Natalie waits at the bar of the Coffer and Coffin, leaning against it idly and watching the door.
Crofte enters, nodding curtly, "Natalie, we meet again."
Natalie nods back, looking for once, her usual irreverence, "Coatleque... can I get you a drink?"
Crofte sits and rubs her temple, "Water, please... I just had one in the city."
Natlie nods, and heads over to the bar, acquiring a water, which sets a water in front of Crofte, and a squat glass of spirits in front of her own seat. "One moment..." She leans out the door for a moment and looks around, though she sees only the usual crowd of drunks, mercenaries mercenaries. She returns and sits at the table "I needed to ensure you weren't followed..."
Crofte smirks, "As if I am that interesting."
"Oh but this conversation will be..."
"As your private stories usually are."
Natalie shakes her head, "Nothing like that this time." She takes a deep breath, "Coatleque, I'm willing to tell you everything going on here." She nods "You just need to decide if you want to hear it."
"Willing to tell me? Is that not our jobs? I would be remiss if you kept secrets of national security from a fellow shield sister."
Natalie peers into her glass before taking a drink, "My involvement with this is not... entirely on the level." She looks back up at Crofte, "That's why."
Coatleque takes a long drink from her glass before setting it down quietly. She looks at Natalie with a somewhat flat expression, clearly not surprised. "You say that as if you expected me to think any less."
Natalie laughs, "Oh I knew you suspected." She takes another sip, "But if I say it, it would take little for you to use the information to have me disabarred from the order, peramanently this time... or worse."
Crofte blinks twice before pinching the bridge of her nose with a sigh. "What did you do this time? Execute the Admiral's brother?"
"Her Aunt."
"Just as bad."
Natalie grins, "I'll take that as a yes then..." She looks down at her glass, "Jameson and I have been working together quite a bit. His feelings about Ul'dah, and its policies... I'm starting to find we have much in common."
Crofte takes another drink and blurts out "You're sleeping with him."
Natalie's face reddens, and she takes a quick drink, "N-no..." She coughs, "Though I've considered it. I felt it unwise to get involved with someone I knew so little about."
"Oh, you are being serious now. Apologies. I thought next he was to be from another world."
Natalie rolls her eyes, "I'm not that really that bad Coat... I just like teasing you sometimes."
"And so now you're falling in line with one that we know works for Garleans?"
Natalie blinks, "Does he?" She taps her jaw, "That's news to me. Why would he have brought me the antidote to Jin'li's poison then?"
"Why does anyone two-faced do anything? Because he not only wants to supplant the Sultana, but remain alive to live in the new order he's helped create."
Natalie taps her jaw and looks thoughtfully at Crofte, "Hmm...... What makes you think this?"
"Honestly, Natalie, the survival instinct is always strongest with the most heinous of people."
Natalie shakes her head, "No not that... how do you know he's working with Garleans?"
"I've no proof yet, but I can make my own assumptions based off what he himself has said, and Roen's own accounts matching up. The city seems to be rank with them lately."
Natalie looks up at the roof for a moment, "Hmm... let's just say you're right."
"Aye?"
"Has he ever done anything to harm this city?" She looks back at Crofte, "You might not always agree with him... but I don't see how he's ever had bad intentions."
Coatleque sighs and rolls her eyes. She looks around the room before admitting, "No, he has not." She raises a hand, "Except for the whole smuggling of Somnus and weapons into the city. Even if it was supposed to be a false front. The whole deal does not sit right with me."
Natalie taps her jaw, "So even if you're right... maybe he's a..." She searches for the word, "Double-Agent! Truth be told I have some reservations about that as well." She tilts her head, "But hired or not, Nero is a route for illegal goods, and a pirate none the less. So Jameson aside, he still should be dealt with."
Crofte turns her attention back to Natalie. "Aye, and what of the pirate then?"
Natlie sighs, "Slow going on that front. He's been ever so quiet ever since his first mate was executed..." She shrugs, "Perhaps that was all it took. As long as he leaves us alone I don't feel the need to chase him."
"So you've learned nothing else? You had mentioned Roen the other night. Master Arasgain has not reported any news either?"
Natalie shakes her head, "Though it seems you have evidence of him being Garlean as well. Roen has been just as quiet as he has... though Verad has been stirring up trouble." She drums her fingers on the table, "I don't get it."
"It is not I who acquired evidence, it was Osric. And Verad? I would not have thought him to be one to make trouble. Are you sure? He... has told me he has a less than reputable brother..."
"He and some... half baked reporter grilled me for over an hour about this issue. He was... quite heated." She nods, "Though I think I solved the issue."
"A reporter? Master Bellveil is a merchant. A poor one, but still, what would he care?"
Natalie sighs, "I think Roen filled his head with nonsense."
"Nonsense about what? What is Roen doing, exactly?"
"Sleeping with Nero mostly, from what I can tell, and trying to defend him with the rest of her time."
"...I warned her..."
Natalie shrugs, "As did I, She seems to hold Nero on a pedastal, apparently we are the big bad oppressors, and Nero is just a free spirit living his life." Natalie sighs and looks thoughtful, "He must be pretty good in bed to gain that sort of trust..."
"Yes, well... some men can have that effect. I just hope she fares better than I. I mean... before it is too late. He is caught. Nevermind." She clears her throat before continuing. "What are we doing in the mean time while he has gone to bed. Err.. to ground?"
Natalie stares at her for a moment, "Something else on your mind?"
Coatleque chugs the rest of her water. "Nothing."
Natalie walks over grinning slyly, "Oh ho..." She leans down and peers at Crofte's face, "Feeling a little jealous of Roen perhaps?"
"Och, jealous! Cerrtainly not!"
Natalie laughs and pokes her in the cheek, "Admitting you have a problem is the first step towards recovery!"
She waves her hand up to brush Natalie's hand away from her face. "Ah've nae problem, norr intentions of standing in Roen's wae if she choses to bed the man. Ah've just had my own share of prroblems lately.Though Ah could say the same fer ye, judging by yer own actions lately."
Natalie keeps grinning and squeezes gently at her shoulder, "Man problems...?" She blinks, "Ah... well I'm feeling better now. Kage's... change was a bit shocking..." She nods, "But I found a beautiful flame corporal to share a bed with last night..."
Natalie sighs happily, "I wonder if I'll see her again..."
Coatleque clears her throat again and tries to compose herself. "Not that our love lives are the goal of this little chat."
Natalie grins, "Of course not... but it's still important." She nods, "A woman has needs you know."
"Hrmpf... perhaps -you- have needs. I have desires. It sounds much less sordid that way you know."
Natalie smiles and winks at her, "Oh I think we both know they're one and the same..." She sighs, "I have half a mind to try and help you satisfy them..." She taps her jaw, "Though somehow I think I don't have the proper equipment."
She rolls her eyes once more. "No, your cannons will not help you there. But this is not answering my question as to what we are doing now about the matter."
Natalie blinks, "I thought I just told you... me, bed, other woman..." She leans against the table and takes a drink, "Did you want me to go into details or something?"
Crofte blinks. "About Nero, Natalie. Did Master Arasgain tell you about the building he found?"
"Oh!" She shakes her head, "No." She tilts her head, "How come we can work with Fiona but not with Jameson."
"Were this a few days prior I would say because he is a trusted member of the Maelstrom. Today, I cannot use that excuse. However, he has already been employed by you to an extent, and he does not yet know that we have suspicions against him. In the end, perhaps we will be catching two rats with one trap, Aye?"
Natalie nods, "True..." She taps her jaw, "Well I dislike punishing people for their heritage. If Fio serves us well I'm content to let his secret lie."
"Aye, but if we were at war with Gridania I would be saying 'Be wary of those Keepers and Elezen.' All I am saying is to tread lightly."
Natalie nods solemly, "I never do." She taps the table, "Oh there is one more thing. I met with Otto, he wanted to prove himself to us as an ally. I tasked him with handling Verad's rabble rousing. I'm interested to see what he does."
"Honestly, Natalie... the man is no threat to anyone."
Natalie shrugs, "Well he certainly won't be now. I told Otto to cut out his tongue."
"... the more you do this the more transparent you become. No matter, I will simply have to keep my own eye on the merchant for the time being."
Natalie winks and nudges her slightly, "I just told Otto to scare him." She clucks her tongue, "So quick to believe the worst of me Crofte."
Crofte sighs, "Not you, Natalie... just those you continue to employ."
"Hmm..." She taps her jaw, "You may be right Crofte." She sighs, "Speaking of them, I believe Jameson wishes to meet with you. I'd take him up on his offer."
"The man knows how to reach me. He above all should have no problem with that."
Natalie laughs, "Well then, that's true." She nods, "I apologize for keeping you out of the loop before... I'll not make that mistake again."
"Aye, well. As I said. If there was nothing else we should probably get back to our real business."
Natalie nods, "Aye... thanks for meeting me out here."
"Of course. It is good to get outside the walls every now and then." Crofte stands and gives a salute.
Natalie laughs, "True..." as she stands and returns in. "Until next time Ser."
They both head off towards Ul'dah on separate, though parallel paths.
Crofte enters, nodding curtly, "Natalie, we meet again."
Natalie nods back, looking for once, her usual irreverence, "Coatleque... can I get you a drink?"
Crofte sits and rubs her temple, "Water, please... I just had one in the city."
Natlie nods, and heads over to the bar, acquiring a water, which sets a water in front of Crofte, and a squat glass of spirits in front of her own seat. "One moment..." She leans out the door for a moment and looks around, though she sees only the usual crowd of drunks, mercenaries mercenaries. She returns and sits at the table "I needed to ensure you weren't followed..."
Crofte smirks, "As if I am that interesting."
"Oh but this conversation will be..."
"As your private stories usually are."
Natalie shakes her head, "Nothing like that this time." She takes a deep breath, "Coatleque, I'm willing to tell you everything going on here." She nods "You just need to decide if you want to hear it."
"Willing to tell me? Is that not our jobs? I would be remiss if you kept secrets of national security from a fellow shield sister."
Natalie peers into her glass before taking a drink, "My involvement with this is not... entirely on the level." She looks back up at Crofte, "That's why."
Coatleque takes a long drink from her glass before setting it down quietly. She looks at Natalie with a somewhat flat expression, clearly not surprised. "You say that as if you expected me to think any less."
Natalie laughs, "Oh I knew you suspected." She takes another sip, "But if I say it, it would take little for you to use the information to have me disabarred from the order, peramanently this time... or worse."
Crofte blinks twice before pinching the bridge of her nose with a sigh. "What did you do this time? Execute the Admiral's brother?"
"Her Aunt."
"Just as bad."
Natalie grins, "I'll take that as a yes then..." She looks down at her glass, "Jameson and I have been working together quite a bit. His feelings about Ul'dah, and its policies... I'm starting to find we have much in common."
Crofte takes another drink and blurts out "You're sleeping with him."
Natalie's face reddens, and she takes a quick drink, "N-no..." She coughs, "Though I've considered it. I felt it unwise to get involved with someone I knew so little about."
"Oh, you are being serious now. Apologies. I thought next he was to be from another world."
Natalie rolls her eyes, "I'm not that really that bad Coat... I just like teasing you sometimes."
"And so now you're falling in line with one that we know works for Garleans?"
Natalie blinks, "Does he?" She taps her jaw, "That's news to me. Why would he have brought me the antidote to Jin'li's poison then?"
"Why does anyone two-faced do anything? Because he not only wants to supplant the Sultana, but remain alive to live in the new order he's helped create."
Natalie taps her jaw and looks thoughtfully at Crofte, "Hmm...... What makes you think this?"
"Honestly, Natalie, the survival instinct is always strongest with the most heinous of people."
Natalie shakes her head, "No not that... how do you know he's working with Garleans?"
"I've no proof yet, but I can make my own assumptions based off what he himself has said, and Roen's own accounts matching up. The city seems to be rank with them lately."
Natalie looks up at the roof for a moment, "Hmm... let's just say you're right."
"Aye?"
"Has he ever done anything to harm this city?" She looks back at Crofte, "You might not always agree with him... but I don't see how he's ever had bad intentions."
Coatleque sighs and rolls her eyes. She looks around the room before admitting, "No, he has not." She raises a hand, "Except for the whole smuggling of Somnus and weapons into the city. Even if it was supposed to be a false front. The whole deal does not sit right with me."
Natalie taps her jaw, "So even if you're right... maybe he's a..." She searches for the word, "Double-Agent! Truth be told I have some reservations about that as well." She tilts her head, "But hired or not, Nero is a route for illegal goods, and a pirate none the less. So Jameson aside, he still should be dealt with."
Crofte turns her attention back to Natalie. "Aye, and what of the pirate then?"
Natlie sighs, "Slow going on that front. He's been ever so quiet ever since his first mate was executed..." She shrugs, "Perhaps that was all it took. As long as he leaves us alone I don't feel the need to chase him."
"So you've learned nothing else? You had mentioned Roen the other night. Master Arasgain has not reported any news either?"
Natalie shakes her head, "Though it seems you have evidence of him being Garlean as well. Roen has been just as quiet as he has... though Verad has been stirring up trouble." She drums her fingers on the table, "I don't get it."
"It is not I who acquired evidence, it was Osric. And Verad? I would not have thought him to be one to make trouble. Are you sure? He... has told me he has a less than reputable brother..."
"He and some... half baked reporter grilled me for over an hour about this issue. He was... quite heated." She nods, "Though I think I solved the issue."
"A reporter? Master Bellveil is a merchant. A poor one, but still, what would he care?"
Natalie sighs, "I think Roen filled his head with nonsense."
"Nonsense about what? What is Roen doing, exactly?"
"Sleeping with Nero mostly, from what I can tell, and trying to defend him with the rest of her time."
"...I warned her..."
Natalie shrugs, "As did I, She seems to hold Nero on a pedastal, apparently we are the big bad oppressors, and Nero is just a free spirit living his life." Natalie sighs and looks thoughtful, "He must be pretty good in bed to gain that sort of trust..."
"Yes, well... some men can have that effect. I just hope she fares better than I. I mean... before it is too late. He is caught. Nevermind." She clears her throat before continuing. "What are we doing in the mean time while he has gone to bed. Err.. to ground?"
Natalie stares at her for a moment, "Something else on your mind?"
Coatleque chugs the rest of her water. "Nothing."
Natalie walks over grinning slyly, "Oh ho..." She leans down and peers at Crofte's face, "Feeling a little jealous of Roen perhaps?"
"Och, jealous! Cerrtainly not!"
Natalie laughs and pokes her in the cheek, "Admitting you have a problem is the first step towards recovery!"
She waves her hand up to brush Natalie's hand away from her face. "Ah've nae problem, norr intentions of standing in Roen's wae if she choses to bed the man. Ah've just had my own share of prroblems lately.Though Ah could say the same fer ye, judging by yer own actions lately."
Natalie keeps grinning and squeezes gently at her shoulder, "Man problems...?" She blinks, "Ah... well I'm feeling better now. Kage's... change was a bit shocking..." She nods, "But I found a beautiful flame corporal to share a bed with last night..."
Natalie sighs happily, "I wonder if I'll see her again..."
Coatleque clears her throat again and tries to compose herself. "Not that our love lives are the goal of this little chat."
Natalie grins, "Of course not... but it's still important." She nods, "A woman has needs you know."
"Hrmpf... perhaps -you- have needs. I have desires. It sounds much less sordid that way you know."
Natalie smiles and winks at her, "Oh I think we both know they're one and the same..." She sighs, "I have half a mind to try and help you satisfy them..." She taps her jaw, "Though somehow I think I don't have the proper equipment."
She rolls her eyes once more. "No, your cannons will not help you there. But this is not answering my question as to what we are doing now about the matter."
Natalie blinks, "I thought I just told you... me, bed, other woman..." She leans against the table and takes a drink, "Did you want me to go into details or something?"
Crofte blinks. "About Nero, Natalie. Did Master Arasgain tell you about the building he found?"
"Oh!" She shakes her head, "No." She tilts her head, "How come we can work with Fiona but not with Jameson."
"Were this a few days prior I would say because he is a trusted member of the Maelstrom. Today, I cannot use that excuse. However, he has already been employed by you to an extent, and he does not yet know that we have suspicions against him. In the end, perhaps we will be catching two rats with one trap, Aye?"
Natalie nods, "True..." She taps her jaw, "Well I dislike punishing people for their heritage. If Fio serves us well I'm content to let his secret lie."
"Aye, but if we were at war with Gridania I would be saying 'Be wary of those Keepers and Elezen.' All I am saying is to tread lightly."
Natalie nods solemly, "I never do." She taps the table, "Oh there is one more thing. I met with Otto, he wanted to prove himself to us as an ally. I tasked him with handling Verad's rabble rousing. I'm interested to see what he does."
"Honestly, Natalie... the man is no threat to anyone."
Natalie shrugs, "Well he certainly won't be now. I told Otto to cut out his tongue."
"... the more you do this the more transparent you become. No matter, I will simply have to keep my own eye on the merchant for the time being."
Natalie winks and nudges her slightly, "I just told Otto to scare him." She clucks her tongue, "So quick to believe the worst of me Crofte."
Crofte sighs, "Not you, Natalie... just those you continue to employ."
"Hmm..." She taps her jaw, "You may be right Crofte." She sighs, "Speaking of them, I believe Jameson wishes to meet with you. I'd take him up on his offer."
"The man knows how to reach me. He above all should have no problem with that."
Natalie laughs, "Well then, that's true." She nods, "I apologize for keeping you out of the loop before... I'll not make that mistake again."
"Aye, well. As I said. If there was nothing else we should probably get back to our real business."
Natalie nods, "Aye... thanks for meeting me out here."
"Of course. It is good to get outside the walls every now and then." Crofte stands and gives a salute.
Natalie laughs, "True..." as she stands and returns in. "Until next time Ser."
They both head off towards Ul'dah on separate, though parallel paths.
