2004/When You Seek

When You Seek
Date of Scene:	11 April 2015
Location:	Dragonhead, Coerthas, Hydaelyn
Synopsis:	Ryu and Reiji Arisu go to investigate what they can not only about the Dravanians, but about the people who have been in a 1,000 year war with them.
Cast of Characters:	522, 636, Reiji Arisu
Tinyplot:	Dragon's Bane

---

Gaius Van Baelsar (522) has posed:
Coerthas is a land of once beautiful mountains, pine forests, and gassy meadows, but now has become a forever winter wonderland of slowly dieing plants, crops starting to give way, wild animals becoming far more ferocious, and life getting ever harder on the people out here and even in the mighty mainland of Ishgard itself protected by the massive bridge that keeps outsiders outside of Ishgard proper.

Yet in Coerthas there are a few towns that still stand and at least one remaining watch tower off in the western distance. One such town also is open to the Eorzean people and her allies, but even then they can be a bit... distant and cold, much like the weather.

As snow gently falls, it is for once actually decent enough that people are out walking around, a few scholars can be seen running up the steps to a larger building with a massive telescope on top of it. Others talk around the warm stone fire in the middle of the square, and children are actually out playing.

There is now wind to chill the face today and the sun is actually peeking out from behind the clouds. Today to these poor people, is actually a good day.

The building though are made of solid stone and ice still hands off the ledges of the roofs, there is also snow piled up on the sides, as some people try to keep the cobblestone streets and walkways clear. Though one may need to becareful while walking around, because the children, well, they are having snow ball fights!

Those also uncommon to the area may realized a very odd racial different here, almost /everyone/ is a very tall elf. Standing around seven feet to almost eight, a few short ones are in the tall six foot range. What humans are here are very few, the actual minority, and none of the others races of Eorzea or Hydaelyn can be found.

As for those coming here today, they probably got a ride on a Chocobo wagon, had their papers checked, and being they came with Ryu, everything would check out, as he already knows this song and dance.

It is just the matter now of where to start and who to talk with...

Ryu (636) has posed:
    Ryu steps off of the wagon, in the same disguise he showed up with originally: Dyed brown hair with contact lenses to hide his strange eyes. He lets out a sigh and stretches his arms over his head, then rests his arms at his sides. His gaze turns to regard the massive telescope, immediately curious about the information that might be available there. He starts treading in that direction soon. He's wearing heavier gear thanks to the cold weather, with fluffy lining and plenty of tough leather for protection. He has both his sword and his handgun with him.

    He trusts Reiji to be able to handle himself, so he doesn't presume to give orders, letting him investigate whatever he pleases. He made it pretty clear that they're just here looking for clues about the potential presence of Nael's underlings, which would take the form of humanoids in armor, possibly dragon-themed armor. One in particular he tells Reiji to look out for is a set of white armor, even describing the exact design as best his memory will allow.

    The young dragon wants to see the owner of that massive telescope and see if they have any information to be had.

Reiji Arisu has posed:
    Reiji is certainly not an overly tall elf. As a Japanese man- even a rather tall one- he's actually considerably smaller than even the most impoverished Eorzean elf. He certainly seems... larger, though. The touch of famine and hopelessness is absent from his gait and demeanor. He hides it- and his face- beneath a black, cowled cloak. All else, though, is almost entirely unchanged, save for the use of a thick, long-sleeved shirt to cover his bare arms. His weapon rack is inconspicuously hidden against his shoulders, beneath the billowing folds of his cloak.

At least he was warned enough of the cold. There is business to be done, and it would not do to freeze to death.

    As Ryu makes his way up toward the telescope, Reiji nods him farewell and begins moving towards the nearest alleyway. The best way to learn a city is to wander it for a short while, and then plumb the depths of a tavern. After all, armor that distinctive would almost certainly breed rumors.

Gaius Van Baelsar (522) has posed:
The building was rather large and up high as well, as steps lead to the structures wood and iron doors, which two guards stood at their post outside of it. Holding their lances at their side and their eyes firmly fixed on Ryu as he started to make his way up the steps. Once he got closer, the two lances crossed in front of the door.

It would seem he would not be allowed to enter so freely. "Halt there, sell sword." One of them says with a firm, deadly stare. "This Observatory is under the protection of House Durendaire and non shall enter unless permission granted by the High See."

"You best move along." The other says with a sneer.

The activity up there do catch the attention of a knight near the fire, who breaks off a loaf a bread to hand off to a child to eat, before taking a bite of his own half. Those eyes observe the demonstration up there, with his brown beard catching a few snowflake and his military trimmed hair being slowly dusted as well. His armor that of a knight, his lance along his backside, but unlike others who hold the symbol of their respect houses, he holds no crest upon his armor and the boots are easy to be seen, along with parts of his chain armor holding that of scalemail.

As for Reiji he goes unnoticed as he slinks off into the alleyways. The buildings here were close in this town, and not many either. It was a small town and it wouldn't take long for him to run into the protective wall that went around its borders.

Over to the left though, a 'ouf' can be heard before some laughter. It was behind some crates and then a boy's voice can be heard speaking up. "How does it feel to be an orphan child of heretics? Who you going to run too, huh? Little wimp!"

"Leave me alone! I didn't do anything!"

Ryu (636) has posed:
    Ryu startles when the lances cross in front of him. He takes a couple steps back, looking between the both of them with a tired gaze. The one that sneers at him gets a lazy stare, like the anger washed off of him like water off a duck's back. The perceptive could see the pause as him briefly contemplating punching that rude one in the face. It takes far too long for his response to come to seem genuinely friendly, even if he makes an attempt. "Alright. Fair enough," he replies, "Sorry about that. I'm not from around here, didn't mean to touch any nerves." He smiles softly at the one that sneered at him, a smile that is empty because it's made just to seem polite.

    He turns to head to the fire, his arms crossed. He thoughtfully drums his fingers against one of his arms when he approaches it. He regards the knight, and raises a hand in silent greeting, then looks into the fire, becoming lost in his thoughts. He doesn't see anything odd with the knight, so he doesn't think very hard about the look.

Reiji Arisu has posed:
    Reiji keeps his eyes and ears open as he makes his way down the alleyways. The hem of his cloak flutters as he moves, keeping a brisk but generally relaxed pace. There's no need to rush, after all. Rushing makes a man look suspicious. That would be... counterproductive, at this juncture. After all, this is ostensibly an information-gathering mission. Unfortunately, the town is... rather tightly packed and he soon approaches the walls. If the place is fully enclosed, escape becomes a significantly more difficult prospect.

It also means that, if what they're looking for is here, there couldn't be too many places to hide.

And then he hears something. The special agent pauses, turning his head beneath his cowl to cast an eye down the nearby corridor

    Ah, bullies. Constants in every world. But it's not exactly his business, is it? A kid getting kicked around is regrettable, but not exactly suspicious.

...But. What they're saying is certainly interesting. What do they mean by 'heretics,' exactly? Probably not really relevant to his investigation, but...

This is what people call a Sense of Justice, isn't it?

    Reiji frowns severely. His hands tighten into fists, then relax as tension leaves his arms and shoulders. The agent turns, making his way towards the source of the noise. He reclines one shoulder against a nearby wall, then sighs in the most condescending voice he can manage, "Attacking someone weaker than you for no reason? That's pretty uncool, isn't it? Not to mention pathetic."

Gaius Van Baelsar (522) has posed:
Ryu joins over by the fire and the Knight takes a piece of bread load that was near the fire and hands it to him. "Hungry?" He asks with a soft smile. "I think I remember you before, you were asking questions last time right? Can't remember if I introduced myself to you then... my name is Alberic, one of the Knights of the Holy See and Dragoon, well, slightly retired." There was a soft chuckle, but a sad smile.

He then looks over at the two guards, "You looking to get in?" He asks Ryu as he goes to take another bite of the piece of bread he had in his gloved hand.

As Reiji goes to investigate the location, he finds two boys picking on another. It is one who is human and the other who is an elf. The one being bullied, yep, another elf child. He actually looks a bit bruised up. Though when Reiji speaks up, the two kids look up at him and actually split, before the human child points back at the one down on the ground, "We'll be back, heretic child!"

The young boy pulls up his knees to his chest and sniffs a bit, before he forces himself to get up, "You... you didn't have to step in mister." He tries to brush himself off. "...they always pick on me anyways..." He rubs at his face a little. "...but thank you..."

Ryu (636) has posed:
    Ryu accepts the offered bread gratefully, and chews on it while thinking on the knights that impeded him. Alberic's words get him to look at the bearded man more quizzically. "Oh. Right, yeah, we met before." He shakes his head slowly, finding the behavior of some of the locals to be disappointing, or displeasing. "I was planning on seeing someone who might know more about the area," he tells Alberic, confirming his question, "Why? You know how to get permission from the High See?"

    He shifts his posture some, a little nervous to be speaking to a Dragoon, even if he's a retired one.

Reiji Arisu has posed:
    Reiji stares after the two children. So they won't even try to defend their actions? "Hm. They really are pathetic," Reiji mutters, adjusting the cowl around his face. He moves to the elf-child, then, and squats a bit to meet the boy face-to-face. "Of course I did. It's part of an adult's job to help kids out when they need it."

    He pauses briefly, craning his head again to stare down at the alleyways. "They said you were an orphan. Do you live at an orphanage around here anywhere?" Reiji asks, rising from his squat. "I'll make sure you get back safely, if you want. In return, I've got a few questions I'd like you to answer for me."

Gaius Van Baelsar (522) has posed:
"What reason do you want to go in there?" Alberic asks Ryu as he looks over at the building. "It is rather useless to us now anyways... you only find yourself among a bunch of frantic scholars as they can no longer read the stars."

The knight looked to Ryu, "Bahamut's arrival has created a great deal of madness about and the unyielding winter helps none. Heretics are becoming greater in number and the Dravanians ever bolder."

Alberic takes a bite of the bread, "But if you want in there still... I can get you inside easy enough." He then finishes off the last bit. The old man's words seem honest enough and he doesn't seem to be too concerned about Ryu either.

--------

The elf boy looks at Reiji for a moment, trying to determine his features a bit as he talks. "I do not live far from here. The bar maiden takes care of a few of us here, some of us stay in the town up north... most though are in Ishgard."

"Only those of us who are children of heretics are located here..." he says with a frown. "Observation they say and given we are far enough away... if we become heretics as well, we can not harm anyone important." He looks nervous as he says that.

"I don't know what I can answer, mister, but you helped me... so... its the least I can do."

Reiji Arisu has posed:
    "I was on my way to the tavern, myself," Reiji says with a chuckle. His hood masks many of his features, but from below, his face is rather easy to see. "This works out well for the both of us."

    "Heretics. That's one of the things I wanted to ask about. I'm... A recent arrival to these lands," Reiji says as he walks, letting the boy lead the way to the tavern, "Heretics from what, exactly? And why keep so many of these 'heretics' in one place?"

"Also, I'm looking for certain men in armor..." He goes on, giving a rough description of the men Ryu has been so nervous about.

Ryu (636) has posed:
    Ryu listens to Alberic patiently, though his eyes remain on the fire and not on the old Dragoon. He shakes his head slowly, and decides against the idea of going into the Observatory, if it really doesn't have much useful information. "It's a longshot anyways," he tells Alberic, "I don't think they're concerned with anything that I could use, by what you're saying."

    He looks at Alberic directly, and considers something else. "The Dravanians have military leaders now, that aren't even dragons. They tend to wear full armor with dragon-like designs. Looks a bit like Garlean armor. I'm trying to track them down to deal with them, have they been sighted around here?"

Gaius Van Baelsar (522) has posed:
As soon has Ryu says 'Dravanians', the people around him suddenly stop and several of them back away, others go into their homes. Its almost as if its a 'start fight' word. People were honestly scared of these dragons it would seem.

The knight however, he leans against the stone work with his arms crossed over his chest. "I've heard reports about them over the wall of Ishgard, it is why there is such talks in the Houses about if the Garlean Empire is aiding these heretics or not. The houses are caught in a stalemate over the issue, because there isn't enough evidence and we all know how sly the dragons can be."

"Including even the heretics own leader..."

---------

The young boy leads Reiji to the tavern with an easy step. "You really should be then more careful, mister. The Inquisitors may send you to the witchdrop, if they find you a sinner and the heretics... many of them are sneaky.. and dangerous..."

The lad slows down his steps as he lowers his head. "...My parents were not heretics, they were framed. They were caught with a Dragon rosary that wasn't even theirs, but they were found to be guilty anyways and sent to the Witchdrop."

He looks to him. "They said I should be at least grateful they were found innocent afterwards... when they didn't turn to dragons... but..." He then looks away and keeps walking, heading to the back way to the Tavern it would seem. "...it still doesn't stop people from wondering... and some believe them still to be guilty cause of the rosary..."

However when Reiji brings up the armor and the details. The young boy stops for a moment, there was a hesitation in his voice, before he simply just shakes his head. He was a horrible liar it would seem.

Ryu (636) has posed:
    Ryu turns his head in surprise when the word Dravanian gets people to clear out like a fight was about to go down. A serious fight. His brows lifted up high for a few long seconds. But he soon turned his attention back to Alberic, largely ignoring the reaction of the townsfolk after he began his reply.

    "It's a little more complicated than that. The Garlean Empire isn't in league with the Dravanians, at least not the vast majority of them from what I can tell. I spoke with one of their Centurions and she had no clue. She hadn't even seen a dragon before. It's probably just a handful of defectors." He turns his head to look around, thinking about the reactions that the locals had to this kind of talk.

    "The... heretics, then," he begins, the word 'Heretic' making him frown, "Who's their leader supposed to be?"

Reiji Arisu has posed:
    "Mm, I'll keep that in mind," Reiji says with a slight smile. "Don't worry, I'm used to dealing with their type," or at least, as used to it as a special agent can possibly be. That is, 'pretty darn used to it.'

But, framed. If that's true... Those sorts of things typically happen when the framer has something to gain. Or when the frame-ee is a political rival.

    "Nn. Losing parents like that, it's... terrible, no matter what," Reiji's expression darkens as memories flash across his mind, "You know, I lost mine when I was younger, too. Killed in the line of duty." He pauses, then continues, moving through the alleys after the boy. "If it's not too personal, I'd like to know what your parents did before all that happened."

    And then, ~suspicious behavior.~ Reiji narrows his eyes slightly, then chuckles. "Don't worry, I'm not looking for trouble, and I don't want to get you into any either. I'd be pretty bad at my job if I let a kid get hurt for my work." That much is the honest truth. That said, trouble might be an unfortunate side-effect, "If you don't want to tell me, you don't have to."

Gaius Van Baelsar (522) has posed:
Alberic looks away from Ryu and actually steps away a bit. "We don't have the leaders name, only that we think its a she and they connected her with Lady Shiva... Fury's lance.. it may be Lady Shiva for all we know." He looks back at Ryu, "But I will warn you this, boy. It is a mess you best stay out of. If you sneeze wrong, cough wrong, or do anything wrong poking your nose deeper in. You could get the Inquisitors attention... and I hate to see innocents that are not even tied to our lands get their attention."

The knight looked away. "These are dangerous times and no one can really be your ally anymore out here..."

------------

The young boy rubs his arm, "I..." He lowers his head. "I don't know what my parents did... but... the armors... I've seen them... When I was playing out in the forest, well, what use to be a forest.. they were moving equipment during a heavy snow fall. Using it for cover I guess..."

The young boy lowers his head and then looks a bit more scared. "One of them saw me... I tried to run, but they suddenly were in front of me. They-- they told me to never say a word of what I saw to the Knights... so I didn't but..." He looks at the man, "You are not one of the Knights."

The boy knows his loop holes. "They had some kind of walker machines and pulling something with a white cover over it to blend in with the snow. They looked like the Garleans up on the high mountain ridge."

Reiji Arisu has posed:
    Reiji squeezes a hand gently around the boy's shoulder, "That's pretty brave of you. Most people would've just frozen up." Kid's pretty smart. His parents might've actually been politicians of some description. Or something more, maybe? They're not going to find out today, either way. "You've probably seen way scarier stuff than those two jerks who've been messing with you, huh?"

He pauses a bit, then, and releases his grip, "Maybe you should tell me where these woods used to be. In case other kids might've gone out to play today."

Ryu (636) has posed:
    Ryu looks at Alberic for a while, the tired look on his face suggesting no sympathy for what he has just been told. "You're all afraid of people who are supposed to be protecting you," he tells Alberic, with anger bubbling up in his tone. "It's disgraceful." He has to repress his urge to growl, knowing it would cause Problems here. It just makes him frown harder.

    He waves at Alberic dismissively. "Whatever. Lady Shiva, then. I'll try to track down more about this," he says, turning away from him to try to track down where Reiji went.

Gaius Van Baelsar (522) has posed:
The knight sighs softly at Ryu before he calls over to him. "Fearful. Hardly. If a Dragoon was to show act of cowardice or injustice, they would be swallowed by the dragon soul and branded by the Fury herself even."

Alberic shakes his head, "No boy, I fear for you and what will come if you don't tread carefully. For while I can protect you from the wolves, I can not protect you from the sword." Whatever that was suppose to mean. "..Because the eye knows what it sees." The Knight then packs up a few of the breads before he starts to walk the other direction of the way Ryu is going.

-------

Reiji touches the boys shoulder and he smiles a bit, before he steps away and up to the door, before he opens it though and he is asked where the forest is, the boy point to the southwest, "Out past the arches and to the west. You'll pass by some old fort posts, still used by the House out here and then a bit to the left after that. It isn't that far, maybe half a bell?"

The boy shrugs then. "But most kids don't go out that far, because their parents wont let them and most other kids stay within the walls... worried the Dravians will swoop down and eat them... I'm not afraid of no Dravian though. Cause we have the Dragoon Knights and they always know a dragon when they see one and they can sense dragons from miles away!"

The boy smiles before he hrms, "...at least that is what they say."

Reiji Arisu has posed:
    Directions, nice and concise. Excellent. Reiji commits them to memory, all the landmarks and where to go from each one. He smiles beneath his hood, and lightly tugs the at the hem of his hood. "You're a little more adventurous than most kids, I suppose. That's good. There's a lot of world to see out there. Maybe when you're older, you can go a little further than the woods."

He nods, then. "Don't let those two jerks pick on you too much. You're probably tougher than either of them."

He doesn't leave just yet. After all, he's here to visit the tavern, and that's what he's going to do. It'll give him a moment of peace to send word over to Ryu, anyway. Aren't extradimensional communicators awesome?