Yet Another Night in the Quicksand (Open - New Night)

[Coatleque]

Coatleque tilted her head as she heard P'azih's tale in her other ear. For some reason the few short sentences wove together into some elaborate and romanticized story in her mind. "Now tha'... tha's what Ah need! The more Ah hear o' ye Keepers an' yer tr̃aditions, th' more'n Ah think ye have th' right o' it."

 

She blinked and looked away. "Ah should just find meself a nooun an' be done with all o' this."

[Unnamed Mercenary]

It was always interesting to listen to the others' stories. As Franz finished his drink, he thought of getting another. But- perhaps something that could be shared. Some small snacks while sobering up may be good as well.

 

Standing up from the table, he glanced at the others. "I'll be right back." 

 

He'd return with a tray holding a large pitcher of chilled tea and some snacks. Little refreshments that would help ease the alcohol's effect off.

 

Sitting back down, "I miss anything?"

[Berrod Armstrong]

Berrod sat there awkwardly squinting the entire time the other Highlander had been gone, rather unsure of what the hells he wanted to say to these people. They weren't his usual crowd, far from it. Why'd he even sit down there in the first place? Bunch o' Yahoos. 

 

Eagerly he looked toward the tray that the man had returned, hoping to see something nice, like fried potato skins, or bacon -- or meat cuts. A pitcher of dark ale, perhaps...?

 

...tea.

 

His latest grimace was the most catastrophic of the lot, though he worked painstakingly to mitigate it and construct something slightly resembling a smile. Girly-snacks. 

 

"Er -- thanks, fella; you ain't missed much."

[Raelas]

P'azih snickered... quietly at first. Then a bit louder, louder still... luckily the tea saved him as he took a drink, burning his tongue though that was preferable to the beating he'd likely take from Lady Crofte adjacent.

 

He raised a finger and cleared his throat. "I'm a Seeker. Its in the eyes, see?" he said leaning over with a blink. "Though... i'm not sure that what I said and what you think you heard are the same thing... with respect, of course." he grinned.

 

He sat back in his chair, his armour grating slightly at the wood with a creak of the supports under his combined weight. He reached for a snack, he didn't know what it was. He didn't know what ANYTHING was around here.

 

"You didn't miss much... though I think the Lady Crofte is having thoughts of spiriting me away for an adventure and romance." he chuckled.

[Unnamed Mercenary]

Berrod's latest grimace was perhaps the funniest thing he'd seen throughout the night, even if he tried hiding it. The goofy smile was plain to see through.

 

Franz gave him a mild glance. "Expecting something different? Perhaps I'm a little more steeped in Ishgard's culture than not."

 

He thought the tea and finger food would have gotten the job done. Then again, there were men at the table, so it might have been a little awkward. 

 

"I could get some sliced meat, cheese and bread as well?" There. Something still...civilized, but also not sweet and good with tea.

 

As he got up to retrieve some more manly snacks, he remarked. "Miss Crofte, you should give the tea a try when it's a little cooler. Gridanian Honey Tea is quite nice."

[Coatleque]

Coatleque watched Berrod's grimace with a half amused smirk. The way he was sitting and clutching the pile of blankets he looked like naught more than a walking pillow with a head right now.

 

"Ah'd 've thought such a walk'n pile o' down would be comfortable with something as dainty as tea." With that she waved a hand towards it. "Ah'm noo thirsty anymore, Maester Fr̃anz." She raised her empty glass once more as if to toast, then set it back down.

 

Shaking her head, she turned back to P'azih. "An' Ah'm doan with all this romance business. A bloody distr̃action is all it is. It's nae worth mae time. Ah'm just saying, yer tr̃ibes got it easy."

[Berrod Armstrong]

"An' -- an' a beer!" Berrod called behind the other Highlander with urgency. He'd not have anything to do with nasty leaf-water, not at all.

 

Coatleque's words thankfully retrieved him from a momentary crisis of realizing that he had no idea what beer was made from. "Eh," he replied gruffly, "I -- don't really like drinkin' warm stuff. An' it tastes bad -- an' ya gotta drink a lil' of it, an' so -slow-...! Not that anythin's really wrong with enjoyin' it, I guess. Uh. Romance. Uh."

 

With lightning speed, he snapped his head toward P'azih, apparently needing a distraction of his own. Romance was not a topic he enjoyed discussing with others in the least. "SO," he began far more loudly than was wise, "How is tribe life, huh?"

[Unnamed Mercenary]

Perhaps he was being a little mean to Berrod. He shouldn't have expected the other men to drink tea.

 

 

Walking up to the counter, he asked the barmaid for an ale that was cold, dark and strong. It was almost like describing Oscare. Except the ale might speak a little more. Or get someone else to.

 

 

He also asked for some more...masculine snacks as well. Something a little more greasy, meaty. What he returned with was some small popotoes that had been panfried, wrapped in bacon, and then topped with some melted cheese. Otherwise known as a heart attack. It would probably be fine. Salty, oily, cheesy and crunchy. The thought of it made Franz want to take a jog.

 

 

He returned to the table with a new tray, ale and heart attack dish included.

 

Franz poured himself a mug of tea and sat back. It was nice to simply listen at times.

[Raelas]

P'azih thought for a moment. How was life in the tribe? He barely understood how life was in the city.

 

"Its... different." he began as he tugged on his ear lightly. The natural spring of his fluffy cartilage sprung from between his fingers to stand on ends once more. He reached up and continued the cycle over and over.

 

"Its like... well, its a little like the adventurers guild. Everyone in the tribe strive to better the tribe by bettering themselves for the tribe. Well, most everyone at least." he looked about with that usual grin. "Its not all fun and games though!"

 

He laughed, apparently he found that funny.

 

"What's life like in the city? I don't really understand it too well just yet."

 

He looked to Coatleque. "And Lady Crofte, you're no more done with romance than you are with breathing! Its a simple fact of living!"

[Coatleque]

Leaning back in her chair this whole time, the Knight had begun to doze off as P'azih spoke now. It wasn't that she found the conversation boring, it was definitely more an effect of the strong whiskey. She snapped to at hearing her name once more. "Hmm? Aye, Ser, Ah'mma wake... An' Ah'm nae dr̃unk on duty!"

 

She caught a whiff of Franz's heart attack-on-a-plate and tilted her head. "Och, tha's what Maester Bellveil's batter̃ed armor needs! Bacon wrappin's tae help lubricate th' joints!"

[Berrod Armstrong]

With a grunt of thanks toward Franz Berrod enthusiastically indulged in the greasy snack, washing the thing down with great mouthfuls of ale. Heart attack it may have been for some, but the Highlander knew he'd likely burn through it before the day was truly over. It served as good accompaniment for P'azih's account, though he flinched slightly at the return of the subject of romance.

[Unnamed Mercenary]

Franz watched as Berrod devoured the greasy plate, popoto by popoto. Sure they weren't particularly large, and certainly were not the easy to eat snacks he'd brought with the tea, but there was a certain jealousy for being so....ignorant, of one's body. 

 

 

He moved one over to a small plate and cut into it, lifting small, bite-sized pieces of the dish. As always, the food in the Quicksand was delicious, but always seemed to be missing some sort of something. He imagined it must have been the local flavors he'd have been accustomed to in Garlemald. The heavy, greasy, comfort food didn't match the more refined tastes of the tea.  A shame.

 

He'd come to start noticing that Berrod jumped a little every time someone mentioned romance. Another curiosity rolled over. "So Berrod, you seem to jump every time someone mentions romance. Hiding away from an abusive lover or something?" He grinned a little. 

 

If Lydia had found him in a place like this, she surely would have kicked his arse by now for being rude. For what he remembered as a fairly small women, she won nearly all the fights they'd ever had.

[Raelas]

P'azih took this as a great time to sneak that bottle of extremely strong (At least he thought so) alcohol away from the fair Lady Crofte. He stood, turning slide on slightly to hide the bottle from line of sight with his body... but only for Coatleque.

 

"Well, this has bee wonderful but... I've some training to attend to." he laughed, a little nervously. "Its not going to train for me, right?" he said with a quick glance at them all.

[Coatleque]

"Och, yer leavin already?", Coatleque asked now seemingly interested in having company. "But Maester Berr̃od was about to spill 'is life story fer us!"

 

She leaned forward with an elbow on her knee and attempted to rest her chin on her hand, missing by about three ilms to the left. Sitting up she looked around to get her bearings again, or perhaps to make sure nobody saw, before trying the maneuver once more.

 

Trying to look completely interested she remarked "Aye now, how does a walkin' pillow find love anyway?"

[Berrod Armstrong]

Berrod did very well to hide how stricken he was at the announcement of P'azih's impending departure. Without his addition to the group and conversation, surely things would shift to the largest unknown around the table. Surely enough, his fears were soon confirmed as inquiries came from both Franz and Coatleque. 

 

So fussed and uncomfortable was he; the walking pillow remark nearly went right over his head. "It -- it don't find love. It ain't lookin'. Don't care 'bout that kinda stuff." The lie, as usual, had been well-rehearsed.

[LadyRochester]

((First time trying RP in here, pardon for just barging in if it's rude!))

 

Sasha walks into the bar like a shadow, quick and graceful. Her eyes inspect the room, looking for something interesting to look at or at least overhear. She fidgets with her book a little as she spots an empty table near the bar.

 

Her eyes gleam with joy, she walks towards the table across the room, swaying her hips from side to side, her stride is graceful, sensual. A small yet devilish smirk curls her lips, she pauses briefly before actually sitting on the table, looking around the room again.

 

'Hmph... Maybe I should get something to drink first' she thinks.

 

She grazes the cover of her book with her fingertips before sighing and walking towards the bar, she gives Momodi a polite smile as she places a small pouch of gil in the counter "Good evening, Momodi, could I have some wine, please?" her smile becomes bigger as the glass of wine is placed in front of her, she takes it, bowing her head briefly at Momo before she begins to walk back to the empty table.

[Unnamed Mercenary]

((First time trying RP in here, pardon for just barging in if it's rude!))

 

((Not at all! Threads designated with (Open) of some variety are everyone and anyone to come in on!))

 

"Really now?" He turned his attention to the still very drunk paladin.

 

"What do you think, Miss? Does this guy look like he's uninsterested in any kind of romance?" He called out to a women heading to an empty table.

 

 

He'd be lying if he said it wasn't funny at all. But- if it went too far, Franz would probably try to shift the conversation elsewhere.

[LadyRochester]

She perks up at the voice directed to her, she hadn't been listening to the conversation too much, but Sasha wasn't one to turn down the opportunity of poking fun at someone, or even better, gather information. 

 

"Of course not! He looks like he's all tough on the outside, but deep inside, he's a cuddly teddy bear!"

 

She's teasing, obviously, but her smile looks a little too mischievous, and yet, strangely charming. She takes a sip from her wine before she sets the glass and her book on the table. Taking her seat, she glances over at the strange people conversing.

[Coatleque]

Coatleque didn't realize the question was directed elsewhere. In her state she merely thought Franz was raising his voice to make some sort of competition of who could speak louder. So she raised herself up in her chair and also called out to nobody in particular.

 

"Nae, nae, th' pillow man most definitely desires tae be clutched close tae th' bossom of some bonny lass..." She peered at Franz for a moment. "Or handsome lad." She shrugged.

[LadyRochester]

Sasha opens her book on the page she had marked, she smirked at Coatlaque's statement.

 

"That does seem rather common these days" she mumbles.

 

Her eyes are now fully focused on the pages, but her ears remained attentive to the conversation. And though she could normally read as she listened just fine, today it wasn't going to be one of those days, and she knew it. The knowledge of this annoyed her slightly, but she would probably try to pull it off anyway.

[Raelas]

P'azih politely bowed, smiling at the new comer and making his apologies. "Sorry Miss. You've just arrived but I must go." he said, flashing the bottle from behind his back with with a wide grin.

 

He backed away confidently, still smiling. "Until next time friends! Lady Crofte! I'll come see you another time, no?" he bowed to her especially, probably feeling guilty at this point, then nodded to Franz and Berrod as he made his way up the steps.

 

He paused at the top and addressed Coatleque. "Lady Crofte! Perhaps when next we meet I could take you for a real drink... maybe spark that interest in love in your chest. I've a great eye for such things... wouldn't take me long to find you a mate." he laughed.

[Berrod Armstrong]

Berrod seemed conflicted by Crofte's declaration -- and his face clearly showed a fluctuating measure of displeasure and amusement. He played it safe, however, and poured his response into acknowledging both the new arrival and P'azih's departure. "Take care, fella."

 

He wished very badly to flee himself, but better judgement spoke to him of leaving a drunk lady alone among strangers. To that effect, he turned back to the others and leveled a forbidding look at them all. "Ain't matter none, 'bout romance an' all that stuff. Whether I got it or don't, an' wit' who, ain't nobody's business but mine."

[Coatleque]

Turning to Berrod she pointed accusingly at him. "Ye Paladins be way tae stuffy o'er yer personal affairs."

 

Coatleque regarded the Miqo'te with a curiously drunken eye as he said his farewells. She waved off the 'see you next time' comment briefly. "Maester P'azih... are ye tr̃yin' tae seduce me? It'll take far more 'n fine dr̃ink tae get this armor off, I assure ye that! Bahamut 'll be king o'er Eorzea before this fool makes tha' mistake again!"

 

Her gaze passed between the three others still sitting as if she had issued some great challenge to them before nodding to herself.

[Unnamed Mercenary]

Franz stared in shock a little at Coatleque's "challenge". He could only imagine the hangover she would likely have the next morning.

 

He held up a hand with a single finger pointed up. "Miss Crofte, how many fingers am I holding up?" 

 

Unless she was simply playing a drunk, someone would need to escort her to an inn room and let her pass out at some point.

[Berrod Armstrong]

Berrod recoiled where he sat. "Paladin? I ain't a Paladin! It'll be a cold season in all the hells 'fore I join up t'be a Sultanshi-- ah  -- Sultansworn, or one o'them Freebies runnin' round." 

 

Her next words caused him to recoil yet -again-, dragging the legs of the chair along the floor by an ilm. "What-- what're ya on about? I ain't come here ta get into yer knickers! I don't know y'got --" Oh, but he got his neck wrung, didn't he? Berrod clammed up and squinted across at Crofte. 

 

"Say -- uh. I was trynna avoid it, but I figure it'd prolly be better ta ask now. Did Warren get his neck wrung here?" His question came before a sidelong look at Franz; he too was curious as to how drunk Crofte was.