[Luna]

The vibrancy and tumult of the Quicksand carried on as it ever did, a countless string of people entering and leaving each a face forgotten moments later. One could be mistaken for almost getting lost, awash in the sea of drunks and merry-makers. Firewater traded for gold as quick as the eye could see, the clank of glass and mug resounding throughout the tavern. As Momodi would surely tell you, it was a good day of business!

Hidden amongst the bustle however, was a seeming hive of scum and villainy. An upset moonseeker finds herself pinned against the wall of the tavern, her stark white hair a bit frazzled as she protests. “Get away from me! I want nothing of you, begone!” she yells out, her youthful voice at odds with her tone and eloquence. Hand against the wall next to her, a gruff looking Roegadyn man towers over the woman, leering at her. “S'exactly wot I like about this place, eh? You find the oddest women here, don'tcha lads?” he says to a couple laughing men with him - another roe and a highlander. As he speaks, he goes to lift the woman's chin with his hand, but she slaps it away and shouts “DO NOT TOUCH ME!”

The lead Roe scoffs at the woman, flashing a false frown. “S'ashame they make them so feisty nowadays. It's so much better when everything's… easy.” he says, looking the woman up and down as he finishes his sentence. The highlander speaks, laughing. “Look at her! Playing knight like some fuckin' knife ear!” he mocks, the lead Roe laughing in response. “Too right! A bit far from the stuffy shirts, m'lady?” he asks as he bows mockingly. He reaches down to the woman's waist, drawing the sword and placing it on the ground next to him as the Highlander restrains her, against her aggressive protests. “DO NOT TOUCH ME! RETURN MY BLADE IMMEDIATELY! By the power of the Holy See of Ishgard….” she begins saying angrily.

“Ain't no knights of Coerthas packing shapes like you, love.” the other Roe interjects as he bursts into laughter. The lead roe joins him before speaking once again. “For a little kitten playing make believe, you're going to find that the world is so much colder than Coerthas.” he says, leaning in and throwing a low punch into her gut quickly. Though the pain of it is something she'd grown accustomed to, the particular placement seemed to sting infinitely worse. Her vision fuzzed for a second from the sensation as she struggled against the restraint of the highlander, her usual decades-trained strength having been seemingly sapped upon transformation from a highlander to a mi'qote.

[Luto]

Now joining the Quicksand for a drink after a rough meeting and already in a foul mood, he notices some men roughing up a mi'qote women he doesn't recognize. Now looming down over the group. “There a problem here?” He asks coldly.

[Gair]

It seems the Thugs don't have day jobs, nor Luna, for that matter. Gair trickles in not moments after Lutomis after a long patrol, he pulls his helmet off and uses the turban beneath to wipe the sweat from his brow. Not quite recognizing the scene for what it is yet, he only recognizes Lutomis at a glance. “Oi, big cat!,” he calls to the mercenary. His attentions focused on him for the moment, left hand cradled on the stock of his gunblade as it dangles from his belt. Those unfamiliar with him might be a touch intimidated by the black adamantite harness of the flame elite he dons, his pauldron burnished with the glorious golden scales of Ul'dah that weigh the flame of might with the gem of prosperity in perfect equilibrium.

[Luna]

“Nothin' fer yas to be concerned with.” The lead roe says dismissively. He turns his attention back to the stunned mi'qote, smirking. “There's ya go, lost that mouth off you too right.” He mocks as Luna continues to struggle weakly, beginning to speak once more. “As soon as!” She begins, but is cut off by the lead roe digging a thumb into her gut where he had punched her. The pain sears as the lead roe puts his hand over her mouth to prevent noise from escaping.

[Gair]

With very little subtlety does Gair step on over to greet Lutomis, his spurs rattling with every authoritative clip of his boots on the stone floor. He cocks a brow at the gathering of two rather large roegadyn and a fellow highlander brother. *'They don't look like Luto's mercs.'*, he thinks to himself as he pieces the scene together- spying a curiously familiar Moonseeker struggling against a large hand over her mouth.

Using the massive Hrothgar as cover, he gives him a tap on the shoulder and a nod before he parts from him. “I'll get us a *round*.” Appearing to tuck tail and disappear from the conflict and into the crowd, he uses the circular nature of the Quicksand to double back around. From the sheath, Gair pulls the hammer back on his weapon, a barely audibly *click* that signals his clear intent. When Lutomis speaks up again, Gair will flank a Roegadyn accomplice and announce his presence to the man by rather obviously pressing the stock of his gunblade to the small of his back. His tone dripping pure disdain as he speaks, “What have we here, Luto? Three dead men?”

[Tadashi]

Amidst the bustling of the Quicksand, the small lalafel sits in a corner, observing, waiting for a suitable conversation partner to arrive. Scanning the tavern, he notices the commotion with the Miqo'te, but is unwilling to provide assistance until they are further out of sight, so that trouble doesn't start in the tavern. Noticing Lutomis, and then Gair, he slips off his perch and begins to make his way towards the antagonists, slipping on his gauntlets.

As he approaches, he assumes a position outside of the antagonists field of view, but still close enough to assist pending their reaction. Catching Lutomis' eye, Tad nods slightly, but proceeds to listen to the tavern dwellers until the moment of action.

[Luto]

Catching Tad in his peripheral and giving the nod. Not feeling like this to drag on any further “Men isnt what I would call them.” Placing a hand on the Roe shoulder and spinning him around. “Good…now walk away before I..”points to the hyur “shove his head up your ass..”

[Luna]

The lead roe had begun sliding up Luna's garb where he had jabbed her, revealing a painful-looking gouge mark on the left side of her abdomen. Her eyes narrowed as her struggles intensified, but thankfully there was the good guy with a gun, and his friends, inexplicably at the right place at the right time as if pre-destined. The lead roe turns around to see the Hrothgar, scrunching his face as he sizes him up. “Says who? You looking ta take a cut o' this fillet, then? I fink three's already using her all up, don'tchu?” he asks, ignoring threats of forcibly voring Gair.

The other Roe puts his hands up, feeling the barrel of a gunblade pressed against him. “Now now, I-I didn't touch nuffink. It was Swarramm what gets all touchy-like!” he protests pathetically. The highlander continues to restrain Luna, strengthening his hold on her and moving an arm to constrict her windpipe. What would once be easy to shake was now a herculean effort for her, and she chokes a bit against the pressure.

[Gair]

“So you're just the snivelling little shit who watches,” Gair utters and removes his weapon from the man's back, shoulder checking the rearward Roegadyn as he moves toward Luna. “Your friends are going to need a conjurer, start running.” Noticing Tad in the peripheral, he just gives him a nod before stepping in on the Highlander with his gunblade. One hand grabbing the collar if his shirt, the other far more nefarious. First would be the cold sensation of steel on the skin, next would be the hot sting of the drawing of that blade behind the Highlander's knee as Gair smoothly rips the blade of it along the back of his knee. Hobbling the man for life and severing his hamstring.

[Luna]

The cowardly roe backs off, stopping to watch the group. The highlander feels his collar suddenly being grabbed, managing to hold his arm press for the moment before he feels the vicious cut up his leg, screaming in pain and removing his arm, falling to the ground in a heap and holding the wound. Luna stumbles a bit, the sudden change in balance being a bit much for her. She clutches at her throat, though most of the pain comes from the deep jab.

The lead roe furiously looks at Gair and Lutomis, a cruel scowl on his face. “You nosy shite, ye gots ta interfere wiff my good time then, eh?” he says, swinging his log-like arm and knocking Luna to the ground, causing her to yelp. He then grabs the stolen blade off the table, wielding it at his aggressors, treating it like a toothpick in his oversized mitts. “Back off! I'm warning yous!” he threatens.

[Luto]

Luto steps in smacking away the blade and dealing a throat punch before shoving the Roe into the wall “hey it is fun to pick on weaker foes.” Giving a taunting smirk to the Roe.

[Luna]

The blade falls with a clatter to the ground, and the roe stumbled backwards before being shoved, sputtering and choking from the punch. As he is pushed, he trips over the now-fallen Luna, his boot pushing into her gut and causing her to curl up in pain but also making the man fall against the wall, now on his backside looking up at Lutomis. As much as he'd like to bark out some threat, he finds himself unable to.

[Gair]

Gair's sinister side rears its head as he stands over the Highlander victim, his gaze passing over the longsword that has fallen to the ground. Recognizing it before he does Luna. “Wait…” The context of the scene is even more apparent to him now. He presses the barrel of his gunblade right to the back of the Highlander's head, ordering him. “Take that sword, and shove it into your friend, *now*.”

[Luna]

The highlander didn't even acknowledge Gair, the pain of his wound too great to even recognize anything going on around him anymore. He lay on the floor in agony, blood covering his leg and hands. Meanwhile, the roe remained grounded, watching the highlander seized in hurt, terrified of the sudden reversal of power but like all good men, he pushed that fear down with anger, though his throat injury left him unable to do more than wheeze in a rough manner.

[Gair]

In the spirit of waiting for other posters to resolve the conflict, and general flavor. Gair berates the highlander as he steps over him. “It's no wonder we lost Ala Mhigo, at least your leg matches your spine now.” Sheathing his gunblade to free his hands up, he kneels down to scoop the curled Lunacat up into his arms.

[Luna]

(Also OOC going forward in this story there will be mature topics. I just say this in case that kind of stuff bothers anyone. Luna's backstory will likely come up, and it is not remotely happy)

[Luto]

With a devilish smile Luto looks at Tad “Maybe you can show me how your people draw information from there enemies, I'd like to know his favorite color. Watch him ill secure us a room here.” As he walks off to do just that.

[Tadashi]

Scowling at the thought of doing an interrogation, the lalafel, still in his business attire steps towards the injured men. A quick strike to the highlander knocks him unconscious before Tad bends over, tending to the mans wounds, binding them quickly, and roughly. Then, he ties the man up, before turning to the Roe, ignoring the third in the corner. “I am not one for this sort of dealings” he says coldly, “But if you attack an unarmed lady, and presume to have a 'good time' with her, then I cannot abide by this.” He swiftly binds the man's legs before striking him unconscious as well.

He turned to the third Roe. “You have two options. You speak now, or you get some free samples from my potion pouch, and we will see what the effects are. I hate to physically punish you myself, but if you choose your tincture, then I have little say in the matter” his voice still cold as ice, withdrawing three bottles from the pouch. Pausing, he noticeably lightened “If you give me what the others want, I may let you off easy…”

[Luna]

Watching the pint-sized anesthesia technician work, the cowardly Roe looks upon the man, trembling practically. “Spuh-speak what!? I ought to talk tuh them Brass Blades about you lot…” he said, though clearly thinking twice on his threat. “W-what do you want anyway!?” he sputters out, taking a half-step backwards.

Luna meanwhile lay in Gair's arms, opening her eyes as the pain ebbs and quickly realizing what was happening. She practically begins to scream, “DO NOT” before covering her own mouth as it fully dawns on her, and her eyes gloss over, tears starting to form in them as she shakes her head.

[Gair]

“I got'cha.” Gair slings Luna over his shoulder with little effort, clapping her back affirmingly. While Tad does his work and has the ringleader sputtering and blubbering about vials and the Brass Blades, he kneels down and scoops up the paladin's arming sword. His grip inverted as he tamps the point down into the stone authoritatively. “Aye, go cry to the Blades. I hope you've enough gil for their bribe and a healer to mend the hole I'm going to put in your chest.”

“If you run now, you might get away paying only one or the other.”

[Tadashi]

Snapping out of interrogation mode, it occurred to Tad that they were still in the Quicksand, and that his actions seemed, a little extreme. Bowing in apology to the Roe, he smiles, “I can find you some blades…” before binding the last Roe too. Turning to Gair, he says “I would rather you not put a hole through people, no matter how despicable they are. I can't patch a hole up, but I may be able to help our feline friend over there” motioning to Luna, still not having made the connection. Fiddling in his pouch he procures a tincture, “This should minimize some of the pain ma' am.” Satisfied with his work, Tod scans the area for any sign of the H'rothgar, or other trouble.

[Luto]

Walking back to the group “Well they wont rent us a room and they sent a runner to fetch the blades, I too called one of my near by patrols, hopefully they get here first.” Unhooking his massive sword with audible clang on the cobblestone floor and setting it against the wall and gets his Id/papers in order so he can prove who he says he is.

[Gair]

“I promise I wont put a hole in his chest, Tad.” Gair grins rather cruelly to the ringleader, and as if he were ready to step away and leave it there. Instead, he rather suddenly plunges the tip of Luna's weapon right into the top of his foot. At the sight of Lutomis already surrendering his weapon, he scoffs at the Hrothgar and makes for the door to Pearl lane. “You're fuckin' kidding, right? I'm quittin' this place, these cunts were begging to get it.”

[Luto]

“Aye, but I've a reputation to hold and can't have rumors of my description messing that up for me, remember i'm under contract with the city.” He replys to Gair.

“Besides technically I might 'out rank them' do to my circumstance, your all free to go so you don't get wrapped up in this. Looking at the less then men figures on the ground “this lot however gonna see the inside of a cell for a fair amount of time for assault and disturbing my peace.”

[Luna]

Luna finds herself hoisted over Gair's shoulder, every fiber of her being screaming that it wasn't right, but she forced herself to quell those fears, knowing it was safe. She can barely shake her head at Tad in a silent no as the sights of the tavern begin to distance themselves. Overwhelming thoughts rush through her head as she's drawn back in her own mind. She vowed to never be this weak again, to never need someone to save her.

[Tadashi]

Slipping into the crowd, Tod wonders what Gair was going to do with the woman, and slips out a side door to follow, wandering through the streets until he catches up with his companion.

[Gair]

Gair bobs his head at Lutomis, his fingers tapping the faceplate of his helm. “Besides, not like anyone saw my face 'fore I started slingin' steel. Come find me before you get swamped by paperwork.” With bloody sword in hand, he steps out and into Pearl Lane. Bearing Luna as if he were some Conan-esque barbarian, his offhand reaching up to tap that linkpearl and speak over the wider shell to his companions. “We'll be at the Alchemists guild.”

[Luna]

The transmogged knight had finally found some semblance of her voice, finally managing to speak a bit. “It was… It was just like back then. Just like before I was strong. I just…” she trails off, still half-trapped in her own head. Feelings awash in her, a mix of embarrassment of needing to be rescued, panic, but mostly fear. That damnable thing, fear.

[Gair]

“No.” Gair asks as they slip through Ul'dah's back streets, doubling back through the Ruby Road Exchange to make for the Alchemist's guild. Reaching the outside, he steps up to some stacked crates near the entrance and sets Luna down atop them. “It isn't.” He shifts his grip on the arming sword and presents it's hilt to the knightess, it's blade spattered with now-dried blood.

[Luna]

“It's exactly the same! Nary the strength to offer myself the shield I need to be to all of Eorzea!” she says, seemingly angry at herself. She finds herself placed upon boxes like a prized doll, an almost forgotten sensation. Her eyes glaze over and her head lilts to stare at the ground as she fights the long formed habits of youth. She snaps out of it long enough to take the blade back from Gair with a meek “Thank you.”, stowing it in it's sheath.

[Tadashi]

Slipping into the Alchemist's Guild, Tod looks over at his companions before quickly talking with the merchants about wares. Walking back to the group, he sizes up the wounds on the Miqo'te. “You look familiar, but I can't quite place it. Are you all right? Anything I can do to help?”

[Luna]

Luna looks at Tad, her gaze forlorn and distant. She manages to shake the malaise for a moment, speaking meekly. “Sir Tod, it is I Luna. It's… a long story.” she says, spent of the motivation to expound further.

[Tadashi]

“Then you can tell it another time. Rest up, you have earned it.”

[Gair]

Gair looks between Tad and Luna both, figuring it was fine to leave her in his company for the moment as he slipped into the alchemist's guild. After a couple minutes he emerges with a handful of potions that he sets out on the box. Finishing the thought from before with, “If it were the same, you wouldn't have had three mean fuckers ready'ta fight on your behalf.”

[Luna]

The woman seems as if she wants to object, but she can not. She looks down at her legs dangling off the crate. “I suppose it is an improvement of some measure, then. But I can not expect to have such aid waiting around the corner.” she says, frustrated and angry at herself. “Were I not changed, those men would have been barely a worry much less… what they almost managed…” she says, her tone darker as she finishes speaking.

[Gair]

“To fuck you bloody.” Gair finishes that sentence with all the subtlety of a magitek gunhammer. His left hand cradling idly on the stock of his sheathed weapon. “I know what it's like to be hung up on your own weakness.” He indicates the top of Luna's head, a pair of snow white Miqo'te ears. “But I was taught that in times of need you must rely on the tribe, even the mightiest Nunh must lean on their wives.”

[Luna]

Luna visibly winces as Gair speaks plain. She looks at him for a moment before returning to her own lap. “To be brought up in a tribe as such, it must have been very… Pleasant.” she says, almost bitterly. “Do you know who I had to turn to at the temple? From eight winters to only a few cycles prior, I had no one to confide in or reach out to. And worse, those around me… Well, I need not remind you of how they treated me, a young girl bereft of home and heart.”

[Gair]

Gair conceeds a nod to Luna and admits outright. “I was luckier than most, but it did come at a price.” He exhales a sigh, his gaze falling on Tad briefly. His hand slipping into a small beltpouch for what looks to be some sort of fresh cigar. “Ishgard wasn't exactly a nice place for folk with round ears and a plain name.”

[Tadashi]

Tad shakes his head. “Apparently you and I are more similar then I thought. At least you have the temple for some support. With my parents dead or gone I haven't had anyone. Certainly hasn't helped my mental state. Stuck with a sword and wild animals, I developed some… issues.” Tilting his head at Gair he continues, “You at least have us? I assume so at least.”

[Luna]

“Sounds incredibly similar to any sort of 'upbringing' I myself endured.” she replies to Tad, shaking her head solemnly. “Were the temple any kind of 'support', I would have had a much better time of it. It wasn't until Ser Aymeric took over that any real support has come from the temple and the See.” She sighs before admitting, “I am grateful for the support of Gair and his company…”

[Gair]

```”You've my sword. In spite of how I feel about the See and structures like it.“ Gair flashes a rueful grin toward Luna. “Azeyma willing, her way does not allow for the moral rot that has taken hold and allowed Halone's clergy to take advantage of the most vulnerable.”```

[Luna]

The woman looks toward Gair, looking almost as if still a child hiding behind her eyes. “I… Thank you, Gair. Sometimes I don't think I could do this all alone. As much as I want to.” she says in a rare show of vulnerability. “I should tell the others much the same I suppose, shouldn't I?” she asks almost rhetorically. “That does include you Sir Tad, thank you.” she says toward the Lalafell. She puts a hand on the wounded area of her stomach as if trying to quell a dull pain. “It's been a long while since I've felt pain *there*…” she says of the specific spot.

[Gair]

“Perhaps those who fought to stay you another wound, at the least.” Gair crosses his arms over his chest and comes to lean against the wall, evidently knowing what tale would be spun as a result. A finger raised to his ear and he confers over linkshell to Luto. “If you want to check up on the cat and pick up your fugitive, we're at the alchemist's guild.”

[Luto]

Not long after hearing word a large cat daddy strolls in the alchemist guild with two of his guardsmen in tow “My apologies for the delay.” He says to the group. “I take it Gair and Tad was able to tend to any injuries you may of got?” Asking the white haired Miqo'te while also signaling the guardsmen to apprehend the fugitive.

[Gair]

Gair steps forward, extending both hands out to the guardsmen. “We got her some potions to unmake any wounds suffered, meet Luna, by the by.” He jabs his chin over to the white haired Miqo'te. A breath later he addresses the pair of guardsmen. “You'll want your man who maimed those two sods, lets get it over with.”

[Luto]

Both guardsmen hesitate seeing Gair an stop to get approval from there boss as he nods as they begin to escort Gair, in passing Luto whispers to Gair “Ive got most of the situation under control, this little bit is for show an everything is being handled on our end.” Clearing his throat “take this trouble maker to the company holding cell for further questioning.” He barks out.

[Luna]

Luna's eyes practically reach out in Gair's direction, a bit uneasy watching him be taken away. “But it's my fault…” she says weakly as she watches. “It's true, Sir Lutomis. It is truly I, Luna. I… it's a long story…” she says, giving up the explanation yet again. She begins to look at the potions, trying to identify which one to use on her wound for now.

[Gair]

Gair snorts at the idea of being given kid gloves by Lutomis. “A city gaol will do me well, Luto. I'll survive a week behind bars.” At Luna's melancholy, Gair casts his gaze on her and says. “Like you hamstrung a man and stabbed another, the fault is mine. I will accept my lot, Azeyma demands no less.”

[Luna]

The woman looks on the scene as she picks up a bottle of salve from the collection. “But it's because of me! If I hadn't been so easily taken advantage of, you wouldn't have to!” she pleads in frustration, beginning to lift her cloth where the wound was. Nasty and brutal looking, a large gouge mark that never healed and was now bruised.

[Tadashi]

Sighing, Tad withdraws a tincture and dabs it on the bruise. “We all played our part Ms. Luna. All of us stepped in, some just a little more aggressively then others.” Corking the vial he stows it, gazing towards his companions, wondering if he was going to be sentenced too.

[Luna]

Luna physically recoils from Tad's touch, well-meaning though it is. She grimaces, catching herself just enough to only give out a soft pleading “Please, do not…”. She pours some of the salve she had previously picked up onto a small cloth with the bottles, rubbing it over the bruise idly. Her expression had become one of sheer disdain and disgust, as if even just medicating the old wound made her revisit it entirely. “I appreciate your help immensely, Sir Tad. I apologize, I am… just very particular about being touched.” she explains, almost ashamed.

[Gair]

“Yeah, yeah, go ahead and blame yourself: the victim.” Gair waves his hand dismissively, rather aggressively taking the manacles himself from Lutomis's men and shackling himself. “Cunt.” He utters as he pre-emptively ushers himself off to the gaol.

[Luna]

The crestfallen knight looks towards Aard as he speaks, her face exposing her feeling of betrayal even if temporary. She looks back down at her gut, working the salve in further. She has no response to her companion, lost in her own mind once more.

[Gair]

The sight of Luna's crestfallen state only seems to anger Gair further as he's being taken to a literal gaol. He fights against the chains that he'd just taken on willingly, being slowly ushered away against his will now. “You better not mope while I'm locked up! I'LL KICK YOUR ASS WHEN I GET OUT!” The men escorting Gair look on concernedly as they begin to drag him around the corner. “YOU AND I ARE GOING TO TRAIN SO YOU CAN BLEED PIGS LIKE THAT DRY!”

The voice grows evermore distant as he continues to babble a mixture of encouragement and insults boiled into one.

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