Broken Nose did not like this. He did not like this at all.
The Hellsguard Roegadyn crossed his massive arms, firmly planting himself in front of the entrance to the gaol. He knew his looming form alone was a deterrent for anyone who was even thinking about going into the dungeons. Others probably saw him let one enter--a cloaked figure who said not a word in passing--but the Blades knew enough not to ask questions. Broken Nose maintained his silent and intimidating scowl...at least until the Immortal Flame corporeal entered through the doors of the Headquarters.
Thal’s Balls, the Roegadyn thought to himself. Deneith should have been long gone from the gaol by now, but she had not yet made her exit. He watched as the blonde Lalafell made her way toward him, strolling by desks and other Blades. She seemed oblivious or uncaring of the glares thrown her way; the Immortal Flames were never a welcomed presence in the Blades Headquarters.
The little Flame came to a stop before the large Hellsguard and gave a formal salute. "Nothing yet?"
"He's shackled inside. Gave us a bit of a fight. And--" Of course it was at that moment that the door opened behind him. Deneith always had impeccable timing for trouble. He growled under his breath as he kept his eyes on the Lalafell. "I let this one go in a little earlier. She was a bit insistent."
"Ah. Corporal,†the cloaked woman said quietly as she stepped out from the gaol.
"Tch. The sergeant's papers make that quite clear." The corporal turned to face Deneith with a frown. "Is this altogether wise? She's going to be here shortly..." The Lalafell spared a glance over her shoulder towards the front door.
Broken Nose rolled his eyes in immediate agreement. "She was supposed to be gone by now, corporal."
Deneith remained stubborn as ever, much to the Hellsguard’s chagrin. “I actually have a spare Blades uniform if it is needed. I would like to stay if..." She glanced between Kokojo and Broken Nose. "...do you know which Sworn is coming?"
Kokojo snorted without turning back around. "Given the gravity of the situation, that should be obvious."
The Blade grumbled, nearly tossing his arms into the air in a helpless gesture. Sure, why not just imply to the corporal that the paladin visits regularly enough so that she stows a Blades disguise in his office? He gave the Hyur a pointed look of annoyance.
Deneith did not seem to notice his ire, relief washing over her face. "If it is Ser Crofte, I think we will be alright."
Broken Nose noticed the condescending smile toward the paladin afforded by the Flame, but before either of them could respond, the doors to the Headquarters opened again to admit Coatleque Crofte, two other Sworns in tow. “Why don’t you duck back into the office and come back looking a little less conspicuous,†he rumbled to the paladin under his breath.
“Too late,†Kokojo hummed as Ser Crofte approached, thankfully leaving the two other Sworns to wait by the entrance. Maybe this won’t go so bad after all.
"Ser Crofte," Broken Nose greeted the woman gruffly, his salute slow to come. He was doing his best to keep any hint of distaste from his tone.
There seemed an uneasiness that flitted about her countenance only for a moment, before the Sworn reciprocated the salute, following it up with a small bow. "Sergeant Nose." It was immediately followed by the Flame salute to the Lalafell next to him. "Apologies, I do not believe we have met." she said, addressing the corporal.
"Corporal Haruko Kokojo, ser. I believe you knew my former sergeant, back when he was with the regulars.†The Lalafell pushed herself off the wall she had been leaning on, returning the salute.
"I assume you got the report on your way over." Broken Nose's tone was casual, even as the Flame and Sworn exchanged formalities.
"Lady Coatleque Crofte of Her Resplendence's Royal Guard," the Sworn said with a bow before nodding back to the Roegadyn. "Aye, I have read the report of what happened. A firefight in the streets. I am here to evaluate the situation only."
"--Not to slit his throat, right?" interjected the Lalafell.
"If further action is required then we--" Ser Crofte stopped and looked at the corporal. "No. My office does not murder captives."
The Immortal Flame’s eyes narrowed at the emphasis. "So long as we're clear. Commander Swift was rather adamant: no repeats."
Broken Nose smacked his lips in distaste, knowing full well whom the corporal was speaking of. Even the Blades were aware of the execution that Mcbeef had carried out of the pirate prisoner. There were rumblings about whether it was hurried and why. Wasn’t that the start of it all?
The Sworn straightened herself before responding. "As I said, I am here to evaluate the situation. This is not, as of yet, a matter for the Sultansworn." The woman’s eyes strayed to the cloaked figure with an eyebrow arched in question as Deneith was wordlessly slipping away.
The corporal took that moment to move in front of the Sworn, gesturing and heading toward the gaol. "I'd rather not be here all night. Shall we?"
"Yes, please,†Crofte responded as she too turned her attention back to the matter at hand.
Broken Nose did not spare the cloaked figure a glance as he sharply turned and opened the doors to the gaol, leading the Flame and the Sworn inside. Kokojo only allowed him to guide them for a few steps, before impatiently darting ahead, peeking into each cell. “No...no…oh, shove off, you probably mugged a merchant…ah, here he is.â€
"Let's just say he hasn't been all that talkative so far,†the Hellsguard said as if that would explain the bruises and welts on the near emaciated Elezen. He crossed his arms again, leaning against the wall to allow for the other two to inspect the prisoner. Kokojo was already holding onto the bars to intently look over the bandit.
"When was this man last fed?" Crofte asked.
"Irrelevant." Lalafell reached one hand back behind her and snapped up at Broken Nose. "You recovered small-arms, yes?"
Broken Nose shrugged off the Sworn’s inquiry. He was starting to think that Crofte was not that different from Deneith. Soft. He wasn’t sure how he felt about that. "Feeding the prisoner is never our concern, ser." He nodded to the Lalafell. "Pistols. This one had a fancy one too."
"My men recovered a single rifle,†the corporal said without turning around. "I'll have it sent 'round to both your offices. The commander will need to sign off on that first once we've finished our own inspection."
"Firearms are not readily sold in Thanalan. I assume these were smuggled in from La Noscea?" The Sworn glanced between them.
The Blade sergeant nodded. "Looks like Limsan make, from the look of things."
Kokojo bit the inside of her cheek as she turned her head to look up at Crofte. "Does that mean anything to you? I'm at a loss."
Crofte crossed her arms but remained rather straight faced. "That remains to be seen." She moved forward to the cell to address the prisoner. "You there. Can you speak?"
"Piss off," came the rasp from the back of the cell. The Elezen raised his head; he was obviously in a weakened state, but his face still managed to conjure a scowl.
Broken Nose rolled his eyes. His men had gotten similar answers already of course, when they had first brought him into the gaols. The Elezen was not unlike the rest of the bandits he had come across, full of anger and never in any mood to cooperate. And this one seemed especially venomous. But his attention was soon pulled away from the exchange between the Sworn and the prisoner to the corporal, who approached him with a sadistic expression on her face.
“I need a spare bucket. And do you have a chocobo stable nearby?â€
The Roegadyn cocked a brow at her and thumbed toward the door where one hung on the wall. “Have at it. And the stable is a few paces to the right out of the building.†As he watched the corporal walk back out, he called out after her. “Ya need something corporal? I can get one of my men…â€
"No, no, I absolutely must do this myself. Be back shortly." The Lalafell hurried back down the corridor.
Broken Nose stared absently after the Lalafell. He shook his head, muttering a curse or four to Nymeia under his breath. He continued to listen to the volley of polite questions from the Sworn and the vitriolic responses from the bandit for a few more minutes. He spied Deneith entering the corridor in a Blades uniform, trying to be as unassuming as possible.
"Why not just leave me to die already, stupid bitch…or get…get on your knees and beg if you want me to tell you that badly." The Elezen coughed again, grinning slightly as the chains jingled.
Broken Nose tapped the keyring on his belt with a warning look. "Maybe won't be smiling with a few broken teeth?"
The prisoner ignored the thinly veiled threat. "The Hammerbeaks preyed on all of the poor in Pearl Lane. They ran rampant for several moons…and would you believe who came to help?" He coughed. "Would you…believe who gave a single toss about those jackals, or the people…the people they fed on? Why not tell me, you ignorant bint? I'm sure you already know the answer."
The Hellsguard scowled at the implication, giving the Blade by the door a pointed look. But then came the disgusted cries of a dozen Blades outside. Soon the door to the gaol swung open again, the corporal returning with a bucket held between her legs with both hands. It sloshed about with...something that made Deneith immediate step back with a hand covering her nose and mouth.
Kokojo grinned at Broken Nose. "Open it."
The Hellsguard Roegadyn crossed his massive arms, firmly planting himself in front of the entrance to the gaol. He knew his looming form alone was a deterrent for anyone who was even thinking about going into the dungeons. Others probably saw him let one enter--a cloaked figure who said not a word in passing--but the Blades knew enough not to ask questions. Broken Nose maintained his silent and intimidating scowl...at least until the Immortal Flame corporeal entered through the doors of the Headquarters.
Thal’s Balls, the Roegadyn thought to himself. Deneith should have been long gone from the gaol by now, but she had not yet made her exit. He watched as the blonde Lalafell made her way toward him, strolling by desks and other Blades. She seemed oblivious or uncaring of the glares thrown her way; the Immortal Flames were never a welcomed presence in the Blades Headquarters.
The little Flame came to a stop before the large Hellsguard and gave a formal salute. "Nothing yet?"
"He's shackled inside. Gave us a bit of a fight. And--" Of course it was at that moment that the door opened behind him. Deneith always had impeccable timing for trouble. He growled under his breath as he kept his eyes on the Lalafell. "I let this one go in a little earlier. She was a bit insistent."
"Ah. Corporal,†the cloaked woman said quietly as she stepped out from the gaol.
"Tch. The sergeant's papers make that quite clear." The corporal turned to face Deneith with a frown. "Is this altogether wise? She's going to be here shortly..." The Lalafell spared a glance over her shoulder towards the front door.
Broken Nose rolled his eyes in immediate agreement. "She was supposed to be gone by now, corporal."
Deneith remained stubborn as ever, much to the Hellsguard’s chagrin. “I actually have a spare Blades uniform if it is needed. I would like to stay if..." She glanced between Kokojo and Broken Nose. "...do you know which Sworn is coming?"
Kokojo snorted without turning back around. "Given the gravity of the situation, that should be obvious."
The Blade grumbled, nearly tossing his arms into the air in a helpless gesture. Sure, why not just imply to the corporal that the paladin visits regularly enough so that she stows a Blades disguise in his office? He gave the Hyur a pointed look of annoyance.
Deneith did not seem to notice his ire, relief washing over her face. "If it is Ser Crofte, I think we will be alright."
Broken Nose noticed the condescending smile toward the paladin afforded by the Flame, but before either of them could respond, the doors to the Headquarters opened again to admit Coatleque Crofte, two other Sworns in tow. “Why don’t you duck back into the office and come back looking a little less conspicuous,†he rumbled to the paladin under his breath.
“Too late,†Kokojo hummed as Ser Crofte approached, thankfully leaving the two other Sworns to wait by the entrance. Maybe this won’t go so bad after all.
"Ser Crofte," Broken Nose greeted the woman gruffly, his salute slow to come. He was doing his best to keep any hint of distaste from his tone.
There seemed an uneasiness that flitted about her countenance only for a moment, before the Sworn reciprocated the salute, following it up with a small bow. "Sergeant Nose." It was immediately followed by the Flame salute to the Lalafell next to him. "Apologies, I do not believe we have met." she said, addressing the corporal.
"Corporal Haruko Kokojo, ser. I believe you knew my former sergeant, back when he was with the regulars.†The Lalafell pushed herself off the wall she had been leaning on, returning the salute.
"I assume you got the report on your way over." Broken Nose's tone was casual, even as the Flame and Sworn exchanged formalities.
"Lady Coatleque Crofte of Her Resplendence's Royal Guard," the Sworn said with a bow before nodding back to the Roegadyn. "Aye, I have read the report of what happened. A firefight in the streets. I am here to evaluate the situation only."
"--Not to slit his throat, right?" interjected the Lalafell.
"If further action is required then we--" Ser Crofte stopped and looked at the corporal. "No. My office does not murder captives."
The Immortal Flame’s eyes narrowed at the emphasis. "So long as we're clear. Commander Swift was rather adamant: no repeats."
Broken Nose smacked his lips in distaste, knowing full well whom the corporal was speaking of. Even the Blades were aware of the execution that Mcbeef had carried out of the pirate prisoner. There were rumblings about whether it was hurried and why. Wasn’t that the start of it all?
The Sworn straightened herself before responding. "As I said, I am here to evaluate the situation. This is not, as of yet, a matter for the Sultansworn." The woman’s eyes strayed to the cloaked figure with an eyebrow arched in question as Deneith was wordlessly slipping away.
The corporal took that moment to move in front of the Sworn, gesturing and heading toward the gaol. "I'd rather not be here all night. Shall we?"
"Yes, please,†Crofte responded as she too turned her attention back to the matter at hand.
Broken Nose did not spare the cloaked figure a glance as he sharply turned and opened the doors to the gaol, leading the Flame and the Sworn inside. Kokojo only allowed him to guide them for a few steps, before impatiently darting ahead, peeking into each cell. “No...no…oh, shove off, you probably mugged a merchant…ah, here he is.â€
"Let's just say he hasn't been all that talkative so far,†the Hellsguard said as if that would explain the bruises and welts on the near emaciated Elezen. He crossed his arms again, leaning against the wall to allow for the other two to inspect the prisoner. Kokojo was already holding onto the bars to intently look over the bandit.
"When was this man last fed?" Crofte asked.
"Irrelevant." Lalafell reached one hand back behind her and snapped up at Broken Nose. "You recovered small-arms, yes?"
Broken Nose shrugged off the Sworn’s inquiry. He was starting to think that Crofte was not that different from Deneith. Soft. He wasn’t sure how he felt about that. "Feeding the prisoner is never our concern, ser." He nodded to the Lalafell. "Pistols. This one had a fancy one too."
"My men recovered a single rifle,†the corporal said without turning around. "I'll have it sent 'round to both your offices. The commander will need to sign off on that first once we've finished our own inspection."
"Firearms are not readily sold in Thanalan. I assume these were smuggled in from La Noscea?" The Sworn glanced between them.
The Blade sergeant nodded. "Looks like Limsan make, from the look of things."
Kokojo bit the inside of her cheek as she turned her head to look up at Crofte. "Does that mean anything to you? I'm at a loss."
Crofte crossed her arms but remained rather straight faced. "That remains to be seen." She moved forward to the cell to address the prisoner. "You there. Can you speak?"
"Piss off," came the rasp from the back of the cell. The Elezen raised his head; he was obviously in a weakened state, but his face still managed to conjure a scowl.
Broken Nose rolled his eyes. His men had gotten similar answers already of course, when they had first brought him into the gaols. The Elezen was not unlike the rest of the bandits he had come across, full of anger and never in any mood to cooperate. And this one seemed especially venomous. But his attention was soon pulled away from the exchange between the Sworn and the prisoner to the corporal, who approached him with a sadistic expression on her face.
“I need a spare bucket. And do you have a chocobo stable nearby?â€
The Roegadyn cocked a brow at her and thumbed toward the door where one hung on the wall. “Have at it. And the stable is a few paces to the right out of the building.†As he watched the corporal walk back out, he called out after her. “Ya need something corporal? I can get one of my men…â€
"No, no, I absolutely must do this myself. Be back shortly." The Lalafell hurried back down the corridor.
Broken Nose stared absently after the Lalafell. He shook his head, muttering a curse or four to Nymeia under his breath. He continued to listen to the volley of polite questions from the Sworn and the vitriolic responses from the bandit for a few more minutes. He spied Deneith entering the corridor in a Blades uniform, trying to be as unassuming as possible.
"Why not just leave me to die already, stupid bitch…or get…get on your knees and beg if you want me to tell you that badly." The Elezen coughed again, grinning slightly as the chains jingled.
Broken Nose tapped the keyring on his belt with a warning look. "Maybe won't be smiling with a few broken teeth?"
The prisoner ignored the thinly veiled threat. "The Hammerbeaks preyed on all of the poor in Pearl Lane. They ran rampant for several moons…and would you believe who came to help?" He coughed. "Would you…believe who gave a single toss about those jackals, or the people…the people they fed on? Why not tell me, you ignorant bint? I'm sure you already know the answer."
The Hellsguard scowled at the implication, giving the Blade by the door a pointed look. But then came the disgusted cries of a dozen Blades outside. Soon the door to the gaol swung open again, the corporal returning with a bucket held between her legs with both hands. It sloshed about with...something that made Deneith immediate step back with a hand covering her nose and mouth.
Kokojo grinned at Broken Nose. "Open it."
