Scene #65:

Owner	Pose
Adelaide Flowers	Adelaide shakes her butt for the scenelogger, short skirt swishing against her jeans. She's almost got rythym! But that just proves it's OOC.
Faruja	Between waking up with a horrible hangover after meeting a certain Rebel Leader, and the battle against Baert and his two Busty Minions (tm), Faruja Senra is looking quite the wreck. Lounging in his comfy, plush red chair in the sitting room of his home in Mullonde, the rat is sipping tea and enjoying some down time. Putting down the tea, he picks up his latest acquisition: a violin. Not long after, music begins to filter through the house as he plays a slow tune. The rat's not bad at it, though that might be expected given what he is.
Adelaide Flowers	Yeah, security's obviously pretty tight. After all, someone just tried to whack a boss cop, as some kind of political power play. But that same security knows her, and after surrendering the revolver at her hip they're more than willing to pass her into Faruja's home. Had she not been present then, and recognized now, well, it'd probably be easier to get into Psyber's private rooms at the HOH building... White canvas slipons pad gently against the floor as Addie makes her way into the home, pausing as she hears the violin. It's a classical tune, though one Adelaide doesn't know...but it's got a smooth melody all the same. Without wanting to disturb him, she just stands in the hall for a moment - and realizes she's already starting to pluck at a bassline on the air-bass that's always strapped to her side. Whoopsie. Ahem. Crap, he probably saw that. When there's a pause in the music, Addie will finally clear her throat softly and give a very gentle knock on the entrance to the sitting room. "Sorry to disturb you, Inquisitor." The woman's usual low-pitched voice is softer today. It was a beautiful piece of music. "I didn't know you played."
Faruja	Even if they /did/ get in somehow, they'd have to deal with a trio of very, very large snakes. The Lamia Sisters greet Addie with smiles and blessings, as well as a minimum of licking of lips. The Inquisitor's made certain they know this one isn't on the menu. They /do/ supply her with tea however one guides her towards their errant Bosscop! At least these Minions have the good grace to wear a conservative nun's habit. A single red eye glances up, the music slowly fading as Addie air-guitars. The rat laughs. "Come, join me! We shall play a concert of violin and air!" States the rat with a grin. The Lamia gets a smile that's returned, and after a mutual bow, the snake-woman is slithering off. "Faram's blessings, Addie. Come. No need for titles here." Words rarely spoken from the rat. "Only but recently; many hath been insisting I obtain a hobby. Including certain naval-inclined young Ladies." There's a wink. Indeed, Addie's concern over him finally pushed him to it! "Sit my dear, sit. Ye art looking well. Nay injuries, I trust?" Comes the rat, now looking her over critically. His tail swishes lightly as he pours the woman tea. There's another chair beside him, and a plush couch too!
Adelaide Flowers	Nuns are nuns, wherever you go. Even if they /are/ lacking little things like legs; the three religious sisters give Addie only a moment of pause. The tea, meanwhile, is gratefully accepted - and a curtsey follows the Lamia's smiling departure. Yep, he saw. Addie slumps even as she's standing, but then snorts in amusement. "Gonna be a rather one-sided duet, don't you think. Unless you have a bass around here somewhere..." But then he brushes aside formality, and Adelaide smiles. "Faram's blessing, Faruja. Right, right. Just gets to be a habit that's hard to break. Protocol and all was a big thing even outside the service." That wink is met with crossed arms and a momentarily haughty expression. "Well then they're bloody well right. It's only the smartest thing I've ever heard." One ruby eye opens, peering back at the rat, before she snickers her way out of the put-upon expression. "You play well. What was that?" At the bidding to sit, she does - smoothing out the pleated skirt and settling gently into the chair beside him. Feet dangle...oh to hell with it. Addie toes off her shoes, which fall with a soft clatter, and tucks bare feet under her. Why the hell not, if the place is as comfy as this! "Yeah, doing fine. Boobs McStabbywench got a few hits in, but I heal up quick. Nothing serious. Celia, I think her name was," Addie adds, trying to remember the reports. She turns to face the wizard, grinning. "Guess that sorta precludes my visit to, uh, totally not spy on anything you're doing because your papers are secret and all." Gotta maintain composure if the Lamia are listening! "I take it his Lordship was...compliant with your questioning?" Well, the nezumi IS in a good mood. So it was probably informative...
Faruja	Faruja can't help but belt out an honest laugh. It's his first in a while. It feels good. "Remind me to get Ser Ravus to order one for ye." The rat sounds serious about it. Addie-Faru concert may well be go. "Such wit in that utterl incomparable mind! Truly, I aught hire her as mine secretary~." Teases the rat, winking before poking the woman in the nose with his tail. Tickle tickle! The violin is gently put down. "Ser Cuthbert's Lament. 'Tis a piece that oft accompanies a play of the same name. Ser Cuthbert was said to be Saint Ajora's guardian, by tradition named the first Templar. He had a wife that he left behind while traveling with the Holy Saint. A musician by first trade, he played that very song every night so that the memory of his wife would never leave him. 'Tis said that whenever Saint Ajora heard that song, he wept for his knight's sadness and pain." It's a somber story, certainly. "Ser Cuthbert died in battle against the great Demon summoned by the tyrant King of the time. Unbeknownst to either, his wife had perished to the plague not three months prior to the battle. Ser Cuthbert and his wife were buried together atop a hill overlooking the sea, whilst the Saint played the song that Cuthbert loved, and the Holy One didst not stop for three days as he mourned his best friend." A deep breath. Teasip. The rat smiles. "Forgive me, 'tis a depressing story, but an important one. Even Prophets know love, and loss, the same as ye and I. 'Tis nay shame to mourn those fallen." "And indeed, titles are important. However, when one is family, alone? One must too be proper. Titles art unnecessary in such circumstances." His tail sways lightly, the rat nodding to the woman he indeed considers his 'daughter' and family. "Good, good. Still nay matches on the name." Faruja looks like he's about to spit on the ground, but stops himself. He'd hate to ruin the carpet. "Baert is a spineless, blubbering coward. As soon as he found himself alone, without his guards or assassins, he begged and begged for mercy, forgiveness, and safety. I granted him prayer and God's forgiveness as was my duty. Mortal forgiveness, mercy, and safety however art lost to him. He shall rot in the Inquisition's prison. Currently, he awaits a formal trial where his rank shall be stripped and assets most likely seized. A shame. I had hoped for some amount of resistance or backbone. He gave up every single crime he hath committed. Baert Trading Company shall cease to exist."
Adelaide Flowers	"Heh. No, actually, no need. I've got one at home, I just didn't bring it along. Uh, I mean, Boston-home. I'll drag it along next time if we can, maybe." Addie considers, red eyes thoughtful a moment. "Probably sound a little like ELO, but I kinda like them. Ah hell, why not." Grin. And there is a tail at her nose, the furry appendage committing a crime most foul! TICKLING her! One hand gently bats it away. "Hrmpf! Maybe if you didn't take such pleasure in tormenting the poor helpless child." She smirks, but then it softens into a proper smile. "And...I'm honored, but I can't leave where I am. Thank you, though." It's an honest feeling, and she does kind of feel bad to turn him down, but it was only a teasing offer anyway. Right, good job Addie, mood is set - and Faruja spikes it into the ground. But at the same time, the somber mood is relaxing. Addie curls her knees up, wrapping her arms around them as she listens. "Depressing, no...sad, yeah, but I guess you could say that Cuthbert and his wife were together in the end. Even if it wasn't the happiest of endings, it's better than being forever apart." And down that line of thinking Addie goes, remembering the family she'd left behind...her face falls, before she shakes it off. The shake turns into a nod. "Mourn and remember, yeah. Just as we one day will be, heh. One of the things the Navy was huge on was tradition and honoring those who came before. I guess...between brass bands and memorials," she continues with a nod to the wizard, "and bardic tales like that, we all have our way. Good lord do I sound philosophical." She scrunches up her face in amusement, before smiling at the rat. "Rrrmf," she agrees. Yah, fine, she adores being part of a family again, but it's still embarrassing. Rrrmf. But talk turns to business, and she just nods satisfactorily. "Good. God, I mean...I had a hunch we were being led somewhere, but I was thinking 'big bomb in a basket' or some damn plebian thing. Not 'here, run into all my secret turncoats.' Good," she repeats, grumpily. "And yeah. 'Vengeance is mine, sayeth the Lord,' but justice isn't vengeance." Addie stretches suddenly, her arms and legs sprawling out in midair before she settles back in. "Anyway, blagh, enough of the annoying crap." Adelaide reaches for the teacup she'd been given earlier, and takes a long sip. "Y'know, this is good stuff. Might even be enough to switch this sailor off coffee."
Faruja	Faruja claps his hands, two ears wiggling and tail swishing not too unlike a happy dog. "Splendid! I shall hath the Sisters do vocals. Ye wouldst not think it, but their rather unique anatomy allows for an astonishing vocal range!" Three lamia, a sailor, and a rat. A band for the ages. Faruja wiggles his fluffy tailtip as it's batted away. Rubbing the back of his head, he nods. "I understand. Besides, methinks our current working relationship hath more than done we both excellent service. Still. The offer shall remain open, should ye change thine mind." Pause. Smirk. "Though to speak in God's truth, methinks 'Knight' wouldst be a better position for one of thine skills." A rare honor for one outside of Ivalice. In theory, she'd be the first knight from off planet. The rat doesn't seem insulted at all, and indeed expected the answer. Faruja tilts his head, pondering. "Ye may well say so. The Lord ever sees that those whom love one another art ever reunited." Death is always a sobering topic. Faruja quietly wonders if anyone's truly ready for it. "Philosophy suits ye, Addie. Ye art a bright woman. And most importantly, ye give thought to life. 'Tis a trait few in Ivalice these days tend to. Doth not lose it, hmm? I should like to attend one of these ceremonies, should ye ever find thine world again. Professional and personal interest." The thought indeed seems touching to the rat. His face brightens at Addie's embarrassment. "Rodent snatched thine tongue?" Wink! A hand is waved. "Baert was crafty, but arrogant and a fool. Too much power, and too much money to think himself able to be felled. Such is the fate of those whom give int ot he sin of pride. For theirs is to fall from heights most high upon broken rocks of the shore, battered and rent asunder." Cue the fire and brimstone sermon. The rat's too experienced a priest to /not/ be able to work one in. "And justice he shall receive. I still believe execution is in order. Unfortunately, I hath been outvoted on the matter." He had the blunt sword and common cuthroats all gathered for the event, too. A pity. And thus, tea soothes the soul. "Burmecian make. It seems in other worlds, mine homeland recovered from the war." Faruja loves the taste. But it still isn't /his/ Burmecia. It's not the same, to his mind. "I hath a small garden I am growing the tea in. Ye art welcome to some when this current batch finishes growing."
Adelaide Flowers	Whoah hey she didn't - wait - that's not - augh. Actually she /did/ suggest just such a thing, but at least /she's/ not being asked to sing. "Yeah, sure, I guess. Mm..." Addie thinks of the Lamia outside, and the surprisingly clear tone of the tall(er) one who'd spoken to her. "Yeah, why the hell not. As long as I don't have to sing too. You're blind on one side already, don't need to make you deaf in both as well." At least the Lamia don't have ears! They're like, snakepeople, right? "Mm. Yeah...and..." She frowns a bit, then just sort of deflates into herself. "I told you about how I joined the navy, and /why/ with Mom and all. I guess...being here, working for you, despite the whole like...being around you and Ainsley a lot thing, it just kind of grates at me. Being a bureaucratic cog." She waves a hand, and laughs softly to wave off any hurt feelings. "Knight, huh. Great, now you can find a use for one of those undersized suits of display armor." And her tongue sticks out; take that Faruja! And then Addie dangles an interesting offer. "Then again, if you ever did look into upgrading what passes for guns around here, well, you'd need someone to at least teach your armorers..." And maybe open up a business selling stuff. Technology and support from Psyber, and maybe she can turn it into a business venture. Divine Arms! ...The thought brings a wrinkled face and a snort of derision. "Well...He just never said when." Snarky, now, be nice. "Eh, it's fine. I've met a lot of folks I wouldn't have otherwise, and I even manage to keep in touch with some of them. Go figure," she adds with a smirk. And then a puff of air between her lips as she hears Faruja's flattery. "Blah. Philosophy is for officers; I'm just here to get things done. Maybe I read too many sci-fi books. Well..." She frowns, wondering. "Guess...I'll see what I can do, if I ever get the chance. I mean, well...a place like Ivalice, mythology and all." She glances over at Faruja, red eyes narrowed in amusement. "Or are you so bored you just gotta try and convert my whole country?" Addie may not have a tail of her own (despite certain entirely figurative feline aspects) but she can still tickle Faruja's nose too! "Hah! Hrmf. Some'm like that," she mumbles. Which turns into a frown at Faruja's mention of executing Baert. "Geez. A bit harsh, don't you think...I mean...well, shit. Treason and all, but. Aagghhh, this is why I hate philosophy!" Both her hands rub at her forehead for a moment before she flops back in the chair. Damn, that's comfy! Good luck getting rid of her Faruja, you now have a five foot three inch tall throw pillow. "Mm...it's good stuff. Maybe I'll take you up on that. You garden too, huh." She appraises the Burmecian with a thoughtful eye. Depths she'd not expected...
Faruja	Unfortunately, the top halves are mostly people. It's the lower portion that's snake! "Ahh, feign forgive, that these delicate ears should ever be graced by thine unharmonious angelic tones!" Grin! The rat rubs the back of his head, one ear folding back apologetically. "...I see. Well. I /do/ suppose 'tis much beauracracy. Even I find it grating. But the chance to do something for people whom art in dire need..." The rat pauses. "I understand. Ye hath served Ivalice and myself ably thus far. But ye art not its child, and I shall hardly hold ye down. Thine path is between ye and the Lord, and none other." Then, he brightens. "Oh, methinks a few modifications to mine own aught fit ye well enough!" The rat is, after all, two inches shorter than her. Faruja warm smile becomes polite as there's an /offer/. He slips into business mode for just a moment. "Firearms art difficult to acquire, relics of the past as they art within Ivalice, and expensive. Nevermind the magical ones. Archadia has a monopoly upon the use of firearms in the open field, though artillery hath been growing on our side. Anything ye might offer to the Church and Ivalice would be appreciated. Ye wouldst be well rewarded for thine work, of course. The servants of Faram art nothing if not fair with those whom seek to aide their homeland." Clearly, the rat's all for this deal. Another nod. "If ye prove successful, ye may be given...certain latitude towards any /interesting/ discoveries made within our soon-to-be-acquired hldings." Namely, the mines beneath Goug. That smile brightens. "Ye hath certainly done /that/. Efficiency. I aught hire ye to teach a few of mine more martial servants a few things." As much as he's praising her, he's serious. A few gun-toting, well-trained squires would be a boon. A hand goes to his muzzle in mock offense. "Why, I never! To /think/ that I would even /attempt/ such a rude act! Ye must hath been sampling the local wine!" Grin! He looks amused, though there's a gleam in his eye that might be telling. A zealot is a zealot, after all. Then his gaze grows serious. "Treason?" A brow rises, and she might all but be able to /see/ the indignation rising. Woops. "Ye mean to think 'tis naught but mere /treason/ he doth lay accused of!?" One of the Sisters pokes her head in, looking a little worried. She has a fly swatter looking suspiciously ready to whap Faruja should he get out of hand. "One count of negligence leading to the deaths of at least twelve people, negligence leading to the death of a clergyman, improper use of royal property, slave trafficking to both Ordallia, several local nobles, as well as to /Archadia/! Kidnapping leading to said slave trafficking. Distributing illegal and seditious papers for profit. Selling relics rightfully belongingto the Holy Church. And of course, crimes of Heresy! Namely the attempted murder of an Inquisitor as well as corruption of several Templar whom now art fated to meet the gallows for it. Nevermind how many others he hath /tainted/ with his debauchery and gluttony. And those are just the crimes I am at liberty to list. One death is a pittance." The rat snarls angrily. Clearly the decision of those over his head doesn't sit well wtih him. "All art equal before the eyes of the Lord. Were he but a man of common blood, he wouldst die for such by the headsman. He aught face that punishment." Huff. The rat drains tea, and then a hipflask as he tries to calm down. The rather stealthy Sister puts down the flyswatter. He all but flumps back into the chair. Faruja looks tired. "Yes. Well, the Sisters started it. We take turns keeping it, though these days I am rarely home. One of my first tasks as a young boy when I was...given to the monastery after Father passed, was to assist the gardener with food for all of us."
Adelaide Flowers	Well, then the more's the pity for the Lamia! At least until Faruja manages to let her off the hook. She sticks her tongue out again, though can't quite shake the smile off her face. "Yeah, no kidding. My luck I'll utter some damn prophecy in the Dark Speech by accident just because I can't carry a tune with a crane, retaining straps, and a freighter." What, it'd probably happen. His apology gets a hand reached over and a pat on his arm. "No, Faruja. It's cool, honestly. It meant a lot." She nods, especially at the part about people in dire need. Okay, maybe there was something kinda heroic and all about being in the Navy, and working for Psyber, and trying to at least save SOMEONE. Maybe it's just a leftover of the ghost of her natural father, the desire to find some way to save /him./ Maybe it's just who she is. And then as Faruja slips into business mode, Adelaide does too. "Absolutely. I'd be utterly honored to work on yours, Inquisitor, and almost as much as that to be able to work with your armorers." Smartass flattery? Yeah, Addie knows her customer well. "A monopoly...mm, I think we can certainly introduce a little competition, in that regard, and artillery as well eh. Hmmm..." Considering the problem from a technical edge, she considers things quietly a moment. "I would, of course, need to speak to your armorers and take a close look at what you can work with, and what would be best to work with. But I believe with a little bit of investment I can bring a good program together." She grins, nodding, before raising a hand. "And before you start showering me with titles and honors and claptrap I refuse those. Tell you what." Addie lets her legs down, sliding feet back into her shoes, before standing up before the rat. And with a purely delicious grin, she turns her back to him and plops down right in front of the nezumi. "Trade you a hairbraiding for it," she counteroffers, one hand tugging the scrunchy holding her ponytail back out of her hair. Chocolate-colored locks spill loose, and Addie can't wipe the grin off her face. It puts her in a very vulnerable spot when Faruja suffers a minor eruption, and Addie cringes back with a look over her shoulder. After the outburst, she just quietly nods - very, very abashed. "Holy... I...didn't realize. S-sorry." Urkgh...wonderful fucking job, Flowers, now you /really/ pissed him off. Guiltily, she'll start to skitter forward, unless Faruja does something to stop her. Maybe that couch over there's a bit more proper a place to sit...or maybe she should just get out of his hair. Way to piss him off when he's trying to relax, Addie.
Faruja	Squint. Squint! Faruja peers at Addie, suddenly looking like a priest glaring at a naughty schoolgirl. He doesn't say anything, but they /are/ in Mullonde. The rat crosses his chest. He'll break you of your heathenous ways one day, Adelaide Flowers! Faruja reaches up, squeezing the hand on his shoulder. A nod. Business! His smirk is politely hid beneath a teacup. "Done. I shall pass along the offer to my fellows in the Templariate. They shall see it through. Ye aught inspect the weaponry offered us by the 501st now upon Mullonde's walls. Alongside the P..." He goes quiet, coughing. "Alongside our mystical defenses, our greatest vulnerability is from the air, which is exactly what Archadia prides itself in. Air superiority. They art the only nation with natural reserves of Skystone that allows their airships to function. Here, unlike in mine homeland, there is no Mist to power airships. What few we possess art already committed elsewhere, mostly gained through...'acquisition'." Faruja's just about to braid, hand gathering together her hair before he explodes. She skitters forward. Closing his good eye, he lets out a long sigh and prays or strength. Then, he yanks her firmly back by the hair. Inquisitor's aren't known for being gentle. "Adelaide Flowers, I shan't see the disgrace of one whom I respect so slinking away like some sort of base coward. Sit straight. Doth not move. Another act like that and ye shall eat gysahl pickles for supper." He might be being a little condescending here, but the rat isn't going to see a woman he loves as family act this way. "Besides. 'Tis mine fault. Ye shan't hath known. 'Twas I whom kept it so, after all. Would ye forgive this tired knight his temper? I am...weary of it all, Addie. The death. The corruption at every turn, even in that which I hold dear. Sometimes I wonder if any art innocent any longer in this world. I dream nights. Dream that it aught be washed away as thine EArth's 'flood', as the corrupt Pharists were laid low here." Faruja starts to braid Addie's hair, gentle now, with grace and care. Almost soothingly, after the outburst and yank as if in apologies.
Adelaide Flowers	Oh, she'll be a little hellraiser no matter what, but that's just who she is. Still, there's room in Faruja's heart for a spunky daughter, and there's probably even room in her heart for contrition. Or a simple explanation. "Whoah, hey, I was kidding! Dun gimme that look, I was just making it up...oh god. There really /is/ one isn't there." Ahem. "Sorry, uh...Hail Faram, full of Grace, I will watch my tongue lest ye smack my face..." Did she just ye at him? Ye-s. "That I can definitely help. Air threat's a major thing for the Navy, and we don't really have flying ships where I'm from. Training on hitting flying targets, yeah, plus...mm. You've got artillery..." But further ruminations end as she starts to pull away, realizing that they should probably talk about it another time. If they ever talk about it at all, tha- A yelp of surprise and pain, because frankly she hasn't had her hair yanked like that in a while and sure as hell wasn't expecting it! A thud as Addie falls backward on her butt, legs out in front of her, stunned momentarily - and for once, for just one brief glorious, shining moment in history, it's true. Rat got her tongue. Said rat definitely has his own, though, and he speaks...and Adelaide listens closely. And as his fingers work through her hair, she just nods. A soft voice comes as she speaks. "Yeah...uh, forgiven, sure, s-sorry myself. I didn't mean to piss you off, I just...yeah. Hi Faruja. Adelaide 'Shut Your Trap' Flowers, nice to meet you." The nezumi continues his braiding, and she nods carefully. "No, I'll stay...and well..." She doesn't want to turn, and instead just closes her eyes and relaxes. "It's just a screwy few, Faruja. I know sometimes it seems like a world full of shit, but..." Okay, yeah, she's expecting a sharp tug for that. "Ahem. Sorry. You need a vacation, heh." That's something she's working on, but it's a surprise.
Faruja	She may have discovered her secret powers of Ye, but Faruja can out-Ye her with experience. "Faram be praised, that His Lost Child knoweth ye well, oh ye blessed Light upon the Heavens!" Faruja Senra has a good talent for producing canes. She gets a gentle jab /right/ in the small of the back. The rat can't help but smile. Developments, ho. With Addie settling down and sitting up straight, the rat basks in silence. He has the good grace to not look smug. Sometimes, one just needs a good yank upon the hair. It's what his Father did to him when he was being unruly. Faruja actually sheds a tear. The reminder of how much he's coming to be like the man is a little frightening. In a good way. Now if only he can get over his mother. The braiding stops for a moment, and Addie gets a hug. "Forgiven." Agrees the rat, then returns to his braidly duties. Finally, the rat just lets out a tired, weary laugh. A nervous one of weakness. He's been far too strong as of late. "'Screwy few', is it?" Sigh. "Mayhaps. I wonder if Ser Fol..." Once again, the rat shuts up abruptly, and he glances back. The Sisters aren't here. He relaxes. The tug is half-hearted. He almost slipped up too. "Bloody right. Sometimes, in mine weaker moments, I detest mine 'gift' as a curse. That I must tread a path of judgement, blood, and war. I take nay joy in some aspects of what I do, Addie. But. 'Tis mine path to walk. And I hath friends and family like ye, and Ainsley, and Toph. Dear Faram. I know not what would hath become of me without the likes of ye all." He shivers. It's a sobering though. He'd probably be dead right now. A small smile. "All things a place, all duties apportioned to their appropriate hands."
Adelaide Flowers	Age, experience, and treachery will always overcome youth and vigor. Then again, it isn't as if Adelaide herself is all that young, but she's certainly spotting a few years to the Inquisitor. Well, maybe someday the circle will be complete and the student shall become the master, but for now all the gunsmith can do is bide her time. Her Chaucerian powers will come...just thou wait. Meanwhile it's all she can do to not outright yelp as she flinches, HARD, at that cane. One hand rubs her back, as she gives an annoyed grumble. "God, you have this knack for nailing nerves don't you. Some kinda kung-fu doctor, geez." It's mostly put-on, and she's just razzing the rat - but well, she did kinda deserve it, and there's a few muttered words at herself. Just ignore the semisane woman at your feet's ramblings, Faruja. She finally snorts a laugh at the fact that...y'know, actually, it was kinda funny. The tear goes unseen, though, as Addie settles back in. She does, though, parallel his thoughts - wondering what her own father would think about the situation. And just how much the two of them must be alike. "Y'know..." The tomboy's voice is quiet and introspective. "From what I remember about my dad, god...I remember him always smiling and laughing. I-" Faruja's arms wrap around her and she relaxes, smiling softly. It was something she hadn't expected, and she rests her head against one of his arms for a moment. Well, it is hard to return a hug properly when you're ambushed from behind. The nezumi gets serious, and Addie lets her thoughts trail off. Poof, there they go, someone left the window open... "Neither do I. It's not...something I want to do. To fight, to go to war." She looks at one hand, the calluses on her fingers. The sturdiness of her palm. And makes a fist. "But there's no fucking way I'm going to sit aside and let anyone steamroll my family. And something the Navy teaches you, hell...probably something every military teaches you." She turns her head some to look back at him, spilling the work he's done on her braid. Oops, gotta start all over again. "No matter what, you're not alone. You're a part of something, and that's what you draw strength from." Leadership School, Noncommissioned Officer, Philosophy of Service and Unity; the training facility at Shoalhead really /did/ sink its lessons in. Whodathunkit. Settling back in, Addie crosses her arms, and huffs. "Besides, you saved my ass once or twice, the least I can do is work off the red ink. S' not fair." Smirk.
Faruja	Faruja can't help but grin proudly at his head-bonking skills. "My dear, when ye must ensure that a quartet of hung-over, seven foot tall, thickly scaled Bangaa art paying attention to the finer points of temporal mathematics that their spells aught not tear them into tiny bits across several countries, ye learn what works. To be fair, their skulls art harder than thine." Smirk. Tail-wiggle. "Marginally." Letting Addie go after Interruption Hug, the rodent ponders. "'Tis not what we wish, but what we must do for those we wish to protect." Adds the rat. Faruja's smile is a bit bitter. "So we are. Mmm. /That/ is a lesson I hath come to learn far too well these past few weeks. History's course wouldst run far differently were it not for allies." Meaning, of course, the Union. Faruja's ever grateful for all the help. Finally the rat grins. "Addie, methinks ye and I art quite beyond something so paltry as debt! Besides. Ye hath assisted in seeing corrupt men whom would toss those born beneath them aside like cattle. I like to think these things balance out. Ye and the rest of the Union hath saved more than one life in Ivalice."
Adelaide Flowers	"Marginally huh." Hmpf! "Well it's nice to know I won't get a concussion, at least." Thppppt. Oh yes she did. "Though," she continues, "it is a decent way of getting someone to focus - though uh...yeah, that would definitely be a bad result. God, I thought the training for gun crews was bad, but that'll just blow you up all local and friendly-like." Yeah, let's not dig into temporal mechanics, that's Nathan and Vruasa's thing. "Besides, I've read enough stories about time travel stuff to know I'm going to stay way the hell away from that." There's a simple, soft nod at his statement. "Yeah. Hell...I mean, the Union, there's all these KIDS out there. That Kinomoto girl, Mankanwhateverhernameis, Homura...Madoka." The last one is said almost reverently. "I joined the Navy for, well...my own reasons, like I said, but I can't think of anyone sane who'd want to give a gun to a ten year old and send them off to battle. We're supposed to keep them from having to make that choice, dammit." Her fist punches lightly into the carpet to emphasize her point. "But even if it grates the shit out of me, they're still a lot more powerful than I am. They're sometimes the one saving my dumb ass," she adds, annoyed. Mostly at her own inability...but for someone who was a protector, for a knight to find themselves completely outclassed by those who they were sworn to defend it's entirely understandable. Almost as if, perhaps, a heavy cavalryman of her own world's past were confronted with a modern eighteen-year-old private. "Fair enough. Just so long as you don't try to make me into a good girl, or wear a habit or a dress or something." Okay, maybe those new floral ones Ainsley has are realy cute, but still! They're cute on Ainsley, not on Addie!
Faruja	At her raspberry, the rat threatens with the +5 Tail of Fuzzy Tickles! Bring it, little navy girl! Faruja crosses his chest. "Ye shall be quite happy to know that active changes to history is both nearly impossible, as well as similar in punishment to summoning a Dae." He chokes a bit, the mere word having him turn green in disgust. "Daemon." Faruja looks more than a little sympathetic to Addie as she mentions the girls. "My dear, I hath spent more than half of mine life studying Time Magic. Only through gruelling hard work, effort, sweat, luck, and tears hath I even managed to become truly competent. And here the good Lady Akemi comes with more knowledge and skill in the art that should be possible. 'Tis utterly infuriating coming from a mere child." Then, his expression softens. "What ye art missing, however, is that those whom come across such sudden power art both lacking in experience and subtlety. Though from what hath been told, mayhaps Lady Akemi's situation is...different." Time loops tend to make 'age' a far too fluid thing. Sakura. Grin. "Fine. A better example is Lady Kinomoto. She hath tremendous flexibility and power. Yet, she wields her magic as a blunt club. I agree. They aught be attending to lessons and tutors, not trying to save worlds. Indeed, 'twas that very thing which very nearly caused me to recommend the Holy Church hath nothing to do with the Union. 'Tis more than distasteful. Yet again, 'tis done of their own free will. Doth not denigrate thyself. If they go to war of their own desire, then those of us more experienced must guide and protect them. Teach. Show them that not everything is in power." Here, Faruja slumps, squinting as he restarts the braid. Bad Addie! Cue increasingly tight braids. Bad navy girl. Don't interrupt the master at work! "Ahh, come now, /surely/ a nun's habit would be most fitting! I could hath ye join the choir!" TEases the rodent. No doubt people would fall to their knees in prayer, begging for forgiveness taht they must be subjected to such vocal torture.
Adelaide Flowers	Gulp. Red eyes track that tail warily; as long as it doesn't try anything with her nose or her feet - bare along the tops; there's no socks with those slipons of hers - then it's okay. Otherwise? It's /war./ "Mm. Good. So just blowing yourself up is the only downside...eh, fair enough. And, hey, I thought you said no dark tongue or whatever." So no talking about daemons! And then there is a momentary squirm as that braid gets tightened. "Oww, hey...I take good care of that, be gentle." Grumpy daughter! Well, her hair /is/ about the only thing that most people would consider properly attractive about her. And she nods carefully, especially at mention of Homura. "Yeah. We talked once, when she showed me what her power really is. She spent a lot of time...in between seconds, you could say. I have no idea how much. Sometimes I bet she does it to cheat at video games." Oh we will /not/ talk about Battle Quartris or Loop: Stretch. Adelaide finally sighs, slumping against the rat. "Yeah. I mean...when I first heard about it, I was shocked...ten I saw them, and I know they really feel like I do. Just..." Her hand squeezes again. "Teaching them, mm. Not everything is power, yeah, but I can't imagine..." And then she does. Hell, what /would/ she do if she was suddenly given magical powers and a multiverse full of people, threats, wonders, dangers, and adventure? She'd sign right the fuck up, that's what...because she already DID, Addie realizes. Grumbling at the realization, she mumbles something. "I guess I don't blame them." But the epiphany passes, leaving only its wake and the fact it's something that just changed her life in some small way. Especially when Faruja teases her about being stuffed into a sisters' outfit. "Haw. Don't they have laws against that in Ivalice? Cruel and unusual punishment, or are you going to just skip the whole gun thing and send me off to win your war with a love song?" There's a long pause, followed by a snicker and then Addie just laughs.
Faruja	Huff. Faruja braids, giving a little tail wiggle. Her feet are safe...FOR NOW! "Ahh, well, a miscast spell of mine school is most...well. There is a reason why 'tis the smallest. I once saw a poor apprentice utterly remove himself from the weave of time. It was strange. A flash of purple, and he turned a light grey only to begin to simply fade." A shake of the head. "Right. Attending to one's own fence first." Nod. Faruja can agree on no demon-talk. Shudder. "Sounds far too much of a miscasting mage that hath lived to tell the tale." Poor girl. Realization hits his 'daughter', and Papa Fuzzybutt smiles gently. "They art people. Help them, as ye hath done myself." "I shall toss thee off to our Bard Corp. Addie where ye shall sing and dance about the battlefield~" Sadly, there are those who do exactly that. Finally, the rat ties off the braid, and steps back. Hands on his hips, he nods. "Excellent. Now stand please. Twirl about a touch. Mmmph. Well. Ye hath not a tail, so..." Faruja wanders off for a moment, leaving the woman alone. He teleports right back in, with a small slip of blue ribbon. It's soon tied into the braid itself. "There. Perfect!"
Adelaide Flowers	They better be. Addie is notoriously ticklish in spots! At least her nose isn't entirely one of them. She shudders, thinking about that. "Geez. Reminds me of Back to the Future...kinda the same thing happened in that movie. To simply never exist..." It's a horrid idea. To hardly even be /dead/ but simply be /not/ is something that taxes her imagination - and her nerve. Let's talk about other things. Like Homura. "Something like that. Admittedly, she put it to good use, spent a lot of time training herself in there. At least up to a point; there's a few things I wanted to try with her. Anyway, nuff about that. So...what's this gun of yours, hmm?" Hey, he did bring it up earlier, and she's curious. Meanwhile she simply melts under his hands. And under his advice; the fatherly wisdom and voice combine to relax her about the situation. "Aye aye...dad." Smirk. A smirk which turns into a grump. "Put me in the bard corps and I'll show you why they call a guitar an axe. Hah." Then again, she believes him; magic is just one of those things that...can do all sorts of things. But then the fingers leave her hair, and ruby eyes open curiously - before she's given instruction. "Eh? Sure." Stand she does, brushing out the pleated skirt again,. Twirl, nnnot so much, but she at least turns around properly. Sorry, Faruja, but the skirt's as girlish as she's getting. "Yeah, forgot to check that option when I was at the dealersh-" What the hell? Where'd he go? "Faruja?" Sigh. Freaking telepor- Addie's arms cross. "You love doing that, don't you. Makes me jealous sometimes..." Grumble grumble. Some days you just don't want to get out of bed, and teleporting would make those days a lot better! Maybe just teleporting beer and a sandwich from the fridge. And while she's muttering to herself, he manages to tie the ribbon in - which gets one hand feeling back toward it. "Huh..." Addie thinks back, and blushes - she remembers precisely what he said last time. "I...uh, sort of...didn't bring a ribbon," she adds lamely. And sucks at braiding, which is 49% of the reason she wears a ponytail so much. The other 51, of course, is that ponytails are the best hairstyle. "God I haven't worn a ribbon in my hair..." Her voice trails off, partly from surprise and partly from a sudden weight in her throat. Since she was five.
Faruja	Guns. Guns are better subjects! "A loaned anti-aircraft battery from the 501st Strike.." Cough. Frown. "Witches." Really, they need a better name. "We hath ammunition and skilled marksmen. But our on-loan maintenance crew is small. And I am led to understand, 'tis a rather dated piece of artillery. Thus far, experiments to add magical ammunition to them hath all ended in failure. Not up to proper tolerance and enchantments, and to be able to weave them would require dissassembly. Given how the war is progressing, we cannot afford to simply remove them." It's a vexing situation. "Good girl." Her neatly braided hair gets a ruffle. For a moment, Faruja just looks /happy/. He'll give two starts for the turn. "Wonderful. Ye wouldst be the envy of Burmecia!" Praises the rat. Wink. "Hath ye even tried to learn?" To be fair, Teleportation is hard. Still, he'd teach her. Faruja stares for a moment, head tilting. A hand goes to her shoulder. "Art ye alright?" Comes the gentle, concerned voice. A small squeeze. His face is of a doting, loving father concerned for his girl, even if he doesn't realize it.
Adelaide Flowers	Ahh, the Witches. Adelaide nods, then smirks a moment at the cough. And after discussing daemons and black speech, she can imagine where he's coming from. "Well...eh, consider it a nickname, like for a particular unit. 'The Blackhood Brigade' or," she thinks, trying to come up with something in Faruja's army, "The 501st Strike Dragons. Trust me, I get it." She looks Faruja over and grins a little. "You should have seen the awkward moments early when the 501st met Madoka and Homura...where a Witch is this sort of horrific monster in its own little pocket universe that likes to feed on souls." It's a definition she suspects Faruja is much more aligned with. "So if you want to, think of it as a defiant sort of thing. In the face of those damn Neuroi..." A hand waves, brushing off the thought. "Anyway, I definitely can work on that. I'll have to bring some tools, spec things out and such. I don't know about duplicating things, but at the very least we can get /something/ going. Besides, it's been a while since I've had to teach recruits something. Might as well scrape the barnacles off and paint over the rust." Vexing it may be, but you have the newest member of the Knights Who Say Ye standing before you, Faruja. Nothing more can stop her! She puffs a sigh upwards, errant strands of her bangs shifting around. "Envy my rear end...well, maybe for the work." After all, she can feel the braidwork, and it's really honestly exceptional. More like Faruja's skills would be the envy! And then she shakes her head. "No, actually, but...considering my homeworld," we come in peace shoot to kill thinks the woman who is technically a space alien, "I doubt I'd be much more magical than a brick." After a moment, her hand brushes against her head, rubbing at one eye. It's sore! That's all. "Yeah...yeah, I'm okay. Just...memories, is all. Thanks for the ribbon." She'll keep it...and might even consider it a fair trade for the elastic scrunchy she'd left behind. "So...uh, as for the thing in the square, uh." Cough. "Sorry about the whole rise-up-and-overthrow moment, I uh...just wanted to kind of get some attention maybe..." Ahah. Hah. Er. "Not, like...anything bad..."
Faruja	Faruja openly /pouts/ in anger. It may just be cute. "The girls art wonderful, honorable, steadfast souls." He begins. Then, he scowls. "And a bunch of bloody heathens! Despite mine best efforts, and all of the mages we loaned them, not a Single. Bloody. One. hath seen faith!" The rat grits his teeth. Clearly the issue is driving the rodent nuts. For a team he cares so much for, seeing them in such a bloody war unbaptised just makes his skin crawl. Sigh. "...Stubborn. They never listen." Hmph! Mutter mutter. Defiant my tail. Ye! Yeeeee! "Quite. Sea air doth little good for weaponry of any sort." Being on an island brings its own troubles. He trusts Addie to at least be able to help. It's her specialty, after all! A rub of the back of his head. "Sorry. 'Tis still so strange to imagine a world without magic. Having to rely merely on mundane medicine, blade, and firearm." He tries, and fails, to imagine Ivalice without it. The deathtoll of the common man without the services of mages and healer mystics would surge. There's a very real look of fear in the rat's eyes. At least her world didn't get necromancers. That's a plus. Sore. Totally. Faruja backs away, making a pretense of refilling tea. Sip. Squint. Faruja slowly sits down, and fixes her with a stare. "My dear. I know what ye intended. And given the circumstances? Well. The official report says that ye hath called for rebellion against the traitorous Baert in a heroic appeal to faith and piety. Unofficially, 'twas all I could do to ensure Inquisitor Cecily doth not get the urge to hunt ye down and treat ye to the Inquisition's hospitality. She, unlike myself, is a rather nasty woman decidedly lacking in morals and restraint." There's a hint of what might be anger here, as well as a protective spark. Such words are deadly in Ivalice. "Ye strode far too close to a line ye cannot cross, Addie! If anything had happened, a true uprising, there would hath been consequences ye cannot comprehend! 'Twould spark the Duke himself riding troops away from the war to put down an uprising, and the Inquisition searching every house, every home for the smallest shred of Heresy!"
Adelaide Flowers	It is. And then Faruja's Button is pressed, and Adelaide grimaces a smile for a moment. "Ah, well...g-give them a little time! And well...like you said, it's hard to get used to things being...so different from what you knew your whole life. So...yeah, that plus their war, uh..." Yes, Addie herself is religious - but isn't quite sure just how to placate the rat, at least so he doesn't give himself apoplexy or something. Oh! Topic switch! A fingersnap, and she grins. That's so up her alley she might as well charge for parking. "Formula 80. /Paint./ Problem solved." Addie grins a little wider, having that particular solution just in hand. "Stuff we used back in the fleet, it's a rust-preventer and sealer all in one. Saltwater air's bad, yeah, but you can hold a lot of it off. Hell, I've got some at the armory; I'll bring it and some maintenance stuff. Won't be hard at all." Faruja, your air defenses are about to get BAM kicked up a notch. "Eh...we get by." The grin on her face is still there, hard to scrub off after the sudden solution. "I grant, maybe there's a lot that magic can do," she adds, right before granting that the sun is bright and water is wet, "but we learned a lot. Like, well, paint." A laugh. "Hey, it's fine, don't worry. And well." She watches as the rat gets tea, and then settles back in and takes a sip of her own. Yeah...definitely good stu- "Wh-what...that look..." Ruby eyes widen, as she's stared at - and then that smile definitely evaporates. "N-no! I didn't mean anything like that, I...oh god." Defensively, and rapidly, Addie starts to speak faster...and surreptitiously, sets her teacup right down and starts to stand. "The incident, and Baert, uh..." Oh crap. CECILY?! Adelaide remembers /her/ from before. "Not that at all! No, I was trying to get...everyone to come to your aid, to see what Baert was doing, and...and how he was trying to kill you for his own power, that...blood for money and power for coin was, like, to motivate them all against him!" Oh yeah, she's in the shit. Is that a skitter? Damn skippy it was. "It wasn't an uprising, but uh...a counter-revolutionary call! Down with the usurper and all!" Ahah hah hah heh...hah...aw shit. Please don't Inquisit her. "I..." Am looking at my wrist which just happens to have a watch under her shirt sleeve! "Gotta go! Time to get back, I've got...things. At Psyber's. Uh." A grinning wide handshake of the poor nezumi, and then she'll definitely quickly stride back to the Lancer parked just outside, trying desperately not to make contact with the Lamia. Please don't arrest me please don't arrest me please don't arrest me. And a moment later she settles in the driver's seat, giving a momentary sigh of relief, and with a wave to Faruja - and a called goodbye, she fiddles the key into the ignition. "Ah, take care Faruja, I'll...see you soon!" And the key is turned to START. Yes we will be going now thank you!
Faruja	Saved from zealrat by topic switch. Slowly, the rising red in his white furred ears calms. He smiles again, and his tail swishes. "...Ye art a bloody genius, Adelaide Flowers. Get the industrial kind. If ye needst more? Just call mine secretary." He's got a direct line to a certain Fayt, after all. Stuffgetter go! Every word has the rat glaring more. His single eye is a slit. She's lucky Hallowed Gaze is asleep right now. "Oh, /come/ now Addie! /Surely/ ye wish to stay and discuss the finer points of NOT BLOODY CALLING FOR REVOLUTIONS IN A CITY FULL OF FOOL BLUEBLOODS AND UNRELIABLE KNAVES!" That's the worst of it, really. Goug was a city of free thinkers, and rebels. Faruja Senra and the Inquisition don't like people like that in Ivalice. It leads to horrible things like freedom of religion. He gets the handshake, taken off guard, before she's out the door. Faruja's first staring out the window at her. Sigh. He actually waves. There's a vroom. Weak. Too weak. And then...an ominous pop. Then another. Then another. Four in all. The engine dies. Next thing Addie would know, there's a cross-legged form of a certain templar sitting in her passenger seat with a horribly smug grin. "Problems with thine conveyance, my dear?"
Adelaide Flowers	Getting paint, definitely. She'll hook up with Fayt, give him the specs...and then still bring some herself. Even if they can get the stuff, application is another thing - and of course there's still teaching proper maintenance. You can't spell wrath without rat, it seems, and Addie does her best to skitter away with her head slumping further down between her shoulders with each word. It's almost impressive...but well, in her defense she didn't know about Goug, and as he even pointed out it helped save Faruja's life! And gave lots of witnesses to just what happened, meaning Baert wasn't going to weasel his way out of that one. But that's neither here nor there, and Addie is most definitely there and not here. The car starts right up, but sounding odd - Addie gives the gas pedal a tap, which revs the motor for a moment...before it stalls on her as she's reaching for the shifter. Oh dammit. But before she can do anything about it, well...suddenly she has an passenger! Eyes widen in surprise at his appearance. "Uh...hah, no, just sort of stalled it. Stick shift, y'know. Um..." Well, no, he wouldn't but still. "Can I take you somewhere...?" She reaches her hand forward again, starting the engine up - and this time with her foot all the way down on the clutch. Another tap on the gas pedal as the starter turns over, just to make sure the motor fires up nicely.
Faruja	Faruja isn't /really/ mad. Well, too very mad. He'd likely have done the same in her shoes. But dangit, she's not getting out of this one without a good oral thrashing. Smiiiiile. "'Twould be rude of me to not see ye off properly! Not after such a /rousing/ defense." Faruja's relentless. He then kicks the car. Glare! "Forward! Hyah! Hyah, ye filthy magitech mount!" Calls the rat to the thing, as though it'll hear. Faruja's too used to chocobos. Nothing. Or very little. The engine turns, but there's simply no power. Vroom vroom. So weak. There's rpm's, but the engine simply won't fire with that many sparkplugs out. She'll occasionally get a consolation spark. It may be almost insulting. Reeeach. Addie gets a gentle pat on the shoulder. "/Definitely/ signing ye up for riding lessons." Chocobo are superior to cars, Addie. When will you learn?
Adelaide Flowers	Well, maybe she did sort of deserve the chewing out, and even if she's not in the service anymore...well. Addie hangs her head, sitting in the driver's seat, and sighs. "Uh...yeah. Alright...er, tell Inquisitor Cecily that, uh, I'm sorry. And that there wasn't anything intended, or anything like that. Just...trying to get witnesses to a crime, r-really..." Yeah, she'll take her lashings. Swallow your pride and accept it, Flowers. "Rousing defense my ass. Hmpf." Oh come on, kicking it won't make it go any better. "Yeah, uh, that...won't help. The hell is it doing, I just had it tuned up. I'll pass on the chocobo lessons. Hell, I've never even been on a horse." A glare at the dashboard, taking in the various red lights as the engine finally quits sputtering. "Haaaah?? What the hell..." Unfortunately the little car only has a four cylinder engine. With four malfunctioning spark plugs, it simply doesn't do much more. No spark to ignite the fuel, simply the starter struggling. Addie, unfortunately, doesn't know this for sure...and instead just checks her headlight switch. "Okaaay..." Maybe it just needs gas. So Addie provides, turning the key again to start it up properly - and this time stepping on the gas pedal, gently at first and then firmer. And holds the damn key down for a good five to ten seconds, because it's going to fire up then!
Faruja	Honest sighing and head-hanging. Faruja nods, and smiles warmly. "I believe ye." Pause. Wink. "Though the bar tab that it shall take to 'clear her memory' shall be on thine tab, my dear." Unfortunately for her, Cecily is no lightweight in a tavern. It's something of a habit amongst inquisitors. Likely due to so many evil things to try to forget. Sigh. "Ye know naught what is most good and true, Addie!" How could she /possibly/ not want to ride creatures that can summon up localized meteors when they're angry? Off-worlders are strange. Rrr. Rr. Rrrr. Rrrrrr. The poor engine laments Addie's tries. The gas-tank reads nearly full. The headlights are fine, so it isn't the battery. No amount of gas-pedal pushing will revive the patient. "Oh, Lord in Heaven, please give thine blessings to this sinful magitech device. For it hath worked stalwartly for its companion, through thick and thin, giving itself to its death." Starts the rat in a little eulogy for the vehicle.
Adelaide Flowers	Forget indeed. Well...unlike Cecily, Adelaide has the alcoholic absorption of a sponge, and the resistance of a middle-aged pug. "Hah. And...thank you. I'll...oh hell, that one tavern you mentioned. I'll get a bottle there. Or something." Hopefully that'll settle it. "I do too! And one of those giant birds, they could freaking EAT me. And they /fly/ no less." Shudder. Damn you, Himei. "No thank you, I'll stick to the perfectly controllable automobile, which also doesn't lay eggs in the middle of the road or anything." Among other things... And as she tries the engine again, there's just...a complete dumbfounded expression across her face. Eyebrows rise, her mouth opens slightly (thankfully not uttering anything going through her mind at the moment), and she just /stares/ at the dashboard. None of that makes any sense! "The hell is wrong with you. Come ooonnn, start already!" Never mind that we were initially trying to escape or anything. No, Adelaide just leans forward a little bit, incredulous look still on her face, and pauses a second. "Okay. You have gas, you have power, you were /just/ fine on the way here, now..." The key is turned to start once more - and whether it helps or not, that foot of hers pushes down once more on the gas pedal. It might even be a deeply tempting target, since the slipons she's wearing still leave a lot of her foot exposed. And she's not looking for where Faruja's tail might be. After a few more seconds, she lets go, and Faruja prays... "Whoah hey hold on now! This is not dead! I just bought..." Well, a few months ago. Almost new! Ish! "It's perfectly fine, quit that!" See? We're going to prove it, because Addie gives the shifter a wiggle, plants her left foot on the clutch, and then starts the bloody thing. And if the gas tank is full, then it's getting to the engine, because her foot is /definitely/ on that pedal! The engine, unfortunately...well, like the song says. Can't start a fire without a spark, no matter how hard Addie tries.
Faruja	Faruja huff! Faruja crosses his arms. "I shall hath ye know, that Zuu are perfectly viable methods of flight! Mine only eat heathens." The rat says this with a complete lack of awareness. Totally comforting. Good job rat. At least he eases up on the sermon. Faruja watches as poor Addie works her vehicle. "Technology wears. And no equipment is infallable." Chastises the rat lightly, before peering at her toes as she plunges down the gas pedal. Temptation, it looms. That tail of his crawls forward, all but slithering on down like a snake. The coiling serpent rears its head, and... The great hunter strikes with fangs of fluff! Tickle-tickle-tickle! Faruja's already calling up the red-robed, goggled engineer viera. It takes her five minutes to arrive, all but drooling over the car. "Relax." Pot, kettle, etc. "And breathe. Ye shall stay the night as the Lady sees to thine conveyance. Ye may take the bed, I shall sleep upon the couch." Chivalry is certainly not dead in the heart of one Faruja Senra. His hands clap. "We shall be having behemoth steak cuts tonight!" Faruja's stomach growls.
Adelaide Flowers	"Only heathens, huh. Uh." Should she mention that she still...kind of technically counts as some sort of divine heathen. Psyber's own angelic blood still flows through her veins, and her own religious beliefs...well, they're certainly reinforced by things like God himself poking a hole in the roof and dropping off an angel for Psyber to babysit that weekend. Yeah, Heaven or Hell is that kind of place. "I'll just sort of take your word for that, and...ugh, no flying. 'S bad enough with Himei around..." God, she still can't believe that the other woman /capsized/ /a/ /flying/ /battleship/ /without/ /telling./ Why yes a certain machine-gunner /was/ outside on the deck at the time, and it doesn't matter that the ship had its own gravity or whatever! Technology wears. "Yeah, well..." Frowning now, the befuddlement combining with frustration, Addie gives it a quick try...and then again, hopeful, but even as the engine still struggles - even coughing once or twice, when an errant electron finds its way - she finally starts to slump, head drooping, and lets go of the ignition key. Unfortunately, the grumbling and apologizing and whatnot that was /going/ to happen are replaced instead with a bloodcurdling shriek as the nezumi's tail caresses the top of her foot ever so slightly. If the car was a convertible, Adelaide's jump might just have cleared the entire vehicle, as it is there's a loud thud when she hits the roof. As it was, she's managed to leave that shoe behind, suddenly shoving her feet under her. Of course, that also meant her head was what hit the roof. "Owwww...." A baleful gaze is turned upon Faruja. "That was deliberate and /not/ fair! Hmpf..." But well, he's already called an engineer, and Addie waits in the car for Viera's arrival - keeping, pointedly, her feet still tucked under her, the lone shoe remaining where it is. She doesn't trust that dirty rat! ...but it does bring her to laughter. Oh hell, maybe she SHOULD relax or something. Damn, though, what /did/ happen to the car? Well...once Viera figures it out. Besides, Faruja's already making plans, and Addie tries to stop him. "Hey, hold on now...okay, but...I can take the couch, c'mon, I'm the one intruding and all. I'm fine there." And she'll insist on it...at least until she's distracted by something. There's a long, long pause...followed by a single, hopeful word."Steak?"
Faruja	Some things are best left unsaid. Particularly if Addie doesn't want frothing rat rage all over her car. Or Bahamut to decide to roost there. A brow rises. "...Dare I ask?" Wince. A head impacts a car hood. Faruja looks mildly guilty there. His tail slinks away, peeking out from behind an ankle like a naughty kitten. Faruja actually blushes. "Wiggle tempting targets before a daring hunter, and ye shall be pounced, Adelaide Flowers!" Clawed hands make a faux rawring-pounce. Thank Faram there's only a crazy engineer around. Faruja teleports to her door, and opens it for her. Holding it like a proper gentlerat, he'll take her arm and lead her inside. "With steak sauce and ketsup." Truly, Faruja is a marvel sometimes. Behemoth steaks make kobe beef seem dry and hard by comparison. That night, after a long, pious, but entertaining dinner (the lamia Sisters are in fact, quick witted, and generally good company when they're not eating heretics) Addie gets a borrowed nightie. The rat seemed to succumb to her wish to sleep on the couch. An hour after she's snoring? A little gentle gravity magic later, and Faruja sets down Addie in his bed. Gently pulling the soft covers to her chest, he tucks in the young woman and even gives her the briefest of brushes upon the forehead. "Good night, darling daughter." He speaks in a whisper, full of love. He says a prayer for her, before leaving, giving one last soft look behind. First a lover, then a daughter. Faruja's heart sings at the joys he's found in this strange, strange multiverse.