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Post by Vincent on Sept 5, 2011 1:16:09 GMT -5
The Hijrah took off from Leah garden in the evening after their arrival, in route to Galbadia so that they could pick up the necessary accessories for the Gala event to be held in a few days. A slinky dress for Nahla, one fitted so she can hide-away no less than three weapons and still look elegant. Vincent needed to get his finest refitted - but just a little and he planned to get that on the hush-hush.
Gideon had been given one of the state-rooms, as all the Hijrah's guests. It at one time of both Natalia's and Lillith's throughout the course of the ship's history. Dinner had been held at the Garden, so there wasn't the usual shipboard dinner - but that didn't mean Vincent couldn't try to smooth a few things over with the elf he had been strong-armed into ferrying around. He had a bottle of sherry and privy as captain to request an audience at anytime aboard his vessel. A knock came upon Gideon's door.
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Gideon Lightfeather
Experienced Novice
No matter what world I am on, one thing is always the same; What is good, and what is evil.
Posts: 97
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Post by Gideon Lightfeather on Sept 5, 2011 1:31:43 GMT -5
Come in.
::When Vincent allowed himself in, he found Gideon sitting at the edge of the cot. His few effects were arranged neatly at the foot of the cot save for his longsword which he had laid across his lap. His blue-gray eyes did not meet the Captain's at once, but remained focused on the desk against the opposite wall, staring at it like one would stare at a serpent poised to strike::
She spent a lot of time here didn't she.
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Post by Vincent on Sept 5, 2011 1:45:51 GMT -5
"A lot of people have spent a lot of time in here. But yes, she did." Vincent stated as he set the bottle of sherry down on the desk with two glasses. "I don't know if you drink - but I do so if you'll excuse me." He pops the cork and pours into both glasses. He sets the bottle back down and turns, with both glasses in hand, offer one to Gideon.
"I take it you knew Natalia well? I'm afraid to say that I really know next to nothing about you." He took a sip of sherry. "So please excuse me for my reaction this morning. My crew and I have never been one to welcome warmly being roped into events and obligations well. It just sort of happens. Anyway, tell me about yourself Gideon - break the ice, so to speak. You know a bit of my past, now it's your turn."
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Gideon Lightfeather
Experienced Novice
No matter what world I am on, one thing is always the same; What is good, and what is evil.
Posts: 97
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Post by Gideon Lightfeather on Sept 5, 2011 1:58:24 GMT -5
(OOC: Honestly I think Lillith is the only one of my characters who drinks for "medical reasons". Gwen drinks a glass of wine every now and again, but she's too classy to actually drink enough to get drunk)
::Gideon nodded::
Yes, I know her well. Both who she is and who she used to be. She's the one that set me on this path.
::He looked to Vincent with his calm eyes that looked like the sea after a storm had passed. It was strange seeing eyes that looked so old in a face that looked not much older than a boy::
I'm not all that complex myself. I'm a demon hunter from Freya. Have been all my life. Anything in particular you wanted to know?
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Post by Vincent on Sept 5, 2011 2:06:08 GMT -5
Vincent nodded, taking in his eyes and the whole of his being. There was something most unsettling about him, yet familiar - like it would looking into a mirror of yourself that reflected youth except for the eyes.
"Well, suppose for starters, how about you and Natalia. She was a mysterious woman even in life, aboard this vessel. We fought along side numerous times, yet I never knew what really troubled her. Miguel knew her better, I think, but he prefers not to talk about that time in his life." Vincent leaned up against the bulkhead, one foot crossed over the other. He swirled the sherry around his glass. "I take it your relationship with her must of been... complicated."
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Gideon Lightfeather
Experienced Novice
No matter what world I am on, one thing is always the same; What is good, and what is evil.
Posts: 97
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Post by Gideon Lightfeather on Sept 5, 2011 2:25:57 GMT -5
::The strange elf smiled in a sad way, shaking his head::
You could say that. A long time ago she was like an older sister to me, back when she had a kind beating heart pumping warm blood through her veins. We fought along side one another numerous times as well, and each time to victory. Until... she came against something not even she could fight.
::Vincent could tell he was struggling with this part. Was it that he like Miguel found it difficult to talk about the woman, or was it out of some bizarre respect for her that he was holding things back::
She... lost someone. Someone very close to her. I had always thought of her as a strong woman, but before I had met her she had been something of a pariah. This person was the first real friend she had ever had. Probably the only one. She couldn't carry on the fight after that. She wanted... revenge. And she got it.
::He shuddered::
Oh she got it. But it seemed that wasn't enough. After exacting vengeance on the one responsible, she took revenge on the entire kingdom. Destroyed it in a single night. Even after so many years her hatred still hasn't waned. She's spent every waking moment plotting to take revenge against our entire race. And she won't stop. All because she refuses to face her mistakes rather than run from them. Some times I think that's why she came here. To escape.
::His grip around the hilt of his weapon tightened::
She was no longer the woman I followed. Not after selling her soul. Just a demon wearing her skin. The day I watched her fall was the day I picked up my sword and swore to destroy her and everything she stands for. That's what led me here.
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Post by Vincent on Sept 5, 2011 2:54:14 GMT -5
"Can't say I ever knew her as the kingdom destroying type yet, with the power she had, I can quite imagine her being capable of such a feat." Vincent's eyes betrayed him as he looked away in thought, it was brief, but hearing that about her pained him some. He chose his friends precisely, to think he let himself get close to someone, who in the end, was no better than those who destroyed his kingdom and changed his life forever, sat uncomfortably with him.
"Maybe she turned into a different woman for you, but to me, she was the best of allies. Few I'd trust my life and crew too, she was one such person." He took a quick chug of sherry. "I'd heard some of the stories, I like to think that those anecdotes were of someone else. A horrible monster that consumed Natalia till nothing of the friend I knew remained. Just a puppet - a horrible fiend." He sucked the sherry between his teeth before swallowing. "Perhaps a different topic. How's the sherry? Not my personal favorite but stores have been a tad low as of late. Not terrible though."
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Gideon Lightfeather
Experienced Novice
No matter what world I am on, one thing is always the same; What is good, and what is evil.
Posts: 97
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Post by Gideon Lightfeather on Sept 5, 2011 3:02:18 GMT -5
Not bad. But I should warn you I can drink you into bankruptcy.
::He'd really only taken the sherry to be polite. Not that he was a heavy drinker, but alcohol had no effect on him. The way his body worked allowed him to cycle it through his system faster than normal, not giving it a chance to effect his brain::
Yes, I understand she was a little different here. Can't tell me Iole turned out the way she did all on her own.
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Post by Vincent on Sept 5, 2011 3:15:03 GMT -5
Vincent groaned and rolled his eyes. Gideon hit it dead on the mark about Iole. "I feel so sorry for that boy Oliver. He has no idea what he's getting himself into with that one. Don't get me wrong, I love Iole like a niece, watched her grow up and, wow, puberty for her was something else. I thought Miguel was bad - oh no. She's a million times worse." He finished his glass of sherry and begun to pour another. "Those two together, both little burning fires of passion and ideals, they'll either conquer the world or set it on fire. Ok, next question: How old are you really? Me and the crew have a little pool going."
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Gideon Lightfeather
Experienced Novice
No matter what world I am on, one thing is always the same; What is good, and what is evil.
Posts: 97
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Post by Gideon Lightfeather on Sept 5, 2011 3:18:45 GMT -5
::Gideon looked up again with a cheeky grin::
What do you mean? Can't you tell? I'm eighteen.
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Post by Vincent on Sept 5, 2011 3:26:05 GMT -5
Vincent burst out laughing, "Ok, now know, I like you." His laugh boomed for a moment before dying down. " Cheers to being eighteen!" He raised his glass then took a sip. "That reminds me, you have proper clothes for the this little Gala we're too attend? I've got our helmsman on a course for Galbadia, best city in the world for fashion - we have to look our best if we're going to get in with the good graces of this Count fellow."
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Gideon Lightfeather
Experienced Novice
No matter what world I am on, one thing is always the same; What is good, and what is evil.
Posts: 97
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Post by Gideon Lightfeather on Sept 5, 2011 3:29:30 GMT -5
::He raised an eyebrow::
What exactly did you have in mind Captain?
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Post by Vincent on Sept 5, 2011 3:46:32 GMT -5
"Mind?" Vincent thought, he hadn't really expected the question to be thrown back at him in such a way. "Well, I go with my usual fare. Keeping with the nautical theme - it's really timeless. High-collar, waistcoat, Bicorn..." He rambled off. "You though, need something fitting to your personality and which accents that elvish mug of yours. Have to tag along when we go dress shopping for Nahla, see what's in style and works. I am seeing something with traditional Galbadian cuts but with contemporary style and design. Have to see what's 'in' this year. And that brings me to my next question, Guinevere and this whole plan of hers. You probably know her better than I, do you trust this whole charade about her reforming? Cause I trust it about as far as I can spit. "
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Gideon Lightfeather
Experienced Novice
No matter what world I am on, one thing is always the same; What is good, and what is evil.
Posts: 97
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Post by Gideon Lightfeather on Sept 5, 2011 11:58:27 GMT -5
Well then in that case, I put my faith in your keen eye for fashion Good Captain.
::He took another swig of the sherry, trying to recall what he had just witnessed in the basement of Leah Garden::
Can't say I know her all that well either. I only met her a few days ago. I could discern her past easily enough. She wrieked of Jezebel's touch. But she's been helpful so far. And she was able to sever her link. I saw sincere repentance for past wrongdoings in her life. Still... You don't have to be a detective to know she was hiding something back there. The way she spoke, she knows more than she's letting on. It's in her eyes too. She wants something out of this fight.
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Post by Vincent on Sept 9, 2011 15:03:40 GMT -5
"Last time she wanted something, it nearly got everyone here killed." Vincent mentioned rather off-handedly. Then there came a little chime from the ships intercom.
"Captain to the bridge, captain to the bridge."
Vincent was roused from his conversation, "Well, that would be me. Been good talking, we'll be in Galbadia shortly so till then." He waved him off and exited.
Once back on the bridge, Tresk and Miguel were both curiously looking out the front, at something in the distance. Both were fighting over control of the binoculars, Tresk was winning thus far.
"What's going on here? Tresk, Miguel?" Vincent asked, profoundly confused by their behavior - well mostly so.
"Captain! Come look at this." He handed off the binoculars to Vincent, much to Miguel's chagrin. He let out a defeated sigh.
Through the lens, several hundred meters off, was a flotilla of airships - bearing the new flag of Ghestial.
"Is it a war party?" Miguel begged to know.
"No... no, only a few smaller armed vessels for protection. The bulk of appears to be private vessels. Think its an envoy. Miguel, get on the radio, see if you can't tap into their com-channel but don't draw attention to us." "Will do capt'." And he trotted back to his station. "Why would an Ghestial envoy be this far into Galbadian territory?" Tresk pondered. "Trade. Treaty or otherwise. What is the one thing Galbadia has that Vector doesn't?" "Uh-" "Missiles." "Oh... so that means." "My paranoid conspiracy sense tells me that this may be an arms deal - put the squeeze on Doma. Perhaps this Gala will be a might more interesting after all."
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Gideon Lightfeather
Experienced Novice
No matter what world I am on, one thing is always the same; What is good, and what is evil.
Posts: 97
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Post by Gideon Lightfeather on Sept 9, 2011 22:12:37 GMT -5
::Vincent heard light footsteps behind him, but he didn't need to turn to know it was Gideon. Being around his crew for so long, he was "in-tune" enough with them to know it wasn't one of them that had just come to the bridge. The Elf stared out at the small fleet::
So this... Empire. Is this the one Iole said she fought in the Sands War? I thought their leader was dead. Who leads them now?
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Post by Vincent on Sept 9, 2011 23:06:49 GMT -5
"You know, Mr. Lightfeather, it's customary to request entrance onto a bridge." Vincent spoke distantly, yet firm and with an air of authority, as he watched the fleet in the distance. "Seem you take after Natalia in some more subtle ways." He lowers the binoculars.
"No, the two Sands Wars were fought against Elis Sands, a dictator that usurp authority in the region. The current 'Empire', if you can even call it that, is run by a council with an elected Minister. No single authority in command - resembles a Republic more than anything."
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Gideon Lightfeather
Experienced Novice
No matter what world I am on, one thing is always the same; What is good, and what is evil.
Posts: 97
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Post by Gideon Lightfeather on Sept 9, 2011 23:10:54 GMT -5
::If Vincent had looked back, the look in Gideon's eyes would have said he didn't take kindly to being compared with Natalia. But whatever his feelings, he let it go::
So what are they doing here? Should their presence concern us?
::His fingers itched to the all-too-important longsword which was strapped to his back once more::
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Post by Vincent on Sept 12, 2011 16:37:25 GMT -5
"That's the million gil question isn't it?" Said Vincnet. "They're heading our way, mostly likely Deling City, find out what's this all about there. And you can relax, we're not the ones at war with them. Far as they're concerned we're just another little dot on their radar. Ain't that right Miguel."
"Aye!" Miguel exclaimed.
"See, everything is just coming up roses."
((Let's head to Deling))
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