Zhavi

DATABASE, DATABASE My boyfriend haaaated the intro so much, so I kept making up lame excuses to force him to watch it until it took over his mind. The one thing that annoyed me about it was how they apparently needed someone standing back telling the healers when to heal. It was like, bitch, if you waited for someone to tell you when to heal and what heal to use at endgame in most games with raids, people would be dead. Any healing team that can't work that out for themselves needs more help than some glorified strategist can give. (self, it's just an anime, gosh) (we had a healing chat channel that I implemented in my last guild where we'd make fun of the tanks and dps. . .turned into one of those jokes -- WE'RE NOT PLOTTING YOUR IMMINENT DEATH, NOT AT ALL. They trusted us to keep them alive. . .mostly.) Log Horizon made me want to raid again so bad.

Zhi fell back onto her butt as Lalataru drew closer and once more squeezed her knees in to her chest. "Lolotaru, aye? They says. . .they says you know what it's. . .it has t'be you. I can't -- I don't want ta -- " her face crumpled, and she stared down at her knees. "So please -- I can cook some, clean some, be useful somehow -- I m-mean, I'm a quick learner, see? B-but I'm tireda bein' -- I don't wanna be no -- and you, ya'd unnerstand, right? Gotta be you, so. . .so please. . .please lemme be yer 'prentice." Her voice shrank as she spoke, until she was whispering her plea to her knees. Her eyes welled up, and she blinked rapidly to clear them. Her knuckles were white, she was clutching her tail so hard. She didn't dare look up at Lalataru.

Clove held Mujuuk's stare before dropping his own. He looked at his hands and rolled them so the backs faced outwards. He flexed his fingers, tapping the edge of his hands against the table. He seemed unaffected by its dubious standards, which didn't suit his tidy appearance. Then again, he had Mujuuk's words to consider, and his own response to give. "I . . . would not want the man angry at me, personally, it is true," Clove said, speaking each word with care. "However, in this city -- " he snorted "no, in this world, I am nothing better than a whore. Beneath notice. So, I am not afraid of him because to him I do not exist. Better I fear my master, that she does not find me selling secrets. Better to fear my brothers and sisters, that they do not oust me as traitor. It is not a pretty thing to see one of the marked cast from his House. I have the freedom to go where I wish and speak to whom I please, but to betray the customer for my own gain. . .ahh, that is bad for business. This powerful man, he is no different than any other man, not to my situation. So long as I am discreet, there is no problem. That is what is needed, no?" Clove returned Mujuuk's smile, though his own was rueful. His eyes drifted back up, seeking the miqo'te's own. Some of the guardedness was back, and it showed in his eyes, in the set of his shoulders. He was nervous, the truth of that was found easily enough in the smell of his sweat. He worked past it. There'd been worse situations he'd dealt with; any doxy had any number of such stories to tell. The resolve to keep going was in him, beneath the nerves and the pleasant expression that had been pasted on.

"I. . .hadn't," Clove said, his eyebrows drawing down. "If it has been going on for very long, it must be making the tradesmen nervous enough to not want to talk about it. I haven't pried. Asking after business always needs to be done gently, and I'd no reason to." Few liked to mix work too much with pleasure, not unless they'd cause to vent frustrations. Fear, though, had its own language. Clove examined Mujuuk's expression with care before he tentatively asked, "this new trader, is it said this person is giving Ruarc cause to react?"

Clove took in Mujuuk's words, and some of his guardedness bled out of him. His shoulders relaxed, as did his hands on the table. It did not all leave him -- few were those who entered Her Highness who weren't tense in some manner throughout their visit -- but enough did. Perhaps Mujuuk had said something he'd hoped to hear. At the other's question, his hands tightened their grip upon each other. "He's rough, in more ways than one. Powerful. Connected. Wealthy. A force enough, in Limsa Lominsa, and one none likes giving service to. He controls the lovers, and he's made sure everyone knows it." 'The lovers' was a street euphemism for Lover's Embrace.

The way she froze, it was as if she'd just committed some incalculable error and hadn't the slightest clue how to rectify it. She flinched, her head drooping low, and chanced a few brief glances at Lalataru's face. "Y-yes?" The word was a squeak of sound. Hope, uncertainty and anxiety clouded her voice, and contorted her face. Her tail lashed sideways once, and then back the other way. She snatched it up and held it between her hands as if she didn't know what else to do with it. Back went her ears, and the whole of her waited for Lalataru's answer, as if that was the only thing in the world that could make her breathe right again.

Clove's head tilted to the right at Mujuuk's opening statement, setting his earring to swinging. He was the perfect listener -- was in all probability trained to be -- and gave all indications that he was carefully balancing everything the miqo'te had to say internally, and weighing it. There was a gravitas to the man that proved him as more than just another cheap body used to while away the time. However, Mujuuk's second statement elicited a hint of surprise from Clove. His eyebrows lifted, and his chin bent inwards for a few seconds. When he lifted his head, he wore a wry smile. "You know that answer as well as I." Clove's voice was pleasant, and cultured: a musical voice, a light baritone that would be pleasant both in conversation and in seduction. Clove was well trained, though he was not of especially high quality in terms of the trade. "But, if I may, there is only so much time allotted me within this life. I am not so highly prized as to be able to spend my twilight years in wealth and comfort, not without building outside connections while I've the chance." Clove folded his hands on the table. Behind him, Zhavi fidgeted. She was unable to hear their conversation, and that grated, but she'd already put all her gil on Clove. She would have to trust him to do his part, and do it well. "I am not the sort who gives or receives so many quick thrusts in an alley and has it quits. Those in my standing, those who are marked. . . we are in a unique position to receive from those we have sated. It is discouraged to let these words spill beyond the wall of our keep, and considered a form of betrayal amongst ourselves. Truly, there are those who would consider me unwise for considering this call, much less responding to it. I am intrigued by the opportunity. So much so that I have considered the possibilities, and arranged to forestall potential issues that might arise. I would hope to quell your own concerns with my arrangements, should you still be interested in my use."

"I am," Clove said. His tone, and his bearing were guarded. He leaned in over the table, keeping his voice below the general din. Clove wasn't a big man. He stood at five fulms and nine ilms, and slender. It was his aesthetic appeal that allowed him survival, not bulk or strength or any particular strategic bent. His hair was combed but tousled, his clothing neat but made of sturdy fabric. His bearing and looks left little doubt as to his occupation, but should it be in question one but had to look at the piercing in his left ear: it bore the mark of one of the whorehouses that operated in the lower decks, and was his passtoken through the (reasonably) rough parts of town. Scum messed with marked whores at their own risk. Still, even one such as Clove had agency of his own, and when it came to matters outside the trade he plied, he was left to his own devices. While it was true that the marked didn't typically interfere in matters outside their houses and the districts that housed them, it also wasn't wholly unheard of. What would be of note, should Mujuuk recognize Clove or his mark, was that this was the first time Clove had ever stepped outside of those boundaries to respond to such a strange summons, especially by one orchestrated by such as Yayabuko. "What would you have of me?"

Those dark eyes widened during the few seconds they met Lalataru's, and then they were abruptly looking down. "Y-you're -- " Zhavi went tense, and then she'd scooted back several inches, her hands up in front of her as if to ward the lalafel off. She looked up, and back down, and then back up, taking in the man like he was some sort of alien species. "Sorry!" This was blurted, pitch high and loud. One hand braced the miqo'te on the ground, and the other rose to cover half her face. "Sorry," she repeated, shoulders curving inward. Her whole body was one giant grimace as she got herself under control, daring another look at the lalafel. She pressed her lips together, looked up and down, and then before he could get a word in edgewise she'd genuflected towards the lalafel and bent herself nearly double over her upraised knee. "I want -- please let me be yer 'prentice!" Overloud, and still high pitched, but definitely aimed towards Lolotaru Lalataru. Were there any people loitering around the place, they'd doubtless have cause to stare at the two of them.

3 you said you wouldn't tell anyone.

Hi there! RP can deeeefinitely add heaps of value to gaming. Since you say you've rped a bit before, what sort of rp are you into?

Hee, sounds like your rp highlights are pretty similar to mine! I think you'll find that no matter where you go, so long as those involved are willing to contribute time and effort to a creative story, you'll find a way to make that story happen. Be it tabletop, forum, mmo, chat, or what have you! That said, what satisfies people in that creative sense does vary widely, so in my opinion it is more a matter of finding the people whose wants match your own then the framework by which that happens. Plenty of people get enjoyment out of totally unplanned walkup rp. Others like to have plans for every conceivable event. Still more fall somewhere in between. Granted, the method you go about it will likely be different; typically MMO type rp tends to be more openly collaborative than a more traditional GM, imo, but there's still room for that. And, character wise it's totally open. There I'd say it's more a matter of finding places to insert your character then whether or not its feasible (ie, if you have a Loner McHatespeople who refuses to talk to anyone but blind people, you're going to have a harder time figuring out rp scenarios/finding characters to rp with than someone with a more socially reasonable character) to have this or that character. So, that said, I am willing to bet you'll find something to your enjoyment! As for me, I love plotting and putting characters to the test. I love doing unexpected things, I love collaboration, I love it when my rp partners' writing makes me feel something, I love getting an emotional response out of the people I write with, I love being surprised and surprising others. I like making "everyman" characters come to life, and I like exploring larger than life characters. I love storytelling. RP is like the junk food of writing to me, haha. I hope you're able to fill your rp-itch with FFXIV! (*coughcough* I'm not really able to get in game very often right now, but if you're into trying out forum rp I looooove creating and collaborating on elaborate or longrunning plots. -- should be in game more come May)

Zhi's breath caught at the same time as Lalataru's, though she didn't know it. Her tail went rigid, her expression darkened, and she almost -- but not quite -- vocalized her distress as he nearly killed himself. What was it with the day? First her mettle was tested by the sun, and now by what, fate? The gods surely were having a good time at her expense. Still, at least he was moving and that would have to do. What's more, he headed in the direction she'd hoped he'd go. Perfect. Taking her time in moving in the same direction, Zhi nonetheless passed him within the Alley itself. There was only one path forward, and she intended to beat him there. She knew he frequented the Arcanists' Guild, had seen as much in the time she'd followed him back and forth. She knew many things about Lolotaru Lalataru, from that which she'd seen, to that which she'd heard, to that which she'd paid for. She'd made him her business, had staked a claim on him in the way of her ilk. And though she was not intimidating, she had resources enough to make life very uncomfortable for anyone who got ideas about her employer's mark. Not that such a thing would discourage those who outstripped her in influence and wealth, but this one was based in enough eccentricity that she didn't think it would become a problem. Not unless there was more to it than she realized -- and that was regrettably not uncommon. Too many employers thought to keep her in the dark, someone who kept herself fed from staying abreast of who was ferrying what dirty little secrets around. She sighed in relief as she crossed into the shade of the covered alcove that housed the door into the Arcanists' Guild. She sat there, uncaring of the dirt on the floor, and pulled her knees in towards her chest. Unless Lalataru loitered overlong and someone else came along to discourage her from polluting what was essentially the front porch of this particular guild, she should be able to catch him. She'd dressed for the occasion, having used part of her pre-payment to buy an oversized shirt and half-pants. Worn sandals were on her feet, and her hair was mussed but not too dirty -- of course, what with her own sweat and the humid heat, she was looking a little worse for wear than she'd intended, and smelling just enough of wet fur to likely be counted as potential unconscious aversion, but she was confident. She looked the part of a big-eyed youth, hopeful with just enough tragedy (not too much, that was a quick way for things to get awkward) to invite sympathy. Not too dirty, not too clean. She'd aimed for that sweet spot of potential, the one that got strangers to trust before their instincts had a chance to kick in. And if that didn't work on Lalataru, for whatever reason, she had a backup plan or two. Make or break in that moment. Her heartbeat sped, and she swallowed down the urge to grin. She wrapped her tail around her feet to keep it (and her butt, dratted instincts) from wagging. She lived for that moment.

The breeze wasn't enough. Move, she ordered the lalafel in her head even as she walked across the plaza to stare out across the ocean like any dimwitted tourist, keeping him in her peripherals. Move, move y'whelp. He couldn't hear her, of course, and he didn't listen. She could feel the sunburn coming on, already had the start of a headache from all the gods-cursed reflecting the water did. Limsa Lominsa was all a Keeper could ever wish for at night, but get caught out during the daytime and it was a bleeding nightmare. Yeah, sure, Zhi had grown up in Limsa and had never been anywhere else in her life, but that didn't change the fact that it was seven kinds of hell to get caught out in daytime, or be forced to it. So what, though, right? She wouldn't have to pretend to be a in a heap of misery because she was going to die thanks to the little halfwit. And how was he not dying in that robe? Proof, she thought, that book learning never did anyone any good. Load of rubbish apt to addle the mind, that was it. Her ears flattened as she loitered, ignoring the few sideways glances from nicer-kept folk who paraded themselves throughout the plaza like they were something good to be looked at. She knew the type, all fresh wealth and glutted on it, ripe to be plucked like the thief-bait they were. Yeah, just wait 'till they ducked into the shady Hawkers Alleys. They'd be lightened of their coin, alright, but they wouldn't be spending it. Idiots. C'mon churl, get yer arse movin' afore th'sun addles yer wits further. Zhavi could be patient. There was no way she could have survived without being patient. Add in the sun, however, and all bets were off.

I'm not sure if you were being sarcastic, but I was curious. I mean, I know for me, primarily, content came in the new raids and occasionally some of the new features/aesthetic additions with each new patch. Or, you might have been referring to the sort-of desert that seems to be the common theme between the last patch and the new expansion (around a year). It doesn't bother me if someone doesn't like a game that I like (or did very much like) -- I find it interesting when someone forms a different opinion, and I like to know why. This one struck me in particular because I found it so different to my own thoughts on the matter. That's why I wanted to know what you meant by 'content'. edit -- and you don't need to play something to form an opinion on it. It's the same way I can look at a book in a bookstore and know that I won't like it without reading the whole thing, or thing it's bland or overdone or nice but not quite good enough. Granted, people can then argue your qualifications on being right with your opinion/claims, but that's something else entirely.

Cursesssss, based out of Ul'dah -- love the character concept. Seriously love it.

Hey there! That character idea sounds fantastic to me. Love me some seedy characters who are also exceptionally quick-witted! Also, another forum rper, right on right on. The first time I rped in a MMO it was a bit jarring, but I bet you'll pick it up real quick. I just recently came back to the game after a long time gone too, and this community really is wonderful. I think you'll find that people really are quite lovely and patient.

Well, three cheers for you for identifying something you felt was a problem and doing something about it, dagnabit. Projects need their members, but they also need someone pushing it along. Without either they never get off the ground. (and, personally, that directory of yours made it super easy to find people to rp with in Limsa. All but one of the people I've been pming I got from that directory, for srs)

Errr... I think you might need to define 'content' before making that claim. I think your definition might be different from mine!

Heheh, truth is I've been out of FFXIV for several years, and only within the past two weeks came back (which is why I am unable to offer more than generic advice :< ). My time in game is limited, so I'm pretty clueless -- though I have been nabbing some folks for forum rp until things settle down a bit. Still, that's why I always encourage new players to reach out to more established players through pms (though with Magellan I think you've already found a winner), as I think that's the fastest way to find the rp and get engaged. Too there's a few upcoming events in gilgamesh, so those could also be a way to make some rp connections and get a feel for the rp. You can also post in the Gilgamesh directory or RP discussion asking for further help (I think for such specific questions as these they tend to get more answers in those subforums rather than the welcome desk), though with Magellan already offering to answer questions I would take up that offer! As for legacy servers, I think that has to do with characters from the first iteration of FFXIV being brought over to ARR, while non-legacy were all new characters.

Haha, and I just went to the lore forums to post, but did a quick search first -- and there was your post! (though, honestly, I'm going to be stubborn and stupid and one of those people and say that they did it badly if they built the world to only have one language. Call it my obsession with anthropology showing )

Hiya! Ditto what Magellan said. Creativity and a willingness to be flexible are, imo, the main things you need to rp. The rest will all come with time, and the only way to get better at something is to do it! That said, I'm not terribly familiar with the linkshells/fc available, but there is the Linkshell Hall that you can browse through to see if there's anything that strikes your fancy. In the meantime, don't be afraid to poke through the forum and look at the server directories, and the wiki and all that and message anyone you find interesting!

Azeyma was trying to kill Zhavi. It was the only good explanation why, on the one day Zhavi needed to be out in the docks in full broad daylight, the sun shone so fiercely in the sky. The week had been one of grey skies and misery all around, with old sailors spreading sour words about storms and the like to come soon (that ever ominous word). Yet, somehow, everyone had been wrong, because on the day Zhavi was ready to speak to the lalafel, she was forced to wait out in the open with the sun beating her mercilessly with its light and heat. Someone, somewhere, was laughing. It was probably Azeyma. Murderous bitch. Zhi crouched on one of the dock supports, watching one ship in particular -- though she kept her general demeanor one of purposeless boredom. Not that she was fooling those who'd come to get a fix on her compass as the years'd passed. Her acquaintances (enemies to be, she liked to think of them on days like the one she was currently experiencing) had tossed her any number of fun one-liners, like "beautiful day, innit, Slant?" or "enjoyin' that sunshin?" or "can't stay in on a day like this!" all the while sniggering behind their hands and thinking themselves so clever. She'd shown them her fangs, lips stretching far off her teeth in a grin that wasn't her most personable. Not that any of them took her seriously. Louts. Finally, finally her patience was rewarded, as she spotted Lalataru disembark. Never had relief been so sweet, not even when she'd bought herself a bath for the first time in two moonspan the day prior. Was a pity that she'd been unable to get rid of the fleas in her preparation for today, but the wool light-weave tunic and trousers she'd managed to con off the ragspicker for a hunnerd were worth the ensuing itchiness. Even if fleas were one of her most detested pests, what the lalafel couldn't see wouldn't hurt him. Unless she infected him. Call it even, if that happened, for the wait she'd endured in the meantime. Really. She should have invested in a hat with a wide brim. As it was, the innards of her ears would probably be burned come nightfall. Zhi hopped off her perch and started ambling off the docks, letting the crowd bump her to the edges. She was practiced at following people, and knew better than to tot after someone (even if they were oblivious) like a kitten after its mam for milk. She stopped briefly at a stall, angling herself to be able to see Lalataru once he passed on his way off the docks. Then all it would be was to catch him in a shady location, out of the way, and she'd be in business. Finally.

Oh, whoops, when I replied to the thread I totally. . . misread it. To be fair, I was tired, but eh. I made the assumption that there were multiple languages. I take it how I take Europe or the US today (or, generally, any major multi-ethnic place) -- we have major languages today that are spoken in multiple countries, but there are also other languages present. Don't count out languages so fast! While it is true that languages die out every day (and so, so sad), it is also true that it would be exceedingly difficult to kill off all but one language for diverse population groups. For srs. So while I would theoretically say that there wouldn't be a barrier due to one language being used as the trade language/popular language (think English or, say, Mandarin in some parts of the world), I also wouldn't say that it was the only one present in major cities. Yes, yes, all the npcs speak a language you're familiar with, but I'd put that down to necessary mechanics. Chris Metzen put it really well one year at Blizzcon when someone asked about some lore tidbit, and he said 'no, of course there wouldn't be warlocks with their demon pets wandering around major cities -- the guards would be all over that.' So I see this in the same way. There's no real reason to bring it up, it would probably be more complicated than not to put it into a quest, they even implemented ways to get around language (echo) so that they never have to deal with it. But that's just how I choose to see it.

Hehe, sounds like you have some rp adventures awaiting you! Whenever I feel a bit nervous or shy about sending pms/tells to people, I think of it this way: it's always nice to have someone you don't know pick your work out of the dozens of other works that they could have picked. It's complimentary. So, by showing interest in what they've built, you're essentially telling them that they've done a good job, and there's never enough of that in the world. So feel good about potentially brightening someone's day! (I know it always makes me feel good when a stranger wants to rp with me, even if the rp itself doesn't pan out for whatever reason. )