Kage

The beep in his ear was familiar. It was the Friends of Momodi linkshell. Kage brought a finger to his ear to listen. Several voices rang over the linkshell that Natalie found. Now… well now Natalie was out and she’d broken her pearl the same night she left. The voices were of course familiar. "Evening, everyone." That was Chokho Viqqoh, a friend of Salem Nunh’s that Kage found was quite enjoyable to be around even if her jokes were bad. “Evening,” answered Altima. She was an interesting Miqo’te. Altima sometimes put Kage on edge because of her axe but he knew she was a good one. He wished she wasn’t so adamant about sparring with him though. It was intimidating. Another voice, one he wasn’t so familiar with rang as well. "Evening, Chokho. You wanted to speak with me about something?" Chokho answered, "I did! You available?" "GOOD MORNVENING" That was Marrow. The same voice who he didn’t recognize answered, "Yeah, I am. Where would you like to meet up?" Closing his eyes, Kage mumbled softly. "Evening..." Chokho answered the voice, "I'm in the quickand now. That seems like a good starting point." Altima asked, "y-you're alive kage?" The voice answered, "Alright, I'll be over in a few." "Perfect! Kage, you can pass word on to Nat that I need to talk to her, too.” Chokho once again. Kage frowned at Altima’s question. He didn’t know she had heard… How did she know something had happened to him? He spoke into the pearl, "Oh. I assumed no one was on to hear my call since... only a pink female haired Miqo'te answered it." He paused, thinking about what to tell Chokho. "Natalie is currently indisposed. You won't see her for awhile," Kage answered. Chokho asked, "How long is a while?" "I apologize, I didn't have my linkpearl with me..." came from Altima. Kage answered, "A few days at the very least. It’s ok Altima. I live.” Chokho asked, "Anything to do with ceruleum?" Kage paused. "Sorry Chokho, I'm not at liberty to answer." Marrow wanted to know, "...is she alright?" "Right, well I'm going to be up to my eyeballs in the stuff, so you go ahead and let her - or any other concerned Sultansworn know," said Chokho. "I'm currently on medical leave, and Natalie is on leave as well." "I'll bring it up with Roen directly, then." "But I'll meet with you too. Roen's got things she needs to deal with." "I am ENTIRELY aware of what Roen has to deal with." At this Kage gave a pause and narrowed his eyes. What exactly was Chokho up to? What did she know? He needed to find out. "I won't speak of it in the public but I'm going to ask you directly how you are." "We've all got a case of tight lips, it seems." Naz said over the linkshell, "I just hate talking on this thing." Kage walked around, looking for Chokho who had said she was in the area of the Quicksand. "Cho, I've been walking around Quicksand. Where are you." "...I'm so confused...why does all this pimmcred happen when I'm not around..." said Marrow. Chokho answered, "I'll be along in a bit. I've got another important conversation on my plate." Kage sighed. The Quicksand was bustling with people, drinking and conversing. His usual spot atop of the rail was crowded with people milling about there. Close to the entrance, the railing was clear of people so Kage perched on top, waiting for Chokho to arrive. Chokho Viqqoh grinned tauntingly at Kage, “Hey buddy.” “Cho." Kage gave the female Miqo’te a nod. Unseen by Kage whose back was turned to the entrance, Roen Deneith walked into the Quicksand, her grey eyes scanning the patrons in it. Chokho asked Kage, “How you feeling?” before her eyes caught sight of Roen. She smiled at Roen. Roen herself spotted the small Lalafellin form of Kage, and her eyes narrowed at the sight of him. Chokho waved to someone behind Kage and said, “Ro right? From the ball?” ‘Ro?’ Kage thought. Then he realized who it might be but hoped it wasn’t. He knew she would not like what she saw… and heard. Especially if Natalie did tell her to check up on him… He looked around. He winced at the sight of Roen, knowing that he was most likely in some trouble. He was unable to hide the fact that his arm was in a sling and the bandages wrapped around his bruised head. Roen blinked at Chokho’s question. "Oh. Yes. Um... Cho...?" "Roen..." Kage mumbled as Chokho nodded to Roen. Roen glanced between Kage and Chokho both. Chokho answered, “Cho. Good to see you well.” Kage had already known that the Quicksand was not the venue in which he wanted to speak with Chokho, but he knew that linkshells were not the most private channels of communication. He hadn’t wanted to ask Chokho to meet him somewhere he thought would give them privacy. He suggested, "Perhaps we can take this somewhere privately... Roen, Cho seemed to have some information that worried me... about what you're dealing with." Roen nodded to Chokho. "How is Naz...?" She asked politely, although her eyes wandered back to Kage and his... injuries. Chokho smiled at Roen before Roen blinked at Kage’s remark. "What... -I- am dealing with?" She asked. She gave Kage a pointed look at his injury, emphasis on Kage. Chokho remarked, “HE'LL be fine. Kage has a good head on his shoulders.” She pointed her next question to Roen, “How about you?” Kage winced and murmured at Roen’s pointed glance, "You've got a lot to deal with...But we should head somewhere private. I don't think this should be out in the public." Chokho nodded in response to Kage’s suggestion. Roen glanced to them both, wondering how and when this became about her. "Um. Alright. Aye, let us talk somewhere more private..." Kage walked closer to Roen first, cupping a side of his mouth and whispered, “We should head to the airship bar.” He blinked before turning to face Chokho once more. He whispered the same words that he had given to Roen, “We should head to the airship bar.” Kage turned and looked around, checking the patrons before he started to exit the Quicksand. Looking behind him, he could see Chokho and Roen following behind him. His eyes scanned around them, trying to make sure it was safe. From behind him he could hear Chokho ask Roen, “So how ya been?” Chokho grinned at Roen as Roen gave both Kage and Chokho an odd look while she followed them. Having made their way to the tables situated in the airship docking area, Kage worried his lip as they stopped. Chokho grinned tauntingly at Roen while Roen narrowed her eyes. It was an expectant look at them both and Kage worked hard not to fidget. Roen gestured to one of the chairs. "You should sit Kage. You are hurt." She didn’t leave room for argument. Kage bit his lip and nodded, taking a seat in one of the chairs. “Not like you to get hurt so bad, Kage. Sultansworn must be keeping dangerous enemies, these days,” said Chokho. Roen gave him a stern look. She was about to say something... then gave Chokho a look herself. Kage knew Roen would want to talk to him about he was hurt. Natalie did say she had sent Roen a letter after all. But he was worried about what Chokho may or may not know about Roen. How did she know? What did she know? "Let's not talk about that.. Cho you mentioned something you thought the Sultansworn? Ceruleum? And something about knowing what Roen has to deal with?" He frowned. Roen blinked, there was an odd expression before she turned back to Kage. "Wait Kage, how did you- she paused again and raised her brows. Chokho retorted, “You don't hide a ceruleum explosion.” Kage narrowed his eyes. How did Chokho know anything about their involvement in it. The only thing people should know was that there was an explosion of ceruleum at the Nanawa mines. As far as he knew, Natalie never reported it or her involvement in it. Trying to fish for information Kage let loose, “We never reported that..." Chokho scoffed, “It's an EXPLOSION. They EXPLODE.” She failed to understand Kage, throwing her hands up into the air a little. Roen said, "What..? Oh. Um. Right." She gave Kage a sidelong glance. "Aye, I heard about that... explosion..." She cleared her throat. It was clear that Roen was such a terrible liar. Kage wanted to try to deflect the situation and asked, "So how do you know who's involved?" Roen asked, "What do you know about that?" She pressed her lips together. Chokho just replied, “I should hope so. I imagine you know a thing or two about Hroch, Shae, and the rest too. At Chokho’s remark, Roen coughed very loudly. "Um... what?? Based on Roen’s reaction, he knew that those named must have been involved somehow. Were one or all of them at the mines? Was one of them the old man who was gravely injured falling off the platform? Kage couldn’t hide his reaction to Roen, widening his eyes.Chokho shrugged, not able to understand him. “Who?” Kage asked. Who where they? Roen stared with wide eyes at Chokho. Kage continued, “I don’t know these names…” He glanced at Roen, hoping to find some hint. She only continued to just stare at Chokho, mouth agape. “You're not a secret-keeping organization,” commented Chokho. What did she know? How did she know of anything? "How do you know these names?" Roen asked, directing Chokho with a strange look. Kage shook his head. He knew that these people must be involved but he had no idea. "No... I actually don't know these names." He looks around. "But yes, an explosion I do know." Chokho sighed and asked, “ ...Does everyone really think I just sit around the Quicksand all day for NO good reason?” She looked stumped. "But they..." Roen continued to stare. Then slowly her eyes narrowed. "Cho. Why are you telling me this?" Chokho answered, “Because there are people who are concerned for you. And if I found out considering I'm NOT a part of your games imagine who else is going to find out.” Kage’s heart dropped. It felt like his head was being pounded into the floor again. Who was talking? Natalie wasn’t. He wasn’t. The people from the… Night Blades? Surely not. If they were in the know, they would not go about like this, Kage was sure of it. Who was this person? Who are these people? Roen paled a little. "How much... do you know?" Chokho shook her head, disagreeing with Roen. She said, “The fact that I've heard talk is bad enough. Let's not make that chatter any louder, alright?” Kage frowned. Just who was talking? The people that Roen has met before? Garleans? The Rose? Who? He turned to Roen. "Roen, I wanted to talk to Chokho because she said something like this over the linkshell. I wanted to see what it was about." Kage didn’t know what to say. This… Who was talking and who was Chokho talking about it with? Roen shook her head, still a look of disbelief lingering on her face. Chokho continued to speak. “Information has ALWAYS been my business. But I'm not in in for the coin... I, and other's choosing to remain nameless, are concerned for your well being.” Roen trained her gaze onto Chokho. "You still have not said what you want." Her voice lowered. Grinning tauntingly, Chokho answered simply. “You. Safe.” Kage’s voice almost turned with a hint of… something. "Cho, it's very important that you please let us know everything that deals with Roen at least." His voice was low as his injured arm shook. "I don't want to see her hurt or get hurt." Chokho stated, “The hedonist who only wants gold is as much a lie as my incompotence.” Roen blinked. "And... there is -another- that knows as you do?" Chokho nodded at Roen’s question, answering, “Ah ah, at LEAST one other. I know this when I shouldn't... but the trouble is I don't know ENOUGH. Not enough to help.” Kage wanted to slam his shield against Chokho, to force her to answer who was talking. How was she hearing about it. From whom? Who was this person working behind Chokho in the shadows? He trusted Chokho but he couldn’t trust this other person. Not when Roen was in danger. Not when hers were in danger. No… He couldn’t trust who might be making Chokho their puppet. But how… Roen gave Kage a glance, looking at the very least like she had been the one he had slammed a shield against and stunned. “Who…?” Roen questioned. Kage shook his head. He never spoke of it, knowing how sensitive it may be. “I never… I never spoke of it.” Kage got up to pace. Back, and forth, back and forth. Kage walked back and forth trying to make heads or tails of it all Chokho nodded to Kage saying, “If you're all so easily rattled, you need this plugged.” Kage was stumped. Chokho was right. Whoever was talking… whoever this person or group was… Something needed to be stopped. How did Chokho know?? “This..." Kage nodded his head. "Cho... I can't... I can only send Natalie letters by moogle mail." Chokho shook her head clarifying, “I was only looking for Natalie because I didn't think I'd get a chance to speak to Ro directly.” Kage continued, "She'd broken her linkpearl the night of the ball. Lots of things happened that night..." He lifted his injured arm into the air. "This related." Chokho shot back, “I don't care about the sultansworn and I don't care about your three-... ah... contacts, we'll call them.” Chokho pointed at Roen. “I care about YOU.” Kage shook his head. This wasn’t Sultansworn related no, but that was because as far as he knew Natalie had never reported any involvement in it. All anyone should have known was that there was an unexplained explosion of ceruleum at the Nanawa Mines. Kage Kiryuu looked up at Roen, worry and concern in his eyes. Chokho continued, “Well more specifically, other parties care about you. And they have something I want, so…” Roen narrowed her eyes as Chokho looked like she was thinking about something. Kage was definitely trying to think about what to make of what Chokho was saying. Someone wanted info, but they didn’t tell Chokho everythin. It didn’t make sense, it was clearly not Natalie. It wasn’t Kage. The Night Blades? No, Kage was sure they would have just asked Roen. Someone had told Chokho about some of the stuff Roen was involved in, but not everything. So this person must not know everything… were they fishing for information? Someone pretending to be on Roen’s side? Chokho proposed, “So here's what I'm proposing. Let me in. Tell me everything you know, so I can do my work alongside you instead of behind your backs... Which, I think I've proven I can do fairly well.” “The Sultansworn don't have as tight a hold on information as you'd think.” Kage Kiryuu bit his lip and looked up to Roen, it was her story to tell and who to trust. While he trusted Chokho, someone was working behind Chokho. He shook his head, "The Sultansworn don't have anything to do with it..." He looked around. "This isn't as private as I'd hoped.” Kage got left the table area, walking about the lobby seeing a person dressed in Brass Blades garb. He’d had a hard time with them lately. Roen Deneith pressed her lips in a tight line. "How do you I know one you work for is someone I can trust?" “Nothing, eh?” Chokho Viqqoh smirked confidently at Roen Deneith. Roen shook her head. "I have trusted the -wrong- people in the past." She narrowed her eyes. "I will not make that same mistake again." Chokho took that moment to look at Roen, thinking as Roen continued, "Who is this other party?" Kage stared at the Brass Blades. Tall and appeared to be Roegadyn under the full uniform. The Brass Blades didn’t say anything. Perhaps not paying attention? Chokho shook her head, disagreeing with Roen, “Anonynimity is -powerful-. I can't give that up... But consider what someone would do in this situation if they WANTED to harm you... I'll give you a hint, it doesn't include selectively biting their tongue in front of another sultansworn.” Chokho smirked at Roen. Roen returned her gaze, steel in her grey eyes. She curled her fingers closed. She blinked at what Chokho was saying. Chokho gave in some, “ I'll message them. See how much they're willing to reveal” "You already seem to know... more than I ever thought anyone would." She frowns. "What else do you wish to know?" asked Roen. “You can tell me everything, and I can work from there... As you can guess: I've got a knack for information... and I'd LIKE to be able to use that FOR you,” Chokho answered. Kage rubbed his face with the palm of his uninjured hand. He stared into Chokho’s face, pondering what was really going on here. Chokho was genuine, she wanted to help. But telling her everything? Kage was pretty sure she was being used but he didn’t know if he could tell her that. Roen looked down, then glanced to Kage. Chokho started to say something and Kage bit his lip, “I should probably make clear... If you don't WANT to work alongside me... that's fine. I'm not going to blow the lid or whip out daggers or something.” “It's really just a matter if I'm going to be working alongside you to help you, or behind your back to help you,” she finished. "I..." Roen swallowed, clearly hesitant. "I need to know who you are working for. You... you -are- friend of Naz." Chokho burst out laughing, “What, you think NAZ has this sort of subtlety?” "No but..." Roen paused and sighed, "I need to know the other party. If I can trust them, then I can trust you." She hook her head. "There is too much at risk. I cannot... make the same mistake again." Chokho answered, “Fair enough. I can only assume they want to stay anonymous for a reason, so.... I'll ask them, and very likely return to working on this alone.” Kage glanced at Roen, concern shining in his eyes. "You say you are working for... my safety," Roen said. "Then you know who I am dealing with." She leveled her gaze on Chokho. Chokho nodded, “Let's say I have some indication... but not the -entire- story. Yet. When I got so deep into this mess, I figured I'd come to you directly.” Roen blinked, canting her head. "Deep into this mess. I..." She stopped herself. "I need to think this over. Ask your employer. Then we will talk." Chokho nodded and answered, “f they say no, should I bother coming back to you?” "You have to understand why we're so hesitant,” Kage stated. “No, it's fair... It's not the -smart- play, but it's fair,” came the retort. Roen regarded her with a cool stare. "...We should still talk." Chokho nodded in affirmation to Roen’s suggestion. Roen continued, “You know... a lot." She searched the miqo'te's eyes. "Perhaps you -can- help me." Chokho grinned, “I know a lot, and that was based off what you DIDN'T share with me. Imagine how far I can -actually- go.” Roen gave Kage a glance then regarded Chokho. She really knew nothing about this woman. She narrowed her eyes pondering over what Chokho had said. Kage watched Chokho, not blinking. This entire conversation was unnerving. He didn’t like the idea of Roen having another unknown factor in her troubles. “Anyway, I am CRAZY thirsty so I'm gonna head back to the quicksand. I'm in this mix one way or another. Whether you want to be able to keep on eye on me or not is up to you,” grinned Chokho. Roen blinked as Chokho continued, “Try and work out what double motivation THAT could possibly have.” Kage stopped Chokho, “Cho, I like you, but Roen's as close to family." He frowned, regarding her with a careful eye. Chokho returned his gaze as he continued, "Secrets are kept secret for a reason." It wasn’t lost on Kage that Roen had said this very same thing to him when he learned of it all. That one long night. She had told them that some secrets… some secrets were bad. It was true, Kage knew that this type of secret could and would get every single one of them involved into trouble. Roen was already in deep. But Kage was also Sworn family. He couldn’t let Roen go like that. Not like that. But Chokho wasn’t in that same boat. She wasn’t on the same Chocobo. They were friends and Chokho liked her but… he doubted he could trust that this person she was working for was the same. At Kage’s statement Chokho stopped and turned. “... Hey Kage, do you remember when Marrow lost her ability to communicate with everyone, and wanted to turn to sadism because of it? Roen blinked.She remembered the name, Marrow, and pinched her brows. Kage narrowed his eyes. He knew Chokho and Marrow were close. He liked to think he was close to them but he knew they were closer. “What? When did... When did Marrow do that? I doubt Marrow did that," shaking his head in disbelief. Chokho smiled and said, “Yeah. You're welcome for that one.” Kage narrowed his eyes as Chokho continued, “... Welcome because she's NOT doing it anymore ... Because I helped with-... Oh forget it.. Anway. I'll see you again one way or another. Please be safe.” Chokho smiled at Roen. Roen slowly nodded as she regarded Chokho. Kage bit his lip and glanced at Roen and shakes his head. "It's your secreft and your safety Roen." Chokho left, bidding farewell as Kage returned the wave goodbye. He watched her walk away, not sure completely what to do. Roen watched her leave, a frown lingering on her face. Kage sighed and turned, starting to make his way to the bar saying, “I think I need a drink…”

I feel like this thread exemplifies why whenever someone states an opinion there's always that [for me, my belief, my opinion] that's usually just left unsaid but is meant and implied. As stated before, not everyone needs to be a method actor. For some, they feel that that is the best way for them to experience everything. Obviously not everyone believes that or feels that it's necessary. We just have a lot more method actors in here ;3 Other than that... I really can't say much more on that topic for now other than echo what ArmachiA has said. Could you clarify exactly what you're asking or hoping for us to help you with? I don't want you to feel like you've been ignored but for the most part I have no idea how to respond since I'm not exactly sure what you want from us. I think most people here will tell you that the reason why our characters go through much pain but also much joy is because we feel like it is more 'realistic' or authentic. For most people, the average person isn't going to live a life where they are brooding all the time ravaged by hardships. At least, they wouldn't without some good in their life. Some moments of happiness where they spend time with someone they can call a friend. As mentioned, a lot of people like to get into their characters' heads and rolling with it. For the most part, other than trying to get into my characters' headspace I've always had fun with the RP I'm involved in. If I feel a lot of negativity from it and about it that isn't stemming from a place where my character is (I have not felt this yet), then I assume that I'm just not having fun with RP. I'd have to step away from the situation or something because if it's not being enjoyable then what is the point for me? I've certainly felt bewilderment and I'm sure my character has been the cause of it. My character has knowledge and has been of sorts involved in others' RP. A character who I would have never thought to be involved mentioned something about the others' RP and my character just had to follow up. The entire time I had no clue what was going on but when we finished that RP session all I could think was "Wow... that was entirely unexpected but... that was great." Maybe that's just because now I know how others' felt because Kage just couldn't let things go >_>; kagetastrophy!

/laladance /laladance /laladance Yayayayayayay! You should set up a shop. In Ul'dah. Where I can get you to make formal outfits for me. Yes. *nodnod* Wait. You're not a smug Elezen gentlemanly crafter who doesn't serve Lalas are you?!

((All done by memory so.. not as good. :<)) His head hurt, the pounding still not receding from when he got slammed into the floor. His breath came out in hard, quick wheezing pants. He heard voices… a new one he’d not heard before. A female? “Ruru… Ruru ok?” Through drooped eyes and the drying blood, Kage could see a pink haired female Miqo’te before him. His own familiar with aetheric manipulation allowed him to see that she was the only to give his head some small relief, enough so that he could get Ruru and himself to the infirmary. He could get them there.. It’d hurt, but it could be done. His ears caught onto a voice he recognized. A female’s… a familiar female Roegadyn’s voice. He winced in pain as he asked, “Denn? Why…” He was shushed as he heard her tell the Miqo’te that she wasn’t of much help. That he’d needed healing not an egi. He tried to give Denn a glare, feeling the the pain that he’d felt the night of the ball. “Na.. Nat told me...” Kage was hushed once again, this time in a firmer voice. She told him that she’d take him and Ruru to get healed. “No. No… Can get healed s’mwhere else.” Denn disagreed with him once more, telling him she’d take them to the NB HQ. Kage stopped protesting, remembering how they’d helped Natalie and Kayah before with other things. NB was safe… that would be good.. it would be better than going to the healers in the infirmary. Nodding in acceptance, Denn teleported the three to the HQ. Carried by Denn, Kage realized that she hadn’t walked into the NB HQ but instead to a different house in the ward. Denn placed him on a couch as he saw that a female Miqo’te in a robe was waiting for them. Ah… Remi? He believe it was. She was there at NB HQ when Nat had placed manacles on Roen as they got her to reveal what she thought was so bad. She was a healer? “Ruru’s eye… be saved?” Kage murmured. He wanted to know. He needed to know. He closed his eyes at the pain he felt, his arm still cradled closely to his chest. Some of the blood had caked and dried. He could hear that Ruru was most likely going to be losing an eye but… it felt like Kage’s stomach had been gutted with a fist. This was all his fault. “Denn carry him downstairs, I’ve got the supplies there.” Kage saw that Denn was concerned with Ruru. He was too. Oh by the Twelve he was too. It was all his fault. Suri had told him that he was in danger and by the Twelve, Ruru saved his life at the cost of his own eye it seemed. Ruru was injured because of him. Denn hadn’t moved quite yet so Kage slowly got off the couch and made his way down where he saw Remi went. He staggered and swayed, bracing himself against a wall with his uninjured arm. “Denn, I said to carry Kage downstairs but if you can’t bring down the right Lalafell, at least bring down the other!” Remi motioned for Kage to take a seat on a bed, “That armor’s got to get taken off, it’s in the way.” Kage nodded as Remi helped him take off his surcoat and gauntlets carefully. The act jostled and jarred his arm and pain shot up once more as he grit his teeth. Denn made her way down with Ruru in tow. “What in the hell happened here anyway?” Remi asked. Denn answered, “I was just leaving Quicksand after a few drinks when I came upon these two hurt.” Kage slowly nodded his head, “Was… gonna just go to the Infirmary but Denn said she’d take us to the Night Blades HQ.” Denn shook her head, “Last I heard, they wanted to kill me.” Kage frowned, looking at her with narrowed eyes, “What? Denn we need to talk about things, like the ball for one.” Denn disagreed with him, shaking her head once more. “We’ll talk about that later. I’m gonna go, it’s too close to the NB.” Kage frowned, but Remi was the one to say something. “What? Denn you can’t just ask me for a favor and then drop two wounded Lalafell on my lap!” “That’s why I asked for a favor!” Before anyone could say anything, Denn ran up the stairs and away from them. Kage winced once more, cracking some of the dried blood on his head. He groaned as Remi brought out an acrid smelling liquid and helped clean his wounds. After wrapping his head, she took a look at his snapped arm. “At least it’s a clean break… We can set it but it’s painful. I can put you under but it’ll be for a few hours.” A few hours? Kage had an idea about Remi but he certainly did not trust her. She was helping him a lot for sure, but this wasn’t even the Night Blades HQ. He did not want to be here any longer than he needed to be. “No… no I can take the pain. Just do it.” Remi took a small bit of leather and rolled it into a tube. She offered it, “Bite into this.” Kage sighed and took the bit with his uninjured hand before placing it in his mouth. He bit into it. He gave Remi a nod. “I’d give you a count but then you’d be ready for it…” Remi took hold of Kage’s snapped arm and Kage didn’t say anything else but nodded once more. In a quick span of maybe three seconds, Remi snapped Kage’s arm back into place with a sickening crunch sound. “MMMMGHHHRRRKK!!!” Kage bit into the leather piece, his eyes rolling a bit before he closed them. He panted a bit, opening his eyes and mouth so that the leather bit dropped into his lap. His breath was ragged. “Do you want to let this heal magically or naturally?” Remi asked Kage. He closed his eyes thinking about what it meant. To heal it magically would mean he would not need to worry about not having his shield.. but it would make the break weak. If he let it heal naturally, the break would be able reform. If it was truly needed, at least the reformation would be strong as a magical healing would finish it cleanly and quickly. If need be, using it while injured would make it strong but easy to break. As Remi then moved to help Ruru, Kage thought about what his next course of action was going to be. He would need to keep Natalie appraised of the situation but he didn’t think he was going to be of much use in Ul’dah injured as he was. He would need to put in a request for medical leave with Ser Jenlyns… and he’d need to send Natalie a letter. Kage refocused as Remi fixed his arm into a sling. He said his thanks, slowly and carefully picking up his weapons and equipment with his uninjured arm. “Thank you, again. Thank you.” “Now if you don’t need to be somewhere, can you tell me what the hell happened?” Remi asked. Kage paused and closed his eyes. He murmured out his answer. “Kayah got attacked the night of the ball, I came up just as he got stabbed in the back. I think the attack was meant to silence me.” “Who’s Kayah?” “Kayah is a dear friend of mine… it doesn’t matter. I don’t know anything more than that. Thank you, again, for all your help.” “Take care of that arm.” Kage nodded to Remi, as he walked upstairs and out of the house. He winced, sweat dropping down his neck as he pulled a shard out with his injured arm. He closed his eyes and exhausted himself as he teleported to the Ul’dahn Aetheryte Plaza. He side-eyed the Brass Blades guarding the plaza but gave them a small, courteous nod. Corruption was rampant but not all Blades were. He slowly made his way to Captain Jenlyns’s office. Presenting himself, as straight as he could without swaying, Kage opened his mouth but he was cut off. “Ser Kiryuu? What happened to you?” Kage saluted as best as he could with his arm in a sling and answered, “Was attacked Ser, as I walked through Hustings Strip to Pearl Lane. Had my head bashed and the arm was snapped, Ser.” Jenlyns shook his head, “By the Twelve that looks nasty. Magic won’t do you as much good as rest would be. I assume you took a stop at the Infirmary?” Kage shook his head in the negative, “No Ser. I.. wanted to request some medical leave Ser. I’ll head to the Infirmary if need be.” The captain shook his head and answered, “You’ll have it Ser Kiryuu. Nasty business so soon after you helped guard her Grace and after you were sworn. Go to the Infirmary and get some pain-relieving potions. That looks like your head took a pounding from the floor and you’ll need time for that arm to set.” Kage winced slightly and nodded, “Will do Ser. Thank you.” Kage took one last detour. His head pounded and he had to force himself from hitting the pavement once more. He wrote out a letter, cursing how small the mail he could send through the Delivery Moogles must be. Dropping his equipment on the floor, Kage took two steps before he collapsed on his bed unconscious and exhausted.

I think it's being able to keep the IC things IC and never taking it OOC. You're you and your character is a character. You're not your character. Empathizing with their feelings or those in the moment in my mind is a process of RPing I think for most people with the characters that they like. I've certainly cried a few times in the past two weeks in some big emotional scenes because the characters would have moved me for sure if I had been reading about the scene from a book or watching it as a scene in a move. It's possible that you're disappointed and sad over how your character's RP is not going the way you want it. Perhaps a retcon or finding different RPers will also change that?

((Sorry for the late reply and notice!! I just wanted to give a small heads up that Natalie is currently on leave and away from Ul'dah. So... it might be... awhile. @_@))

One day Osric, one day Kage is gonna say hi. When Kage isn't avoiding all his friends who are going to give him lectures for not being able to change his patterns >_> and almost dies for it. <_<

And ordering deaths and snapped arms... ;A; After breaking hearts at balls...

CHOKHO!!! :surprise: I flirt with death. Before she slams Kage's head into the floor and snaps his arm... he does the manderville.

[[some time before finding Kage at the bar…]] Suri’s words bothered him. He needed to be careful, but from whom? The gang wore masks and were covered heavily. Who would he need to be careful of? Ul’dah’s streets were dangerous but he needed to keep his eyes and ears out for any information. He hadn’t reported anything but that there was an attack on the night of the ball near the Alchemists’ Guild. No one but a few should know of Kayah’s state. He had found Lambert earlier in the day speaking as if he knew, but Lambert shouldn’t know. Kage had told him he better keep his mouth shut. Lambert… Kage didn’t know what was up with that Miqo’te but right now he didn’t need to. Nor did he want to. Suri warned him to stay away from his usual places, specifically the Quicksand. Everyone knew they could find him there and that was where she grabbed him before speaking with him in private. Lapsing so very often, he had sometimes been in Ruby Road Exchange a lot, right outside of the Quicksand. Or… right inside of Quicksand. A few times. Today was a change of pace. After taking a small stop at the aetheryte near the Alchemists’ Guild, Kage was leaving Hustings Strip towards Pearl Lane, giving a nod to the two Lalafell in Brass Blades uniform. Just as he nodded, he heard a sound from behind him. Turning, he saw a masked female Miqo’te monk trying to sweep him off his feet. He jumped, side-stepping and putting a wall to his back. The two Brass Blades that he had just nodded to paid him no mind. Drawing his sword and shield, Kage growled. “You! You’re one of the ones who attacked Kayah aren’t you?” There was no response. At least, not a verbal one. Not even the Brass Blades showed any reaction but just kept watching Pearl Lane. Kage silently cursed the corrupt as he narrowed his eyes, swiping at the attacker’s legs with his sword. She evaded his attack and in response flipped over him to his other side. She tried to deliver a swift kick to Kage’s head but he tucked into a roll, moving under and forward away from the blow. He came to his feet swiftly, and charged in close, trying to use his shield to knock her off her feet, hard. The masked attacker dodged his charge, taking Kage off his feet and in rapid succession, slammed his head into the cobblestone floor. Dazed, Kage yelled out, “Ger’ offa me!” He reversed his grip on his sword, swinging his arm behind him in an attempt to stab his attacker in the stomach. Seeing his attack she replaced her hold on his head by moving to lock his sword arm. In another move, she took hold of his shield arm and snapped his arm. “GARRGHK!!” Kage roared in pain. Blood dripped down his head as he bucked at his attacker and staggered to his feet. He was dazed, his head pounded and the sharp stinging in the arm he cradled close to his chest was almost overwhelming. He didn’t see that the Miqo’te was going to finish it with a deathly blow, one that was going smash his head in. “Get off of him!” Kage heard. No… No… “Ruru! Wait! No don’t-!” Kage couldn’t. He couldn’t stop it. “No one else is dying! Not today!” Ruru came forward, weapons drawn and charging at Kage’s attacker. He couldn’t stop it as the Miqo’te turned and the blow meant to smash Kage’s skull in contacted with one of Ruru’s eyes. Kage saw that Ruru was dazed, and most likely completely out of it. With slanted and narrowed eyes, head pounding, Kage staggered forward placing his body between his attacker and Ruru. His shield lay on the cobblestone floor and the arm he carried it with was craddled against his body. His eyes drooped as he glared at the Miqo’te. She cursed and before Kage could do anything else she teleported away. Kage dropped to his knees bringing a finger to his ear. “If anyone… any healers are near Quicksand… on Pearl Lane.. help. Ruru’s.. hurt.” Kage fell flat on his face, the thump being heard over the linkshell. He groaned and turned to his side to see Ruru’s eye a mess. His eyes rolled as the overwhelming pain sent him unconscious.

((Too long for the bulletin board so I'm making a short thing)) The slouched Lalafellin form sat at a table near the bar in the airship landing strip of Ul'dah. Kage sat with his back against the chair, his shield arm in a sling and cloth wrapped around his forehead. His arm was cradled near his chest as he tapped softly on the table with his uninjured arm. It was all his fault. Natalie's letters told him that she didn't blame him. Did Kayah? Did Kayah not blame him too? Or did Kayah blame Kage for the argument that Natalie and Kayah had had. Did he blame Kage for not being there as his head was kicked in and for not stopping the Roegadyn from sliding a dagger into Kayah's back. Tears slid off the Lalafell's face as his headache worsened, from both emotional and physical pain. The uninjured hand slipped into his shirt, grabbing a pouch that contained a tonic inside. He took off the stopper and drank its contents. It was a mild pain-relieving medicine he had gotten from the infirmary. He knew Denn had trusted Remi but he didn’t know Remi much at all. He remembered her from the night at the NB HQ when Roen revealed her secret but that meeting was just as passing as knowing Stanzie or some of the other members of NB. From what he gathered she was from Grim, allies of NB. He just didn’t know any of the group much at all except for Natalie, Roen, Kayah, and… Denn. Denn who hurt him a bit, who he had been suspicious about given how she fit Kayah’s Roegadyn attacker so well. But she had come upon him and saved him. Denn had brought him and Ruru to Remi… Kage eyed the contents of the small glasses set before him. They were filled with an amber colored liquid, some brandy. Kage usually favored ales but right now… Right now.. A hand shot out, taking a glass as he knocked his head back and swallowed the alcohol. The burning sensation helped a little before he knocked down two other shots in succession. The nausea he had felt earlier ebbed away as he started to feel the effects of the pain-reliever as well as the three shots of brandy. Closing his eyes, he leaned his head back against the chair, as he slammed a clenched fist onto the table top. What had happened? Just what had happened?

I guess it's time for me to not say that I got the robe but turned it in for grand company seals so I could buy more ventures. In other news, I want to level a BRD and a MNK so I can wear a Shikaree's Doublet and the Fistfighter's Jackcoat I have. I actually almost have the whole Fistfighter set.

I'm not sure why you felt that if this was going to devolve into a complaint thread that it needed to be revived almost a week after no one's posted in it. Synaesthetic's comments about it were valid comments on what I think are flaws to the system. But if you had to revive it. I had thought that the weird stiff tail thing was gonna get fixed in 2.21 but I still see it? You poor poor magic Miqo'te. I saw a Blackmage Roe wearing the Evenstar coat with the Sorceror's Tonban... I don't know who said that the Evenstar Body+Sorceror's Tonban looked good (here or the SE forums) but it did not look flattering on a Roe. At all. :lol:

If I understad correctly those are 3 Star crafts and in order to do those a lot of people needed to get the new i70 craft arms or older ones pentamelded etc to meet the control requirements. And then there's also the really expensive books. ><

Clutched in his hands was a letter that he received back from Natalie. She had gone on leave and wouldn't be back for a week. So would Kayah. He could understand, they needed to get away from everything. Everything... Kage blinked tears from his eyes as the events of that night flashed. Guarding the sultana, talking with Denn, Denn leaving, finding out that Denn had hooked up with Natalie... trying to fix it all by just asking everyone to forget only for Kayah and Natalie to storm away from each other. Kayah... He had broken down, thinking that both hated him when they stormed away from each other just as he tried to get their attention. He had broken down in that room and Kayah... Kayah... His gloved fists would have scars from the amount of times his nails dug into the palm's flesh, even through the gloves. The gloves themselves were stained. The leader was a tall, female Roegadyn with purple hair. He didn't see the purple hair no but Suri... Twelve be damned Suri knew the Roe's description and told him she had purple hair. The anger burned inside of him as he kicked a chair over in the room. The loud crash did nothing to appease the anger he felt. The idea was that she was going to kill Natalie?! Suri had told him when she told him how things came to be that he would be angry. He was. Oh by the Twelve he was, but Suri hadn't followed through. This female Roegadyn... she was the one who ambushed Kayah. She was the one who left him, dying in the corridors near the ball. Suri wanted her revenge on this Roegadyn or else perhaps Kage would be dead too. After all, Suri told him that she was told to 'fix it'. And yet, he was still alive. Suri hadn't killed him. No. No. She wanted Kage to live. So that Kage could get some others involved but he couldn't. Ser Erik? No, Erik was busy. Kage knew that Erik was dealing with a plot more dangerous, a danger to the jewel herself. Roen? She was busy as well in her own right. Nay, Kage could not ask Roen for help. Ser Anelia? Kage blinked before shaking his head once more. And Natalie... The letter fell to the floor. Natalie was going to be gone for awhile. The lalafell could not ask Salem or his other friends for help. No, it would not be right to drag them into something like this. Vengeance was not what he wanted to bring them into and Justice would be dealt by the Sworn. Salem tried to get him to talk last night but Kage couldn't, he wouldn't speak. But that left Kage alone...to change his patterns lest he be too predictable and caught between a Miqo'te monk and a Roegadyn monk. They worked in numbers after all and Kage... Kage was alone and he couldn't let any others get hurt when it was a all his fault.

It's just an accident with the quoting, her sentence got stuck in one of your quotes..

:cry: Don't make me use this emote more than once.

Ahhh!!! Curagaaaaa I'll get the time to RP with you sooooon. Sooooooon. When Kage gets more familiar with NB ICly T_T;

That might have been a good thing. They were able to get Stanzie and Roh up there. Who knows how they would have gotten Roen to join! WHO KNOWS??

OOCly I wanted to eavesdrop too but I decided it just wouldn't happen ICly. I was sorta amazed at all the (sub)plots working out during the ball! There were so many things I wanted to screencap but I got caught up in the plots!

She came up as Kage was on duty with the Sultana and just gives the Sultana a cryptic message. kage narrowed his eyes suspiciously, cause he had no idea what she was talking about.

Hello and welcome! First thing, to help you and those who may want to RP with you, what places does your character visit? Does he stay in one place? Does he travel often between Limsa, Gridania and Ul'dah? Interests, hobbies or jobs? What's the character like, personality wise?

Most of it was fun until a bunch of drama dropped on Kage's head... or he caused it?! Kage throws his hat on the floor forlornly with a broken heart.

Someone stole Kage's shirt and told him he'd only get it if he danced.