#lahacred

less transparent version!

He’d been invited to take his ease in the common room before continuing his journey. Although he had no desire to mingle with these all-but-soulless creatures, he conceded that it might benefit his mission to learn a bit more about them. So rather than continue forward towards the exit, he instead turned to the right and strode towards the partially-open doors at the end of the hallway.

He’d expected more - well, he disliked calling them people, but that was the best term for now - more people, but it occurred to him as he studied those scattered about the large room that many of them were likely off on assignment. He supposed if he had to liken these Scions to anything of his previous experience, he would call them Words. Those diligent assistants who had made it possible for he and his Thirteen brethren to govern their people and still maintain their spheres.

And given their busybody nature, if he had to liken them to any of the Words, it would be those damned Words of Azem, as frustratingly annoying - and intrusive, and clever - as their mistress.

Thank Zodiark she wasn’t around any longer to muddle up their plans. These mortals and their irritating champion were doing a good enough job of that on their own. He hated to think of what they could do with the power and mind of an Azem behind them. Especially that last one.

He shook off his musings and memories and descended the short spate of steps into the common room. Most of the Scions were too caught up in their conversations and studies to pay much mind to the newcomer, but some raised their eyes to study him.

Most, he dismissed out of hand - minor adventurers, scouts, suppliers. No one with any power, no one with any knowledge that he himself had not already been able to glean. No one with access to the inside.

But there were two here he recognized from intelligence reports - the gray-haired elezen man with the outre goggles and the annoying speech pattern, and the silver-haired hyur who fancied himself something of a ladies man and served, as far as he could tell, as an advisor for their leader. The former merely glanced up at him and smiled in welcome, but the latter studied him with dark brown eyes before his lips curved, and the smile held more than simple welcome, but invitation as well.

He’d almost forgotten the body he wore at the moment was female.

Possibilities arose, spiraling through his mind even as he let his gaze linger upon the slim man. He supposed the creature could be considered attractive; what little the Ascians had discovered about him suggested that he garnered his share of attention and more from females, whatever their race.

Not that it mattered. He could be as ugly as a nix and he would suit as well as any of the other so-called senior Scions. Though he did detest wearing an unattractive skin. 

He sent the man a slow smile in return before turning away, reaching up to finger the curious necklace that adorned his throat. He slowly wandered about the room, studying the selection of wares the merchant had available, indulging in a brief conversation with a scout from Gridania. Every time he chanced to glance over towards the hyur, he met the man’s dark brown eyes and once more let that coy smile curve his lips. By the time he began to approach the entrance, he knew he had the man within his grasp.

Although he knew the man was following him, it still gave him a start when slim fingers closed about his elbow as they passed through the open door. “Leaving so soon?” asked the silver-haired hyur, rich baritone shaded with laughter. “But we’ve only just met.”

“I didn’t see much reason to stick around,” he said, pausing mid-step and tilting his head up to smirk. “Unless you can give me a compelling reason to put off my return to Ul’dah?”

Those brown eyes smirked right back. “I imagine I can come up with a reason or two - or more - for you to linger. If you’d care to discuss them, my room isn’t very far away.”