001;

[thefatedpath]

[ Video ]

Hello, everyone.

My name is Alisaie Leveilleur. It seems a greeting may have preceded me given my brother's usual timely introduction.

I'll not waste your time with superfluous details of my arrival. I'm certain you've had your fill of tales from newcomers of faraway lands. However, I would particularly like to speak with whoever is in charge guard in Havenwell. Perhaps I could offer some manner of assistance with what skills I have to offer.

Even so, if you're a civilian or otherwise I would be interested in meeting you. I hear there is quite an eclectic assortment of people here.

Comments

[unnecessaryflourishes]

Well-said, indeed.

[He is, after all, not about to pretend to be anything that he is not, and he knows full well that the Empire and her servants are more likely to be foe than friend, in this case.]

In which case, I should be glad to meet in person, should you wish it.

[thefatedpath]

Of course.

However, I would be most interested to know who I am meeting.

[unnecessaryflourishes]

As would anyone, no doubt.

[It's offered neutrally - a statement of fact, rather than judgment. And more importantly, while there is a brief pause before he speaks again (meant as much for dramatic emphasis as anything else.)]

You may call me Emet-Selch.

[thefatedpath]

And where shall I meet you, Emet-Selch?

[unnecessaryflourishes]

I have been here long enough to become familiar with the majority of the city. Is there anywhere you would prefer to meet?

[thefatedpath]

[ She, in contrast, does not know the city well at all. It's a current vulnerability she dislikes. ]

I know the location of a local cafe. Let's meet some distance from there.

[unnecessaryflourishes]

I shall meet you there.

[He assumes she means the cat cafe, but if not, there are hardly enough cafes within the boundaries of the city for it to be any great difficult to figure out which one she had meant.]

[thefatedpath]

[ Indeed, the cat cafe is the only one she currently knows about. She stands a small distance away from its doors and waits with her arms folded for her... guest to arrive. Alisaie is not quite sure what to expect. ]

[unnecessaryflourishes]

[Fortunately, she doesn't have long to wait before he arrives. True, he doesn't much look like he's hurried, for all that he hasn't made her deliberately wait either but if the way he holds himself is any indication he doesn't seem to be a man who much hurries for anything. Nor is he wearing anything that would suggest particularly soldierly leanings... or anything that looks particularly Garlean in style, though the latter might easily be explained by his stay in Havenwell.

Still, he wears his current outfit - all darker colors and sweeping lines - with an ease that suggests that it's nothing more than what he happened to already be wearing, rather than an attempt to hide something.]

Might I presume you would be Alisaie?

[thefatedpath]

[ It's easy to discern that the clothing is civilian, but the idea of meeting a Garlean for no discernable reason still puts her on edge at the sight. What motives could there be? ]

Your presumptions would be correct. [ She adds tepidly: ] A pleasure to meet you in person.

[unnecessaryflourishes]

[Her suspicions are perfectly warranted, to be frank. Especially since his motives are not any clearer for all that they're speaking in person. Even if he does appear to not be making himself an obvious threat.]

Likewise. [The comment appears to be offered genuinely, although there's a sense that it's almost a politician's sort of genuine. The kind of polite nothing that's meant to smooth along social engagements at any scale.] Would you prefer to speak out here or inside?

[He has no direct preference one way or the other, and if he's noticed the lack of enthusiasm in her comment (he has) he doesn't seem to be much bothered by it.]

[thefatedpath]

[ She flicks a glance upward. Open space is tactically preferable to an enclosed area. If she needs it, anyway.. she may or she may not. ] I see no reason to dismiss such a beautiful day by going inside. Why don't we stay out here.

[unnecessaryflourishes]

As you desire, then.

[He has no problem with staying outside, and his current manner of dress is not likely to cause any problems with regards to the temperature besides.]

I presume you had wished to know more of our experiences in Havenwell?

[thefatedpath]

More about the experience here, and if you'd indulge me about your experiences back home as well.

[ If he's willing to indulge her. Obviously, it's not going to be that easy... ]

[unnecessaryflourishes]

Life here is not without its... irritations. But you will find it less prone to the sorts of encounter that can only be solved through violence than Eorzea has tended to be.

[There are no monsters to fight, and despite his own presence, there is no Empire either - and he has no real desire to bother to recreate such a thing either.]

As for my experiences back home... surely you will be aware of the most salient points in regards to the Empire's relationships with other countries?

[thefatedpath]

You can simply say it's 'trite'.

[ Sigh. ]

Yes, what of them?

[unnecessaryflourishes]

Had I wished to, yes.

[A shrug accompanies the words. She may not be entirely wrong, but even so he hadn't felt the need to say as much.]

If you are already aware of them, surely you do not need me to tell you how matters lie?

[thefatedpath]

Parden my questioning. [ She's not actually asking for a pardon, judging from the tone. ]

I'm aware that matters are different here between... [ She tries to speak carefully. It's awkward. ] certain parties, but I'm unsure how different. I thought it best to ask.

[unnecessaryflourishes]

[There's a brief half-nod in answer, though it's not entirely clear whether it's meant in answer to her first comment or her mention of having thought it best to ask.]

There is... a certain difference in the memories between some of us, yes. [Differences which he himself has come face to face with.] But it is a question of whether or not one ought to share what might be uncomfortable truths about a future someone might not have seen.

[thefatedpath]

I suppose...

[ She looks at him warily. What does that mean. ]

I can only speak for myself when I say that I've nothing to hide.

[unnecessaryflourishes]

[He, by contrast, has a great deal to hide.  But he can see the sense in her comment and for all that he might be fond of his secrets he knows well enough that to not offer a similar amount of trust could easily be seen as ... less than friendly, perhaps.

All the same, there's a sigh before he answers.]

What do you know of Black Rose?

[thefatedpath]

[ Oh, no. That's a worrying topic. ]

I know it's a tool used by cowards who won't fight for themselves.

[ ...So not much. ]

[unnecessaryflourishes]

[A worrying topic indeed, although not without good reason.]

A sentiment with which I would tend to agree. However, I have reason to believe that the Emperor fully intends to use it against Eorzea. And he is hardly a man much given to patience.

[Of course, Varis does have his reasons. But those are nothing that Emet means to mention.]

[thefatedpath]

Do you know when and where?

[ Not to mention how did he come about this information... ]

[unnecessaryflourishes]

Alas, I do not. My sources are not quite that thorough.

[Soon enough to be concerning, perhaps. But nothing particularly specific beyond that.

As for how he came by the information... that he does not mean to reveal unless directly asked, and possibly not even then.]