((2nd attempt at writing this out, forgot to use a word doc. Going through it I see I missed some dialogue while RPing with Kiht because of too many active chats ><; Like well, telling Kiht Kage’s name /facepalms))
-A Couple of Suns before Ruru's Meeting with Natalie-
Kage took a deep breath as he stood on the airship that would soon be arriving in Gridania. He was apprehensive and nervous. He didn’t want to cause an incident and it was already so chaotic when the group charged into Ul’dah looking to confront C’kayah. He still didn’t know why they would but they did. The call for assistance over the linkshell was unexpected and worrying, so Kage had charged out of the Quicksand to see what was going on. Seeing Natalie and C’kayah blocked off by 4 lancers surrounding them irked Kage to no end. Nevermind the fact that one of them deemed it necessary to insult his intelligence and want to be there to support his friends. Lackey? Pah!
The lalafell stepped off the airship into the landing dock, looking for his friend Ruru. Seeing him seated on a bench, Kage waved in greeting to Rurutani. "Hello, Ruru. I see you're ready. To tell you the truth, I won't be subtle about what I'm here for but we're not interested in nor do we have the authority for any type of thing such as arresting this person."”
“Sounds good to me. I am good with whatever the plan is....wait...we do have a plan, right?”
“... we ask questions.”
“That works for me. When do we head out? I’m eager to get started.”
"We head out now, let's make sure we have everything. Here, your first half of payment. I'll need you to make sure your sources are correct." Kage hands Ruru some of the coin that Kage received from Natalie as payment for Rurutani. "I want to make sure, so you should ask at the Lancer's guild about it. I’m sure that since she’s sometimes been known to be found some place at the leatherworkers' guild, we'll know for sure if you head to the Lancers' guild."
Accepting the coins, Rurutani said, “Let’s head out then.”
Kage nodded to Rurutani and they set off. It was confirmed that the female Keeper they described to people at the Lancers’ guild could be found sometimes near the Leatherworkers’ guild. Based on their descriptions of her, it was learned that her name was Kiht, of the Jakkya family. They just needed to find her. As they approached the Leatherworkers’ Guild, Kage turned and gave Ruru a look, pointing into the distance. The Keeper was sitting on a rock. They approached her, trying to appear non-threatening and non-hostile. Kage bowed to her and Rurutani followed suit. The Keeper stood, regarding the two Lalafell who approached her.
“Um, greetings…” She said.
Kage gave a small smile responding, “I'm sure you recognize me from when you and your friends were in Ul'dah... I'm here... a little on official business. No harm to you and your friends though."
She rose an eyebrow at Kage, then her eyes widened in surprise. "You! Now I remember. You are a Sultansworn?"
Kage smiled and answered, "I've only recently finished my trials. I'm not a full-fledged sworn. Of course, Sultansworn do not have authority here in Gridania, and I'm only here as one who is in training so I'm not quite yet allowed to be in the garb. I think you might understand that.”
‘We're not here to harm you and such. We're just here to ascertain if there's any troubles we need to look into. We're curious as to why you would travel so far to confront an Ul'dahn citizen,” Kage continued. Rurutani looked at Kiht Jakkya and smiled, "We aren't looking for trouble...just answers."
She regarded them both. "I see. I am impressed that you have tracked me down, and wish to talk. I half expected the next Sultansworn I saw to arrest me. Very well. I will tell you why I was there, and why I wanted to speak with that....Sun-brother."
Kage nodded and murmured his thanks as she continued, “I am in the process of trying to gather and protect a group of people. They are Exiles in great danger." Kiht pauses and takes a deep breath.
Kage gazed upon Kiht Jakkya in deep reflection, “I see. That is, in fact, a very good cause. What did he do?"
Kiht continued, "While I was talking to a recent member of the group named Miss Rissa, a mercenary was discovered hiding in the bushes." She scowled, furrowing her brow.
Frowning, Kage asked her, "I assume you mean to say that this mercenary was hired to... kill her? By the Seeker you went to question?"
She shook her head. "That mercenary began interrogating Miss Rissa. The mercenary was heavily armed, and had vials of poison."
Kage Kiryuu frowned, visibly upset and bothered at the news. He believed he knew C’kayah, believing them to be good friends. This didn’t sound good. "Interrogation? Do you know about what?"
"I was alarmed. I had my weapon at the ready. This mercenary likely heard too much about the group I am trying to protect." Kiht paused to recollect the details to answer Kage's question. "The mercenary was asking about the Rose. I know not what she meant, but Miss Rissa denied knowing anything about it."
Rurutani looked to Kage, confusion written on his brow and in his eyes. Kage didn’t notice it though. He was upset, having twitched at the very mention of the Rose. It was very easily noticeable that he had a reaction to the name. He bit his lip to control himself but it was obvious that he was angry. "I will have to tell you this in confidence, as perhaps there is reason this mercenary was armed. 'The Rose' is an alias of a Miqo'te who fooled some of us Sultansworn and those in-training. We were duped into believing that we were confronting smugglers, those attempting to take ceruleam to bomb Ul'dah."
At his information, Kiht’s eyes widened. She paused for a moment in contemplation. "I see. However, Miss Rissa is no Miqo'te. She is a Hyur."
Kage continued, "These 'smugglers' were in fact what I believe to be Ala Mhigan refugees. While trying to defuse the situation, 'the Rose' caused a great deal of damage to the Nanawa mines, setting off an explosion. During the chaos of the event, a man died and a female midlander by the name Roen Deneith was wounded."
Kiht’s eyes grew wide at his words. "Roen?! What happened to Roen!" Kiht asked in an alrmed tone.
Kage answered, "Roen is a dear friend to me. The fact that we were duped by his Rose, and that she was hurt is maddening. Roen is fine now. But in that chaos at the time, she received some arrows to herself."
He shook his head, "I cannot help but wonder why this Seeker sent someone after one you protect, but 'the Rose' is dangerous."
Kiht looked deeply concerned. However she lets out a sigh of relief when she hears that Roen is alive. Kage continued, "I dearly hope that she is truly unconnected to the Miqo'te."
Kiht gazed upon Kage in deep reflection, contemplating something. It seemed as if she was suddenly lost in thought. Her expression betrayed her concern.
Concerned, Kage asked, "Are you ok, Miss?"
Concerned himself, Ruru asked, "Yeah...are you all right?"
"I-I will speak with Miss Rissa. I will find out if she has the connection." Kiht paused. " However, how I found out about C'kayah was through this mercenary that attacked me. She mentioned his name."
Kage nodded, "I do not want to displace your own confidence in your people, but please be safe. 'The Rose' has shown to be dangerous and if she is connected... I hope that you will not be harmed. Please, stay safe."
Rurutani nodded solemnly. Kage tapped his goatee, "I will handle C'kayah and bring it up with my own superiors."
Kiht nodded slowly still seeming a bit concerned. "There is one more thing that I must ask you..."
Kage nodded, "Please, ask away."
“I-I went to Ul'dah to seek out C'kayah because I thought he was a threat to the ones I protect. I came with armed guards because I knew he had mercenaries working for him who are highly trained. In the end, I only wished to talk....I suppose that didn't go well." Kiht paused for a moment. "If I went to Ul'dah once more... to.... see Roen....would I be arrested?"
Shaking his head Kage answered, "No. I highly doubt it. First you didn't break any laws. Second, I'll talk to my superiors." Kage grinned, "If you do come visit Roen, congratulate her on finishing her trials. Thank you, Miss. You've been very kind and helpful. I'll be sure to let Roen know you were concerned."
“My gratitude! I....I misunderstood the Sultansworn. I-I should have trusted you and your friends," said Kiht.
Kage smiled and bowed. Rurutani did the same as Kiht saluted them both. "I'll leave you to your business. Thank you once again,” Kage thanked the female Keeper. He bid farewell as Kiht said, "Menphina guide you both."
Leaving the airship landing dock in Ul’dah, Kage turned to Ruru and said, “I think that went well. You helped me locate her and nothing troubling happened. Here, the rest of the coin. I’ll have to report my findings to Natalie.”
Kage handed the rest of the payment to Rurutani and turned around. Waving a hand in farewell, “Don’t leave Ul’dah for work Ruru! I’ve got plans.”
