melodiesoflife | Event || The Empire Strikes Back

Event || The Empire Strikes Back

Characters: Everyone participating in the event
Where: Aqures Ixen
When: July 27th to August 02nd
Summary: The battle for Aqures Ixen is about to begin! The Heroes of Light are going to do their best to defend Aqures Ixen, but will this be enough? Feel free to participate and reply to appropriate threads. New top-level threads will be posted regularly as the battle progresses.
Warning: N/A, will be updated.

July 27th || Mingle
July 28th || Bomb Defusing / Imperial Assault
July 29th || Mingle / Attack on the 13th District / Aerial Battles / Imperial Camp
July 30th || 14th District on Fire / The Hospital / Mognet Office Attacked
July 31st || The Fire Spreads / Betrayals
August 01st || The Second Wave / Ultima Weapon
August 02nd || Final

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Well, Vincent wouldn't say that things had gone has he'd expected. But then it was war. No plans survive first contact and all that. Defusing a bomb, even if he'd remained calm through it, had certainly added to the adrenaline rush with the sudden chaos.

His first priority was then to head back to Alpha Command for messages. The routine Vincent had developed, Zelda's moogle Kopula with him as Ophelia was with the other at the observatory, was to check in for messages. Then do a quick patrol-type-run through that district. Spiral back to Alpha Command, then range further out to the next district, and then back. Repeating that, to broaden his range but not stray too far.

He kept a careful eye out for anyone in trouble or where he might need to render assistance. Dressed in dark colors and black, save his left hand where the gauntlet-claws were visible as the rest of his arm was covered up. A splash of red on his temple as the bandanna kept his bangs from his eyes, he was using the speed and stealth of his secondary-job as ninja to his advantage.]

[Avoiding the chaos of the northern Districts, a portly man draped in white and yellow robes dashes through the business areas, stocking up on potions, elixirs, and protective gear. This was his new home, and he had to protect it with whatever he had. That is: his body and what little magic he had. But there was one thing the Barkeep was not, and that was a coward. A man with a strong sense of self-preservation, but not a coward.

Carrying a box crammed with leather armor that blocks most of his view, he stumbles his way down the road. Maybe he should have rented a cart or something to carry all this and-]

Oof!

[He bumps into yet another fleeing civilian.]

Sorry, ma'am. [With an embarrassed smile, he steps around the lady and walks onward.]

[Vincent was alternating between low and high roads, as he moved. Currently in one of the alleys, when he heard the slight not-scuffle. Moving his head out to observe, then stepping out fully.

He had learned after his inadvertent startle of MarKus's group. Speaking as he moved closer, lest he startle another. Obvious, as he came up along side the other and indicated he would carry the over-stuffed box.]

Where are you planning to take this?

[Much taller, and he'd been running these routes for awhile, so the box and its load wasn't as much a hindrance to his sight and movement.]

[As the Barkeep was glancing back to the woman as the time, the voice beside him startled him a little, but not enough to drop the crate.]

Oh, pardon me. [Who was this man? He looked a bit shady, but for some reason, he seemed familiar...] I'm takin' these back to my place. Don't want to run out of magic while I'm defendin' the city, you know?

[The crate was slipping through his fingers, and he kicked it back up with a knee.]

Now I'd love some help, but how do I know you're not usin' this chance to steal all my elixirs? [There were so many, it'd make any mage envious.]

[Vincent simply waited politely, taking no offense to the questions.]

Because they are far less useful to me than they are to you. I also have no qualms with defense, as I'm serving as runner and messenger myself.

[Matter of fact, voice low and neither warm nor cool in tone. Someone not given to a lot of chatter needlessly, and Barkeep has likely seen his ilk before.]

...They're expensive, though. Now I personally don't condone this kind of behavior, but plenty of folks would take somethin' they don't need and sell it as a higher price.

[This guy, dressed ominously, and looming over Barkeep, doesn't feel like a trustworthy person. He might turn out to be a friend, but Barkeep isn't one to take chances. Avoid all situations that will lead to trouble. That is why he sidesteps Vincent and continues down the road.]

[Inwardly that makes Vincent chuckle. He can't really blame the other, and the suspicion is healthy enough. So he falls into step besides him, as he is curious now. Besides, he can at least point out hazards this way.]

Hardly what I had in mind, but caution is a rare trait in my experience.

[Barkeep mumbles a "thanks" as he steps around a stray carton of food supplies.]

Really? Folks could always use more of it in my opinion. Makes it less likely you'll run into trouble.

[He stops at a crossroads, peeking from behind the box to make sure when to take a right turn.] Tell me if I'm gonna trip over the curb or somethin'.

[Vincent privately agreed. But then, people often ran counter to what was intelligent or sensible, and were masters at justifying it to themselves. Nor had he been immune to this tendency.

He probably still fell prey at times, but he tried to recognize it more.]

Curb, and take a step to your left to avoid stray debris.

Thanks again. [While he trusts Vincent to be a decent human being and warn him of trip hazards, he doesn't know him well enough to entrust the entire crate of precious elixirs to him. The older man could easily outrun this stout, middle-aged store owner.]

Are you gonna keep followin' me until I get home or what? I don't want to think you have some ulterior motive for helpin' me, but it's mighty suspicious of a fella to help a stranger out this much.

[That brought a faint noise of amusement from Vincent, although his expression remained neutral.]

Fair point. I assumed we were both working for the defense of our city here, hence my offering aid.

[Turning enough to catch the other's eye, Vincent inclined his head.]

My name is Vincent. I am one of those they call Heroes of Light.

Vincent. [He stops and turns his head to get a better look.] I thought you looked familiar.

[Still, he couldn't be too sure, but whether or not Vincent really was a Hero of Light, he needs to know that the older man was going to be defending the city alongside the others.]

Mordecai Benmont-Jiminy. [He states his name with pride.] Everyone calls me Barkeep, and I'm gettin' ready to protect this place.

[Vincent inclines his head again, acknowledging.]

How would you prefer to be called?

[Something he'd always tried to do, even on assignments. Unless he had a good reason to not use someone's preferred way of being called, then he used the address they chose.]

If you are familiar with Yuffie, or Cloud, or Tifa, or Sephiroth, I am from the same world as they are. I am also housemates with Yuffie.

Barkeep, as I am a proud owner of a saloon. [obviously]

Yuffie? I remember her. Tried to buy a drink off me, but I got the better of her! Ramza warned me she was gonna lie about her age.

[The housing district grows closer.</small]

[Vincent nods, not-smiling even if he's amused inside. He is not surprised that Yuffie tried that.]

She tends to be like that. Better as an ally though, and she has a good heart. Where is your house?

[Vincent is asking, so he can help Barkeep navigate any doors or other obstacles.]

A-08. [He hoists the crate higher.] Keep tellin' me where to go, I'll appreciate it.

How you know her? You been on adventures together?

I could simply carry the crate, if you wanted, Barkeep.

[Vincent is willing, and it might be easier for Barkeep than listening to directions.]

We have. Also where I know Tifa and Cloud from.

[Sorry, man of few words Barkeep.]

Sure you could, but I'm almost there anyway. [He trusts Vincent a little more now. Next time, he'll let him carry his things.]

You know all of 'em? From the same planet, had adventures, that sort of deal? Now that's a good coincidence! Sparks is from an alternate universe --one that I didn't create-- as he doesn't know who Ginny is. That's his girlfriend, by the way. My wife and I set them up together, and Red with Croach. For some reason, in their timeline, this ain't happened. They don't even remember Gork's baby.

[Sorry, man of many words Vincent.]

Now we may have had some differences in our pasts, but we're all still friends that help each other out. Well, until Red turned into a crystal, that is. It's been the same between all three of us, and I'm glad I recognize someone. Makes things less lonely, am I right?

[Vincent is more than happy to listen. Often you could learn a lot when you let people simply talk. It was a good way to gather information.]

There is something to be said for comforting familiarity amidst the sea of unfamiliar surroundings.

[Trano Golsaucia had reminded him a bit of the Gold Saucer, which had been amusing. Also slightly reassuring, until he'd run into familiar faces like Tifa.]

That's a good way to put it.

[He doesn't add more, as by now, they reach his house.]

Can you open that for me?

[Vincent doesn't reply, suiting action to words instead as he moves over and opens the door. Then stepping out of the way, so that Barkeep can enter more easily with his burden.]

[Another nod of thanks, and Barkeep enters. The living room is crowded, as half of it is taken up by an in-house bar and its alcoholic stock.

He waddles over to a coffee table and sets the crate down.]

Anythin' I get for you? Somethin' to drink? Cake?

[Vincent's eyes automatically noted exits, entries, points of lines of sight. Habits long ingrained into him. Moving out of the doorway, though not yet making his way to take a seat. Unsure if he wanted to stay or go, now that his helpful errand had been completed.]

No, thank you.

[Always polite at least.]

When did you arrive, Barkeep?

No, I can't let a guest in without offerin' somethin'. Here, sit down. You a drinkin' man, Vincent?

[He waves a hand towards a couch and walks behind the bar.]

Around May. Showed up in the temple by Trano Golsaucia. They expected us to walk all the way through the snow to get to the nearest city, can you believe it? [He pulls out two glasses.] Adventurin' aint' my style, so I stayed here most of the time, but I did go out explorin' that Stiltzkin Castle two months ago. Was enough danger for a year, but then we got invaded, and I'm not lettin' my new place get wrecked so quick. I had to stay, right?

[Vincent doesn't exactly reply as he moves over towards the couch. Settling himself, his posture and manner remain professional albeit at ease at the same time. Clear that he is a stoic type, hardly an open-book.]

We arrived around the same time then.

After-defusing bomb--playing messenger/running around!

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