TEST DRIVE #6

[fairyfoes]

TEST DRIVE MEME

Considering apping to EACHDRAIDH? Why not give the setting a test run here! OPTIONAL SCENARIOS 01. ARRIVING IN THE DRABWURLD. The Seelie and Unseelie courts welcome you with mirthful revelry and hearty food. After you have been briefed on your purpose here, you will find an endless feast and a night filled with entertainment to placate your concerns. Mingle with new arrivals, sneak down the castle halls and make sure your eyes are always on your glass; fairies and imps have no bias when it comes to tricks! 02. THE STATION. Looking for a little slice of home? The Station gives you all that and more. Take advantage of the wifi, have a cup of fairy-brewed coffee (the one they didn't spit in) or sit back and relax on the patio. You can even move your things into one of the available rooms! 03. WILDCARD. Your own scenario! Explore the Drabwurld or simply take advantage of your Locket!

Comments

Balthier Bunansa | Final Fantasy XII | Unseelie

[no_fates]

1. The Feast

[Well, this certainly was a surprise. All that struggling to get free of those imps, and here he was greeted with a call to arms and a huge feast. The whole situation of being kidnapped left a bitter taste in his mouth, but they at least knew how to welcome him in style.

He spends a great deal of time meandering about the room looking for his partner and noting any exits in case he needs to make a quick getaway. Once he's as satisfied as he can be, he turns his attention to the table and picks up one of the goblets, turning it over in his hands with a smirk.]

Quite the display. Worthy of a leading man, I'll give them that.

2. Around Caer Scima

[Ah, banquets. The smell of food, the frequent imbibing of drinks, the sound of chatter, music, and other forms of entertainment. What a perfect distraction for a sky pirate looking to slip away.

And slip away he does. What better way to explore the place you've been unwillingly brought to than by seeing what hidden treasures they might have? Maybe you caught him wandering the halls, or peeking into one of the rooms. Wherever it is, let's just try not to raise any alarms...]

3. The Station

[Okay, he doesn't know what half of the things here do, but it's at least a good place to meet new people! Not to mention the baths.]

4. Mair

[Pirating is no easy business, especially when your usual mode of transportation is nowhere in sight. Despite some of the facilities, Mair is at least a welcoming respite from traveling. For now, Balthier has made himself comfortable at a table off to the side at one of the local taverns with a bottle of wine. Why not share a drink?]

Wildcard!

[Choose your own adventure! Just be sure to keep an eye on your valuables.]

1. couldn't resist digging up an old muse--no pun intended

[hear_the_wood]

Oh? Like a leading man who is taken for a prisoner?

[The accent is unmistakable. Viera. One in particular Balthier knows well. The partner he was looking for. It is hard to tell with her usual, neutral expression, but Fran is glad to see him. He is here, which is not preferable, since this is no world to them, but he is alive and well, which is a blessing.

She steps forward to meet him, always turning eyes wherever she goes. Even in Ivalice, viera were rare enough to see. Here, she thinks she may be one of a kind. That's alright, though. Fran is accustomed to standing out.

One hand goes to her hip, clawed fingers curling over her hip bone as she takes a casual stance.]

AHHH! I'm glad you did! But also wow let's not pull a Vaan here

[no_fates]

It's not easy being popular.

[The answer comes quick enough, and the smugness in his voice rivals the smirk that grows even more when he hears her voice. He would recognize that familiar accent even if a million Viera surrounded him. He doesn't show it, but a sense of relief washes over him. At least now he knew that she was also brought here and not being held captive in some cell, or worse...]

Still, I've had enough of chains to last me a lifetime. Best we make our exit before they decide to tighten them.

[He puts the goblet down after inspecting it one last time before turning to her with a lazy shift of his weight. He rests his hands on his hips just below his belt as he quickly glances her up and down. She looks fairly unscathed, but just in case:]

You all right?

Balthier is too smart for that XD

[hear_the_wood]

I am fine.

[She has no wounds to speak of and is perfectly able to fly away with him if he desires it. Fran doesn't ask him if he's well. She can tell. If he were injured, she would know it. It's impossible to hide such things from her.]

Where can we go? There is much unknown territory before us.

[Their options are pretty limitless, aside from the lands owned by the 'enemy'. Still, they are no enemy to Fran, and she's sure Balthier feels the same way. Friends and enemies are such loose terms at times, especially for a pirate.]

Or more of a gentleman xD

[no_fates]

[He nods once, satisfied. Viera were not prone to lying, and Fran even less so. Not that he thought she couldn't handle herself if they had attempted something--quite the opposite. But it wasn't easy sneaking up on two sky pirates, and yet somehow the imps had managed to do just that.]

All the more reason for us not to linger. This feast won't last forever, and I'd rather not be here when it ends.

[And he certainly had no intention of becoming a soldier.

He looks around the room in thought. Even if they did escape this place, where could they go? Ivalice seemed like a long way off, and he didn't even know which direction they would have to go in order to return there.

Well, one step at a time.]

Did you sense anything when they brought you?

[hear_the_wood]

[Balthier sounds as if he thinks the monarchs throw the feast only to fatten them up before they eat the guests. Who knows, it could be true, but it's amusing to compare the whole thing to a child's tale.]

Only the working of powerful magicks. It is beyond my ability. It stirs over much here. At times, I sense it more keenly than others.

[But it is still there, none-the-less.]

Nothing here feels of home. I do not know it.

[She fears they are much farther from home than either of them can guess.]

[no_fates]

In other words, any attempts of a return may just prove futile.

[He expresses the concern with a small annoyed sigh, but that's the extent of it. It didn't do to dwell too much on what couldn't be changed, and there was certainly no use wasting energy by getting angry about it.

He stretches, raising his arms up and back before letting them drop to his sides.]

Well, if this is to be our fate, we might as well make the best of it.

[A splotch of dirt catches his eye on the corner of his sleeve--no doubt from being dragged in a sack. He licks his thumb and sets to rubbing it out.]

Extravagant banquets, fine dignitaries. Must be something of value concealed behind these walls.

[hear_the_wood]

[Extravagant indeed. She's a little surprised by all the fuss that's been given a bunch of people who were just kidnapped. Though Fran can't resist plucking a ripe looking strawberry from a tray and biting into it.]

Something to set us on our way, perhaps.

[If they're going to secure a foothold in this world of any kind, they'll need leverage. Money. Something to get them out on their own.]

But this is not Rabanastre. Punishment for stealing may be greater than Nalbina's dungeons.

[no_fates]

It wouldn't be worthwhile if there wasn't some risk involved. We'll just be sure not to get caught. Should be easy enough.

[He smirks as he finishes getting the last remnants of the dirt off. He readjusts his sleeve into its proper position before looking up at her once more.]

Might be a good idea to procure some weapons though. Who knows what might be lurking in the shadows? Best to go prepared, no matter where we end up.

[hear_the_wood]

Let us hope our search results in some then.

[Or that they don't encounter a situation where they might need to use them. Though going against monarchs with this type of power is probably an idea, they have had worse and come out of it.

Fran has confidence in him. As much confidence as Balthier has in himself, if not more.]

[the_whip]

1.

Don't.

[ Frank's flat eyes appraise the young man after he'd uttered the word. Lingeringly. His own face, perfectly-composed, was quite still, and utterly serious. ]

It's thinned with water.

[ The words, neatly-clipped, bearing just the faintest edge of southern accent, were as cool as his features. ]

If you mean to have something real to drink, the far refreshments table is stocked with better, unthinned vintage. And with liquor.

Scotch, unless I miss my guess.

[no_fates]

Oh, is that right?

[His eyebrow raises a little in surprise as he looks over at the table in question. He's no connoisseur, but he at least appreciates the finer things, and those bottles certainly did look finer. How insulting.]

Displaying false hopes within arms reach, while keeping the true reserves out of sight. Clever.

[Despite the observation, he looks rather amused as he swirls the contents of his goblet in his hand. He sniffs it once before placing it back down on the table.]

What other glorious secrets might our dear hosts be hiding, I wonder?