Coatleque

Coatleque felt the chill against her as soon as the Aetherite had released her. She shook off the momentary dizziness and looked around to get her bearings. Dragonhead, Coerthas. This is where Warren had said he would go. He had several hours on her at this point, so she had no time to lose. She had supplies enough to last at least the trip to Whitebrim, and was outfitted in her standard white armor over the blues of her command, plus a heavy cloak. She made her way to the courtyard and made preparations to rent a Chocobo porter to carry her. As the stable hand prepared the mount, she turned and spoke through their shared link. "Ser Castille. My apologies for being late. I shall join in Whitebrim by sundown." Hoisting herself upon the bird, she made an about face and pointed it westward down the road.

She quietly folded the letter and placed it at the side of her desk to file with the others. She would have to deal with this madman later. For now she had to warn someone else while there was still time. Taking a fresh parchment and her quill she set to work penning a new letter. Chief Flame Sergeant Melkire, It has come to my attention that your man in Limsa may be in danger. I speak of the one I had requested information about when we first traded services. We should meet in person to discus at your earliest convenience. I know this may not be the best time considering the events of the past night, but I must insist for the safety of all. Sincerely, Ser Crofte, Sgt. She sealed the letter with the royal crest of Ul'dah and extinguished her lantern. Strapping her blade to her belt once more, she made for the door. There was a delivery to make, and some poor street rat who deserved his last rights.

Alone once more after the messenger left, Coatleque turned up the flame of her lantern and looked down at the letter. Sergeant Crofte The handwriting looked familiar. Cautiously she opened it...

Coatleque sat in her cramped little closet of an office once more, pouring over her report from last night. She was still trying to figure out exactly what had gone wrong. They were tracking a signal across Thanalan. Stopped at Horizon. There was an explosion, then chaos. Next thing she knew they were racing along the tracks for the mine. Then the sound of the shot echoed off the cliff sides. He killed her. She didn't even know who he was, and then he was gone. Both Osric and Coatleque raced for the body, but she was dead, instantly. The Knight cursed herself for her inability to focus on her healing. She knew it wasn't her fault ultimately, but still felt responsible. And then to find out it wasn't who they thought... Everyone else felt relief. But not Coatleque. No, she felt remorse, even for this stranger who lay dead before her. While the others simply wandered off, the Knight returned to Ul'dah and alerted the Brass Blades. She knew they could do nothing in the end, that no amount of investigation on their part would bring about justice in this case. But the girl deserved more than to be forgotten by some remote mining rail. The Blades would at least collect her body and see it delivered to the Lichyard. She found her hands gripping the arms of her chair tightly and took a deep breath to focus. She had to relax. Others may not care, but she did, and she refused to let Ul'dah dull her senses. There was a light wrap at the door. "Yes?" One of the latest recruits entered, holding a letter. "Apologies, Ser Crofte. There was an other homicide today. Just outside the Quicksand. This was found at the scene..." Another typical day in Ul'dah. Continued here...

*ahem* *taps foot while staring daggers*

We have never met, but looking over your IC credentials, I believe we should do so as soon as possible! Glad to hear you pulled through and are on the way to recovery!

FIXED!

Imposter!

"My friends, my shield brothers and sisters, my duty, and my name. For they are all that I have left in life. I suspect such things would also bore one who appears as worldly as you though. I believe you should now reciprocate our answers as I am curious."

Lady in White, a singular ray of hope after some recently dark events. http://i.imgur.com/ZdfdHJZ.png[/img]

"What I think, Master Iono, is that it is a gift from the Crystal. There are many in this world who chose to squander theirs, or worse to steal it from others. I loathe each time I am forced to draw my blade, and every wound caused by it weighs heavily on my soul at night. I wonder how anyone could take such an act so lightly as you seem to do."

Now also caught with the bug going around, Coatleque speaks her mind. "Aye, there is. You fight with no honor, Ser. If you are going to challenge a man, you may as well give him the chance to defend his own and let the Twelve decide who's way is the right of it. Or are you afraid they may not chose you?"

She returned his smile. "Everyone is fragile, Ser. It merely depends on what height we are dropped from." Her gaze lingered momentarily as she walked off before turning fully and returning to the Palace.

She shook her head. "Ser Castille, I may be collared, but I am not leashed. If you need aid, I offer it as I am able. You have already done the same for me. 'Tis the least I can do.", she said with a smile. "For now, though, I must prepare for my rounds tonight. I am to return to my regular duties post-haste. This time together was nice though, we should do it again." The Knight stood and flattened out her dress, then bowed to him in parting.

The great Master Vann at last. I daresay half of Balmung is wearing his clothes by now. Or at least half of Ul'dah. Welcome!

She looks at him with a stern expression. "But you have not found anything yet. Do not make your reports until you have something worth reporting. I've learned this lesson just recently. And if I cannot dissuade you, then at least know that you must needs not return to the cold alone." She squeezes his hand then releases it returns to her previous position.

She studied his voice as he continued and knew what she must do. The question was whether his pride would keep her at length. "It seems to me that Ul'dah has suffered an influx of Ishgardians as of late. I believe it is time for Coerthas to suffer the reverse. That is, if you would have me." She smiled slightly and tilted her head. "If only to keep you sane when the beast returns."

She watched him as he relayed what he knew, trying to gain what understanding of the situation she could. "That was what you were doing when I called upon you? Why did you come? I should not have taken you away from your duty like that." Her head turns away for a brief moment of thought. "I had mentioned my dreams to you that day as well, of how Nymeia placed you in them. I saw you, as I said, embattled with a great beast. Neither you or it prevailed, but whenever you gained the advantage it would only grow larger and try to overtake you once more." She looks back to the Knight. "You must not give in to despair, Ser Castille. You will find them. And if not, then knowledge of their fate at the least. Until then, do not say they are dead."

She jumps as his fist slams the table. "It's okay, Warren. You don't know where they are. Perhaps they did not even reach Coerthas. Do you know what path they took?" See sees the strain in his fingers and reaches out to place her hand over his fist.

"Howl? Your friend from the Grindstone?" She looked taken aback for a moment till she saw the pain in his expression. "Ser Castille.. Warren. I am sorry. But, why do you say he is dead? What has happened?"

I don't know what's more exciting. The rumors themselves, or knowing people are in-game generating them behind my back. :lol:

She tilts her head to the right, following the weight of her beret. "Am I truly an open book? Aye, I have been left to my thoughts after meeting my Captain earlier. He was not gentile, though it was no less than I deserved I suppose. I seem to have come out no worse for wear. I must consider my course carefully going forward. But what of you Ser? I had heard rumor of you departing the city under some angst. I had not seen much of you lately either. Is all well?"

Hearing her name suddenly snapped her thoughts back to reality. She looked up at the one who addressed her. "Oh, Ser Castille! My, but I could say the same." She looked the man over before settling her eyes upon his face. "You look troubled. Perhaps you would like to sit a while?"

Lady Crofte sat once again in the Quicksand as a patron. Her legs were crossed under her dress and her gloved hands folded on the table before her. She simply stared at the table lost in her own thoughts as she repeated the words of her Captain in her head. Thankful she had come out relatively unscathed, she still found herself thrust into the role of inspector and was almost wishing it had been back to guard duty. It had just reached mid-day. The tavern was still mostly empty, as its typical patrons were still sleeping off the previous day's ale. Uncharacteristically quiet. She planned to enjoy it at least a few moments more before returning to her duties this eve.

Hah, nice! I'm curious about that conversation now.. Coatleque rarely leaves Thanalan. And is quite stern about the range of her jurisdiction when she does.