Coatleque

"Warren, it's me. Nobody is here..." He sat up, drawing his cloak around him. "....oh! Cot. Sorry. I was off for a second...", he replied sounding half-asleep. Coatleque tilted her head him. "Only a second? Don't tell me you just came in to sleep?" Warren blinked hard a moment, considering. "I think? I made sure not to disturb you. I didn't wake you, did I?" She turned her head barely stifling a yawn. "No, you didn't wake me. I wasn't aware you even came in. Anyroad, it is just past dawn. I thought you would want to be up and off." "Hm?" She blinked at him. "Back to Thanalan?" He seemed more responsive after those words, though his body was slow to move. "It's not even light yet, are you sure?" She drew her cloak tighter around her shoulders as the brisk air began to set in. "Y-y-yes. I think I've had enough of Coerthas for now." He responded to her stammer, eyes opening and finding purchase. "Alright. Are you sure you slept enough?" He rolled his shoulder in the socket, his joints were stiff from his 'rest' but he hoped not to relay that. Coatleque managed a smile. "I've slept more these past three nights than I have all last week in the city. Worry not for me." Warren frowned a touch. "I'm sorry to hear that, honestly." He knew he couldn't provide better but all the same lamented her dilemma. She shook her head at him. "It comes with my station. I'm just... still getting used to it. I worry more for how you slept though, in this chair." Warren sat forward and rolled his shoulders, his right arm needing more coaxing than the left. "I'm fine." He surveyed her, though his attention dropped when he realized she hasn't changed from how she has slept. She was clothed in only her cloak and a low cut night gown. Noticing his gaze, she blushed and drew her cloak together with her hand underneath. Standing up then she remarked, "Well... I should... make ready. And knowing our combined gil at this time, we may need to reconsider the Aetherite..." Warren nodded, keeping his gaze away. "I will speak with the guards. Take what time you need, I will... Talk to them." He rose without lifting his gaze in her direction, trying to give her what privacy he could afford. Coatleque went back to the bedside and sat down to watch him leave the room. Once the door was closed she exhaled a breath she didn't realize she was holding, then went about changing back to her armor and packing up again for light travel. Once finished she left the room to go and find Warren outside. ** Warren set about readying Victory for the ride home, and exchanging the little coin he had left for Coatleque's chocobo porter. The last bit in his wallet he spent on a breakfast of fruit and cheese, which her presented to his companion without comment beyond it belonging to her. "Thank you.", she replied as she received the food. "You ate something already?" He nodded. "I'm good. You need to pick up, though." He kept a continuous eye out on the inn around them, never seeming settled. "If you insist.", she said as she laid her burdens on the bird. She was still shivering in the morning air, not quite awake yet. "I will just eat as we ride. Eager to be away from here." "No one would blame you." Warren looked out to horizon, knowing the Shroud encroached on it already. The journey didn't matter near as much as the destination. [align=center]End Chapter[/align]

The next morning... She did remember how long she had laid there before sleep overtook her. At least it came quietly and with no strange dreams that night. She finally stirred just after first light as the sun began peaking through the window. Rolling over in the bed, she saw Warren sitting in the chair asleep. Her first immediate thought was alarm. How did he get in here? She sat up straight, holding the sheets tight to her chest. That's right... only one room was left. The hearth had long since died out and the room was brisk with the morning air. She quietly got out of bed and retrieved her cloak from the post. She wrapped herself in it and quietly stepped over to where Warren was sitting. Kneeling down next to him, she gently tugged on his shoulder. "Warren? Warren?" "Ser Castille?"

I think it depends on a wide variety of factors. The two that stick to mind are: - Does it make sense in the current primary story arch? - Do you NEED to be better by a certain date for another planned event? I'd tend to favor a faster healing rate due to magic alone.

She blinked, not quite sure how to respond to his abruptness. Say something you fool! But then he was gone. She stood up and went to address the innkeeper, suddenly feeling as if she was walking on eggshells. "The soup was wonderful, Ser, however I have suddenly lost my appetite. Apologies." She bowed and returned to the room. ** After preparing for the night she sat at the edge of the bed just staring into the dimly lit room. She had turned the lantern down low enough for Warren to see and not trip over something, should he return. She held her face in her hands for a moment before rubbing her eyes, and hopefully her thoughts, away. "I must be mad.", she said to no one. Rolling into the bed she curled up and tried to sleep.

They also updated all the sprites. If you re-read it, it says name AND appearance was changed. So Gladiators now have swords right from the get-go. No more tanking with a pocket knife. Although I hope one of them stays fairly short... I need something concealable for when Crofte is not in armor.

They ate in awkward silence for most of dinner until she finally spoke up. "There's a large chair in the room. It, um... should be comfortable." "I mean, not that I was inferring you sleep there!", she blurted out suddenly. Her face flushed at her own words. After a pause she spoke once more, slowly and deliberately, choosing her phrasing with utmost care. "What I mean to say, Ser Castille... is that between the two of us, you are more deserving of a proper rest... I can lay my cloak out on the floor and stay at the other end of the room." She watched him for a response while desperately trying to push her own thoughts out of her head... Unless you...

"Roughing it indeed.", she said to herself as she surveyed the room. It was quite the opposite, and fitting for its price. There was only one bed however. Large as it was, there was no way the two of them... "N-no...", she said once again speaking to herself after entertaining the idea. There was a large desk at the far end of the room with a high-backed chair and thick cushions. At least it would be comfortable. It was either that or the floor. She left her sword, empty purse, and cloak in the room then went to meet Warren downstairs again for dinner.

Leaving him to his task, she set about acquiring rooms for the night. "What do you mean there are no rooms left?" "I'm sorry, miss. They are mostly occupied what with our recent visitors." The Knight grumbled. "Well, what do you have available then?" "We have one room left, but it's not really for one person..." "That will do, there are two of us staying." "Very good, Ma'am. That will be four hundred gil please." "Isn't that steep for a single night?" "I did say it was not for one person..." She dug through her gil purse and managed to scrape together enough coin. Unfortunately she now had nothing left for provisions. She turned then and went to stand at the door of the inn, feeling the need to look official once more. Speaking softly to her linkpearl, she said "Warren... apologies. There's a small problem with our lodging tonight."

Coatleque regarded him with her head tilted. "Either way, I believe I shall ride back. The air through the Shroud should do us both some good. Shall I make arrangements for tonight then?"

Alright, I think I have this figured out... Coatleque is comprised first of Julie Andrews for her absolute politeness and proper manners Then Marylin Munster for her obliviousness to what is really going on around her. And then Clare, from the Claymore series for her... everything else really.

Taking the reins she hoisted herself upon the mount and turned it towards the gate. "On that we can agree, Ser." Looking back to him she remarked, "The warmth should also clear your thoughts. I am ready to leave this place as you see fit."

She found him as expected with two birds already paid for. Coming up beside him, she loaded her things on one of them, then stopped when she noticed him seemingly in deep concentration. "Warren... are you alright?"

She turned back to him and was about to say something, but then simply nodded. "Yes, we should return before we are missed. I still have coin enough for the porter if you are in need, and I came with little else. I shall gather my things and be ready in no less than half a bell." She rose and gave a slight bow before returning to her room. Once there she donned her armor once more with sword ready, and wrapped what little else she had into as small a parcel as possible. The Chocobo would probably not even feel its weight. Making sure the room was as close to how she originally found it, she left to meet him at the Porter.

Yeah, I might fool around with it in the preview window, but anything other than default just doesn't feel right for the Sworn.

Finally a horse mount that looks somewhat descent. I may have to do PVP now. So, who's going to dye their old paladin armor now?

"Of course not!" She leaned forward and let her hand rest palm-up on the table between them. "This is playing it smart, being prepared. You would not fling yourself at a dragon without first checking your armor. Do not throw yourself to the cold of Coerthas in the same way." She looked away but kept her hand outstretched. "My superiors knew I would be away for a short few days. I do not know if I can return with you at the next time, however. Please understand, I do want to. I said I would see this through with you, but..."

Other than the signs of recent sleep, her expression looked more at ease than it had for the past month. "I slept well, if that is what you are asking. Despite our exertions, I believe just being away from the city has done much for my nerves." "I apologize again, I did not mean to drift off. But I swear I saw... no, no - it's nothing." She gives him a small smile. "So then the Inspector has agreed to let you go with him? After the cold first impression you described to me, I do agree this change of heart is suspicious. It is more of a lead than you have had thus far. I would take him up on that offer. I know you will take care in this matter." She seemed to think for a moment. "And he does not leave for a full week. I would not be able to tarry here for that long. My desk is probably piled high with inquiries by now."

Coatleque stood up after speaking over the linkpearl and stretched. She had no idea what bell it was, nor how long she had drifted off for. Taking her cloak from the post once more she wrapped it around her neck and left to go meet Warren. He as already there as she came down the stairs, so she hailed him from afar and quickly went to meet him. "Did you find our Inspector? Pray tell you have good news?"

"Look Jancis, I'm flying!" ~ while being carried to an inn room.

Clearly you haven't played Mass Effect 2. Or you didn't talk to Garrus enough between missions.

TIL we're all hopeless romantics in one way or another. But why not? Romance is the cornerstone of fantasy, as I say.

Sounds like there's a lot of Subs in this thread. and I don't mean hoagies.

I have no green post-its Will white notebook paper do?

** She returned promptly to her room once Warren had gone out. Draping her cloak over a post, she knelt by the side of the bed and closed her eyes. Taking a deep breath she began offering supplication to Nymeia, asking for clarity and direction in the coming days. The frigid north of Coerthas may be Halone's sphere, but the Spinner is the one who saw all Men's fates, past, present, and future. She knew not how long she spent knelt there, but her dedication eventually had her drift off with her head in her arms. ---------- Coatleque walked... or was it glided? Moving slowly forward along the road. She was in the frozen wilds of Coerthas, but flanked by the tall trees of the Shroud. In the distance she saw the Jewel of the Desert rising above the horizon. She would soon be home. But a shadowy figure was dogging her steps the entire way. It did not matter which way she turned, the figure was always there. She could not make out its details, but the more she stared at it the greater her sense of dread. It was hunting her. She turned back towards Thanalan but was forced to halt when she found it standing right before her, blocking her path. The creature seemed to broaden and grow darker as if growing into some great obstacle to keep her from her goal. And then a light from behind. Another Paladin, a Knight in shimmering white scales seemed to take her attention from what was in front of her. She strained herself to look around the obstacle, to fixate on this light. When it was clear she would not be able to see from the distance she finally resolved to push her way past the creature. The shimmering Knight spoke her name. "Ser Crofte?..." "Y-yes, W..." ---------- She awoke. "Ser Crofte?" The voice was real this time, she heard it plain as day in her ear. Warren was calling her over the linkpearl. She blinked and looked around, just now realizing she had drifted to sleep. "Y-yes, Ser Castille! I am here! Apologies." "I am returning to the Inn now. I believe I have found a new lead." "Good... good. I shall meet you downstairs shortly."