A Midnight Walk [[Now Open]]

[Yloise]

It was a dark night under a new moon. For those traveling through the streets of Ul'dah, one had to depend on the city torchlight to see through the midnight shadows. But one was comfortable, and yet able to see in the darkest areas. She was born in the dark, raised in the dark and was one of many who walked the streets without a need for caution. She enjoyed the warm breeze filtering in through the Gate of the Sultana, the arid fingers drawing moisture from her own skin.

 

She wiped her brow, the sweat from exertion mostly from her most recent prize. She holds up the metallic chalice pilfered from an alchemists table. It was quite intricate and the stones were common, but it was a test run for her new found occupation. She stuffed the reward into her pack and continued down Emerald Avenue towards Sapphire Avenue. As she walked she smiled and nodded to those who she passed briefly, not stopping to answer any questions or inquiry on her travel.

 

She glanced past the adventures guild, always a presence of news and tales from adventurers, but nothing of interest or anything she has not hear bragged of before from those she determined as only looking for attention to boost one's ego. She only recently gotten over the admiring of those who travel all over Eorzia.

 

The Elezen woman brushed back her raven locks of hair out of her face as she placed her goldsmiths glasses on. She takes one last glance around and puts her crafting gloves on as she steps forward into the Exchange, gliding past screaming merchants and oblivious crafters in the middle of the street. She danced out of the way of someone loosing a single Gil at her feet, while others scramble to scoop the fallen coin, a pickpockets common distraction while the partner brushes past to obtain one's Gil pouch. The Duskwight learned this all too quickly upon her second day in the city, loosing a good amount to these common thieves.

 

She was all too trusting to a city who was grabbing any lines of income to rebuild after the Calamity. That is when she realized the Eternal Flames will not focus their attention to a small time racket of pickpockets on their own streets.

 

With that in mind, she attempted to achieve a license and a stall to sell her crafted wares to those in the city, but without sufficient coin to finance all of those who stood in her path to achieving this, she was low on remaining funds, and close to being kicked out of the inn she currently stayed at while looking for a new home.

 

Upon arriving at her destination, she looked for her connection, a shady looking Hyur in a turban and a beard hiding any chance to see his mouth. She wondered how horrible it would be to have hair on ones face like that. She frowned in distaste, and beckoned the merchant out from behind his bench to come closer, she pulls the chalice from her bag and shows it to the man. They haggle for a time and then decides on a fair price, something below market for him, but enough cash for the efforts she used to obtain the item.

 

Siphoning the Gil from his hand into hers took some time, she smiled sweetly at him while he counted the coin into her waiting hand. Feeling better that the task was now over, she flipped her straight hair back over her shoulder and out of her gray porcelain skinned face.

 

“Good luck in getting rid of that junk.” She commented loudly to the merchant. “I do not understand why one would need a silver cup just to mix some awful potion.”

[Yloise]

Yloise awoke the next day after a good rest in a upscale inn. She was well rested and stretched a bit as she laid there under the rays of sun that were slowly creeping up from the foot of her bed. She began dressing, then upon hearing footsteps towards her door, she quickly finished getting dressed and went for the window, climbing down the stone and brick facade until she arrived on the ground floor.

 

Some shouting was heard within but Yloise grinned and casually walked away heading towards the adventurers guild. Even a stolen bed is still better than the alleyways of Ul'dah. She had tasks to do during her last few days in Ul'dah, retrieving supplies and mounts for travel for the group. She hated walking from one outpost to the next, so she began scalping junk items and trading up to get the things she needed, stealing chocobos from innocent folk who was not paying attention, and interfering with a fancy catered dinner where they served good wine, cheese and meats. She siphoned from the kitchen staff carrying trays out to the mingling area, dumping the contents into a well hidden pack while she smiled and almost got a chance to dance with one handsome Elezen man. Of course, she could not give her real name, so she made up a name, Gal Guerre. She respectively excused herself with a wink and preceded to pick up one more tray of hors d'oeuvres to stash away, along with its accompanied silver platter.

 

One last night. She thought to herself. She had planned to pilfer a bit more material goods to sell at the Exchange before she left the city with the mounts, but with her successes building up to a large noticeable number of mounts, and large bags, she decided to leave in the early evening to head out of town, after the children have gone to bed and most shops have closed.

 

Yet she was sidetracked by a overheard conversation in the adventurers guild, about a large unset garnet recently mined out of the desert. Currently held in a box in a traveler's room, supposedly not under any guard or constant view.

 

Her ego said she could do it, while her cautious self, said don't risk the chance. She debated internally about the idea she had to get inside the room, once located, but it was too early to enter without being noticed from the roof.

 

She moved to a spot across from the inn, and kept watch, making a mental note of the comings and goings of the temporary residents

[Yloise]

After watching and loitering for a few hours, Yloise decided tonight was the only opportunity for success. Too many folk entering and leaving to sneak through past the owners without being noticed during the early evening hours.

 

She had to wait for the owner of the stone to be asleep and then spiritedly enter without incident. Yloise borrowed a dirty, well worn robe from a vagrant, including the odorous smell to go along with it. She cringed but had no robe of her own to cover herself with in case she was spotted.

 

She climbed up the backside of the inn and checked each window for a occupant, and finally spotting her target sleeping inside, she crept into the room from the sil. Her foot falls muffled with her soft boots. She examined the room in the moonlight, only spotting some luggage at the foot of the bed, but she continued to look through the room to spot a small bag shoved under the side of the bed, barely covered by the blanket underneath the sleeping man.

 

Yloise paused to make sure the blanket was not caught on the bag. She reached for the bag, only to find a string of bells tinkling as she dragged the bag out. Alarmed, her heart leaps into her throat and her heart began to race, the dizziness she experienced only caused her to put the bag under her arm and crawled out the window as the man awoke. "Eh? Wha--?"

 

She only looked back briefly to smile as her bag was full of something, but she did not know what at this time. She scrambled for the roof and began her escape across the connected rooftops towards the Colosseum.

 

Adrenaline was giving her speed and agility, she ran across the roofs as nimbly as a doe being chased. She began to understand the feeling of alertness and giddiness she received.

 

Upon reaching the Colosseum, she stopped and discarded the robe, dropping it into a corner of where she climbed down. She faced a few curious onlookers and bowed to them as she walked off with her catch, towards the Gold Court, where she was to meet a buyer for the object.

 

Yloise was damp, sweating from the exhaustion, the adrenaline fading into a strange light headed feeling. Smiling she finally opened the sack to reveal the contents. Her prize, a large uncut garnet, a book with papers and writing utensils, and a wax seal kit. She was not intrigued by the stamp on the outside of the wax stamp box, nor did she understand the heraldry of the world to notice it was the stamp of Ishgard.

[Tobias Nightbringer]

A Hyur sits inside of an adjacent room next to the man with the bag. There was supposed to be no guards around and by all rights there were none, at least none that were seen by the masses. For whatever reasons unknown to the Midlander, his employers instruct him to stay inconspicuous during the course of the contract. So, he blends in with the rest of the Eorzean denizens, that much was easy enough to do. Being only able to leave the inn if his charge left, however, was another thing entirely. Just as easily as he blends in, he blends 'out' unnoticed, so to speak. He would be away from the inn for a few hours. Perhaps more if the mood strikes him. He figures that nothing could possibly go wrong as he leaves the building. Hindsight serves to be quite the bitch in the most inopportune time.

 

        Thoughts of a boring night and easy contract fulfilled flits away with the appearance of what looks to be a woman who makes a hasty exit from the window in the room where his charge undoubtedly stays in. An exasperated but quiet groan escapes from the man's throat as he pinches the bridge of his nose as his head lowers and eyes squeeze shut. If he did that in hopes of waking from a bad dream, he would be sorely mistaken as he awakens to watch the shadowy figure dart from rooftop to rooftop.

 

        He tracks her as best as he can. The fact that the moonlight and what few lamp posts there are that provide the only source of light makes it hard as Thal's balls to effectively see where the burglar was going and what they look like.

 

        One small reprieve was the familiarity he has with the layout of Ul'dah. He would catch mere glimpses of the darting shadow, though from those few moments he takes note of lissom movements made by whoever he was chasing. His own quick steps dampen in sound due to the way his feet touches the ground beneath him, the silenced movements as if second nature. He wants to make this chase as one-sided as possible in his favor, hoping that the person bounding on the rooftops would not realize they had a tail.

 

        Unfortunately, he loses his target. Fortunately, he figures that from the few times he sees the ghost, they look to head towards the Coliseum. Unfortunately, again, even if the person did enter the Coliseum, he has no idea how much time passed between their arrival and his own. They could easily have been done and gone already. The Hyur pinches the bridge of his nose again as his eyes close a little more gently this time; a tiny inkling of hope that this could still be a bad dream. He barely gives a glance to a discarded robe he passes by, still searching but also now just slightly wandering aimlessly. If there was another fortunate moment to be had, he figures it would most definitely have to be something that he could use to pick up the trail again.

[Yloise]

Yloise was beginning to shake due to the stamina used in her escape. She pulled out a small potion bottle and drank from it, and tossing the bottle to smash into the cobblestones. She reaches over to close the bag and sets herself back to walking to the Exchange.

 

She did not think anyone had the skill to follow her, nor did she hear anyone behind her. So she was confident that she was scott free. Brushing her long hair over a shoulder she grinned and strode confidently towards the marketplace where she decided upon polishing and shaping the stone and sell it rather than using it and setting it in a choker or bracelet.

 

A bracelet would be too noticeable and large for a stone of this size, a pendant might do, but she decided against giving her mark of craftsmanship on a hot item. As she walked, her mind began to wander off onto which way she should cut the large garnet, "Pear would be too wasteful, Brilliant would be to obvious, and Trillion cut would look like I am trying too hard..."

 

She taps her chin in thought as she continued past the Gold Court, on her way to Pearl Lane.

[Tobias Nightbringer]

The Coliseum was a bust. Either no one saw anything of out of the ordinary or were to shy or nervous to say much. Or perhaps his being able to describe whoever he was following was a bit lacking since he was not able to get a good look other than assuming it was a female. Regardless of the reasons, the Hyur was back to square one. Snapping out of his slight aimless wander he was in a moment ago, he has to figure out something quick before anymore time was lost. His eyes close in silent contemplation to devise the next step.

 

        It did not take long before the cognitive process gives him two options. Up to Husting's Strip or the Gold Court. Fifty-fifty chance. Either he stays just barely on the right path, albeit still not knowing who to look for either, or lose them completely. There was no time to think anymore about the probabilities or factor in anything, though what little there was to factor in. So he went with his gut feeling--and dashes to the Gold Court.

 

        The Gold Court was a bust, much like the Coliseum. He turns sharply on his heels as to quickly take a scan of the area. His breath was slow and heavy, a concentrated look tightening over the muscles in his face. His eyes were observant, alert, a man searching for something quite evident in movement, stance, and posture. His head on a swivel as he begins to quickly process and contemplate.

 

        'Five paths, minus the one, that leaves four. It would make little sense to go down the lower path unless they were going to the Goldsmiths' or Miners' Guild. No, that still makes no sense, if they wanted to go to either of those places, why would they go through the Gold Court? Would take too much time. They would have went through the path with Eshtaime's Aesthetics, be a bit faster despite the slight twist and turn. Alright, two paths down, leaves three. Thal's balls.'

 

        The man stands in the Gold Court by the seating area with the water falling.  Eyes sweep between each path that he can take. There were few at the Gold Court at the time of his entrance, though none that seems to worth asking questions in his search.

[Yloise]

As Yloise walked, she pulled out her goldsmiths hammer and began to play with it in her hands. It was a bad habit, she always needed something to do with them. She continued thinking aloud, "I think Asscher is the way to go!" She laughed at her own answer and decided that for the size of the stone, the best cut was her family's trademark cut for only the largest gemstones.

 

She passed through and into the Gold Court, smiling and playing with her hammer, taking her time to show up at the Exchange as not to raise any suspicion about her latest catch.

 

She greets and nods to those she passes, but does not stop her casual stride towards her goal. In her mind she is already calculating the angles of each cut, for the best brilliance, and preparing for any flaws that might happen upon her prize.

[Tobias Nightbringer]

The words, "I think Asscher is the way to go!" echo off of the walls faintly inside of the Gold Court along with the laughter that follows. It was loud enough, however, for a particular Hyur to catch wind of it. There was nothing solid to go on, just words. Although, if this slight glimmer of hope in the form of spoken words from an Elezen woman turn into a miracle seemingly blessed by the Twelve, it might have made the man seriously reposition his feelings about piety regardless of his current stance towards the pantheons.

 

        The first thing he would take note of was the goldsmiths hammer. Then, he studies Yloise's action and demeanor while she greets the few people that linger around the Gold Court as she walks through, however any suspicion that he holds in his gaze is masked as he makes quiet strides to approach the woman and makes sure each step lacked an urgency that belies his true goals. Just in case.

 

        She seems lost in her own thoughts as she makes her way towards wherever her destination is. Hopefully, because of this he was able to 'saddle up' alongside her without her noticing a man approach from the side.

 

        Regardless if she catches sight of a Midlander with raven hair that matches her own stroll casually in her general direction, or if she would be caught off guard, he would ask with an inflection of innocent curiosity, "Perhaps the Marquise cut would best suit your elegance instead?". Thus the game begins. Or at least he hopes so.

[Yloise]

Yloise sees the Midlander approach before he spoke, but she puts away her twirling hammer and listens to his introductory question, “Perhaps the Marquise cut would best suit your elegance instead?” He asks Yloise.

 

Yloise stops her walk, she smiles at him, and responds, “Well, I am not thinking of myself. Actually I was thinking of a design for a customer of mine.” She pauses and holds out her hand for a shake, “My name is Yloise, a Goldsmith by trade, and you are?”

 

She gives the Hyur a once over, assessing any dangers. Yloise was on alert, but there were no clues left behind she thought that could link her to anything criminal. She was confident that her task was over, and all that was left is to transform the garnet, and sell it off.

 

While the Hyur responds to her introduction, she also takes a glance around the Gold Court, looking for any guards or perhaps conspirators that might turn this into a ambush. The thought of that put Yloise into nervous mode, she sweeps her hair over a shoulder and adjusts her spectacles on her face with her free hand.

[Tobias Nightbringer]

The Hyur responds to the gesture of her hand shake by reaching his hand out in return and takes it in a firm, but non-aggressive manner. A light dusting of Thanalan sands layer the fingerless gloves that cover his hands. He would give her hand a quick, tight squeeze, but not so hard it would cause any sort of discomfort or pain as he briefly shook it.

 

        "I apologize, manners seem to elude me in my current state," he barely tilts his head downwards, while keeping his eyes on her, as if requesting her forgiveness, "Tobias. A Jack by all Trades. From furrowing the fields to guarding the Sultana...that is if the opportunity ever arose." he states with a small smile gracing his lips. The surprisingly silken feel of his fingertips slip from her hand after he is done introducing himself.

 

        Yloise was able to discern from her once over that Tobias was obviously a Hyur from the Midlands with sharp facial features. He was of average height, about five fulms and six or seven ilms. His hair matches her own raven color, perhaps even darker so in some parts. He was of light complexion that was barely touched by the kiss of Thanalan's sun. Tobias' lips were full and defined with shiny, wet eyes that seem to hold a kind of contrast in color. They were symmetrical in hues, but there seems to be a lightening and darkening in the dark charcoal pools; however he stood too far and at an angle to really see the finer details. Any impression of his build other than perhaps being slightly slender due to his pronounced collarbones would be hidden by what he wears save for the toned definition that runs along the length of his arms. Perhaps the best way to describe Tobias within a single word is lusty.

 

        Tobias inspects her with another casual sweep of her form, much like her once over on him. Her words had no inflection of someone trying to hide anything. Or at the very least, one that he could not discern if she were. However, he does take note of her hair sweep and adjustment of spectacles, though that alone does not mean anything. That is when he fires another question.

 

        "You are a Goldsmith, you say? Is there a particular type of stone you enjoy working with the most?"

[Yloise]

Yloise is intrigued by this Hyur, the shake was firm and confident. She very taken back by his gaze upon her. Yloise appears as a Elezen woman with light ash grey skin. She stands tall at seventy-eight ilms, and has a lean build with toned, but minimal muscle showing. Her hair is long and black, in certain lights you can tell there is a dark grey mixed into it. She has a knack to wear dressy and feminine outfits and even tho Ul'dah is dusty, she prefers to stay clean, if it is just wiping herself off with a lacy handkerchief. She wears classic flat black ear clasps on each of her ears. Her age is undetermined by looking at her, her skin is smooth and flawless. Her facial features are angled, but not pointed, but rather rounded off. Her ears stand at a good ninety degree angle from her head and are quite long for a Elezen.

 

Dressed currently in a goldsmiths uniform, and wearing a shoulder bag along with her smithing hammer hooked on her belt. She snaps back to the present with a blushing smile, "Why yes, I am a Goldsmith. Stones? Oh my so intriguing of a question. I do prefer to work with precious stone above all gemstones. If I would have to pick a absolute favorite, it would be the opal. Opaque, cloudy, and full of color as you look into the depths of it. It can be shaped in many ways, and each will catch the lights differently, so it is quite difficult to choose which cut for a opal is best besides Cabochon. But that is a novices way of cutting corners, as to speak." She giggles huskily on her own pun. She did not mind if the Hyur got her joke or not.

 

Again she moves her hand to pull her hair out of her face and back over her shoulder as she looks down on the confident man talking to her.

[Tobias Nightbringer]

Tobias would seem just as intrigued by Yloise as she found him, albeit perhaps for more than just physical reasons. He still had to figure out if she was involved with the theft, but the Hyur did take notice of her youthful features. He takes a moment to silently admire her sylphlike build and smooth unmarred skin. Despite her prettiness and qualities, what took his attention most was the shoulder bag.

 

        After Tobias' once over of the woman, he kept his gaze on her eyes to catch any reflection of something that might give her away of being the culprit, though, every so often he would take a quick glance down at her lips, especially when that blushing smile of hers came.

 

        "But that is a novices way of cutting corners, as to speak." Yloise said with a giggle. Her joke was not lost on Tobias, with a smile and half-chuckle that displaces an air of amiableness about him. Despite near obsidian colored eyes, they shine with presence and curiosity.

 

        "Opal? An interesting choice. A ranged stone in terms of quality, color, and pattern," he gives pause to fold his arms over his chest with a tilt of his head as if musing over a thought while his eyes sweep over her again, "adorned with an opal, teardrop cut, that holds the reflection of various facets of green would be quite a...dazzling sight." Tobias' eyes lock back onto Yloise after he states his opinion. He then speaks more an audible statement to himself than an actual question, "The only question is, where I would place it on you..." Another wisp of a smile that could not be seen as flirty but also more than just a friendly gesture. His posture still erect and his form entirely at ease.

 

        Tobias gives a casual shrug to his own thoughts before the next bit of 'push' towards his investigation, "The play of colors is what I find most intriguing. Quite the gem, the opal. It can," his eyes faintly and only momentarily squint as he peers at her, "hide qualities that people may never...suspect. Aye?"

[Yloise]

Yloise was intrigued by the Hyur conversation. She did not recognize him from Goldsmiths guild, but there were many who attended which she has not met yet.

 

Confidently, she answered his comment, "Opals are quite lovely and mysterious," she smiled through her answer, "Like myself, I am rather a complicated woman, and do not give things away too easily." She leans forward and downward a bit to reply almost in a whisper, distracting him with her ample form, her Midnight dyed Goldsmiths uniform that shows much of her shoulders and cleavage on top, and her thighs between her stockings and her matching shorts.

 

Just to emphasize her distraction, she jiggles a bit, to see if he is entertained by the show. As she does her dance, the shoulder bag tumbles off her shoulder and hits the ground with a loud thud.

 

Yloise cringes and reaches down to grab the strap for her bag, only to hear the loud clattering of the uncut Garnet tumble out from the sack and onto the street at Tobias' feet. She laughs nervously as she tries to recover from her clumsy mistake.

[Tobias Nightbringer]

Tobias lofts high a straight, shaped brow as Yloise as she responds to him. If anyone that Tobias met would wonder if the Hyur was a pious man or one that would abstain from the sins of the flesh, their question would be answered without doubt as Yloise displays her feminine wiles.

 

        Tobias watches intently at her as she begins to act in not so much a coy manner, but very alluring all the same. Her words are met with eyes that stare at her lips before he drinks in the sight of her ample figure. He could not just let her get away with her teasing unchallenged. While eyes linger upon her cleavage, Tobias catches the left 'corner' of his filled and smooth bottom lip as a timid grin plays over lightly bitten lips. His eyes pull slowly back up to gaze at her, and that timid grin belies the mischievous nature that sparks in his eyes.

 

        Oh Tobias did enjoy this show Yloise presents to him. He was not so foolish, or rather perhaps unabashed, to cast away a woman's show of confidence and self-assurance. Despite her brazen and cheeky, however, he kept alert of his surroundings and anything else for that matter. Ironically, that 'anything else' came in the form of a loud thud.

 

        Then from that thud, even more so ironic, is a revelation that the Elezen woman might have been trying to hide. Hence why she may have acted the way she did. Best laid plans of mice and men. Regardless as to the 'why', it matters little now as the cat was out of the bag--literally. Save for the cat was a garnet instead.

 

        "Opals are quite lovely and mysterious indeed," he speaks with a widening grin, almost teasing in manner and inflection, "though, it seems you have given away a bit much and a bit too easily. Or is this part of your complicated nature?" He then watches her, but yet does not bend down to pick up the garnet quite yet. Any hint of lust, intrigue, or attraction in his eyes entirely gone as he focuses now on the task at hand. Tobias was indeed a confident man, usually always is, but right now, he especially has every reason to be.

[Yloise]

Without blinking and keeping eyes directly trained on Tobias, Yloise scooped up the dropped stone and scooped it up so quickly it was almost a slight of hand trick. She felt the weight heavy in the palm of her hand, she apologized, “I am so sorry. I must have been too distracted with myself rather to catch what I dropped. If I knew you were a true gentleman, you would not have hesitated to pick up a dropped item for me.”

 

She tucked the rough looking crystalline orb with bits of stone remaining intact, it did not seem special to anyone passing by, but only a trained Gemologist would have noticed it was rather a rough but large Garnet.

 

“As for my complicated nature, I would agree, I tend to boast about myself when tantalizing someones eyes with my assets. Which you clearly enjoy.” She lets out a high pitched sigh when she saw the emotion leave his eyes, a bit disappointed in the dance ending so soon. She was not completely sure if this man was just a curious passer-by or if he was hired to retrieve the stone. Either way, she was not going to give her trophy up before being able to manipulate the stone to her liking.

 

She had to find a excuse, or a escape soon, before others started paying attention to the conversation ahead. Her eyes darted to each of the directions exiting the Gold Court, playing in her mind scenarios of possible events that could occur. She had to stop thinking too deeply, her brow became wrinkled with worry as she did so. A light perspiration began to form, and her pulse began to race again. She was a bit sore from the exit performance earlier, but she could attempt another one with some slight troubles. Still holding the garnet in hand, she began shifting it from left to right, right to left, in a small juggling fashion, watching his eyes for the answer.

 

"But have I given away too much, or not enough, may I ask?" Yloise gave her most confident smile, then it faded into a lower lip biting in a playful fashion, she knew having him off balance even a slight bit might allow her time to escape.

[Tobias Nightbringer]

To some small chagrin, when Tobias allows the garnet to stay on the ground, he would have a moment of regret for letting it linger there a second too long. Yloise quickly capitalizes on his inaction and snatches up the rough, uncut gem back into her possession. It was a minor setback, though, as now more than ever, the evidence implicates directly towards her being the culprit on the roofs. He still was not entirely sure how he felt about this sudden revelation.

 

        Though he was no trained Gemologist, Tobias was at least familiar with the sight of what an uncut garnet looks like due to one of his vast repertoire of odd jobs; let alone the fact that he had already seen what it looks like when it was shown to him at the beginning of his contract. Perhaps he too was a bit disappointed that everything had come to an abrupt halt due to her jostling, which causes her shoulder bag to fall off. Though, there would be no inclination of a disappointed expression on his features if there was one. Orders were orders, and retrieving everything that might have been stolen was to take priority; regardless of how tempting it was to follow a more decadent path were it to present itself.

 

        Her eyes that dart rapidly here and there, brows that knit together in worry and contemplation, the thin layer of sweat that begins to appear, all tell-tale sign of a person guilty of something. That 'something' Tobias already knew, unless she was guilty of something else entirely, which he doubts is the case. He can already tell that her eyes dart to search each possible exit and escape route. After all, it was something he did previously, trying to think and predict a path of where she would have attempted to escape before she had most graciously presented herself again and had made his task that much easier.

        

        Unfortunately for Yloise, Tobias still gives no inclination of his true goals to her, or at least none is given through reflections of dark, calm eyes. On the other hand, he would at least allude towards his true intentions of what he desires by a cooing of a deep dulcet tone that seems to be accentuated by a rumble that can be described as a throaty 'purr'.

 

        "A gentleman I have not been known to be in certain aspects. Can I be blamed with such...titillating performance?" despite how focused he seems to be on getting back what was taken, Tobias could not help but continue their little 'game' of cat and mouse, "Which I did so enjoy as you have rightly observed. But I wonder, had you still of done it, even if you did not take some form of enjoyment from it? But despite how much I admire your assets, I most certainly did not fail to notice your belongings falling about. With something of interest that caught my eye."

 

        Despite Yloise's hope, Tobias would stay very even and balanced in footing and center of attention. In response to her most confident smile she can muster along with the playful lip bite, Tobias knows he has to act very soon before she does; accordingly, Tobias moves in closer towards Yloise. He closes the gap between the two until they are barely ilms away from each other. "I believe you have given me enough to keep me sated. Not too much, nor too little. Just right." He looks up at her and adds in that velvety tone that is distinctly his, "And though I can think of far more enjoyable ways to make you perspire," he beams with poise and assertion while he continues, "I suppose this will have to do for now, aye?"

 

        Or, if she were to take flight from his approach, he is also prepared to follow suit. If she wants to give chase, he would gladly satisfy her. Anything more, however, would be up for negotiations at a later time. Whatever the case may be, he stays focused with a singular task: retrieve the stolen items.

[Yloise]

Yloise immediately stopped her juggling game and gave Tobias a deadpanned look as he got extremely close. She was not uncomfortable, but yet highly aware of him being so intimately close and questioning her. She was at a loss for words. She was very certain that she was not followed, but yet, this man found her and she believed he was after the garnet as well.

 

She decided against fleeing. He was so close she could not get a good sucker punch before she was apprehended, nor able to distract him away from her with her words. Upon that thought, her face fell in disappointment. She knew she was not able to wiggle her way out of this situation. She looked down at the stone in her open hands and froze for a moment.

 

Every ilm of her being wanted to strike at him and run, flee and survive. She did enjoy the small amount of conversation that did go along with it, even as coy and full of confidence on his part. But she did not wish him to know this, after all he has her practically cornered, in the round room of the Gold Court.

 

The only option was to negotiate, and perhaps retain some amount of freedom. The prisons of Ul'dah were not pleasant at all, and she highly anticipated any deals not to go there. Looking defeated, and not lifting her eyes at all, she raised the stone in her hands in offering of peace to Tobias without a word. She had hoped that this might be the end of it, but on holding her breath in anticipation, she was a coward and would not fight and get away.

 

She waited for a response, gave a moment and looked up from her treasured item, and into those dark eyes of his, even if they were not at the same height The moments now seemed to go by slowly, the passers by would only see two people conversing and not notice anything out of the ordinary for Ul'dah going on.

[Nirri]

The noise of chainmail emits from one of the corridors leading in and from the Golden Court. Three individuals stepping into golden court with far to much noise either drunk or just loud in general - the center piece of the attention being a Miqo'te Seeker clad in the uniform of the Sultansworn most likely having just received it by the sounds of what his two female companions were giggling about. 

 

"Oh. Land, tell us about the stories." one of them would say as her arm entangles his, even though any man would be amused or rather happy with the company of a female Miqo'te hanging at every word of his lips the Sultansworn seemed less then pleased almost frustrated as he shakes his head swiftly. "Ladies, neither am I a Nunh and I'm far from interested in the likes of you two." he'd respond with a rather commanding voice forcing him arm out of her grasp and makes some shoo-ish gestures as one does with a stalking pet without trying to piss it off to much.

 

A slap following almost immediately after his gestures. The two female companions hissing viciously at the Sultansworn Miqo'te before storming off most likely to find themselves a more willing victim to their need for attention and money. Completely unaware of Tobias and Yloise's affairs or even knowing of their presence he moves over to the fountain and dips his hands into it and splashes some of the water upon his neck and face.

[Tobias Nightbringer]

Twelve be damned.

 

        Tobias tightens the muscles of his jaw with a slight grind of his teeth at the sound of another that enters the Gold Court. Unlike the Miqo'te, that enters, Tobias was very much alert to his surroundings despite having his eyes on Yloise. 

 

        Tobias means no ill-will towards the new-comer, unless the new-comer meant him harm, which was obviously not the case. However, despite his belief that whoever was there was not a threat, he no longer has the luxury of taking chances. For one, the Miqo'te was out of his peripheral vision. Secondly, Tobias knows that if given the chance, Yloise would be half way across Thanalan if he were to dare peek over his shoulder. So now, the Hyur's hand was ever so slightly forced.

 

        Tobias keeps his center of his attention on Yloise's eyes the entire length of her staring at the gem before gazing into his stare. He does not lose peripheral sight of the gem, noting both of her hands holding out the prize she so fairly stole. The seconds that pass seem agonizingly long, but in his mind, thoughts process near instantly.

 

        Unknown by the fountain. Splashing? Splashing. Not far but enough to cause no concern. Unless she strikes. She can still strike during attempts to lay hands. It would land flush lest I block and evade, that leaves the gem exposed and vulnerable for her to take. The unknown could move in. Ignore them. She runs, I give chase. Handle them. She runs, I still give chase. Lest I...Twelve.

 

        Tobias first slides his right foot back to prepare to fall into a defensive stance if need be but makes little other movement save for his rising hand now. The right hand raises cautiously and slowly, until finally the tips of his fingers touch not upon the garnet, but instead cups and conforms to the curve of her hands as she cradles the precious gem. His touch as soft as the skin of his fingertips that splay over both of her hands, obviously a contrast to someone who was aiming to apprehend a criminal. For now. Then, just as carefully, he brings up his left hand to place upon the top of the gem this time. His piercing stare never loses sight of her gaze all the while.

 

        During the entire process that might seem like some kind of ritual to any passerby, Tobias hopes that she would not be so bold to interrupt his movements until his hands rest where they need to be. If everything went without a hitch, he would then issue orders for her to follow in a tone that was commanding yet surprisingly mellow.

 

        "Slip your hands from mine. Slowly. Then step away and retrieve your bag. Please." As he speaks, he delicately thumbs the top of her hand, yet the focus in dark eyes still evident to the task at hand.

[Yloise]

Yloise's face brightened into a wicked grin upon hearing a loud slap from a passerby. She dared not to look but it did give her thoughts of a way out of this predicament. After hearing the Hyur's polite command, she looked over her shoulder at the Sultansworn. Her grip tightened but did not allow him to just take the stone from her now.

 

“Now why would I give up my stone to someone who looks like a commoner? You might be another thief trying to mug me.” Her voice started low and husky and as she finished her comment, she increased the volume of her voice to include anyone overhearing to hear the key words.

 

“Perhaps you should step away now, and let me be, or I will bring the guards down on you.” She watched Tobias with a winning smile. She knew she had an advantage now and did not wish to waste it. “Or maybe I should ask that Miqo'te to help me?” Yloise tilts her head in Landrenel's direction.

 

Yloise does not flinch, or give a inch to Tobias. This is now a fight that she possibly could win and get away. Her confidence returns with gusto, her eyes and smile stare at Tobias own deep eyes looking for answers.

[Tobias Nightbringer]

Through Yloise's words, Tobias discovers just who that person is. He was no accomplice of the Elezen woman, or someone that is going to aid her. At least not yet. It was merely a guard. Then, the unlikely, though not entirely unexpected path once he figures out the newcomer, is taken by the Elezen woman.

 

She is really playing that card?

 

        Ironically, this can turn very badly for her. In fact, he was about to give her an incredulous look as if saying, "Are you daft!?" or some other disbelieving look. Yet, he remains visibly unchanged. His gaze still even. His face placid without a hint of a grimace or a glare. Even his hands are unwavering, still

 

   "Takes a thief to know a thief, Lady Yloise." he is perhaps even more soft and bed-husky than hers if not at the very least throaty, yet not rasping either.

 

        Despite her renewed confidence and borderline arrogance, Tobias makes no change in his behavior. His own self-assurance was still displaced, but his eyes held something else. A seriousness perhaps? Or a sternness? One that was perceptive could tell it was more than either of those, but instead a hidden knowledge that also comes with a warning for her to take a moment to carefully think about the plan she was trying to devise.

 

   "If you beckon, no doubt they will come. Will you be certain that the guards do not fall upon you in my stead?" he still is even in timber, dulcet in tone. The volume of his words a stark contrast to her boisterous claim, instead still gentle as they were when he first gave her those polite orders.

 

        Maybe she would have acted differently if he were to tell her that he had no intentions to have her see the bars of Ul'dah's prison. After all, a desert rose should never be kept from the sun, but this may no longer be the case if the Miqo'te hears Yloise. Perhaps the Sultansworn would be entranced by her ample features and loveliness unlike when he was with whoever he was with earlier and thus, play into her hands. Perhaps he will just be stupid or foolish enough to believe whatever lie she spins. Or perhaps, she will just be masterful enough to finally escape with her prize intact. If Landrenel does

hear Yloise, then whatever happens will potentially be out of Tobias' hands.

[Nirri]

The Sultansword tilts his head abit as the water drips down from his neck onto the cold stone of the Golden Court floor. The only indication he had even heard anything of Yloise's words was his ears perched abit upwards - only after a few moments he'd straighten himself out and started moving in the direction of Tobias and Yloise. On closer inspection the only piece of his attire that resembled the Sultansword was his tunic, the rest of it just bits and pieces that looked worn by time and travel.

 

"Evening, are you two alright?" he'd ask them.

 

A certain elegance and care within the tone of his voice, as if he had no problem sounding as genuine as he did. With a light bend of his upper body he offered both of the individuals a bow in a way of greeting them with more then words. Two golden cross earings swinging at as they hung from his ears, reflecting a certain kind of wealth.

[Yloise]

Yloise was glad to have another attention upon her. She closed her hands around the gemstone and pulled it back towards her, out of Tobias' grip. She turned her head and smiled at the approaching Miqo'te. “Good evening to you, sir. Yes, it was just a small question of haggling, this man does not like what my sell price is. My fees for selling such a valuable item was above what he was willing to pay right now. I was hoping to get out of here without any delays but he seems to be angry at me for not complying with his idea of a payment.”

 

She reaches down, bending at the waist to snatch up the discarded satchel and puts the gemstone away back inside as she lifts it onto her shoulder, she takes a step away from Tobias' reach, and a step closer to the other gentleman.

 

“My services are not free, I do work for a living. But I am not newly born to fall for someone trying to scam me out of a day's hard work!” She stamps her foot in anger, she gives a disapproving glance over her shoulder at Tobias.

 

 

“Oh my manners, please forgive me, I am Yloise Dolet, a traveling Goldsmith and Miner. Please to make your acquaintance mister...?” Yloise trails off her question, looking at Landrenel's face with a smile.

[Tobias Nightbringer]

Tobias makes no pull of protest or gives a look of disdain while Yloise speaks to the Sultansworn or puts the gem back into her shoulder bag. He remains silent and unmoved as she makes her little play. The only reaction Yloise would get from Tobias was when he briefly flashes a miniscule hint of a smile as she disapprovingly glances over at him. Perhaps the smile was meant for her, knowing what she was up to. Perhaps the smile was meant for himself, knowing that he could enjoy her 'company' of sorts as their game of cat and mouse could prolong a little more.

 

        Whatever the reason may be, Tobias made no attempts to outright destroy the facade. Logically, he knew what he has to do. What he should do. His mind insists he was still on duty or contract, which he acknowledges to himself full well. Despite the intelligence that protests him to do otherwise, pleasure prioritizes over business.

 

        Before the Miqo'te can answer and respond to that sweet smile the Elezen had, Tobias retorts quite coolly, "The only scam here would be to pay such an outrageous price for such a flawed gem, why," a pause of a breath so he can scoff incredulously, "the Wildwoods dig up better baubles by kicking the dirts of Gridania than what you have to offer in your so called 'hard days' work. A traveling Goldsmith and Miner indeed--for you have yet to find any that does not see the folly of your goods!" With that, Tobias revels in their sparring of words. He can only wonder at this point, if Landrenel would play into Yloise's words and ploy.

[Nirri]

At the mentioning of the fact she was one of the many goldsmith's within the city. Traveling or not, the light smile fades back into a faint grimace. "No suprise then. You goldsmith's always overprice.", he'd say with a sort of disapproving tone within his voice. His posture relaxing somewhat as the scene seemed less trouble then predicted at first.

 

"Look. If she isn't offering you a fair price go find some other goldsmith. There's always one with a lower price."