Night at the Quicksand [Open, OOC OK]

[Aya]

Aya moves slowly toward the bar, carrying herself with a hint of natural grace disturbed only momentarily by a careless bump-of-the-hip against a patron's table.  She examines the customers sitting along the bar with a mixture of caution and curiosity in her eyes, and a lip curled into a subtle bite along the edge of her mouth.

 

She notices the Miqo'te approaching her at nearly the last moment.  She turns her head quickly, flashing a broad smile toward the welcome sight of a friendly person.  She opens her mouth as if to offer greeting only to stop for a moment at the question, the expression on her face looking a little more confused.  "Hmmm? Mind if you what?"  Her words carry the air of an Ishgardian accent

[111]

"Sorry to intrude but it's just..." she reaches over as if to caress the woman's hair, but she stops short, pulling back and extracting a long stalk of dry grass, "Wouldn't want you going around all night with this in there" she says with a wry smile. She examines Aya's clothes, "Just got off the road? If you're alone why don't you join us at the bar" she raises her voice so kage can hear, "Kage would be happy to buy you a drink". She winks at Aya and looks to Kage, waiting to see his response.

[Aya]

Aya lets out a little sound of surprise as the Miqo'te reaches into her hair, but it is the flush of embarrassment that takes over as she realizes what she is doing.  "I.. uh, thank you.  Yes, I've just come in from the road." 

 

She blinks a few times, glancing over toward Kage, toward whom the Miqo'te is looking, and regains her composed smile.  "That sounds like just what I'd like to do tonight."

[Kage]

Kage raised his head and saw the other woman that Natalie went to speak to and glanced at the female Roegadyn who had burst through the doors. At Natalie's suggestion he rolled his eyes and nodded. He nodded to the female she was with and grabbed another tankard of ale to give her. He set it on the counter and gave Kakaru a small smile.

 

"I... honestly don't have much knowledge of what you're speaking of... but great things don't come to folk who do small things."

[Deleted]

Kakaru wore a faint frown as both Natalie and Kage didn't seem to understand his ambition for the moment. He softly sighed and took a mild sip as his eyes wandered off to watch over Natalie and her antics with the women with the odd attire then over to the Roegadyn who looked even more intimidating then the normal giants.

 

"...Well, at the very least that you did not mock me like my clan had done." He pointed out as he gave a melancholy smile. "More or less... If I could combine elements together... it can do a lot of wonderful things. Imagine if I could combine a fire and water crystal into a new form, in theory, it could create steam which could be used to power machinery. A sprite's core has even more lasting energy if I manage to use those." He attempted to explain as he scratched the back of his neck.

 

"It is still a far off goal, but it does it's job by inspiring me into taking in more knowledge, right?" He chuckled, his mood brightening up once more as he polished off the rest of his tea. "It seems like a party is about to start if the crowd keeps building."

[111]

"Kakaru, Every day is a party with us" Natalie says grinning, with Aya in tow. She hands Aya a cold tankard of ale, "Courtesy of the gentleman..." she says, gesturing toward kage. "I am Natalie..." she says with a slight bow as she picks up her own tankard. "This paladin in training is Kage, and that excitingly haired fellow is Kakaru". "Kage, Kakaru, please meet..." she pauses, blushing slightly. "I haven't gotten your name yet have I..?" she says with a nervous laugh.

[Aya]

 

The tall Hyur girl follows behind Natalie, with the excitement of meeting some new people returning energy to her step.  She greets Kage and Kakaru with a smile as she cocks her hips and rests her hand.  "I am Aya," she answers in a clear Ishgardian accent, "and I am sure happy to meet you.  I have rarely been to Ul'dah, and all I hoped was to find some friendly faces.  It seems to be my lucky night!" 

 

As Natalie offers the mug she grasps it with her right hand, turning a playful and amused smile toward the Miqo'te.  Never one to turn down a treat so delectable as a free ale she lifts it to her lips and takes a drink.  "Mmmm... Refreshing!  Perfect!"  Glancing toward the Lalafel with a tilt of her head she nods, "Thank you Kage!"

[Kage]

Kage nodded at Natalie's words. Ever since he had started to become more outspoken with the group, they had always been having great amounts of fun. He extended a hand towards Aya and said, "Pleasure to meet you!"

 

He took one of the remaining tankards of ale and started to take a long swig. He grinned and asked, "What brings you to Ul'dah?"

[Deleted]

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x73/Cocothe1st/5567de04-454c-4d7c-9e44-e0c75fe4f348.png[/img]

 

"Kakaru Icha'Karu, and it's a pleasure to meet you as well!" He said with a raised hand in greeting while offering a soft smile. "I am glad that I am not the only one that is not familiar in Ul'dah." He chimed, as his smile widened.

 

"Next round will be on me as well. I am afraid that Kage here will be broke by dawn if this continues." He jested as his elbow nudged on the gladiator Lallafel's gauntlet as he seemed to be warming up more to the crowd. His attention soon went back to Aya.

 

"You have found the right people too. They have been nothing but kind to me since I have arrived in the Quicksand. It is as you put it, 'a lucky night!'"

[Aya]

Aya leans against the bar and nods to Karu before lifting her mug, "May our good fortune~ and good times, continue then!"  After taking another drink she smiles to Kage and looks away, over the bar.  "Business.  I was meeting a potential client at Blackbrush.  Its a long away from Gridania, though.  Not sure the opportunity was worth the trip~"

[111]

Takes a drink of her own ale with a satisfied expression. "Business at Black Brush..." she examines the taller woman, "You don't seem armed enough to be a mercenary, are you a merchant?".

[Kage]

Kage grinned at Kakaru and chirped, "Well if you're offering... I hope you're enjoying yourself!"

 

He turned to Aya, curious and thinking along the same line as Natalie's and decided to wait for the response to her question. He just took a small sip and watched the group gathered. It was turning out to be a wonderful, relaxing night.

[Aya]

Aya's head turns slightly toward Natalie, her smile pulling back a little further.  "I suppose appearances can be deceiving.  Perhaps I should have come more heavily armed, but because I was staying relatively close to Ul'dah I did not think it would be necessary."  She turns around, leaning her hips against the bar now as she takes another drink of the ale, "I suppose we may return in a few weeks, armed.  If Shizu likes the offer.  I can't say I hope for that."

[111]

Natalie grins and pats her own blade, "Ul'dah is safer than the desert, but it still has it's dangers. Though I doubt we'll encounter any tonight. Momodi's wrath is a more powerful deterrent than any number of guards". She laughs, "Sorry if I offended you with my assumption, normally mercenaries look a bit more..." she scrunches up her face and gives a mock scowl, "Grizzled".

 

"So this mercenary band of yours... you've taken work in the region? If there is instability requiring your presence, I'd like to hear of it". She takes another drink, "Assuming you don't mind of course".

[Aya]

"Offended?" Aya looks back with wide open blue eyes which blink for a moment before she offers a quick shake of her head, "Not at all!" she seems to pause to think, lowering her gaze toward the floor, "I guess I don't see any reason to advertise it..." there's a little uncertainty in her voice, perhaps she should be looking the part.

 

"We have never done any work out this far, no.  We generally stick to forests..." she picks up the mug again while uttering those almost ridiculous words given the circumstances, before taking another drink from it.  "I don't think there's any trouble to report, just a tradesman looking to hire protection for his shipments."  Despite a noticeable energy in her voice she continues to avert her eyes.

[Kage]

Kage glanced around wondering if perhaps Aya was worried about something. "I don't think you need to advertise it. I actually think it's smarter."

 

He took another sip and took a cursory glance at the others. "Your protection must be good if he called you out so far."

[111]

Natalie scratches her head self consciously, "Ah..." she clears her throat, "Maybe it would help if I introduced myself completely, I am Natalie, one of the Sultana's sworn. I asked about your missing out of professional curiosity". She notices Kage's glance and continues, "On second thought... you look quite fearsome." she coughs, "I'm uh, surprised the Blades would let in such a rough individual such as yourself".

 

"I-isn't that right Kage..? We'rent you taken aback by her martial demeanor when she walked in?" Natalie nudges Kage's foot under the stool.

[Kage]

Kage jerked as he felt a nudge. He gave Natalie a small smirk and his eyes twinkled before drawling, "I don't know what you're talking about Natalie."

 

He took as sip from his ale and continued to Aya, "She's probably just thinking about keeping professional courtesy if it might involve Ul'dah's security."

[Deleted]

Kakaru had remained silent as the three conversed about Aya's professionalism. The Lalafell was preoccupied sorting out his gil, managing it into a small budget so that he could effectively pay for the next round of drinks without breaking his budget. He set the gil in neat piles as it was for each drink before he nodded in satisfaction. 

 

"I agree with Kage." He chimed in, as his eyes wandered back over to them, "If she does not look the part, then there is less cause of suspicion. In a businesses offering, you would want to look more alluring then intimidating. The reputation is what talks when it comes to her profession." He said, as he added in his two yalms.

 

Kakaru soon raised his hand, waving down a bartender as he slid the gil over, in an 'all in' fashion. He offered a warm smile to his new friend as he twisted in his seat. "A women with charisma is just as dangerous as a man with a dagger to your back... I heard someone say that before." He nodded as he crossed his arms, an eye peeking to view over Aya. "If I recognized the accent, then this one can be quite analytical too."

[Aya]

The Hyur girl listened as the three discussed her professional appearance and demeanor, while her mouth open slightly to let out a soft "Huh?"; her eyes still opened wide as she looked about the room.  At Natalie's suggestion that she were, in fact, a frightening visage of martial roughness she turned her head quickly to look toward the Miqo'te.  Her large blue eyes blinked in confusion "Hmmm? Me? Terrifying?" Her soft voice spoke of both confusion, and that moment of uncertainty and doubt when a girl cannot help but wonder if she is being teased or mocked.

 

As Kage and Natalie confer, something finally dawns on Aya.  She shakes her head while letting out an amused laugh; the confused look on her face becoming a lively grin.  She turns herself back toward the bar to lift another drink of ale as her laugh tails off softly.  She looks back to her left, toward the group and Karu in particular with a raised eyebrow, offering a nod while that grin remains, irrepressibly, on her lips.  "Oooh - I like that one~"

[111]

"Damn" Natalie sighs, seeing Aya's reaction toward the two Lalafell, "Kage, Kakaru, you need to give me some tips...". She shakes her head with a grin, turning to Aya. "As you guess, we were just trying to relax you. You seemed a little tense...". Natalie laughs, "And that won't do".

 

"As for appearances, Kakaru is right, it matters little. We all wear masks as we go through this world".

[Kage]

Kage shook his head, a small grin staying on his face after the couple of tankards of ale he'd had. "I don't know what you're worried about Natalie. I'd say it's Lalafellin charm at work but..." He glanced around, still not seeing his other Miqo'te friends and unwisely choosing to tease Natalie he continued. "Nat you seem to work just fine I don't think you need any tips. I mean there's C'kayah, Salem, Cho, Marrow, Rahvi, Lambert..."

 

Kage grinned unabashed before he shook his head. Abruptly he stopped as he realized he hadn't eaten before drinking. "If you let me know, I will also grab a snack or two. I'm feeling like eating a devilled egg or two."

 

He smiled at the others and waited to see if anyone wanted anything. "Perhaps we should grab a table instead of crowding Momodi's bar counter too..."

 

((Even in game I want to eat! D: ))

[Aya]

Still leaning over the counter, nursing the gifted ale, Aya looks toward Natalie with that warm grin.  "Well I think you've succeeded in that!  I'm glad I am not too scary for you!" She screws her face up in a mock threatening glare and then laughs again before letting out a happy sigh and smiling.  "I suspect Momodi can't mind us at his bar too much!  But a table wouldn't be bad, I am just happy for the company."

[111]

Natalie shoots Kage a dangerous glance as he pokes fun at her, but then her expression softens, "I could use some peanuts, if you're still buying".

 

She then turns to Aya. "Oh ? A woman such as yourself, I can't believe you'd find yourself alone very often" she takes another drink, "I'm sure you must have to beat the men away with a stick."

[Kage]

Kage grimaced and gave Natalie a small apologetic look. He turned to tell Aya, "Company at the Quicksand is never -too- hard to find I'd say. It's finding the right one that may be a problem and I hope you think we are."

He scratched the back of his head with one hand before bringing it down his face. For a lalafell, he sure had a big foot to stick in his big mouth. "I'll get us some peanuts, devilled eggs, and stuffed cabbage."

 

Kage turned to look around Quicksand, noting that it was bustling with activity but he didn't know many of the people personally. He wished that the ale could give him the courage to, but alas, he still couldn't do it.