2021-04-06: Spira is for Honeymooners

• Log: 2021-04-07: Spira is for Honeymooners
• Cast: Xander Lovell, Riley Arwell, Talia
• Where: Mi'ihen Highroad
• Date: April 09, 2021
• Summary: Riley and Xander meet Talia while looking for a sacrifice, and Riley debuts a new lie about who they are.

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<Pose Tracker> Riley Arwell has posed.

Shortly after the Fangs arrived in Spira, Valmar made its need for another sacrifice known -- in the form of thorny flowers now growing in Riley and Xander's bodies. Riley's sprang from one side of his neck--relatively easy to remove and then conceal the injury beneath a bandage, though he's also wearing Xander's black mantle for some extra camoflauge, as they have a tendency to grow back unexpectedly. Xander's thorns, however, sprang up inside his chest, creating what Riley considers to be an emergency. And so, the Fangs are hunting.

But... Spira is a new place, and they don't know much about its dangers. A glimpse of a seemingly innocuous traveler summoning a giant beast gave them pause -- it would probably be better not to pounce on just anybody without getting a sense of them, first.

Approaching strangers usually falls to Riley, and so when they come upon Talia traveling alone on the highroad, he waves her over.

"Hello! Um, do you know if we're anywhere near a city called 'Luca?'

Riley is relatively ordinary-looking at a glance; he has tousled red hair and dresses in warm autumn colors, with the exception of the recent addition of Xander's mantle. He also carries both a bow and a guitar on his back. The only thing that sets him apart from an ordinary human are the fangs visible when he makes certain expressions.

<Pose Tracker> Xander Lovell has posed.

Pragmatic as it was to scout out potential targets first, Xander still didn't like it. Maybe it was a tactic Riley was familiar with, but Xander didn't like to speak to his sacrifices before going for the kill.

Granted, he didn't like talking to people even when wasn't planning to kill them.

With reluctance and his usual gloom, Xander follows after Riley. The thorns in his chest haven't been kind to his efforts to sleep, and the dark circle against his pale skin is a little more pronounced. Singular circle. He is missing one eye, the left covered with a patch and obscured by his dark hair. With Riley borrowing his mantle, he looks even more simply dressed: a white, collared shirt and black trousers with a belt screaming alchemy for all its vials and its pouch.

She looks about their age is his first thought. And what does her blood look like is his second, terrible and nauseating. It's impossible to try and look at this traveler without his chest aching, like internal spurs driving him toward his nauseating bloodlust. Xander does in fact leave Riley to do the talking, lifting his hand in a silent wave and trying remember they need to be cautious.

<Pose Tracker> Talia has posed.

Talia spends some time on the Highroad. Some of this is working as a messenger and a bodyguard; the liberation of Luca actually improved this little side business of hers, though she broke even because she spends more time in Filgaia, now, too. The ability to travel between the worlds is novel and, sometimes, conflicting.

She is off to the side of the highroad; she has a pack thrown over one shoulder, and there is a chocobo nearby -- untethered, but wearing reins, and eating a few gysahl greens. The black-haired woman looks at the two as they approach. She blinks at Riley, then smiles.

She glances at Xander, too. He looks a little like hell; the circle under his eye stands out. She smiles a him, too. Then she nods her head.

"You are!" she says. "It is about an hour, maybe two, that way." She motions down the road -- then tilts her head. "You are new here, no?"

<Pose Tracker> Riley Arwell has posed.

It is about an hour, maybe two, that way

"Oh, good, I guess it's just a longer walk than we were expecting..."

Riley is... something of a method actor when it comes to hunting. When he attacks a victim, he prefers to catch even himself by surprise. The flashes of violent hypotheticals do make it harder to pretend he's truly approaching them as a friend. But he's a skilled pretender.

And so, when Talia asks them, You are new here, no? Riley enthuses, improvisationally and quite unnecessarily: "Yes! We're here on our honeymoon. Are you local? Do you know if there are good things to see nearby?"

<Pose Tracker> Xander Lovell has posed.

The smile hurts. People trust people too fast. Doesn't she know she's looking at murderers? But most people wouldn't. Going around being suspicious isn't much of a way to live, either.

And for as much murder is murder, killing someone in front of their own horse bird feels especially egregious. That creature's blood won't mean anything to them, so they just get to, what, traumatize it? Yay.

Then Riley gives their excuse, and Xander very nearly spit takes with his own blood.

W h a t.
 
Is that a cover or is Riley picking the worst possible moment to try and get a rise out of Xander?! It can be both. It's probably both. Xander's brow twitches realizing he has to control his reaction to this if they have any hope of killing anyone tonight.

But he's not a pretender, and he can't keep the rising irritation out of his tone. "...Maybe somewhere with heavy drinks."

<Pose Tracker> Talia has posed.

Talia looks them both over. There is some subtle sizing up; just a couple of flickers of her eyes to check for weapons, otherwise lost in how she smiles and seems relaxed. But, Talia has learned to check for weapons and be cautious, from a background that once required it. She looks from Xander to Riley, and her eyes glance at him. She blinks--

--then she grins, looking utterly charmed by the statement. And, yes, Xander: trusting. She doesn't think Riley is lying about that. "Well!" she says. "That is wonderful, no? Ah, you could do much worse than Luca! It is a busy port--moreso now that Althena's Guard is kicked out! And the Blitzball Stadium is very amazing."

She looks at Xander, then, and winks. "And there are many bars, with good drinks. It is the largest city in Spira," she says. She pauses. "Where are you from?"

<Pose Tracker> Riley Arwell has posed.

"It is wonderful, isn't it!" he smiles brightly at Xander, seemingly unbothered by finding him trying not to scowl.

"Ooh, Blitzball... what is Blitzball?"

Where are you from?

"A small town in the desert," he says -- Cereza wasn't really in the desert, but he's trying to approximate Filgaia, here -- "so this place is really something!"

He notes that she didn't respond to his initial question about herself. He's not sure if she's wary of them or if he just distracted her with the honeymoon thing. "What about you? Are you on some kind of journey? That is a cool bird friend you've got."

<Pose Tracker> Xander Lovell has posed.

Why does she accept that story so readily? And does she have to look so happy for them?!

Xander grinds his teeth in frustrated silence, but it only makes him more aware of his fangs.

"Fantastic, dear," he says. Somehow it sounds like a threat. To Talia, his tone is significantly softer (and maybe that's a low bar right now). "But that does sound like what we're looking for. Thank you."

Why are you thanking her? You're thinking about killing her. Talking to marks is so stupid.

But with the questions she's asking them, Xander's starting to doubt their ability to lie their way through acting as natives. He fears Riley's story is just going to serve to torture him.

<Pose Tracker> Talia has posed.

"Hmm. From Glenwood or Meribus? Did you come with the Guard?" Talia asks, squinting. She doesn't think they look like Al Bhed -- and if an Al Bhed is hiding their appearance, then they must have a good reason. Of course, she also knows a place with many deserts, but that might be a risky question. And an Al Bhed would know about Blitzball. "Or... somewhere else?"

She tilts her head a little more -- and smiles a little at how Xander needles Riley. Then, she shakes her head. "Ah, no, I am not from here. From Pendrago, originally, no?" She thickens her accent, subconsciously, just to emphasize her homeland.

"But I'm a Drifter. I was doing a little work to earn some money. Then, it will probably be time to head back home." She smiles at them both. "Blitzball is a sport--people play with a ball, swimming inside a huge sphere of water."

She hesitates for a second. "I don't know if the games started up yet, though."

She bobs her head. "I'm Talia. It is nice to meet you both, no?"

<Pose Tracker> Riley Arwell has posed.

"Ah, a drifter..." That means a fight with her wouldn't likely be trivial. Riley glances to Xander, trying to get a feel for if he still wants to try it. It's... a little weird to have Xander here for this. It's not that they never hunt together, but when they do, they usually do it Xander's way, which is honest and brutal. Riley's methods probably come off pretty... sinister to him. For one thing, he doesn't necessarily fight his victims at all. What would Xander think if he saw him try to poison this girl with a tainted mango or something?

"We're kind of adventurers too. We actually come from prettty far away... I haven't even heard of Pendrago! Is it somewhere on this island chain?"

<Pose Tracker> Xander Lovell has posed.

"Mm," he manages to Talia's greeting. Xander's trying to pick up on as many details Talia's giving them as he can, but he's experiencing some problems. Namely:

1) The bloodlust pounding in his skull, distracting him with thoughts on where knives should go
2) He's trying not to cough blood all over the road
3) Riley is insufferable.

Blitzball and Althena's Guard and Glenibus and Merwood and -- this already isn't working. How does Riley ever manage getting through these long running conversations? He exchanges a glance back at Riley with the mention of Talia being a Drifter. They do outnumber her assuming she doesn't call a monster or the bird doesn't join in, and he gives a small nod and a gesture of his head.

But the conversation is continuing and he sucks in air through his teeth, hand to his head. Maybe he's being suspicious. Or maybe it looks like he's got a headache. He's starting to, in any case.

<Pose Tracker> Talia has posed.

"Ah, are you?" Talia asks. "Pendrago is in Glenwood--almost a whole continent over."

She looks at Riley, her head tilted to the side. "Do you come from Filgaia?" she asks. "It is okay. I have been there, no?" She winks once. She does glance sideways at Xander. There is a moment of hesitation; not of suspicion, but something like concern crosses her face.

"Are you okay?" she asks him. The way he sucks air through his teeth and puts his hand to his head -- well, she assumes he might be hurt. Or sick.

"Do you need to sit down?"

<Pose Tracker> Riley Arwell has posed.

Do you come from Filgaia?

...Knowledge of travel between worlds must really get around amongst drifters!

Riley waves his hands sheepishly. "You caught us! Yes, that's exactly where we're from. I didn't know if it would make people think we were crazy to go around saying we were from another world without warning. It's pretty amazing that you've been there, too!" He pauses.

"Oh, ah, I'm Riley, and this is..."

Are you okay?

Riley looks back at him. "Are you okay?" he glances back to Talia. "Ah, Xander is a little sick. And we've been walking for a long time." He turns back to Xander. "Maybe you should rest a little. I have snacks?" He smiles at Xander with a question mark, hoping he will understand that the question is 'would you still love me if I tried to kill this girl with a poisoned mango?'

<Pose Tracker> Xander Lovell has posed.

Wow. There is a lot of inter world travel. It's like the universe was holding out on them. But, they're murderers, so, fair. Maybe that makes this conversation easier.

"Ah, mm... We're not exactly familiar with the landscape here, if you couldn't tell," he says. "Or the animals." He looks to the chocobo again.

... Actually it's... kind of cute...

Riley actually introduces himself and Xander feels another twitch of dread. He rubs his temples, but maybe this is adding to his unintentional act. Oh, good, Talia's concerned. This isn't guilt inducing at all.

Aaaand there's Xander's name. He shoots Riley a look. If they try anything now, they'd better succeed. Unfortunately, Riley's proposed plan and desire for forgiveness is little complex even on the best of days. Xander blinks back at Riley without a lick of understanding and gives a questioning tilt of his head. "Sorry. I -- guess I should...?"

That's a yes, maybe?

<Pose Tracker> Talia has posed.

"Ah, well... when you hadn't heard of Blitzball or Pendrago--well, I had a hunch. I couldn't be sure, no?" Talia says, with a wink at them both. "You picked a nice place. But, if Sin shows up, don't stick around, no? It is a giant, sometimes flying whale that destroys cities and is immense."

She says this sort of matter-of-factly. This is to cover the way she feels a slight shiver; the way memories of seeing a city destroyed come unbidden, and how close to death she came.

Better to not let that show to the strangers.

"Sure," Talia says. "I'll have to get going soon, but I have a little bit." There isn't a good place to sit -- just a big rock, to lean against. She clears way for Xander.

"Don't worry about it, no?" she says to Xander. "Filgaia, the first time I saw that place, it was so confusing! You adjust, after awhile."

She winks again. "So... how long have you two known each other, hm?"

<Pose Tracker> Riley Arwell has posed.

It is a giant, sometimes flying whale that destroys cities and is immense.

"Ah... yeah. We had a little bit of warning about that before we came. I guess it figures that somewhere this green and full of life would have a terrible whale monster to balance it out..."

Riley tries to convey his plans to Xander via facial expression, and Xander just head tilts at him. It does not seem like Xander understands what he was proposing. Maybe he should have offered to hunt alone, having Xander watching him is making him think about it too much, and he doesn't like it to feel real until it's too late to take back...

He takes out a (non) poisoned mango that's meant to be for Xander, but doesn't hand it over right away since he's not sure he's ready to do a whole ... mango-related routine that could end in someone's death yet. Instead he just rolls it around in his hands a bit.

Another reason he doesn't want Xander to watch... they had a nice little moment discovering mangos earlier. Will using them as a murder weapon ruin them forever? But on the other hand, how long is he planning to leave Xander choking on thorns and coughing blood? Maybe he should just stab her and they can take their chances with a fight. If the intrusive visions he's getting are any indication, that's what Valmar seems to be recommending.

How long have you two known each other, hm?

Riley is startled out of his thoughts a bit, reddening because she's asking about his life while he's weighing how to end hers. "Since we were kids..."

<Pose Tracker> Xander Lovell has posed.

Xander waves off his hand dismissively about the giant sometimes flying whale of destructive. "If it's not one thing, it's another, right? But -- noted. I won't try to stop and sketch it, or whatever."

Talia points out a rock to lean on, and Xander's not even sure how much he needs it, realistically, but his chest does hurt and he takes it and exhales out his frustration. It probably sounds like relief, though. Maybe Talia will turn around and walk away and he can slide a dagger into one of her vitals.

Or you could slash her across an artery, he thinks, and it's not really him, but it feels enough like him. It'd be very stupid of him, if it were him, because that would let her fight back more easily.

This is why he prefers his way -- straightforward, quick, and to the point. None of this people trying to help you and showing you kindness in a strange alien world thing. Even if they could really use it right now. "Any... critical adjustments we ought to make? Besides the whale."

But why is she winking?! Maybe because Riley told her they were married. Except Riley's flustering, and that's a rare prize that even the evil power of Valmar is not yet strong enough to distract Xander from. "Regrettably, he beat me to the proposal."

His tone is entirely dry.

<Pose Tracker> Talia has posed.

"Probably best not to," Talia tells Xander, with a slight smile. "Fortunately, it tends to be pretty obvious when it shows up." She hesitates for a second -- her brow furrows, as she starts to consider things.

She watches the mango come out for a moment. It looks tasty, she thinks; she restrains herself from grabbing at it, because she has been made to understand that would be considered rude.

"I wouldn't try to pretend you're locals," Talia says. "I find it hard, no? The culture and dress are different here--and most people believe in a religion that I am not sure most of us know, no?"

She shrugs her shoulders. Then, she looks between them both, and grins a little more. "That is very cute." She winks. "That's good for both of you! I'm engaged, but we haven't gotten that far yet, no? It's a lot of work."

<Pose Tracker> Riley Arwell has posed.

Regrettably, he beat me to the proposal.

Riley smiles a guilty smile. "It's a shame, yours probably would have been more romantic." Stabbing Xander's eye out and inducting him into the darkness of Valmar was neither a proposal nor (technically) a marriage, but he assumes that's what he's being called out about.

I'm engaged, but we haven't gotten that far yet, no? It's a lot of work.

Riley momentarily forgets about mango murders as the wedding plotline in the improv portion of the hunt unexpectedly advances. "Ah, really? That's exciting! Is your fiance a drifter, too? It's really not so bad planning a wedding, all you really need is a memorable location and some flowers..." Riley, stop.

<Pose Tracker> Xander Lovell has posed.

Talia mentions her engagement. He's paler now. What would her fiance look like once they learned she wasn't coming home and he brings his hand to his mouth, lips pressed together, to swallow down blood that threatens to rise up. But if he can't go that far --

No. He has to. He knows he has to.

Xander looks to Riley with a flat, piercing gaze because he knows what he did and at least that puts more color back into him -- not that Xander's complexion is one with much of it to start. "I had it all planned out and everything," he says. Or, oops maybe he's accidentally getting caught up in this narrative himself so long as he can keep staring daggers into Riley.

"All you really need is a memorable location and some flowers..."

Xander's eyelid twitches. "Evidently." He glances to Talia. "...The location part's negotiable. I couldn't even appreciate it through the tears."

Of joy. Obviously that's what he means.

<Pose Tracker> Talia has posed.

"Oh, well... sort of. She does it a little--but not really as much as I do," Talia says. She laughs, running her fingers through her hair. "I guess you have a point... though I think we're more likely to make a big production of it. It's just what we do, no?"

She laughs at that, then she glances at Xander. She blinks -- and then grins. He must mean tears of joy. Right? Or maybe... maybe it's his sense of humor.

She glances at the horizon -- her eyes squint, noting where the sun is in the sky -- and then looks back at them. "Well--it's been a pleasure, no? I should get on my way--I've got a package to deliver." She waves a hand at them both. "Good in Luca!"

<Pose Tracker> Riley Arwell has posed.

Why does Riley feel like he's about to get fake-divorced..?

I think we're more likely to make a big production of it.

"A really fancy wedding can be great, too! I hope it ends up being special."

But then Talia says her goodbyes and turns to leave. It's now or never.

...Can he really kill someone who's about to get married? But... everyone's got people who love them, people they love. And they need to upset someone's loved ones, or they're never getting the thorns out of Xander's chest.

Riley takes a breath and tries to shut his mind off. His body will just do it for him if he gets out of the way. His hand moves toward his dagger.

<Pose Tracker> Xander Lovell has posed.

"Yeah, take care," Xander says, leaving it at that. He closes his eye and takes a deep, shaken breath as it rakes through his lungs. He's going to have to endure this a little longer.

He looks up to see Riley, slipping forward to take hold of his wrist with a gentle squeeze. It isn't sentimentality that stops him. Dark as it is, he knows it's all a trade, and he already made his choice. He's resolved himself to that. Everyone's got loved ones.

And so does he.

But --

"An upcoming wedding -- a big production upcoming wedding," he says, voice murmured low in Riley's ear. "We'll create more trouble for ourselves than we'll solve."

There will be an investigation for that. A deeply personal one that might come with someone with nothing left to lose. (Is he projecting?) To say nothing of a possible long invite list all ready to be upset about it. It's difficult enough for the two of them to stay off the radar as it is.

<Pose Tracker> Riley Arwell has posed.

Riley's hand is caught -- a reason or an excuse given why it can't be this one. His shoulders slump in relief as much as regret.

Talia dissappears onto the horizon, and he turns to Xander, offering what's in his other hand.

"...have a mango," he says.