Theory and Practice (OPEN)

[111]

Amidst the hustle and bustle of the Ul'dah markets, a conservatively dressed Elezen weaves through the crowds. At her side is a bulging cloth bag, and a strange flat square of some thin metal. Finding a good spot, she begins to work, a clever system of rods and guides transforming the square into a small table.

Removing a folding chair from her bag, she seats herself, unfurling a printed cloth banner across the front of her impromptu desk.

 

 

Instructor Sought

 

In the ways of courtship, and winning a Lady's hand

 

Rates Negotiable

 

 

 

 

She then leans back, hoping a master in the art of courtship would happen to walk by.

[OttoVann]

Navigating the crush of the Avenue Otto keeps his eyes forward behind his red-lensed sunglasses. Its past mid-day and the sun is in its typically oppressive harshness - dust stirred permanently and dry. He notices the Elezen woman that has given him trouble with one of his friends and ignores her at first, lazily reading her sign and ignoring its contents at first. However after he repeats the message in his head, he gets an amused though as he turns back through the crowd and starts to work his way up against the flow to stand in front of her table. He places the small leathered box he had in his hand inside his inner coat pocket as he looks down to her squinting behind his glasses as he leans down to make a show up pulling up the sign from its hanging to read it carefully.

 

Otto regards the woman, he's forgotten her name but puts an air of familiarity as he speaks with her "Forget the rates. How can I help?"

[111]

She blinks and looks up at Otto's craggy visage. "Ah, Mr Otto." She smiles, "Thank you again for your earlier support of our cause." She nods, "I'm sure a man of such stature as yourself can read. I recquire tutelage in the art of courtship."

 

She clears her throat, "Certain... recent events have revealed my abilities in that area are not as great as I had hoped. I have read every romance novel I could obtain, but alas, it seems they are of no use in moving the heart of a flesh and blood maiden."

 

"Are you skilled in such methods?"

[OttoVann]

She blinks and looks up at Otto's craggy visage. "Ah, Mr Otto." She smiles, "Thank you again for your earlier support of our cause." She nods, "I'm sure a man of such stature as yourself can read. I recquire tutelage in the art of courtship."

 

She clears her throat, "Certain... recent events have revealed my abilities in that area are not as great as I had hoped. I have read every romance novel I could obtain, but alas, it seems they are of no use in moving the heart of a flesh and blood maiden."

 

"Are you skilled in such methods?"

 

Otto drops the cloth sign , a crooked expression on his face as he regards her fully. He mulls over his ideas and the uses this woman could have for him and finally nods once as he speaks

 

"Of course I am. However, a place like this isn't very suitable to teach such things" he says as he tilts his head back indicated the crowd and overall atmosphere.

 

"When do we start?"

[111]

She stands up earnestly, a determined look on her face, "I can start now, if you're able."

 

"But first, I need some evidence to back up your claims." She squares her shoulders, as if entering a bout of fisticuffs, "Come then, and demonstrate your mastery over the ways of the heart."

 

"Woo me, Mr Otto."

[OttoVann]

She stands up earnestly, a determined look on her face, "I can start now, if you're able."

 

"But first, I need some evidence to back up your claims." She squares her shoulders, as if entering a bout of fisticuffs, "Come then, and demonstrate your mastery over the ways of the heart."

 

"Woo me, Mr Otto."

 

Inhales deeply, his shoulders rising as falling in the sudden acknowledgment of the work he faced if he cared to play along with the woman. With pursed lips he shakes his head a moment before replying "Well here and now isn't the appropriate place. Look at you, ready to take me on as if I posed a threat. What do you even want? Just to get a man in your bed or are you looking for more?"

 

"We should get dinner sometime and sit you down where its more peaceful...than the hustle and bustle of the Exchanges of Ul'Dah"

[111]

Evangeline nods, "I agree... this is not the most romantic of places, but the greater the challenge, the greater the display."

 

"It is not a man I am interested in courting, but a woman." She clears her throat, "But have no fear Mr Otto, I am not immune to the... charms of a gentleman. Should they exist."

 

She does her best to imitate the coy sexy pose often displayed by the courtesans of Ul'dah, though her execution leads something to be desired.

 

"Come now..." She says in a flat tone, finger touching her lips in what she has read is a enticing gesture, "Show me a technique."

[OttoVann]

Evangeline nods, "I agree... this is not the most romantic of places, but the greater the challenge, the greater the display."

 

"It is not a man I am interested in courting, but a woman." She clears her throat, "But have no fear Mr Otto, I am not immune to the... charms of a gentleman. Should they exist."

 

She does her best to imitate the coy sexy pose often displayed by the courtesans of Ul'dah, though her execution leads something to be desired.

 

"Come now..." She says in a flat tone, finger touching her lips in what she has read is a enticing gesture, "Show me a technique."

 

Rolls his eyes as he exhales. The woman is either quite bad or acting and he would know soon enough. He bends down at picks up her folding metal table and starts to awkwardly fold it at first before getting the gist of the hinges as he folds it neatly enough.

 

"Technique doesn't matter if you can't hold a conversation. Come, fetch your bag and lets go."

[111]

Evangeline watches him manipulate the table curiously for a moment before folding up her own chair and placing it into the bag, "Trying to impress me with physical strength and dexterity..." She nods, "Certainly an effective tactic."

 

She shoulders her own bag, "Lead on then, teacher, it seems you are no novice in such matters."

 

Evangeline bows slightly, and then moves to follow Otto in whatever direction he seems inclined to move.

[OttoVann]

Evangeline watches him manipulate the table curiously for a moment before folding up her own chair and placing it into the bag, "Trying to impress me with physical strength and dexterity..." She nods, "Certainly an effective tactic."

 

She shoulders her own bag, "Lead on then, teacher, it seems you are no novice in such matters."

 

Evangeline bows slightly, and then moves to follow Otto in whatever direction he seems inclined to move.

 

Otto moves to the right of the churning crowd, following the flow up and headed towards the Quicksand. As they leave the exchange he secures her table under his arms more fully as they walk. Away from the crowd where he can more clearly hear her he speaks back to her "Picking up a table is nothing, even you can do it. Most women don't give a shit about raw strength I'd be surprised if you do."

 

As they keep walking they round the streets just past the Gate of Nald and head up the Ruby Road Exchange towards the lift. "We are headed to the Airship Landing. I take it you've been there before. Its the only place I'll enjoy meals at or from in this city now."

 

As they approach the lift attendant he stops and turns to her "I hope you at least have table manners"

[111]

Evangeline nods, "Well Mr Otto, you have the table, and I have the manners."

 

She pauses for a few moments, "My books said gentleman preferred humor in a Lady, perhaps they were incorrect." After clearing her throat, "I am quite familiar with the establishment, Mr Otto, you need have no worries on my conduct."

[OttoVann]

Evangeline nods, "Well Mr Otto, you have the table, and I have the manners."

 

She pauses for a few moments, "My books said gentleman preferred humor in a Lady, perhaps they were incorrect." After clearing her throat, "I am quite familiar with the establishment, Mr Otto, you need have no worries on my conduct."

 

Otto waits for the lift to arrive and enters at the gesture of the attendant not immediately replying to her. As they enter the door closed and the lift lurches upward before turning into a smoother ascent. He looks up towards the gate and ceiling as they continue to climb to the docks and finally speaks "Forget your books. What matters is being a good speaker and listener. But mostly a listener. All men like most things most women have to offer them. Its about presentation and you sorely lack it."

[111]

"Mr Otto... I do not doubt your words. Your own actions give credence to them", She smiles slightly, "But as I believe I have mentioned, it is not a man who's heart I wish to capture."

 

"I will though, endeavor to absorb your teachings nonetheless." She nods, "What about my presentation needs to be improved?"

[GloryRhodes]

Alienne was having a hell of a time with the markets.  "Hey, no.  Listen, I ain't tryin' to buy no grapes.  I'm tryin' to find an ape!  Like a gorilla!  The lady at the leve place told me about an escaped ape and I think he's hidin' 'round here.  Okay?"

 

"Six gil.  Good Doman grapes.  Never see like again.  Best price!  No silly businesses!"  The lalafell put his hands on his hips and nodded.  "You buy!"

 

"No, I don't buy.  How about bananas?  Apes like bananas, right?"

 

The man seemed aghast.  "Ban what?  You are call me after him?  I spit on you!  Babana Banana is cheat!  He foul!  He sell shite!  5 gil!  I spit on you!"

 

Alienne realized now that she was out of her depth.  Ul'Dahn merchants were a crafty lot.  She would have to find this ape through other means.  "Sorry to bug you."

 

"No bugs!  Is fresh grapes!"

 

She moved away from the gesticulating man's stall and made a hasty retreat.  Ul'Dah was confusing.  At least in Hawker's Alley the merchants just sometimes robbed you.  Here they actually tried to sell you stuff you didn't want.

 

She was so distraught by this encounter that she didn't see the Miqo'te until she stumbled into the poor girl.  There was a solid clang as her head bounced off of Alienne's breastplate, followed by a string of curses.  "Hey you over tall bitch, watch where you're going!"

 

"Oh!  Hey, sorry.  You all right?"  The Miqo'te was a fair haired and tan skinned girl of maybe twenty summers, and she was dressed in just enough fabric to store tips; obviously a dancing girl.

 

She looked up at Alienne, and whatever foul insult was forming in her mouth died away at the sight of flowing emerald hair, bright sky blue eyes and a kind, concerned expression.  The girl blushed, "Oh, no.  It's okay.  I'm E'sona."

 

Alienne smiled, completely failing to pick up on some very obvious social cues.  "You ain't seen an ape around here, have you?"

 

"Hmm?  No, sorry.  I could help you look!"  E'sona smiled, and Alienne looked around.  They were standing on a dancing mat.  Two other girls were frowning, their dance interrupted along with E'sona's when Alienne fumbled into their performance.  Six spectators stared up at Alienne with expressions ranging from shock to marvel.  Elezen were kind of rare in the desert.

 

"Are you sure?" Alienne indicated the obviously ruined performance.  "It looks like you were in the middle of something."

 

E'sona shook her head quickly, "Nope!  No problem!"  She waved to her dancing partners, then wrapped her arms around one of Alienne's.  This was as confusing as the merchants.  Alienne sighed, then began walking down the street in the hope that the ape was posing as a street urchin.  Several of the crowd followed.  Thinking, perhaps, that the markets might not be the best place to find a gorilla on the run, she made her way towards the airship landing in case the creature might have been trying to flee the city.

 

There she saw someone she recognized, and waved excitedly.  "Gel!  Hey Gel!"  And when Evangeline turned to look there was Alienne, towering above the rest of the Ul'Dahn in her dented and stained mismatched armor, with a small harem following her and a dancing girl at her hip.  "Hey Gel, you seen an ape?"

[OttoVann]

"I heard you not to worry. You got your mind set on a woman. Women aren't all their hyped up to be either, as you well know."

 

The lift stops rather abruptly after it started to slow only a little, jarring its precious passenger and his student. Otto steps forward to open the gate with one hand, the other still clutching the table under his arm.

 

"You should give me an idea of who your after, or why your after them. First lets get off this lift and get some food." he trails off his words with a gesture of the head to the opened lift doors to let her walk out ahead of him.

[111]

She heads out of the lift, "I see... well the woman is one Lady Leanne." She blushes slightly, "But I am often so bold as to call her Lea." She clears her throat, "And despite your comment, I believe her to be honest and true."

 

There she saw someone she recognized, and waved excitedly. "Gel! Hey Gel!" And when Evangeline turned to look there was Alienne, towering above the rest of the Ul'Dahn in her dented and stained mismatched armor, with a small harem following her and a dancing girl at her hip. "Hey Gel, you seen an ape?"

 

Evangeline smiles, "Ah, Alienne, unfortunately I have not." She gestures at Otto, "This is Mr Otto, my new instructor in the ways of romance."

 

"Otto, this is Alienne, who I accidentally proposed an intimate encounter to."

[OttoVann]

Otto takes to removing his red lensed glasses, placing them in his breast pocket. He squints momentarily as his eyes adjust to the scene in front of him. He is unsure if the ape comment is directed towards him but instantly dismisses it all the same as he puts on his affable smile and follows the Elezen woman out of the lift. He notes that she was called 'Gel' as he takes to giving a small nod of a bow towards the other woman called Alienne.

 

Otto listens to the last of 'Gel's' words, finding humor in 'accidentally' trying to get a woman in bed.

 

“Well, it sounds like you do need work. Good evening Alienne my name is Otto.” He inspects her entourage for a moment, impressed enough with their capacity to have followers dressed as this.

[111]

"Lady Alienne is quite popular, despite her avoidance of washing either herself or her clothes." She clears her throat, "I have it on good authority that the alley in which she lives is quite the social destination for those living rough."

 

"As you say Mr Otto, I do need some 'Work', else I would not be taking this rather drastic step. I can only hope I can absorb your teachings well."

[GloryRhodes]

Alienne smiled, "Oh, hey!  Nice to meet ya, Otto.  I uhh...  Well, i mean, I don't actually avoid washing, I just kinda...  Don't is all."

 

E'sona's face brightened, "I think you smell wonderful."

 

"Uhh, thanks."  Alienne scratched her head, then nodded at the pair.  "I don't actually live in the alley no more.  Mr. V hired me to bust heads or somethin', so I live in his house now and...  Hey, E'Sona, that's my butt."

 

"Oh, sorry."

[OttoVann]

Otto soaks in the small spectacle before him before clearing his throat. He starts to walk from the elevator towards the bar and few tables that the Airship Landing had for guests.

 

Before he departs the pair who are catching up he bows slightly and says "I'll see you at the table 'Gel'. As you for Alienne, a pleasure to meet you."

 

With that he turns and walks to a dining table - finally ridding himself of the folding table the woman had used to hold her sign in the market as he sets it down with care and takes his seat. He holds up a hand to the bartender, getting his attention easily enough to indicate for a server to come to the table. He has come here often enough now that his usuals are well known and he gets quick service.

 

The waitress, a fair and young Miqo woman with golden colored eyes and tamed hair recognizes him and doesn't bother to ask what he wants as she stops midway in her approach to the table. This lets Otto think undisturbed about Leanne, the Elezen woman's target.

[111]

Evangeline nods politely, "I see."

 

"Perhaps I can meet this Mr V of yours sometime." She grins slightly, "But it seems you have your hands full with your ape, and your rather amorous entourage. I would love to dine again, but I must chase down my teacher before he changes his mind."

 

She bows, and then heads off after Otto, taking the seat opposite him, "So then, Mr Otto, where do we begin?"

[OttoVann]

Otto relaxes in his chair, slouching as he hangs an arm over the back of the chair with a crossed leg. He looks across the table to the woman and studies her for a moment. Fair skin, fair face, hair is kept well enough though she has a wild look in her eyes. She has a marking on her face and if I recall correctly it was given to her by Ishgardians.

 

Breaking the silence he speaks to her “Alright. Lets start with who you are. Age, where your from, things like that.”

[111]

"My name is Evangeline Primrose." She clears her throat, "Or at least that is the name I choose to live by here."

 

"As for my heritage, I am from Ishgard, as you might have guessed, and I recently reached 22 years of age. In Ishgard I was born into good stock." She looks around, "Which is why I sometimes still have difficulty adjusting to the ways of the common people."

 

"I enjoy fine wine, books and women." She blushes slightly, "Or at least I think I do, though I have little practical experience in the art of courting a woman."

[OttoVann]

Keeps his lazy and open posture with his free arm propped on the table before them. As soon as she finishes speaking about her habits and hobbies he immediately speaks while waving his hand to the side dismissively "Unless you're going back home anytime soon, you should stop identifying as some sort of Ish-Noble. Regardless of whether they may be hated or even viewed as enemies, it doesn't matter that you we're born into a high family. Not here in Ul'Dah. Even 'nobility' in a city like this is largely irrelevant. Once you get used to that idea it will be easier to deal with 'common' people like me, your everyday Syndicate man."

 

Otto would sigh curtly as he looks to Evangeline "Have you ever had relations with a woman before? Slept with one at least? Or a man? Also I find it...strange you're so open with attraction to a Miqo woman considering your heritage."

 

"Keep in mind I am not trying to embarass you I am just trying to figure out how best to get you to learn to even socialize whether it be romantic or otherwise."

[111]

"I expressed my heritage not to boast, but merely to make you aware of the difficulties." She smiles, "As you know I pride myself on championing the equality of all people, regardless of birth. I would like nothing more than to consider it irrelevant... but I am finding it harder than I had thought."

 

She sighs, "No matter though, I will take your advice to heart."

 

"As to your question... I have touched lips with another noblewoman once, as a dare." She blushes slightly, "All present were quite scandalized. Other than that, I must admit I am an amateur."

 

"Regarding my choice, is it so strange? The women of Ishgard were cold and reserved, stiff with tradition." She smiles, "Lady Leanne seems as fiery and free as the desert winds." She steeples her hands, "And she promised to help me kill the Sultana and Syndicate if needed. Such ardor cannot help but stir my heart."