Coatleque

As Natalie walked off, Coatleque seemed to breath another sigh of relief. She met Warren's gaze and offered the suggestion, "Perhaps we should go somewhere quieter?". She needed to know the details. Things better said in private so the wrong person did not overhear. And also to be alone. It suddenly felt like every stranger who walked by was casting their eyes upon her with an accusing glare.

Her courage quickly melting now she tilted her head while hefting the popotoes she carried. "Do not worry, he will not go hungry over long. And I'm sure Ser Castille will find a use for the ticket. He is most resourceful." She turned her gaze to him once more, looking for some sort of affirmation in all of this.

Coatleque watched the two in silence for a while until it became clear this would not be resolved without her input as well. She eyed the ticket, then the various bags the two of them carried, then looked back to Warren. "Would it be proper for us to appear in this state? I'm sure they would be amicable to us storing your groceries in their lounge while we dine.", she replied with a hint of sarcasm. The longer they stood the more her nervousness crept back out to her skin. What are you doing here? "Perhaps this offer would be best spent some other time, or on someone better suited to such notions, Ser Mcbeef. I believe he and I have some private matters to discuss first. Also, we are not..." She looked down at the ticket trying to read it from afar. "... Lovers. It would not feel right to fool the owners of this establishment in that regard."

Atrocity? Surely you jest. Also, that is just a small snip of the full picture.

Coatleque relaxed just enough to smirk at his comment. She stood next to Warren and tried to slide her arm under and around his while holding the popotoes in her other arm. "Why yes, I do believe that was implied. How could we turn down such an offer? It is a good thing Highlander men are not known for their vast appetites."

Also, this is happening. (posted unfinished work with Warren's permission) (note: not my work )

Natalie's plan: I'll get them together in the airship lounge for romantic lunch! What happens: They're mugged along the way. There is a 40 minute wait for a table. They ran out of today's special. The airship crashes into the lounge when trying to dock.

She gave Natalie an almost icy glare as she could not believe the woman would bring up that reference right here in the middle of everyone. "It might have been, but I feel the wind has just changed course. No matter, if Ser Castille does not mind the walk then the lounge is acceptable to me." She cursed her own politeness which made her unable to flatly refuse Natalie's company.

Nice, maybe. But certainly not kind. I know someone who can school them in those matters.

It's okay. This is what I get for making a Lethal Weapon joke about Mcbeef & Crofte.

Yes! "I..." YES! "Ser Castille, Ser Crofte." NO! The butterflies in her stomach suddenly congealed into a knot. "Ser Mcbeef...", she said, almost through her teeth. "Erm, yes... we were just about to leave. We're on our way to..." She looked back to Warren expecting him to continue her sentence.

It may have been his words, or it may have been the hot Thanalan sun. Something had made it incredibly hot outside this day. Time seemed to crawl as a hundred knives stabbed at her heart from all directions. "I... did say that.", she said at length. Her eyes slowly raised to try and meet his once more. "Perhaps I spoke in haste though." She felt vulnerable once more for some reason, and had not expected to so soon after their last conversation. She wanted to trust him, but didn't know why. Her mind searched for what to say next but as she opened her mouth to speak again all that came out was a squeak.

Foolish girl. Did you really think he'd want to talk to you again after last time? Her heart began to sink once more. She had spent all morning trying to build herself up to this moment, but the flurry of excuses and stammering from both sides was almost too much. He couldn't even bare to look at her. Could she blame him? "I understand then.", she said quietly as her eyes fell to the ground. "If you would, then, at least... let me assist with your burdens in silence until you are home. I will leave you be after that."

Coatleque saw the girl at a glance and smiled briefly before turning her gaze back to Warren. She cleared her throat and walked past him, brushing her shoulder against his arm. "You don't mean to... impose? Please, Ser Castille, it was my fault." She tried to force his attention back to his shopping. "Honestly, was it not enough I had to feed you once before, now I must also help stock the pantry? Come then, what remains on your list?"

"Nonsense, it is the least I can do, Ser Castille". She tried to remain entirely professional through the whole exchange, but could not help speaking in a softer voice. She paid the vendor to replace what was damaged and took it upon herself to carry them as well. "I will just take these. You cannot carry everything yourself, you know." She paused as she realized her own words, then blushed. "A-anyroad... please, I shall follow. I had nothing else pressing this morning."

She instantly knew the voice and froze. All she could do was stare dumbfounded at him for a moment with her mouth agape until she realized where she was. Regaining some measure of composure she replied. "Ser Castille. No, I... I was not watching to where I was walking." She dropped her gaze from his face to his parcels. "Oh! P-please, allow me to help?"

"I would leave this place. I would return to Rothlyt Sound, to the place of my birth. I wish to gaze upon the shores of Gyn Abania one last time without threat of Imperial oppression. And there would I die alone, where I should have perished so many years ago."

Coatleque slowly walked the line of merchants down Pearl Lane, looking quite out-of-place in her usual dress. Her attempt to not stand out was wasted on the usual guttersnipes that frequented the area. That, and the growing rumors about her did nothing to help her purpose as she carefully examined the wares of each table she passed. Oblivious to her, merchants down the row of would quietly remove key items and place them below only to display them again once she was out of eye-shot. Not that she was actively looking for contraband. She was looking for for small arms and concealables that were popular with the underground. It was best to be prepared for anything in these recent days, and knowing what your enemies were using ahead of time may tip the scales in your favor. Her head partially in the clouds, she was not watching where she was going as she slowly collided into the side of a large man carrying various sundries. "O-oh... excuse me Ser, how clumsy of me!", she started

And here we have a shot of just Natalie and Crofte...

Exactly. She left. She left without doing anything.

Thinking about what she did.

The Knight leaned back against the wall with arms crossed, staring at her companion from across the room. Her mood slowly soured the longer she watched. It was as if somewhere (in another life perhaps) two ships were not just passing, but firing volleys at each other. "I think perhaps this room needs more questions to consider, as the answers seem to have grown silent. We have broached the subject of love once before. So I ask to anyone: To what lengths would you go for it? Or if you prefer, is there an absolute limit to what you would do?" (nom Meatloaf)

Oh my. I do declare, I have the vapors!

Great. Coatleque will blind you all with her pasty white skin. And then be sunburned in five minutes.

Seconded. Are you implying I should also be shirtless?