A Day Trip (Open RP)

[Melodia]

*Note- These events take place after the events of the "Cleaning House" thread....or before.....take your pick. LOL. Please also note, if you want to jump in, please don't hesitate. I need Melodia to meet new people. This is designed to be a fun thread to get her out a bit.

 

Melodia sighed deeply, a bit nervous as she stepped onto the airship, a new experience for her. The port at Limsa had been bustling and she was dressed in her somewhat dressy blue attire, trying to shed the look of the Yellowjacket for just a day. She was taking the day off and wanted to enjoy herself.

 

The weather was pleasant and the gate officials had been kind as she had gotten her pass. Standing at the rail she took another deep breath. Today looked to be full of new experiences. The airship was one.

 

The other was going to be stepping foot into Ul'dah.

[Coatleque]

Coatleque stood on the starboard side of the ship by the railing, the breeze whipping her dress about her legs. Her right arm was raised slightly with her hand grasping a support bar. She looked out over the water below the landing and gave a sigh of relief to be returning home. She abruptly became aware of someone standing near her and she turned to regard the woman with some small amount of surprise. These trips tended to be fairly quiet as the airships were restricted to those on official business since the Calamity.

 

"Oh, hello", she said with a smile. "I had not thought anyone else was departing today. I had not seen you in the Bulwark. Are you returning home as well?"

[Melodia]

Melodia tried to brace herself as the airship lifted off, still not used to this method of travel. As the ship ascended and leveled off, she smiled a bit, taking in the view below looking over the railing as the wind whipped her long blue hair a bit.

 

She heard the voice come from her side and looked to see a tall red haired woman in a dress standing there. Melodia smiled warmly, if a bit shyly as she wasn't very well versed in pleasant social discussions or meetings.

 

"Oh? Uh....no...er...well, actually, Limsa's me home." She turned fully to face the woman as her ears twitched a bit. "I'm actu'lly headin' t' Ul'dah....I've no' been before an' me supervisor....he thinks it may be a good thing t' see th' place....see how th' law works there. Maybe bring back some ideas tha' could help us here." She looked back out over the open sky and smiled again. "Also takin' th' day t' enjoy meself f'r th' first time in a while."

[Coatleque]

So accustomed to the airship by now, Coatleque did not so much as sway or acknowledge the ship lifting off. The Knight managed to hold her attention and smile as the heavy lower-Limsan accent assaulted her ears. She had been momentarily fooled by the woman's state of dress, but by her mode of speech this was certainly no dignitary. Her admission of homeland further served to pique the Sworn's curiosity.

 

"Your superior? I take it you serve the Admiral in some capacity then?"

She chuckled in a light, teasing manner as she continued, "If you mean to spy on our methods of law-enforcement, you have made an utterly terrible start of it by confessing such to me."

[Melodia]

She chuckled a bit at the mention of the Admiral.

 

"Oh aye....in a manner o' speakin'. And no.....no' goin' t' steal yer secrets."

 

She drew closer wanting to talk a bit lower in volume and smiled, extending her hand as she spoke.

 

"Th' name's Melodia. An' I'm actu'lly a Yellowjacket in th' city proper. Sergeant D'janz, when I'm on official duty."

 

Her smile was one of hope, as she watched the woman with her hand held out.

[Coatleque]

"Ahhh..." she remarked at the introduction. The ship had levelled out by then, so she released her grip on the support bar. She reached out to take Melodia's hand but did not shake it. She simply clasped it in hers and curtseyed in a polite manner. "A pleasure to meet you, Sergeant D'janz."

 

Would that they had been in the city still, and that the Yellow Jacket had been in uniform, Coatleque would have gladly taken her aside to try and grill for information on a certain Pirate she was tracking. As it were now, neither of them looked very official. Or at least one of them did not, in her mind. Discretion, she decided, would be better called for in this case. If Melodia was telling the truth, she could contact her when timing was more appropriate.

 

"My name is Elleanore. Elleanore Hawke. I was here in service to the Syndicate of Ul'dah, to meet with one of your esteemed representatives of the Armourer's guild." She waved her hand dismissively. "I shan't bore you with the details of those proceedings however. It was a typically droll meeting with a predictable outcome. I do so desire to be home soon. This is your first trip to our shining Jewel then?"

[Melodia]

Melodia blushed at the formal nature, something she was unused to.

 

"Ah please ye need no' be s' formal with me. I'm no one special."

 

At the mention of the guild she nodded and smiled brightly. "It's good t' see the guild gettin' more business, Ms. Hawke an' by th' way, a pleasure t' meet ye." Looking back out over the railing she nodded.

 

"I've no' been outside o' Limsa...." She chuckled and looked back at the woman with a nervous smile. "An' I'll admit I'm damn scared walkin' into a new city th' likes o' Ul'dah."

[Coatleque]

"Allow me to allay your fears as best I can, then.", she replied. "Our airship port has a bar and lounge built just beyond the gate, if you require a moment to catch your bearings or to relax. The lift to the opposite side of the landing will take you to straight to the Ruby Exchange. I would suggest you go there first and find your way to the Quicksand. The Hourglass Inn should have rooms enough for the night."

 

Coatleque canted her head. "I do hope you like the heat. Thanalan is much hotter yet less humid than Vylbrand.", she said with a jerk of her head to the bow. She smiled. "Though it will do wonders for your hair at the least."

[Aya]

The sound of heeled shoes on the wooden decking approached from behind the pair.  Followed soon by the crunch of a bite from a fresh apple, and a voice all-too familiar to Coatleque: "Ser Crofte!" she announced with that bountiful cheeriness and foreign accent that seemed to grip her every word, "I didn't expect to see you on the air ship!"

 

In addition to her traveling clothes she carried a heavy bag, the result of a good day's shopping in Limsa.  "Who's your friend?" she grinned to the Miqo'te before taking another bite of the apple.

[Coatleque]

Coatleque blinked twice in shock at being recognized by someone. She managed to force a wide grin through clenched teeth and seemed to speak without opening her mouth.

 

"Hello Aya."

[Aya]

Aya grinned happily.  If she had noticed the clenched teeth, it didn't show.  She made a friendly motion toward Coatleque with the apple in her hand, before taking another bite, "On your way back to Ul'dah?  Me too!  I sure hope the weather stays nice, it makes the ride so much more pleasant if we can stay above deck!"

[Melodia]

Melodia's ears twitched as she heard the words "...Ser Crofte..." 

 

Her head craned a bit to the right, eyeing the blonde woman with the bags and her narrowed eyes went back to the taller red-haired woman. She clacked her teeth and took a subtle step backward.

 

"So....Crofte? Or was tha' Hawke? I'm no' sure I heard ye properly....mus' be th' winds up here. Though if I c'n hear tha' woman's apple...." Her eyes glared a bit. "....I'm certain I heard ye tell me yer name was Hawke."  

 

Gripping the railing, she never once took her eyes off the red-headed woman, and pressed her lips together.

 

"And Ser....I know wha' tha' means.....so why no' tell me th' truth? I been on th' airship no more'n half hour and already I'm no' sure goin t' th' city's such a great idea." She looked a combination of hurt, confused and a bit angry.

[Coatleque]

As Melodia's chastisement turned rightfully angry, Coatleque was already pinching her nose with closed eyes and a furrowed brow. Shaking her head, she lowered her hand and looked at the woman with as much of an apologetic smile she could muster. "Apologies, Miss D'janz. Perhaps I should start over. I am Lady Coatleque Crofte of her Resplendence's royal guard." For a brief instant, she thought she could feel Sergeant Melkire laughing at her from the shadows.

 

"My intent was not to deceive you, Sergeant, if you can believe that. Her Grace has many agents about. We are, by and large, not seen outside of our own borders. We tend to draw the wrong type of attention when our presence is known. I fear we have now begun our acquaintance on a rather awkward foot. I pray you do not let this tarnish your perception of Ul'dah."

 

She turned back to Aya with a more genuine smile and a nod of agreement. "I had not expected to see you here as well, Aya."

[Aya]

As Aya chewed the latest bite of her apple she looked back with slightly widened eyes.  Despite being somewhat slight for a Highlander, she still stood a couple of ilms above Coatleque, virtually towering now in her high heels fully over 6 fulms in height.  

 

Aya hesitated in replying for just a moment, left to watch as Coatleque fully gave herself away.  She turned an apologetic glance toward her friend, never quite letting the friendly smile fully fade from her lips.

 

"Ul'dah really is a lovely place, you shouldn't worry so about visiting!"

 

She looks back to Coatleque, "I'm just on my way back from the Hot Springs!"

[Melodia]

Melodia looked between the two women, still wearing a slight scowl and then sighing as she nodded in acceptance.

 

"I s'ppose I'll have t' take yer word f'r it tha' yer tellin' me th' truth this time...Ser Crofte." Her emphasis at the end held a twinge a sarcasm and the tall Miqo'te looked to the blonde woman.

 

"An' ye might be...? Me name's Melodia D'janz, Sergeant in the Yellowjackets based in Limsa."

 

She looked back to Crofte and gave a slight shake of her head that said she understood but was slightly disappointed in the ruse. "An' I s'ppose if yer lookin' t' make up fer any sore feelin's, I could use a good escort aroun' the city proper."

 

A smirk touched her lips as she said this.

[Aya]

Aya flashed that bright grin to the Miqo'te, "A Yellow Jacket? Its a pleasure!  I'm Aya.  I'm a barmaid at the Quick Sand, you'll have to stop by while you're in Ul'dah!"

[Coatleque]

The Sworn gave Melodia a blank stare for a moment. Diplomatic envoy was not in her job description. She had been caught, however, and could not risk such a stain on the Order's reputation. Her expression turned to a light smile of understanding.

 

"When we land, I must needs report to my Captain first. I am sure you can appreciate the necessity of debriefing?", she asked. Before Melodia could answer she continued on, "Allow me this, and to make myself presentable, and I shall rejoin you in the Quicksand. I am sure Miss Aya could accompany you there for the interim?".

[Aya]

Aya nods agreeable, the blonde girl's bountfil energy on clear display.  "I would love to! I will have a few bells before I have to work!"

 

She turns her grin upon the Miqo'te, her voice as bright as it is excited, "Is there anything that you would like to see?"

[Melodia]

Melodia heard Crofte speak and explain her offer, and she clacked her teeth behind her closed mouth, her eyes moving to Aya. Whe she spoke it was frank, a bit stern and yet she smiled.

 

"Aye....tha' soun's fair 'nough. An' while yer talkin' t' yer cap'n..Aya...I'm no' familiar with th' city....therefore I leave meself in yer surely capable hands an' ye c'n surprise me."

 

She gripped the rail a bit harder praying she wasn't setting herself up for trouble.

[Aya]

Aya grins at the reference to her obvious! capability, "Do you know where you're staying while in town?" she asks excitedly.

[Steel Wolf]

Steel had been watching the exchange with a mixture of amusement and annoyance.  She definitely knew she was on an airship to Ul'dah, as not even five minutes in there were people already attempting to pull the wool over the eyes of anyone in earshot.

 

It was odd to see Crofte attempting subterfuge, however.  She did not know the woman terribly much, but also had only ever seen her in the filigree of a Sultansworn.  Hardly the garb of someone who was trying to fly under the radar.

 

Steel took advantage of what she percieved to be discomfort on the part of Crofte.  Any reason to poke at the overly-dressed figures of authority.  The tall Roegadyn woman tromped over, steel plate and axe clinking lightly with the move.  She approached the gathering with a broad grin, clapping a heavy hand down onto Crofte's shoulder in boisterous good nature.

 

"Ah, this one's a Sultansworn! Resplendently shiny and trustworthy-est of th'residents of Ul'dah!  Hand on heart, she'll make sure you're protected an' defended against all the ills possible!" 

 

She spread her patently ridiculous grin to all three as she interjected herself in the conversation.

[Melodia]

Melodia looked at Aya and shook her head. "I could no' tell ye...I figured I'd try th' local inn...beats sleepin' in th' streets, ye know?"

 

She smiled at her own attempt at a joke and blushed, a little embarrassed at losing her composure before Crofte due to her position.

 

Upon hearing the Roe woman approach she turned her head and her eyes flashed between Crofte and the Roe. The word "Sultansworn" hit deeply and she looked to Crofte, as she sounded like someone she definitely needed in her list of contacts, despite the initial dishonesty.

[Coatleque]

Coatleque had not expected anyone else to be aboard. Her past trips had been much quieter than this, so she suddenly wondered just how many people one airship could accommodate below the deck. She certainly was not, as well, prepared for such an outward display of a greeting, or continued recognition.

 

The hand upon her shoulder may have come harder than intended. It could have also been the sudden chill of feeling cold steel through the thin cloth of her dress. Coatleque started in surprise and turned to the Roe with wide eyes.

 

"Oh, um... yes. Do I know you?"

 

She felt herself backing into the side railing wishing desperately that she could fly away herself as the crowd continued to grow.

[Aya]

Aya's blue eyes glanced momentarily toward the armored Roegadyn.  What an exciting trip it had become!

 

She turned her look back to the Miqo'te, eyes bright as she smiled.  "You should stay at the Quick Sand!  I'll have to finish our little walk there, anyway, since I have to work tonight!  Besides, you won't find anywhere else as pleasant and affordable to stay in the entire city!"

 

She nodded, grinning still.  "We'll be getting in a little late for the bazaar, but are there any sorts of shops you would like to see? Is this your first time in Ul'dah?"

[Melodia]

Her head tilted a bit as she considered. "Mm....ye say this 'Quicksan's th place t' stay? Tha' may be a good idea.....an as f'r th' shops..."

 

She frowned slightly, her expression still a bit hard, as she was prone to keep on her face. "...no shops f'r me. I'm no' much f'r shoppin'." She blushed a bit, a little embarrassed in front of the three women, sure they were judging her for this.