[To say returning to the Far East brought Takame comfort would be a shameless lie considering the circumstances. All that just unfolded in Rhalgr's Reach, his failure there, did nothing to ease his anxiety, nor did the fact that their ultimate goal was Doma.
Even as they prepared their means of transportation, Takame tried to dull his mind of all thoughts. There was no time for them, to wallow in his failure. The Warrior of Light mustn't falter.
Of course during a high period of disassociation, someone calling out to him snapped him right back to reality causing him to turn to the voice to see a rather displeased Keeper of the Moon. With a curious hum, he encouraged the rest of his group to proceed, promising he would catch up soon. From there he tilted his head at the Miqo'te.]
[Perhaps if Rose knew she was speaking to the Warrior of Light, she would choose her words better or try to soften the blow. Or perhaps she wouldn’t change at all. The latter is more likely, to be honest.]
[She crosses her arms and frowns.]
Yes, aught is amiss. I’m supposed to be returning home to Hingashi today, and they’ve stopped by boat at port. Meanwhile, your ship seems to be sailing to Kugane just fine.
Hm? [A Miqo'te hailing from Hingashi? Not an unheard of sight, but still a rare one. And most others had tells or exaggerated tones when they were lying. This woman didn't seem to be lying, her frustration coming off as completely genuine.
Or perhaps he was just used to the puffed tail and growl of an angry Miqo'te woman.
Not that he could blame her, for most people wanting to return home and being unable to would be... unpleasant, correct? Not everyone avoided their homes like a plague as he did. Hina always taught him to consider how others feel, he's learned much and more of that during his journey. He gave an apologetic bow.]
My apologies. 'Tis true we are bound for Kugane, but our reasons for doing so are... [dire, a matter of life and death.] private. Our vessel has no relation to Limsa's inability to sail to the East.
[Rose is, paradoxically, too naive to lie, especially about something like this. What need would she ever have to disguise where she comes from?]
[If she can tell that his response is genuine, she doesn't show it. It's not that she's trying to make his life hard, but she's tired, scared, and wants to go home.]
Private, hm? I'm sure your vessel could accommodate one more person, could it not?
[He was afraid she'd ask that. Had he been en route to Kugane for any other reason besides traveling to Doma to bolster their numbers (or had going to Kugane in general not been a risk given his background) he would take no issue with it.
But alas, he could not. It felt wrong to deny someone a trip home, but it was far too dangerous for one, and he'd rather not try and fail to look after someone for two. He shook his head.]
Given our circumstances, I'm afraid we cannot. [As much as he tried to sound apologetic, he only came off as indifferent.]
[Of course Rose was going to ask that. It's not as if anyone had ever taught her manners. Well, okay, people had tried, but those efforts ended rather poorly.]
[Rose may be a min height Miqo'te, but she's not budging.]
[Unstoppable force, meet immovable object. Takame wouldn't budge either, it was for this woman's own safety that she wait for a normal vessel to Kugane to become available. Again, he shook his head.]
Most who flaunt their ability to handle themselves often cannot. [Rude of him to say, he realized, but no less true. But at the threat of her sneaking onto the boat his lips pursed.]
You won't succeed. Your presence is rather conspicuous and I'll not allow the ship to proceed if I'm able to detect you.
I have good eyes. [Not that she knew just how good they were, but he was being intentionally vague.
He'll not enable this woman any further, though. His experience taught him that only led to more trouble. Instead, he'll bow one more time to her.]
If you'll excuse me. [He's kept Alphinaud and the others waiting long enough, but he'll not forget courtesy. He can at least give a proper farewell before taking his leave of her.]
[Rose doesn’t return the bow. Instead, she waits until Takame walks off to make her move. For such a small load, the crew is suitably distracted, and that gives her plenty of time to sneak on board.]
[She shimmies her way into a crate, and waits until the ship leaves port. Once she feels they are suitably at sea, she makes her exit, stretching.]
[What are they going to do, throw her into the ocean?]
[Once they'd set off, as soon as Takame found the smell of the sea to not be as comforting as it normally was, he sought to put himself to work and double check the cargo.
As soon as he'd walked below decks, though, he sensed something off. An unfamiliar presence he didn't notice before, though amidst the talk between Lyse and the twins he wasn't able to be as alert as normal. To say nothing of the weight on his mind that was their destination.
A hand hovered over his blade as he walked further down, fully ready to strike against any bastard who would dare to hijack this operation, he was in absolutely no mood to see the face of another Skull or Imperial lapdog. ... But then. He saw just who said bastard was.]
[Rose crosses her arms and smirks. She told him that she’d sneak on, and she’s true to her word. She has absolutely no idea what she just got herself into, or how much danger she was just in.]
[It’s probably for the best, to be honest.]
Yes, me. I told you I’d find my way on here, didn’t I?
[The hand over his weapon falls and he let out a heavy sigh, mumbling some Hingan phrase or another that sounded like a swear. Kami, she was as bad as Hina could be. If Zhian were here she would lose her temper immediately.
Even Takame's endless patience was fraying at this point, there was a civilian unaware of the gravity of their journey on their bloody ship. Ordinarily he would choose his words more carefully, but...]
[The Hingan swear doesn’t escape Rose, but she doesn’t make any mention of it. Instead, she smiles and winks at Takame. He seems pretty angry, she doesn’t get it.]
[Perhaps, in another universe where their roles were switched, Rose would notice the change in his demeanor. Perhaps she would realize that such stern words coming out of him were a rarity.]
[No such luck here, unfortunately. Rose shrugs her shoulders.]
I never said it was. Rest assured, as soon as we get to Kugane, I’ll leave you and your friends in peace.
That isn't the point... [The point probably didn't matter to her, really. Trying to explain to her the danger of travelling to Kugane for their purpose... travelling there with him mostly, was fruitless. They couldn't very well turn back at this point.
Tataru's blackmail could only get them so far. All he could do was pinch the bridge of his nose and sigh.]
Rose. [Obviously a pseudonym, though her choice to use it was hers. Probably a good idea, but Takame knew her face now. Knew her aether. Just in case something would happen to her.]
... It's because-- [As if on queue, the ship is brought to a dead halt. He's thrown off slightly, but not enough for him to fall and extended an arm forward in case Rose was not so lucky.
Regardless of whether she stumbled or not, his eyes shifted immediately back to the deck and his brow furrowed.]
Please stay here. [Said already making his way above. It'll likely be some time before he returns, he needed to make sure the others were alright as well as apologize for being negligent and allowing this stow away to get away with what she's done.
Though Rose has ignored his suggestions before. Nothing was stopping her from listening in on the muffled chit-chat closer up.]
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g o o d.
Even as they prepared their means of transportation, Takame tried to dull his mind of all thoughts. There was no time for them, to wallow in his failure. The Warrior of Light mustn't falter.
Of course during a high period of disassociation, someone calling out to him snapped him right back to reality causing him to turn to the voice to see a rather displeased Keeper of the Moon. With a curious hum, he encouraged the rest of his group to proceed, promising he would catch up soon. From there he tilted his head at the Miqo'te.]
... Is aught amiss, madam?
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[She crosses her arms and frowns.]
Yes, aught is amiss. I’m supposed to be returning home to Hingashi today, and they’ve stopped by boat at port. Meanwhile, your ship seems to be sailing to Kugane just fine.
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Or perhaps he was just used to the puffed tail and growl of an angry Miqo'te woman.
Not that he could blame her, for most people wanting to return home and being unable to would be... unpleasant, correct? Not everyone avoided their homes like a plague as he did. Hina always taught him to consider how others feel, he's learned much and more of that during his journey. He gave an apologetic bow.]
My apologies. 'Tis true we are bound for Kugane, but our reasons for doing so are... [dire, a matter of life and death.] private. Our vessel has no relation to Limsa's inability to sail to the East.
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[If she can tell that his response is genuine, she doesn't show it. It's not that she's trying to make his life hard, but she's tired, scared, and wants to go home.]
Private, hm? I'm sure your vessel could accommodate one more person, could it not?
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But alas, he could not. It felt wrong to deny someone a trip home, but it was far too dangerous for one, and he'd rather not try and fail to look after someone for two. He shook his head.]
Given our circumstances, I'm afraid we cannot. [As much as he tried to sound apologetic, he only came off as indifferent.]
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[Rose may be a min height Miqo'te, but she's not budging.]
Oh? And what circumstances would those be?
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I cannot say. ["Will not", was more accurate.]
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Then, let me on the ship with you. It’s that simple.
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I cannot.
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Look, I can help you, too. I’m a healer by trade. If someone gets sick or hurt, I can cure them.
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I don't doubt your ability to heal, madam. Please understand, the journey we make is not one of leisure, nor is it one for the inexperienced.
As such, 'tis best you do not travel with us. That is all.
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[She can’t.]
And if you say no, I’ll just sneak onto your boat anyway.
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You won't succeed. Your presence is rather conspicuous and I'll not allow the ship to proceed if I'm able to detect you.
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[She doesn’t know it, but he absolutely can.]
Try me. Mark my words, I’ll find my way onto that boat before it leaves port.
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He'll not enable this woman any further, though. His experience taught him that only led to more trouble. Instead, he'll bow one more time to her.]
If you'll excuse me. [He's kept Alphinaud and the others waiting long enough, but he'll not forget courtesy. He can at least give a proper farewell before taking his leave of her.]
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[She shimmies her way into a crate, and waits until the ship leaves port. Once she feels they are suitably at sea, she makes her exit, stretching.]
[What are they going to do, throw her into the ocean?]
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As soon as he'd walked below decks, though, he sensed something off. An unfamiliar presence he didn't notice before, though amidst the talk between Lyse and the twins he wasn't able to be as alert as normal. To say nothing of the weight on his mind that was their destination.
A hand hovered over his blade as he walked further down, fully ready to strike against any bastard who would dare to hijack this operation, he was in absolutely no mood to see the face of another Skull or Imperial lapdog. ... But then. He saw just who said bastard was.]
What in the hells? You?
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[It’s probably for the best, to be honest.]
Yes, me. I told you I’d find my way on here, didn’t I?
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Even Takame's endless patience was fraying at this point, there was a civilian unaware of the gravity of their journey on their bloody ship. Ordinarily he would choose his words more carefully, but...]
Have you some manner of death wish?
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No, I told you, I can take care of myself.
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[For how normally soft spoken Takame was, there's a noticeable increase in the volume of his voice. Still, he's quiet enough to not raise alarm.
But yes, he isn't thrilled.]
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[No such luck here, unfortunately. Rose shrugs her shoulders.]
I never said it was. Rest assured, as soon as we get to Kugane, I’ll leave you and your friends in peace.
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Tataru's blackmail could only get them so far. All he could do was pinch the bridge of his nose and sigh.]
... What is your name?
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[...Her mother would have an absolute fit.]
Just Rose will do. And I hardly see what’s so dangerous about...
[Before she can finish, the ship abruptly stops, throwing her off balance.]
...This.
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... It's because-- [As if on queue, the ship is brought to a dead halt. He's thrown off slightly, but not enough for him to fall and extended an arm forward in case Rose was not so lucky.
Regardless of whether she stumbled or not, his eyes shifted immediately back to the deck and his brow furrowed.]
Please stay here. [Said already making his way above. It'll likely be some time before he returns, he needed to make sure the others were alright as well as apologize for being negligent and allowing this stow away to get away with what she's done.
Though Rose has ignored his suggestions before. Nothing was stopping her from listening in on the muffled chit-chat closer up.]
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