Coatleque

:blush:

The Sworn gave Melodia a blank stare for a moment. Diplomatic envoy was not in her job description. She had been caught, however, and could not risk such a stain on the Order's reputation. Her expression turned to a light smile of understanding. "When we land, I must needs report to my Captain first. I am sure you can appreciate the necessity of debriefing?", she asked. Before Melodia could answer she continued on, "Allow me this, and to make myself presentable, and I shall rejoin you in the Quicksand. I am sure Miss Aya could accompany you there for the interim?".

I should also say this is an encouraging read because the Sworn are often compared to the Secret service. So now I feel better about undercover operations in-game.

Any Paladin, free or Sworn should be jumping at this. I know Crofte will certainly be watching/listening in as much as her time allows.

Nor am I. And I don't use Linux. I use windows where all I do is point-click "change password", then point-click "user lockout policy" and cycle attempts with an up/down arrow. Why must things be harder than they have to be?

Circle of Scorn now generates enmity (above the amount generated by damage dealing) ... the rich get richer. WOO-HOO!

Welcome Coatleque, please enter password: > PUREVIL Invalid logon attempt, please enter password: >pureevil Invalid logon attempt, please enter password: >sexpot Invalid logon attempt. Your account has been locked. Please contact Administrator.

Damn it, he stole my idea. Can I retcon a certain over-night from two days ago?

Coatleque sat in her room at the Hourglass that night staring at the orange globe in her hands. A single earring of what looked like glass, shaped like one of those bomb creatures everyone runs from. She tried her best to draw some sort of meaning, some significance from the item. There had to be some deeper interpretation as to why this was left to her. Her eyes began to well as she could think of none. So this is how it was to be then. Natalie was gone. And now Coatleque was left with the burden of not just placating Taeros, but stopping this Pirate by herself. She knew that was not true, there were many already on the case. But Natalie was in the forefront. By far the most aggressive. And with her gone, others would begin to look to Crofte. She could feel the weight already pressing down. Holding up the earring she looked at it through the light of the window. She turned it this way and that watching it. In truth, it was the ugliest, most gaudy piece of jewelry she ever saw. Taking a deep breath, she gently stored it in the same box where she kept a certain shell ring. Her mind was made up. She would need to be more stern, shrewd, and willing to do things others were not. For the memory of her friend, and for the safety of those still with her. But in this one case... she would need a whole new outfit to match it.

Based on a separate thread, I believe the "reservation" is on a weekly basis, and resets with the server. Therefore you just need to be on at the right time when it resets. I have a feeling after about a month of the non-RPers filling up reservations for their meaningless bling, achievements, and titles, it will be much easier for the RPers to actually USE the system.

There was no warmth in his eyes. Tonight, like most, was strictly business. "A favor for a favor..." Sunlight streamed through the large glass windows of the penthouse suite of the Mizzenmanst and bathed the bed in warmth. Coatleque stirred and slowly opened her eyes. She looked around briefly before panic began to set in. This was not her room. His hands caressed her body, and she caved. His touch, rough and calloused - a surprise which only added to the thrill of this moment." She sat up, clutching the sheets to her bare chest then groaned in pain as she clutched her temples. How much had she drank last night? It could not have been more than two or three flutes. The taste of the wine had certainly hid its potency. They had spoken for most of the night in hushed yet gentile tones. "Tell me what you truly desire, my dear." What had she done? She remembered making some off-handed remark about how things could be so much easier. Shady back room deals did not need to be made. The security of Ul'dah was at stake here, after all. She was lead to the inn shortly after dinner. "A pleasant evening, miss, and a restful morning." Standing, she all but dragged the sheet with her from the bed to keep covered. She called out, but the suite was empty. The drink that Mister North said he would provide was left on a table just inside the balcony. For that she was suddenly very grateful. Negotiations has been made far too quickly. "Make certain that she is provided for with the finest silks." After making herself proper, she did her best to be sure the room was in a likewise state before making her way back to the Drowning Wench. "This was a mistake... What have you done?", were the thoughts that haunted her the rest of the morning. Stepping off the airship back in Ul'dah she felt as if all eyes were on her with disapproving glares. Of course nobody else knew yet, but she did. That alone was enough.

Coatleque flushed red in embarrassment. "I must confess I did not spend much time at the Canopy while I was there. I only remained in Gridania for a few short months till it was painfully clear I was not adapt at conjury. Upon my return to Ul'dah, I spent even less time in the Quicksand. It is only recently that I've been wont to spend time in public. Even that is mostly due to my Captain's orders." She looked at Aya with a curious gaze. "I trust you spent no small measure of time there while under Mistress Miounne? What was your experience like then?"

The only thing I've seen people use the Echo for in RP is to explain how they can do IC Primal runs.

As Melodia's chastisement turned rightfully angry, Coatleque was already pinching her nose with closed eyes and a furrowed brow. Shaking her head, she lowered her hand and looked at the woman with as much of an apologetic smile she could muster. "Apologies, Miss D'janz. Perhaps I should start over. I am Lady Coatleque Crofte of her Resplendence's royal guard." For a brief instant, she thought she could feel Sergeant Melkire laughing at her from the shadows. "My intent was not to deceive you, Sergeant, if you can believe that. Her Grace has many agents about. We are, by and large, not seen outside of our own borders. We tend to draw the wrong type of attention when our presence is known. I fear we have now begun our acquaintance on a rather awkward foot. I pray you do not let this tarnish your perception of Ul'dah." She turned back to Aya with a more genuine smile and a nod of agreement. "I had not expected to see you here as well, Aya."

Coatleque blinked twice in shock at being recognized by someone. She managed to force a wide grin through clenched teeth and seemed to speak without opening her mouth. "Hello Aya."

I need to pick an outfit! I promise to work on that tonight and have something either tonight or tomorrow morning for you!

"Allow me to allay your fears as best I can, then.", she replied. "Our airship port has a bar and lounge built just beyond the gate, if you require a moment to catch your bearings or to relax. The lift to the opposite side of the landing will take you to straight to the Ruby Exchange. I would suggest you go there first and find your way to the Quicksand. The Hourglass Inn should have rooms enough for the night." Coatleque canted her head. "I do hope you like the heat. Thanalan is much hotter yet less humid than Vylbrand.", she said with a jerk of her head to the bow. She smiled. "Though it will do wonders for your hair at the least."

Just how much money did Ul'dah throw at Pumpkinweed Inc. to supply the entire city with jack-o-lanterns for this festival?

"Not as often as I should like", she replied shaking her head. "Of course my duties here take precedence over any free time I may have. Beyond that, the Shroud is not so friendly to outsiders. That was the first lesson I learned in my time spent there, anyroad." She tapped her chin in thought for a moment. "The last time I was in the Shroud at all was simply to pass through as quickly as possible from Coerthas to Thanalan. I do know Jancis will return often enough, but she typically spends her days in La Noscea."

I too am interested. I just need to get a few new screenshots.

Welcome to the RPC, and back to the game. Sounds like Gus is going to have some competition as to who's the superior male.

Coatleque stepped into the door of the estate wearing her white dress after a long afternoon at Bronze Lake. Her previous clothes had been drenched as three rain storms had come and gone in the course of two hours. "This feels much better already.", she remarked as she scanned the ground floor of Coral's house. "We...have much to discuss? Perhaps in some degree of privacy I'd hope?", a large Roegadyn asked rather amused that they were both so nicely dressed. It was the voice of Iron Sea. Having put aside his mourning long enough to sober up, he decided to take her up on the offer of work. She had the mind to keep him busy to distract him from Natalie's absence. They did indeed have much to discuss. She nodded in agreement. "Yes, of course. Either upstairs at the table, or here should suffice, unless you desire more security. I am afraid I have no room of mine own here. I spend most of my nights in the Hourglass, or the Palace's barracks." "Depends on the flow of conversation; There are things I hold extremely sensitive. That may or may not actually come up... but I trust this home thus far. Those who live here have treated me well for no reason beyond their own kindness." He paused as if to consider their options versus necessity. "Upstairs would suffice. I could find you something to drink... lady." He opted not to use the title Ser for the time being. The choice was made, however, and she nodded once more in agreement. "That sounds lovely. Shall we then?", she replied. The Knight had come bearing two items of interest as well. A wrapped bottle of something or other, and an opened letter as well. The man regarded her for a moment before motioning to the stairs first. He would not take it upon himself to take the stairs before her. She smiled at his gesture before walking to the stairs. "I note you carry something that looks like a bottle. Should I only retrieve glasses then?" She shook her head as they continued onward. "Unfortunately, this is not for drinking tonight." "Fair enough...", he nodded before stepping off to the cabinet beside him at the top of the stairs. She continued to the next room and took her seat at the table, placing the bottle and letter in front of the chair beside her. "Red or white...?", came Iron's voice from around the corner. "Shall I be so daring in this dress?", she said with a hint of playfulness to lighten the mood. "Red it is." Iron Sea laughed lightly, glad he had such large hands now, as two glasses were more than easy to hold by the stems. The bottle he tucked under his other arm, before heading off to the next room to join her. Placing both glasses down, he removed the cork and carefully filled her glass first, then his own. The bottle he then placed between them, cork slipped back within, before taking a seat himself. "Thank you.", she said as she took up her glass. She swirled it before taking a sip and placing it back down. "I had said that I had work you may wish consider.", she began once they were both settled. "Indeed you did, which I can only presume has something to do with this whole... mess?", he asked, taking up his own glass. Though he idly stared at his reflection in it for a moment before also drinking. "It is, yes. The letter before you is one of two remaining leads I have on the whereabouts of the Pirate Lazarov." The man inhaled deeply in thought. "Nero...", he said at length. "Roen's beloved..." Coatleque tilted her head with some measure of amusement at how fast news seemed to travel these days. "I was not aware this was common knowledge." "It's not.", he replied curtly. "When Nat went to Limsa, I was contracted to follow and seek our Roen. I stalked until I located her, and forced my way into her table at the Bismark. I had eyes on her ever since, but called it off. I was asked to keep her safe, despite whatever else was going on, but I let it go; Another lapse in my judgement..." His voice trailed off forlornly. "As far as I know she still is safe.", Coatleque interjected trying to keep his thoughts from bringing him down once more. "She did not believe Nero was capable of the claims brought against him, and sought to figure it out herself. As for that contract... I've dropped it. Her security is not my concern. " The man made no eye contact now. Iron had far too much information, and had acted on nothing all of this time. For his inaction he had lost someone dear. He lifted his glass, taking a long, slow drink of that wine. Coatleque turned to him, trying to meet his gaze. "No, t'is not.", she replied in a firm voice. "I believe at this point it is mine, though. Which is why I need others for a more hands-on approach.", she continued. "I can see to Roen while others are seeing to things I cannot." He was hesitant to agree. "Following orders like that got Nat killed, did it not? Is this also part of what that man named Jameson is directing? The one who made her go about this all?", he asked. His voice took on a more sinister tone. "I'd sooner find my hands around his throat as I would some two-bit pirate and weapon smuggler..." She shook her head trying to reassure him. "Leave Taeros to me." This caught his interest once more. "Just what is it you are planning?" Coatleque turned back to her wine and took a sip before continuing. "Right now, our chief concern is to be damned sure the pirate really is harmless. If he is not, I hope to also prove he is a threat to Limsa Lominsa. It would go a long way to smoothing over relations after the warehouse incident, as well as keeping my neck from the hangman's noose." He nearly recoiled at the thought. "Your neck will see no such fate." She knew he only spoke out of his reaction to her suggesting it. In all reality, the matter was not yet in his hands to decide her fate. "It may yet if the Admiral presses this issue.", she continued. "Which is why we must prove our actions... Natalie's actions, were justified." Again his words seemed to come before his thoughts. "If the Admiral presses the issue, I will draw so much blood through these streets that your name will be a distant memory.", he said frowning in anger. She shook her head once more before turning her gaze back to him. "A foolish notion, even if your heart is in the right place." "I've had many a victory on a foolish notion.", Iron sighed softly as he tilted his head back to drain what was left in his glass. "I jest though. Surely during the course of this conversation it's clear I am far from a brute." She paused for a moment, recounting every meeting she had had with the man before. "Considering I have not seen you be anything but cordial, I would only have rumors to go on if you were otherwise." She gestured to the letter as she turned back to her glass, signalling for him to read it when ready. "Under my command I have a small force, all of different skills, all not part of any faction or public eye. They work for me, to do what I need. They are my eyes, my ears. A bow, a lance, poison; Whatever it is that a situation will require. If I am to be brought into this, I would cast a net wide enough for your pray to not realize he is even ensnared.", he remarked. His voice lowered to a mutter as he took the letter into his hands. Flipping it open he began to read. She paused for a few moments letting him finish and consider the short notice within, as well as its implications. "Of course I would expect you to make use of them as needed.", she said as she sipped her wine again. "This letter was all of interest that Natalie recovered from the warehouse. That and the bottle. I do not know where she found them as I was outside at the time." He stared at the letter while considering her words. "Hmm... So the belief then is this letter will lead either to Nero, or to someone who was working with him? This is what she ran out... smiling holding as she died? The proof she gave her life for?" Coatleque sighed and turned to face him once more, her expression stern to draw his thoughts once again to the matter at hand. "Regardless of how it sounds, Master Sea, this is all we have. I wouldst prefer NOT to let her sacrifice to go waste." "I do not hold back my words. That reality will sting. It will hurt... and it will be the drive to make us march forward in what must be done. I'll go, I'll follow the instructions... and take this bottle with me. I'll walk into what may or may not be a trap myself... but not for the sake of a dead woman Crofte. For your sake... and do not forget that." She nodded, admittedly touched at his determined words. "Thank you.", she replied softly. "For that, I require something..." In the months since her promotion, Coatleque had grown used to the political posturing. The back-room deals and favors called in exchange for more favors. She had been forced to make enough of them herself, despite the sickening rock it always left in her stomach. Still, hearing this from Iron Sea was a surprise. She was in no position to argue the point, however, so she swallowed her pride once more. "And that is?" He began to plead his own case then. "One of the people I need at my side... What is the situation regarding Miss Leanne?" She leaned back in her chair with her arms folded as she recounted the official order once more. "She is wanted by the Brass Blades for assaulting an officer. Let me guess, you need her charges dropped?" "I need her.", Iron stated bluntly. There was no room for question about it in his tone of voice. This was not something to be debated. "I'll give the Blades bribery if need be.", he continued. The Sworn held up one hand as if to stop his thoughts in protest. "I have dinner plans, as it were, with Master Jameson Taeros. I will make mention of her plight. He has some pull with the Brass Blades via his employer. His cost may be steep in other ways than mere gil, however." Iron Sea shook his head in disgusted protest. "Many people are assaulted in the streets of Ul'dah. Many more can be too if need be. There are a lot of people who wear fancy hats." Coatleque shook her head as well, though slower and in more disgust at what he was implying. "T'is my job to avoid needless bloodshed. Do keep that in mind." He sighed. "These political games sicken me. Jameson deserves a knife in his gut for playing this game. And yet we are to fool around and beg and plead? Leanne is a hero. Leanne fought at my side, helped me save the damned city from a cult that your walls were NEVER breached by, due to OUR sacrifice. We received no thanks, no reward... we did it because we cared." His voice was growing deeper, angrier as he continued. She stopped him once more trying to keep control of his emotions. "You need not plead her case to me, Sir. Please, simply allow me to do my part and be content." He grumbled under his breath, nodding on concession. "Second thing.", he continued. "Aye?" "Lady Edda is to be taken care of in the event anything befalls me. This... all has taken a toll on her. I've not seen her, and the only time I did our words were pained and harsh... I worry for her sake. As I've made clear, she is my utmost priority." She had no reply to this request. After thinking for a moment she finally responded as best she could on the matter. "I believe that is more a matter to set to your will. I will do what I can, though." He continued, "The void is not so deep... should something befall her and I have to come back to this realm, I'd be worried for you all." He smirked and laughed lightly. "When should I go to this meet? I'll need a small amount of time to assemble what I need." Demands and promises aside, Coatleque nodded to him. "Per the letter, you, or someone else, will need to pose as this Master Redgrave. I do not know who he was to meet.", she said with some frustration behind her voice. She was certainly not keen on having him walk into a complete unknown. "The bottle of wine was included with the letter, most likely to smooth things over from the start." "Would I not stand out?", he asked. "That would depend on how well known you are.", she replied. "T'is the same reason I cannot go myself. Other than the fact I am not male. My face is known in Ul'dah and would be recognized in the Goblet." "Hmm... I've never met Nero or his men. Only Roen, and I doubt she would have spoken of me... Even in a worst case scenario, I can forgo diplomacy and deception for the sake of getting what we need by force. I do hope it would not come to that though." Something she had already considered. The possibility of violence erupting. "If it does, you had best keep people close by to call upon. I can be stationed nearby at the time as well." "I always do.", he nodded, "I'll get back to you... I'll need to head out now and send some word out to my people." "This mission is an infiltration, pure and simple. We must needs get in, find what information we can, and leave alive. The meeting is already nearly three weeks late, so pray do not take much more time to gather people.", she interjected once more. "While you do, I will check with my one other lead in the Maelstrom. Let me know when you are ready and I will return post haste." He turned back to her for a moment. "Sounsyy Mirke is part of the Malestrom. If you need information or help regarding working with them, then drop my name to her. I have faith she will do whatever she can for me." "I shall keep her in mind then." "I'm going to head off now lady. I've got much to do... much on my dance card beyond fighting for sport it seems." "As you say, Sir. Thank you for meeting with me. I shall inform you as soon as my dinner with Master Taeros is complete, as to the state of the charges against Miss Delphium." "I appreciate that. Without her, I am far less capable." "Twelvespeed to you, Master Sea. Do keep well until then." "Be well lady... this promise I will make sure to keep."

In my mind I see either the paper-cheque transfer route as Warren said, or the differing denominations as Whittledown said. When you talk about gil in the millions, however, even large denominations would be hard to carry around. I doubt Otto would have a purse of twenty-five thousand 1000gil coins.

... Coatleque can actually sit and enjoy the drink she buys rather than leaving Aya with wasted food and triple the price to compensate.

Fiona Arasgain looked down at his notepad. Despite being dressed in a feminine manner, the Miqo'te was using a slightly masculine voice to go over the it, one line at a time. "Salmon, mahi-mahi, shrimp, tuna...", Fio had a quill, making additional notes all the while. "Going to have to get this stuff on ice for his birthday tomorrow. Ah, right, that Doman seaweed crap. Have some of that. Sticky rice won't be hard to find. Just a stroll down to the market...". He rounded the corner of the strip to the location the letter had sent him to. Coatleque was sitting at her desk in the small and barely lit office. Still no bigger than a closet, the Order had no need to move her to more spacious surroundings despite her increased work load. She looks up from what she was reading as Fio rounded the corner, her door being open. "Lieutenant Arasgain!" Fio snapped out of the list and nearly dropped it to the ground. He yelped rather loudly, really bringing out the masculine edge before switching into something more feminine. "Ah, yes, Miss Crofte? What can I do for you this evening?", he replied while tucked the paper away in his chef's uniform. Turning, the Miqo'te's sky blue eyes met with the Sultansworn. There was the odd spot or spill staining Fio's apron. She smiled and gestured for him to come into her office, or what would pass for 'inside' the doorway of the cramped space. "I had written you a summons, I assume you were here to answer it?" He nodded once, a hand drifting up to his face. "Yeah. Got a little distracted planning a birthday meal for a friend of sorts." A slight blush tinted the blonde's cheeks. "Of course, he wants foreign cuisine from Doma, so I had to go out and do a bit of reading and trading to get the necessary skills and tools. What's going on, Miss Crofte?" Coatleque nodded politely along as Fio spoke trying to feign interest in some stranger's birthday dinner plans. "I had two matters we needed to discuss.", she replied, "The first is in regards to the last time we had a proper discussion. Something about going to Coerthas, and the transfer of ceruleum if you recall?" "No, I transferred it at a dock warehouse in Limsa Lominsa. No idea what became of it. It was shuffled out pretty fast, according to my sources." She nodded and folded her hands on the desk in front of her, trying to emulate the manner of how her Captain had grilled her so many times before. "Yes, I understand that. I had hoped to observe the exchange and follow them. You never contacted me to let me know when it was happening." "Yeah. Sorry about that. The target got a hold of me and rushed me on it. There was nothing I could do. Seriously, I was wearing a dress something like you are now, waiting for the okay, when he comes up to me all rushed-like. I didn't even have time to change into something better for manual labor." Crofte sighed and looks down for a moment before raising her gaze back to Fiona's level. "I understand, sometimes things just do not go as planned. With the death of my comrade, you are the only remaining lead I have on the whereabouts of the Pirate. If you have anything else for me, please let me know as soon as you can." It was a half-truth, of course. She did have another lead which was being followed-up on by someone else. But the information there had not yet pointed back directly to the Pirate. Fiona did not need to know this, and having a sense of importance in the matter may provide faster results. "Unless you prefer I blindly search the cliffs of Providence Point for a hideout that may not exist?", she asked. Fio nodded once. Upon hearing her question, his head shook. "The location's been broken down. No need to trek out there. I'll let him know I'm looking for more work on the linkpearl he gave me. Oh, and another thing I need to discuss. If you catch him, I need total immunity from anything he tells you. Mostly because they're lies." Fio waved a hand dismissively at the notion. "My goal is only to stop him. I care not for whoever else he tries to implicate in whatever scheme is his hatching.", Coatleque replied. "Thank you for understanding. To my second point then... I have been charged with settling the estate of Ser Natalie Mcbeef. She had set something aside for you." The Knight removed her glasses and pointed with them to a crate sitting just outside her office. It was a wooden crate with the top pried off so the contents could be examined. The smell of a strong, flowery perfume emanated from it, wafting into the office. Fiona blinked a few times. "Huh. He may have tasked me with taking her out. Thank the gods I don't have to do a damned thing or force her into hiding.", he said, not overly shaken up over the news. Or even shaken up at all. How much death had this Miqo'te seen in his days to be able to shrug off the death of acquaintance? Fio walked over to the crate and took a look inside, sniffing on the way over. "It's soap. Laundry soap. She tried to teach me how to do laundry. For some reason, it's one of the things my brain just doesn't get. Like math, counting, or business. I have to hire an accountant to take care of it all for me. Sorry, you must think I'm a little slow after hearing that." He just looked back up at Crofte. "And how in the hells am I going to haul it out?" Coatleque shrugged at her desk. "That is your problem now, unfortunately. You need not do it now, of course. The guard in the hall has been notified you will be collecting it at some point. I'm sure you fan find some strapping young lad to help haul it away." She wrinkled her nose. "The sooner the better, if you please. The scent is giving me a headache." "Of course, Miss. I'll try to get somebody to haul it to a place where I can give it to the woman I pay to do my laundry and clean my room." Fio paused for a few moments. "Gods, I really am pathetic." The Miqo'te's voice dropped from it's matter-of-fact tone to something rather pitiful. "Some of us have not the hours to spare for such things. You need not explain yourself to me of course. Gratitude for your promptness though." She paused for a moment. Had she really just said Gratitude? Her thoughts went to Roen briefly before shaking her head. "It's not that I didn't try. It's like I'm mentally incapable of such things, Miss. And don't worry about that. It's the least I could do on the way back to the tiny room I rent out here." Coatleque smirked to herself. It couldn't possibly be worse than the hole they made her work out of here. She returned her glasses to her head. "Thank you, Lieutenant. Please keep in contact." "Of course. I'll send somebody by for the crate. A damned shame you lost a comrade, though." He stepped forward and around her desk at these words and gave her a hug from the side. An unusual display of emotion from him. Coatleque found herself leaning towards him but was in no position herself to return it from where she sat. "Thank you for your condolences. It was very unexpected." Fio took a step back and re-adjusted his glasses. "The hells were you expecting?", an eyebrow lifted curiously. "I do not know what I was expecting, but what I was not expecting was an improvised explosive before negotiations could be completed." Fio's head jarred rather quickly as he was taken aback by the news. "Improvised explosive? Negotiations? What were you all up to, Miss?" The Sworn shook her head in disgust. There was plenty she could tell him on the matter, but the question was more of what she could trust the Maelstrom Lieutenant with. He was not yet aware that his own background had been recently suspect. "I cannot discuss it further right now, though you should find what you need to know from your superiors back in Limsa Lominsa. Ask about recent mishaps at Moraby Drydocks. I am sure Lazarov will need help replenishing some stock." "I'll do that, Miss. Thank you.", he said taking another step back, then cursing loudly. "Fuck!" Those slender fingers of his wormed up under the glasses to pinch of the bridge of his nose. "I'll be hearing about this from Nero, soon enough. Probably going to have to replace that ceruleum. Getting more's going to be a pain." The Knight's ears perked up slightly. "Yes well, perhaps you can keep me in mind this time again." "I will. But I'll need to get creative with procurement.", he replied in thought. "I'll need to check my sources. Getting my hands on such a material is difficult, to say the least." "And rightfully so.", Coatleque interjected. Then an idea sprung to mind. "The name Lucaniel Clarke may interest you though. Yet another smuggler I have been keeping my ears open for. May be transporting ceruleum in bulk for resale. You did not hear this from me, of course." He nodded quickly, pulling out a small pencil and the scrap of paper that had been used before. "Lucaniel Clarke. Thanks. How do I get a hold of them?" "If I knew that, he would be in the gaols.", she remarked in amusement. "May have gone to ground. It is the only lead I have that could help you, though. Trading one evil for another as it were. Lazarov is the bigger target in this case, and if it gets the stuff OUT of my city, all the better." "Hm, right. Can't blame you. I'm not fond of smugglers, either. Oh, and one thing. Lazarov said he wants to use this ceruleum for mining so he can muscle his way in on Ul'dahn trade. Almost forgot to mention that. I had to tell him one hell of a huge lie to get that far." Her expression turned to a smirk. "I doubt he would say what he really needs it for. A highly controlled explosive fuel? I am tired of dealing with the stuff myself." "Of course. I wouldn't be in this job if I was stupid enough to believe everything somebody says. Well, I am stupid, just not that stupid.", he said with a grin, but the slight furrow of his brows betrayed his conflicted feelings about self-deprecation. "We all are in our own ways I suppose.", she said as she leaned back in her chair. It creaked loudly as if the wood is ready to snap, but still held for some reason. Fio nodded quickly. "Right. Sorry to bore you with the details. I'll get that immunity, right? This is going way deeper then I had anticipated, and I may need to do some unsavory things to get to the bottom of this." "Just don't do anything too unsavory? I would be remiss if the Bismark should lose one of their prized chefs. I should get back to my reports, though. The less glamorous side of my job..." Fio looked a little antsy upon being denied. "And risk getting myself killed? Miss Crofte, I may have to leave you with no leads if you can't guarantee my safety here in Ul'dah. I hate doing this, but still." She looked back up with a slight curl of her lips. "T'was merely a suggestion, Lieutenant. We all operate how we see fit, Aye?" Fio's lips thinned. "Right. Good evening, Miss." He was quick to leave, clearly agitated. She may have seen the Miqo'te toying with a knife on the way out. "Twelvespeed, Master Arasgain."