((Logged 3/9/01, by Dirah))
Tifa leans against one of the many walls in A-block, her hand fidgeting with the bracer on her arm while thoughts silently race through her mind. Under any normal circumstances, Tifa Marabat would never do this. Lean against a wall in the middle of the filthy Kislev streets to think. Then again, Tifa no longer exists...doesen't she? There's only Prince Fatima...every time she looks into a mirror she expects to see her face...but no...only his shows up...
Daniel leans against a wall next to Tifa. A look of boredom is spread across his face as he taps his staff on the ground. He his obviously eager to get started with this. From time to time his eyes will scan the area and return disapointedly to the ground. He's already seen this and he wants to get out of here. His expressions scream 'can we go yet?' but he would never utter such childish words. Instead he impatiently taps his meat staff on the street below his feet.
Ah, and for all the deep worries and pestering anxiousnesses that flutter about, Dirah... Is not really home to any of them. And she walks down that street with such a pride in her steps- something she'll certainly have to remove if to ever be -any- use in this whole ordeal- and yet.. Can she be blamed? Ah, here lie the hopes and dreams of fame. Hidden under a particularly poor choice in hair and eye hue, and a tan which does not quite well suit you. Well. Sacrifices for all, one supposes. And leave the deep and meaningful worries to others. As, apparently.. That concept is rather foreign to the woman, as she brushes her bangs so distractedly from before her face. And she notes the two just standing there- and grants but a mild smile, distant as it is and bound to other thoughts. And she stops, without word of greeting yet.
Tifa sighs, and looks up. "....Dirah," she says, getting off of the wall. She thinks offhand, for a moment, "...word from the palace...we're going to be heading to Aveh soon," she says, crossing her arms. "...there's going to be a tournament there, and this is going to be our first real test. I just wanted to let you know, in case you didn't get the orders yet," she says mildly. Dirah's first impression on her was more or less irresponsibility and vanity. She's not going to doubt from this that Dirah didn't bother to even go to the capitol to get the orders, much less do that while she was there.
Daniel is unmoved by the sudden movment of his commrads. The only thought that is apparent is that he wants to know when they are leaveing. This tournament has great promise for being entertaining. He isn't concerned with the fact that the people he will be fighting will most likely be men who are much older than him. Instead he seems ready to take them on despite any adcantage they might have. "By the way... what is our mission at the tournament? I haven't really heard much about it." He figure he should know what he is suppose to do once they get to Aveh. This whole project was rusher rather quickly and he was added at the last minute. Compared to he others he is almost lost on what is going on. Although you would never be able to guess by the way he casually tapps his staff.
Slowed down by the burden of being treated as a pack animal in the group, Cerencia catches up at last with faint distaste glimmering in her eyes. The heavy bags of Dirah's shopping drag at her arms. "I do apologize for the delay, Young Master," she mutters. The look she has is directed at Dirah in this, even though the routine servitude might also grate on her. In some small corner of her soul, mildly noted in whim. "Are we ready to leave? I believe I have packed everything, although I might have missed things at the last minute..." Again the faint look at Dirah.
What a group to be faced to. And, well, given a choice between utter formality and the rather strange child... Dirah turns those brilliant eyes towards Daniel first, narrowing her eyes in something of a judgement, "You're.. coming along, too?" So she was unaware of most of it- was it really her concern? She was aware that she was being given a crew. Let that be enough. Entirely. She responds to such with only a mild noise of disapproval- why bother justifying that with an answer? My, they only had one very simple act to do, and it was thus easy enough to -guess-..., "Afternoon.... Young Master." And is there amusement in using that title? Ah, no matter, "And as a matter of fact, I was -just- about to go inquire to my orders. But if that's that... Then..." A vague gesture. Amazing, isn't it, how dealing with other things will allow the other, more important issues to settle -themselves-? Of course, its a pain for Tifa to have to sort out orders for more than herself, and of course she's taking advantage of Cerencia's time.. But does that cast even the mildest touch of guilt to Dirah's face? Not in the -slightest-. She merely smiles, a thin and delicate expression, "Wonderful. Well, -I'm- fully prepared..." And with all the last minute frets in, too, apparently, as she turns that sort of mild and humoring smile to Cerencia, as if nothing at all were in annoyance right now.
Tifa sweatdrops, "There's....no need to call me that yet, please," she looks at the luggage Cerencia packs, "...Dirah...is that your doing?" so much money..., "You know...just because we're on the Nortune budget doesen't mean we should go crazy with their money!" she sighs. "...Well, either way, two of us are to enter the tournament there. Our counterparts are there, and we're going to confuse them, while some of our members searches their Yggdrasil for anything useful. There may be some truly beneficial information, and the confusion of the tournament will leave it nearly empty..."
Daniel swiftly pushes himself from the wall as if he were to say somthing towards her. He thinks better of it and instead produces a scoffing directed at Dirah. His eyes then fall upon the mountain of lugage that she requires. "What the heck is that?" In the process of saying this he shifts the wieght of his bog on his shoulders. The bag which contains all that he needs. "We're only going to Aveh, its not like we are departing for another planet." Shakeing his head in ammusement of her vanity, Daniel reclaims his place on the wall and starts to tap his staff again.
Cerencia struggles with the luggage and finally sets the bags in her hands down. The smudge of Nortune's continual soot already stains a few of the sides where she couldn't help but brush up against the alley walls--what? She'd be the one to clean them off later. "They were what Dirah felt she required," Ceren replies, her voice only faintly cutting. "I believe we might have to rent an extra room in Bledavik to store all these things... not that I trust the Aveh to not break into our rooms while we're away."
Dirah merely chuckles lightly, as if this were all some sort of joke. Oh, doubt her sense of rational, shall you? Dirah merely dismisses it with a casual wave of a hand, "Of course! I had to make a few extra trips for the sake of being -sure- I had everything I need. Who knows how expencive things will be in Aveh, after all?" And a pause, to let that utterly grating smile settle further, "After all, its -important- to be prepared." As if the rest of them weren't? And as if that were an excuse at -all-? Apparently.. It is. And she puts her hands on her hips, originally just a poise to stand... Although it quickly degrades into something almost lecturing, as she turns her glance critically to Daniel. And lets her smile twist itself a bit bitter for a short moment.. Before turning her attention to the more wo-... Well, towards those comparatively worthy of her attentions, "At least -someone- is planning ahead. Well! No matter. So we just have to put up a scene enough to interest our so-called counterparts? Charming. Sounds simple enough."
Tifa nods slowly, "Of course," she says. "While we confuse them...we loot their ship of whatever may be needed," her hand starts fidgeting with the bracer again. "Although I have -no- idea how we'll store that mountain of luggage, it'll only hinder us!" she sighs. "Hopefully this will go well. It's our first chance to prove ourselves, and we must make the best first impression we can!" more than she can say for Dirah. "Though the question lies on who wants to enter. I don't feel I can trust you to do this right, though, Dirah...so I want you to recieve and organize the information we get from the spies after the tournament," she's rather blunt, isn't she? "Cerencia, Daniel? Do either of you wish to enter, then?"
Daniel is soo~o tmepted to beat Dirah with his staff and he doesn't try to keep this feeling a secret. Jumping away from the wall he clenches his staff in his hand ever so prepared to smack it across her face. He mutters something under his breath that sounds very much like 'witch' and he takes a deep sigh to calm himself. There are other things to worry about now. He'll get a chance to fix her if she doesn't leave him alone. "I can enter the tournament. That is unless Cerencia really wants to." Daniel realizes that he will be going up against grown men maore than twice his size yet oddly he doesn't seem to care. There is still a confident look inhis eye like he knows he can defeat them all.
Cerencia examines Daniel's response with the practicality that has won her... another chance to be a maid. "I'll go with Dirah," she replies. Since that was the best way, apparently, to keep everyone from killing one another... "And I'll find a decent hotel in Dazil to rendezvous at on our way back. We can store the luggage there and meet if anyone has to leave Bledavik too quickly. In the worst case, we can retreat behind lines at Lahan... is that all right with you, Young Master?" she adds, suddenly meek again.
"I'm sure you'll find a place for them all." And -that- is her responce to all of this concern? Dirah has just given them a tactical issue to deal with, and -that- is her responce? And one must wonder just how many vanity supplies are in there, in comparison to things that are vaguely useful. And does that matter? Not at all. And she frowns a little to Tifa, raising her head a bit in protest, as she gives a mutter of, "I'm more than capable of doing so... But, I'd rather not.. Dirty myself in such an issue. Fine. I can deal with gathered intelligence infor-..." And she stumbles back in utter surprise at Daniel's little leap- her eyes wide and surprised for that moment, before, barely before she catches her balance, they settle into a -glare-, "Why you disrespectful little....!" Is that almost a snarl? No, no, she has -control-. She is above such displays of anger as she straightens her poise, dusts herself lightly off.. And keeps that narrowed, judging glance upon the child, "I do hope you will... -Realize-..." And how her voice as taken iron in it now, "That I am your superior. I wouldn't suggest diong that again." Ah, yes, sometimes one's foot must be put down, sharply and simply. For she was put on this crew for a reason, was she not? It was utterly obvious, at that. Being the only.. Natural leader upon the ship, how could she not? Right. So the child must learn, in the complexities of rank, how.. Not to annoy his superiors. And let him learn it -now-, in the quiet familiarity of Kislev. And don't you care so much of what she thinks about the topic?
Tifa nods at Daniel, "Though you'll look fairly average to the people of Aveh...and we need someone who looks like a person who's collaborated with the Yggdrasil crew before. Daniel...is there any way we can accomplish this, without attempting to have you pass for your code-name? Because it wouldn't work, if you asked me....," she looks at Dirah. "We're supposed to be cooperating, and if anything goes wrong, the both of you do retreat into the Lahan province, your Kislev IDs should allow passage."
Daniel looks at Dirah with a smirk and promptly spits at the ground in at her feet. No friction here is there? Daniel quickly turns towards Tifa before Dirah has any time to say anything. Not like she would do something that would give him room to respond. Now with his attention on the task at hand his emotions are more under control. "What about this guynamed Fei? I heard he was cooperateing with the Yggdrasil." It may seem odd he knows this but it is true that he hears a lot of stuff. The training officers didn't exactaly cencer themselves around him. "If you could get me a picture of him I might be able to mimic him. It is one of the few things I can actually control with my ether." Control is a little exagerated but he'll be okay. Plus it sounds better than 'I can kinda control it'.
Cerencia firms her jaw, although if she has a protest it was as good as nothing. She gives a miniscule shrugs as she recieves her orders. Hesitant to pick up the bags again, Ceren only stands down on the various forms of unease in the group with a firm, "The enemy is -outside-." She adjusts the weight of the packs upon her back, and if dark thoughts continue to wander about the variety of the accessories that Dirah packed--well, they can go unsaid too. "Our tickets for the ferry are in five hours," she reminds gently.
"Intelligence can forward us a picture of Fei from the Battling data, remember? That should give you all the information you need, Daniel. You might have to run to make the request though." There. That's all the eldest of the group really has to say for now.
Dirah merely nods, short and simply. But, well, if nothing else.. At least one should be grateful that she's listening. And that, for all her millions of irritating words, she's following orders in theory. And she -narrows- her eyes on Daniel before snapping her gaze away, turning her nose up and granting some sort of hollow smile, as if that would better her situation. And somehow, in some blue moon and impossible manner, justify her words of, "I couldn't agree more. We absolutely -must- cooperate. Such.. Childish refusal to listen really has no place in it." Darling, isn't it, how even her flaws are.. Someone else's? Always. And she smiles, and seems to at least have that little burst out of her system- dropping to a more normal stance, she merely contently ignores Daniel as she nods to Cerencia and Tifa, "Sound enough. And five hours? That gives us plenty of time..." To go and pick up more necessities? Please, goodness, no. At least she doesn't finish that sentence.
Tifa sighs, "Well, Fei sounds fine to me. It will be perfect, then. Me and Daniel will fight in the arena, and you two will harvest what our spies have acquired in their Yggdrasil. I do hope this is a success. Just in case though...i'm going to wear a cloak," she looks down at her torse. "I...don't like this shirt at all," she blushes a bit and coughs. "Well, nonetheless, we have what's to be done down now, right?"
Daniel has to resist the urge to laugh at Dirah's vanity again. How much more stuff could she need. She already has a mountain of supplies and no matter how much she hopes they aren't going to make her any prettier. Still, she'll look batter than the real Sigurd. Daniel just shakes his head and tries not to think about it. There will be pleanty of time for that later. "It sounds good to me. I'll go get the request as soon as we are done here." Daniel can't help but wonder what will come of this. Not the mission but his exploration of a new land. A unusual expression crosses his face as he day dreams about the worlds he hopes to encounter.
Cerencia nods and picks up the bags again at last. Ever the servant... It was her job, and who was she to complain? "Then it looks like we're finished. I'll go with Dirah and meet you both at the ferry for the trip?" She steels her shoulders against the protest of sore muscles. "I have everyone's tickets. So don't get lost."
Dirah smiles.. So oddly at Tifa to that comment, in that sort of expression that -entirely- reads in that sort of belittling sympathy. Oh, you poor thing, "Perhaps that.. Would be best, Tifa." And while that is so kindly noted.. It still isn't the sweetest line to be heard. Oh, you poor thing, so deprived by life to not look good in such an outfit. Well, at least you can hide behind cloaks, hm? And well, as thoughts settle on that, she nods, more formal now, as she turns to take the few steps towards Cerencia, nodding vaguely to all, and only glossing over a glance at Daniel, "Sounds like everything is settled out then. So. Everyone meet at the ferry- and -do- be prompt." Ah, it just wouldn't be right if she didn't make it sound like her idea in the end. And she does it with a smile. "I shall see you all then, then.. And luck to Kislev that this extrordinary plan work."