#cinnabar prentice

[jancisstuff]

Jancis’ Books: May Letters

“I'll write to you. A super-long letter, like in an old-fashioned novel”    ―      Haruki Murakami,            After Dark    

[progeny-of-the-fury]

The Scouting Mission

Log date: 8/30/18

OOC Note: The text in these logs are strictly for the reader’s enjoyment. Anyone using the knowledge displayed within this text without the participant’s knowledge risks the potential of blacklisting from future communication and roleplay. Please do not meta-game! 

Tags: @ragizi @wyranimh

Rageant Lacordaire: "Gather around, those among you with the will to serve Gridania this eve."

Hestia De'bayle sighs, reaching up to tug down her turbans mask over her gaze.

Cinnabar Prentice returns! Praise the Sun! A smile speaks well enough to a successful order.

Bruno Suvois asks her as he sets about tying the weapon to his belt. He gives it a few testing tugs, before nodding.

Svana Heart: "Sounds like a call for drinks to me, and aren't those hard to turn down."

Bruno Suvois: "That works! We'll have to figure out a night for it soon, then. Until then, though, duty calls!"

Rageant Lacordaire: "The Elder Seedseer has declared a reward for the adventurers, or in this case the house, who can dispense with a pest that has eluded the Order of the Twin Adders and the Wood Wailers alike. A relatively new gang of cutthroats and vagabonds who go by the "Black Mites;" I'm not certain what's so black about them yet. We're to patrol the roads and see if we can lend our benefactors assistance in the matter; after all, we call their land home."

Svana Heart nods along, keeping a gregarious grin just long enough for Bruno to set upon his task before the more honest, distraught grimace of worry is set free.

Cinnabar Prentice 's head slowly cants aside. An expression of inquiry; confusion; set upon her face as she looks to Hestia... though attention returns to Ragi when he recites the order.

Bruno Suvois: "What're we aiming to do, exactly? Just put on a scary show for them? If they're familiar with the woods, then a band of armored knights trudging through their turf out to be pretty easy to avoid, wouldn't it?"

Rageant Lacordaire: "Mayhap, but their modus operandi seems to be to ambush even well-armed convoys. They're ruthless and territorial, or so it is told. It might be that we'll catch them unawares, as we are more experienced than those who typically wander the roads."

Jacline Kerelle: "Mm, mm. Lotta them caravan guards don't even know how to fight, really. Just strap on a mail shirt and sword, call it a day. Easy money. So I've heard."

Rageant Lacordaire: "We shall go forth without delay." Rageant slung his axe from his back and set the blade in the grass between his feet, gripping the haft in both hands and lowering his head. "We who have gathered this day shall go forth as one and see these roads safeguarded. Fury walk with us, for we are driven by our sense of duty, of which there is nothing higher. Say the words with me and feel their truth within thine blood; Aucun Supérieur."

Hestia De'bayle peers over toward Rageant, before looking out toward the rest of the group as they all spoke amongst one another. A flared sort of breath leaves her as Rageant recites the House's motto, she repeating it out dutifully, "Aucun Supérieur."

Jacline Kerelle: "A... acken, sup.. urrirur." Cough, cough.

Bruno Suvois: "Aucun Supérieur!" repeats with a boisterous tone.

Cinnabar Prentice bows her head and brings close her arm in the house salute for the maxim: "Aucun Superieur." Fuck you, all I can do is ümlauts.

Jacline Kerelle: "Acken Super-roar!"

Jacline Kerelle psychs herself up alongside Rageant Lacordaire!

Bruno Suvois: "I look stupid."

Their patrol began as dusk descended upon the woods, a cold breeze from nearby Coerthas weaving its way through the trees, rustling the leaves, and numbing the cheeks and digits. For an hour their path winded before them until at last something of significance emerged; a wagon, sitting down the road beyond the range of their voices, with its belongings seemingly scattered about the path. Rageant stopped them ere they drew close. "Halt; there's something ahead."

Jacline Kerelle snerks and covers her mouth. "N-no. It's... it looks good! Very, uh.. Round."

"Mm," Hestia lifts her visor, allowing for the group to move forward before her.

Jacline Kerelle seems lost in thought.

Rageant Lacordaire: "Look alive; my eye sight isn't so keen as it was in my youth, but I see something."

Bruno Suvois rolls his shoulders as he marches along, head held high the entire time. His body ached, but he didn't let it show, and he certainly didn't let it slow him down. Thankfully his shoulders were much more comfortable thanks to Vilette's tip.

Jacline Kerelle glances around the trees as she strings her bow with practiced hands. "I see it, too. Looks like a trap, from here, don't it?"

Hestia De'bayle: "The mask I don is built for archers and darkness, I shall reposition to a higher viewpoint."

Cinnabar kept relatively quiet for the travel. They were on a hunt of sorts; it demanded attention. Her ears saw as much as her eyes as they marched along, treading lightly- ere they come to the scene just ahead... Her eyes narrow a touch, scanning high and low nearby, for any signs of presence beyond their own...

"It does seem precarious; we'll wait for Hestia's appraisal. Gods, and I had begun to doubt we'd find anything this eve,” Rageant murmured.

"A trap? What if it's people that need help?" Bruno questioned. "Someone could be hurt up there!"

Hestia sees that there is a single man, an Elezen, sitting among the random junk strewn about. He appears to be sitting on some kind of silver blanket.

"Shh... It, very well could be... You remember the, wagon in La Noscea? In the rose bush, Jac?" Cinnabar asks.

"If they need help, they needed it a long time before we ever got here. Watch the flanks." Jacline cranes her neck, scanning the treetops.

The shell lights up with Hestia’s neutral tone. "I have repositioned. There is what appears to be an Elezen man in the distance sitting upon scattered clutter. Some sort of blanket shimmers beneath him, it holds a silvery hue. I would approach with caution."

Pressing his forefingers to his ear, Rageant gave a nod to the others. "Bruno may be right; we should proceed, albeit it cautiously."

Bruno exhales through his nose. "A silver blanket? What could that be?"

"I shall keep watch over the area and keep my arrows ready if needed."

Cinnabar’s brow dips for the words from her pearl. "Mh... Silver... blanket..?"

"We'll soon see, for speculating may do us no good." Rageant turned and waved to Hestia, gesturing toward the scene she'd survey as if to signal their intentions, and then made the approach.

Jacline answers him with a quirk of an eyebrow and a shrug of a shoulder, then spreads out to their flank to advance on the site while keeping an eye out.

Bruno does the same, scrambling up the hill on the right side, moving cautiously and keeping an eye out around the trees.

Jacline hunkers down next to a tree, watching from the undergrowth.

"Thank the Gods," the Wildwood Elezen opened immediately, rising to a kneel and then a stand. From the looks of it he was a tailor - uncut cloth and rugs were strewn about the dirt, virtually none remaining where they presumably belonged in his chocobo drawn wagon - the chocobo, too, was missing. "Bandits," he sputtered immediately "They've gone and run me of my merchandise." The coast seeming clear, Rageant offered no response but instead waved to the two lingering on the periphery of the site.

With the wave given, Cinnabar rises from her crouch at treeside, approaching with eyes a-scanning the surroundings; the scattered goods and the like…

Bruno trotted forward, coming up behind Rageant. "Did you see which way they went?"

"No," said the Elezen, who raised his arms and began raving. "They gave me a whack and ran off with my goods and my steed." His gesticulating was peculiar, as if he was a stage performer attempting to impress with his words.

"Gave you...a whack?" Bruno questioned.

Jacline sniffs and glances down the road the way they came. "As bandits're wont to do, eh. Must be some tracks or somethin'..."

"Aye, with the blunt end of a spear, he did." The Elezen whistled loudly, in the manner of one who had seen something spectacular and was at a loss for words. He then began rubbing his head as if the blow were fresh. "Aye, was a right good blow, too." He whistled once more.

Bruno gives the man a skeptical look. However, he'd leave it for now and instead turn his attention to the wagon itself, moving over to get a closer look around it, and inside of it.

With the mention of chocobo, Cinnabar’s eyes take to the road... fresh tracks... droppings... feathers... all would aid, just as much as her question. "... I am, pained for your loss, sir... Have, any come this way, before us? Ere you were, attacked? Any which, you are aware, for?"

Jacline quirks her mouth at the man. "Musta left quite the bump, huh? Mind if I take a look, make sure you're okay? I'm a healer, by trade."

The man appeared nervous now, perhaps by Cinnabar's line of questioning. Bruno could find some few of the rugs not been removed from the wagon; too heavy for the effort perhaps. "I err... yep, a real big bump. No need, no need, I'm sure I'll be fine. Uhh, what did you ask again, you spectacularly tall woman, you?" As he spoke, the man lifted a nearby fallen bough, a small enough branch that he could begin tying a black piece of cloth to it.

"Have any others, passed through?" Cinnabar reiterates, eyes abandoning the road in favor of the man... Her brow quirked, with that response. Eyeballing his cloth-tying motions... She takes greater account, now, of what the man wears…

More suspicious, now, Jacline casually circles around to his rear, keeping an eye on his hands as she cuts off the easiest escape route. "Really must insist," she says, louder. "Let us check your wound. Man gets hit that hard, he's got somethin' nasty to show for it. Unless, of course, he's lyin'." For emphasis, Jacline draws one of her long daggers and taps it against her thigh.

"Oh, right, you know I'm not sure come to think of it," replied the man cryptically. He was garbed poorly in a drab tunic and trousers, dirtied by the elements - not exactly the finery one would expect of a merchant who traded in cloth and materials. As Jacline approached, he raised one hand defensively. "Hold on, now, what're you going to do with that?!" His other hand was, curiously, waving his brand new makeshift flag to and fro. Sweat bead upon his brow despite the bitter cold.

Hestia spots some figures encroaching slowly, stealthily, from the northeast using the trees and underbrush as cover.

"What, this?" Jacline holds up her knife, giving it a flip and turning it this way and that, so he can watch the light gleam off its edge. "Just lettin' it breathe. You like breathin', don't ya?"

“Oh for crying out loud..." Bruno sighs, turning on the man. Lacking any hesitation whatsoever, he'd raise a fist and aim to crash it against the side of his head.

"Attention," Hestia voice rang again, "an undetermined number of figures are approaching from the northeast. They are using the shroud of the trees and nearby foliage for cover by the looks of it. If they grow close, I will shoot a warning shot."

Cinna's eyes widen, taken by the man's motions- she looks around, then reaches to press right to her ear--

Rageant's posture changed visibly at Hestia's warning, and just as Bruno clocked the man, sending him tumbling to the ground - not unconscious, but reeling in pain. "Ah, what'd you go and do that for?" He'd dropped his flag now and laying on the ground he, too, seemed privy to the change in demeanor. His immediate course of action - scramble to his silver blanket, or what was more closely identifiable as a blanket made of chainmail. "About bloody time," he cried.

"Remain calm, scouts and rely on one another. This situation is still within our control."

A singular, distant "wark!" echoes through the wood. One of the birds chased off the man's wagon? Unlikely, given that it sounds from the south of the trail already passed....

Hestia's warning had come just in time; the figures in the woodland emerged, more than a dozen, charging closer to the scene and raising their shortbows to nock arrow and loose their volley upon the patrol. To their fortune, that upper hand was robbed them by Hestia's scouting. They loosed their arrows, certainly, but not before the gap could be closed or cover could be taken.

"Black... Mites. Black Flag..." Cinnabar turns her attention northbound along the trail- taking but a moment ot gather her bearings; hand upon her weapon and hairs standing on end with attention. "En garde... En garde," she repeats; firm and audible to the others in company.

From her position above, Hestia fires more than just a warning shot. Aiming at one of the on-coming figures that threatened her companions, the woman let loose an arrow into one of the mens chest.

Jacline sneers and rushes to intercept the man going for the 'blanket', aiming a kick square at his face as he reaches down! So much for playing!

"En garde!" she reiterates, had any not heard! Her halberd in hand, she aims the business-end forth; core firm and arms tensed as springs as she moves to intercept the reinforcements.

Bruno curses as the arrows come flying. He'd duck behind the wagon for cover, and struggle for a moment to draw his sword and shield. He hangs back for now, waiting to see how the others fare before he chooses his course of action.

Not quite as expedient as hoped, Svana at last reveals her change of heart and attire. Astride an overworked porter's chocobo that already grows anxious to the sight and tension of the scene she charges into the fray, leaping with the selfsame reckless vigor as she did untrained in joust. Drawing steel in midair she leaves the panicking bird to flee and closes the few yalms yet to the archers with a howl of laughter!

Rageant rushed into the fray alongside Cinnabar, but their assault was met by lancers who braced their spears and prevented them from being able to engage the archer force. Svana's unexpected attack however allowed her to break into their line, sinking her steel into an archer and incapacitating them. All the while another of their numbers were felled by a soaring arrow that came from the silent woods.

Meanwhile, Jacline had successfully driven her boot into the side of the batman's head, and he fell limp before he could take his cover.

Their line broken by Svana, a half dozen lancers paired off and engaged the three melee combatants with their spears, attempting to pierce their flesh and drive them back.

Jacline gives the downed bateman a second kick in the face for good measure. Then the arrows come, one nearly catching her in the neck as it thwips through the fur at her collar, a few more thunking into the wagon. With a grimace and a curse, the elezen ducks behind cover and returns fire at the back line!

Rageant charged his pair of foes, whipping his axe in a frenzied horizontal slice that caught one of the lancers on the stomach, drew blood, and sent him doubling over onto his knees. His armor absorbed the brunt of the other lancer's glancing assault, whom he turned to address next.

Cinnabar Prentice's attack was stifled by the barrage of arrows. Nothing managing to penetrate her layers of armor just yet. Seems they might have opted to assail the largest target they could spot, first... Typical. Even so, she intercepted successfully with the others; thrusting and chopping at the frontline- working to keep them at a distance!

Bruno stands once there's a break in the arrows. The adrenaline starts to kick in, making his blood warm up. He charges forward with a yell, into the line of lancers, managing to bat their weapons aside with his shield before he'd shoulder tackle one to the ground, and make to bash his head with the shield.

Not stopping an instant even as the line reforms in her wake, Svana becomes a winding trail of steel and mocking laughter. The two lancers contesting her are met with an unrelenting pressure of false-starts and feints to draw out useless reprisals. All but dancing around them she slips through the threat with a pair of arcing slices and hounds the retreating bowmen in turn.

Some bowmen frantically nocked their arrows in shivering hands, while others broke rank and fled at the sight of their combined assaults and their falling comrades. The lancers, embroiled as they were, pressed their impotent assault upon the Bayle fighters, though their numbers had dwindled such that they no longer outnumbered them - and Jacline's unfortunate victim was out and unconscious straight away.

She's on fire! Jacline jabs a handful of arrows into the dirt, then kneels and fires one after another, unleashing a one-woman volley on the shaken archers.

Bruno stands from his unconscious target, turning as another drops their bow and charges him with a shortsword. He blocks with his shield, chuckling. This shield served him far better than the kite shield did. Another tip from Vilette paying off. He skips forward, bringing a heavy kick down on the man's knee, breaking it backwards and sending him to the ground screaming and holding it. Another bandit is soon upon him, slashing at him with an axe. The first blow clips him, scraping his mail, before he parries a second, and then a third with his sword. He thrusts it forwards on instinct, and impales the adversary through the chest. Bruno tenses up, his heart skipping a beat as he lowers the dying man to the ground. He releases the hilt of the weapon, standing up. He looks around with a blank stare, watching as the others continue their fights.

Clink! Clack! Rip! Arrrgh! As the enemy falls, Cinnabar's advance presses forth, swallowing the remainder as the lower jaw to Svana's upper in the formation, swallowed by Bruno and Ragi... Jac? Jac was the tongue. Licky lick, slurp poke, delicious~... While most of Cinna's attacks maimed, she didn't seem keen to pursue the coup de grace on any who were unwilling to fight, from there on... Taking to defense, and scanning around for any actual threats- eye on those laid low besides.

With as many targets near at hand, none of them yet armed to ward off a close-in foe, Svana makes short work of the bandits that do not scatter quickly enough from the pursuit. Wasteless at first, hamstrings, throats, her violence becomes ever more cinematic as the final marks are made with the rest maimed or fled. In a show of excess she lets the last man draw a knife and make his defense, all but humiliating him with petty counters and persistent evasion.

With uncanny accuracy, Jacline's arrows find more marks than not, evident by the shrieks and cries. The ones that don't end up curled dying on the ground are limping or running into the trees in full rout. Hurray!

With a falling swipe of his axe, the end of his foe's lance was severed, a prelude to what awaited them. He threw his weight forward, his stocky build advantageous for doubling his foe over and brought the haft of his weapon between the foe's legs, lifting him over the Miqo'te's own back and hurling him to the ground where a final unceremonious chop parted the aggressor from his head. By now, the entirety of the attacking mob had been killed or incapacitated (but for Svana's plaything).

Even as the sounds of fighting died down around him, Bruno still just...stood there. He looked down at the deceased man who still had his sword lodged in his chest. Bruno's face looked pale, and his hands shook at his sides.

Once it's clear there's no more arrows coming her way, Jacline sets her bow aside and goes to rifle through the bateman's pockets, if he had any. Then she checks the mail shirt to see if it's her size!

<Hestia De'bayle> "Status report of everyones condition?"

Beckoning the knife-swinging-slasher with a free hand and a winded scoff even as he fights on to the brink of exhaustion and panic, she steps aside as he lunges forward in a desperate last-ditch effort to close the distance and outdo her weapon's reach... only to find that same blade at his ankle with her step aside, by its flat, as he trips and careens off the small ledge behind her.

<Rageant Lacordaire> "Bruised from an arrow hitting my chainmail but fully intact."

<Jacline Kerelle> "No holes I didn't have already! What're we doin' with the survivors?"

<Hestia De'bayle> "All apprehended personnel are to be brought to the Twin Adders nest for interrogation."

"Poor sods hadn't the faintest they were up against a gladiator." Rageant murmured.

Quiet... Relative quiet... Nothing was visible above them- around. Cinnabar was breathing hard, but steady through flared nostrils. The trembling of her hands in the adrenal rush was only noticeable once she stowed her weapon and began to settle, eyes around the fallen... She counts those who are still squirming...

<Cinnabar Prentice> "M-milady, they are numerous; wounded... some gravely... m-might we hail the, Wailers, to aid in, their return?"

Grin just a bit too cheery not to be wicked with flecks of blood scattershot across her pristine white coat, Svana quips along to that assessment, "Giving them the runaround works best when they expect discipline and rigor. Nobody'd see me in a uniform."

<Hestia De'bayle> "Yes. I will see that they are fetched to assist in the transport. Standby until then."

"I must say, I am glad I did not have to do this alone; I may've fallen prey to their trap, clumsy and slow-sprung as it was. I'll take it from here, and see that they're all given to the Twin Adder's custody. You should return to the Dawn Vigil for rest; or whatever it is you do after a battle." Rageant noted to them all.

"Bruno... Are, you injured?" Cinnabar queried the lone man of silence- though eyes flicked hastily back toward Jacline first, before finding him catatonic. "... Bruno...?" And... down, to the sword-embedded corpse.

<Hestia De'bayle> "The Wailers from Treespeak Stables are accompanying me back to the location. We shall be there posthaste."

<Cinnabar Prentice> "Aye, aye..."

Jacline takes the time to strip the batman of his shirt, then use it as a makeshift rope to hogtie him in place, then returns to searching the wagon for potential loot. Her size or not, she drapes the chain shirt over one shoulder. That'll surely trade for something good!

Bruno blinks back to life, head raising to look at the others. "Huh? Oh. I, yeah, I'm fine." He swallows heavily, trying to parch his dry mouth. "Some scrapes...bruises."

Hestia approaches with three Wailers behind her, one of them holding a hand to their ear as they seemingly report back to Gridania. "I will visit the Adders nest myself and offer them a full report of the situation," she declares. "This could potentially put the Shroud on high alert for some time."

With a grin, Jacline gives Bruno a sharp swat on the shoulder. "Heh! First time you ever stick somebody?"

Cinnabar’s still-vibrating hand comes to rest on the man's shoulder, giving the novice a pat of comfort. "... He... Would have, done worse... had he only, managed, before you," she calmly reassures him; eyes locked to his.

"How fare you three?" Hestia inquired.

Bruno looks between them, settling on Jacline. He nods slowly. "Yeah..." Was all he said. "Plenty of fights before, but never...killed anyone before."

"Mh... Shaken, but hale and whole. Mhm." Cinnabar boasted some arrows dangling from the extremities of her chainmaille and underlying padding, but nothing of flesh and bone.

Bruno reaches up, tugging the coif down and wiping his sweat-caked forehead.

"Fights for life or death are often the ones that leave their mark the deepest. I mean not to sound melodramatic in saying such, but it is only the truth: tonight will see you a changed man, Suvois. For better or worse. Let us hope it is the former." Hestia consoles.  

"Where precisely did you learn to fight like that, Svana?" Rageant asks.

Cinnabar Prentice gives Bruno another pat on his shoulder, ere reaching down... The elezen is spared the gruesome deed of withdrawing steel from the corpse, but neither the unsightly wound it left behind nor the sound thereof. blade grasped behind the guard, the brand is offered pommel first to Bruno to take once more.

Bruno looks to Hestia, and simply nods to her before turning away. "Something to get used to, I guess." He said, his voice evening out a bit as his body calms down. Yet he's lacking the usual cheerful confidence that he usually carries. He takes his weapon back, pulling a cloth from somewhere in his armor to wipe the blood clean.

Jacline clicks her tongue at him and winks. "If they didn't wanna die, they'd stay home, eh? Better them than us." Despite the casual air, the elezen is visibly on edge, and she can't quite hide the tremor in her hand as she relieves her bow of its string to let it rest. She nods and smiles at Hestia, and pats Cinnabar on the arm as she passes. "Gonna get my arrows back. Waste not want not!"

"Understand this as well... Bruno. There is no shame, in sorrow. Even knowing it was either your life or his, it was still a life. Still someone who maybe had a chance to be different. But they did not give you that option. You are not weak for the pain you might feel. You are strong for it." Hestia insists.

Cinnabar Prentice jerked at the pat- clearly on edge a bit herself! But she's quick to shine a smile and nod to the dusky elezen!

With her eyes first to the scene down below Rageant's question stirs Svana along to a distracted and belated answer, "...Hm? Oh, damn good question. Couldn't tell you precisely. Somewhere between Hingashi and Sharlayan." Useless as that is she's quick to clarify, "That wasn't fighting though, mostly. Bandits, thugs, even hard ones like these... They'll lose to even numbers in trained hands, every time. This-... More of a show, really."

"...Right. Thanks, Hestia. I knew it was going to happen someday. After all, man or beast, blood's going to have to be spilled if we want to protect the good folks of this world. Probably better that it happened so suddenly,” Bruno murmured.

"Halone smiles upon you, Bruno. She understands the squall of your heart, and will help see it mended in time. Often, death is a mercy. Some are too lost to be saved," stepping forward, she offered the man a firm. comforting pat on the arm before turning and walking away.

"That doesn't exactly answer my question but I get the point. Aye, untrained rabble the lot of them, hoping for easy killings by my reckoning, they'd planned to pelt their own with arrows if that chain blanket is any indication." Rageant lowered his axe's blade so it hovered just over the grass, giving it a swift twist that shook the blood loose from its mythril edge.

".... Was there not a, chocobo?" Cinnabar blinks, looking back up the hill again, whence the bandits came.

"Yeah...Well, either way," Bruno turned to Cinnabar. "Thanks for the concern. "Today came as a bit of a shock, yeah, but I'm glad to have been surrounded by friends during the ordeal."

"If there was, it more than likely has long but run away. Cinnabar, Rageant, Bruno. I am returning to the estate and wish to see you three in my office once you return. Madame Kerelle. Svana. Excellent work as well." Hestia calls out toward them.

“You shouldn't go off by yourself, Dame de Bayle. Do you want me to accompany you?" Bruno asks.

Jacline flits from one body to the next, relieving the living and dead alike of their arrows. Along with any pocket-sized valuables they might have been wearing. There's a shrill cry as she yanks the earring out of one man's ear, only to discover he was still alive. "Ahh! Eheh.. sorry," she mutters, pocketing the trinket. Then takes the arrows out of his quiver to claim as her own. That'll save time making more later!

Hestia offers him a wordless stare, it masked behind her hawk-like visage. "I can assure you, I will be fine on my own. Thank you for the offer, regardless."

And Cinnabar blinks back to Bruno, giving another warm, if odd smile! "Mh! I... I remember the, first time I had need to... dispatch, another... I, do not care to... Kill. If, it is. Is not with need." She nods softly,. then looking to Hestia. She gives a slow nod of affirmation. "Mh... A-aye, Dame..."

Raising her weapon in a brash salute, Svana returns Hestia's praise with a chuckle, "Fast as I could get back, not quite as quick or clear as those arrows. Practicing more than a lance I see."

"An old lesson from that of my instructor. He always ensured I was well rounded. I had not much use of my old bow, but now incapable of wielding my lance, it has become far more useful." Hestia responds.

“Alright then...Just worried about there being more, is all. After all if I was them, I'd be hungry for payback right about now." Brunk adds.

“I can't land an arrow worth a damn. Depth perception issues and all that." Rageant responds with tempered jest.

Hestia snorts some. "My humblest condolences, Rageant," she reaches a hand to tap her mask. "Hawk-eye goggles. They help with viewing more than what the naked eye can see alone. Very useful for archers. I wish to have them made for any ranged units the House employs."

Bruno looks down at the life he'd ended, considering it closely. He couldn't deny the way it made his stomach turn, but he mentally steeled himself and told himself to get over it. It worked, for the most part. "Is it weird that I kind of wish I knew his name?"

Jacline returns to the group, her quiver positively bursting with new and used arrows. "We really gotta find a better class of bandit," she says, pointing a thumb over her shoulder. "Don't think these guys ever seen gold before."

"Mh... I, suppose they'll have, no such chance, now." Cinnabar shakes her head, smiling to Jacline. Something of pride in it, for the arrow-slinger's prowess!

"His name will not bring you comfort, Bruno. It will only bring you remorse forever more. You are better off." Hestia assures.

"I have to head back. Well-fought, Svana. Or rather, good show." Rageant says.

"I am taking my leave as well. Forget not my request for your presence," Hestia says without further remarks, turning to march away.

[blackrose-ffxiv]

Tea and Gossip 06/27

Lebeaux Desrosiers disappeared through the door briefly and returned with a small tray of tea service and for something to eat he placed two small round food items dusted in sugar on each plate. He sat with his own matching cup and settled it immediately on his knee after handing one over to Cinna. “You were searching for a trinket, or they were? Whatever were you doing in Azys Lla… twice."

Cinnabar Prentice's attention was immediately drawn to the sugar-dusted treats; a hint of childlike wonder in her expression already for the mere sight. It breaks to smile to Lebby for the tea; cream and sugar, just how she enjoys. "Mh. The first was... truly, to assault the Garlean outpost... Catrum Solus, if, I am not mistaken?" She nods softly, sipping the tea between sentences. "The second was... W-well. Deemed a, viable location to. Search for a... functioning, relic of Allag... I doubt the, contingent we stumbled across cared overmuch for, what amounted to as junk, I, would think. Just on patrol... For people, like us." One of the balls is drawn up between finger and thumb with palpable curiosity. Squishy! Leaning forth to keep the dust droppings over plate, she takes a bite... and goes wide-eyed with glee! "What... What in the world is this!?" 

Lebeaux smiled politely as he tried to pick through her words for what seemed like important little snippets of information. Curious as to just what the squire and the house she served would be doing sniffing around a miserable pit like Azys Lla. He exhaled a quiet chuckle as Cinna picked up the mochi, squishing it before taking a careful bite. “It’s called ‘mochi’ and it’s a treat from the Far East.” He explained, amused watching her eat hers rather than sampling his own.  “Difficult as it is to believe, it’s made of rice and beans. Curious, isn’t it? Hmm, but what sort of relic were you looking for? Something in particular or any miserable bit of Allagan scrap to pawn off?”

And enjoy she did! There was no mistaking that she was eating candy; chewing and chewing on the sticky treat. The explanation of the treat's composition did elicit a quirked brow of curiosity. "Rice... and bean? Aye, I do taste the bean..." And after a bit more chewing with focused intent, "... And the rice! Mhm~... Mochi..." The word is echoed a couple more times silently; committing it to memory. "Ah- any old, piece that was... 'working,' aye. It, was demanded in, compense by a... particularly rude, lalafellin woman. In exchange for, key information for, one of the, de'Bayle house..." The second half of that morsel is taken in to chew eagerly. One can see the silent moan of approval on the roe's face, hide it as she might. Sweets... Nom nom nom.

Lebeaux smiled serenely all the while as Cinnabar took a few moments to really savor the sweet treat to try and taste the separate components before seeming to deem it worthy. “What sort of information could be worth such a risky mission?” He mused as he sipped lightly at his own tea. “Having to travel all the way to Azys Lla, dealing with the monstrosities that live there, then Garleans to boot. It must have been terribly important."

Cinnabar continues this trend of tasting and savoring activities when conversation allows; integrating sips of tea to the mix to see how the flavor dynamic changes... And deems best to save the tea for after. "Mh... I, believe it so... A, disc of silver... Twelve crystals, equidistant from one another- along its edge. L-like the face of a, chronometer, as it were, but... The crystals..." Her brow furrows, picking her words. "... They, sing... hum... and, to some, speak... It, happened to, Ser Guiscareaux, at the first... A-and to me, but a sennight past... Shows, visions. Places... And a, compulsion to, seek it, in the world... Places where, other crystals, await." Cinna huffs a little laugh, shaking her head. "I- know you must, think it *daft* but... W-we found them, both... The first, I am... sad to say, was. Lost... Th-the second, we did retrieve... Both... spoke. Pried from us... emotion and, memory. I, think they sought, understanding?"

Lebeaux blinked a bit blankly as Cinna explained talking crystals. Dark brows furrowed briefly and he took a long sip of his tea as he considered. “That’s… troubling to say the least.” He finally noted, setting the cup down in the saucer to resume balancing on his knee. “Do you suspect the crystals were means of communication with some other person? Rather like a linkpearl, but on a grander scale?”

Cinnabar's own brow furrows, clearing her throat a tad and shaking her head. The second mochi waits a while on her plate, hands closed around the warmth of her cup. "I'm... N-not certain. If so, they did not, seem as such... I, cannot speak for comparison, but. The closest I could, is to what the... The Hearers of, the Twelveswood describe as... The voice of the elements... Communicating, without words. By feeling. By, the mind's eye... B-but, these were not so much as, elementals, as I've ever known. A-and, we are certainly not, seedseers. None, among of us... That is... the wisdom we, seek to gain, from that... From, Miss Constantine."

Lebeaux considered that a moment longer then gave a theatrical shiver intense enough to rattle the teacup balancing on his knee. “My, how scary. Now it’s sounding more like a ghost story. I do hope you’re taking care. It would be a shame to lose such a valuable ally over something so petty as a handful of chatty crystals.” He declared, taking a moment to smooth a stray strand of his hair back into its proper place.

Lebby's sentiment was contagious; a hint of that dread prodding her brow into a worrisome furrow with the sight of his shudder. "Ah... A-aye. I've no, wish to... die, for the, crystals... B-besides! I have, advocated consulting the, keepers of the Sanctum.. Surely, they would know the... nature of the, disc... dial... platter? A-and the crystals it, calls to..." There, she can breathe a sigh and enjoy another sip of tea. Brandy catching her off guard; she'd well and true forgotten it was in the brew! The next sip comes without a startle. "... B-but, I've broached the topic of, relics... How have you fared, this while? I've, heard neither high, nor low, after the last... Foray into the, husk of a, chapel."

Lebeaux tilted his head thoughtfully. “As I said, do take care. It’s well and good to assist the others in your House but mind you don’t get dragged down as well.” He smiled and rolled a shoulder casually. “The trail has gone cold. I suppose that’s not the best way to phrase it considering the lot of you had to traipse through the ice and snow on my errand.” He exhaled a long-suffering sigh and gazed aside, looking thoroughly put out. Yet it still seemed a touch overdramatic. “I’ve found other ways to keep myself busy, yet I grow concerned. I’ve lost contact with my Ishgardian liaison. The black market trader I suspected of having the reliquary has gone to ground.” He sounded more like he was pouting than honestly concerned.

[jancisstuff]

Spirit of the Red Chocobo, Kwehgraf

A special gift from two old and great friends.

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“We write to taste life twice, in the moment and in retrospect.”    ―      Anais Nin  

March 2020

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Letters are just as fun OoC as they are IC

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The Whitebrim Auxiliary

November 2019

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Oration for the Fury: Avenging Spirit

Joining her kin in Coerthas at the Wolf’s Perch Boarding House, Jancis catches up with old friends and some new to talk about the pains they’ve experienced and how anger has been such a large part of Isgardian culture.

From the heat and spark of rage into the chill cold of a tempered anger. Focused and practiced as iron to steel. Pounded through practice and many precise swings. Our experiences are the hammer. Our values are the anvil. And our resolve is the cold bath that seals us into this condition.

We Feel the anger. There is energy, a reserve opened up. The tenseness in your form. Feel your pulse and how it is different. The deepness of breath, the repetition of it now from before. Hunger vanishes and the mouth grows dry, face reddens. Not only is an energy reserve opened, it is refined and channeled to where it needs to be.

Like Ice where you can either feel the burn of it and focus your energy, thrum inside and live, or can let the anger let you go dormant within and freeze.

Jan 28 2020

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Saving Lucius

April 25 2019

Jancis joins a private airship to take Gaelle and friends out into the wilds of Gyr Abania in search for Lucius.

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Torene’s Nameday

I do not know what it is like to have a nameday. I have been to others. Eroich’s. Chachanji’s. One time I got bait for Barengar so he could fish on that day and played the harp awhile.

They are all different. So I did something different, as well. Torene would most likely not recall much of the nameday. But others would. And they care for her. So it was not really Torene’s nameday, but everyone-who-cares-for-Torene-in-some-way nameday.

It was for them.

Though not everyone could make the appointment, well-wishes were sent. In some way they still enjoyed the feeling and time from whatever distance. I had food and one thing to do. Talk about where Torene was one Turn ago and finish the bracelet of jade beads.

Twelve jade beads. One for each moon. Each one important in their own way. How remarkable to pay attention to each with such attention. How she has changed and grown. How I have changed and in some ways grown.

Her heart and body have grown while mine has calmed. Her eyes seeing new things, mine seeing the same things in a new way.

The day she stayed awake until the end, looking at each person in turn and the gifts they brought. They themselves were the gift, but all the same they had to leave a momento, an intention of care and protection.

The Gifts:

Aralinde: Her time. This little one though she did not leave Dogberry’s side, spent time with Torene. Understanding the work it takes to travel – especially so young – to see Dogberry, she gave her time to be with him to share it with us. Strangers now friends. I think of her now in Rhalgr’s Reach. I must send her flowers so she remembers the Beds and the Shroud until she returns.

Baeyl: Many. Baeyl brought many I noticed. The first was her smile. The way her lips lifted up as if it was only for me to see. A secret smile that had knowledge and care behind it. The second was a set of floral pomanders with a holder carved with beautiful beasts; for the hard days where sleep was fleeting and needed aid. The last was her, a mother. A mother with much to share.

Barengar: I noticed him early on as others arrived, one of the first. He is hard to not notice, his size alone. First time I had seen the Ala Mhigan since removing the pearl. He stayed until all others departed, a gift of broken ginger cookies wrapped in parchment. It was on purpose, of course, to make the cookie last longer for a tiny person. The right amount for Torene to taste when something fun happened. Almost a training, that good things in life were connected to these sweet warm ginger cookies. Just like the ones his brother adored.

Chachanji: One of the first to know about Torene’s coming before we even knew who she was. He arrived with a box nearly as tall as himself, wrapped in decorated paper and written in large letters that only a smith’s hand could make “FOR TORENE”. He guarded it with care and in a small way I was sad to open it. The idea of a box so well decorated and wrapped to look special had to be enjoyed for existing despite what lay inside. There is a lot of intention and love when someone receives a box like that. Afterall, surprise is part of the gift. Inside was the largest plush I have ever laid eyes upon. Soft and fluffy with patches and mending, a chocobo much larger than Torene to share the bedspace with and keep her company through all her travels. He said it was his from younger days. What a wonder. To have such a treasure and to pass it on. I must needs help Torene care for this plush until she understands and can handle it herself.

Cheche: I had heard about this woman from Nathaniel. She was like a flower in a meadow, swaying to blur anyone’s vision to not see her directly. I feel remiss I rarely had a chance to speak with her. To thank her for a gift that was so well placed it was distracted as others brought gifts. Finally did I have a moment to look upon it properly. It deserved that. There was a lot of thought involved. A gathering of charms. It reminded me of the bracelet Torene wore of jade. Charms of well wishes and protection. Wards I was not greatly familiar with, animals, and one hosting the Twelve together. I must needs thank her for this gift.

Cinnabar: A steadfast companion. I personally missed much of Cinnabar’s time with Torene, but could hear it as she introduced Kwehgraf and helped them get along. I heard afterwards that Torene fed the small chocobo chick with her own hand and got to feel the soft red feathers! That the little one is safe and content to join so many others, after all the ordeals it has endured, is truly a gift. No doubt Cinnabar is to thank for the cloudkin’s demeanor. She is an example of sweetness and strength perfectly balanced.

Dogberry: Since the war spreading, I am happy to work with this man once again. Much as he is humble about his rank, I respect that. He is still as a Captain as he is not one. It never mattered. Along with bringing his daughter Aralinde, he brought beautiful blocks of wood dyed in vibrant colors. Big enough to hold in a tiny hand. They are fun to stack and even more fun to knock over to stack again.

Denz: That he was able to make it was enough, but he came with more all the same. Not Aedwen, which surprised me, but with things for Torene and myself. Astrelle had made them, he told me, two matching charms on a chain bearing the De’bayle family crest. It matches the charm bracelet for Torene, not as subtle. He is very intent on reassuring this connection. His sweetbread, he calls her. It fits. And after that, he carried the many wonders that piled next to Torene, even the large chocobo. All the while letting Torene sleep against his ribs.

Fatima: She is bright like a star and smiles so bright I even caught Torene looking expressly at it. Alas, there were so many to greet I did not greet the lady as much as I wanted. Still, she brought a gift more than eating some of the many sandwiches the party had. There was a bag of gil coins. Many. I will have to find someone to teach Torene how these coins work, for I know I do not understand them well enough. A place within her bed I can store them. Until the time comes. So many coins.

Flora: I did not get to speak to her, but she brought a friend. Perhaps she is training with beastkin? It was a large feline that kept her arms busy and gave her so many kisses it looked as if the woman was blushing from the redness. I did see Ghaellon and Barengar smiling. I was so glad to see her.

Ghalleon: As with Flora, I was remiss to not greet with more than a hello. I still carry his prayer with me and that is a grand gift. How funny it is to think back to last Autumn and the concerns he had for me. And the argument we had, having a meeting of minds. Yet now here we all were, smiling and glad to have people we recall and remember. To enjoy some company even for a short while. The gift of a friend.

Jacline: She had a cane. I could see the fatigue in her face, even through smirks and funny jokes. We were together when the aether changed, to see some of the truths. I knew she was still recovering from that ordeal. Yet here she was regardless, standing, joking, and even brought Torene the most amazing present. I half-spun when the jack-in-a-box sprung near violently out of its box. Torene still stares at it. A first foe? A first fear to overcome? It was perfect. It has a funny song then a big surprise, like a prank. Torene will grow to love it, I know it.

Nathaniel: He came to the Shroud. Those few words mean a great deal. All my energies and efforts were put into Torene for this sun and he understood that. Then also came with kin and friends, eyes of amber keeping an watchful eye on them all as well as Torene. And me. As if that was not enough, he presented her with three gifts. Three useful gifts. They were useful in more than their intended purpose as his apprentice made them to learn the craft. Though I would think it a masters, a journeyman’s at least. A light shaped like a fish that can create light from water. I already use it to tell Torene stories when the sky is without stars.  A spool of thread that looks to be made of gold, for all the tears and rips clothing in play will get. And one thing I know is of Nathaniel’s own hand without him telling me. It feels like the staff he gifted me with. An amulet of moonstone that could purge darkness. To keep her safe. For truly the darkest of suns. Such potent magicks can only last so long, but from the make I can tell it is made for such and can be re-imbued. Not that by the reason alone would I take Torene to Nathaniel. There is another home there.

Ojene: A music box of soft wood that smelled like the ocean and has many animals embossed with metal carved into its frame. It was wrapped in a soft blue cloth that Torene even covers the box with, then uncovers it. I think it keeps the animals shiny. I got to play the music the other night, it was as if Menphina wrote the tune, a song of love and sweetness that lulled both of us to sleep. I realized that Ojene had only recently returned from Doma and made the trip to the Twelveswood after being so long from her beautiful house and home. Her own child was resting there, naught but a Turn older than Torene. I cannot wait to see her again and learn more.

Reginald: I am so glad Reginald has come back into my life. He is the most unique knight I have met to date. An old friend. He arrived with a quilt Torene still grabs often. Each square is unique to its fabric and feel. The colors are warm. I think for Torene it is still a mystery, for each time she finds a different square, it is as if the entire feel and sound is new. I will have to ask him what scents he wants added to it as they fade. Right now it smells a lot like the cologne he was wearing.

Sui: For good health. There was a big bouquet of bright marigolds. Many like a setting sun in Summer. And some like a sun at full noon! It was enough to see Sui’s bright smile, but then the flowers. I found one of the tucked into Torene’s blanket when she fell asleep. The others I will carefully dry and preserve. A marigold is a challenging flower for such a task, but they are for good health and a gift to last a lifetime.

Swozbhar: I saw him talking with Tausenadel. Is he also interested in beasts? Or the sea? It was good to see him, especially in happier times and with less stress in his face. He brought a beautiful wind chime of bones from seakin. It must have taken a lot of work, for none of it smelled fishy, only the soothing scent of salt like an ocean. He said it was more for me than Torene, but who could not enjoy such a thing? I can see Llymlaen sending a breeze to make its soft music start. Or if the Navigator cannot, I just might.

Sylbfohc: He was beaming despite long suns at sea and only arriving back home, and so funny. Torene lit up at his full voice, mouth open in some of the biggest smiles even at first meeting. She does not see a lot of beards, though. And his is certainly eye-catching. I look forward to sharing more stories of his daughter Little Estorme as well as the invitation to work for him with the Maelstrom. Even atop all those things, he insisted on a bag with many gil coins within. For Torene and all the things she will need. I must needs store it away. Such things are beyond me. Traders willing, they will not be beyond her.

Tausenadel: Long have I known Tausen and he was the best hands to help with the party. His experience with beasts, be it to rescue them and recuperate or keep them, is second to none. The Beds were full of many of his little fosters and wards that sun, finding new hands to pet and flowers to explore. He also told many a story, including some of mine favorites. Even if the group got dysentery. I could tell most of the others enjoyed it, pausing in whatever they were doing to listen. I am lucky to have such a great friend.

Ulysses: I know he is still recovering, but still he came. And not alone. Marcel was with him. A bearcub that I knew was small for what he would become, but ever so large already. It was so nice to see him. 

Thank you, generous guests.

[jancisstuff]

[jancisstuff]

The Bonding of Astrelle & Kyalia

♥

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Looking for Lucius

Jancis joins others in Gaelle’s study, including Gregor who knew much about the dark past of Lucius’ family and the concerns to come.

They had to find him swiftly, less he be as lost to the blade as dead.

April 5 2019

[jancisstuff]

The Rabbit Hole - Ambush

Going with Jacline and Cinnabar to escort Kwehgraf to Ishgard, the group is attacked by people interested in not only the amazing red chocobo, but Jacline, too!

April 18 2019

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Jancis is confided in for the monster that chases Jacline, the concern with Kwehgraf, and the next steps to take.

April 15 2019

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Celebration and Challenge of Thaliak

Challenge: To teach someone else something you know.

Token: The Token of Thaliak is made of ash wood, about the size of a dime, with a small hole in one side to put on a chain or string. The scroll of the Scholar is carved into one side, and the other has a water vessel.

https://pastebin.com/Atnz8Pca

March 20 2019

Here in spirit - maybe