sunseeker | an ill-advised venture (for sarcaskick)

an ill-advised venture (for sarcaskick)

[ It's another frigid night in Ishgard, and M'ahina finds herself arriving somewhat earlier than the appointed hour. She's content to order some wine to at least warm herself as she waits, but in spite of the good drink, she grows bored almost comically fast. Left to her own devices she would probably strike up conversations with other patrons or the like, but in this case, there's a fear it may be somewhat counterproductive to make friends of everyone.

So she simply waits obediently at her own table, idly tracing the rim of her goblet with a gloved finger and a small sigh. Seeing her, one might think she's waited ages rather than several minutes. Keeping to herself is not her forte, it would seem. ]

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[ Not only is she early, but he's late. He's punctual when he feels like it, and today he didn't feel like it. It may come as little surprise that most days, he doesn't feel like it.

But the door eventually swings open hard to let him stroll on in, earning a few wary looks from patrons who either know of him or know his type (or maybe they're just mad that he doesn't close the door behind him, leaving someone else to scurry over and stop the cold from coming in). After placing his order at the bar - an ale, for him- he finally makes his way to the table where M'ahina waits. ]

I take it the fun hasn't started without me.

[ She tilts her head at the entrance, watching in curiosity. It's certainly something, worth a raised brow, but it disappears quickly enough; she was never one to judge hastily. And for the time being, she's simply glad she's no longer stuck drinking alone. ]

Afraid not. I didn't want to get too caught up in charming the bar beforehand. Seemed counterproductive? And knowing my luck, I'd be like to be sent on some manner of errand halfway across town before you ever arrived.

[ How she wishes she were exaggerating. She takes a large gulp of her drink as she finishes speaking, looking quite pleased. ]

The mighty Warrior of Light, sent out and about to take care of chores? How do you let that slide?

[ ~~Mercury doesn't understand that sometimes you just gotta grind fetchquests to move the plot forward~~

He takes a swig from his mug, setting it down on the table with a solid thud. ]

I figured people would be jumping at the chance to do things for you, not the other way around.

Hm?

[ M'ahina tilts her head; she's never actually made such considerations, so it takes her a moment to understand the meaning. She ends up laughing and waving it off. ]

Power and glory, is it? It's not so glamorous a lifestyle as you'd think. I'm not a sellsword, I more get paid to ... meddle in people's problems? As it were. [ She's at least somewhat self-aware. She knocks back another small sip of wine. ] Besides, it's not so bad. I happen to enjoy helping people, and you might be surprised how oft the simplest of tasks turn into something much bigger.

[ So it goes. It's understandable some may not have the patience, but she does, for better or worse. ]

It's not boring, if naught else. I can't ask for much more.

Ha! Here before me sits the Meddler of Light.

[ He shakes his head a bit in something between amusement and disbelief, lifting his mug to his lips again. It's definitely hard to imagine being so renowned and still bothering to do little favors at the behest of strangers.

He much prefers being a sellsword, truth be told. ]

But then again, I guess I did drag you here to find something to meddle in, too. So it all works out. I can definitely get not wanting to be bored, though. Nothing worse.

That's me--professional busybody.

[ She gives her chest a confident little tap, half-laughing about it. ]

But that, I can agree with. I've never been able to suffer tedious things, and there's nothing more exhausting than sitting idle with your own thoughts. I've never quite understood how some people can manage to stay put in the same spot for long--especially without company. Where's the fun in such a thing? There's people to meet, places to see!

[ Although, some might say much the same about her own hobbies. One cannot account for taste, she supposes. Though speaking of taste, she seems to have run out of wine, so she waves someone over for another cup. ]

Yeah, well, some of us are more interested in the things to do than the people to meet.

[ He's certainly not a social butterfly. Agreeing to meet her like this was the exception, not the rule - the chance to have drinks with the Warrior of Light was just too unique an opportunity to pass up. Otherwise, he tends to keep to himself.

His track record with people is... not great. ]

And not everyone has the opportunity to just up and go somewhere else when they feel like it, either. Sometimes you have to just make do where you are.

Now, now. I was not suggesting everyone can or should be the same, merely what I enjoy myself.

[ She gives a wry smile, wondering if perhaps she got ahead of herself--something she can be prone to in her excitability. A trait oft mistaken for naivety. She has never been inclined to agree, but neither is she going to point out her own hardships simply to prove otherwise. ]

What sorts of things are you interested in, then?

[ She's certainly curious. ]

[ The truth is she did nothing wrong - Mercury would never call himself "sensitive" but that doesn't mean he isn't prone to reacting on a hair-trigger sometimes. When your life's been a battle, you see everything as a fight waiting to happen.

Nothing personal.

He shrugs a shoulder, leaning back a little bit. ]

Fighting, mostly. Thankfully there's always a venue for that.

[ Sometimes fighting monsters, sometimes fighting people. Some of it professional and on-the-books, some of it distinctly less-so. ]

I'm a pretty simple guy. What you see is what you get.

Well, those are two things we've in common, then. I do enjoy a good challenge.

[ She has a suspicion they don't enjoy it in quite the same way, but why sweat the details? It still counts! ]

A drink or two doesn't hurt, either. This? [ She lifts up her cup. ] Wonderful. They outdid themselves this, this time. I could certainly lose track of how many I've had.

Yeah? You might want to keep count. Who knows what kind of unsavory characters might pop in.

[ Not that he knows of any who are coming tonight.

It's definitely not like he had any knowledge of such people.

He's surely not pursuing a mark while chatting her up.

Perish the thought. ]

Or don't. I'm curious what kind of drunk you are.

... You've quite a way with words, don't you? [ Though sarcasm aside, she sounds more amused than annoyed. ] Mayhap you can find out if you pick up the tab, though I'm told it's the annoying kind, as a forewarning.

[ Fair is fair! She seems to be half-laughing as she takes another swig.

Slightly less amused when she spots one of the previously mentioned unsavory characters enter--a tall man she can recognize from of the leves. She'd honestly assumed Mercury was just kidding about smashing heads for the night, and yet... This does make her wonder. ]

If I'm paying for the drinks then I better be getting some...

[ He follows her gaze to the focus of her attention, eyebrow arching at the sight of the man who he most definitely did not know would be here tonight.

Followed, shortly, by a grin. ]

... action.

[ His eyes drift back to M'ahina, fingertips drumming against the table as he takes a moment to down the rest of his ale. ]

Don't tell me he's your type?

[ mercury ]

[ How interesting! Is that confidence, perchance, or merely fishing for a reaction? Answers to such questions make a far more interesting game to her than the prospect of a brawl, as it were, though she did make that warning before they entered. As is, she simply beams. ]

Hmm. That depends! [ She tosses back the rest of her drink herself. ] I wouldn't want to make it too easy, now would I?

[ She moves the empty cup through her fingers as though swirling invisible liquid, debating on more, though she does make another glance toward the would-be target before meeting Mercury's gaze. ]

It's your choice.

[ To spring to action, or to continue drinks instead? ]

[ And what a choice it is. On the one hand, his meal ticket - because yes, okay, he totally intends to cash in on the bounty. It was an easy mark right in the middle of his usual turf, and he definitely needs the money.

But the guy just got here. He's not going anywhere for a while.

And there's something in her damn smile that makes him hesitate to get up.

So he relents, lifting a hand to gesture to the bartender for a refill. ]

Well if you're going to make a challenge of it, who am I to turn it down?

[ She laughs--she can't help it. This is crossing into her idea of good time: getting to know people. Whichever form that might take. There are more than one ways to make friends, after all, and she certainly feels this counts. ]

Does that answer your type, then? [ Someone comes by, and she takes a bit of her refreshed glass gratefully. ] I'm flattered. ... And surprised. I was almost certain I'd have to get up. [ Tragic! ] This, I prefer. The chance to simply relax is rare indeed.

[ Or so it is for M'ahina. Life rarely allows her, these days. ]

[ It's usually the opposite of a good time for him, but she's a rare case. He'll humor the opportunity until he gets bored. What's the harm?

He grins a little wider, taking a drink from his now-refilled mug. ]

You still might have to - that's all up to whether I get bored. Keep my interest, and those - [ he points at her glass ] - will keep coming. So...

[ He rests his chin against a closed fist, elbow on the table, and-- winks. ]

... maybe that tells you about my type.

You make it sound as though you're hoping I'll get deep enough in my cups to make a few bad desicions.

[ ... She says, continuing to drink. She is far from gone; her chosen drink isn't terribly strong overall, more suited to a pleasant warm in the extremeties than for truly getting away from one's self. But it's doing a rather good job of it, and she's naught if not a bit impulsive. Though, she does wonder. ]

And what, pray tell, are you interested in? Simply my reputation, or something else?

[ it's not as though she'd be offended either way, but it's good information to have. ]

Any decision you can walk away from can't be that bad.

[ ... it would not be a lie to say that Mercury is not a good influence on people. It is also probably not a lie to say that Mercury himself is, in many ways, not a good person. He does what pays the bills. Sometimes that aligns with good morality. Often, it doesn't.

He doesn't lose sleep over it.

But tonight he's just a snarky, confident jerk having drinks with a walking legend. Everyone wears different hats now and then. ]

Reputation, sure. And I'm going to have to see the great Eikon Slayer in action at some point. But, if I'm being honest - and I never lie [ bullshit ] - then I can't say looks don't play into things.

Hm... I don't disagree.

[ In a practical sense, at least. The reality is that she's never managed to be very callous, and tends to carry those things with her. For as much as she does try to do good, few ever realize there's a normal person underneath it all. A girl barely out of maidenhood, at that.

... Well. Another thing to shove down. Right now, she'd rather focus on something more enjoyable. ]

Oh? [ She laughs. ] I do enjoy flattery. You're not unpleasant to look at yourself. Although... [ Hm, how to put such a thing-- ] Before aught else, mayhap you could share your intentions. Is this meant to be a one time affair, or...?

[ It's not as though she expects it go anywhere, but managing my one's expectations is important. ]

[ Without warning he reaches across the table to grab her free hand with his own, eyes wide, lashes fluttering. ]

Love, marriage, kids, and happily ever after!

[ The act ends as quickly as it began, and he slumps back into his seat with a shrug. ]

I don't really think ahead like that. I just do what feels right moment by moment. What's meant to be, will be.

[ That... catches her somewhat off guard. It should not, given the rest of their interactions, and yet here they are. ]

Are you--[ making fun of me, she would have continued, but she manages to stop herself and shakes her head. And gulps back the rest of her cup in record time. ]

I must not be drunk enough yet.

[ Clearly the most logical conclusion. ]

[ Don't take it personally, he makes fun of everyone.

He laughs at her determination to get through her drink as quickly as possible, and after a moment follows suit. These are the decisions being made.

Surely nothing bad will come of it. ]

If you're really in a rush, wine might not be the way to go.

I wouldn't want to push myself too hard, or I may just ruin your shoes instead.

[ Not that she's a lightweight, but she is quite small. Three is still a lot even for the content, is it not? ... Is it three? It may be three. A fourth wouldn't be the worst, probably, so she waves someone over again. ]

It's enough to feel ... pleasant? [ Not fully drunk, but certainly a little inebriated. ] But one could always feel more so ...

[ They are certainly decisions. ]

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an ill-advised venture (for sarcaskick)

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Omfg this is has been in my browser since last night I thought i posted it??

I do that like once a week so i know the struggle LMAO also 1/2

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