ps3pirate | 2nd Treasure - [Action/Voice]

[Over a week ago, the Malnosso kidnapped one Patty Fleur from the enclosure for experimentation. On the morning of the sixth, one Patty Fleur is returned. However, it may be hard to tell who she is at first glance. She now looks like this, outfit included. The Malnosso dropped her off just north of the village, by the river, where she regains consciousness relatively soon. There's just a few more problems, on top of the obvious. The first being that her memories are in disarray. The Malnosso had a little fun with them and now everything's a great big mess. The second problem is that they drugged her pretty badly.]

[Action]

[When she awakens, she feels groggy and disoriented. She has no clue where she is, or even who she is. A soft groan escapes her and she rolls over onto her stomach so she can push herself into a crouching position. A wave of nausea overcomes her and- Oh, there's water nearby. Drinking some water would help. That river is clean enough, right? She moves closer on her hands and feet to peer down into it, then catches sight of her own reflection.

That's right... She's Aifread. Aifread, the Guild Leader of... Siren's Fang. See, she knew she could work her way through the groggyness. And she looks terrible. They must've been out on another drinking binge the previous night. Her crew could throw the craziest parties whenever she permitted them. She cups some water into her hands to take an idle sip, then glances around. The place doesn't seem familiar to her. One thing catches her attention, though: A neat journal that's lying on the ground nearby.

A journal... The strangest notion dawns on her, and she flips it open only to have her suspicions confirmed. It's a communication's device. That's right, couldn't she use this to broadcast messages to her companions? She's sure that's how it worked. There was something else about this journal- something important. Something to do with who gave it to her? Or the other people who have one? The more she tries to think about it, the greater her headache becomes.

She can worry about the details later, when her hangover's died down. Right now, she needs to find out where the rest of her crew passed out.]

[Voice]

[Cue a deep woman's voice. She seems to be speaking with a bit of a slur.]

All right, you lowlifes. You've had your fun, but remember Guild rule number seven. There will be appropriate punishment, so go clean up your acts and prepare yourselves.

[[OOC: Replies will come from

sirensfang and there will probably be ToV PS3 spoilers in the comments!]]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[At the moment, 'Aifread' is peering down into the river at her reflection again, hoping to make herself look more presentable. Her hair is a bit of a mess and she just can't seem to get her hat to stay on straight. When she hears a voice, she turns to face the stranger.

Or is he a stranger? Doesn't she know him? There's the most unsettling feeling that she just can't seem to place...]

I ah... [She clears her throat loudly.] I'm fine.

[...]

I need ask you something, who are you? [He's sure she can tell he had a look of some recognition of her, hence the question. Although he remembered her being just a little older in appearance...and she hadn't responded negatively upon seeing him. Was it Patty or Aifread? Or was he just mistaking himself?]

[If it were anyone else, she might've responded earnestly, but... This man is in uniform. He's a high-ranked Knight- even above a Captain. ... The Commandant. She's blanking on his name, but she's so sure that she's met him before. She's so sure that this guy means trouble for her.

She won't assume a hostile attitude just yet, instead keeping up an air of indifference.]

... Who wants to know?

Someone who wants to be able to address you properly. [Unless you want to be called the hungover lady]

My name is Alexei.

[Alexei... She's sure she's heard that name uttered with contempt before- not just by herself, but others as well. Granted, the strain between the Guilds and the Empire is so great that any commander's name would be uttered with contempt.

But hasn't she fought this guy before? ... No, surely she'd remember something like that more clearly. And he wouldn't bother to pretend he doesn't know her, in turn. Maybe she saw him yesterday while she was out drinking and then had a very vivid dream involving him. Yes, that seems about right. It'd explain why her mind associates him with strange underwater ruins and huge green crystals.

Still no reason to trust him, though.]

If you want to address me properly, Madam or Miss will do just fine.

[He would've liked a name, but he suppose her reluctance to cooperate should have been expected.]

Do you have any idea where you are right now?

Luceti. Isn't that right?

[She has the journal. She's spoken to a few people. Her memory's still shot and it's beginning to worry her, as she seems to have forgotten quite a few vital facts, but she has a bit of a grasp on the situation now.]

So you know this place, but not quite who I am. Interesting.

[Knowing Luceti meant she had been here before, but if she had been here, she would have remembered him. Yet she didn't. Hm.]

So I should know you. [Thanks for confirming that one, Alexei. But why would he reintroduce himself if he expected her to know him? There's something terribly off about all this.] Why don't you help me fill in on the gaps then, Commandant?

You want me to help you? [For some reason he finds that amusing]

You always seem to have trouble recalling certain memories don't you? Perhaps it's for the best that you don't know.

[All right, now she knows why Alexei's name is spoken with contempt. He's an incredible jerk and he knows more than he's letting on, too.]

What's that supposed to mean?!

If you don't know then it is probably for the best. [Or was it in his best interest that she didn't?]

You'll figure it out on your own, better you than I tell you.

[At that, she scoffs loudly.] I should've known better than to count on a dog of the Empire for aid. Be on your way, then, if you aren't going to make yourself useful.

[...He was going to do that, until that one remark about him being a dog of the Empire]

I am no mere servant to the Empire. I am what's keeping it on it's feet . [...he was anyway, so he liked to believe. You get what I mean!]

[At that, she just gives a bitter smirk, crossing her arms over her chest.]

Aye, of course you are! You're a big man in that uniform, aren't you? What would the Empire do without the commanders that lead their soldiers to certain death?

It would be far worst off if the Council was left unchallenged. You think I throw my soldiers around without a purpose? Everything I did was toward a better future. Sometimes sacrifices were necessary in order to reach it.

Typical Empire thinking, right there. Sacrifices aren't something you should accept as necessary- They're things you should work to avoid at all costs.

That is merely the thoughts of a child. The real world doesn't work that way, everything comes with a price. Even working to avoid that necessity has a price.

And you don't think it's the commanding officer who should be expected to pay that price, huh? That's the difference between you and me. The Captain goes down with the ship, after all.

[...He smirks at that.] It's quite unfortunate you didn't exactly follow your own code. You don't have a right to say something like that.

[Her face contorts and her fingers are just itching to grab hold of a pistol, but alas, she doesn't have a single weapon on her.]

Just what is that supposed to mean?!

I mean exactly what I said. You don't remember? Well, you'll figure it out soon enough. Now if you'll excuse me, since I doubt you want my help I'll just be on my way.

[Oh, how she wishes she could put her fist through this guy's face without consequences.]

Go on, then! Run with your tail between your legs. That's what you knights are best at, ya know!