Something is Better Than Nothing

A scream tore through Illandria's throat, before she could slap her good hand over her lips to stifle it. They didn't need to have the guards come in, concerned. Tears stung her eyes and she could feel her heart trying to leap from her chest. She tried to hold back the bile in her throat that threatened to rise. Soon the pain began to ebb away and she removed her hand. The Lalafell turned around when she heard the click of the cell door. She got an idea. She grinned as she wiped the saliva from her hand.

"I've an idea," she grinned, "I need you to scream as if I've hurt you. When the guard's curiosity catches him, and he comes to see what happened to you, I'll swing open the cell door on his head to knock him out and take his keys."

Things We Do Without Tools

Xi noticed the subtle sag in her arm when the rope came undone. She went on and on about all the things they had taken from her. It was hard to imagine where she kept all those things hidden on her person, but Xi got a kick out of thinking about it.

"I beg your pardon." He shifted his body around to her side and ran his hand over her shoulder. One hand under her arm and the other on her shoulder blade he gripped tightly and forced the dislocated joint back into place. Harsh. Given their situation he didn't need her slowing them down with a limp arm.

He pulled his braid over his shoulder and began to pick inside it until he pulled out a small piece of metal. "You Eorzeans are so concerned about pulling out things from pockets and belts. Domans know there are far better places to hide things." Standing up, he stepped over to the door and began working at the lock. "My daggers and knives are gone but I still have a few things. I can still use my ninjutsu as well so hopefully that will be enough.

Oh Bother

Oh NOW he wants to listen... If he had just let me wait to call in for backup they'd at least have reinforcements coming in!

No it wasn't the time for that. She needed to stop.... Reflexively berating people. Once her hands were free she just turned to face him. "A plan?... I'll try to think of something... But I'll need a minute," she replied. As she was thinking he snapped her from her thoughts with another question.

"A-ah yes. They took my ammo belt and gun... And my grenades... And my tools," she murmured. She could feel her chest tighten. All of her equipment was gone... She had hand-made all of it. She grit her teeth and began pacing her cell. 

Now is not the time. I need to think... 

She looked around the room. No windows. There was only one door and there was surely a guard behind it. "I'm guessing that they didn't leave you with lock picking tools... Did they?" she asked. 

Repenting

He looked far worse than he originally thought if she were offering to help him. Pride told him to say no. He deserved it, he left her.

"Fortunately I won't need anything to get out of this cell." Kneeling down he pulled and tugged at the ropes until the knot had come undone. "Really, I'll be fine. Just try to save your energy. I can get us out of here but I'll be counting on you for an escape plan."

Scratch My Back and I'll Scratch Yours

"Absolutely everything," she said, "Come here. Let me see." Her voice was soft and edged with concern. It was breaking her heart to see him in this state. She turned her back to him. "Can you untie me? I can help a little..." she explained. She leaned back against the bars carefully. She waited for a moment.

Hard Times Ahead

Xi sighed and let his hands slide away from the metal. She was tied up but didn't look scarred. As long as she was alright the rest didn't matter, for now anyway. "Well I didn't have many options when I realized you were captured." He explained.

Taking a seat he ripped at the bottom of his top until it fell apart and used it to dab away the blood on his face. No doubt he probably looked about as bad as he felt. "I'm sorry."

His guilt took on the form of words as he looked away and worked at his face. "It was your job to plan and my job to fight but I couldn't protect you. Admittedly I'm not one for planning battles either so I probably should have gone for help instead of letting myself take a beating. I just didn't want you to suffer alone. Besides I can do more for you in here than I could running off with my tail between my legs." He smiled and immediately winced at the sore against his lip. Oh he would make that Roegadyn suffer.

"At least the Chieftain got away. I assume they took away everything you had on your person? Won't make things easy if they did."

So Many Questions So Little Time to Plan

When Illandria saw a familiar silhouette fall to the floor she jumped from her spot and staggered toward the door. It was hard to run with her hands behind her back. The Lalafell looked over her companion. She couldn't hide the worry and concern from her face, which is just what they wanted. She cursed herself. This was all her fault. She could have just let the Kobald rot and they would be safe and sound. Tears stung the scholar's eyes. once the men had left she was surprised to see Xi come to her at such great speeds.

"B-be careful! You look severely injur-" she was interrupted by Xi's own demand, "I-i'm fine." Which was a lie. She'd dislocated her shoulder in the struggle and having her arm tied in such an awkward position didn't help. But, it was nothing compared to what Xi must have been going through...

"How did you get caught? Why didn't you hide?" she asked.

A Terrible Plan

Xi gasped for air as his body fell to the ground after receiving one of many blows. His eye stung, most likely there would be a shiner there in the morning. Breathing was hard like his insides collapsed within themselves and scraped together... perhaps a fractured rib. It was enough. His wrecked body lie against the ground with his face wet and nearly dripping with blood.

Not the worst-- well maybe the worst beating I've taken in a while. This was not my best idea, he thought.

"Not much of a fighter when we take away all yer little toys, ey?" Another Roe chimed as he began picking his teeth with one of Xi's daggers.

Oh I'm going to kill you first when I'm out of this mess.

Silence filled the small patch of land where they had taken him. He supposed this is so that no one could hear his screams and come help him but that was humorous. Xi would sooner rip out his own tongue than scream for help or cry out in pain. They weren't going to get that satisfaction if he could help it.

Closing his eyes he lied still for a moment and slowed his breathing. It was hard to tell if a few seconds or a few minutes had passed when he was lifted back into the air and felt his body slump over a thick shoulder.

What I wouldn't give to gouge out your eyes right now and shove them down your throat.

Limbs swaying back and forth as he was carried to an unknown location, he didn't risk opening his eyes and alerting them that he was still very aware of things. His body fell to the ground in a thump and he gasped for air as he made contact with the stone floor.

"Say there, Lass, this the help you were waiting for?" A metal door slammed shut behind him and he slowly opened his eyes to see the cell bars, and beyond that was Illandria. At the very least she didn't have a swollen lip. "Didn't put up much of a fight. Sorry we ruined your friend's pretty face but I guess that won't matter for long anyway." He let out a loud booming laugh and turned to leave the cells. His body was already starting to feel like he had been pounded into the ground by Titan himself.

"I should have changed into an Au Ra. I'd like to see them punch through an armor of scales." Xi mused quietly to himself. When he was certain he was gone far enough and wasn't coming back he opened his eyes as wide as he could to look around at his setting. Bars, cement, a few pieces of hay, a bucket... probably for relieving himself and... Illandria.

Paying no mind to the pain, he pushed himself up and moved over to the bars, clinching them hard enough that they felt like they would snap in his fingers. "Illandria... they didn't hurt you, did they?"

Assistance Please...

Soon enough Illandria was face-to-face with her captors. They'd made sure to tie her hand behind her and take her tome and quill. She was forced into a chair as he stared at her, as if wondering where to start. He put his elbows on his desk and leaned forward on them. "So, what's a pretty little thin' like you tryin' to muck up our operation for?" he asked, looking directly into Illandria's eyes.

"I'm here with the Malestrom. There had been reports of suspicious activity so I came to check them out." she glared back. Although he obviously tried to hide it, the slight twitch in his mouth obviously confirmed some sort of fear - or at least agitation.

"I've been playin' this game far too long to have a runt like you stop me," he warned, "An' adventurers like you oft' get killed up in these parts by the beastmen... Tell me why I shouldn't do the same to you, lass."

"Because I have backup coming," she lied. She did her best to feign confidence. It wasn't a total lie... Xi would come for her if she didn't make it back... Right? "Before I came here I sent word to command about what was going on, along with some pretty incriminating proof." Illa was hoping that this would buy her some time... At the very least, he might keep her alive and around to use as a hostage. The small folk was brought out of her thoughts with a sharp cackle from the man in front of her.

"Aye. An' would that 'backup' possibly be yer little rogue friend who blew up the goods?" a wicked grin spread across his face as he watched Illandria's fall, "Lass, if yer gonna have a guard you might want a competent one. My boys found yer mate just sittin' around outside like a kicked pup. Well, now that we've got the both of ya, I suppose the Malestrom command'll have ta let us go... Though... I doubt we need two hostages.." He laughed when Illandria frantically pulled at her restraints. "Take her to the cells! We'll deal with 'em after we get cleaned up and packed up!" he barked, and before she knew it Illandria was hoisted back up and dragged away to a cell.

Decisions

"Let me go!"

Xi came to a halt in his footsteps. The small yelps rang in his ears and sent a shiver down his spine. He took a deep breath and in the dusty cloak of mist he remained still. Running straight to help her isn't the wisest choice I can make... neither is leaving her to their devices. Stupid girl. He bit his lip stabbing a dagger into the rough earth. Illandria wasn't the stupid girl.

Back and forth he went trying to decide on what to do until finally he'd done enough thinking. Pulling off his scarf he laid it onto the ground as heavy footsteps began marching around him when the dust began to fall.

"Well what do we have here?" A burly man chimed out and grabbed him by the back of his shirt lifting him into the air. The cloth cut into his arms and made him squirm.

"What you have here, genius, is the one who destroyed your crates. Angry?" Xi grinned and immediately felt a sharp stinging that started at his mouth when the Roegadyn's fist made contact and quickly spread through his whole face. The taste of blood filled his mouth and he spat onto the ground as he was tucked under the sweaty arm of his captor.

Never could Xi recall a time where he wanted to vomit more than being in this position but after letting Illandria be captured. It was a small price to pay. For now this would buy some time. At least he hoped it would.

It's Nice to See You Again

Illandria slowly made her feet move forward. She looked around. The smoke had leaked out into the open, and it was getting harder and harder to see. She could feel her heart ram against her chest. She could hear footsteps behind her. She felt her face pull into a smile, "Xi?"

But the footsteps were heavier, and she could hear the clinking of heavy armor. Her heart sank into her stomach. The scholar turned to run, but it was too late. There was a painful vice around her arm. She cried out as her attacker had her lifted her from her feet, all of her weight bearing down on the joint in her shoulder.

"Where ya off to in such a hurry, lass?" came a familiar raspy voice as he pulled her close to his own face. She winced and tried not to focus on the smell of alcohol on his breath that threatened to make the bile in her stomach rise. Her fingers desperately clawed at the massive hand that completely wound around her arm.

"Wait a bleedin' minute... You're the lass from the hot springs, aren't ya?!" he demanded. She coughed as more smoke surrounded them, her vision blurry from the tears created from pain and smoke.

"Let me go!" she croaked, swinging her legs, but as she did she created more tension on her shoulder and she cried out in pain. He chuckled as he watched her struggle.

"So ya got 'nother companion? Xi? Don't ya worry that pretty little head. I'll have me boys find 'em soon enough," he growled.

Gone or Abandoned

The explosion was larger than Xi had anticipated, but it had gotten the job done well enough that the Roegadyn were running around in a panic trying to stifle the fires before they grew out of hand causing more explosions. The smoke was thick and served his cover well enough to sneak past them without being seen, for that he was thankful. Fog covered his eyes but despite this he had ways of seeing without having to actually look. A soft pattering of footsteps sounded in his ears and he followed it until he could see a figure in the shadows of the smoke.

"Illandria?" He said in a breath and put his hand on the small ones shoulder, turning them around to see not a lalafell but a kobold. His brow furrowed and he looked around through the dust and flame. "Where is she?"

"She was behind me, now she's gone. Disappeared, vanished, gone."

"Abandoned you mean?" He clinched his hand on the kobold's shoulder until his fingers felt hot and shoved him away. "Get to the camp."

In a mist he faded in with the remnants of the dissipating smog and took off in the direction which the chief had fled from. If luck were with him Illandria would still be near that cave.

Of Kobalds and Men

Illandria was panting and gasping for air by the time that she and the Kobald chief made it out of the cave. Smoke stung her eyes and set fire to her lungs, but soon enough they were both far enough away to get some fresh air. Her eyes scanned everywhere for Xi. Where was he?! He didn't get caught did he? She didn't know if she had it in herself for another rescue mission. The smaller woman bent over, resting the palms of her hands on her knees. Now that she could feel them, she noticed her legs were shaking.

After she caught her breath she looked around some more. Where was he?! They hadn't agreed to meet somewhere... Maybe he went back to the inn? No. He wouldn't be so callus. She cursed under her breath when she realized the Kobald was no longer with her. He'd kept running. Her ears strained in the silence. All she could hear were the roaring flames behind her. She couldn't even hear the shouts of the pirates. Perhaps they cleared out?