It's hard for me to say why I always make it a point of speaking with the Lady Crofte. Sure she is attractive and that's a good enough excuse as any, however, I've learned over the weeks and months of coming here she almost exclusively responds in the same way to the same questions. It's a challenge to get too much idle chat out of her. Even when I had the rare privilege of her sitting across from me for lunch one fateful day, I felt as if I was goading her to speak about herself or any subject with more than a few words.
I think the biggest reason I am drawn to her is that in a city like Ul'Dah where literally everything and everyone schemes in ways that are less than idealistic, she simply shows up to work and performs her sworn duties. She is under no delusions of grandeur like so many of her colleagues, she has no desire for increased power or station, unless given to her by The Sultana. She's clung to being a SultanSworn to give herself purpose and she contents herself with that. Simple and admirable. I'd like to convert her to a friend of mine one day. Its refreshing having people like her in Ul'Dah.
All the same I can't help myself and finally speak to her after letting the moments pass. Always one to turn to me and offer a bit of a smile. We go through our motions, her day has gone well. She's staying safe as always. Ul'Dah sis as awful as always. My businesses are doing well and I am looking as handsome and debonair as always. After I give her my brief interrogation and she obliges me – I simply leave her be. I excuse myself, always telling her I will let her get back to her pillar and she always tells me “Twelvespeed to you Lord Vannâ€.
Indeed 'Twelvespeed' to me as I leave her side and walk to the bar that’s close by knocking on it once to get Momodi's attention. As she is preparing my usual mug of water I reach to my pocket to remove one of the familiar tiny silken bags that contain more of my 'sugar'. I'm a busy man and I'm already feeling tired and its barely two bells past noon. I don't think I spend more than a few hours a night asleep when I'm lucky. I've got too many women to enjoy, too much business to maintain, too much politicking to do, and way too many schemes to machinate for my gain and enjoyment.
As Momodi slides my water across the table I pull the tiny pouch open, loosening the twine wrapped around the pink silk and dump the contents into my water. Momodi knows, but she also knows that I mean no harm and simply need my medicine to help get through the day. I usually just take tablespoons of this stuff and consume it instantly, placing all of my dose in my mouth at once and washing it quickly with water for that massive jolt to kick-start me, but during the day like this I prefer to have it sit in my water and gradually take it in. It makes the water taste like the most bitter poison you can imagine and I drink it this way on purpose almost like a self-punishment for leading such a lascivious and debauched lifestyle. Maybe one day I'll get tired of drinking water this way and for once sleep for more than a couple of hours. Today will not be that day though considering what Ridley lined up for me tonight.
As I sit at the bar, drinking the terrifically bad water, I ponder a moment the other Paladins in Ul'Dah that aren't Crofte. Most of them are rather useless to a man like me. Most of them are seemingly useless in service to Her Majesty and Ul'Dah as well. The large majority of them don't even attempt to wear their uniform, that Gallant armor that admittedly has quite the legendary reputation. Its a privilege to have it bestowed and most of the Sworn would rather never been seen with it, regardless of their oath. I think you would find more Free Paladins wanting to wear their Gallant suits and I think they do. A man like me sits on the outskirts of the most powerful and influential people in Ul'Dah and always will, this doesn't stop me from making use of everyone I can though. I need more Paladins to view me in a favorable light and I intend to make it happen.
First though I need to finish this water and head over to the various 'Lanes' in Ul'Dah and soak in the sights of people doing business, peddling their wares, and pay a personal visit to my stalls and businesses. Playing around with Royalists is one thing, but business is always more important.
[To be continued...]
I think the biggest reason I am drawn to her is that in a city like Ul'Dah where literally everything and everyone schemes in ways that are less than idealistic, she simply shows up to work and performs her sworn duties. She is under no delusions of grandeur like so many of her colleagues, she has no desire for increased power or station, unless given to her by The Sultana. She's clung to being a SultanSworn to give herself purpose and she contents herself with that. Simple and admirable. I'd like to convert her to a friend of mine one day. Its refreshing having people like her in Ul'Dah.
All the same I can't help myself and finally speak to her after letting the moments pass. Always one to turn to me and offer a bit of a smile. We go through our motions, her day has gone well. She's staying safe as always. Ul'Dah sis as awful as always. My businesses are doing well and I am looking as handsome and debonair as always. After I give her my brief interrogation and she obliges me – I simply leave her be. I excuse myself, always telling her I will let her get back to her pillar and she always tells me “Twelvespeed to you Lord Vannâ€.
Indeed 'Twelvespeed' to me as I leave her side and walk to the bar that’s close by knocking on it once to get Momodi's attention. As she is preparing my usual mug of water I reach to my pocket to remove one of the familiar tiny silken bags that contain more of my 'sugar'. I'm a busy man and I'm already feeling tired and its barely two bells past noon. I don't think I spend more than a few hours a night asleep when I'm lucky. I've got too many women to enjoy, too much business to maintain, too much politicking to do, and way too many schemes to machinate for my gain and enjoyment.
As Momodi slides my water across the table I pull the tiny pouch open, loosening the twine wrapped around the pink silk and dump the contents into my water. Momodi knows, but she also knows that I mean no harm and simply need my medicine to help get through the day. I usually just take tablespoons of this stuff and consume it instantly, placing all of my dose in my mouth at once and washing it quickly with water for that massive jolt to kick-start me, but during the day like this I prefer to have it sit in my water and gradually take it in. It makes the water taste like the most bitter poison you can imagine and I drink it this way on purpose almost like a self-punishment for leading such a lascivious and debauched lifestyle. Maybe one day I'll get tired of drinking water this way and for once sleep for more than a couple of hours. Today will not be that day though considering what Ridley lined up for me tonight.
As I sit at the bar, drinking the terrifically bad water, I ponder a moment the other Paladins in Ul'Dah that aren't Crofte. Most of them are rather useless to a man like me. Most of them are seemingly useless in service to Her Majesty and Ul'Dah as well. The large majority of them don't even attempt to wear their uniform, that Gallant armor that admittedly has quite the legendary reputation. Its a privilege to have it bestowed and most of the Sworn would rather never been seen with it, regardless of their oath. I think you would find more Free Paladins wanting to wear their Gallant suits and I think they do. A man like me sits on the outskirts of the most powerful and influential people in Ul'Dah and always will, this doesn't stop me from making use of everyone I can though. I need more Paladins to view me in a favorable light and I intend to make it happen.
First though I need to finish this water and head over to the various 'Lanes' in Ul'Dah and soak in the sights of people doing business, peddling their wares, and pay a personal visit to my stalls and businesses. Playing around with Royalists is one thing, but business is always more important.
[To be continued...]
