Coatleque

So yeah... chinese for lunch. Figured I had to share this now. Yes, that's my handwriting, since someone inevitably always asks.

Wow.. okay. Different kind of incoherence...

Well yeah, that could be said about anyone. I signed up... whether she is coherent at the time is yet to be seen.

Might have been confused by the first post. Is the first event on the 12th, the next one on the 19th, and so forth? I signed up, but as previously stated will be out from July 11-15.

Well... when my head's in the clouds I deflect with humor. I think Warren just needs to learn some good pickup lines.

If it's getting in the way of RL work, I'd have to say pull it back some. I'm lucky in that my work is sporadic enough that I can read forums in-between tickets.

I play Crofte as the type of person I wish I was in life, I think. At the same time, the above statement is what I worry about most. Someone smack me if I become that.

Stressed out lately? Nope. Having a blast. My only stress is that Coatleque wants to help everyone but can't be everywhere at once. In the past though, I RP'd as a Ranger Captain in a MERP environment. Inadvertently led a black Numenorean into a ranger stronghold. The things you do for love right? THAT was stressful. I think it also depends on how strong you make the character to be. Coatleque would have very high wisdom/willpower, so she can shrug these things off easier face-to-face. On the other side her intellect is slightly lacking.

She could feel the anguish behind his words even if he did not want to show it. "You must needs not explain yourself to me. You will see them both home safely, I have no doubt. As for this Inspector, if he is worthy of such title then he must understand." She straightened herself and spoke with a more commanding voice. "Steel yourself, Ser Castille. Find this Inspector and bidst him help you. I shall remain here and entreat Nymeia for her clarity in this course. Call when you are ready for me. Though if you tarry over long I shall be forced to come looking."

Well, I'm all for it as I said. I just need an IC reason to leave Ul'dah since Crofte is supposed to be keeping the royal bath nice and foamy. I'll just have to try wandering around more often and see what happens. It's like farming mats... only it's RP.

Coatleque watched his expression as his shoulders rose and fell. "You have done what you could with the information you had. Perhaps it is time we sought out more information then, before a new course can be set. I do not like to suggest it, but there is an Ishgardian Inspector here now. Perhaps we could find a way to bend his ear to our plight. Barring additional help, this trail is going cold, Warren." She looked at him with a small amount of worry behind her eyes as she spoke his name.

They sat in silence for a few moments as she considered the options. "We are ill equipped for the expedition you suggest. To survive the mountains would require more equipment than either of us have, and a beast more stout than a Chocobo to carry it." She crossed her legs and leaned forward onto her knee. "I am not saying we should bow out, but caution is required here. Do not overextend yo... our reach." She sighed and shook her head. "I fear I am hindering you though. I wish I could offer more than words or sight alone. Would that there was another way to help."

"Well, that was fast.", she remarked quietly to herself. "Ser Castille. You look no worse for wear after our exertions yesterday. I trust you slept well then? I've already seen to our provisions for the day again." She gestured to the food on the table and seat adjacent to her. "I assume we shall be searching an other direction this day?"

Hopefully no one was around at the time...

** It was Coatleque who arose first this morning. She made ready as was typical for her and went to find Warren in the commons once more. To her surprise he was not present. Her first thought was that he had gone on without her, but she quickly shook that off as he would have at least left word of where and why. She made arrangements for breakfast as the previous day, then went back upstairs to find Warren's room. She knocked lightly at the door. "Ser Castille? Are you proper? It is nearly half past the eighth bell."

Chibi Crofte

The Knight eyes Kage from her position against the far wall. "It seems to be no small task to raise the spirits of this somber group, Master Kiryuu. To the aforementioned question, I have been fortunate to not have suffered any great personal betrayal in my life yet. Perhaps that alone may be hope enough to others that this world is not as dark as one thinks." "My hobby would be my work. It is what sustains me. To shine what little light I can into the lives of those besieged by despair. For it was when I was at my darkest hour that a single kind soul gave me the hope I needed to survive. I suppose what I am trying to say is that no matter how grim things appear, by the grace of the Twelve I am able to shine my own light into the darkness." "And white chocolate." She nods to herself after her long-winded speech and leans back against the wall once more.

Hello and welcome to the forums!

She nodded with a slight smile. "Aye, you see to provisions for the day. I shall be sure rooms are still secured for tonight, as well as dinner. I shall meet you at the gate within half-a bell." With that she turned and made for the inn once again.

She watched him pacing again. "Ser Castille, I...", but her words were cut off by a voice they both could hear. "Miss Crofte." She looked at Warren with a slightly worried expression as she held a hand to her ear. "Apologies... yes Ser Filangieri?" "I must speak with you, where shall we meet?" "Ah... that will be difficult. I am in Coerthas." "...Coerthas? Curses! I need to speak with Osric." "Ser Melkire may be... difficult to find. Is something wrong?" "No... I only need to speak with him regarding an important case." "He may yet have the Immortal Flames pearl. Alas I have no other way of contacting him at this moment." "Very well, Twelve watch over you." "And you, Ser Filangieri." Lowering her hand she noticed he was still pacing. "Warren... I said I would help, and I am here now. The day is still yet young. We can still gather our supplies and search that direction. Four eyes may catch what two would miss. Do not lose focus on your goal."

She leaned towards him so they were almost in a huddle and lowered her voice. "I heard that 'dunce' referred to as Inspector. Inspector Prauvaulient, by the woman that was with him. Whatever is going on here they want it 'disposed of' as soon as possible." "But you're sure that wasn't the girl you are looking for? I don't understand why we linger here then. Do you think she was somehow involved in the poor girls demise?"

** Coatleque's heart leaped to her throat as the Inspector headed for the door to the medical building. She had half a mind to call out after him, feign fainting, trip and fall, anything to delay him, but something stayed her hand. It was the most tense few minutes of her recent life. ** But Warren did emerge eventually, and in once piece. "Oh, thank the Twelve.", she said to herself as she rejoined him outside. "What happened in there? Did you find anything? I'm so sorry, I delayed them as long as I could..."

ffffffffffffffffffffuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu I'm away that weekend, returning Wednesday. Oh well.

A few months later... The early evening breeze glided over the coast sending the black willows into a rustle that almost rivaled the sound of the ocean. It was just another autumn evening along the beach. Dalamund hung low in the horizon now and the days had been forever overcast lately. The clouds appeared to swirl around the hound as it hovered menacingly in the distance. John Long-grain stood leaning against the split-rail fence that ran along the top of the dunes. He just stared at the distant sky. It's what most people had taken to doing these days. Of course rumors were flying around in packs thicker than gulls now. No doubt something big was about to happen, but that sort of business had no bearing in these parts. Lost in his own thoughts now, he barely noticed the girl prancing up to him along the fence. She quickly wrapped her arms around him and slid herself under his own arm. He looked down at her with a smile. "'ello future missus Long-grain. Shirk'n chores again, Flo?" "Pa 'kin clean his own catch now. 'Sides, I won't be his much longer!" "'N thank the Twelve fer that! You better not give me as much grief as 'im though.", he quipped playfully. "*tsk* John!" she chided with the same tome as she pressed herself against him. They stood there for a few more minutes in silence till she spoke up once more. "What'l you think will happen?" He inhaled slowly but did not sigh. "I don't rightly know. But whatever it is, we'll come out together." She squeezed him at this response. Her dreams had been troubled as of late, though she would not admit it. She wanted to believe him. He seemed to believe his own words though, and perhaps that would be enough. ------ The next hour was spent with their backs against the sand, laying there dreaming of their coming future together. They watched as the clouds continued to grow thicker. "S'pose we should turn in b'fore it rains." Flo said. John sat up with a grunt and a sigh. "Reckon it's the right thing to do." he replied. Standing, he reached down letting her take his hand and easily hoisted her to her feet as well. It was while they walked back to the village along the fence that the thunder began. Not a normal thunder you would expect from a storm. This was a continuous rumbling that ebbed and flowed from the distance. It took people far to long to stop and consider the source. But the sound of something rocketing overhead finally drew their attention to the horizon. Dalamund was coming apart! It would be hard for anyone to recall the chaos that ensued, but the next ten minutes felt like ten years. As the moon exploded a firestorm covered the skies, hurling brimstone and death across the landscape. Florence found herself cowering in the street as the village burned around her. It was then she heard his voice again. "Flo, we have to go, now!" "I c-can't, John!" "You can!", he hollered back to her. Bending down he lifted her to her feet while pointing up the street. "Go, that way. Just run. We have to get to the cave at the top of the ridge!" Once again everything happened too fast to recount. They ran. Even as flames poured around them, they ran. John cried out to anyone still in the area. "To the ridge! Get out of the wharf!". And run they did, even as the tide began to swell from the impending wave. It was only by some miracle or intervention by the Twelve that they managed to reach high enough ground. At the top of the ridge was an abandoned garrison. A low stone wall touched the road from the left and lead to the cliff-side where a cave had served as lodging for no more than five soldiers at one point. Long since abandoned, it was the sturdiest shelter in the area. As they reached the wall she turned just in time to see the wave now slowly receding. A few stragglers were still making their way up the road as John pulled her into the alcove. The roar of multiple fires along the ridge could still be heard as well as the muffled pops of explosions through the solid rock around them. An old lantern was found among the discarded supplies and lit for what little light they cared for. The few who remained eventually found their way, now no more than thirty. Her family was not among them. The remainder of the night saw itself spent with the collective wailing and tears of all Eorzea in mourning for what was now lost.

"Hmpf. I suppose it all depends on the type of excitement you mean. I have no love for battle myself..." She glances to Warren at the other side of the room. "... I do suppose watching someone else excel at it can be rather exciting. Professionally I mean...." "Kindly avert your eyes now..."