(no subject)

[desertbloomed]

Characters: Lady Ashelia...and you!
Where: At a dive bar/pub in one of the rougher districts of Aqures Ixen.
When: Post-Night of the Thirteen Moogles, pre-trip to Aqures Ixen.
Summary: After recent events, the Lady Ashe decides to see what she can find out the old fashioned way: people watching at a table in a dingy bar with a bad reputation.

Ashelia sat at the bar, sipping slowly on a flagon of ale. She blended in with the crowd well, despite the fact that she was one of very few women in the establishment. Her hair was tucked under her red mage hat, shoulders bared in a red peasant blouse, a welcome change from her usual white ones. She wore tight-fitted leather pants, the knee-high boots with what looked like uncomfortably high stilettos completing her look. A red sword belt hung loosely around her waist; she had opted for an epee this evening. She was confident in her ability to out-finesse any of the drunken curs in the establishment should they not take kindly to her rebuffs.

She narrowed her eyes as she took another sip of her ale. Dreadful stuff. But she wasn't about to be picky just then. There was every possibility she could hear something, or talk to someone that could give her a lead in how the Empire had infiltrated the city - or continued to, as the case may be. With the spies' ability to teleport, Ashelia didn't think it could have been that hard.

But the seeds. They had been using Baltoro's Seeds for the ceremony that fateful night. A large quantity of them, from the looks of things. Yeul had told her it was all connected, and the queen had a feeling she was starting to see just how that might be.

Comments

[theredplainsrider]

Red was still spoiling for a good fight. It was odd, seeing a female paladin walk into a bar such as this, but the red head didn't care. For a moment, she stood in the doorway for a moment, just looking around. The bar reminded her of a place back home. One that was known for its brawls. She could use one right now. She was starting to get used to this place and how her jobs worked.

Stepping inside, she ignored the stares that she got. Whatever. She was used to this kind of thing. Being the wife of the Mayor of Mars got her some stares, as well as after when she had to kill that kid to save Jim and that captain.

She noticed a familiar face at the bar and headed over. She noticed another person, a bit shadier than herself and after a glare, the man went in another direction and left her to sit down next to the Red Mage.

"Howdy," she said with a nod before ordering something to drink.

[desertbloomed]

"Red." Ashelia tried to sound more surprised than she felt. She wasn't exactly taken aback by the woman's presence in this particular bar. Instead of acknowledging that fact, she nodded politely at the red head. "A pleasure to see you again. How are you faring, after that night in the forest? I attempted to find you."

[theredplainsrider]

"I ain't fairin' that well. Ta be honest, I'm feelin' down right onrey," she said, flagging down the bartender and ordering whatever she could as long as it was strong. She looked over at the other woman and raised her drink in a silent toast before downing almost half of it in one go.

"Ifin ya didn't realize, Nevada and I got a lotta past. Not all of it's nice," she said, shaking her head a bit. "We're both more stubborn than a space mule an it gets us inta a lotta trouble."

[desertbloomed]

"No doubt." The more she learned about Red and Sparks, the less she was surprised, though some of the references they made were completely lost on her. "Though it seems it was for the best - the battles that broke out were quite...harrowing." Ashelia didn't doubt Red's mettle, necessarily, but the foes that were faced were rdiculously strong. Ashelia owed her own survival, as did a couple of the other Heroes, to her magickal prowess. It didn't seem like those from Sparks' homeland were magic-users. "Unless you were caught up in one?"

Did someone say 'listening for rumors in strange pubs'?

[zodiac_brave]

Ramza had spent so much of his time prior to the Ritual patrolling and trying to minimize the chaos. Now that it was over, he was not sure what to do with his evenings.

He decided a trip to the pub might help pass the time. Besides, the food they were serving did not look any more terrible than what he would have been able to cook up with his meager skills. He was not sure why this particular pub caught his eye; perhaps it was homesickness for the down-and-out taverns he visited back in Ivalice.

Whatever the reason, he strode in and squeezed into an empty stool at the corner of the bar. When the barkeep turned his way, he spoke up. "Milk, please, good ser," he ordered.

Someone might have...

[desertbloomed]

Ashelia didn't look at the newcomer immediately. She didn't want to seem too eager. The best way to hear other people's conversations was to pretend she was more absorbed in her drink than anything else - a feat, with the awful taste of the bar's grog taken into account. It wasn't until she heard the call for milk that the Queen of Dalmasca looked up from her flagon.

She looked at Ramza, amused. "Milk? Ser Ramza, how very virtuous of you."

[zodiac_brave]

Ramza whirled around when he heard his name. "Ah, Lady Ashelia," he greeted, a little surprised to see her in such a dingy establishment.

He raised his glass to her, giving her a sheepish smile. "My friends used to tease me, but I dislike dulling my senses with drink." Not to mention that, growing up with fine wines and brandy from the expansive Beoulve wine cellar, he was probably too picky for the selection of a pub of questionable repute.

"And what about you?" he inquired back, "A sudden thirst for ale, does that indicate vice?" He did not imagine she had come here for the beverage, and it made him wonder what her true purpose was here.

[desertbloomed]

Ashelia lowered her voice considerably and leaned into the conversation. "Simply Ashe will do while we are here."

She cleared her throat, leaning back again. "Fair enough. I am here to do what is done at establishments such as this: listen." She took a sip of her ale, grimacing ever so slightly at the taste. "This swill is as much to blend in as any of this." She motioned to her outfit. "Although, to be honest, I am beginning to see the appeal of such apparel." Balthier's penchant for leather pants had less to do with style and more with utility; Ashelia had been surprised when she made that realization at first, but Balthier had always been more than he seemed.

"There is something I must needs find out. That night in the forest, before the battle I was able to see a bit of that ritual...they were using a certain kind of seed." Ashelia leaned on the bar in an uncharacteristic manner. She did look as though she belonged there, though. "Some time before that, there was a dearth of those seeds in this city. I took it upon myself to lead an expedition to find them for...personal reasons." She waved that away. "There is a connection. I mean to find it."

[whereishe]

Yunie was slowly coming to terms about her new situation. It hasn't been long; days maybe hours? Time really didn't matter as long as the fact remained. She was stuck, again. She picked her way slowly along the streets until she found her destination. She hadn't expected to see so many heroes at the bar. Her plan had been to grab a drink and the get lost in her thoughts but maybe she needed company.

Her clothes were the same archer outfit that she had woken up in. She didn't think she needed to change and she really didn't want too bother with it. She missed her dressspheres.

Her eyes scanned the bar before she moved to take a seat at its far end. She looked at the bartender and smile. "Something strong?" After a short moment he slid her a glass filled with a light auburn liquid. She took a small sip focusing on the burn as it trickled down her throat and looked out at the others. It was pretty awful but at least it wasn't gin.

[desertbloomed]

Ashelia noticed Yuna sit down, one eyebrow raised. This was not a place she had expected to see the maiden. She nodded at the young woman cordially nevertheless. It wouldn't do to forget her manners. "Yuna, a pleasure to see you again. How have you fared after the battle?"

[whereishe]

She looked up from the drink with a sad smile. "I think you are confusing me with someone else." She knew about the current situation in the city but she couldn't say she was ready to talk about it.

Yunie took another sip before gently setting the glass down on the counter. It was a strange situation and almost disheartening to see the changes in her since she had left her home all those years ago.

[red_planet_blues]

Sitting in the furthest corner of the bar sits one mopey marshal. Resting his chin on one hand, and drumming his fingers idly on the table with the other, Sparks looks listless. Ever since the incident in the woods, Red's took off and hasn't spoke to him, and Sparks is left feeling somewhat victimized. It wasn't his fault that he was brainwashed, or that he died, or that any of that happened, but several people were irked with him nonetheless. Since then, he's spent a lot of time by himself being bitter, but he figured it was about time he got out of the house. Maybe they can finally move past all of this.

That doesn't mean he wants to actively talk to anyone. However, the table is littered with several empty beer glasses, and at this point, he's probably more willing to talk than he normally is.

Or complain. Probably complain.

[iknowtheconsequences]

Dying. Now that was interesting. Another person is definitely here to chase away a few of those memories, in the time-honored tradition that he's used to. He actually doesn't have any hard feelings towards Tifa, although it would have been nice to have met a woman that beautiful under better circumstances.

Speaking of beautiful women and the vexations caused by them...

Kaji thinks that Red is the subject on Sparks' mind much more so than the ritual and the outcome. It's the only thing that could drive a man to that much drink. So he drops himself down into the seat across from Sparks. "Marshall, that is one interesting lady friend you've got there. If she spoke German, I'd know this red-head back home who would be just like her in a couple of years."

[red_planet_blues]

"Yeah. 'Interesting' is sure a word fer her. Could prob'ly think of a few other words right now too..." Sparks didn't move from his position, just continued to stare off, hand on chin, before an idea struck him and his eyes moved to Kaji.

"What is it 'bout red heads anyway. I mean, they're such... red heads." Okay, so even on a sober day, Sparks wasn't the best speaker.

[desertbloomed]

Ashelia slammed her flagon of ale down on the table. She took a seat across from Spark, crossing both her legs and arms. "Marshal. I understand men of your office have a tendency to enjoy their cups, and I know you have a tendency to go above and beyond the call of duty, but this..."

[red_planet_blues]

Ashe caught Sparks off guard, as he jumped a bit in his chair when she slammed her drink down. His face wrinkled up, annoyed at getting lectured at a time like this.

"Yeah. Well. You could prob'ly use a few more. Lighten up. Plus, I earned these."

With that, he picked up the last of his drinks and chugged the rest down, eyes on Ashelia the entire time, as if to say "so what are you gonna do about it?"

[theendiswherewestartfrom]

The new person to enter the bar is obviously one of the new heroes, still dressed in his archer's gear (all black, for some odd reason), but minus his weapon. Hey, the very helpful young woman he met when he first got here told Jack that it made him look like an assassin, so he'll roll with it, when venturing into one of the less-nice parts of the city.

Captain Jack Harkness has just discovered that he is functionally mortal again, and so now it's time to test out if other side effects of his unique status have disappeared: can he get drunk again for the first time in centuries? He goes to the bar and ends up with a glass of some amber liquid, whiskey, scotch, local equivalent? Who cares? He picks up the glass, but pauses, and stares at it for a solid minute. He turns it back and forth in his hand, contemplating every facet of the glass, as if making absolutely certain that he wants to start down this road.

[desertbloomed]

Ashelia can't help but notice Jack's reaction to the glass. The man is surely another Hero by his garb, but she didn't recognize him. Merlose did say something about more Heroes arriving. It's getting out of hand. Hopefully her upcoming trip would reveal something about the Crystal of Fire - perhaps, how to stop more and more people from being ripped from their homes to participate in this mess.

As it stood, there was a very perplexed man in front of her. "Not the highest quality, but I can assure you, 'tis not dangerous."

[theendiswherewestartfrom]

Jack raises his head from the glass to- hel-lo. He gives Ashe a quick once-over, but his eyes pause at the hat on her head and rapier on her side, instead of more fetching details. "Afraid I might not be the best judge of quality anymore. It's been a while."

But he sets the glass back down untouched, in favor of focusing on new company. "Captain Jack Harkness." He forces a slight smile onto his face, then nods towards Ashe's hat. "Seen a couple of people with those hats. They stand out a bit."

[gomu_ningen]

Luffy wasn't the sort for alcohol, but most bars usually had decent food in which to stave off hunger. He hadn't been there as long as Ashe had, and his entrance into the establishment had been rather inconspicuous at best, which was odd considering his appearance.

He looked more like the findings inside a sarcophagus, wrapped up in linens and bandages to keep his wounds clean. The injuries he'd taken from the fight during the ritual had been severe, but he knew his body better than the mages here to know that the best cure for such things was a banquet of food.

However, the young pirate holds his desire when he notices the familiar looking woman at the bar. Keeping his hat brim down, he approached without a word, sitting down next to her before letting out a long sigh of relief.

"Glad to see you made it out of things safely.."

The hat is removed from his head, set upon the bar to reveal the wealth of cotton wrapped around his forehead, as if the fabric were keeping his skull together.

[desertbloomed]

Ashelia blinked at the young man for several seconds, mouth agape. What in the Father's name is he doing here?! There was no way he should be out of the hospital already.

"Luffy, I...echo your sentiments entirely, but I think it is not wise for you to be here. You must needs be resting in the hospital, regaining your strength." Ashelia leaned over to try and look the pirate in the eye. "I shall take you back myself if I must."

[gomu_ningen]

He doesn't turn away from her, matching her gaze as his lips barely part to usher words in question of his current state.

"Do you.."

It's only then that the shame really kicks in, the overbearing weight of his mistake and the chance he'd had to protect his friends lost to hesitation and stupidity. Fists clench as he rests them atop the bar, gritting his teeth as the sound of choked back tears replaces his voice momentarily.

"Do you think I'm weak?"

The tension of the bandages are all but ignored as the harm to his pride, the injury to his confidence, were far more unbearable than the most uncomfortable of sutures.

"Laying in a bed isn't going to do me any good. Zelda.. She.. She's-.."

[unitesearthandsky]

Link had been spending most of his time at the bar since the aftermath of the ritual. He'd been spread so thin he'd forgotten that his real purpose was to keep his childhood friend safe, a task he'd failed to maintain.

He's never touched ale before, having never really understood the desire to drink such things. He'd been content with just drinking milk and pumpkin juice, but the somber feeling hanging over him led his feet in the direction of booze.

With his cheeks glowing red, the young Knight could barely hold his tolerance since it hadn't existed until now. His head hangs over the half-full flagon, looking down into the rippling reflection while unaware of the other heroes who might be in the bar as well. Out of the corner of his eye, he catches the lavish looking hat atop the young woman's head, not realizing he's staring so rudely at her in his dazed state.

[desertbloomed]

It didn't take long for Ashelia to feel Link's gaze upon her. She looked at him, about to pounce on him angrily for being so rude - until she noticed the alcohol-induced glaze in his eyes. Of course. Zelda...

The queen got up, walking over to Links table and sitting down beside him. "Link. Are you all right? 'Tis barely sundown. You -" She stopped when she caught a whiff of his breath. If she thought this stuff tasted awful going down...

[unitesearthandsky]

The alcohol had taken to his cheeks, making the youth resemble more of a beat than a Knight. Covering his mouth with a shaking hand, Link bows his head as he turns away from the woman. Bloodshot eyes wane as his lids grow heavy, trying their best to remain open as he's been approached.

"S-.. Sorry.. Ashe, right?"

He pushes the drink away from himself, his face planting into the table like a stamp, as if his features would notarize the furniture.

"... Ow."