it was to coordinate their rowing efforts but after awhile once they were in synchronicity, she began to regard his face as he spoke. There was definitely an anger that was sparked, a reflex almost, when he thought he was being betrayed. He had mentioned being framed for something after all, as the whole reason of him doing all this in the first place. So the man valued honesty. And if he was indeed implicated in a crime that he didn’t commit, one could go as far as say he was innocent. Although looking over the man, he certainly had the look of a well-worn and traveled mercenary; Roen doubted he had been hired nor succeeded this long without compromising some values along the way. Could she call herself completely innocent? A long sigh left her lips and Roen glanced about. She supposed being surrounded by the ocean, this was good a spot as any to speak truths she didn’t want overheard. “The tribe you seek, they are… people with purpose. And nothing grand or bloodthirsty in conquering others, only to survive and flourish. They function as a community, performing tasks they are best fit for. They have...” She paused with a distant look in her eyes for a moment. “... a different way of looking at things in terms of what is valued and what is not.” Her gaze drifted over the water, looking over the reflection of the sun upon the currents. Has it been so long since she spoke to Kasrjin? She could almost picture the puzzlement upon his face. It was such a familiar sight, after all. But soon her eyes narrowed and her eyes flicked back to the man rowing next to her. “What you want to take from them, they will not yield. It is supposed to save their people.” Her motions slowed, as she narrowed her eyes on Ashur. "Are you willing to take from them their very livelihood? Possibly what sustains them?"

Roen finally allowed herself a sigh of relief when she took her seat on the dinghy, a wary glance thrown toward the pirate ship they had just managed to get off of. Despite her confident words of warning, she actually had no idea what connections Ashur had with the Hingan family or what kind of pull they might have had with the Confederates. The politics of the East was one she was not too accustomed to just yet, despite the fact that she was learning and reading all she can during her sea voyage over. She was just glad that the gamble paid off. Roen took up the oars without a word and dipped them into the water, before she gave a small shrug to Ashur. “What would have been the alternative? See you get killed by pirates and stay as their captive until whenever they decided to release me?” She arched a skeptical brow. “That would have been a poor choice.” She set her legs against the base of the boat and started the motion of rowing to shore. It was not something she had done in some time. There was a little bit of an amusement that tugged at the corner of her lips at their predicament, but a physical exertion was something that she never shied away from. “Although, as quick as you were ready to draw your gun, I hope you show a bit of a cooler head as we continue. I believe Xaelas can also be a territorial sort and many tribes are warlike. I would not have our paths be littered with bodies. I hope you can resort to diplomacy whenever possible?”

Roen shot Ashur a sharp look with a small furrow to her brow. She pressed her lips as if in disapproval of whatever he was planning to do, for they were on the Confederate ship after all. She could see the shore in the distance, and given the lightness of their armor, both she and Ashur could make for shore, if the Confederates decided not to try and shoot them in the back as they did so. But was all that trouble worth it? She let out a long sigh, and narrowed her eyes at the captain. “Do not think me ridiculous in paying you to stay detained on your ship.” She gave Ashur a sidelong glance, this time more obviously so. “My friend is in a bit of a hurry. I would accept our coin… and our thanks for the passage, and go on and keep your word in detaining the rest of the shipful of mercenaries in Kugane that are also waiting to make this same voyage.” She flexed her hand, hooking the coin pouch back onto her belt, where it rested closer to her sword. Despite her calmer words, she too had no intention of staying against her will on some pirate ship. But she preferred to resolve this without violence if at all possible. “So, you can make quite a bit of profit, still repay your favor in holding off the tide of foreigners to come, and let us pass without trouble?” She tilted her head, her words slowing as she started to make note of how many were on the ferry, who wore weapons, both long range and melee. “Or decline the opportunity for wealth, and make trouble for yourself where it is not needed by holding paying passengers captive. Especially those with Hingan noble ties.” Her scan of the surroundings ended with a brief glance towards Ashur, this time more of a readied look rather than apprehension, before she looked back to Tsura. Her voice remained calm but unwavering. “We really are not worth all the trouble that this would bring.”

Pirates. Roen nearly rolled her eyes. It had been awhile, for she had been working with nobles and other businessmen for the last year, that she had encountered such obvious and blatant greed. Or perhaps she had been blessed in at least working with those who wanted to help Ala Mhigans and orphans. She had forgotten how pirates were, brash and proud in their self-interest. Her sword hand almost twitched, as if there was an old instinct that wanted to return, or at least make a show of it and rest her hand on her hilt. But if she learned anything from Nero, it was that things were not always what they seemed. “It must have been an hefty sum.” The paladin tilted her head, steady gaze lingering on the Roegadyn. “Exactly how many people are you planning on denying passage? Did your previous client pay for all of them? And what of other passengers that has nothing to do with… whatever this is? Foreigners make trips to Othard every sun for all sorts of reasons. Are you going to deprive yourself of all their tithe? Surely you are not the only Confederate ship that stands to make koban here.” She stepped up, unhooking her pouch from her belt. “Why not make even more profit for yourself by allowing us passage? Our individual payment could be double what you usually get. You could stand to make quite a bit of wealth, if you choose to accept both tithes.” She glanced from the Captain, to his crewmen, then back to the Hellsguard. “You could still detain whoever else and keep what you were paid already." She shrugged. “What do you stand to lose?”

Roen remained in the back, letting Ashur do all the talking. But when the document detailing his arrangement was just casually tossed aside, she raised a skeptical brow. Pirates. What was that she said about their disinclination to adhere to the rules? She took a step forward, letting out a patient sigh. At last she had enough sense to exchange her coins for what was proper currency in the East. Kugane might be accepting of gil, but she was not at all sure about the rest of Othard. She gave the squinty man a nod, her eyes slightly narrowing at him in return. “I brought coin.” She reached for a her pouch, unhooking it from her belt. “What are you asking to bring the both of us to the captain?” She too crossed her arms, eyeing the Confederate. “And I trust we will pay this tithe once for the passage? And not each crew member that we encounter?”

Roen let out a quiet sigh when Ashur continued. She loosened the shield that hung from her back, setting it aside to lean against an unattended crate. She put her back against the stack of boxes, reaching into her pouch to draw out the chronometer instead. The hands indicated what she already knew, that the morning was getting on. But as she regarded the timepiece, her expression softened. Her eyes slid in Ashur’s direction, the man who had repaired it just a sun ago. What was the saying? In for a copper, in for a ponze? Roen shook her head, but when she spoke again, her words had taken on a softer tone. Perhaps even contrite compared to a moment ago. “In truth? You are right. If you intend to return the keystone to your employers or jeopardize Xaelas in your misguided quest, I will not be helping you. I care not if you see me coming.” There was a pause before she continued, setting her chronometer back into her pouch. “But, I am hoping for something else. I am hoping you are an earnest man. I am hoping that you come to realize that working together to thwart your mysterious clients would be in everyone’s best interest. But I need to see for myself that I can trust you with what I know.” She had turned her head, regarding Ashur intently by now. But not waiting on a response to that rather heavy sentiment, she crossed her arms, taking the opportunity to look away from the man to look to the state of her gauntlets instead. “So. Just how is your employer going to give you your life back?” She knew it was rather a direct and personal question, and perhaps not a good one to lead with, but she was never good at small conversations anyroad.

While Roen didn’t say out right, she was relieved to hear Ashur criticize lawlessness. Rarely did hardened mercenaries and sellswords who could often be hired to kill for money, pay any mind to what would be considered a virtue or vice. Neither mattered to most, only profit. It was becoming clearer to her that Ashur was not one of these men. She had a feeling that such was the case, which was why she had shown up here at all. It did help in setting her mind at ease, even if it was just a little. But from the start, for reasons she couldn’t explain, she didn’t feel threatened by him. Not even when he reached for that gun. You have been wrong before. A quick self reminder of her past mistakes however, made Roen suddenly look out to the horizon, a small furrow starting to form on her brow. And since it did not seem that they would depart anytime soon, she started to look around for a place to sit to take a whetstone to her sword. That's when the man broke the silence, with an attempt at small talk even. She inwardly winced. She was never good at such things. She didn’t want to delve into the fact that she was bringing a keepsake back to a woman who abandoned her child, who then grew up into a ruthless mercenary that she herself killed. Then there was the matter of the keystone and the strange otherworldly place she had visited deep in Dravania. Would she then bring up her final reason? That she was looking for a friend of hers that she had long since lost contact with? A smuggler who was likely involved in illegal activities on this side of the world? Roen pressed her lips thinly in contemplation. No, she wouldn’t talk about any of that. “I told you yesterday,” Roen reminded him matter-of-factly, giving him a sidelong glance. She realized she already did share with him some details, before she learned that he was after Kasrjin’s tribe. She glanced down to a belt pouch, where she had tucked away the chronometer. “I am returning something. It once belonged to someone dear to me, and now I have a duty to return it to his mother. It is the least I can do.”

“The Confederates?” She shook her head. “Nay. Although I suppose I am not unfamiliar with… pirates.” There was a pensive shift in her tone, as she looked up at the nearest ship. She made a show of looking at the sails, but her thoughts were elsewhere completely. It seemed to be her lot to come upon pirates sooner or later, wherever she was in the world. After all, a certain pirate was the very reason she was here in the East, was it not? She indulged for a moment of reflection, before she shook it off. “The Lominsan pirates are known to abide by a certain code. So I would not be surprised if the Confederacy had some standards of their own.” She gave Ashur a sidelong glance. “Although most of them are… usually up for interpretation.” Her lip took a skeptical twist. “That is the nature of a pirate, is it not? Lawlessness?” Roen canted her head with one arched brow at Ashur. “I brought some coin. I did a little bit of study before arriving here as to not be completely lost.” She made a point not mention her nearly getting cheated in the first few suns, even though the man next to her was the only witness. But that didn’t need to be revisited. “So, what is this arrangement you speak of?”

Roen almost snorted. She didn’t yet know enough about Ashur to be certain how serious he was when he placed his hand on the holster of his gun, but even she knew how strict the laws here were against any show of violence or even impropriety. So she gave him a lopsided crook of her lips with a cant of her head, crossing her arms rather than reciprocating by reaching for the longsword hanging by her hip. “Stealth has never been my strong suit,” she retorted, a quick glance looking over his equipment. She had hung around both Ishgard and Shaelen long enough to be familiar with the aetherotransformers, but she also appreciated the shortsword hanging from his back. She always did prefer the blade over firearms herself, even though a sword and a shield would not travel far in a long range battle. She pursed her lips at the thought. “Let us say that I am still pondering on it,” Roen said neutrally. “But sitting in Kugane while you start making your way to the Steppe certainly is not going to do anyone any good.” She stepped past him to look to the ships docked on the pier. “Is it true? There is still a tithe to be paid for the trip?”

The Bath by Ruen It is hidden in the spoiler section for small bit of nudity. It was a very touching scene, all about trust and nothing sexual. Nabi and Anchor were still trapped beneath the mountain, and this was the night before the final battle. Some glimpse of the scene can be found here. You can check out more of Ruen's art here!

As Roen stepped onto the docks, her gaze went to the sky and the seagulls flying above. It seemed that the bustle of sailors and merchants started early in Kugane, and the birds circled above as the sky began to brighten with the arrival of morning, they too ready to take part in the dawn’s flurry. Her leather boots made hardly a noise over the wooden planks as she began to make her way further down the pier, her eyes looking about for the glimpse of blonde wild mane amidst the unfamiliar faces. It still didn’t feel quite right, not having that familiar weight of metal greaves over her legs and the absence of quiet clatter of heavy armor with her movement. But such heavy gear would definitely not be advised in any overseas journey, in case there was an unfortunate event where she would end up in the water. Heavy leather armor would have to do, with spaulders and bracers. But they felt like minimal protection. And the very thought of making yet another trek over the turbulent waves would have made her somewhat queasy, but thanks to the medicinal herbs provided by Maril, the long journey to the east was made quite bearable. Certainly a shorter trip across the Ruby Sea would not pose a challenge. She still had some herbs left over, after all. And the trip was necessary. She had planned on making her way to the Reunion even before meeting Ashur, but after the revelation that the Redeemers had hired many mercenaries to retrieve what they had lost, it made the expedition that much more urgent. The fact that she was about to accompany one of those very same sellwords to find Kasrjin… that she was still not sure on. ‘There is someone depending on me. Someone I have to save.’ Of all his words, those in particular stayed with her. Ashur didn’t put much value on his own life. He was trying to help another. That thought was what ultimately brought her here, looking for him. Was this person in Ishgard? If so, Roen knew that Ashur would never allow the keystone to fall into the hands of his employers. Not if he knew the truth of the matter. So why not just tell him the whole truth? Roen still had her doubts. She had just met the man the sun before. Was he lying to her? Was he trying to tug at her heartstrings to gain her help? Even if that was the case, his latter sentiment also held true. She had to find Kasrjin or his tribe to warn them, and keeping an eye on Ashur would be at least one way to take some control of this situation. It was also obvious he didn’t want any of his other competitors to take the prize. He would at least aid her in running interference or impeding their success altogether when it came down to it. Whether she could trust him with all of the truth, whether she would indeed help him in finding Kasrjin’s tribe, that still remained to be seen.

That's so strange. I always thought that male characters were in shortage. Majority of LFRP posts that I see are usually for female characters.But that's probably a cognitive bias on my part. I think there's some good advice here. And when the servers become open to visiting I suspect we will all get to meet more RPers! So hang in there! And do compose a LFRP post and maybe even a wiki! (the latter is a bit of work, but worth it!) And good luck!

Roen appreciated his honesty regarding the rest of the sellswords that were also hired to retrieve the keystone. But she nearly snorted in disbelief when Ashur followed it up with the idea that he still would retrieve the keystone. “Do you have any idea how important this relic is to the Xaela tribe you are trying to find? There is no chance of them just relinquishing it to you willingly. And your employers already know of it quite well. They held it in their own hands before this. They would know a simple replica.” She shook her head, another long exhale leaving her lungs. With his last slip, it was obvious that Ashur was driven in this. He wasn’t a simple sellsword looking to make gil out of this. And that made him more dangerous than the rest. Still, there was a part of her that didn’t want to think of him as a threat to her or Kasrjin. At least, not yet. Where as his tone sharpened, her own quieted and softened. “Do they have something over you? Your employers?” She held up a hand even though it didn’t lift from the table. “I do not ask to pry, only that… whatever they offered for your services, I want you to do know what you would trading.” She leaned forward again over the table, her face hovering near his, so that he would be the only one privy to her whispered words. “This life you long for…” Her eyes narrowed, watching him keenly. “Is it worth the freedom of all the people of Ishgard?”

What was she to say? Roen stared at Ashur for a long moment. Would she tell him what she knew? Or use the information he gave her so far to somehow try and sabotage him and find a way to warn Kasrjin and his tribe ahead of time? She let out a measured sigh. It was a gamble. She had made wrong decisions in the past when it came to deciding who to trust and who to throw her lot in with. But she had to take the chance. “I suppose I know more about your employers than you do,” she began quietly, grey eyes scanning about the common room of the Hostelry. The fact that this place had multiple floors, she wasn’t sure how easily conversations were heard from above. She shifted uneasily in her seat. “The fact that you told me as much as you have, I believe you are not with them. You do not know their intent, else you would not be so upfront about it. Which... I suppose then whoever else they hired probably knows as much as you. I hope.” Roen lowered her voice and leaned forward, closer to Ashur so that her words did not carry far. Her eyes bore into the man. “This thing you seek, it is powerful. And it should not fall into the hands of your employers. They intend to use it for their own gain, and at the cost of many innocent people’s freedom.” She held his gaze steadily, her own unfaltering. But after a long silent moment, she leaned back in her own seat. “That is all I will give you here, in this public place.” She glanced down at her pouch. “And my thanks for your aid,” she said quietly, almost apologetic as she slowly shook her head. “But I cannot help you if you intend to return what is not theirs to those who seek to control others unrightfully.” She peered intently at the man seated across from her, as if to gauge his integrity. “The people who hired you, cares little for any moral ground. If that matters to you at all.”

Even as Roen heard the words, their meaning were slower to sink in. There was a part of her that could not believe what this man was saying. Not in a hundred years did she expect that what she and Kasrjin did in Ishgard, to relieve a dangerous cultish group from the very magical stone that Ashur now spoke of, would follow her here, to the far East. Although in the time she had left Ishgard, to attend to the affairs of Ul’dah, settling Nero’s wealth and setting up charities, perhaps she did allow herself to forget the dangers that they had left behind. After all, the Redeemers didn’t know who took the keystone. That is, unless Maximillien Valencourt informed them. But that was unlikely, since that would eventually circle back to him as the informant and the traitor amongst them. Perhaps they knew nothing of her and Kasrjin, only the history of the keystone and what tribe it originally belonged to. Was Ashur the only one that was sent after it? Highly unlikely, if what was said of this secret organization was true. They were wealthy and powerful with likely influences in all parts of Ishgard’s governing hierarchy. Roen said nothing for awhile, but her grey gaze remained hard and fixed on Ashur. She wasn’t sure if she even attempted to hide her surprise, it had come upon her too unexpectedly. Finally when the silence that fell between them seemed too long, did she moisten her lip to try and compose a response. What was she to say? How much did Ashur know? The fact that he said as much as he did, he obviously couldn’t know of the power of the keystones. Even she wasn’t sure exactly what they did. And he certainly wasn’t aware of her involvement, else it would have been foolish to show his hand so soon. So then how much would she share with this man she just met? “Do you know your employers?” Her voice sounded somewhat hoarse. “Do you know what they intend to do with this keystone?”

Roen couldn’t help but quirk a subtle smirk. “Oh, aye. I do know of cultural misunderstandings.” There was a hint of amusement to her words. “I have had quite a few while getting to know them.” She began to tuck the chronometer away into her belt pouch, using that time to consider this further. This man named Ashur seemed earnest enough, and she didn’t know anyone here. It would do well to at least make some contacts, and the fact that he saved her from cheated and he seemed to hold a wary view of Ul’dah, already put him in a favorable light in her eyes. And his goal of finding where the Xaela gathered at least coincided with her hope to find Kasrjin. But she pondered on something he said and flicked a sidelong glance in his direction as she tied off the pouch. “What kind of object are you looking for?’ She folded her hands back on the table. “Because I think I do know where to go, at least where to start, but it depends if you are just looking to trade, or find some reclusive or hostile tribe.”

As Ashur confirmed her apprehensions about what little lead she had in finding Nero’s mother, which is to say she practically had none, Roen’s expression had flattened with disappointment. But just as a frown was beginning to crease her brow, he slid the chronometer back her way across the table. A small sigh of relief left her nostrils as she lifted it before her eyes, her lips quirking up at one end as it ticked in her hands. She reached to the dial to adjust the setting but paused when he proposed another deal between them. Her brow arched in surprise, eyeing the man once more. While finding Nero’s mother was the first on the list of things to do, it wasn’t the only thing she had hoped to accomplish here in the east. How fortuitous that this man brings up Xaela, to her of all people. Roen laid the chronometer back onto the table, resting her hands there, using that time to regard the man more carefully. Her tone was kept carefully neutral, watching him all the while as she answered. She still was not a good liar, but she had become better at masking her emotions when speaking of things she was wary of. And certain aspects of Kasrjin's visit to Eorzea were things she would prefer to keep private. “I have met a few, in Eorzea. While rare, you can find them here and there in the west.” She canted her head, looking down at her hand and the timepiece, her eyes softening despite her efforts with the recollection. “One in particular became a friend of mine. He was rather poorly accustomed to our ways, and eventually returned home. I know his tribe was… unique to say the least.” She flicked Ashur a glance. “I was hoping to possibly run into him or his kin while I was visiting the East.” Roen narrowed her eyes, although it was more in thought than suspicion. “Exactly what kind of help are you needing?”

Roen slowly pursed her lips, considering his advice. A small furrow deepened between her brows at the mention of the Ul’dahn delegates here. While she was no longer a wanted criminal where the Monetarists were concerned, her prior experience with them had left a sour taste in her mouth. The East Aldenard Trading Company’s cut throat repute was a well known one, and even just strolling through the Ijin District, she saw the Brass Blade standing guard outside of their main building. That was the last place she would feel at home, even in an exotic place like Kugane. “The fact that the mannerisms are the same as those back in Eorzea is precisely the reason I will not be looking to the Ruby Bazaar for connections.” She tried not to sound too dismissive or weary, but a frown was already set upon her visage. But that problem was another issue completely and one that did not need to be explained to a man she just met. Roen sighed and set the bottle aside, not pouring a drink for herself. Her attention remained on the chronometer as she continued quietly. “I actually have no idea where to even start looking, in truth. All I know is that I have to find a hyruan courtesan from Eorzea who was sold to a Hingan twenty years ago.” She glanced up at the blonde male who had been graciously and unexpectedly helpful so far. Perhaps there was a small hope that his generosity would continue just a little longer. “You would not have any other suggestions on where I could start asking about, by any chance?”

Roen watched the man closely as he opened up the chronometer and began working on it. She had a sudden flash of worry at the start, wondering if he would do more harm than good. What if it was irreparably damaged in his hands? She leaned in and curled her hands together, extending her neck as forward as much as possible to get a better view. But to her pleasant surprise, his touch was precise and careful. One would not imagine such skill or technique by just looking at the man, what with wild hair and clothing that has seen plenty dust and wear. And yet she had hoped that his spontaneous generosity as well as the gun on his back were some signs of his good will and competence. And judging by his technique and familiarity with the device, he certainly had more knowledge of it than she. She straightened when the drinks were brought, finding herself relaxing a bit more as she felt comfortable in dismissing her doubts. Although when he posed his question, she raised a brow. So intent was she in getting this fixed that they had foregone introductions. “Deneith,” she answered with a huff of amusement then shook her head. “Although most just call me Roen.” Her surname always reminded her of her suns as a Sultansworn. “And the device belonged to someone else.” There was a small pause, her expression turning distant for a moment. Even now, thoughts of him always threatened to bring about a wave melancholy. But she shook it off. “I am hoping to return the keepsake to his family. Hence… I need it in working order.” Roen found herself frowning, wondering why she even shared that. But the stranger was kind enough to offer his services and likely saved her a bit of coin. She supposed she owed him that much. And a drink. She started to untie the cork from the top of the bottle. “And who am I thanking?” She glanced at him expectantly, as she set a cup near him, pouring him some rice wine.

“Why did you save me?” Because, I couldn’t save her. Nabi and Anchor by Ruen! You can check out more of Ruen's art here! This one has a special place in my heart, because it was the very first art that was drawn of these two together, and a total surprise sprung upon me by Anchor's player. I love LOVE Anchor's look here. This is pretty much how I see him in my head. And it has been the reference I've used when approaching other artists to draw him since. I guess you can say that this piece started my entire run of collecting all sorts of art pieces for the characters in this story! It made me fall in love with these two instantly.

Well, he certainly sounded confident. Roen arched a brow in Ashur’s direction, her head slowly canting as she considered his offer. There was not much to lose, he was practically offering his services for free. Labor a mere drink? She would be a fool to refuse. At best, this man knew what he was talking about and she would see the chronometer fixed and avoid being cheated, and at the worst, the timepiece still would still be broken after a drink and she would have to come back to this jeweler, and probably offer her more coin. It was worth the risk. And judging by the very displeased look on the Hingan woman’s face, a rare sight for the paladin thus far, Roen suspected that this man at least spoke some truths. With an apologetic sigh, Roen turned and bowed politely to the jeweler, taking her device back. “I apologize for wasting your time. I think I will see if he can help me.” The Hingan huffed, but recovered herself quickly enough to manage a cool smile and a bow. “Of course,” she said calmly. Roen carefully pocketed the chronometer into her belt pouch and turned to the man. She narrowed her eyes at him, but her gaze did not hold him suspect. If anything, there was a hint of amusement behind her muted expression. “You have yourself a deal, then.” She half turned and gestured down the street in the Hostelry's direction. “Although I dare say that you are probably underselling yourself, offering your services for something so little.”

Roen was still counting out the coins when another voice from behind her drew her attention. She looked over her shoulder, then had to turn back around the other way for the man had chimed in while walking past them. A quick study of him, she noted his rather scruffy appearance, the large gun on his back, and the distinctly non-eastern accent. He was a foreigner like her. “You say that ser, as if you might have a better option?” She quickly retorted back before he got too far away. He was either considerate enough to lend his advice when it was not asked for, or arrogant enough to throw his opinions about when unwanted. Either way, Roen would hear him out. It would do her no good to haphazardly spend what coin she brought, especially this early in her journey. Giving the jeweler a sidelong glance, Roen also spied that the woman’s courteous expression had dimmed somewhat, some lines appearing at the edge of the Hingan’s narrowed eyes. She certainly didn’t appreciate the stranger’s unsolicited input. Which made Roen all the more curious to hear what he had to say. She turned where she stood, facing the male fully. Compared to the blonde mercenary, she resembled more of a merchant in traveling clothes, for she wore no armor this sun. She was dressed in a simple but clean overcoat, with detailing that could be seen on Sharlayan garbs. At least, that was what she was told by a merchant in Ul’dah. It was a lighter fare to travel in, without the worries of humidity and the weight of metal armor. Her hair was pulled back in a tight ponytail, and she wore no jewelry nor baubles that advertised any wealth. She was dressed for comfort and travel. She certainly did not carry a large weapon as he did. Roen canted her head expectantly at the stranger, which also brought the Hingan woman’s annoyed gaze upon him as well.

“So, do you think you can repair it?” Roen eyed the woman behind the counter as the jeweler continued to study the chronometer in her hands. The older Hingan had brought out pair of glasses to inspect the device more closely, and so far just indistinct mumbles and hums were all Roen had to go by in terms of her assessment. Since the paladin accidentally dropped it while wandering lost in the busy streets of Kogane Dori, she had been unable to find someone who was familiar with magitek technology that seemed comfortable in repairing this particular nonworking timepiece. Had it just been an ordinary gadget, Roen was sure any capable craftsman would have qualified. But this was one of Nero’s treasured personal belongings, and he had a penchant for collecting odd and unique items. Garlean designed devices certainly were one of them. But Kugane was a port city that even showcased a Garlean Consulate in their Ijin district; for certain Roen thought that finding someone capable would not be such a task. Or was it that she was a foreigner herself and she just didn’t know where to look? Who to ask? Having landed not long ago in the East, Roen was careful to abide by the rules here. She was given plenty of advice during the trek across the seas, of what pier she was allowed in and under no circumstances was she to cause any ruckus, violence, or mishaps in the streets of Kugane. The law enforcement -- she was happy to call them that for now for Sekiseigumi was truly a mouthful -- was reputed to be ever strict and unforgiving, especially where foreigners were concerned. And yet the Hingans themselves seemed indisputably polite. All the merchants greeted her with a meek expression and a courteous bow. And just walking about the well swept streets of the marketplace, it was easy to believe why all the different factions could coexist here in peace. Colorful umbrellas hanging above stalls lent a festive air, and the intricate woodwork of the archways and the buildings drew the eyes upwards, to where eventually one could gaze upon the magnificence that was the Kugane Castle. But none of those details helped her right at this moment. She had come to the East for three specific purposes, and the first was already hindered from the start with the clockwork being broken. The carelessness on her part that led to the incident, of just bumping into another person of all things, still made her grimace in reflection. No matter. She would get the chronometer back in working order, then go about fulfilling the purpose of why she had left everyone she knew in Eorzea to come here. “Yes, this is definitely repairable.” The jeweler finally looked up, breaking Roen out of her reverie. “It is a bit of an old piece, an antique I’d say, but all the components are here. I will just need a couple of suns to get it work again.” “Wonderful.” Roen sighed with relief. “My gratitude. How much would that cost?” “Five hundred koban,” the woman answered with a pleasant expression. Roen paused, her brow rising. She was not at all sure about the currency or what labor of such a thing was worth. But she was never the one to haggle. She nodded and began to reach into her bag hanging from one shoulder. “Of course,” she murmured, retrieving her coin pouch. Then she slowed, wincing. “What would that be in gil… exactly?”