The place was so loud, Erik felt nothing but the urge to run from such a place, but Cien had insisted that this be the first place they go. The Quicksand rang loud with voices and activity, Erik pretended to hold his temples, plugging his ears instead. Cien clapped his hands as the barmaid brought to tall beers, "We made it E, I told you we would. Did you see that girl that brought us the beer? And look.... beer. This place is amazing, nothing like the Shroud." Erik nodded with a faked smiled, covered by his unkept hair, only half listening to his friend. This was nothing like the Shroud, he was correct in that. Erik had gotten use to the silence of the forest. Cien smiled as he drank, spilling some on his shirt, "Hey... what's wrong? E? You listening to me?" Cien looked behind him, following Erik's gaze, spotting a pair of shady men talking over something well beyond what he could hear, but not what Erik cou...."Stop it E!" he whispered, catching his friend's eyes. Erik looked at him, "They are talking about robbing some old man. We should tell someone. What are the guards in the city called here? Bronze Blades or something?" Cien looked both sympathetic and irritated, "Stop doing that E. All you got in the Shroud for those ears and eyes of your's were dirty looks from pissy elezens. This is Ul'dah, crime is a way of life. If people knew about what you could do, and your insane conscious of your's.... Well they wouldn't fear you. They will kill you. So mind your business before you get yourself killed.... and me along with you." Erik looked scolded, trying his best to follow his friend's advice, but rebutting one point, "It is not insane to follow a path of right and wrong. Faith is important." Cien took Erik's untouched beer, "Look E, when we were apprenticing with Ironpick, learning the miner's trade, we both hated it, that's why I took a spear, but I never knew why you tossed it for religion. You know that no one here gives a shit about Halone right? If you're going to make gil you're going to have to do more then light candles and pray. You're mom told me your dad taught you the sword and shield for years. Let's go buy me a new spear and you a sword and shield and we'll see where fate takes us?" Erik shook his head, "I am tired of fighting Cien." The lancer calmed his momentary flare of anger and sighed, "Erik.... We have to do something practical. We will starve in a refugee camp if we don't work, and the work here is sellsword." Erik looked down for a moment, "Alright. I will do better."
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