Curious Coeurlian RP Repository

[Vinalo]

Vinalo was currently sitting on one of the many benches the lined the bridge spanning the river that separated the bulk of the Lavender Beds from the Lily Hills apartments. A small pouch sat next to them. They needed some fresh air, and Misha would be home soon, so planting themself on the lone path back seemed like the thing to do.

Leaning back against the railing and enjoying the sounds of nature, Vinalo would occasionally look down the bridge.

[Misha]

Away on some business or other, Misha was walking back. He was tired, honestly. The family who had hired his services had barraged him with many questions about chronometer keeping, and his social aether was drained. Adjusting the brim of his hat a bit, he notes Vinalo sitting all by themselves.

“Love? Are you alright?”

The exhaustion melts right off of him as he hurries over to their side, worry writ on their features.

[Vinalo]

The sound of his distinctive voice and sudden footsteps snapped Vinalo to attention. They gave a wave to their spouse and hopped off the bench right as he got there.

“Misha, there you are. Welcome back!” Vinalo said, a small smile on their face. They immediately went for a gentle embrace, perhaps to calm their lover. “Don't worry at all, I'm fine. Just had a… strange client show up. Needed some outside time, and didn't want to miss you. So here I am.”

[Misha]

“Strange? Did they hurt you? What did they do? Should I go after them?”

Somehow the idea of someone being odd to their beloved was even more worrying. In the embrace, Misha would heft them up into his arms and squeeze.

“I'm home. Long day.”

[Vinalo]

They laughed a happy laugh as they felt their feet leave the ground.

“No, no. I'm fine! No one hurt me, or really did anything to me. Client came to me with a plant, I gave him a treatment plan, and he left after paying me.” Vinalo gave him a soft head bonk before they were presumably put back down. “Just everything else about him was odd. Knew things about me and asked questions I wasn't expecting.”

They paused and quickly spoke again, having realized something.

“Nothing to do with certain skills of mine! No worry about that!”

[Misha]

Misha listens to them carefully before setting them back down gently. Peering down into their eyes.

“What exactly did they ask about? Plant things aside.”

[Vinalo]

“My motivations and my past, mostly. Said he was curious about all things outside of his normal life,” they answered, now with feet firmly planted on the bridge. “Norisada Daisho. That's his name. Raen man. Lives in Ul'dah. I think he's a monetarist, or least close to one.”

[Misha]

“A Raen monetarist in Ul'dah? That is rare. What did he seek, exactly? From you? Just plant care, or…?”

Misha somehow still looks suspicious, the gaze piercing.

“And why you, specifically?”

[Vinalo]

“Well, he did have a plant that needed help. An aloe plant. Simple to deal with. Was just being overwatered and its soil wasn't mixed up enough…”

Vinalo shrugged.

“First, I just figured he'd heard about me from some other client. Wouldn't be the first one. But then one question led to another and then he mentioned Pipino, and the book being published by Langston's brother. And… I mean, none of that's secret. Right there on the cover of the book. But he knew who they were.”

They sighed. “And then in the middle of dealing with the aloe, he just… asked if I was married. And then he brought up that brief few moons I dated Pipino!”

[Misha]

Through the conversation, Misha's eyes begin to squint more and more, thoughts racing.

“That is not common information, is it? Not that tis his business. I do not like it….”

Running a hand through his hair. “Monetarists are shifty sorts sometimes, so I worry he was after something. Not that I know what.”

[Vinalo]

“That's what I thought. So I asked him how he knew it all, and it's just some sort of Monetarist gossip that got around? I know Pipino's family had some name for itself, but…” They trailed off, sitting back down on the bench. “Asked why Pipino and I separated. Didn't think Pipino's life was much his business, so I kept it vague.”

[Misha]

“Pipino does not speak to her family anymore, though, does she? Then how would they know? Unless he spoke to her and she said as much…”

The scowl on his face is all the deeper. “I do not like it.”

[Vinalo]

“Only her mother through a couple of letters, I think. But… yes. Very odd. You know I try to see the best in things and assume it was all genuine curiosity, but…”

They leaned back and sighed. After a moment they picked up the pouch that had remained on the bench, offering it to Misha.

“He was very generous, though. You know I'd only charge maybe… couple thousand gil for a short consultation, right? Take a look.”

[Misha]

Misha looks at the gil and the disdain on his face is palpable as he nearly recoils away from it.

“Listen to me, Vinalo. Do not spend a coin of it. Take it from my funds, but do not spend any of it. Put it away somewhere safe and forget about it.”

Hands on their shoulders.

“I would talk to Pipino about this visitor, because I do not want him coming back and snooping around. Your…our lives are not to be made gossip of.”

[Vinalo]

Vinalo looked up at Misha, sort of tilting their head to the side.

“…Don't think there's much he could do if the money's already here. Unless it's stolen money, but I doubt he'd give his name and such if he was in trouble or something like that,” they replied. “Not that I was planning to go off and spend it, anyroad.”

“Talking to Pipino's probably good idea, though.”

[Misha]

“No, tis not that. If he is a Monetarist or is in their ranks, I do not often know of money that is given out without some strings attached. I worry it will have some repercussions. Paranoid of me…but…”

His eyes are glazed over, and the fear is replaced by sorrow. He's thinking of Ishgard.

[Vinalo]

Vinalo lets out a concerned hum. The idea clearly didn't occur to them before now.

“…Well. Suppose that could be how it is. It was for a service, but maybe he's just lost a sense of value? He handed it over before I could even mention payment.” They chuckled weakly and looked away. “Even told me to mention if he came up short.”

They looked back to Misha, seeing the sudden shift in his eyes. Without a second thought, Vinalo gently put their hands on his waist.

“I'll make sure nothing comes of it, okay? I promise.”

[Misha]

The moment is gone as soon as it had settled, and he shakes his head.

“No, I will not let you deal with such if it happens again. Next time, call me. I shall make sure he keeps things professional. It could be nothing, but it could be anything, and with Monetarists, you never know. At least until we get a better explanation if there is one.”

He smiles at them, leaning close so their foreheads would touch. “I would not let the stain of the corrupted reach us. Not again.”

[Vinalo]

“You've more experience dealing with that world than I do. Being all proper for meeting with Totoyito to get the book published was hard enough,” they said, slightly rubbing their head back and forth against his. “Money and special behavior and titles and… all that. Not the place for me.”

[Misha]

“You got your taste when we went to Ishgard. At their worst, and I know some can be even bigger bastards. I wish I could just give the gil back, honestly, but it is what it is.”

Rubbing their shoulders. “I am sorry. They are your wages, after all.”

[Vinalo]

“Mm. We're not really hurting for gil right now, right? Not like he handed over like… hundreds of thousands of gil. I'll put it aside for now, anyroad.”

Vinalo hummed as they were rubbed on.

“You know, last year Luna did give me that much for teaching Lucatiel. One hundred thousand gil. That's about when I realized she had more than I thought. Not that I thought she was scraping by, running a tavern out of her home and such.”

[Misha]

“I could not say about Luna, but at least you know her yes?”

He sighs and runs a worried hand one last time over their shoulder before pulling back.

“It makes me uneasy. Do you think you'd be able to talk to Pipino about it?”

[Vinalo]

“Know her pretty well, I reckon. Part of some minor house in Ishgard I think, but… not something she's much happy about. That's what Lucatiel's said, anyroad.”

Vinalo stood back up, looking at Misha with a smile.

“Don't see why not. Pipino's a good friend, and if she knows anything bad about Norisada, I reckon she'd want me to know, too. And want to know if there's been gossip around.”

[Misha]

“If anything, it would be a warning that someone is snooping around.”

He smiles back. It was impossible not to in response to Vinalo's.

“Is that why you were sitting out here? Did he make you feel unsafe?”

[Vinalo]

They shook their head. “Other than the questions, he was completely polite and thankful for the help. Didn't get the feeling he'd do anything, really.”

“And just came out here to clear my head. You know me. Didn't want to head out on a walk and miss you, either.”

[Misha]

“Fair enough. I am glad though….aside from all this, it was nice to see you on my way home. A treat, yes? Although you looked a little lonely too. Reminded me of the night we met but other way around.”

Stroking their hair lovingly, he allows himself a moment of just enjoying their closeness.

“I love you.”

[Vinalo]

“And I love you, Misha.”

They, too, simply was enjoying the closeness (and the hair touching). After but a moment, they giggled a bit.

“Been a year since you moved in with me, you know. Hard to believe.”

[Misha]

“It has. And now here we are. I still keep my old place nice and clean though, just in case. Speaking of, have you heard back from your mother?”

More gentle pets, idly making conversation now.

[Vinalo]

“I haven't. Letter could've been lost by the moogles again, or maybe she's not sure what to say, or… something. Either way, we'll decide what to do then.”

[Misha]

“Mm. Alright. Want to go home? Have some tea?”

A smooch to their cheek, nuzzling them lovingly right after.

[Vinalo]

Another joyful giggle followed by a return smooch to his cheek.

“Mhm. I've already made a pot of lavender tea. Still plenty for a couple more cups.”

Vinalo picked up the pouch of coin, and took Misha's hand with their own.

“Shall we?”

[Misha]

“Shall we will.”

He smiles back, squeezing their hand lovingly as they made their way back home, Misha sharing the harrowing experience of an overly friendly family on the way back.

---

Home –> Roleplay Scene Index –> Discord Roleplays

Home –> Character Index –> Vinalo — Misha