Well, that part of the letter checked out - either by coincidence or by actual purpose. The letter had indeed said that its carrier would know nothing beyond the fact there was a payment to be made, but if she had read it she would've still known that fact. Still, the Cap'n wasn't surprised by this approach - he himself was familiar with the goings-on of Ul'dah and its law enforcement, after all, having hailed from there way back in the day - but it also allowed him to poke and prod some more for his own amusement. Try to see if there were further flaws in the Keeper's performance.
"Really? All of it? 'Sloppy' or not - a statement I'm still quite uncertain of - the letter itself states we were still able to achieve the goal," the Dunesfolk pressed, raising an eyebrows as he further crumpled the letter. "Which would mean that doing as you ask... nay, demand would leave your superiors with what they wanted, and us with nothing for our performance. A free show, as it were."
He leaned forward a bit more, his expression darkening somewhat.
"And, as you may recall, we are pirates; not a charity."
The pirate captain settled back in his seat again as the gloom in his expression faded away again. He folded his arms neatly across his chest as he tapped the booster box he sat on lightly with the heel of his boot, letting his reminder sink in a bit. His response to her sigh, however, was a simple shrug and spread of his hands, palms up in some semblance of maintaining peace, before returning them to their crossed position.
Cap'n Distractin's smile widened at bit more at her next words, though, despite what was said. Was this another subtle threat, a challenge perhaps? Was there to be a fight scene in this play after all? A grand clash in a tavern between his Rogers and her entourage? How exciting.
"It's not a matter of simply being unconcerned, my fiery little Kitten." He was actively rubbing that nickname in now, Kiht could be fairly certain. "If I spent all my time worrying about my enemies, I'd have none left at all for anything fun. Besides, it's fine enough to keep one's ear to the winds and listen for any whisperings that herald their arrival, don't you think? Plus, it trains one's ability to think on their feet. A most useful skill indeed."
He canted his own head in the opposite direction of the Keeper's, acting like some sort of twisted Lalafellan mirror in the motion.
"As for how many foes we could fight, that would be telling," he stated simply. "Rather than showing, and we both already know I prefer the latter of the two. Or perhaps you don't? After all, they told you so little. I mean, did they even bother to let you know the amount we were paid, or could I just give you a random sack of gil that seemed laden enough and you'd accept it?"
He paused for a beat.
"Of course, now that I said that, I suppose I could provide you with any amount and you'd still be left wondering if it was the right one," His expression turned thoughtful. "Quite the quandary indeed. Assuming I'd pay, of course; which I might not, being a pirate and all that. It would be bad form indeed to let the supposed 'law' shove us rambunctious rapscallions around, now wouldn't it?"
A hand lazily snaked up to adjust the little horned visor he wore to complement his audacious afro. It was supported by his other arm moving to cup his elbow, giving the pirate quite the thinking man's look. His fingers slowly traced along one of the horns as he continued.
"So, what's to happen, then? Will both our hidden players leap onto the stage and begin a grand performance that surpasses even the climax of our previous Act? I do so hate to kill my audience and fellow actors if I don't have to, but it would be in self-defense at this point, would it not?"
He paused in his ministrations.
"Or, you could stop your hissing and posturing, my little Kitten. It's adorable, really, but also becoming a bit grating. Especially for one in such a dubious position as yourself."
"Really? All of it? 'Sloppy' or not - a statement I'm still quite uncertain of - the letter itself states we were still able to achieve the goal," the Dunesfolk pressed, raising an eyebrows as he further crumpled the letter. "Which would mean that doing as you ask... nay, demand would leave your superiors with what they wanted, and us with nothing for our performance. A free show, as it were."
He leaned forward a bit more, his expression darkening somewhat.
"And, as you may recall, we are pirates; not a charity."
The pirate captain settled back in his seat again as the gloom in his expression faded away again. He folded his arms neatly across his chest as he tapped the booster box he sat on lightly with the heel of his boot, letting his reminder sink in a bit. His response to her sigh, however, was a simple shrug and spread of his hands, palms up in some semblance of maintaining peace, before returning them to their crossed position.
Cap'n Distractin's smile widened at bit more at her next words, though, despite what was said. Was this another subtle threat, a challenge perhaps? Was there to be a fight scene in this play after all? A grand clash in a tavern between his Rogers and her entourage? How exciting.
"It's not a matter of simply being unconcerned, my fiery little Kitten." He was actively rubbing that nickname in now, Kiht could be fairly certain. "If I spent all my time worrying about my enemies, I'd have none left at all for anything fun. Besides, it's fine enough to keep one's ear to the winds and listen for any whisperings that herald their arrival, don't you think? Plus, it trains one's ability to think on their feet. A most useful skill indeed."
He canted his own head in the opposite direction of the Keeper's, acting like some sort of twisted Lalafellan mirror in the motion.
"As for how many foes we could fight, that would be telling," he stated simply. "Rather than showing, and we both already know I prefer the latter of the two. Or perhaps you don't? After all, they told you so little. I mean, did they even bother to let you know the amount we were paid, or could I just give you a random sack of gil that seemed laden enough and you'd accept it?"
He paused for a beat.
"Of course, now that I said that, I suppose I could provide you with any amount and you'd still be left wondering if it was the right one," His expression turned thoughtful. "Quite the quandary indeed. Assuming I'd pay, of course; which I might not, being a pirate and all that. It would be bad form indeed to let the supposed 'law' shove us rambunctious rapscallions around, now wouldn't it?"
A hand lazily snaked up to adjust the little horned visor he wore to complement his audacious afro. It was supported by his other arm moving to cup his elbow, giving the pirate quite the thinking man's look. His fingers slowly traced along one of the horns as he continued.
"So, what's to happen, then? Will both our hidden players leap onto the stage and begin a grand performance that surpasses even the climax of our previous Act? I do so hate to kill my audience and fellow actors if I don't have to, but it would be in self-defense at this point, would it not?"
He paused in his ministrations.
"Or, you could stop your hissing and posturing, my little Kitten. It's adorable, really, but also becoming a bit grating. Especially for one in such a dubious position as yourself."
~