melodiesoflife | (no subject)

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"As fine as anyone can be I suppose. I've move into the house they gave me but I haven't met all my roommates yet. Other than that I've just been wandering around town." She didn't know if it was good luck or bad luck that put her in this bar this night but it was nice to talk to someone. Celes was okay to talk to but the little moogle had no perspective when it came to the scoop of the world.

Yunie lightly scratched her cheek as a smile tugged at the corner of her lips. "Do you come here often?"

Ashelia shook her head quickly. "Not for pleasure. I find myself in need of some information, and an establishment such as this can be hold a wealth of such." She looked around at the other patrons, an thoroughly unsatisfied look on her face. "Alas, the well seems to be dry this night; as dry as this miserable brew." She waved dismissively at her large flagon.

"It is awful. Isn't it?" She looked down at her drink and then smiled slightly. It was interesting seeing the small similarities between worlds. Her eyes shifted back to Ashelia as she completely dismissed her drink to confines of the countertop.

"Can I ask what it is you were hoping to find? I haven't been here long and I don't really know what's going on." She knew there had to be a catch. Yunie was sure that there was more going on than Celes had told her.

Ashelia nodded, looking into the middle distance as she thought about how to begin explaining. "Recently, a number of us," the look on Ashelia's face saying read: Heroes, "were brought low by a sickness. Some perished, however they were brought back to life through dark sorcery, their minds enslaved. They took part in a ritual meant to bring about the end of this world." She let that sink in for a moment before continuing.

"The ritual used a specific seed as a component, in liberal amounts. Some time ago, before the sickness, there was a shortage of the seed in the city. The seeds properties lend itself well to just about any endeavour, magical, medicinal and so on. As you can imagine, its absence was sorely felt. I became aware of this shortage when..." Ashelia stopped, losing focus for a moment. She masked her sorrow expertly, continuing after only a brief pause. "I became aware of this shortage and set out to find the seeds. I failed, but some of my companions were able to learn that some organization was systematically collecting the seeds for an unknown purpose - I myself found evidence to support such a claim."

Ashelia spread her arms, motioning to the other patrons around them. "And so, I find myself here, waiting for a whisper as to what organization collected the seeds."

"I see." It was a lot to take in and it was just as Yuna feared. She was saved from one world and thrust into the horrors of another. She glanced slowly around the room before letting out a long sigh. "I'll keep my ears open then."

She closed her eyes a moment before looking back at Ashelia. "I'm sorry I can't do more." Yuna knew that she had to get her feelings in check. If what Ashelia said was true then she would have to be on guard every moment she was here.

Yuna could tell that the subject was sensitive so she didn't push further. Instead she leaned back in her chair running her fingers through her hair as she thought of something to say.

"Maybe we need someone more stealthy to gather information. Or possibly just not in this town. From what I have seen everyone who wakes up here is well known by the citizens as a hero of light." She tried not to sound weird when she call everyone heroes but she failed and the title sounded awkward.

"To a point," Ashelia conceded, nodding slowly. "I do make it a habit of not being seen with my moogle attendant, Merlose. Nothing else sets us apart from the inhabitants of Crystallis, unless we should be seen appearing by the Crystal of Fire."

"You needn't apologize. This sense of powerlessness, of being unable to help...'tis something we all feel, I think. Brought here against our will, unaware of so much, every effort to learn more stymied and met with only more questions..." She shook her head. "Precisely why I am planning another expedition, this one somewhat more ambitious than the last. I intend to journey to Aqures Tosf, the former home of the Crystal of Fire. I'd originally intended to seek out the Ancient Caves first, for signs of our errant Queen, but after the events in the wood that night I think this more prudent at this juncture."

She let out a long breath and tried to smile. "It's good to see that you are doing something. Instead of just blindly following." Yuna didn't used to question things but since she started asking questions she has been left with only more confusion. She would search high and low if she knew there were answers to her questions out in the world.

"If you need help, let me know. I'm not as strong here." Which still hurt her pride. "But I have experience."

"Just so. I intend to extend the invitation to as many of our compatriots as are willing to answer the call," Ashelia replied lightly, crossing her legs. "The rumours associated with Aqures Ixen tell of strong creatures and even undead, roaming endlessly in eternal torment. I suspect that, in this case, the larger the party the safe we all shall be."

That made sense and it was certainly safer. Yuna wondered if she would ever get back to the power level she was at before waking up here.

Once more her eyes scanned the bar before she let out a soft sigh. "Sounds like an adventure. It would be nice to do something that I'm used to and I admit I'd feel more comfortable in a group." At least for the time being. "I guess I'll see you there then."

Her smile brightened, if only for a moment.