Coatleque

The Knight quickly regained her footing, and stepping back, she offered her left hand to Natalie while keeping her sword trained on the man. "If it happens in this city, it concerns me."

We are the epitome of grace and kindness, I assure you! Welcome to the forum!

Removing her sword before he could reach it, she held it back out of reach. Deciding she needed to do something to disrupt his onslaught, the first thing to come to mind was heavy force. She moved to plow her left shoulder into his right as hard as she could, hoping her full weight would be enough to topple him off of his target.

The man suddenly felt the tip of a sword resting on his shoulder. The Knight had just been passing through on her routine patrol and happened upon the commotion. It was quite easy to just walk right up to them, both distracted as they were. She now stood at the ready, blade drawn, and tapped his shoulder with the tip. "I would suggest you take this outside, Ser, before you break something important."

Coatleque sat quietly in the small room. The dim light of a single lantern on the desk sent shadows dancing around the bookshelf-lined walls. It was cramped. Small, tight, more like a storage closet. She didn't know why they even bothered. This was the office she was afforded with her recent uplift of station. At least it was cool. With not even a window available, the room had the stagnant feel of a library's basement. The flimsy wooden chair creaked as she leaned forward over the desk. It was already stressed enough with age, let alone the weight of her armor. Looking over the blank parchments before her she took the quill from its well on the far corner and began her first week's report... Day 1, 6th evening bell, - No report Day 1, 9th evening bell, - Forced to draw blade on would be assassin to protect girl in Quicksand. Suspect fled when confronted Day 1, 11th evening bell, - Publicly accused by prior suspect and victim both of ordering said contract. Suspect, Ishgardian, would not cooperate in joint investigation. No further leads at this time Day 2, 9th evening bell, - Found vagrant harassing pregnant woman in Quicksand. Stepped into assist woman and both quit the scene. Day 2, 10th evening bell, - Interesting conversation with Lady Hornet. May need to adjust public strategy going forward. Day 3, 8th evening bell, - Observed person of interest, Kage Kiryuu, from distance at Quicksand. Questioned one Miss Whiteraven of his general character. Did not pursue, as ordered not to. Day 4, 6th evening bell, - Met with person of interest, Master Krell, regarding matters of security. Must follow-up on lead, "Ruru". Possible free-paladin, or paladin-in-training. Also a Roegadyn and Hyur woman collaborating in Pearl Lane. Day 4, 8th evening bell, - Joint guard with Ser Castille in Quicksand. Observed lover's quarrel but did not get involved. Ser Castille reacted first. Day 4, 11th evening bell, - No report Looking back over her words, she frowned. "What am I doing here?" she signed to herself. This isn't what she signed up for. Intrigue and investigative work? She was a Knight, trusted to stand at the side of the Sultana herself with blade in hand! Not some inspector! Dropping the paper and leaning back the chair creaked loudly again, almost cracking one of the rear spindles. Tomorrow was lightsday. Her one and only night of reprieve under her new duties. She was beginning to regret having signed up for outside work.

Coatleque narrowed her eyes and peered at him, not sure how to take his accusations at first. She decided to let it pass. These rumors were sadly becoming a daily nuisance around the plazas. "Do not worry about the Sultansworn, and pay such rumors no mind. I assure you we are each a stronghold, fiercely loyal to her Grace, and fully capable of weathering any storm. I will find what I can about this friend of yours, and spread word to the others to be on guard." She stood back to attention and bowed low breifly. "Now, lest there was something else..."

Aya can't die yet! She's the best source of information in the Quicksand!

She was almost taken aback by his shameless attempt to butter her up. Or at least she would have been if it wasn't so common place these days. Still, the Knight swept her bangs back with a finger and listened to him as they quickly fell forward again. She did seem to relax though, placing her hands on her hips. Her demeanor turns sour slightly at the mention of the Blades. "Aye, I wouldn't much count on them for charity. I, however, am thankful you were brave enough to come forward quickly as you did. Pearl Lane, you say? I sadly know the area well. How long ago was this overhearing of words? I should probably start any investigation there. Is there anything else you could tell me about this friend of yours?"

OMG... Archon... someone remade Archon I played this game almost constantly on the C64 when I was like... 10 years old. http://store.steampowered.com/app/65400/ Totally getting this.

I want to say I have been careful with my resources and unaffected by these sales, then gleefully laugh in your faces... but I cant :frustrated:

http://i.imgur.com/KDsyNVe.png[/img] (( picture for context )) The Knight heard his uneven steps before he even spoke. She tilted her head but did not turn until he addressed her directly. Looking down in his direction, the Lalafel was not what she had expected from so stern a warning message. Her expression belied her astonishment as she turned to face him and bowed in return. "Aye, I am Lady Crofte. Pleased to see you unharmed after the warning you expressed." She scanned the area to be sure they were not being overheard out in the open. Her arms were crossed while her sword hand remained at the tip of the hilt ready to draw. "I understand you are privy to some information regarding the security of our citizenry."

The sun hovered low in the sky as the Knight entered the plaza before the Thaumaturge's guild. The long shadows cast by the towering skyline of the city gave the appearance of night already, though the red hue of the sky above told otherwise. She was barely half-way through what was now her daily shift, though secretly glad for the change of pace no matter how suspicious it was. Coatleque took up her position at the foot of the fountain, well in view of the public eye should someone pass this way. She smirked at the inscription which she had read so often before. "Divinity indeed.", she remarked. The words had once seemed an admirable motto for the city she called home. Though more recent events began to change that opinion. Turning her back to it, she took up her vigil for this mysterious Master Krell.

Ah yes. I remember this. It was required for sneak attack while flanking in the hopes of getting higher crits, and to dump points in Tumble for that bonus AC.

As long as people don't start power-gaming in RP to hide in plain sight or one-shot a fully armored opponent. I understand wanting to be the stealthy assassin, but when my Sultansworn already knows you're there that advantage is lost.

((edited for continuity's sake!)) Her patrol for the night finally at its close, Coatleque decided to pass through the markets on her way back to her commander. She had the mind to find something nice for her friend Tasa whom she was looking forward to seeing again hopefully before the first bell of the new day. Standing there perusing the various postings, she came across his notice... "No rest for the weary." she sighed as she pulled the note from the board and turned towards the palace. Looks like this would be another night spent alone. Later she would be seen giving a sealed letter to the Moogle before making her way to the soldier's barracks for what little sleep she could afford. ------ Master Krell, It has come to our attention that you may have information that effects the personal safety of her Imperial Highness or her citizens. As your own safety is also in question, I would deign to meet with you at the location of your choosing to discuss these matters. Be aware that I shall be well armed and wary of any tricks. Lady Crofte, Sgt.

The happy couple!

Since it's not an MMO, I'll probably let it pass by. I only have time for one game focus at a time. Also, if it's not for PC then I'm out either way.

Coatleque: "I /never/ jest, Ser!" (edit) she said in jest, while off-duty.

Like this?

Like Kage, I also tend to adapt myself to those around me. Typically I'll ignore graphical mistakes (hitting abilities, sitting on top of people, jumping, etc) because I automatically assume a wrong button was pressed or other RL circumstances. I do try to correct my own typos though, so as not to appear entirely illiterate. Using an extensive, yet disesteemed vocabulary also diminishes the prospect of a person rebuking your mistakes.

Yeah... I need to start hitting dat screenshot button more often. And posing. People love poses.

Have no fear! Ser Crofte shall exonerate you in time! And thank you to the myriad of people I ran into last night. I want to say it was a slow night, but it seems something was going on at every street corner and table in the Quicksand.

Hot air blew against her face as the Knight exited the Quicksand. She sighed and looked up to the clear night sky over the Gate of Nald. These nights were the worst. Stepping forward she leaned over the railing and gazed down towards the fountain, wishing she could just dive in if even for a moment. Then, the sound of drunken laughter behind shook her thoughts back to reality. Surveying the street it looked like the night would be quiet at least. The Chocobos at the stable quietly preened themselves as the porter leaned back in his chair against the lantern pole, dozing. A few straggling adventurers ran by, no doubt trying to make it to the last few markets to close their doors. Coatleque shook her head. "Face of the Sworn indeed..." she muttered to herself. "Best get to it." She rolled her shoulders in an attempt to shrug off the heat while adjusting the heavy spaulders before continuing on her way. Down the steps, to the left, it was the same circuit every night. Continuing down the road along the right side, a Brass Blade made his own patrol. Deciding it best not to invite his taunting, she turned on her heel to the left and took a few steps to the Ruby Exchange. She settled on the corner for her next observation point and stood at parade-rest with her hands upon her hips. Her tension was eased at least when the Blade across the street made an about-face and continued his way back up the road. Standing under the lantern on the corner did not offer much reprieve, and soon she could feel beads of sweat forming upon her brow. Still, she remained vigilant and watched the few people who passed with as much interest as she could muster even as a tall Roegadyn woman in yellow casually swayed back-and-forth at the boulevard's center divide. Traffic being light at that hour, it didn't take long for the courtesan to saunter her way over to the Knight. "Well hello, beautiful. Looking for a good time?", she said slyly. The woman's voice had a deep, sultry tone of one who had much experience beguiling others. Not quite sure how to react to the woman's brazen attempt to seduce an active Sultansworn, Coatleque merely blinked at her. "I'm sorry, are you speaking to me?" She laughed. "Well, I don't see anyone else here right now. Do you?" The knight remained silent and simply looked away, scanning the road as was her duty. After a few moments of awkward silence, the woman tried again to ply her trade. Leaning a bit closer she intoned, "So... are you on... patrol or something?" The Knight straightened up, still looking out over the road, "Aye. I am indeed. We must needs stay vigilant and let our presence be known to the populace. The Blades are not the only power in this city." The woman leaned even closer, now to the point of being uncomfortable. "Well... when you get off-duty, perhaps you'll remember me tonight." It may have been the woman's persistence, or perhaps her own past, but the words cut the Knight deep as she could feel nothing but sorrowful for her. Using all her strength to keep her composure, Coatleque shied away to gain some space and looked towards her, firmly replying "I'm sorry Ma'am. I'm not interested..." Her look of both rejection and defeat was too much. "Look... I... I'm sorry. But someone in my position just could not afford to be implicated in this sort of transaction. Please understand. I have to move on now, but... if anyone... ANYONE, harasses you, you find me. Understood?" Towering Falcon seemed to look much more at ease with the Knight's words. "Well, good luck to you. Stay safe.", she replied. "And... thank you."

FIRST THE OOC! I'm using this thread to document some random RP interactions that Coatleque has while on duty around the city. Understand that some conversations may be embellished slightly based on my own memory of the event. I will try not to post interactions here that are directly related to other story arcs. This is just for the more interesting one-time encounters! That being said, anyone who interacts with Coatleque and wants to post their own retelling, please feel free. ~END OOC~

That's the funny thing about Arrrrgh "P"... sometimes you get dragged right along anyway!