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Y’shtola could appreciate the hustle and bustle of Limsa Lominsa, the seemingly never-ending noise and chatter and movement. The signs of life, of progress, of rebuilding. Side stepping children running by her, the woman takes a deep breath, salty air filling her lungs. It’s nice to be in the city for something else besides talking with the Admiral. (What good timing it is, as Minfilia gently lectured her a couple bells before about taking a break from her investigation.)
She breezes through the Octant, weaving through the rush of merchants and adventurers as she walks to the lift in Bulwark Hall. Ride short and quick, she waves goodbye to the lift attendant as she walks into the Drowning Wrench, plopping herself into a bar stool.
“Be right wit’ ya,” Baderon calls over his shoulder, back to her, clipboard in hand, busy counting barrels and bottles.
The Miqo’te woman just hums, folding her fingers under her chin, patiently waiting. (There is no need to rush, her official business having reached a temporary dead end, leaving her a moment to investigate this new curiosity of hers.) The man scribbles some number down, nodding his head in satisfaction as he turns and looks up from the board, a surprise smile lighting up his face.
“Y’shtola! Wasn’t expectin’ ya t’ drop in!”
“Baderon,” she greets cooly, returning the smile, “can’t I just drop in for a drink?”
The Hyur man laughs, setting aside his things, reaching back behind him for a bottle of wine. “Wit’ the way ya ‘n the others run around,” he replies, popping the cork and starting to fill a goblet with brilliant red liquid, “I didn’t reckon ya would ‘ave time t’ sit, let alone drink!” She graciously takes the offered glass, pondering her exit move once this visit is done.
(The silly man insists that for everything she and Scions did, the drinks are on the house. Miounne and Momodi are much the same way.
Yda is currently in the lead for the most creative way of slipping them gil without them noticing.)
“True, but I have to check on you every once in a while.” She raises the glass slightly towards the man as she teases, “I have to make sure you aren’t getting up to any trouble.”
Baderon laughs again, throwing his head back, “My only trouble at this point is adventurers bleedin’ me dry o’ ale ‘n spirit!” He leans over on the beaten countertop, eyebrow raising in mock challenge. “As much as I love catchin’ up wit’ ya, I know thar’s somethin’ on yer mind.”
“I must be losing my touch,” Y’shtola comments, “or perhaps becoming too obvious.” The Hyur shrugs unapologetically, still watching her with a warm smile. (Then again, she has known this man for years, him acting as a point of contact especially after the Calamity as everyone scrambles to rebuild their lives. It’s no surprise that he has picked up a few habits of hers.)
“You are correct though; I am looking for some information on a couple of adventurers.”
“Oh, they must ‘ave been somethin’ if they got yer attention.”
Y’shtola just smiles and takes another sip of wine, “That is one way of putting it.”
(The way the two of them fought, every movement of one in tune with the movement of the other. One following the other, the Other’s eyes never straying far from her Shadow. A neutral, guarded expression in contrast to cautious cheerfulness. Both possessing the Echo, visions happening to each of them at the same time.)
“Got a description o’ ‘em? I could possibly give ye some names if it rings a bell.”
“A white hair Hyur woman and a small Au’Ra woman.” Immediately, Balderon’s shoulders tighten , bracing himself, eyes cool as they watch her, arms crossing over his chest.
(How curious.)
“Yer talkin’ about Niveia and Zolzaya. Niveia be the Hyur, and Zolzaya be the Au’Ra,” Balderon answers cautiously, voice deceptively casual as he asks, “How did ye run into ‘em?”
“We ran into a small spot of trouble,” Y’shtola says, taking another sip, offering the bare minimum and nothing more, “I’m surprised you immediately knew who I was describing.” She nods to his adjusted stance, “Feeling protective of them? That’s unlike you.” (All the Adventurer Guild masters care to a certain extent about everyone who passes through their doors, but life is not easy, especially the adventuring one.)
Balderon scoffs good heartedly, “Only pair wit’ those descriptions around these parts. Can’t help feelin’ protective- they are good lasses here in Limsa, even as infamous as they are.” Y’shtola raises a curious eyebrow, silently prodding the man to explain. The bartender glances around, silently judging the distance between them and the next chatty table.
“Nothing terrible mind ye, depending on who ye ask.”
“Oh?”
He nods, tilting his head in thought. “’Twas aft the Calamity dat they seemed t’ pop up out o’ nowhere, though exactly when is anyone’s guess since dat period was a damn mess. Immediately stood out simply ‘cause o’ how opposite they be. But they’re good lasses as I said, doin’ odd jobs ‘n requests ‘n helpin’ folks wit’ whatever they need.” Balderon holds up the open wine bottle and Y’shtola gracefully offers her glass.
As he refills the glass, the bartender continues, “Now thar’s a two more sides t’ thar reputation. First one be Niveia bein’ a flirty creature. Strike her fancy ‘n she’ll be coy wit’ some sweet words on her lips. Of course, no one has ever entered in her bed without an enthusiastic aye. O’ course, doesn’t mean she will get into a relationship wit’ her bed fellow, no matter how many repeat meetings thar be.”
(Sounds like a certain rogue she knows.)
He holds up a hand sternly, “Afore ye say anythin’, no I haven’t slept with her. This is all coming from the lass herself when she and Zolzaya stop in for a drink.” Y’shtola snickers into her glass but remains silent. “Zolzaya, on the other hand, be known as the heartbreaker ‘cause o’ how fast she will shoot ye down.” Balderon whistles a bit, “Watched a rejection once, ‘n ‘twas the most respectful quick thing I have ever seen. She didn’t even consider it for a moment.”
“As much as this is fascinating information,” Y’shtola remarks, “I’m more interested in hearing about this mysterious third side.”
“As I said, they be a good pair,” Balderon says, “unless ye happen t’ be the violent type.”
“Oh? That’s quite a few people, given where we are at.”
“I suppose ye ‘ave a point,” Balderon laughs, shaking his head for a moment before his voice drops to a low whisper, “but thar’s a reason why the workin’ girls look up t’ the two.”
Y’shtola hums thoughtfully, swirling the remaining liquid in her glass, understanding the implication, “The girls must be relieved to see them beaten.” (To protect the shady corners, what lurks underneath the cover of stars and lights- how righteous these two are.)
“Dat would involve ‘em being’ seen at all afterwards.”
(Ah. That kind of justice.)
“I am surprised that the Yellow Jackets haven’t stepped in yet.” Balderon raised a silent eyebrow, Y’shtola shrugging in response, already knowing the answer.
(Pirates are pirates no matter what, and some don’t change no matter what color or uniform they wear.)
Y’shotla finishes off her wine, shaking her head to another glass, serious eyes watching as Balderon turns his back to put the bottle to the side (making a slight of hand move carefully, as not to alert him) . “One last question,” she says calmly, “anything to note about their combat abilities?”
The bartender closes his eyes and thinks out loud, “Niveia is a jack o’ all trades- I've seen dat lass as jus’ about everythin’ under the sun. Though Zolzaya seems t’ be the main muscle- wee as she be, havin’ laid out men o’er twice her size ‘n trice her weight.” He reopens his eyes and look at Y’shtola with a grin, “From wha’ others ‘ave told me, always make sure they’re on yer side in a fight. Swears dat they can read each other minds’ wit how in tune they be t’ each other.”
(So she’s not the only one who has taken note of that.)
His eyes turn serious as he starts to say, “If ye be thinkin’ about recruiting ‘em...”
Y’shtola holds up a hand, pausing his sentence. “I cannot make any promises,” she says, silently fishing out a few gil out of her pocket, “as of right now, they have just piqued my curiosity.” Balderon scoffs good heartedly, looking at her with an ‘oh really’ expression. (Though he isn’t wrong. After all, the Scions deal with all manners of unusual things and those two look like the most interesting creatures around.)
“ Take care of yourself,” she says, leaving her stool, grinning when she’s far enough away and hears Balderon’s surprised laughter, rattling the pieces of gil now sitting in her goblet. Humming softly to herself, she presses her fingers to her ears, listening to the cracking of her linkpearl coming to life.
“Y’shtola? Is everything alright?”
“Hello, Minfila,” she answers, “and yes everything is alright. I just ran into some fascinating adventurers that I think you should know about...”