[Log] Happy Hour
Who: Agrias Oaks, Christoph Schmidt, Cloud Strife, Tifa Lockhart
Where: The Safe Haven Bar
When: 12 May 2008
What: The Safe Haven gets a few visitors while Tifa's on duty - some of them familiar, some of them not. With a TSAB representative on hand, Agrias Oaks explains the dilemna of the Zodiac Stones and why it's so important to put a stop to them. Cloud half-remembers his time in Ivalice and volunteers to help; Tifa, not to leave Cloud to his fate, also volunteers.
Watch For: Tifa manages to embarrass Cloud. Christoph knows how to appreciate a fine brew.
Safe Haven
"Safe Haven" is bar owned and operated by Tifa Lockhart. As you enter, you notice a fairly simplified atmosphere as you enter the baige room with iron furnature with dark cavas upholstry that is amazingly very comfortable. Each table has a menu for various dishes that can be ordered: ranging from Noodles to Steak. The baige walls have various pictures hanging from them to keep the place looking interesting. The most interesting piece on the wall is a iron sign that despite being distressed clearly reads: "Nibelheim: 34 miles". At the far corner of the establishment is a full stocked bar with various drinks from around the multiverse.
Contents:
Christoph Schmidt
Cloud Strife
Tifa Lockhart
The bar was moderately busy tonight. Combined with the light music that was playing in the background, Safe Haven had a very lively atmosphere at the moment. People from various departmnts were just here to unwind and pass the time between shifts. This gave Tifa alot to do.
The bar maid was quickly filling orders, sliding drinks to those at the bar and passing off others to unnamed wait staff. She watched the area with smile on her face, thinking about how well this was turning out. Pretty soon she'd have some live music and this place would be set. Not to mention people might flock over to Seventh Heaven on other days. She cracks her knuckles and starts another order.
As for Cloud, he was given a delivery to an establishment across the street from IPA Headquarters. It was from a neighbor in Edge, whose daughter made handmade dolls to raise pocket change. Word must have spread outside the Gate and reached some sympathetic ear, because the woman who lived in the apartment complex in the Hub was very particular about ordering a special doll for -her- daughter, made especially from this girl in Edge, and had paid her handsomely for it.
She was going to a school in another plane next year, so wanted a letter hand delivered to her benefactor in the Hub.
Cloud neglected to mention that he was doing the delivery for free. Besides, it was an excuse to head into the IPA Headquarters, intending on finding out where Tifa worked.
And probably ask her when she started up with the IPA. He'd been absent too much, apparently. So it may come as a slight surprise to find him there, when he approaches the bar, glancing around. "...Nice digs." Cloud approves of the new place, though he's a little biased towards the Seventh Heaven. Something about seeing a place built through the efforts of your own hands and your friends made a place more important in one's mind. Then he turns to look at Tifa, smiles at her (briefly, not unusual), with a lift of his hand to wave. "Hi."
Not everybody had strict duties to attend to, tonight. One of the customers just arriving, some distance and time behind the courier, is another of the Agency's own. She may not always be seen, but Agrias Oaks nonetheless commands a certain measure of respect.
That's not bad at all, considering she's a heretic and exile as far as most Ivalician are concerned.
Agrias is wearing more casual clothing, today. She almost looks like she could fit in with the modern world, dressed in a crisp white blouse and beige slacks, except for the sword buckled at her waist and the dusty, combat-like boots. The blade is a plain, battered longsword, looking to have served many years of use. In her right hand she carries a cane, which marks her approach with a sharp 'click' against the floor at every other step.
Golden eyes flick sidelong to study the place, getting a feel for her environs. It may be part of the Hub, still, but crowded places were never her favourite venues. Still, Agrias makes her way up to the counter, settling near a corner, relatively out of the way. She unbuckles her sword belt, leaning that against the counter in front of her, situated between her boots where she can reach it easily. Her cane she leans against a thigh.
And she simply waits, until such a time as the waitstaff isn't swarmed with requests. It's about then that she notices Cloud. "Ah." This, mostly quiet and to herself. A neutral and tired-looking smile reserved for him, if he should happen to look over; but she isn't outspoken enough to call him over while he's saying hello to Tifa. Not just yet, anyway, but she watches him with the air of someone who has something on their mind.
Tifa looks up as she slids another drink across the bar, stopping as she sees him enter. She can't help but smile at Cloud's awkward little enterance...it was definately the guy she grew up with. "Cloud!"
The girl exits the bar and quickly approaches, tossing her towel over her shoulder. "I didn't expect to see you here. Everything okay?" She tilts her head, wondering what could bring Cloud over. Maybe he just wanted to see her...Probably not. She was sure it was business as usual.
As Agrias enters, Tifa turns her head, smiling. "Welcome! I'll be with you in a minute!"
She turns back to Cloud. "Why don't you have a seat at the bar Cloud?" She gestures to one of the open seats, while nudging him lightly with her other hand.
It's bigger than he thought it'd be! Even if he did spend an awful lot of time playing it cool and acting like a tough SOLDIER too jaded by Midgar to be impressed, he's over it, and can't deny his origins. Once a small town boy, always a small town boy, and even with explosure to the Hub and everything it has to offer, he's still prone to quietly gawk at things now and then. This place even has enough room for a proper waitstaff!
"Just fine," replies the blond courier, "I was in the area for a job," he gestures subtly at the bar, "I thought I'd drop by and see how you're-um, you know. How the new place is working out, and all." A reappraisal of the surroundings takes place then, as he folds his arms. "It looks great."
Mondays are usually pretty quiet, even at restaurants. Looks like this place is getting pretty popular. Cloud nods to the martial artist/bartender, and goes about seeking a seat. This is when he notices Agrias. "...Oh, hey. Didn't expect to see you here." He tilts his head to indicate the bar stool nearby. "Mind if I sit here?"
Tucked quietly in her corner-spot, the Holy Knight only nods in repsonse to Tifa's statement. That's fine. Clearly, the place is busy, and it would be unreasonable to demand attention right away. Besides, there's a certain comforting anonymity to being one of the crowd.
Agrias tilts her head, watching the room from the corner of an eye as she reaches up to brush her hair from her face. No small wonder why she keeps it so tightly bound. It's fine and dense, and would likely be one hell of a liability in combat.
"Hello." Her greeting to the courier is cool, though not entirely emotionless. She's a person of subtleties. "Aye, not at all. Sit where you like. I've only just arrived." Her voice is naturally soft-spoken, and vaguely accented by... something. It almost sounds like a faint hint of Scottish.
Tifa smiles as she watches Cloud take in the surroundings. It was nice he approved of it. She would've been worried if he didn't...It would be worse if he had no opinion either way though. Not that that happens anymore. She can't help but smile alittle more at Cloud's awe of the place. "Always working hard." She nudges him again, grinning. "Yeah it's nice huh? I still love the Seventh Heaven more but I'm alittle biased there."
Tifa heads back behind the bar, removing the towel from her shoulder as she collects tips and empty glasses left by patrons leaving the bar. She does this as she looks over to Agrias. "Sorry about that. What can I get you?" She smiles as she wipes off the counter and gestures to another seat at the bar.
Cloud couldn't be more in agreement; the Seventh Heaven sprang up like the rest of Edge, a glimmer of hope rising from the ashes of the ruined metropolis of Midgar. Sure, they couldn't really use the highways around it, because they were crumbling, and dangerous, and for the most part used by the WRO when they'd make scavenging excursions to Midgar for more scrap, but it was their town, the bar was the product of Tifa's dreams and hard work. It's kind of like how Cloud has a special affection for his bike, modified and saved up for over time.
"Oh, Tifa. This is Agrias, the two of you might've met already." Cloud turns to Agrias, "Tifa and I grew up in the same town, we've been friends since we were kids." ...Small multiverse, huh? And how does he know Agrias? Well, uhhhh... "You know, I still haven't figured out how that all happened."
There's a faint tic of a smile given towards the bartender, but the knight maintains her silence until she's addressed directly. "No matter," she says, shaking her head faintly. "'Tis quite busy. I would not wish to keep you from your tasks."
Archaic speech. Hmm.
She glances towards Cloud, and then on to Tifa. It's a little like being stared at by a raptor, with those eyes and that quiet regard.
"Aye. Captain Agrias Oaks, of the Vangaurd Detachment." She inclines her head towards Tifa, in lieu of a more formal bow. There's not enough room to do so. "A pleasure, my lady."
Golden eyes turn towards Cloud again. "'That all?' Well, I hardly know the specifics, lad." She gives a sardonic chuckle. "Something about Mustadio and one of his thrice-cursed machines. I was not there when you were initially brought to Ivalice, but I believe it had to do with another of the machines he had created." She shakes her head. "I fear you would be better served asking him. His name is Mustadio Bunanza, but I do not know where he stays, of late."
"I do remember that you were a worthwhile ally." Her head dips towards Cloud in another of those abbrieviated, respectful gestures. She reaches up to clear her hair from her face, glancing back up towards Tifa, with a small smile. "You are lucky to know him, my lady. If I may be so bold, Ser Strife is nothing if not brave. His aid was invaluable to Ser Beoulve, and those of us remaining."
She pauses, then, glancing towards Cloud. "Do you... remember any of it? Ivalice? I know it has been some years, ser."
The door opens now, and Christoph Schmidt pokes his head in, looks around. Apparently what he sees meets his expectations, as he nods slightly and enters, letting the door swing shut behind him. He is dressed much as always-in his brown TSAB uniform. He does have his sword on his hip, instead of tucked away as a pocketwatch. Likely he's just come in off patrol.
Looks as though the crowd is still a bit thin today. Monday evening, not a heavy-drinking night for the most part, right? He quickly spots a familiar face, however, and strolls toward the corner as well. "Guten Abend, Captain Oaks," he greets Agrias, and then nods to the other two. Neither of them are familiar to him. "I have...not come at a bad time, nein?"
Tifa listens to the others talk, smiling. "So you ended up somewhere you don't remember going to." She tries not to laugh at the thought of Cloud hopelessly lost. She looks over at Agrias, alittle unnerved by the stare. She wasn't particularly frightening just intimidating. She coughs, composing herself. "Yeah. I am pretty lucky. Cloud has always been there for me. Just like he promised he would be." She slides a drink to Cloud without being asked. "There you go Cloud."
"Welcome! Have a seat anywhere you like!" Tifa calls over to Chrisoph as he enters.
This requires some background, for Tifa's sake. Cloud rests his chin in a fist, elbow against the edge of the bar. A gloved hand lies open, motioning to Agrias. "I'm not really sure about the timing, or exactly -when- it happened, but my guess is ... probably around the time I wound up in Mideel. Remember?" Tifa had stayed with him, even though at the time he was little more than a blankly-staring, occasionally mumbling guy in a vegetative state.
He glances away, feeling... especially awkward. "'This is going to sound crazy' doesn't really hold a candle to some of the stuff we've seen. It's not just going somewhere else, I went to another world. Agrias'. It's some place called Ivalice."
Cloud shakes his head. He doesn't get it much, himself, and is painfully aware that this sounds really -weird-. "I thought it was a dream, until I ran into Agrias recently and we both recognized each other. I don't know how it really works, but I guess this Mustadio guy is a good place to start."
To answer Agrias' question, however, he spends a moment thinking hard on it. Ultimately, he shrugs. "Little fragments, here and there. I was a pain in the ass."
As Christoph approaches to greet Agrias, and in turn is greeted by Tifa, Cloud promptly ends the explanation, taking the drink with a ready, "Thanks." .....H-how'd she know what he wanted?! (Man, he's that predictable?)
It isn't until she seems to notice Tifa's discomfort that Agrias looks down to the counter. Such a creepy stare was a perfectly handy thing to have, while guarding royalty. Most people would back off before they ever became a problem.
Here, though... she has to remember not to stare. Fortuantely, she's not one to maintain eye contact very much, and not unless addressed directly. Usually...
"Aye. The Kingdom of Ivalice." Agrias drums her fingers on the countertop, faintly. Her knuckles are scarred, and her hands somewhat callused, as one who would wield a blade. "That was my home, and that is where Ser Strife arrived."
A pain in the ass? Agrias blinks once or twice, owlishly, and the gesture seems almost comical with those eyes.
"Ah," she says, simply, articulately summing up her thoughts on the matter. Or not. "Well, as I recall, you had problems with headaches... but you discredit yourself, ser. You were most certainly capable in a fight," she points out. "And to stay with us, through the horrors we were forced to confront..."
Agrias finds herself repressing a shudder. And now, to know the Lucavi are out and about in the multiverse, again seeking to raise the High Seraph? Definitely a chilling thought.
"At any rate, your aid was not to be scoffed at. You could have been captured and killed by the Inquisition at any time merely for associating with us. Or, more likely, to betray our whereabouts," she muses. "Surely that must have required some measure of courage." Something seems to go flat in those golden eyes. "Aye, I've some knowledge of what they'll do to a man for information."
She looks away, then, at the sound of her name. Again. "Ah. Staff Sergeant Schmidt," she replies, raising her head a bit in greeting. "Good to see you. No, come in. I merely came to see if this tavern compared to some of Lesalia's finest," she adds, dryly. "Sufficed to say, I much prefer these environs."
Her eyes turn back towards Tifa, her regard almost inquisitive, in a low-key sort of way. "So you were childhood friends. I see." Something flickers across her features, almost a smile. "That is indeed touching, my lady. You are fortunate."
"Then, if I may...." Christoph nods again to Tifa and Cloud in turn. "Staff Sergeant Christoph Schmidt, TSAB Ground Forces. IPA SWAT." And he offers a salute to all three, even though he's off duty now, and one of them isn't even with the IPA. But you go with what's familiar, and comfortable.
That done, he takes a seat at the next table over, although he does turn the chair toward the others; this way, depending on the reaction of the lot of them, he can either join the conversation, if such is permissible, or turn back and enjoy a beer in nearby solitude. Or something like that. "Should spar again sometime, Captain. Very refreshing to have a new opponent to practice against."
He picks up a drink menu, glances through it cursorily. "Am glad to see a new establishment to open up here too." He frowns a moment, and then looks to Tifa. "Ah, you are the owner, recht? Er, right?" All this time, he is listening discreetly to the ongoing conversation.
Tifa listens to the story while cleaning glasses and placing them back. "Yeah. I remember..." She says sadly, recalling how he looked back then. She almost thought he was gone back then but she never gave up either. She finishes and leans against the bar. "Well from what I'm told, the Gates were open for quite awhile, Cloud. It's possible thats how you ended up there." And yes, Cloud. You are that predictable to her.
Tifa looks back to Agrias as she continues the story, nodding her head. "So Cloud helped you out too? He always did help anyone he could. Even if he puts on that tough guy front, he's really a sweet guy. Just look at that innocent look on his face." She looks back at Cloud with a sly grin.
Tifa looks up to Christoph, smiling. "Tifa Lockhart! It's nice to meet you. Yeah I'm the owner. Whats up?"
"...Cloud Strife. I, uh, I don't work here." He's not with the IPA.
Cloud glances at Agrias as he brings his drink up to his mouth. What she has to say gives him reason to hold off on drinking just yet, and he puts it back down. "I don't remember. Not yet, anyway." And that's that, for now; while Cloud's pretty sure it's not a case of 'I don't want to remember' and more a case of 'Things were pretty muddled around then', they have company, and he couldn't help but overhear the man's introduction. He inquires, however, with Agrias, since Tifa is being the usual excellent hostess.
"...What's the TSAB? Is that a division of the IPA?" He can understand SWAT. Heck, Special Weapons and Tactics was, when he heard about it, kind of an eclectic mix of Turks and SOLDIER to him, but it made sense to have something like that. TSAB though, that's new.
Now though, he finally swallows some of his drink. If only to pretend to have something to do while he's being thoroughly embarassed. "H-hey..." Stop that!
"Aye, 'tis good to spar again, but I fear my bones are not accustomed to taking such a beating, Staff Sergeant." Agrias' smile is wry, though there's a note of genuine respect there. There aren't that many who can cross blades with her and literally keep her running like that. "You should ask Dame Tengille some time."
"The Time-Space Administration Bureau," the Holy Knight explains, golden eyes turning towards Cloud's mako-blue. "They are not a division of the Agency, but they do work with the Agency. In fact, we are currently investigating a case related to Ivalice. It seems the Zodiac Stones have been lost," she adds, with some measure of disgust. "If we do not recover and quarantine them quickly..."
She shakes her head, and perhaps for the sake of Cloud's dignity, ignores Tifa's candid words. "Some of the Bureau's number also work directly for the Agency, as well. At one time a few were even employed with the Vanguard Detachment, as well."
Agrias glances back towards Tifa. "Hmmm." Her lips thin. "Whiskey, if you please, my lady. Wine, you've none," she adds, with a smile almost apologetic. Her attention turns back towards Cloud. "I see. Well, perhaps you will in time, perhaps not. I suppose it matters little, all told." She shakes her head.
She twists to better see Cloud and company, shifting her cane until she has it laid across her lap. "What of you? I trust things have been going well enough for you, of late? You look well."
A short, somewhat flat smile at the barkeep. Christoph is still not so good at casually polite ones. "Merely wished to come in and see the new bar. So far, a good feel to it. What kind of beer do you have?" Of course, the atmosphere may be great, but that's the important thing! His eye briefly darts back toward the drink menu; the brands there he largely doesn't recognize, aside from the more common brews around the Gate.
He looks over at Cloud, blinking a moment. Ah well, civilians surely are allowed in here.... "Hmm? Ach ja. Time-Space Administration Bureau. Member organization of IPA. We are...think the common term is technological mage. Home world is called Midchilda, though there are other dimensions within our own plane." He follows up on Agrias' explanation and expands a little on it. As might be surmised by the name of his group-they've already got much experience with parallel universes, pocket spaces, and such. "Hope to assist in containing the Stones, ja."
He shuffles through what he's heard so far, and then hazards, "You are...you have been to Ivalice, then?" With a quick glance toward Agrias. He breaks out into a real, if somewhat rueful smile then. "Apologies again, Captain. You gave much as well." He taps his chest lightly, where there would be a mean-looking bruise if not for healing magic. "I will ask Fräulein Tengille sometime, as you suggest. Am sure she will be a good opponent too."
He too overlooks the gentle ribbing from Tifa, directed at Cloud. Men must stand in solidarity, after all! ...yeah.
Tifa giggles at Cloud's reaction. "You're way too easy to tease. For someone who saved the world, you're so weak against the little jokes I play on you." She shakes her head, cleaning a glass. She tries not to laugh again, thinking she should back off just so she doesn't go too far.
"One whiskey coming right up!" Tifa quickly grabs the bottle and pours into a glass. "Here you go." She slides it toward Agrias, going back to clening glasses.
"We have alot of things on tap. What are you looking for?" She responds to Christoph, grabbing a mug from under the bar. "Personally, I'd go with the Chocolate Stout from the Mudane sector if you need a recommendation."
Fragments, Cloud had said. Bits and pieces of memories he'd spent years dismissing as just a weird dream he'd had. Maybe a few of those pieces will fit together enough to make sense of them, but right now, mention of the Zodiac stones gets a few to stick together. Enough that the former would-be SOLDIER widens his eyes at Agrias, incredulous. "That's bad. If you need any help..." Okay, so he might be proving Tifa a little right there. Which may be why he's quick to add, "It might help me remember, you know."
Looks well? "Heh. Yeah? Thanks. A lot happened." He scratches his head. "Recently, I ran into a few old friends. It's been pretty good." In other words, life's been pretty fantastic, except for that whole 'coming to grips with the fact that Sephiroth is alive and sane' thing, which has presented challenges unique compared to 'Zack and Aerith are alive'. And Tifa! The ribbing makes him duck his head to drink again.
To Christoph, Cloud turns his attention next. "Time-Space. I guess you probably deal with stuff like parallel worlds all the time, then. Sounds like you guys keep pretty busy."
"I try to give as good as I am given." Agrias chuckles quietly, waving off the Staff Sergeant's apology. "I would be a poor example of a Holy Knight, otherwise."
She nods, faintly. "We hope that you can help us with the Stones. We would not have requested your aid, otherwise. They are dangerous, and we are fortunate those that have manifested are not as powerful as those we had previously encountered."
"Thank you." There's a nod spared for Tifa, and she takes a quick, hesitant drink, bolting it back with a grimace. "I've never had a love of whiskey, but it's surer than any wine," she mutters, gagging a bit as she straightens. "Aye, I'll be sorry for that later."
...Oh, well!
"If you wish to offer your aid, then by all means, we will accept it." The stare Agrias turns on Cloud is grave, intense again like a raptor's unblinking regard. Even so, there's clear worry in her expression. It seems she's lost a lot of sleep over these stones. "We have not yet found the two that have manifested. I know their goals, but we know not where they have gone. I believe one of them was Sagittarius... I do not know the nature of its Lucavi."
She shakes her head, taking another drink, grimacing as she sets the shotglass down. "Another, if you would," she signals, to Tifa. The sooner she forgets about the auracite, the better.
"I see." This, to his later tale. "We all of us are busy," she chuckles, somewhat bitterly. "We have been extended aid by the Administration, for which we are grateful. Not only has the Church stolen these stones, but the Lucavi have manifested. I confess, I have little hope for those they have claimed as hosts." She takes another drink. "Killing them would be a mercy," she adds, with undue steel in her tone.
They're Glabados. Killing them, for her, will be a pleasure.
Oh, well then. Christoph nods slowly. "Have heard of such," he says. "Ein Glas Schokolad...one glass of chocolate stout, then. Danke sehr." He shifts on his seat, slides the drink menu back into its place. "Saved the world? Hmmm." Perhaps an exaggeration. Then again, around these parts, probably not. "Ah...do not say that so easily," he says, wryly echoing back what everyone seems intent on telling him on the same subject. "Zodiac Stones are very...dangerous."
He nods quietly. So far, he hasn't encountered any old friends, missing friends...his brother...beyond the Gates, like some have. Well, good for Cloud. "Hmm? Ja, we are. Was a natural step, joining the IPA, once we discovered the Gates. Extension of our duties."
Talk of the current crisis makes his mood more somber, not that it strayed particularly far from such a state. "Many troubles ahead. Trials, battles. Must attend to our duty, and finish it. Finish it well."
Tifa giggles at Cloud, turning to Agrias. "Whats so dangerous about them anyway?" She watches her take a sip of whiskey, nodding. "That's pretty strong stuff though. If you prefer wine, I can get you a glass. It's no problem at all."
The bartender listens to the conversation as she handles another order. So Cloud was getting involved with something dangerous again. Hmmm. She might need to involve herself if it means preventing someone else from going to the hospital. The drink is passed along before she stops back in front of Christoph. "One stout coming up." She grabs the mug she set out and places it under the tap, tilting it slightly to eliminate much of the unwanted head. "Yeah. I know what you mean. This organization offers alot of things to those in it. Even someone who works primarily in the Recreation Annex gets full coverage and use of many of the facilities. As for saving the world, that guy believe it or not did it twice. He wasn't alone for any of it. We didn't let him be alone anyway." She puts the drink in front of Christoph.
"Sagittarius," repeats Cloud, "Right, well," adds the courier with a laugh, "Hope you don't mind if I help, but not with finding out what's lurking inside." Needless to say, while he'll readily help out his friends - even those made during adventures he barely remembers - he has no interest in handling one of those things incorrectly and turning into some kind of demonic monstrocity. ...That... IS what a Lucavi is, right?
He'll leave that to Vincent Valentine, who turns into all manner of crazy things when the normally stolid and grim man manages to get really pissed off.
Zodiac Stones are dangerous. "You can say that again."
To Tifa, "I don't really remember, but Agrias can probably clear it up." Cloud puts his drink down, resting his head in a hand with his eyes closed. Obviously, he's trying to remember. "...Oh right. These... really powerful stones, but - wait," he sits up, looking at Agrias. "Was it if you used them at all, or just used them wrong that got people turned into- into..." Oh come on, he had the word just a moment ago! "...Lucavi?" There.
...Oh hey, that wasn't too bad.
Saving the world. "I was a pain in the ass," he says again, only this time to Tifa with a slightly wry smile. "Thanks to you guys, it turned out okay." He turned out okay. Life's pretty damned good these days. "Give yourself some credit, Tifa. ...I'll be heading back in a bit here."
The Holy Knight casts a speculative eye towards her shotglass, mouth twisted in an expression that might be unpleasant. Tifa's words bring her to glance up. What's so dangerous?
And she laughs. It's a surprisingly pretty and unguarded sound. Or, at least, it might be if it weren't tempered with a certain bitterness.
"Dangerous? With all due respect, lass, those Stones have the power to destroy Ivalice. All of it." She claps her hands together, sharply, to demonstrate. "They are as a cancer." And not the crab, either. "They are harmless crystals of auracite, or so it seems. But they are magicite, and they are highly dangerous."
"They originate from the Zodiac Brave story. Long ago, when the land of Ivalice was still fragmented into seven kingdoms, as they were before uniting under the banner of the Atkaschan line." She ticks them off on her fingers. "They were Fovoham, Lionel, Limberry, Lesalia, Gallionne, Zeltennia, and Mullonde. They warred for hundreds of years, with none able to conquer the others. Eventually, the young King of Mullonde summoned a demon, blinded by his dream of conquering his neighbouring kingdoms, and ruling it for himself."
She snorts. "Well, demons are not known for their sweet and obedient natures, aye? The demon slew the king, and then set out to destroy the very world itself."
"A hero set out on a quest to prevent this crisis. Together with his twelve disciples, he set out to collect the twelve Zodiac Stones that had been scattered throughout the world. Thus, the Zodiac Braves were reborn... they defeated the creature's minions, and banished the demon from whence it had come. For this, they became known as the saviours of our world."
"Ever since, the Zodiac Braves have appeared when the world balances on the knife edge of catastrophe, but they vanish as soon as the crisis is averted." She shakes her head. "It's a well-known legend, but just that: A legend."
Agrias drums her fingers on the countertop, restless for a moment. "The problem is this. The Zodiac Stones are very much real. However, they do not house benevolent creatures in their depths. Nae. They house demons." Her eyes turn towards Tifa, and there's a certain quality of 'haunted' there. "Influental and powerful monsters the likes o' which I'd reckon ye've never seen before, lass. And there are thirteen of them."
"The Church seeks to use them to further their own power, bloody power-mongers they've always been. They know not what powers they tamper with." Another sip of whiskey, and she continues, hissing and grimacing at the burn. "No, lass, thank ye. Whiskey for me."
"So the Church gathered what stones they could. Ser Beoulve, myself, and a number of others defied the Church and sought the truth of what foul business was afoot. We were forced to defend ourselves from them several times, and in so doing we were branded heretics." She pushes back the sleeve over her right wrist, showing it. It's definitely a brand, seared into the skin; the crest of the Glabados Church.
"But the Lucavi have a will of their own. They will not be controlled, or coerced, or contained. They seek the ressurection of their kind - their leader, the High Seraph, Ultima. And to do that, they require blood. They require chaos. To achieve that, they will do anything," she finishes, quietly. "Thirteen of them - and we have lost the whereabouts of two."
Another shot from the shotglass. Any questions?
"A noble quality about Ser Strife, then. I merely pray that it be enough to help us. As to the Stones... we do not know, par se." She rubs at the back of her neck, giving a silent sigh. "Sometimes they are capable of miracles, aye. I have seen them bring a man back from death. Some people seem immune to the siren's call of the Lucavi within. Dame Tengille, for one. But more oft than not, the Lucavi are always there, lurking..."
A gleam of appreciation lights up in Christoph's eyes as he watches Tifa pour the beer. Here is certainly someone who knows what she is doing. "Vielen dank, Fräulein Lockhart," he says, receiving the beer. But he does not drink it right away, no no. He raises the glass to his face, peering at it closely. He reaches his metal hand behind the glass, and a soft glow flares from it, shining light through the dark stout, and he nods. It is a critical look, but one of a critic examining a piece of art that is proving itself very fine indeed. Then he sniffs lightly at the foam. "Riecht gut," he murmurs. And now he finally takes a sip.
Hey, when you're a beer drinker, you're A BEER DRINKER. A new brew must be known fully to be enjoyed fully.
He lets out a sigh after swallowing the small mouthful. "That is very good," he pronounces, and nods to Tifa, with a smile. "Will have to remember this one." He raises the glass again, but this time in an informal toast to the others. "Prost."
He continues to drink his beer slowly-something like this is meant to be nursed, not chugged. "Ja, Lucavi," he murmurs to Cloud. He stays silent as Agrias now narrates the past of the Stones, weaving history and legend together, and then presenting the truth to them. He knows much of it, having studied what records were available from the Ivalician contingent. Still, to hear it told aloud gives it an extra depth of reality to it. The words of a storyteller, stronger than those on a page.
He grunts, setting the mug down. "Whatever the case, they will be stopped. Or there will be a grim future for many. It can be done, so...it must be done." He smiles thinly. "Ja, Captain Oaks?"
"But you should give yourself credit. We didn't do everything back then." She raises a finger at Cloud. "You were the leader of the group after we left Midgar and I think you did a pretty good job. After Everything that happened, you did your best." Tifa gives Cloud a smile, fighting the urge to make him more embarassed...She blushes alittle, cleaning the glass in her hand alittle too long.
Monsters? Demons? Tifa looks from Agrias back to Cloud. Could he really handle it on his own? I mean he was strong enough but he'd get himself killed if he wasn't careful. Imagine how Denzel and Marlene would take that. How would she handle that? More like she didn't want to wait at home anymore for news of his whereabouts. She fidgets after she listens to the story, putting down the glass alittle too hard. "Alright. Count me in. If Cloud is helping. I want to too. I have people who can help run the bars for any time I'm spending outside of it."
She turns her head, breaking her trance of determination for the moment to look at Christoph. "I do my best! I really hate it when someone gives you a mug of just head." She nods, putting her towel over her shoulder again. "I think it's made by a company called Young's in one of the gates in the Mudane sector. It's a popular brew so stop by if you want anymore."
"Anyway! Take me with you." She gives Cloud a look, leaning over the bar to stare down at him. Guess who wears the pants in this relationship? Friends...Just friends! Tifa sighs before resuming her stare.
Tifa takes the time leaned over to get close to Cloud's ear. "Hey Cloud. I don't know how to tell you this but..." She looks away for a moment and tries to remain cheerful. "Aerith got hurt on a mission. She's in the hospital on base. I hear she's fine though. I don't know if you can go in yourself but I'll take you ok?" She leans back and meets eyes with him for a second. "Don't blame yourself ok? She's not under your protection so...Just don't blame yourself ok?" She already knows that this will probably set Cloud off. She didn't want to kill his mood.
The cup is put down hard, and Cloud stares. Hey, it's... been a while, hasn't it? Since they all really got excited about something that wasn't just... adding something new to the Seventh Heaven. Granted, there was a certain kind of satisfaction in building one's livelihood, but if there's one thing (besides mako eyes) that Cloud shares with any legitimate SOLDIER, danger and the promise of a good scrapping are very relevant to his interests. Call it instinct, if you want.
"Make that two of us, then." He puts money on the bar - to pay for his drink, and a tip, which he does even when he lives in the same flat, because it's the principle of the matter - and starts to stand up. "Oh yeah, I ran into Aerith the other day. Thanks for the heads up, earlier. Zack was excited, too...huh?" Leaning in to hear what Tifa has to say, his expression neutral, he draws back with a more somber nod. "...Yeah. Thanks. I didn't know." As for the visit, "I'd like that, Tifa." Ahem! "Nice meeting you," he says to Christoph. To Agrias: "See you around. I'll be back at Edge, Tifa." A hand taps his pocket, probably to indicate that he has a delivery to wrap up with.
Golden eyes flick over towards the bartender, neutral. The Holy Knight just studies her down for a moment, before shaking her head. "As you wish. Know that they are dangerous. For all of our sake, we will expect you to be capable of defending yourself, when the Lucavi are found." Her head inclines, faintly. "I thank you for your aid... as do we all, those of us of Ivalice."
Agrias then glances over towards Cloud. Oh, heading out, is he? "I see. Be well, ser. No doubt we will meet again." Then, to Christoph. Her smile seems a little weak, but at least it's not blatantly unconvincing today. "Aye. With so many volunteering, we'll be bound to find them, soon."
She takes another quick shot of whiskey, grimacing. "I should not drink any more. I do not want to return to h-" She forces a cough, as though simply choking for an instant. Whoopsie. "I do not want to return home too far gone." Massaging her throat, she gives a wry half-smile. Then, to Tifa, "I would stay for a while, yet, if you do not mind, my lady."
"Appreciate it," Christoph says to Tifa. "Glad to know I will get money's worth here." You are winning a loyal customer right here, though he isn't going to forsake Dünnhausen completely! "Will be sure to come by if I am in the mood for this." He drinks some more, before putting the glass down.
As Tifa volunteers to assist along with Cloud, he regards her thoughtfully. "Not an ordinary bartender, hmm?" he says, though it's not really a question, but just a rhetorical exercise. He nods to the deliveryman, forgoing the salute this time. "Ja, good to meet you. Auf wiedersehen."
And he, too, is likely going to stay just a little while longer, to finish off his beer and keep his friend company, make sure she does make it back in one piece.
Where: The Safe Haven Bar
When: 12 May 2008
What: The Safe Haven gets a few visitors while Tifa's on duty - some of them familiar, some of them not. With a TSAB representative on hand, Agrias Oaks explains the dilemna of the Zodiac Stones and why it's so important to put a stop to them. Cloud half-remembers his time in Ivalice and volunteers to help; Tifa, not to leave Cloud to his fate, also volunteers.
Watch For: Tifa manages to embarrass Cloud. Christoph knows how to appreciate a fine brew.
Safe Haven
"Safe Haven" is bar owned and operated by Tifa Lockhart. As you enter, you notice a fairly simplified atmosphere as you enter the baige room with iron furnature with dark cavas upholstry that is amazingly very comfortable. Each table has a menu for various dishes that can be ordered: ranging from Noodles to Steak. The baige walls have various pictures hanging from them to keep the place looking interesting. The most interesting piece on the wall is a iron sign that despite being distressed clearly reads: "Nibelheim: 34 miles". At the far corner of the establishment is a full stocked bar with various drinks from around the multiverse.
Contents:
Christoph Schmidt
Cloud Strife
Tifa Lockhart
The bar was moderately busy tonight. Combined with the light music that was playing in the background, Safe Haven had a very lively atmosphere at the moment. People from various departmnts were just here to unwind and pass the time between shifts. This gave Tifa alot to do.
The bar maid was quickly filling orders, sliding drinks to those at the bar and passing off others to unnamed wait staff. She watched the area with smile on her face, thinking about how well this was turning out. Pretty soon she'd have some live music and this place would be set. Not to mention people might flock over to Seventh Heaven on other days. She cracks her knuckles and starts another order.
As for Cloud, he was given a delivery to an establishment across the street from IPA Headquarters. It was from a neighbor in Edge, whose daughter made handmade dolls to raise pocket change. Word must have spread outside the Gate and reached some sympathetic ear, because the woman who lived in the apartment complex in the Hub was very particular about ordering a special doll for -her- daughter, made especially from this girl in Edge, and had paid her handsomely for it.
She was going to a school in another plane next year, so wanted a letter hand delivered to her benefactor in the Hub.
Cloud neglected to mention that he was doing the delivery for free. Besides, it was an excuse to head into the IPA Headquarters, intending on finding out where Tifa worked.
And probably ask her when she started up with the IPA. He'd been absent too much, apparently. So it may come as a slight surprise to find him there, when he approaches the bar, glancing around. "...Nice digs." Cloud approves of the new place, though he's a little biased towards the Seventh Heaven. Something about seeing a place built through the efforts of your own hands and your friends made a place more important in one's mind. Then he turns to look at Tifa, smiles at her (briefly, not unusual), with a lift of his hand to wave. "Hi."
Not everybody had strict duties to attend to, tonight. One of the customers just arriving, some distance and time behind the courier, is another of the Agency's own. She may not always be seen, but Agrias Oaks nonetheless commands a certain measure of respect.
That's not bad at all, considering she's a heretic and exile as far as most Ivalician are concerned.
Agrias is wearing more casual clothing, today. She almost looks like she could fit in with the modern world, dressed in a crisp white blouse and beige slacks, except for the sword buckled at her waist and the dusty, combat-like boots. The blade is a plain, battered longsword, looking to have served many years of use. In her right hand she carries a cane, which marks her approach with a sharp 'click' against the floor at every other step.
Golden eyes flick sidelong to study the place, getting a feel for her environs. It may be part of the Hub, still, but crowded places were never her favourite venues. Still, Agrias makes her way up to the counter, settling near a corner, relatively out of the way. She unbuckles her sword belt, leaning that against the counter in front of her, situated between her boots where she can reach it easily. Her cane she leans against a thigh.
And she simply waits, until such a time as the waitstaff isn't swarmed with requests. It's about then that she notices Cloud. "Ah." This, mostly quiet and to herself. A neutral and tired-looking smile reserved for him, if he should happen to look over; but she isn't outspoken enough to call him over while he's saying hello to Tifa. Not just yet, anyway, but she watches him with the air of someone who has something on their mind.
Tifa looks up as she slids another drink across the bar, stopping as she sees him enter. She can't help but smile at Cloud's awkward little enterance...it was definately the guy she grew up with. "Cloud!"
The girl exits the bar and quickly approaches, tossing her towel over her shoulder. "I didn't expect to see you here. Everything okay?" She tilts her head, wondering what could bring Cloud over. Maybe he just wanted to see her...Probably not. She was sure it was business as usual.
As Agrias enters, Tifa turns her head, smiling. "Welcome! I'll be with you in a minute!"
She turns back to Cloud. "Why don't you have a seat at the bar Cloud?" She gestures to one of the open seats, while nudging him lightly with her other hand.
It's bigger than he thought it'd be! Even if he did spend an awful lot of time playing it cool and acting like a tough SOLDIER too jaded by Midgar to be impressed, he's over it, and can't deny his origins. Once a small town boy, always a small town boy, and even with explosure to the Hub and everything it has to offer, he's still prone to quietly gawk at things now and then. This place even has enough room for a proper waitstaff!
"Just fine," replies the blond courier, "I was in the area for a job," he gestures subtly at the bar, "I thought I'd drop by and see how you're-um, you know. How the new place is working out, and all." A reappraisal of the surroundings takes place then, as he folds his arms. "It looks great."
Mondays are usually pretty quiet, even at restaurants. Looks like this place is getting pretty popular. Cloud nods to the martial artist/bartender, and goes about seeking a seat. This is when he notices Agrias. "...Oh, hey. Didn't expect to see you here." He tilts his head to indicate the bar stool nearby. "Mind if I sit here?"
Tucked quietly in her corner-spot, the Holy Knight only nods in repsonse to Tifa's statement. That's fine. Clearly, the place is busy, and it would be unreasonable to demand attention right away. Besides, there's a certain comforting anonymity to being one of the crowd.
Agrias tilts her head, watching the room from the corner of an eye as she reaches up to brush her hair from her face. No small wonder why she keeps it so tightly bound. It's fine and dense, and would likely be one hell of a liability in combat.
"Hello." Her greeting to the courier is cool, though not entirely emotionless. She's a person of subtleties. "Aye, not at all. Sit where you like. I've only just arrived." Her voice is naturally soft-spoken, and vaguely accented by... something. It almost sounds like a faint hint of Scottish.
Tifa smiles as she watches Cloud take in the surroundings. It was nice he approved of it. She would've been worried if he didn't...It would be worse if he had no opinion either way though. Not that that happens anymore. She can't help but smile alittle more at Cloud's awe of the place. "Always working hard." She nudges him again, grinning. "Yeah it's nice huh? I still love the Seventh Heaven more but I'm alittle biased there."
Tifa heads back behind the bar, removing the towel from her shoulder as she collects tips and empty glasses left by patrons leaving the bar. She does this as she looks over to Agrias. "Sorry about that. What can I get you?" She smiles as she wipes off the counter and gestures to another seat at the bar.
Cloud couldn't be more in agreement; the Seventh Heaven sprang up like the rest of Edge, a glimmer of hope rising from the ashes of the ruined metropolis of Midgar. Sure, they couldn't really use the highways around it, because they were crumbling, and dangerous, and for the most part used by the WRO when they'd make scavenging excursions to Midgar for more scrap, but it was their town, the bar was the product of Tifa's dreams and hard work. It's kind of like how Cloud has a special affection for his bike, modified and saved up for over time.
"Oh, Tifa. This is Agrias, the two of you might've met already." Cloud turns to Agrias, "Tifa and I grew up in the same town, we've been friends since we were kids." ...Small multiverse, huh? And how does he know Agrias? Well, uhhhh... "You know, I still haven't figured out how that all happened."
There's a faint tic of a smile given towards the bartender, but the knight maintains her silence until she's addressed directly. "No matter," she says, shaking her head faintly. "'Tis quite busy. I would not wish to keep you from your tasks."
Archaic speech. Hmm.
She glances towards Cloud, and then on to Tifa. It's a little like being stared at by a raptor, with those eyes and that quiet regard.
"Aye. Captain Agrias Oaks, of the Vangaurd Detachment." She inclines her head towards Tifa, in lieu of a more formal bow. There's not enough room to do so. "A pleasure, my lady."
Golden eyes turn towards Cloud again. "'That all?' Well, I hardly know the specifics, lad." She gives a sardonic chuckle. "Something about Mustadio and one of his thrice-cursed machines. I was not there when you were initially brought to Ivalice, but I believe it had to do with another of the machines he had created." She shakes her head. "I fear you would be better served asking him. His name is Mustadio Bunanza, but I do not know where he stays, of late."
"I do remember that you were a worthwhile ally." Her head dips towards Cloud in another of those abbrieviated, respectful gestures. She reaches up to clear her hair from her face, glancing back up towards Tifa, with a small smile. "You are lucky to know him, my lady. If I may be so bold, Ser Strife is nothing if not brave. His aid was invaluable to Ser Beoulve, and those of us remaining."
She pauses, then, glancing towards Cloud. "Do you... remember any of it? Ivalice? I know it has been some years, ser."
The door opens now, and Christoph Schmidt pokes his head in, looks around. Apparently what he sees meets his expectations, as he nods slightly and enters, letting the door swing shut behind him. He is dressed much as always-in his brown TSAB uniform. He does have his sword on his hip, instead of tucked away as a pocketwatch. Likely he's just come in off patrol.
Looks as though the crowd is still a bit thin today. Monday evening, not a heavy-drinking night for the most part, right? He quickly spots a familiar face, however, and strolls toward the corner as well. "Guten Abend, Captain Oaks," he greets Agrias, and then nods to the other two. Neither of them are familiar to him. "I have...not come at a bad time, nein?"
Tifa listens to the others talk, smiling. "So you ended up somewhere you don't remember going to." She tries not to laugh at the thought of Cloud hopelessly lost. She looks over at Agrias, alittle unnerved by the stare. She wasn't particularly frightening just intimidating. She coughs, composing herself. "Yeah. I am pretty lucky. Cloud has always been there for me. Just like he promised he would be." She slides a drink to Cloud without being asked. "There you go Cloud."
"Welcome! Have a seat anywhere you like!" Tifa calls over to Chrisoph as he enters.
This requires some background, for Tifa's sake. Cloud rests his chin in a fist, elbow against the edge of the bar. A gloved hand lies open, motioning to Agrias. "I'm not really sure about the timing, or exactly -when- it happened, but my guess is ... probably around the time I wound up in Mideel. Remember?" Tifa had stayed with him, even though at the time he was little more than a blankly-staring, occasionally mumbling guy in a vegetative state.
He glances away, feeling... especially awkward. "'This is going to sound crazy' doesn't really hold a candle to some of the stuff we've seen. It's not just going somewhere else, I went to another world. Agrias'. It's some place called Ivalice."
Cloud shakes his head. He doesn't get it much, himself, and is painfully aware that this sounds really -weird-. "I thought it was a dream, until I ran into Agrias recently and we both recognized each other. I don't know how it really works, but I guess this Mustadio guy is a good place to start."
To answer Agrias' question, however, he spends a moment thinking hard on it. Ultimately, he shrugs. "Little fragments, here and there. I was a pain in the ass."
As Christoph approaches to greet Agrias, and in turn is greeted by Tifa, Cloud promptly ends the explanation, taking the drink with a ready, "Thanks." .....H-how'd she know what he wanted?! (Man, he's that predictable?)
It isn't until she seems to notice Tifa's discomfort that Agrias looks down to the counter. Such a creepy stare was a perfectly handy thing to have, while guarding royalty. Most people would back off before they ever became a problem.
Here, though... she has to remember not to stare. Fortuantely, she's not one to maintain eye contact very much, and not unless addressed directly. Usually...
"Aye. The Kingdom of Ivalice." Agrias drums her fingers on the countertop, faintly. Her knuckles are scarred, and her hands somewhat callused, as one who would wield a blade. "That was my home, and that is where Ser Strife arrived."
A pain in the ass? Agrias blinks once or twice, owlishly, and the gesture seems almost comical with those eyes.
"Ah," she says, simply, articulately summing up her thoughts on the matter. Or not. "Well, as I recall, you had problems with headaches... but you discredit yourself, ser. You were most certainly capable in a fight," she points out. "And to stay with us, through the horrors we were forced to confront..."
Agrias finds herself repressing a shudder. And now, to know the Lucavi are out and about in the multiverse, again seeking to raise the High Seraph? Definitely a chilling thought.
"At any rate, your aid was not to be scoffed at. You could have been captured and killed by the Inquisition at any time merely for associating with us. Or, more likely, to betray our whereabouts," she muses. "Surely that must have required some measure of courage." Something seems to go flat in those golden eyes. "Aye, I've some knowledge of what they'll do to a man for information."
She looks away, then, at the sound of her name. Again. "Ah. Staff Sergeant Schmidt," she replies, raising her head a bit in greeting. "Good to see you. No, come in. I merely came to see if this tavern compared to some of Lesalia's finest," she adds, dryly. "Sufficed to say, I much prefer these environs."
Her eyes turn back towards Tifa, her regard almost inquisitive, in a low-key sort of way. "So you were childhood friends. I see." Something flickers across her features, almost a smile. "That is indeed touching, my lady. You are fortunate."
"Then, if I may...." Christoph nods again to Tifa and Cloud in turn. "Staff Sergeant Christoph Schmidt, TSAB Ground Forces. IPA SWAT." And he offers a salute to all three, even though he's off duty now, and one of them isn't even with the IPA. But you go with what's familiar, and comfortable.
That done, he takes a seat at the next table over, although he does turn the chair toward the others; this way, depending on the reaction of the lot of them, he can either join the conversation, if such is permissible, or turn back and enjoy a beer in nearby solitude. Or something like that. "Should spar again sometime, Captain. Very refreshing to have a new opponent to practice against."
He picks up a drink menu, glances through it cursorily. "Am glad to see a new establishment to open up here too." He frowns a moment, and then looks to Tifa. "Ah, you are the owner, recht? Er, right?" All this time, he is listening discreetly to the ongoing conversation.
Tifa listens to the story while cleaning glasses and placing them back. "Yeah. I remember..." She says sadly, recalling how he looked back then. She almost thought he was gone back then but she never gave up either. She finishes and leans against the bar. "Well from what I'm told, the Gates were open for quite awhile, Cloud. It's possible thats how you ended up there." And yes, Cloud. You are that predictable to her.
Tifa looks back to Agrias as she continues the story, nodding her head. "So Cloud helped you out too? He always did help anyone he could. Even if he puts on that tough guy front, he's really a sweet guy. Just look at that innocent look on his face." She looks back at Cloud with a sly grin.
Tifa looks up to Christoph, smiling. "Tifa Lockhart! It's nice to meet you. Yeah I'm the owner. Whats up?"
"...Cloud Strife. I, uh, I don't work here." He's not with the IPA.
Cloud glances at Agrias as he brings his drink up to his mouth. What she has to say gives him reason to hold off on drinking just yet, and he puts it back down. "I don't remember. Not yet, anyway." And that's that, for now; while Cloud's pretty sure it's not a case of 'I don't want to remember' and more a case of 'Things were pretty muddled around then', they have company, and he couldn't help but overhear the man's introduction. He inquires, however, with Agrias, since Tifa is being the usual excellent hostess.
"...What's the TSAB? Is that a division of the IPA?" He can understand SWAT. Heck, Special Weapons and Tactics was, when he heard about it, kind of an eclectic mix of Turks and SOLDIER to him, but it made sense to have something like that. TSAB though, that's new.
Now though, he finally swallows some of his drink. If only to pretend to have something to do while he's being thoroughly embarassed. "H-hey..." Stop that!
"Aye, 'tis good to spar again, but I fear my bones are not accustomed to taking such a beating, Staff Sergeant." Agrias' smile is wry, though there's a note of genuine respect there. There aren't that many who can cross blades with her and literally keep her running like that. "You should ask Dame Tengille some time."
"The Time-Space Administration Bureau," the Holy Knight explains, golden eyes turning towards Cloud's mako-blue. "They are not a division of the Agency, but they do work with the Agency. In fact, we are currently investigating a case related to Ivalice. It seems the Zodiac Stones have been lost," she adds, with some measure of disgust. "If we do not recover and quarantine them quickly..."
She shakes her head, and perhaps for the sake of Cloud's dignity, ignores Tifa's candid words. "Some of the Bureau's number also work directly for the Agency, as well. At one time a few were even employed with the Vanguard Detachment, as well."
Agrias glances back towards Tifa. "Hmmm." Her lips thin. "Whiskey, if you please, my lady. Wine, you've none," she adds, with a smile almost apologetic. Her attention turns back towards Cloud. "I see. Well, perhaps you will in time, perhaps not. I suppose it matters little, all told." She shakes her head.
She twists to better see Cloud and company, shifting her cane until she has it laid across her lap. "What of you? I trust things have been going well enough for you, of late? You look well."
A short, somewhat flat smile at the barkeep. Christoph is still not so good at casually polite ones. "Merely wished to come in and see the new bar. So far, a good feel to it. What kind of beer do you have?" Of course, the atmosphere may be great, but that's the important thing! His eye briefly darts back toward the drink menu; the brands there he largely doesn't recognize, aside from the more common brews around the Gate.
He looks over at Cloud, blinking a moment. Ah well, civilians surely are allowed in here.... "Hmm? Ach ja. Time-Space Administration Bureau. Member organization of IPA. We are...think the common term is technological mage. Home world is called Midchilda, though there are other dimensions within our own plane." He follows up on Agrias' explanation and expands a little on it. As might be surmised by the name of his group-they've already got much experience with parallel universes, pocket spaces, and such. "Hope to assist in containing the Stones, ja."
He shuffles through what he's heard so far, and then hazards, "You are...you have been to Ivalice, then?" With a quick glance toward Agrias. He breaks out into a real, if somewhat rueful smile then. "Apologies again, Captain. You gave much as well." He taps his chest lightly, where there would be a mean-looking bruise if not for healing magic. "I will ask Fräulein Tengille sometime, as you suggest. Am sure she will be a good opponent too."
He too overlooks the gentle ribbing from Tifa, directed at Cloud. Men must stand in solidarity, after all! ...yeah.
Tifa giggles at Cloud's reaction. "You're way too easy to tease. For someone who saved the world, you're so weak against the little jokes I play on you." She shakes her head, cleaning a glass. She tries not to laugh again, thinking she should back off just so she doesn't go too far.
"One whiskey coming right up!" Tifa quickly grabs the bottle and pours into a glass. "Here you go." She slides it toward Agrias, going back to clening glasses.
"We have alot of things on tap. What are you looking for?" She responds to Christoph, grabbing a mug from under the bar. "Personally, I'd go with the Chocolate Stout from the Mudane sector if you need a recommendation."
Fragments, Cloud had said. Bits and pieces of memories he'd spent years dismissing as just a weird dream he'd had. Maybe a few of those pieces will fit together enough to make sense of them, but right now, mention of the Zodiac stones gets a few to stick together. Enough that the former would-be SOLDIER widens his eyes at Agrias, incredulous. "That's bad. If you need any help..." Okay, so he might be proving Tifa a little right there. Which may be why he's quick to add, "It might help me remember, you know."
Looks well? "Heh. Yeah? Thanks. A lot happened." He scratches his head. "Recently, I ran into a few old friends. It's been pretty good." In other words, life's been pretty fantastic, except for that whole 'coming to grips with the fact that Sephiroth is alive and sane' thing, which has presented challenges unique compared to 'Zack and Aerith are alive'. And Tifa! The ribbing makes him duck his head to drink again.
To Christoph, Cloud turns his attention next. "Time-Space. I guess you probably deal with stuff like parallel worlds all the time, then. Sounds like you guys keep pretty busy."
"I try to give as good as I am given." Agrias chuckles quietly, waving off the Staff Sergeant's apology. "I would be a poor example of a Holy Knight, otherwise."
She nods, faintly. "We hope that you can help us with the Stones. We would not have requested your aid, otherwise. They are dangerous, and we are fortunate those that have manifested are not as powerful as those we had previously encountered."
"Thank you." There's a nod spared for Tifa, and she takes a quick, hesitant drink, bolting it back with a grimace. "I've never had a love of whiskey, but it's surer than any wine," she mutters, gagging a bit as she straightens. "Aye, I'll be sorry for that later."
...Oh, well!
"If you wish to offer your aid, then by all means, we will accept it." The stare Agrias turns on Cloud is grave, intense again like a raptor's unblinking regard. Even so, there's clear worry in her expression. It seems she's lost a lot of sleep over these stones. "We have not yet found the two that have manifested. I know their goals, but we know not where they have gone. I believe one of them was Sagittarius... I do not know the nature of its Lucavi."
She shakes her head, taking another drink, grimacing as she sets the shotglass down. "Another, if you would," she signals, to Tifa. The sooner she forgets about the auracite, the better.
"I see." This, to his later tale. "We all of us are busy," she chuckles, somewhat bitterly. "We have been extended aid by the Administration, for which we are grateful. Not only has the Church stolen these stones, but the Lucavi have manifested. I confess, I have little hope for those they have claimed as hosts." She takes another drink. "Killing them would be a mercy," she adds, with undue steel in her tone.
They're Glabados. Killing them, for her, will be a pleasure.
Oh, well then. Christoph nods slowly. "Have heard of such," he says. "Ein Glas Schokolad...one glass of chocolate stout, then. Danke sehr." He shifts on his seat, slides the drink menu back into its place. "Saved the world? Hmmm." Perhaps an exaggeration. Then again, around these parts, probably not. "Ah...do not say that so easily," he says, wryly echoing back what everyone seems intent on telling him on the same subject. "Zodiac Stones are very...dangerous."
He nods quietly. So far, he hasn't encountered any old friends, missing friends...his brother...beyond the Gates, like some have. Well, good for Cloud. "Hmm? Ja, we are. Was a natural step, joining the IPA, once we discovered the Gates. Extension of our duties."
Talk of the current crisis makes his mood more somber, not that it strayed particularly far from such a state. "Many troubles ahead. Trials, battles. Must attend to our duty, and finish it. Finish it well."
Tifa giggles at Cloud, turning to Agrias. "Whats so dangerous about them anyway?" She watches her take a sip of whiskey, nodding. "That's pretty strong stuff though. If you prefer wine, I can get you a glass. It's no problem at all."
The bartender listens to the conversation as she handles another order. So Cloud was getting involved with something dangerous again. Hmmm. She might need to involve herself if it means preventing someone else from going to the hospital. The drink is passed along before she stops back in front of Christoph. "One stout coming up." She grabs the mug she set out and places it under the tap, tilting it slightly to eliminate much of the unwanted head. "Yeah. I know what you mean. This organization offers alot of things to those in it. Even someone who works primarily in the Recreation Annex gets full coverage and use of many of the facilities. As for saving the world, that guy believe it or not did it twice. He wasn't alone for any of it. We didn't let him be alone anyway." She puts the drink in front of Christoph.
"Sagittarius," repeats Cloud, "Right, well," adds the courier with a laugh, "Hope you don't mind if I help, but not with finding out what's lurking inside." Needless to say, while he'll readily help out his friends - even those made during adventures he barely remembers - he has no interest in handling one of those things incorrectly and turning into some kind of demonic monstrocity. ...That... IS what a Lucavi is, right?
He'll leave that to Vincent Valentine, who turns into all manner of crazy things when the normally stolid and grim man manages to get really pissed off.
Zodiac Stones are dangerous. "You can say that again."
To Tifa, "I don't really remember, but Agrias can probably clear it up." Cloud puts his drink down, resting his head in a hand with his eyes closed. Obviously, he's trying to remember. "...Oh right. These... really powerful stones, but - wait," he sits up, looking at Agrias. "Was it if you used them at all, or just used them wrong that got people turned into- into..." Oh come on, he had the word just a moment ago! "...Lucavi?" There.
...Oh hey, that wasn't too bad.
Saving the world. "I was a pain in the ass," he says again, only this time to Tifa with a slightly wry smile. "Thanks to you guys, it turned out okay." He turned out okay. Life's pretty damned good these days. "Give yourself some credit, Tifa. ...I'll be heading back in a bit here."
The Holy Knight casts a speculative eye towards her shotglass, mouth twisted in an expression that might be unpleasant. Tifa's words bring her to glance up. What's so dangerous?
And she laughs. It's a surprisingly pretty and unguarded sound. Or, at least, it might be if it weren't tempered with a certain bitterness.
"Dangerous? With all due respect, lass, those Stones have the power to destroy Ivalice. All of it." She claps her hands together, sharply, to demonstrate. "They are as a cancer." And not the crab, either. "They are harmless crystals of auracite, or so it seems. But they are magicite, and they are highly dangerous."
"They originate from the Zodiac Brave story. Long ago, when the land of Ivalice was still fragmented into seven kingdoms, as they were before uniting under the banner of the Atkaschan line." She ticks them off on her fingers. "They were Fovoham, Lionel, Limberry, Lesalia, Gallionne, Zeltennia, and Mullonde. They warred for hundreds of years, with none able to conquer the others. Eventually, the young King of Mullonde summoned a demon, blinded by his dream of conquering his neighbouring kingdoms, and ruling it for himself."
She snorts. "Well, demons are not known for their sweet and obedient natures, aye? The demon slew the king, and then set out to destroy the very world itself."
"A hero set out on a quest to prevent this crisis. Together with his twelve disciples, he set out to collect the twelve Zodiac Stones that had been scattered throughout the world. Thus, the Zodiac Braves were reborn... they defeated the creature's minions, and banished the demon from whence it had come. For this, they became known as the saviours of our world."
"Ever since, the Zodiac Braves have appeared when the world balances on the knife edge of catastrophe, but they vanish as soon as the crisis is averted." She shakes her head. "It's a well-known legend, but just that: A legend."
Agrias drums her fingers on the countertop, restless for a moment. "The problem is this. The Zodiac Stones are very much real. However, they do not house benevolent creatures in their depths. Nae. They house demons." Her eyes turn towards Tifa, and there's a certain quality of 'haunted' there. "Influental and powerful monsters the likes o' which I'd reckon ye've never seen before, lass. And there are thirteen of them."
"The Church seeks to use them to further their own power, bloody power-mongers they've always been. They know not what powers they tamper with." Another sip of whiskey, and she continues, hissing and grimacing at the burn. "No, lass, thank ye. Whiskey for me."
"So the Church gathered what stones they could. Ser Beoulve, myself, and a number of others defied the Church and sought the truth of what foul business was afoot. We were forced to defend ourselves from them several times, and in so doing we were branded heretics." She pushes back the sleeve over her right wrist, showing it. It's definitely a brand, seared into the skin; the crest of the Glabados Church.
"But the Lucavi have a will of their own. They will not be controlled, or coerced, or contained. They seek the ressurection of their kind - their leader, the High Seraph, Ultima. And to do that, they require blood. They require chaos. To achieve that, they will do anything," she finishes, quietly. "Thirteen of them - and we have lost the whereabouts of two."
Another shot from the shotglass. Any questions?
"A noble quality about Ser Strife, then. I merely pray that it be enough to help us. As to the Stones... we do not know, par se." She rubs at the back of her neck, giving a silent sigh. "Sometimes they are capable of miracles, aye. I have seen them bring a man back from death. Some people seem immune to the siren's call of the Lucavi within. Dame Tengille, for one. But more oft than not, the Lucavi are always there, lurking..."
A gleam of appreciation lights up in Christoph's eyes as he watches Tifa pour the beer. Here is certainly someone who knows what she is doing. "Vielen dank, Fräulein Lockhart," he says, receiving the beer. But he does not drink it right away, no no. He raises the glass to his face, peering at it closely. He reaches his metal hand behind the glass, and a soft glow flares from it, shining light through the dark stout, and he nods. It is a critical look, but one of a critic examining a piece of art that is proving itself very fine indeed. Then he sniffs lightly at the foam. "Riecht gut," he murmurs. And now he finally takes a sip.
Hey, when you're a beer drinker, you're A BEER DRINKER. A new brew must be known fully to be enjoyed fully.
He lets out a sigh after swallowing the small mouthful. "That is very good," he pronounces, and nods to Tifa, with a smile. "Will have to remember this one." He raises the glass again, but this time in an informal toast to the others. "Prost."
He continues to drink his beer slowly-something like this is meant to be nursed, not chugged. "Ja, Lucavi," he murmurs to Cloud. He stays silent as Agrias now narrates the past of the Stones, weaving history and legend together, and then presenting the truth to them. He knows much of it, having studied what records were available from the Ivalician contingent. Still, to hear it told aloud gives it an extra depth of reality to it. The words of a storyteller, stronger than those on a page.
He grunts, setting the mug down. "Whatever the case, they will be stopped. Or there will be a grim future for many. It can be done, so...it must be done." He smiles thinly. "Ja, Captain Oaks?"
"But you should give yourself credit. We didn't do everything back then." She raises a finger at Cloud. "You were the leader of the group after we left Midgar and I think you did a pretty good job. After Everything that happened, you did your best." Tifa gives Cloud a smile, fighting the urge to make him more embarassed...She blushes alittle, cleaning the glass in her hand alittle too long.
Monsters? Demons? Tifa looks from Agrias back to Cloud. Could he really handle it on his own? I mean he was strong enough but he'd get himself killed if he wasn't careful. Imagine how Denzel and Marlene would take that. How would she handle that? More like she didn't want to wait at home anymore for news of his whereabouts. She fidgets after she listens to the story, putting down the glass alittle too hard. "Alright. Count me in. If Cloud is helping. I want to too. I have people who can help run the bars for any time I'm spending outside of it."
She turns her head, breaking her trance of determination for the moment to look at Christoph. "I do my best! I really hate it when someone gives you a mug of just head." She nods, putting her towel over her shoulder again. "I think it's made by a company called Young's in one of the gates in the Mudane sector. It's a popular brew so stop by if you want anymore."
"Anyway! Take me with you." She gives Cloud a look, leaning over the bar to stare down at him. Guess who wears the pants in this relationship? Friends...Just friends! Tifa sighs before resuming her stare.
Tifa takes the time leaned over to get close to Cloud's ear. "Hey Cloud. I don't know how to tell you this but..." She looks away for a moment and tries to remain cheerful. "Aerith got hurt on a mission. She's in the hospital on base. I hear she's fine though. I don't know if you can go in yourself but I'll take you ok?" She leans back and meets eyes with him for a second. "Don't blame yourself ok? She's not under your protection so...Just don't blame yourself ok?" She already knows that this will probably set Cloud off. She didn't want to kill his mood.
The cup is put down hard, and Cloud stares. Hey, it's... been a while, hasn't it? Since they all really got excited about something that wasn't just... adding something new to the Seventh Heaven. Granted, there was a certain kind of satisfaction in building one's livelihood, but if there's one thing (besides mako eyes) that Cloud shares with any legitimate SOLDIER, danger and the promise of a good scrapping are very relevant to his interests. Call it instinct, if you want.
"Make that two of us, then." He puts money on the bar - to pay for his drink, and a tip, which he does even when he lives in the same flat, because it's the principle of the matter - and starts to stand up. "Oh yeah, I ran into Aerith the other day. Thanks for the heads up, earlier. Zack was excited, too...huh?" Leaning in to hear what Tifa has to say, his expression neutral, he draws back with a more somber nod. "...Yeah. Thanks. I didn't know." As for the visit, "I'd like that, Tifa." Ahem! "Nice meeting you," he says to Christoph. To Agrias: "See you around. I'll be back at Edge, Tifa." A hand taps his pocket, probably to indicate that he has a delivery to wrap up with.
Golden eyes flick over towards the bartender, neutral. The Holy Knight just studies her down for a moment, before shaking her head. "As you wish. Know that they are dangerous. For all of our sake, we will expect you to be capable of defending yourself, when the Lucavi are found." Her head inclines, faintly. "I thank you for your aid... as do we all, those of us of Ivalice."
Agrias then glances over towards Cloud. Oh, heading out, is he? "I see. Be well, ser. No doubt we will meet again." Then, to Christoph. Her smile seems a little weak, but at least it's not blatantly unconvincing today. "Aye. With so many volunteering, we'll be bound to find them, soon."
She takes another quick shot of whiskey, grimacing. "I should not drink any more. I do not want to return to h-" She forces a cough, as though simply choking for an instant. Whoopsie. "I do not want to return home too far gone." Massaging her throat, she gives a wry half-smile. Then, to Tifa, "I would stay for a while, yet, if you do not mind, my lady."
"Appreciate it," Christoph says to Tifa. "Glad to know I will get money's worth here." You are winning a loyal customer right here, though he isn't going to forsake Dünnhausen completely! "Will be sure to come by if I am in the mood for this." He drinks some more, before putting the glass down.
As Tifa volunteers to assist along with Cloud, he regards her thoughtfully. "Not an ordinary bartender, hmm?" he says, though it's not really a question, but just a rhetorical exercise. He nods to the deliveryman, forgoing the salute this time. "Ja, good to meet you. Auf wiedersehen."
And he, too, is likely going to stay just a little while longer, to finish off his beer and keep his friend company, make sure she does make it back in one piece.