***
It was only mid-afternoon and Coatleque found herself once again at the Bismark. No time to even rest back in Ul'dah after her night with Jameson, she was called away once more to Limsa Lominsa by a friend. One who happened to be there the night they assaulted the warehouse. It was mere luck on her part that Captain Oscare Iono, who that night had been discharging pistols at them, had no idea she was part of the group. Earlier in the week she had requested his aid in being admitted back to the site of the explosion. Today he made good on that request.
"Is that what you're goin' with?", he asked as she approached him. Coatleque was not armored, but wore a light outfit of deep read leather and white cloth. A fly-mask turban was pulled over her eyes to conceal most of her face from those who may recognize her at a glance. "Is this a problem?", she asked with some concern. "Naw. I like the shirt though.", he taunted. "At least we look similar enough.", she said with a small sigh of relief.
Fiona Arasgain approached them then with a notepad in hand. The man was a known asset to the Bismark, one of their full-time chefs - and quite good at his job. "Can I help you two with anything?", he asked, his scrutinizing eyes looking over the both of them. Oscare narrowed his eyes. "-- Uh.", he stuttered as he looked to the Sworn. "You want something before we head out?" Placing her hands on her hips she merely shook her head. The did not exactly have time to spare today. "I've... lost my appetite after last night. I would much rather do what needs be done, and be back to Ul'dah." Oscare turned back to Fio. "I'm okay too, cutie."
Fio merely raised a brow then turned to face Oscare with a chuckle. The Miqo'te was certainly presenting female at the moment. "Good to see you not scrubbing decks."
"-- Eh?"
"Nevermind. You were doing plenty of cleaning last time I saw you. And you turned down one of my meals! I was hurt!"
"... Huh?"
"It's me, Fio. I offered you some shepherd's pie and you turned it down.", Fio said as he crossed his arms, still holding the notepad.
"... You -- look... Your chest definitely expanded, that's for sure. I like this new change."
"They're fake. Point is, you hurt my godsdamned feelings!"
The Knight merely blinked. She hadn't expected this delay. "So... I suppose I can wait near the gate then..." Oscare coughed, catching the annoyance in her voice. "Well... uh, let's go Crofte." She smirked. "Oh, no, by all means, this is more important than my investigation." Then an idea struck her. "Of course Master Arasgain is also part of the Maelstrom. Perhaps he would like to accompany us?" Oscare squirmed. "My warrant only allows for two people." Fio wouldn't give him the chance to weasel out of it that easily, however. His eyes shifted back to Coatleque. "Damn right, I would.", he retorted while shoving the notepad into a pocket. "You're going to be followed now that I know something is up."
Coatleque merely looked at the Captain as she waited for him to relent. He sighed. "Okay. Fine. We'll go ahead and she -- he'll follow us." She turned back to Fio at that. "Mm, I am unsure, Master Arasgain. I mean... I may need immunity from the Limsan authorities depending on what we find..." Fio just glared at Coat, still sore from their earlier conversation. "We'll see.", he quipped as he returned to the kitchen to change and make known he would be back later.
"You have a Storm Captain here, so things shouldn't go too awfully awry.", Oscare chimed in. "Aye, two officers and one guest. Do you think I could pass for a private? Better yet, a clerk. Someone to take inventory of the assets lost. Who is the warehouse registered to?" The Captain thought for a moment, rubbing his chin. "A clerk should be fine. You look the merchant type. Also, it's registered to Anselm Mercer." She did some quick adjustment in her head to put together an alibi. "Master Anselm Mercer, got it. Very well, I represent the esteemed Master Mercer. I am there to take stock of inventory to see what he has lost. Should I be questioned, that is." He grunted in approval. "Good enough."
Fio, in the mean time, returned and sighed as he looked to each in turn. He had a greatsword strapped to his back and looked as if he was expecting heavy resistance. "So, are we going to get down to business? Or stand around with our thumbs up our asses? Will I see action tonight?"
"Hopefully not. But prepare for the worst anyway. Monsters and the sort tend to take advantage of flocks of people."
Monsters indeed. "I do not anticipate trouble. But then again, this is not Thanalan. We are going to Moraby Drydocks."
"Sounds like a plan. Let's get to business, then."
"Theives might also try to pillage whatever is left."
Was the Maelstrom truly stretched so thin? "I doubt the Admiral would allow thieves so close to Grand Company property. Especially after a perceived attack."
"If she knows about them, that is."
"It happens more than we're happy to admit. We're good, but we're not perfect."
"Then we had best be going."
"I'll just port us there." The Captain was indeed prepared with a teleportation crystal. At least they could make up time already lost.
