Nero

Daegsatz nodded, rather proud of his work. He typically did not draw people; animals or landscapes suited him, but he found that it was satisfying to receive such gratitude for his work. "If'n I ever get bored o' plunderin', mayhaps I'll be come an artist," he said, the grin on his face saying that it was very unlikely to happen. "I 'preciate th' company ye be providin' me, lass," the Roegadyn gave the heartfelt statement. "I be hopin' every sun that it be th' last we be forced ta meet in a gaol."

Daegsatz shrugged in some embarrassment. "Admittedly, I not be on shore long enough fer me ta know any such spots," he confessed. "Seemed hardly fittin' ta draw ye on a ship, though." The Roegadyn exhaled lightly so as to quicken the drying of the ink as it soaked through the parchment; when it seemed to settle, he held the image up to the paladin. "It'd be doin' me honor if ye kept it fer me," he said. "Though, ye be bearin' in mind that not ev'ry Sea Wolf ye throw in 'ere is gonna make somethin' like this fer ye." Daegsatz' face split into a grin with his small joke.

Daegsatz' face spread into a wide grin. He had never had much experience drawing humanoid subjects; it was far too embarrassing for the fearsome Roegadyn pirate to ask someone to sit as a model. Yet now, with the gaol surrounding him, his inhibitions had lowered considerably, and this would prove to be an interesting diversion. "Sittin' be just fine," he said, chuckling. With an artist's eye, he examined Roen's posture. "Now...keep yer hands like this." Gently Daegsatz manipulated the paladin's slim hands so that her right wrist lay atop her left. "Now curl yer fingers slightly. As fer yer head.." the Sea Wolf stepped back, attempting to visualize a perspective. The cramped confines of the gaol did little to assist in his assessment, but after a few minutes he managed to determine a suitable position. With both hands he deftly tilted Roen's head this way and that, deciding that she should face the corner, her chin tilted upward slightly. Satisfied, Daegsatz sat down on the floor of the gaol. "Alright. Now hold that fer jus' a few minutes," he said as he immediately began to scratch on the parchment with the quill. Aware that it would be uncomfortable to hold such a pose, the Roegadyn tried his best to work quickly; the quill seemed to fly across the parchment. The image came together as if Roen had been his model for entire cycles; a graceful chin, slender arms, a regal posture that was simultaneously rigid and supple. Daegsatz found himself lost in his work; the image of Roen he had been scrawling wasn't the paladin sitting on a cot in a gaol, but of her sitting on a log on a La Noscean beach, a glimmering sun depicted in the sky, with gentle, minutely detailed waves lapping against the bottom of the log. Her expression personified the image; gentle and fair, with a spot of kindness. In his reverie, the Sea Wolf let out a long exhale when he judged the work to be done. He spun the parchment around slowly so as not to whip the ink off of it, glancing at the paladin for her approval. "What ye be thinkin'?"

Daegsatz strained to lift his head up. The scent of the flowers only served to deepen his restlessness, but he knew that Roen had brought it out of kindness, and so he held his tongue. He sniffed slightly. "Aye," he drawled in a tired, almost monotone voice. "We be callin' it mayweed. It be 'avin' pos'tive effects on 'ealth. Th' brewed tea be assistin' wit' sleeplessness an' hangovers, though I not be an alchemist on th' subject." Some inspiration flashed in his mind as idle thoughts occupied it; Daegsatz sat up, locating the quill and ink. "Beggin' yer pardon, lass, but if ye can be doin' me a favour and sittin' on the cot fer me," Daegsatz said as he flipped through the stack of parchments. He found a blank one, reserved for this purpose. "If it pleases ye, I'd like ta draw ye."

Day 10 The days were beginning to mutate into a mucilaginous mass of maddeningly mundane monotony. Once again, the Roegadyn had been reduced to counting cracks on the ceiling and exercising however he could in the cramped confines of the gaol. Ten suns; nearly a fortnight. It felt much, much longer than that. It was an odd thing to contemplate; Daegsatz had no problem with spending entire moons out at sea, yet it went without saying that being on a ship was far superior to being locked in a cell. At least there was the sun, the sea, and wind. The air had begun to stagnate and every day spent within the gaol lead the air to become even stuffier. Though the Sea Wolf had not deigned to show it, he was growing more desperate to escape and leave. After barely ten suns, Daegsatz felt he was beginning to reach his wit's end with the gaol. What was especially curious was that no one had come to question him; no interrogations, no promises for freedom, nothing of the sort. If that were the case, why was he still in here?

Daegsatz merely shrugged. His discomfort stemmed more from simply not knowing how to calm her down, as opposed to being the target of her venting. He grinned suddenly; typically, flustering people was Nero's job, but the smuggler's influence occasionally made its presence known. "And why ye be so concerned with 'is 'ealth?" the Roegadyn questioned curiously. "Ye said ye not be thinkin' 'e can accomplish 'is goals 'imself. Ye be worried, or perhaps ye simply be wantin' ta be at 'is side?" Before he could even let her respond, Daegsatz let out a guffaw of laughter at the idea, patting her shoulder. "Ye need not be worryin' so much, lass. 'Bout 'im or yer partnership. What should be matterin' is yerself, and 'ow ye be doin' yer own goals, aye? No need ta draw 'im into it if he be aggravatin' ye so."

Daegsatz rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. That seemed to set her off. He waved his hands in her direction as if to ward off the flames of Roen's ire. "Now, now, lass, it just be a possibility...even I not be knowin' everythin' that be passin' through the daft lad's 'ead." With some confusion, the Sea Wolf folded his arms, tilting his head in curiosity. "It not be a bad thing for 'im ta care 'bout yer wellbeing, is it? If'n what ye be sayin' is true--that 'e be breakin' from ye 'cause o' yer ideals--mayhaps this be ....good?" Such moral quandaries were far above the simple sailor's head, even as he clumsily tried to navigate his way to the right words that would soothe the paladin's wounded pride. "'Sides, whatever 'e be doin' 'e's not doin' alone. Nero's got the Forte, an' th' crew. Well, s'pose I not be doin' much from in 'ere..." Daegsatz gave a scornful gaze to the all-too-familiar gaol. "But still."

Daegsatz frowned, rubbing his chin. In his years of having to deal with the smuggler and watch him grow, the Roegadyn had caught on quickly that Nero rarely said what he actually meant; the meaning was usually hidden in intricacies and social cues, and Nero's tendency to think too far ahead for his own good usually complicated things to an unnecessary and frustrating degree. "Were ye?" the Roegadyn asked in contemplation. "'ave ye considered that 'e may have parted from ye fer yer own sake?" It was hard to make a true judgment call considering that Daegsatz didn't even know what Nero's plans were besides the incredibly broad idea of changing Ul'dah. It was completely possible that he was off the mark. "Mayhaps 'e be 'fraid of bein' a negative influence on ye. Wouldn't be th' first time 'e's broken a girl's heart ta try an' save 'er, hmph." The Sea Wolf's audacious implication was accompanied with a grunt and a chuckle.

Daegsatz wasn't sure how to respond to that. He had attempted to divert the conversation away from Nero for the paladin's sake, and yet it seemed that whatever had happened between them was severe enough for Roen to begin venting at him without provocation. He sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. "Not ta be makin' light o' yer circumstances, lass, but I be beginnin' ta feel like a parent bein' lectured by a schoolteacher 'bout 'is unruly child," the Roegadyn said. It was meant to be a joke, but on immediate reflection he sounded like he was chiding Roen for complaining to him. Daegsatz' face awkwardly split into an amused but compassionate grin. "What 'e be doin' now, lass?"

Daegsatz shrugged. "After this experience, I not be sure that that a tour o' th' city be somethin' I be wantin' fer a while now." Though the Sea Wolf appreciated Roen's visits, sometimes they were unbearably uncomfortable. The paladin was very forthright and did not succeed very often in hiding her turbulent thoughts. Daegsatz shifted on the cot. "Aye, Vylbrand be me home...th' weather be far fairer than 'ere. Though I s'pose the gaol skews me impression o' Thanalan quite a bit," the Roegadyn said, his attempt to carry the conversation forward coming out rather awkwardly.

Daegsatz could tell from Roen's troubled expression that something had happened. Yet, though he wanted to ask, he had the uncomfortable feeling that it was something else to do with Nero--again. Something about constantly talking about his absent captain was beginning to make the Sea Wolf feel rather awkward, and so he avoided the topic. "I be hopin' so. Seems far too long since I be seein' th' sun," Daegsatz said. "This visit ta th' gaol be everythin' I ever be 'opin' fer in a tour o' Ul'dah, but I admit I be tirin' o the city." Daegsatz tried to think of more things to say, just to ramble, to distract the paladin from whatever uncomfortable thoughts she might be holding, but the Roegadyn was not nearly the same fast talker as his captain.

Daegsatz tilted his head at the music box, eyeing it curiously. The idea of a sentimental gift was, even with all of his years, still a bit strange to them; Vail's pirates being pirates, gifts were not given often, and those gifts that didn't contain generous amounts of alcohol typically had some kind of practical value: weapons, an extra sack of gil, new boots, the like. The music box could arguably be defined as the antithesis of that principle. Nero would have certainly gotten a kick out of disassembling the thing, but the Roegadyn himself held no value for it. And yet he kept it. Even the simple-minded Sea Wolf could see that it represented Roen's compassion. Daegsatz took care not to accidentally crush the fragile-looking box in his massive hand, and nodded at the paladin. "I'll be holdin' on ta it till me release, then," he offered as he lumbered back into the gaol, having caught the Lalafell's glare. "Wish ye luck, lass. In whatever it is ye be seekin' ta do," the Roegadyn rumbled as he sat back down on the cot and watched her retreat. Day 9 Nine suns. Much of Daegsatz' days in the gaol had been filled with idleness and boredom; those bells when Roen visited him were the only times he could expect to do anything besides lay in the cot. Even with all of the amenities she provided with him, the bells seemed to take years to pass. The stack of parchment in the corner had grown, the images on them becoming increasingly more elaborate as the Roegadyn made a conscious effort to soak up as much of his idle time as he could with them. The music box, sentimental gift that it was, provided no comfort in the end, though Daegsatz was aware of its meaning. How much longer would he be in here? The question echoed in his mind with growing frequency. He was sure that sooner or later he would simply stop counting the bells and the suns, but he had not reached that point yet.

Daegsatz coughed awkwardly, staring at the stone floor as he shuffled his feet about. In their carefree lessons of dancing, he had completely forgotten about the vitriolic relationship Roen and his captain seemed to share. Though Roen said they had argued, the Sea Wolf could not deny the similarities between the paladin and the pirate. They were both passionate people with a firm sense of justice. Both of them were kind in their own way--though evidently Roen had not been privy to the smuggler's compassion. "'E wasn't always like that," Daegsatz said quietly, almost sheepishly. "When 'e came ta us as naught but a boy, 'e was 'opeful. 'ad a love of life, tried ta help when 'e could, the fishermen an' the beggars in Limsa." Suddenly feeling exhausted, the Roegadyn plopped down on the floor of the corridor. The air had taken a heavy sense of melancholy. "'e used to smile a lot more, laugh a lot more...what ye be seein' now...it ain't Nero at 'is best." Daegsatz sighed, rubbing his temple. "'es changed. Garalt be seein' it. I be seein' it. 'e left Cap'n Vail an' went back ta Ul'dah near eight cycles ago...an' when 'e returned, 'e be diff'rent. Changed." The Sea Wolf sent a forlorn glance at Roen, taking note of the paladin's stiffed, forced expression. "I be truly sorry that ye be 'avin' ta deal wit' 'im, the way 'e is right now. Nero be a good man...ev'n if'n 'e be tryin' ta bury it."

Daegsatz shook his head. "If'n I be wantin' a sword fight, I think I rather just be engagin' in a sword fight," he said a bit helplessly. He slowly repeated the same motions that Roen had showed to him, the awkward stiffness in his movements receding somewhat as he mirrored the way she moved her arms and body. Three times he mirrored her gestures, slowly growing accustomed to the strange movements of arms and legs. Daegsatz grunted as their brief routine concluded. "Ye be doin' this with Nero yet? It be a mighty shame if I be th' only one ta be made light of durin' our reunion." He hazily attempted to recall the movements he had just been making naught but a few minutes ago.

Daegsatz tilted his head, attempting to clumsily mime the movements. He'd never been exposed to the more delicate and refined pleasantries of Hyurs. Dancing of this sort was a very far cry from the usually inebriated flailing of limbs that typically served as a dance activity. The elegant movements contrasted heavily with the Roegadyn's stocky form as he attempted to replicate the manoeuvres. He crossed his arms, frequently glancing down at his feet in an attempt to gauge whether or not they were in the correct position. He felt a ruddiness rise to his face as he realised how foolish he must look. Reaching the end of the routine, the Sea Wolf rubbed the back of his neck, clearing his throat. "Be a wee bit confusin', aye? What be the point o' a dance with no touch o' yer partner?" Nonetheless, he attempted to repeat the movements from memory before losing track of one of his feet, the rest of the routine escaping him. "I be a poor pupil in th' subject, lass," Daegsatz confessed sheepishly.

Daegsatz shook his head ruefully. "I regret challengin' ye already, lass." He swung the door open The corridor was not significantly wider, but having spent a week in the gaol, the freedom of just being able to comfortably walk around was quite liberating indeed. The Roegadyn first took the time to stretch his arms and legs, grunting as he worked the kinks out of his knees and shoulders. "Ye not be tellin' anyone about this, aye? I be 'avin' a reputation ta uphold. Anyone seein' me tryin'a waltz or what 'ave you an' there goes me intimidation factor. An' Nero not be lettin' me hear the end o' it if'n he finds out." Daegsatz nonetheless held a grin on his face as he held his hand out. "Ye be showin' me the steps, then?"

Daegsatz rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly, his face deepening with a slight glow. "I only be hopin' ye've already 'ad dance partners clumsier than meself," the Sea Wolf said. His next expression was a derisive snort. "Hyurs be too wiry an' thin, though. A real dance be an expression o' passion! It be raw an' unfocused, an intimidatin' display, a boast 'bout the fullness o' yer life, a war cry! Now, ye may be thinkin' such a thin' be barbaric, an' mayhaps it is." Daegsatz folded his arms. The Roegadyn waved a dismissive hand. "I accept ye challenge then, lass. Ye persuade th' guard ta let me get a bit o' exercise, and mayhaps ye be showin' me what yer lessons 'ave taught ye."

Daegsatz barked a laugh. "Lass, ye be a bold one indeed! Ye be thinkin' we dance in a gaol?" The Roegadyn gave an amused glance to the confinements of the gaol. It was a narrow cell; were the Sea Wolf to lay down across the width of the gaol, there would be just barely enough room for his head. "Und'r ordinary circumstances, I be more than 'appy ta fulfill yer request," the Roegadyn said with a wide grin. "But me 'dances' be for what me name implies; soldiers, and war. It not be the delicate movements ye prob'ly be used ta." Daegsatz glanced about the gaol instead. "And 'sides, there not be room! It be terrible fer me conscience if I be responsible fer swinging yer head against a wall by accident! But if ye be willin', I be more 'an happy ta be a witness to yer technique."

Daegsatz raised an eyebrow, but gave a small smile. "It be heartwarmin' ta see yer spirits raised, lass." The Sea Wolf felt his own morale raise a bit; her somber mood yesterday had worried him a bit in more ways than one. It was not difficult to tell that Nero had not been kind to her on their outing; while the smuggler was more than capable of being cheery and friendly as a front, he bore no hesitation when it came to being sharp and venomous. "Don't s'pose yer here ta tell me that they be finally lettin' me 'ave conjugal visits, eh?" The Roegadyn was typically too disciplined to engage in such vulgar humour, but there was nothing wrong with cutting loose every now and then. Especially given his circumstances.

Day 8 The restlessness that had plagued him for the previous seven suns had left him, for now. Daegsatz found his thoughts wandering without aid, without needing the act of drawing or reading or food to distract him. It was comforting to set his mind free for many bells at a time. Sometimes it was daydreams; thinking about where he would be if he made different choices in the past, thinking about how he would spend his future. Other times, it would be about his friends: if Garalt still kept a bottle of vintage port in his footlocker, if Nero and Roen were getting along, if O'taqa had finally learned which end of a cannon made the explosion. Nero. What was his plan? Daegsatz' captain had taken care to leave his crew out of it; the one time Daegsatz had questioned it, Nero's response was evasive at best. The two of them had known each other long enough to pick up on such signals. Nero did not want to speak of it, and so Daegsatz did not ask. And what about Roen? Daegsatz grinned wistfully. She was a strong woman; having someone like her on the Second Forte would have been splendid. Though, on second thought, perhaps it would not be a terribly good idea: not only did some of the crew believe that a woman on board a ship, especially a pirate ship, would bring nothing but bad luck--superstitious lot, as they were--but given the paladin's fair features, she'd more than likely be harassed to an uncomfortable degree. As disciplined as the Forte's crew were, they were still pirates at heart.

If I had to say...

"Crikey, wot a beaut we've got 'ere! It's an exoneratus garlemaldus, one of the most exotic an' dangerous woild animals o' the Western coast!" No poking me with a stick!! :evil: "The exoneratus garlemaldus is a very jumpy thing, so wot Oi'm gonna do is poke it with this stick, and back away slowly!"

"Crikey, wot a beaut we've got 'ere! It's an exoneratus garlemaldus, one of the most exotic an' dangerous woild animals o' the Western coast!"

Daegsatz nodded his gratitude. "I be twistin' at th' thought that ye be goin' ta so much effort fer me," the Roegadyn said rather sheepishly, tracing a circle on his trousers as he sat on the cot. He offered Roen a helpless grin. "No matter how ye be spinnin' it, I still be a criminal, an' a pirate." After that, he cocked an eye at her. "Ye be tryin'a free all th' criminals that be makin' their ways inta yer gaols? Ah, no matter." The Sea Wolf stood up to face Roen, only to hunch over slightly so they were at eye level. "Ye be havin' a good heart, lass," Daegsatz said earnestly. "Ye take care not ta lose it; compassion be in short supply in dark times." A large finger gave the paladin a light poke in the chest, as if to warn her. Daegsatz' tone became stern, yet gentle. "Ye not be compromisin' on anythin' when it comes ta yer principles, aye? Principles be what makes a man. If'n ye be losin' that, ye may well be dead."

I think you still forgot to stoneskin my Eos.