Event RP: Istel Penance Expedition

[Ryven]

The woman took a seat at the bar, the barkeep sliding her a small glass filled with a clear liquid with a rather strong smell of alcohol to it. She took a sip from it, listening to Leoran for a couple of moments before raising a hand.
"Not quite. There were five separate gangs, we just had agreed not to start any crap with each other. Going 'legit' doesn't really appeal to any of us, mind. The problem is one gang overstepped their bounds in another gang's turf and the fightin' spiraled from there. Everyone thinks they can take their piece of the action and come out on top, so the delicate balance is broken and you've got running battles in the streets whenever they meet. There's not even two separate sides, right now it's every gang for themselves. At the rate its going it'll be a matter of time before another block gets torched, though maybe that'll snap them out of it again. Did last time."
She downed the rest of her drink, looking at Leoran.
"So if you wanted to know why they're fighting, it's greed pure and simple. Ain't no cure for that besides a piece of metal between the ribs, unfortunately."

[Leoran Ny'thial]

"You'd hope that all of the killing would snap them out of it, though. I guess if the extremes need to be taken, then that's all it can be left to, huh?" A bit of a shrug at that, Leoran himself not being the type to understand such logic as a whole, really. "But... I get what you're saying, for the most part. It's a damn shame what it has to come down to, though. It shouldn't be so difficult for people to get along, but... it usually is, huh?" Nothing short of a depressed sigh comes forth now, features slumping to show the level of overall dissatisfaction.

"Well, I'd like if it didn't come to it at some point, but if a district does go up in flames, I'll be there to help douse 'em. Heh..." The humor wasn't in his voice, as it just got him a little more depressed, now. "Urk... I can't even joke about that. Can anything be done to quell this? I doubt any of you all are looking forward to another war breaking out in the streets. Can a less extreme be made to reestablish order? Well, chaotic order I suppose in this case..." A thought to consider that was forced, as an apparent oxymoron it was... but it made sense, right?

[Ryven]

The woman gave another shrug, gesturing for the barkeep to refill her glass.
"That's how it happened last time. We don't exactly have faith in the good sense of people. Living here douses that real fast."
She took a sip from her glass, frowning for a moment.
"Hard to say. It'd require some sense being drilled into people's heads one way or another. Probably also mean wiping out the Pashepers for good. Difficult to do that to a gang of assassins, but they were the fire that set off the oil."

[Leoran Ny'thial]

An imaginary exclamation point would spring up over Leoran's head, the lancer making an immediate mental note of this new discovery and possible solution to the issues at hand. "Heh, I can understand how you feel. I've been betrayed countless times myself. By my closest friends, from the beings I had believed in... but I guess I also betrayed them all by not living up to their expectations. Still... it's not something I'm letting cloud my sense of faith in humanity. All I want to do is protect people, especially those that can't protect themselves... and as much as that means that I must hold firm onto the Shield of Righteousness..." Blue-eyes would slowly close, with the lancer's left hand clenching upon itself, balling up tightly. From the knuckles, shifts of movement would stir, until the entire arm began to vibrate in the shaking motion. In a flash of light, the balled first would ignite into searing flames, dancing around his fingers in an almost hypnotic manner.

Leoran's eyes would open now, burning with the same intense flames as his fist, in a metaphorical sense. "... I'm not above wielding the Sword of Retribution against those that disrupt the harmony of peace and tranquility. If wiping out the Pashepers is the only way people will learn that this chaos must cease... then that's the course that must be taken. I only hope they will see the error of their ways and seek penance for their crimes, at the very least more than the number that will need to be wiped out in the most extreme of definitions..."

Whilst his attention had remained upon Sunete, the burning intensity of his eyes had shifted, to focus upon the woman's own as much as possible. "However, Miss Sunete, I do hope that this is indeed the course that almost all of Istel feels is required for some sense of peace and serenity to wash over this war-torn land. I've grown tired of being used, and I'd hate to find out all of this ultimately boils down to some hidden ambition of yours. But, as I said before, I have faith in humanity, and that includes both you and the Pashepers. I will, thusly, take into extreme consideration that the purging of the Pashepers must be done to attain this... but you will have to pardon me if I do attempt to find a manner that will not cause this land to be stained red further with blood."

The flames would die down, with Leoran relaxing somewhat, now. "It's a damn shame that killing has become such a required act in living, in this day and age. If only it could stop... but now is no time to lament. Not while people are still suffering from the tyranny of stupid humans and the radical ambitions of insane demons... So, Miss Sunete... while I don't doubt my own strength, what would you, and perhaps the other gangs of Istel, be doing in the meantime if such an operation involving the removal, be it peaceful or otherwise, of the Pashepers became a reality? I'm under the belief of 'United We Stand', but it wouldn't be the first time I've found myself 'Against All Odds'."

[Ryven]

The woman had given him a rather deadpan look as he launched into his speech, downing the rest of her glass. Then got a refill and downed it as well, waiting patiently until he finished. With that she simply shook her head, letting out a sigh.
"Less speeches. Please. We'll be doing what we can to isolate and take them out. We're not gonna exactly put a lot of effort in avoiding carving them up, I hope you realize. There's gonna be blood and bodies one way or another to fix this. If you've got no problem being involved in such, I could probably find something."
There was perhaps the niggling detail in the back of Leoran's mind, the terms of this little foray being to not get directly involved but to gather information and such.

[Leoran Ny'thial]

"Less speeches, huh? Geeze, all those classes were for nothing..." A bit of a joke, if nothing else, but he understood. It seems speeches got him in a lot of trouble as well. Regardless, forgetting the terms of his penance was something that did not happen! In fact, NOT pissing the church off further was his utmost priority in this grand escapade.

Stressful that he couldn't assist directly, yet, Leoran takes a moment to breathe in, and out, to avoid any further outbursts or drawn-out speeches. "Alright then, I understand. Never hurts to try, though... as for finding me something to do, I'll need a rain check on that for the time being. I'm eager to help, don't get the wrong idea, but I need to process all of this, and see if I can't manage to have a few friends and associates assist me. Not to mention I just moved into the area, and getting myself a place to stay and keep my head low during the night might not be the worst of plans." It was a little depressing, though. But, not following the 'rules' already got him in trouble once. Besides, once everything is said and done, there's nothing stopping him from helping afterward!

"It really bothers me that I can't just jump right in and end this all as quickly as possible, but... I'm far more worried about the fact my friends would be more likely to kill me than any thugs would in the event that I did something like this with out them. Did you have a timetable on when you were going to act upon your plans?" That bit of information would be important, especially if the church had any plans to execute their own actions. A joint attack of some type, maybe?

[Ryven]

The woman gave Leoran a bit of a look, tilting her head.
"You'll understand that no matter how earnest you're are I'm not gonna divulge our plans like that. The walls have ears, kid. So do the floors and ceilings, for that matter when it comes to dealing with a bunch of assassins."
She spun her glass around, frowning.
"What I can tell you I suppose is we're coordinating with the Veis for the moment. That ain't a secret at all, especially since this all started on Vei turf."

[Leoran Ny'thial]

A slap to the forehead. "Oh geeze, why didn't I consider that? Oh well, being a target of assassination is fine, too." A bit of an eyeroll is given, but the trademark positive nature and smile remains firm, even in the eyes of sneaky, cheap death. "Alright then, I'll just assume 'sooner or later' and keep that in mind. I suppose when I'm ready, I know how to contact you..." A glance is given toward the bartender, before eyes fall prey back upon Sunete. "Well, let's just hope their actions aren't Lucavi driven. I've had enough of that lately..."

Stretching his arms skyward, Leoran rests both, folded, behind the back of his head. A series of looks are given to the patrons of the bar, trying to get some sort of memorized image of the scene burned into his mind. "I guess if that's all, I'll settle my business as soon as possible, and when that's done, get to work cleaning up, then. If you have no objections, anyway. Though now I wonder if I'm going to get jumped in an alley, hum... where should I go to avoid that?" There wasn't a look of fear, so much as a grin, on the lancer's face. It was something to keep himself aware of as a distinct possibility, especially in Istel... but that would fall under his self-defense clause.

"Unless you have an escort planned for me, that'd be swell, too! Otherwise, I guess we're done for now?"

[Ryven]

"Keep out of alleys. You might just get jumped in the streets though."
The woman shrugged, getting yet another refill from her glass. The bartender did give Leoran a nod at the mention of an easy way to contact her.
"No escorts, you look like you can take care of yourself. Don't get killed, don't flash any Gil around, don't draw attention and you'll be fine, eh?"

[Leoran Ny'thial]

"Heh, yeah... my hands are really bloodstained these days. I really can't stand it anymore... but someone has to fight for the people who can't fight for themselves. Monsters, humans, Lucavi... I'm stained with it all. But, if I was given the choice to start over, I'd do it again. No doubts about that." A bit somber, but Leoran just shrugs his shoulders afterward. "You think I'd look good in crimson?" Adding a little joke at the end would help, at least.

A moment to stretch out, with the odd feeling that the lancer had been standing in the same place for what felt like months now, Leoran puts a happy smile on his face soon after. "Thank you for your time. I hope that I contribute in making Istel a better place for everyone in the very near future. Well, almost everyone, when you think about it." True enough, that. With that business done, Leoran gives Sunete a respectful bow, another to the bartender, and a wave to any onlookers. It was time to go and report all this, afterall.

"I hope I don't end up having to do some street cleaning, though. These are new clothes!" Just an afterthought to the woman's comment about being 'jumped in the streets'! Now, though, it was time to leave the pub, to make one's way back to their contact... while keeping an eye out for any potential pursuit. Be it 'friend' or foe, it wouldn't do him much good for anyone to know he was information gathering for the Shrine Knights.

"Well, I've done what I could. Hope this is enough for them to work with... and hopefully I can come back and help these people afterward. Penance or not, this war needs to end. Maybe I should try to join the Shrine Knights, though... might help me keep out of trouble. Though, they probably don't want a borderline heretic like myself, heh! Still... there's a lot of things I don't understand. With my ties to the Faran Church cut, it's really the only option I have to make sense of things. I could go back to Ordeals to see if I can't get some insight, but... ugh. Bad memories of the last time I went there, still." Just some personal thoughts to pass the time, seeing as it was probably going to take a while to get back to the meeting point, while being cautious and alert for pursuers or ambushers.



Back to where we came, captain! Use the damned rooftops to avoid stupidity if needed! UP UP AND AWAY!!!"

[Ryven]

Luckily for the Lancer, he did manage to avoid an encounter with one of the ongoing troubles or running battles within the city on his way back. Though he did have to resort to some rooftops on occasion to avoid such a thing, things were pretty nasty in this bandit city of Istel. Soon enough he was back on the outskirts, the fellow and his chocobo still where he had left them. The cloak garbed man would lift his head to regard Leoran for a moment, chuckling.
"Back already, son? Fast work."

[Leoran Ny'thial]

Rooftop jumping, never a fun thing. Never know when you're going to step on a bad roof and go ker-splat! But, with danger (mostly) behind him... "Yeah... I would have spent some more time going around, but I think I found what was needed rather quickly. But, first things first... I've learned to be more paranoid these days." The lancer lifts a finger, his index finger going with it. First, a moment to confirm the bird is still the same bird. THEN, a question. "What did you give me and what did I do with it before I left? Just to make sure you're the same person, and I don't just accidentally sell out any number of people."

If the proper answer is given, or at least proper bird identification is made...

"So, from what I found out, a lot of this unrest is due to the Pashepers. They're apparently pissing the rest of the groups off something fierce. The Red Chocobo's seem interested in spear-headed a takedown of the Pashepers, who are ran by a woman Sunete. Nice lady, she is. Speaking of the Pashepers, they're all a bunch of assassins it looks, so you can imagine it was a little rough having to watch my back the whole time. Oh, right, the Veis are also helping the Red Chocobo's out, since this whole thing started on Veis territory anyway.

As far as I can tell, the thing spiraled involving the Pashepers trying to, ahem, appease their male instincts with some women on Veis turf. Considering what I heard prior to all hell breaking loose in the bar I was in, I can suspect that this might have happened before, as well, when everything got ugly some time ago in Istel. They seemed, the Veis, really pissed off the Pashepers were all over a woman. I mean, to the point it spiraled to violence immediately. If I had to guess, anyway."

A big sigh would follow, with Leoran grimacing a bit afterward. "From what I could find out, and I'm sorry since it doesn't feel like much, the Pashepers are the cause of so much civil unrest in Istel. If they're taken out, things might calm down and clear up... but I still think that's stupid. Killing always leads to more killing... it'll never end like this... but, this isn't my home. I can't force my ideals on people... so that's likely the course that's gonna be taken. Even if no one outside of Istel interferes, I wouldn't be surprised if the Red Chocobos, the Veis, and the Pashepers got into another war sometime in the near future."

Taking hold of his lance, Leoran places it against the ground below, leaning on it a bit. He felt a little weary after all that. "I really want to help these people, though. I'd feel... wrong about just packing up and leaving after talking to the Red Chocobos. Their method might be against my own wishes, but... a lot of things are worth fighting for, and bringing peace to a war-torn city is definitely one of them. I understand if I'm not allowed to get involved due to the churches planning to do much of the same... but I can't turn a blind eye when the people are suffering. But... anyway, is that enough to work on? Want me to get back in there...?"


And well, if the proper answer ain't given, or bird identification fails... we'll just have to cross that bridge when it's met.

[Ryven]

The bird was indeed the same, letting out a kweh at Leoran and flapping its wings for a moment. The man meanwhile chuckled, shifting to pull out a small knife and a piece of wood to begin whittling at.
"A note. You burnt it. Don't worry too much about not finding everything out, it's a den of thieves and bandits. They've spent their lives playing with their cards glued to their chest. A planned operation is mighty interestin' though."
Whittle whittle.
"I'll pass it all along to the Grand Inquisitor. She'll send it along to the Faran Church and Enavia I imagine. They might be a bit busy but the more of a complete picture they have the easier it'll be to sort everything out one way or another."
Some more whittling, a humanoid figure beginning to take shape as the man glanced up at Leoran.
"You seem a bit too upstanding for the Istel brand of cloak and dagger. You could offer to help Enavia if they decide to clean things up in this neck of the woods, though. Another spike in the violence is the last thing we need."

[Leoran Ny'thial]

"Upstanding?" A pause to chew on that word within his thoughts, with Leoran's hand slowly lowering, to stare at the ground. "I just betrayed some minute form of trust given to me by some individuals who seem to really eager to stop things themselves, here and now. Then again, I seem to be getting pretty good at betraying the expectations of people these days..." Lifting his left hand, Leoran places it upon his forehead, fingers rubbing at his temples while, at times, also pulling at his bangs in annoyance.

"... All I want to do is protect people. Funny, that... since I'm cursed to only have the ability to do so by killing. It's not fair... but it's what I'm reduced to do." A passive moment, with Leoran idly tapping at one of his bracelets upon his left wrist. "I had a dream some time ago... I wanted to become more in-tune and in-touch with dragons. I wanted to be a symbol of what one could accomplish by branching out and reaching out to others, a form of some sacred unison from long ago. I thought it possible... but a divine force saw me unfit, and promptly crushed me underfoot. I think I briefly went insane after that." Another bracelet would be tapped, idly so.

"Sorry for talking so much... I just wanted to ask a question, really. In pursuit of that dream, I lost my most precious thing. I've been trying to find it... but I've had no luck in doing so. No clues. No ideas. Nothing. I'm walking blindly through the world. I still hold fragments of that dream, though, crushed though they may be... but I wanted to ask, should I keep pursuing something that's done nothing but inflict so much pain? I still want to achieve what I first set out to do so long ago... and I know there's no easy path when it comes to achieving your dreams... but is there a point where it's just become masochism? I... don't know if you can answer this for me... maybe it's something I can only answer for myself..." Dropping his arms to his sides altogether, Leoran lets out a heavy-set sigh. What a load that was, there.

"Right now, I know there's two paths in my growth before me. I can either perfect my spear arts... or I can cast that to the side and pursue what may be a hopeless dream. This... isn't just about what I want, though. I want to know what would end up being best for the people, and my own precious people as well... sorry. I guess because you have ties to the church, I think I'm in confession or something. Don't... mind me. Im just confused..."

[Ryven]

The man simply shrugged, having finished his whittling and setting aside a rather elegant looking figurine. He rose to his feet, checking over the chocobo for a couple of moments as he chewed on a strand of straw.
"Confessions aren't quite my department, but I get what you're saying, son. To protect someone most of the time these days is to choose to harm another. To gain something something else must be sacrificed. You give in order to receive, simple as that. No pain, no gain and all of that nonsense."
He finished tethering the chocobo to a cart, hopping onto it.
"Either way though, good work. Should go without saying, but you're cleared now. Just mind yourself though, I doubt folks will be that forgiving a second time."
With that he snapped the reins, sending the chocobo and cart on their way back towards the south.

Whee, end! Leoran gains 30 XP and 120 JP!