Interrupting Tam's journey out of Dalmasca with a short feature for Tristan. Thanks to @porxienapper for letting me borrow Cassidy and for helping me to get her right. <3
Horizon | 5th Astral Moon | 1577
The inside of Drest Salvage & Miscellany had seen busier days, but if the slim, bookish looking owner cared about the lack of business she didn’t seem to show it. At the moment Tristan was lost deep in the belly of the construct that had been dismantled and strewn across her desk, the pieces of the joint unit no longer as neatly arranged as when she’d begun some hours ago. Now they were a cacophony of mistakes, a riot of wrong turns and ineffective results. At the center of her dilemma lay several small, concave discs that should have fit around the top of the knee assembly. With a weary sigh she leaned back in her chair, covering her face with her long fingers as she stretched the weary muscles of her back.
The bell at the door jangled abruptly and Tristan spread her fingers the tiniest bit so she could peek through them and the slatted divider to catch a glimpse of who was at the door. She wasn’t entirely sure she was up for the interruption of a customer, but then she spied the swaying green tinged curls and sun worn leather hat and smiled. Tris kicked back from the desk, her chair rattling loudly on the stone tiles as she scooted out from the small alcove and into Cassidy’s view, “Cassy, save me.”
The woman dropped a brown paper sack of groceries on the counter top that divided the main shop floor from the back area, and leaned over to snag a brief kiss from Tristan. As she swept her green curls over her shoulder she winked, her Thanalan drawl heavy with amused affection, “Hells, that’s my specialty. What’s got your knickers twisted, sugar?”
“Oh,” Tris groaned, having hoped that the woman would sweep past her actual request. “It’s this damnable knee joint. I’m trying to find something to act as a meniscus and keep the metal bearings from grinding each other to bits, but everything I’ve tried so far is too damn friable.” She gestured vaguely to her desk, and the discs spread across its surface. “I’m about ready to give up entirely.”
Cassidy’s face scrunched up as she looked at Tris, leaning over the counter to peer at the mess of the desktop. “Well, I’d offer to knock heads with you over it, but I ain’t got the slightest idea what ‘friable’ even means.” Her smile widened as she teased her hands through the fringe of hair that had escaped Tristan’s tight bun. “Sounds like somethin’ you do to eggs.”
Tristan snorted a soft laugh and leaned forward to snag one of the discs, holding it up for Cassidy to take, “It means it's likely to crumble or crack under pressure, see how bits of this latex disc are fraying off already?”
Cassidy rolled the disc between her fingers, holding it up to the workshop's lights as she squinted at it. “Aw, yeah. That’ll get ground to bits in no time flat, won’t it?”
“Yes,” Tris sighed, “And the rest of this I’ve tried is all the same. I need something hard, and naturally slick, or else something that’ll take a decent lubricant and not absorb it.” Her face flushed crimson as she looked back over at Cassidy to find the woman bouncing her eyebrows suggestively at the line of thought. “Oh, you know what I mean.”
“I do,” Cassidy laughed with a wink as she grabbed Tristan’s hand, “but c’mon and let’s have some dinner, darlin’. Then you can talk to me about lubricatin’ hard ‘n slick things til the chocobos come home.”
Ok the lady in this gif looks suspiciously like Lir but is not. I have definitely not gotten her killed by those things a few too many times. >.>
Cera: Betrayed in the Plot Twist
That shady ally you and your buddies have turned out to be a rotten egg after all, and you're their victim. The audience saw it before you did. Being stabbed in the back hurts like a bitch; I don't envy you, but take solace knowing your death was the single most pivotal moment in the entire story.
Lir: Took a Hit Meant for Another
Whether intentionally or not, you were in the way of someone's attack and paid the ultimate price. Chances are, nobody saw your death coming until it was too late. If you blocked the blow on purpose, know that your sacrifice was not in vain. If you didn't, well. Sorry, buddy, that's pretty rough.
Tristan: Revealed as a Casualty of an Unseen Battle
You know the Griffin McElroy quote about exits from lives. Your death was arguably the most tragic of all: mundane. Nothing could have been done to prevent it, and you died for little to no good reason. The dramatic reveal of your corpse, however, was one of the most stirring moments in the whole story, so you've at least got that.
Dove: Buying Time for the Hero
Your comrade is the one who needs to save the world. Their quest is too important to fail and you knew it, so when the risk was greatest, you fought with everything you had to keep it at bay. In the end, you lost your life, but you did so in the most badass way possible. Be proud!
Quiz
Tagged by: @starforger - thank you!
Tagging: @porxienapper, @argentrenard, @kestrelvylbrand, @luck-and-larceny, @dumb-hat and any of y'alls alts you want to also do!
Been making some cute emoji style art of FFXIV characters lately. Ladies on the left are mine, on the right are my wife's characters. You can find her characters @porxienapper
Part 1: Stretch them Legs | Part 2: Rude Awakenings
Tris had frozen when Cassidy's hand touched her shoulder, the commotion of the last few minutes slowly registering with her as she fought through the haze of pain and fatigue. The residual warmth of the woman next to her and the soft shuffling as Cassidy poked around the cart and climbed out the window set a backdrop to the memories of the previous evening. The rough blanket she'd pulled over her face not only blocked the blinding light of the open window, but also hid the crimson flush of embarrassment as she remembered her bumbling revelation.
Tris groaned and rolled over onto her back in Cassidy's now vacant side of the bed, propping her arm over her eyes to block out the wretched sun. She felt like death all over, and her stomach rolled as if the wagon was adrift in the ocean, not anchored firmly in the dirt of Thanalan. A queasy sweat broke out against her skin as she remembered Cassidy's confusion from the night before.
Tris had been so sure there'd been something there between them over the last few weeks, but maybe it was just hopeful desire and her suddenly voracious libido muddling the signals in her brain. Yes. The lingering way the woman looked at her sometimes had thrown her off, that was all. Tris pushed aside an intense desire to feel the woman's soft hair beneath her hand, and the imagined heat of their lips pressed together and focused instead on how good it was to have a friend at all in this place. She'd just have to be grateful for that and let the rest go. It wouldn't be hard, she told herself. After all, the fantasy of it had only been alive in her mind. Now that she knew she'd been wrong she could move on.
Maybe she'd plan a trip to Ul'dah and see what the scene there was like. Yes. She'd take her mind off things by going into town. Even if nothing came of it this time it'd distract her. Show her that there were better options than carrying a flame when there was no tinder to light. She'd burned herself that way too many times already, and Tris was determined to avoid troubling Cassidy with it further.
She lifted her elbow experimentally as the queasiness subsided, only to find it returned immediately with even the dim light filtering through the dusty curtain. She groaned again and shifted uncomfortably, her mouth terribly dry as she croaked, "By the Twelve, woman. What have you done to me?"
Tristan and Cassidy celebrate getting Tris back on her feet by drinking irresponsibly and playing dangerous games with each other's hearts. Cassidy belongs to @porxienapper
Night was falling in Thanalan, the wide expanse of sky over Black Brush fading to a dark purple as the first of the stars slowly winked into sight. The streets of the busy town emptied to a trickle, lights blooming in the windows of small shacks and cottages; but just south of the town limits, in a tavern nestled under an overhanging rock shelf, the party was just getting started. Miners, travelers, and traders filled the Coffer and Coffin to the gills, laughter and salutations drifting through the open saloon doors as regulars and newcomers alike settled in to unwind after a long day spent laboring in the blistering desert heat.
Dry earth crunching beneath her boot heels, Cassidy Clay rounded the sparse fence surrounding the establishment and surveyed the scene. “Looks like it ain’t too rowdy inside yet,” she said, scratching under the brim of her hat as she turned to Tristan. “You wanna wade in, grab some drinks, and bring ‘em out to the fire here?” Cass gave the woman an encouraging smile, figuring the quiet of the fireside might be more to Tris’s taste; but she was also hoping to introduce her new friend to a couple of the regulars, if they were around.
Tristan’s gaze wandered over the rustic establishment as she stopped behind Cassidy and leaned on her cane. Despite the ramshackle nature of the building and its out of the way location Tris was surprised to find it already as crowded as the best Ishgardian pub on a freezing winter’s day. In most circumstances she’d have retired to her own space rather than risk herself pushing through the crowds and dealing with the drunkards, but she was determined that tonight things would be different. A fluttering knot of anticipation caught in her throat as she nodded to Cassidy and took a step closer to the shorter woman.
“That’d be fine,” she murmured, glancing briefly at the fire and the loose assembly of tables and make-shift seats that surrounded it. “Though, you’ll have to help me with choosing a drink. I expect they don’t serve hot chocolate around here.”
Cassidy chuckled, her teeth flashing briefly in the darkening evening. It wasn’t the first time she’d heard Tristan mention the sugary drink. “Roger might be able to whip up something special for you, but I doubt it’ll compare favorably to what you can get up north.” She pressed her lips together and squinted at Tris thoughtfully. “I bet you’d like a stout float. They make ‘em real sweet and chocolatey. Moogaritas are more refreshing; mint lassi, if you want to skip the alcohol.” Giving the woman a wink, she re-situated her hat and strode toward the open doors, setting a leisurely pace to accommodate her companion’s gait. “Hope they do marmot skewers on the fire later. I’m so hungry I could eat a daggum tortoise.”
“Hmm,” Tris mused as she followed Cassidy towards the doors, “I must admit I don’t have the slightest idea what a moogarita might be. Are they good? What will you be having?”
The tap and crunch of her cane and the still slightly awkward gait of her new mechanical legs left Tris feeling a bit like a fish in a bowl as she waded into the crowd. As Cassidy made for the doors Tris reached out and steadied herself by grasping the woman’s forearm.
“They’re great!” Cassidy replied, pausing for a moment as she was distracted first by a drunk highlander taking a stumbling step backwards into their space, and then the feel of Tris’s hand grasping her arm. Glancing back at her, she grinned and then sidled closer, hooking their arms together and pressing her hip against her for support. “Cheap liquor, but it’s mixed in with limeade and crushed ice. Like the way you’d imagine drinking a frozen cactaur would taste. I like mine with a little crushed mint, and salt on the rim.” She smacked her lips. “Yep, talked myself into it. That’s what I’m gonna get.”
Planting a hand on the highlander’s back, she gave the man a gentle shove to make way, and continued carefully toward the bar.
Tris couldn’t help but smile at the other woman’s enthusiasm, “I’ve honestly never imagined what a frozen cactuar would taste like. That sounds like a uniquely Thanalan sort of imaginary confection.” She tucked her elbow in and pressed against Cassidy as she avoided bumping into some of the brawnier looking members of the crowd. “It does sound refreshing though. Perhaps I shall try it as well.”
Cassidy beamed at Tris. “All right then, darlin’, first round’s on me!” She continued to lead them through the crowd, waving at familiar faces along the way, introducing Tristan to a few of her older friends. There was Eadwina, the elder retired miner who ran a hammer beak sanctuary outside of town; Garmund, the moko grass farmer whom she had helped build an air well for; Amalie, a heavily scarred Magitek scavenger who wanted to gush about her latest haul; and Osgar, a brooding dark haired chocobo wrangler whose longing gaze lingered on Cassidy as much as she seemed determined not to notice or respond to it. In every case, they made a little small talk, then offered polite excuses to keep them moving until at last they arrived at the bar. A few minutes later, drinks in hand, they emerged through the doors of the bustling tavern, the sounds of the crowd fading behind them.
The evening air was less oppressive now that the sun had set, and Cassidy paused for a beat past the threshold, enjoying the caress of the dusty breeze on her bare skin. She took a sip of her moogarita and glanced back toward Tristan before heading down the steps. “Phew. Think half the town’s in there tonight. How’d you make out? All in one piece?”
By the time they made it out to the steps Tristan’s mind was buzzing with new faces, new names, and the beginnings of a new schematic inspired by Amalie’s gushing. She nodded to Cassidy and carefully made her way down the stairs, one hand clutched on her cane, the other wrapped tightly around the frosty glass of her moogarita . As her metal feet touched sand again she smiled a little wryly and tipped her glass to Cassidy, “Made it without spilling the blasted thing, and that’s a first for me and open containers.”
As she made her way carefully over towards the fire Tris glanced over at Cassidy, “You seemed to know most of the people in there. I suppose I’m not surprised. Is there anyone in Thanalan you haven’t made acquaintances with?”
Cassidy chuckled. “Well I wouldn’t be a very good physick if I wasn’t at least passing acquainted with most of my hometown,” she mused. “Or maybe it’s just my big mouth to blame. Though I don’t know many of the upper-crusters around here -- them that have private medics, or travel in from Ul’dah for business. But I don’t think I’m missing out on much there.”
She led them toward a log on the quieter side of the fire, just close enough to share its warmth and light while being far enough from the din of the revelers. Then she paused, holding out a hand in case Tris wanted to pass off her drink before taking a seat.
“I can agree with you there,” Tris said as she tucked her cane under her arm and took Cassidy’s hand, using it to balance herself as she lowered onto the log. Once settled she let go of her with a small nod of thanks. “I’ve never found the nobility to be anything other than tiresome and I expect that the version you have of that here in Ul’dah is even more patronizing and frustrating than the high bloods of Ishgard.”
With her body settled on the log Tris took a careful sip of her moogarita and blinked as her mouth pinched into a pucker. She shivered as she licked the salt from her lips, “That is a bit tart, isn’t it?” She took another sip, rolling it about in her mouth before smiling, “Refreshing though.”
Cassidy lowered herself onto the log next to Tris and crossed her legs, a slow grin forming on her face as she watched the woman enjoying her drink. “See? Just like I told ya.” She muddled her mint in the ice with a finger before taking a sip of her own drink, then let out a satisfied sigh. “Yeah, that’s the good shit. No better chaser for the heat of the day than that.”
Sweeping her hat off her head, Cassidy rested it on the log beside her and brushed the hair out of her face as she slid a glance over to Tristan. “I can’t guess how our upper crust compares to Ishgard, but… you can’t rise to that kinda power here without exploiting someone, and feels like we’re always the ones who get to bear the burden of their success.” She makes a gesture with her drink to encompass the bar, and the town of Black Brush. “You got a nobility up in Ishgard, right? You either get born into it, or you don’t?”
“Just so. And of course only Elezen belong to the noble houses of Ishgard, so--” Tris sipped her drink and shrugged. “You’re quite right though. Even when rank is determined by birth there’s no staying there without crushing someone beneath your heel. Many do it for sport as far as I can tell, while even the most generous among them do little more than stroke their own egos by virtue of their charity.” She snorted and stared off into the fire.
“But nevermind that. I’ll grow more sour than this drink if we keep talking that way,” She tucked a stray hair behind her ear as she turned to Cassidy. “It’s not so different back in Ishgard. Before I left the Brume it seemed I knew everyone, or at least they knew of me. You ever wonder what it’d be like to start over off somewhere else?”
“Sure,” Cassidy said, a ghost of a smile returning to her face after their somber digression. “I mean, don’t get me wrong -- I love the folks around here. But I hear so many stories about other places, from merchants, or people passing through. People like you,” she added, giving Tristan a grin. “And I know people who had grand ambitions to travel and see the world when they were younger, but they got trapped in a routine, or something came up with their family, and before they knew it they were too old or settled to leave. I don’t want that to happen to me.”
She took a sip of her drink, then looked back to Tristan. “Anyroad, why do you ask? You thinking about relocating?”
“No, no,” Tris shrugged, “Well not yet in any case. I imagine I will eventually for just the reasons you said. Now that I’m more mobile I’d like to see more of the world, but unless I get an offer I can’t refuse I’ll need to build my funds up first.” She frowned thoughtfully, resting her elbow on her thigh as she leaned against her hand and looked up at Cassidy. “I suppose I was mostly curious. I can’t imagine having made this move without your help, and I’m terribly grateful to you for introducing me around. Getting back on my feet would have been far more difficult without that. I imagine you won’t have any trouble of that sort if you settle elsewhere. People seem to like you quite quickly, don’t they?”
“Pfffff,” Cassidy blew out a breath and jostled Tris with her elbow, turning her gaze down to the ground, but the gesture of humility was undercut by her smile and the blush the woman’s words brought to her cheeks. “I dunno about that, really. More likely just the fact that they’ve been seeing my face for years.” She gave Tris a wry glance. “Well... That and the medicinals.”
Chuckling, she looked down at the glass in her hands, rubbing her thumb through the film of condensation on the side. “To tell you the truth, this ain’t exactly the life I wish I was living. I mean, I love getting to know people from all walks of life, helping them out, seeing a new place every couple weeks, but…” She trailed off, rolling the glass between her palms as she looked back up at Tris. “Do you know this past month is the longest I’ve stayed in one place for the past five years? And… Twelve, Tris, I ain’t spent so much time with one person in a stretch since I was growing up back home with my brother. I know it was for work, but... I’ve enjoyed it. Especially working with you on your legs. I guess it’s made me realize that I miss being able to settle down a bit -- really get to know the people around me, instead of always just passing through.”
“I had no idea,” Tris said quietly, her face thoughtful as she reached over to rest one hand on the back of Cassidy’s forearm. “You always seem so sanguine and optimistic.” Tris chewed on the inside of her cheek before speaking carefully, “But of course I can see how it’d be hard to always be coming and going out of people’s lives like that. I don’t know that settling down right now is what you’re after, but certainly if you’d like to stay in Horizon more often I’d welcome the company. Or perhaps I can ride along sometimes on your rounds.” She swallowed hard against the hot feeling of the alcohol kicking in. “Truth be told, I haven’t had a real friend in years. It’s been a pleasant change of pace, and one I’d welcome to continue.”
Cassidy leaned forward and gave Tris a warm smile, her eyes shining in the light of the fire. “That’s awful sweet of you,” she said, squirming a little in her delight. “I think of you as a real friend too, Tris. Having this chance to get to know you this past month has meant a lot. I’m happy you want to spend more time together.” She looked down at the drink in her hands, then knocked it back and set the empty glass on the ground by her feet. “I can always make room in the carriage, if you want to bum a ride out to Black Brush, or points beyond. Maybe run with Amalie’s crew once in a while, fuck around up near Camp Bluefog. But truth be told, Tris, I could probably afford to spend more time in Horizon, while you’re tinkering with your legs. Physick work’s a lot quieter lately, since the refugee camps emptied out.”
Tris smiled, her own cheeks coloring a bit in the dim firelight, “I’ll need more practice with my legs first, but I’d really like to take that trip up to Bluefog. Though I do hate to impose on you like that.” She mused over things for a moment and then snapped her fingers, “If you get tired of sleeping out of the carriage I could certainly shuffle things around and make room for a guest bed in the apartment. Then it would be quite fair since we’d be roommates of a sort.”
A pang of embarrassment washed over her and Tris gulped down the rest of her drink before she managed to jump any other guns.
Cassidy’s eyebrows rose slowly at Tristan’s suggestion. She couldn’t deny how nice it would be to sleep in a legitimate bed, but she was also no stranger to promises made over drinks. “Ah, so you’re a charitable drunk,” she laughed. “My favorite kind! We can talk about the room situation later, maybe. But since you’re in a generous mood tonight, I got a proposition for ya.”
She swiveled around on the log, straddling it with her legs so she was facing Tris, then dug around in her haversack and extracted an unmarked bottle full of a clear, bright pink liquid. Slapping it down on the log in front of her with a resounding thud, she eyed Tris with a mischievous glint in her eye. “Prickly pear liquor. Got a friend out in Drybone who makes it. Thought I’d bust one out to celebrate you getting on your feet.” She grinned, toying with the cork. “You want to play a drinking game, Tris?”
“A drinking game?” Tris wondered aloud as she looked down at the bottle. The warm feeling of fuzzy excitement tingled in her belly as she realized she was speaking before having really thought things through. “Sure, though I’m afraid I don’t know any. You’ll have to teach me.” She blinked slowly and then smiled faintly, “I do hope it’s not like cards. I’m afraid I don’t have much to wager on winning, or much hope of out drinking you.”
Cassidy chuckled as she pried the cork from the bottle and sniffed its contents. “Don’t you worry, darlin’, I don’t want your money and this ain’t a competition. It’s called ‘Never Have I Ever.’” Lifting a finger, she took a sip from the bottle. The tart sugary liquor went down easy, leaving only a mild burn in its wake. It was delicious, and easy to get sloshed on the stuff. “Just a warm-up. Anyroad, I start by saying something I’ve never done. If you’ve done it, then you drink. Otherwise, you don’t. And then you ask the next question.” She smiled, then shrugged. “Simple, right?” Holding the bottle in her steel hand, she made a beckoning gesture. “You gotta face me, though. Can you manage that on the log, or do you wanna grab one of them tables over there?”
“Oh, I see,” Tris said softly as she watched Cassidy sip from the bottle. “Yes, that does seem quite simple. Though I expect you’ll be somewhat disappointed unless you plan on asking me about the finer details of artillery repair.” With that Tris scooted back on the log and lifted one leg over to the other side, shifting it jerkily into a more comfortable position. Now that she was facing Cassidy, Tris could see the way the firelight illuminated the spark in the other woman’s eyes and she felt a nervous flop in her belly as she wondered what exactly she’d gotten herself into. Still, her mouth went on talking before her brain could catch up, “How’s this?”
“Perfect!” Cassidy chirped, grinning at Tris. “And don’t you worry, there’s always low-hanging fruit.” She shifted her legs until they were folded underneath her on the log, scooting until the other woman was within easy reaching distance. “I’ll start us off easy. Never have I ever left my home country.” Giving Tris a wink, she rested the bottle on the log between them, holding it steady with a finger as she waited for her to take it.
Tris laughed as she took the bottle, shaking her head in dismay, “That fruit is so low hanging I believe it is actually a popoto.” Despite the protest she took a small swig, blinking at the tartness and afterburn of the liquor. “I don’t know why I was expecting rolanberries,” she muttered as she set the bottle back on the log and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.
“My turn then?” Tris mused for a moment and then smiled, “Never have I ever had a hangover.” Her smile broke into a grin as she handed the bottle back to Cassidy, “May as well use that since I think this will be the last time it’s ever true.”
“You’re damn right about that,” Cassidy replied, still laughing from the woman’s popoto comment. She snagged the bottle and took a drink. “Still,” she said, hissing through her teeth, “if you’re gonna get drunk in anyone’s company, better it be a physick, right?”
“A’right,” Cassidy said, waving a hand in front of her face to clear the air. “Enough of this easy stuff. Never have I ever… fallen asleep at work?” She raised an eyebrow at the end of the question, eyeing Tris expectantly.
Tris squinted at Cassidy, looking thoughtful as she mulled it over, “No, I never have. Not AT work in any case, that’d have been too dangerous. Certainly while tinkering on my own at home though.” She smiled and folded her arms over her chest as she thought.
“Never have I ever… been fired from a job.” She gave Cassidy a curious look and bit the inside of her cheek.
Cassidy grinned, eyeing the bottle thoughtfully as she considered. “Guess that depends on who you consider my boss. Certainly my pa’s not about to fire me, but my clients? Yeah, I’ve had some of ‘em drop me as a physick, most of the time because I wouldn’t give ‘em the treatment they wanted.” She shrugged, and took a drink. “Laudanum,” she said with a sigh. “Shit’s addictive as hell.”
“Right,” she said, lacing her fingers together as she squinted at Tris. “Never have I ever… fought with someone in public.”
Tris shook her head at Cassidy’s reply, “I can certainly see how it would be.” One hand strayed to unconsciously rub at her thigh as she thought about Cassidy’s challenge. At last she reached out and took the bottle, taking a small swig. “My brothers and I fought quite a bit in public as kids, before I got hurt. Afterwards I’ve done plenty of arguing with folks in public but no physical fighting per se.”
She twisted the bottle lightly in her fingers as she thought, “Never have I ever… stolen anything.”
“Ah!” Cassidy laughed. “Got me pegged as a delinquent, huh? Well…” She trailed off, scratching her chin. “I certainly helped myself to a few things without asking, but never anything someone would miss.” After a moment, she reached for the bottle and took a small sip. “I’ll give you a half-swig for that one.”
She pressed her lips together thoughtfully as she set the bottle down between them. “Never have I ever had a broken heart.”
Tris laughed lightly, “More curious than anything, but that does sound right.”
At Cassidy’s challenge Tris’s smile dimmed a little and she nodded as she reached for the bottle. Her swig this time was a bit more prolonged, though as she set the bottle back down she smirked at Cassidy, “I take it you’re more of the heart breaker then?” She waved off the question with one hand, “Or should I say… never have I ever broken someone else’s heart?”
Cassidy gave Tris a gentle smile and then considered the bottle between them. "Yeeeeaaaah," she said at length, drawing out the word as she reluctantly snagged the bottle and took a large mouthful, swallowing with a wince and a sigh. "My obligations ain't conducive to seeing someone long-term. I try to set that expectation up front, but..." She shrugged, and shook her head. "Heart does what it will, I guess.”
Her hand lingered on the bottle as she took another moment to reminisce. “I haven’t seen anyone in a while, actually,” she confided, dimly aware of the liquor loosening her tongue. “Hooking up for a night or two just got to feeling real shallow after a while, you know? Guess I lost my appetite. Not worth trouble and broken hearts, anyroad.” She looked back up to Tris and gave the woman an abashed smile. “Never thought to ask. You seeing anyone back in Ishgard?”
Tris propped one foot up and leaned on her bent knee as she listened to Cassidy with a sad smile, “I don’t know, actually.” Tris sighed and reached to take the bottle back, feeling a bit shaky as she considered it. “I’m not. Seeing anyone that is. I had a lover, briefly, a few years back. That was it though.” She took a long swing from the bottle and sighed, “Before the surgery I wasn’t always… well. I wasn’t always the easiest person to live with. M’ tongue gets sharp when I’m hurting, and between that and the realities of being with someone with the limitations I had… Jac wasn’t up for it long-term. I haven’t had the heart to fuss with romance or sex since.”
A sad bubble of laughter broke as she looked down at the bottle between them, “Twelve. I’ve forgotten who’s turn it is. Uhm. Never have I ever had a one-night stand.” With that she thrust the bottle back in Cassidy’s direction with a coy smile.
The sad smile Cassidy had adopted while listening to Tris broke as the woman thrust the bottle in her direction, and she barked a laugh. “Oh! Well, now, that’s cheating,” she teased, but took a drink from it all the same. She swayed a bit as she set the bottle down, resting her steel hand against Tris’s leg to steady herself. “Turnabout’s fair play.” she said, tossing her head back, her dark green locks cascading back over her shoulder. “Never have I ever fired a gun.” Cassidy gave Tris a confident grin as she passed the bottle back over to the other woman.
Tris laughed and took the bottle back with a resigned sigh, “I deserved that.” She took a long drink and then coughed as she set the bottle down, “But that’s terrible. Now that I’m up and about I should take you shooting. Honestly I could use to get back into practice myself.”
Her head spun a bit as she looked back up at Cassidy, her cheeks flushing at the way the woman’s hair spilled over her shoulders and gleamed in the firelight. A wiggle of curiosity jumped from her mind to her tongue, “Uhm. Never have I ever been with a man.”
Cassidy was reaching for the bottle before Tris had even finished asking her question, but she stopped herself at the last minute, her hand freezing on the neck. “Never been with a man?” she repeated, her brow knit with confusion, certain she had misheard. Then the realization dawned on her and washed over her face as she turned her wide eyes quickly back up toward Tris. “Oh! So you --... and then Jac was… a woman,” she clarified, head tilted to the side as she waited for Tris to confirm it, her hand still frozen on the neck of the bottle.
“It’s short for Jacqueline,” Tris muttered, a hot feeling of regret and disappointment washing over her as the liquor continued to tangle her tongue in knots. She pressed her hand to her face and mumbled from behind it, “Sorry. I just realized neither of us had specified and didn’t know if…” She dropped her hand and laughed, “Well it’s statistically unlikely we’d have quite that much in common. Usually I can just tell but you know it’s been such a strange couple of months and… well.” Tris rambled herself into a corner and then sat there, staring off to the side for a moment before reaching to pluck the bottle from Cassidy’s grasp and tip back a drink to shut herself up.
When the bottle was pulled from under her hand, Cassidy snapped out of her shell shocked trance and realized she’d just been sitting there staring dumbly at the woman as her drunk brain caught up with this latest revelation. Say something! she urged herself, wincing as Tris’s embarrassment became apparent. “Oh! Y-yeah,” she said, laughing nervously and reaching for the bottle after the woman had finished with it. “Sorry, I just… Small town like this, I don’t meet a lot of gay people. Or at least, they’re not hanging around the Coffer.” She could feel the heat rising in her cheeks, and she took a long swallow from the bottle and rested it back on the log between them, partially supporting her weight with it as she swayed again. She cast a few more furtive glances up at Tris before her curiosity got the better of her. “You interested in men at all, then? Or just women?”
“Nope,” Tris slurred as she took the bottle back. “Just women.” She shrugged and took another, smaller swig, “That’s the other reason I only ever been with one person, you know? I mean Ishgard’s got its fair share but if you’re not looking for it, well, it’s easy to miss. And it wasn’t like I was dragging my sorry legs into any pubs at all, much less the ones with other willing ladies.”
“Anyroads, I didn’t mean to spring that on you,” Tris fussed with a stray strand of hair as she spoke and smiled wryly. “You’re just so easy to talk to.” She glanced down at the bottle with a small hiccup, “And that liquor is too drinkable.”
Cassidy giggled in spite of herself. “It’s good, right? And don’t apologize for that, Tris,” she said, smacking the woman’s mechanical knee lightly. “This is exactly what I was hoping for, getting to know you better. Besides, I think you got the right idea. What did sleeping with men ever get me, besides a couple pregnancy scares and a handful of pouting exes? Well, I already knew you were smarter than me.” She trailed off, still smiling, but toying anxiously with her fingers. “Hey -- you’re still interested in being friends, right? Even though I ain’t into women?”
“What?” Tris blinked as she looked Cassidy over, “Well of course I want to be your friend, Cass. That wasn’t ever even a question.” A frown crossed over her face as she watched the other woman, her liquor sodden brain slowly slamming the pieces of the puzzle together. “Oh, please don’t tell me that some ignorant dodo-brained man has foregone your friendship just because he couldn’t have you in his bed. You tell me who he is and I will build a vice for his balls.”
Cassidy’s shoulders slumped with relief, laughter bubbling out of her at Tris’s well-phrased threat. “Darlin’, I’d be a lucky woman if it was just one man,” she said, beaming brightly. “Anyroad, I should’ve known you’d be better’n that. And honestly, if that’s all someone wants from another person, fuck ‘em.” She hiccuped and leaned forward, eyeing the last two fingers of liquor swirling around in the bottom of the bottle. “Hey, not bad,” she said, planting a hand on the log to catch herself as she lurched forward. “What d’you say we polish that off and head back to the wagon ‘fore we pass out inna dirt?”
Tris blew out a long sigh at Cassidy’s response, shaking her head. Then she laughed “Or don’t fuck them as the case may be.” At Cassidy’s sudden lurch forward she reached out and steadied a hand on the other woman’s shoulder. “That sounds good, but… are you still alright with me sleeping in the wagon with you?”
“Oh,” Cassidy said, jerking to a halt and looking up into Tris’s face as the woman brought her forward momentum to an abrupt halt. “You’re sweet to ask,” she said with a dopey smile. “And I ain’t troubled by it. I trust you, Tris.” Reaching behind her, she snagged her hat and snugged it down over her head, brushing the dust from the brim. “How about you? Does this make things different?”
“No,” Tris replied as she swung her leg over the log and scooted to the edge of it, retrieving her cane. “Not in that direction anyroad. If anything it makes it easier. We can just get on being friends and I don’t have to keep guessing if I’m reading things wrong or not. May not have been how I planned to bring it up, but I do like knowing where I stand.” With a soft grunt she pushed to her feet and steadied herself on her cane as she got her bearings.
“What say we finish that in the wagon? I’m afraid if I drink more here I may not remember how to do this.” She took one hesitant step forward and then another.
Cassidy gave Tris a grateful smile, then followed the woman up to her feet, stumbling a half step as the ground seemed to tip and sway beneath her. “Deal,” she agreed readily, reaching out clumsily to snag Tris’s arm as she slung her haversack over her opposite shoulder and grabbed the bottle from her. “Tell you what; you lean on me and I’ll lean on you. Then at least if we can’t stay on our feet, we’ll both go down together.” She giggled again, some part of her realizing that nothing coming out of her mouth was making sense anymore, and she hardly cared.
Tris laughed and hooked her elbow around Cassidy’s, “I’ll try not to land on you.” Her optimistic statement was punctuated by a small laugh as she began trudging towards where she vaguely remembered the wagon being parked.
Hair: Her gray-brown hair is kept pulled back in a tight set of braids and a knotted bun. A practical hairstyle for her profession that does give her a somewhat severe look.
Eyes: Brown
Height: 68 ilms (5’ 8”)
Build: She has a lean build, with a narrow face and sharp features.
Common Accessories: Tris prefers wearing utilitarian clothes, usually just a simple shirt, suspenders, and a pair of oil stained slacks under a leather apron. She likes things with pockets and places to store her tools. The most distinguishing accessories she has are her prosthetic legs crafted of metal and magitek.
PERSONAL –––
Profession: Machinist, junkmonger, inventor
Hobbies: Tinkering, inventing, cleaning out her workshop, organizing junk, drinking, visiting places with Cassy, going to the theater
Alcohol: Fairly frequently now, but she was a teetotaller for years.
RP HOOKS –––
Brume Born: Tris was born in the squalor and rubble of Ishgard’s Foundation district. She has since escaped the life of many of her peers, and although she has fond memories of the Brume she seems to have little desire to return there. At least for now.
Mechanic and Junkmonger: Tris is fascinated by any form of magitek, and can often be found tinkering with ideas or improving upon the designs of others. She is always in the market for salvage and components, and can be hired to make modifications to weapons and devices.
Though much of her work is done aboard the Airship Andvari she can still be contacted through a postal box in Horizon, and is willing to travel for the chance at a particularly interesting piece of scrap or repair job.
A Leg to Stand On: A horrific childhood accident left Tris reliant on crude braces and crutches to get around. Only with her recent relocation to Thanalan was she able to replace her mangled legs with mechanical ones of steel and magic.
Other amputees (with or without mechanical limbs) may have run into her in the past, and she is actively interested in meeting others that share the same struggles she has, or are in need of finely crafted prosthetics.
OOC INFORMATION –––
I’m a late 30 something lesbian who’s been around roleplaying off and on in MMOs for 20 years now. I like playing with glams, decorating my house, and taking a nap while Gaius yells about Eorzea. I’m pretty new to FFXIV and always happy to learn more about the setting and its lore!
