A Cup Tea?

[Aya]

Aya sat upon the nice little couch, her left leg drawn straight across the edge, and her right crossing over it, hanging over the edge.  She's holding her tea, casting an askance look at the fellow trying to push his escorts upon the barmaid and Sultan Sworn who just want to enjoy a quiet little tea in their time off before work.

 

With a blonde eyebrow arched high, and her lips pulled tight to the left side she listened to Coatleque's obvious discomfort and that would be that.  She preferred to be friendly, but not at her friend's expense.

 

 

"Um, excuse me?  We're not interested.  If you wouldn't mind, could you take your drooling kabobs somewhere else?  Before we start charging them for the view?"

 

She looked back toward the patron at his bar.  The gentleman was pretending to focus on something else, as if to avoid noticing the situation up front.  She shook her head in disappointment, before drawing her eyes back to the Highlander with a look of searing irritation.

[Oscare]

The two highlanders look at each other, flabbergasted. They weren't sure what to say. Rodgers also looks severely confused. "We'll -- uh, come back later. Give you some time to think?"

 

Rodgers and his two cohorts scoot back outside, mumbling to each other. 

"What are we going to do?" "This plan is going to be ruined if --" "We just need to be more convincing--" "How?" "I don't know!" Their bickering was hushed, but still out of place.

[Coatleque]

Coatleque looked at Aya half in shock and half in amusement at her outburst. She had never seen her friend show so much of a temper before to anyone. She glanced to the whispering men and felt some measure of pity. Shaking her head she turned back to Aya. "Well, we are planning to head in that direction. Perhaps they will be content with our promise to at least attempt to see whatever show they are preparing." She echoed Aya's sentiments though as she continued, "Though we are quite capable of walking ourselves."

 

She sipped her tea again, being quite sure that the situation had been properly handled and waiting for the men to properly show themselves out.

[Aya]

Aya pulled her lips to the side in a bit of a smirk. Her annoyance at the intrusion was genuine, it seemed that when it came to Coatleque, Aya, and tea, that simple, quiet enjoyment was just never an option.  Still, with Coatleque at ease, Aya just added a simple nod in their direction, returning her attention to her friend.

 

"Well, maybe at least.  I would definitely like to see Master Tarot's shop - he seems like such an interesting fellow!  I don't really know what he sells though.  Did you say that you've been there before?"

 

She lifts her tea cup blowing the steam from the surface again and taking a sip.

[Coatleque]

"I did, and I was!", she exclaimed (though still in her even and measured voice). "Dressed much as I am today as well. I do occasionally peruse the shops down the main section of the lane. I admit I am not typically there to buy, though." She took another sip.

 

Pausing for a moment, she glanced at the men again who were still speaking in hushed voices to the side and rolled her eyes. Turning back to Aya she continued. "How should I describe Master Tarrot's shop? Quaint. Cramped. If I hadn't known better I would say it is an accident waiting to happen. On more than one occasion I found myself bumping into some gaudy piece of art that was precariously placed too close to the aisle. It is a wonder that half his stock does not wind up broken by the sun's setting. Still, he had almost anything you could hope to find for such a small space. I parted satisfied at having found a new book and an amber broach for my friend Jancis."

 

She canted her head for a moment in thought. Unfortunately her 'shopper's sense' was not so practical as Aya's was perhaps. "I believe the price was reasonable. Though I am not one to argue, as you know. Oh, was there something you were looking for?"

[Aya]

"Quaint?  Crowded?" she laughed, "Why am I not surprised that it would be a little messy?  But I bet its full of interesting stuff!"

 

She took another sip of her tea, nodding along with Coatleque's description.

 

"Oh I can always find -something- I am interested in!"  she grins, with a soft laugh.  "Jewelry, or accessories, or decorations.  As long as the gil isn't too bad!" she nods energetically, with an amused smile.  "I was thinking the other day that I could use some nice gloves for when the evenings get cooler, maybe he will have something cute, but at least we can look around!  And you know Jancis?  I've met her a couple of times, she seems really fun!"

[Coatleque]

Coatleque's smile brightened once she heard that Aya knew Jancis. "Fun? Why, she is the absolute best! I wouldst say that her and I are like sisters. She is so sweet, polite, and treats all with the utmost respect. Her and I are alike in that way at least. She had taken me in at one point a few years ago when I had nowhere else to go. We studied together for a time in Gridania, though she was so much better at conjury than I. I daresay I would never have become a Paladin if it were not for her help with my lessons."

 

She realized then how much she was rambling on again and took pause to sip her tea once more. "She does not have much time to visit the city I am afraid. Busy as she is with errands for the Maelstrom and Coral Sea both. Alas I am kept just as busy with my work here, though I do take time to visit her in the Mist when I can afford it."

 

Movement to her side pulled her gaze towards the window as someone walked by the shop just then. "Is there anyone that you visit on occasion outside of Thanalan?"

[Aya]

Aya's eyes opened a little further at the mention of Gridania, "Oh, really?! I did not know you had spent much time in Gridania!  Did you like it there? Where the sun filters in like little shafts through the leaves?"  she made a silly little motion with her fingers, trying to emulate the rays of sunlight in the forest.  "I think its such a wonderful place..."

 

She lets out a sighing breath, her shoulders sagging slightly as she smiles softly.

 

"I don't really visit too many friends, no... sometimes I see C'kayah in Limsa Lominsa, but usually when I am there he isn't.  I find its a terrific place for a little shopping though, especially for shoes!  Ul'dah just.. well, they don't make good shoes here, you know?  They may make the best jewelry anywhere, but I guess you can't have everything!"

[Coatleque]

"It is peaceful once you are accepted.", she said in reply to Gridania. "The elezen are not as receptive to outsiders, especially those of us who were once so hostile. They seem to hold long grudges." She sighed.

 

The name C'kayah cought her ear though. She had heard it mentioned often enough as a whisper around the streets. She also remembered reading it in reports as she went through Natalie's files before taking on the case to acquit Roen Deneith. Little did she know she would also be personally involved with the man as well sometime later.

 

"C'kayah? I've heard that name before around the Quicksand. It is always spoken of in hushed tones though. Who is he?"

[Aya]

Aya just smiles as she nods along.  "That is how Elezen are..." she comments with a knowing grin.

 

 

"C'kayah's a dear friend.  I suppose he's a trader of sorts, he does a lot of business between the Shroud, Limsa, and Ul'dah.  He used to spend more time here when he and Ser Natalie were an item.. but times change~" she offers a little shrug along with an amused smile.

 

 

"I am surprised you don't know more about him than I do, given the sort of trouble he always seems to be getting in..." she laughs.

[Coatleque]

Coatleque couldn't help but laugh along with Aya at that remark. "Well, current reports say he's not been active in Ul'dah for quite some time now. I am sure if he crop up again I will hear of it. Especially if he is so drawn to trouble as you say."

 

She began to sip her tea again but her eyes were drawn to the right were the three men were still huddled together. She lowered her cup with a shake of her head and turned back to Aya. "I hadn't expected them to remain over long as they have. Mayhaps we should sneak away before they notice we are still here?" Her question came as a playful jest rather than a serious suggestion. After all, Aya had barely even touched the chocolates.

[Aya]

Aya casts a narrow-eyed look at the men huddled together, before she glances back to Coatleque with a smirking-smile.  "Not until we're done with tea..." she picks up one of the chocolates and takes a bit, before sipping on her tea cup.

 

"So how long has it been since you were last in Gridania?  Do you visit often?"

[Coatleque]

"Not as often as I should like", she replied shaking her head. "Of course my duties here take precedence over any free time I may have. Beyond that, the Shroud is not so friendly to outsiders. That was the first lesson I learned in my time spent there, anyroad."

 

She tapped her chin in thought for a moment. "The last time I was in the Shroud at all was simply to pass through as quickly as possible from Coerthas to Thanalan. I do know Jancis will return often enough, but she typically spends her days in La Noscea."

[Aya]

"La Noscea! That's what I thought!" she flahses a brilliant smile and an excited bounce, "She likes to come by the Quick Sand, I just love how people come from all over to have a drink there!  Its like the cross-road of the adventurer's world!"

 

She pauses, taking a breath as she glances away, before turning back with an amused smirk, "I'm surprised that you never saw me working at the Carline Canopy while you were there.  Did you know that I worked for Miounne before Momodi?  It was my first barmaid job, actually, and  I met so many interesting people there.  But I have to say, not nearly as many as come wandering through Ul'dah."

[Coatleque]

Coatleque flushed red in embarrassment. "I must confess I did not spend much time at the Canopy while I was there. I only remained in Gridania for a few short months till it was painfully clear I was not adapt at conjury. Upon my return to Ul'dah, I spent even less time in the Quicksand. It is only recently that I've been wont to spend time in public. Even that is mostly due to my Captain's orders."

 

She looked at Aya with a curious gaze. "I trust you spent no small measure of time there while under Mistress Miounne? What was your experience like then?"

[Aya]

Aya took a moment to lift herself up, folding her right leg beneath her, she sat back down leaning further back into the cushion as she smiled broadly.

 

"We may not have been there at the same time... I was only there for a few months, myself, after all.  But its just too funny that we may have met in such a different place back then!"

 

She tried another chocolate, "mmmming" in absolute delight.

 

"It was my first job after I left home.  I know the people of Gridania can be a little difficult to get along with, but I had a great experience!  Miounne, especially, was as sweet as could be.  Especially to give a strange foreign girl a job in her inn!  I have to wonder what she was thinking... you know I can say the same of Momodi!"

 

If she pondered whether or not Mother Miounne had come to regret the decision, considering the sizable debt she had left behind moons later, no sign of it showed on the care-free smile she sported.

[Coatleque]

Coatleque finished her tea as she listened to Aya. Setting the cup down she also smiled at the thought of having been so close yet so oblivious to one another's presence. "Well, had we been there at all together you may not have recognized me either way. We were both strange foreign girls it would seem. Though I was fleeing north whilst you were fleeing south."

 

Gesturing to nothing in particular outside the window, she remarked "At least we've both found our place now."

[Aya]

"At least we've both found out place now."

 

The words carried a weight that seemed to strike the girl.  Her radiant smile softened, as if placed on pause for a moment.  Behind bright blue eyes memories flashed, a lifetime passing before her in an instant.  Traveling overland south from the Ala Mhigan ramparts whence she had come, through plains, forest, marsh, and desert.  By sea, and by cart.  Faces lost to eternity, heirlooms and sentimental trinkets vanished to all but memory; the detritus of a life once lived, gone now for ever after.

 

She could feel the crash of waves on the cliffs below, the sea-wind, and the bonds of family.  Upon further flight: the sight of towering trees and the rolling meadows at the foot of the city that towered even higher into the heavens.  A foreign home, and prison the same.  "A strange foreign girl", ever had she been.  Not as a momentary state, but as her very state of being.  One shared by the red-headed friend across from whom she sat.

 

Aya nodded, tentatively.  "Found a place, at least." she answered, with a voice as soft as it was reflective, eyes turned out upon the same street.

[Coatleque]

Canting her head, she noticed the effects her words seemed to have on Aya. Coatleque waited a moment before clearing her throat softly. Lowering her voice so the huddle of men would not overhear she leaned closer to Aya. "Speaking of our place... perhaps we should go and see a little more of it? Hmm?" As she spoke, her eyes darted to the side then back to Aya as if gesturing towards them, pointing them out to be avoided.

[Aya]

Aya sits up a little, setting her nearly empty tea cup on the saucer.  She lifts a chocolate, nodding in reply to Coatleque, with a simple, sweet smile.  She watches her friend's eyes for a moment, happy that she seems to be enjoying their day off as well.

 

She bites the chocolate in half as she stands from the divan with an easy, quiet grace, offering a hand up to Coatleque, before finishing the chocolate on her way to the door.

[Coatleque]

She gave her hand to Aya having seen the offer, and rose with her. As quiet as she could, Coatleque withdrew a few gil from her purse and left them in a neat stack on the table. The pair hurried past the completely oblivious men and stepped back out onto the street.

 

Outsiders would have recoiled from the hot, desert, noon-time sun as they emerged from the shelter of the tea shop, but Coatleque had grown used to it over the few years she lived here. She squinted up at the sky over the city line. At least it was still mostly clear. She took a few steps away from the building before turning to face Aya.

 

"Well, where shall we go next?!"

[Aya]

Aya shielded her eyes with her hand, smiling mischievously as she started down the street, trying to move away from the tea shop and the men the pair had just escaped.  "I would say Tarot's shop, but they might follow us!" she grinned, glancing furtively back toward the tea shop.

 

"We could go look at jewelry!"