ʰᵒᶤˢᵗ 'ᵉᵐ ʰᶤᵍʰˑ/ semi hiatus

He does look at her then, his head snapping up with an indignant– and slightly EMBARRASSED– scowl on his face. She’s already standing when he does, and he briefly studies her while she stretches. Raubahn likens her body to a cat’s, sinuous and graceful in the way it curves.

A stark contrast to her usual crude and rough-edged self.

Raubahn stands too, remembering the other reason he doesn’t like to look at her too long. His friend is an attractive woman, all pale skin and full lips and very nicely rounded hips– but she’s his friend. More importantly, the political SCANDAL of the Admiral being caught in bed with the Flame General is far too much for him to deal with, now and any time after.

Better to avert his gaze and continue reminding himself how much she annoys him than risk, well, anything.

“ Come along, then. We haven’t all night and I’d like to get your agreement on that cashmere tax before I die of old age. “

He leads her down the winding streets, bustling even in the evening. Raubahn talks sometimes, and listens others, but nothing truly meaningful passes between them. It’s banal, civil. He’s sure she hates it.

At least, they’re where they want to be. A quiet, surprisingly warm little restaurant run by someone who came from Coldhearth. The owner doesn’t know him personally, of course, but he’s made a rather decent living off the “stew that fed the Bull of Ala Mhigo”, and Raubahn’s let him.

    T’would show ineptitude were she unable to pull a scowl or several from him throughout the day, and would add to her immediate disappointment had he simply not reacted at all and would undoubtedly bring an end to the friendly prodding that seems to drive the highlander up the walls, over the ceiling and right back down the other side. maybe there’s some masochistic part of him that enjoys the fond ribbing, or he’s simply clinging to the archaic notion that manners belong between nations in order to broker and nurtures the peace between Limsa Lominsa and Ul’dah.

His gaze, however, does not go unnoticed, though for the sake of keeping things casual and chasing away any potential awkwardness that might ensue, she is kind enough to hold her tongue.

There’s a first time for everything, it seems.

     It takes but a few, proud strides to fall into step with Raubahn, and she can’t help but to feel some modicum of pride in the development of limsa --- though the nightlife was moderately scarce, it would take less than a decade to see it pushed far enough into the grasp of prosperity that would see the city busy when the stars twinkle overhead and the drunks are shuffling home to angry wives who would douse them in icy water and yell at them for letting their dinners go cold. 

Oh, for the love of–

He remembers explicitly telling her to choose. His brow furrows, and his lips curl down just that bit more as he pushes back a rising swell of prickling irritation. Raubahn is this close to calling the whole thing off, but DAMN if he’s about to let these scheduled bells go to waste.

Dull green point their gaze at anything but her and her frustrating smirk; if he has to look at her a second longer his composure may well CRACK, and that is the last thing he wants around her. His fingers curl round the handle of his teacup, buying him time to think of a suitably cheap yet not-too-cheap venue.

There’s a snag in finding a place that was suitably private, as well. Public scrutiny is a given with their positions, but Raubahn doesn’t enjoy his EVERY move being watched, at least outside of an arena. The tea leaves drain into his mouth with the last of the drink, and he sets the cup aside as he pushes to his feet.

“ Follow me, then. Bring your entourage if you wish, but I shan’t pay for their share. “

   if there were aught that could be touted as shit-eating, it would be the grin that tugs at the admiral’s lips. it is fun to burrow under that fine layer of composure that he no doubt prides himself on and watch him sweat --- though she is want to cease the push lest she see herself joked out of a free meal. 

       once a pirate, always a pirate.

   ‘   i’m afraid it’ll be the two of us this evening -- i believe my.. entourage are more interested in experiencing the liquor best drank in ul’dah’s taverns.  ’

wood scrapes against stone as she rises from her seat, arms shifting skyward so she might stretch and pop a few stiff bones in her back with a satisfied sigh before she reaches for her goblet to down the remaining drops of the wine  (  it’s sweeter than she likes, but again, gift chocobo and all that. )

The thing about their little verbal games, Raubahn notes with slight irritation, is that he can never tell when she’s being serious or simply playing along to trip him up later. He’s ever considered himself fairly EMPATHETIC and clever; else he wouldn’t be where he was–

But Merlwyb? Merlwyb is beyond him. And he can’t tell if she’s just too ODD for him to keep up with or if his worldview is too rigid.

Either way, he refuses to be left behind.

Raubahn puts his elbows on the stone table as well, refusing to be outdone or intimidated by her little show of dominance.

“ Fine. You pick. I suspect you aren’t willing to parley on an empty stomach if someone else is paying. “

    she rises to his challenge as the seas rise with the tide, a silent dare that there’s a fair chance he will sink his teeth into for sake of pride or just to be a pain. it’s how they are and always have been  (   claws,  teeth,  back and forth like coeurls fighting over the same ball of yarn  ). pale nostrils flare, grin grows all the more shit-eating.

      ‘   i was raised to never gaze a gift chocobo in the beak.   ’

    fingernails drum against the gleaming surface of the table, oh she’ll lean and keep her gaze steady though her eyes crinkle at the corners and there are laughter lines at the corner of her mouth.

He bites his tongue to keep from CHIDING her like a matron– This is a meeting, not a romantic date; there is simply no need to be quite so casual– and simply hums.

“ I hadn’t figured you the type to bother with the frivolities and bush-beating that politeness tends to entail. You were ever straightforward, after all. “

It’s all too easy to fall into CHILDISH verbal slapfights with Merlwyb, her quick tongue and razor wit rousing his competitive side to gain the upper hand. Raubahn takes another sip of his tea and puts it to the side.

“ Now shall we proceed to business, or shall I have to take you to dinner, too? “

   ah  --- round one to her. though it is not much of a competition when the sharpness of her humour often leaves him on the brink of giving her a good telling off.

not that she complains, it diverts his attention from the matter at hand and gives her time to enjoy the wine at hand (  which is delightfully plentiful and almost makes her think that he’s brought enough in for her insatiable thirst ). Merlwyb snorts.

Raubahn takes a sip from his own cup, filled with mulled tea; a traditional Ala Mhigan blend that he finds comfort in. He supposes it’s for the best if she happens to be SLOSHED, since he could then take advantage of that to make a better deal for himself.

He shakes the thought away as soon as it enters his mind. It being unscrupulous and uncharacteristic aside, he can’t imagine having to deal with a properly drunk Merlwyb– he’d like to continue liking her for as long as they need to work together.

“ Oh? I’d have figured you would be singing the praises of Vylbrand wines? Or is impartiality just the hallmark of a proper wine connoisseur? “ he gently teases, playing to her patriotism. It’s only one of the things he admires about his friend– her near unparalleled PASSION for her home.

   ‘   mayhaps you would assume, yet I was raised to be polite,  ’ she jibes back. at the very least she’d been taught to say thank you as she was carrying the spoils of a successful raid and plunder as she grew up. you might take the pirate of out a woman --- !

  with a quirk of her brow, all propriety is launched out of the window in lieu of resting her elbow on the table  (  how dastardly of her ! ) and allowing the point of her chin to rest upon the palm of her hand.

  mayhap it’s unrest, the sea is a cruel mistress and as TEMPERMENTAL as any woman could be when gripped with jealousy. each roll of unbroken waves sings laments of sailors and swimmers alike that have fallen to their cruel depths, but also whispers symphonies of prosperity and promises of a peaceful break against a sandy shore. proof that there is not always hostility lurking in her cerulean depths, but intent to nurture and mature into something braver and bolder. lips, stained red with make up, twitch upwards at the corners in something akin to fondness --- the sea had once been like a second mother to her, but her calls have fallen on deaf ears. pale nostrils flare on her exhale.

          Posture CORRECTS && an e’er augmented gaze WADES forthright to Maelstrom’s head. Where words are CONSIDERED && weighed respectively, she of echo nigh UNFAZED. How many primals have FALLEN by her lance? She could count && PONDER, but instead she bears forth CONFIDENCE via melodic tonality.          “ A luxury, my lady. But.. whatever may come, we’ll be ready. As we always are. ”

    beneath gleaming steel lies inscrutible expression -- is that the true purpose of the echo blessed ?  to worry her into a grave that’s been pining for her  &  pitting her against the roll of the ocean’s waves since she was old enough to take charge of the wheel?  preposterous, fate’s been tightening the noose around her pale  throat for as long as she can remember. infamy tends to foster hatred. idle digits shifts crystal enough that ice tinkles in the taut silence that hang between them.

@pyrasea

         gridania’s winds wove through flowing ivory , and she carried its heart with her as she went — rippling , as did her ancestors , knowing calcite attuned to ethereal apparitions and god-like fervor.  she did not bend ; she did not forget. ❪ her people are with her ; mother river. ❫ la noscea’s sun reminded her of home — sweetened blessing ; warmth anew.            ❝ it has been a long time , admiral.   you remain youthful , strong as ever. ❞

    ah, how  warm  a welcome !  merlwyb  emanates  relief ; in light of  recent  events, an uneventful  meeting  between the GRAND COMPANY  leaders were few  &  far between.  now with hands  absence  of blood  &  grime, they  welcome  each other with  undisguised  affection.  child of the  sea  lowers  into a curt  bow.

He couldn’t tell if she was mocking their methods, or just taking the chance to poke fun. Either way the Admiral’s presence did not sit easy with him. Normally a maelstrom official would come down here sure, but the admiral herself? A glance is passed to Underfoot and V’kebbe, a silent warning not to do anything and to watch the others while this conversation happened.

“Honest work? Ye tryin’ to imply somethin’ Admiral?” A small laugh leaves his lips as his gaze turns back to hers, if only to ease a bit of the tension. He shakes his head; who did she think she was talking to? “But aye, let’s head upstairs.” He waves for the woman to follow, and he makes his way off to the side where the stairs are tucked away behind a wall. Heading up, they come to a single room much like that of the one they left - but there was more to it. More papers on the walls, more pictures of (possible) targets, a proper desk and chairs towards the back. 

Also a few cabinets,and other storage units, which Jacke found himself moving towards. “Feel free to take a seat Admiral, and would ye fancy a drink?” He got out two glasses along with a bottle of his favorite alcohol just in case, placing them at the edge of the desk.

    oh, she is  most definitely  partaking in some  light-hearted  jesting, in lieu of a demeanour much more  sombre. no, she will  approach  that bridge when they are  far  from prying ears. In times like  missing  men, an ensuing  silence  around the matter could be  detrimental  to finding them.  while  Jacke  holds the air of a  criminal  on trial, she won’t  pry too far into his  unhidden nervousness.

   ‘   nothing bad,  I  assure  you.   little more than a  tasteless  jest.   ’   she offers in a  bid  to ease the poor rogue’s  anxiety,  if but for a  fleeting  moment  before they  move  up the creaking, winding staircase. Ah, she remembers the day the rogue’s guild was founded, how out of place  everything  felt until people  realised  that the dagger users would be  useful  to them, should they have the gil  &  the need.  Merlwyb is  quick  to settle on one of the chairs, elbow resting upon table  &  her face resting on her closed fist. 

   ▋ lιnĸpearl  ▋

Hesitance had been plenty more to further startle the elezen          of whether or not the pearl had spoke its’ last breath, a winced          brow of defeat furrowing his expression weak until the static          picked up once more.

         The sound of her voice seem to crack just as thick as the channel            busted, but for the most part, he could make out the gist of his            requested orders.

                            Find the person(s) involved, recover as necessary.

               ❝ ░░▓▓░░ …                  Underst░d.                     Will re▓░-▓ back thro▒░▒░                   –cke should anyth▓▓▒▓ ❞ 

     teeth  worry  over the  well-worn  end of her  quill.  to her  very  intimate knowledge of the  MAELSTROM’S  proceedings,  she  rakes  her mind for any  missions  or requests for their   presence  in the Shroud, but finds it  utterly  useless. Gridania  &  it’s surrounding  borders   make use of the  twin  adder  &   she’s  always  been  meticulous  about not toeing the  boundaries  between the other  GRAND COMPANIES,  something long ago  decided  barely  days after her  VICTORY  at the Trident. Most curious  indeed.

          His lips set in mock indignation at her response, through there’s a trace of a smile wishing to glimmer through, to betray his serious composure.  “I know, I know, but I’m kinda relying on them to keep it a little monotonous so I can be the one to liven things up for ya.  Sounds like they’re keepin’ to it, too ; good for them.  ”  Though after that he pauses for a bit, straightens in his chair before he speaks once more.  “Uh, yeah, actually, I was thinkin’ —-  or have a question —-  or both I guess —-”  Spit it out ; just spit it out.