Can't Fight the Friction

[vonspielburg]

WHO: Ellie, Malik [CLOSED]
WHAT: Sneaking into Downapolis, Ellie and Malik go undercover to learn what they can about the cultists who massacred so many Heroes of Light. They're super spies.
WHEN: April 1st - 7th (opening log takes place on the 1st)
WHERE: Downapolis


Ellie took comfort in the fact that it was common for Elezens to walk about in leather and light armor, and to carry arms as well. It made her feel less exposed in the dark city streets of Elezen, with her dyed white hair and false pointed ears. Before coming to this place, she'd grilled Malik on everything he could remember about the people here, how they dressed, any particular mannerisms and tics they possessed. To her surprise, he was thorough, and that impressed her. Initially she'd feared that his missing arm would give him away immediately, but he'd spoken true about his ability to blend into a crowd without notice.

For her part, she remained discrete as well. If the opportunity presented itself to demonstrate her detestment of the Heroes of Light, she would have taken it, but so far she'd had to do little more than sit, drink, and listen. There was time still to learn what they needed.

Cradling a bag of groceries in her arm, Ellie ascended the steps of the inn to find her 'brother.' Posing as lovers would have been an obvious lie, as she knew she was too hard to be even a little believable as a romantic. They were here to peddle pelts, horns, and other items garnered from their hunts on the Plains of Sorrow, as well as trade information on the world outside of Mysidia now that the barrier was down.

Unlocking their room, Ellie stepped inside, her dark eyes doing a cursory sweep over the room before she stepped inside to greet Malik.

"Brother," she said with a curt nod, mimicking the Elezen accent, and shut the door behind her. Ellie sat heavily on the bed and dug into the bag to bring out a pair of apples, one of which she tossed to her companion. "Your information was good. I encountered no difficulties." And no suspicion, thus far.

Comments

[vonspielburg]

"Ha! I believe you compliment my appearance because we share the same blood, and similar features. Thus, does it not become a compliment to you as well?" she teased with an idle wave of her hand before dropping it to her knee. She tapped her finger in thought for a few moments, then nodded. A trip to the bar might work. Alcohol had a tendency to loosen tongues, after all.

"Very well," she agreed. "If they have an uncorked bottle of Elezen wine, perhaps I might indulge." But like hell was she going to drink anything out of a glass in this town. As far as she knew, no one was suspicious of them, but there had to be ways to detect the presence of Heroes. Ellie remembered all too well how easily Palitutu had found her, despite being hidden, and disabled her Jobs.

She pushed herself up off of the mattress with a creak of springs and stretched out her arms. Look what she can do, Malik, you can only do that with one HA HA HA HA HA.

"We should at least try not to start any bar fights this time, hm?"

[loyalrebel]

Oh no, no wine for you. You get clingly on wine, sister." He half laughs, teasing her right back and standing to swing his cloak up and on to cover his missing arm

"I promise nothing I cannot keep, if someone else swings first I must defend myself after all." Which really, he's apt to goad someone in to one given the likelihood that it might help their cause. "Lead the way dear sister, you have the nose for such places."

[vonspielburg]

"Clingy!" Her mouth fell open in shock as she echoed the insult. "What an awful accusation to make. I most certainly do not get clingy!" Ellie folded her arms and tossed her head with an indignant huff. Had he said as much in reality, she wouldn't have been needled, but feigning a quick temper would make her seem more impulsive and less intelligent...and thus, more easily underestimated, if they were indeed being watched.

"Hmph. You force them to take the first swing. I know you all to well, brother." She smiled at him slyly over her shoulder before tightening the buckles of her weapon sheaths hanging from her belt. "Do try to keep the property damage to a minimum. We are still guests in this city, remember."

Ellie opened the door with a mocking little bow as she made a motion for Malik to step through first. She suspected someone would surely attempt to force entry into their room while they were gone, if they had the poor misfortune to fall under suspicion so soon, and she'd made sure spies would find only what the two of them wanted to be found.

The bar itself was more dismal and solemn than Ellie anticipated. Most kept to themselves, drinking sullenly and casting suspicious glances at the door. The bartender bit every coin he was passed. The most noise game from the bangaa dicing in the corner, banging steins of foul-smelling liquor with shouts of triumph and camaraderie.

Ellie regarded that particular table coolly, as if the two Elezen were above such things, before selecting a stool to perch upon.