(no subject)

[luna_soul_]

"One does not see why you grumble so much Chosen," Loki told him as they walked through the bar to the world the stranger had told them about. She sniffed the air haughtily. "One thinks you look quite presentable in these new clothes."

Seifer paused at the doorway and tugged at one of the sleeves. "It's... funny looking," he muttered as if that explained everything.

"It is traditional for a Sorceress' Knight," she countered.

It consisted of tall boots, loose fitting black pants, a loose fitting black shirt made out of the same material and a black leather tunic type vest that was cinched at the waist. He kept a gunblade adaptable handgun holstered in that belt and the blade itself was still being worked on. It wasn't that he thought he could use it as he used to be able to but he felt almost naked without a gunblade at his side, and so had made a few modifications and told the man a the junkshop in Esthar to put a new one together for him.

The outfit, which was the 'traditional costume for a Sorceress' Knight' as Loki constantly reminded him, also came with a long black cloak. Seifer had left it behind in Esthar. There were some things he should not have to put up with from a wolf. He couldn't leave the cane behind though, much as he wanted too. It was black and shiny and near unbreakable, but it was still a cane and he still limped along with it. It wasn't fair, hobbling about like this when he was used to walking on his own - and much faster too. "Stately" didn't become him much, he thought. He snorted and went through the door to Mirage, limping down the street towards the tavern where they'd find the offworlder who'd had a run in with Hyne. Or his friend had. Something.

Cecil rather liked this world. It reminded him of his own in a lot of ways, from its beautiful and fertile land to the talk of castles to the mages in long, streaming robes running back and forth in town. And it was a modest town, really, which was why he was surprised to hear that it was actually hidden away from the rest of the world, unless one knew where to look. Hence its name: Mirage.

For all counts and purposes he blended in perfectly in his simple long-sleeved grey tunic and pants of the same color. The only thing that really stood out about him was the elaborate armor he wore, with an equally elaborate white cloak worn over it. His stark silver hair was the other thing that stood out as well, drawing quite a few stares, but he took all of this in stride with a smile and a wave… and an occasional pout as well, for he never liked attracting too much attention to himself. Unfortunately, being a King entailed just that, a fact he was more than happy to forget whenever possible. If possible.

Just sitting there at that small table in the back of the towns tavern he had a “regal” air about him, but he was most likely oblivious to this fact, or, he ignored it. Leaning back in his chair, he wondered just what to expect from the person he’d been contacted by earlier. Well, he’d know soon enough.

Seifer entered the tavern and glanced around. Ah, it'd have to be the one who stood out, because that was how things worked right? The bartender seemed to have a problem with the wolf, but Loki didn't seem to notice and he only glared. Since he didn't say anything, she stayed with him, occasionally muttering about the smell.

He made his way over to the table and took a deep breath. "You're the guy with the Sorceress problem, aren't you?" he asked. Best to be blunt.

Cecil turned in his seat and favored the man with a friendly smile, unperturbed by his blunt greeting. “That would be me, yes.” Gazing briefly at the majestic creature by the strangers side, he added, “Won’t you sit?”

"Gladly," Seifer replied and pulled out a chair. His legs were starting to ache again so sitting was a most welcome option. He leaned the cane he used against the table and glared at it briefly before returning his attention back to the man in front of him. Loki flopped down on the floor with a dignified snort and one more comment about the stench of alcohol before quieting down.

"So, how'd this happen?" Seifer asked, ordering something to drink and ignoring the snort and low growl from the wolf.

The smallest of sympathetic expressions crossed Cecil’s features as he watched the other man lean his cane against the table, though he didn’t pry into it. Being naturally curious, this was a bit of a trial for him. Must… resist… so tempting… Struggling with himself a bit, he drew his gaze back down to the wolf and smiled again. “I wish I knew,” he answered with a simple forthrightness. “It was all very unexpected. My wife and I returned to Baron, our home, in the midst of chaos…”

He clasped his hands in front of him on the table. “This woman almost completely decimated an area of my castle, then fled, taking my friend with her. This disturbs me, because he is not the sort of man who would be captured so easily…” Cecil frowned, and was silent. Of course, he didn’t know what Seifer’s reaction would be to the phrase ‘my castle’, but oh well. A sudden thought struck him, and he chuckled, extending a hand across the table. “I’m sorry, where are my manners. I’m Cecil.”

Seifer blinked. He was so used to people like Squall, who would only give you a funny look for extending your hand in the traditional greeting that it almost flew over his head, but he recovered nicely and took it. "Seifer Almasy," he said, noting the mention of a castle and the owning thereof, but letting it slide. After all, he was used to nobility of a sort - he used to hang around with Sorceresses... Still did really. "And that is Loki." He nodded in the direction of the wolf, who stood and bowed rather gracefully for a creature with four legs.

She sat back down and he frowned thoughtfully. "The lady you're dealing with is... well she's a Sorceress, but I doubt that means anything to you, right?"

Cecil nodded at Loki, gifting the creature-who he figured was a summoned guardian, of sorts-with a reverent smile before turning back to Seifer. He blinked himself. “Sorceress? Well, that explains a few things…” He hummed, resting his chin on his hands, digesting that information.

Seifer pursed his lips. "Well... it's a little more complicated than that," he conceded. "You have gods where you come from right? She's something like that in our world, only not." His brow furrowed as he tried to come up with a way of telling the story that would make sense. "She's the Sorceress. Nobody seems to know where she came from, but when she popped out it made people nervous and they... well, witch hunts. They eventually cornered her and nearly killed her. Then she made some sort of deal that ended up with her giving up half her power to the people and she kept the other half - the stronger half. Then she up and disappeared. That was..." He glanced at Loki and she growled something. "Thousands of years ago. Guess she got bored with hibernation. She also doesn't have a Knight, which makes her just plain batty."

The Paladin leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms behind himself, looking upward for a long moment. “You’re right, that is complicated,” he agreed, chewing on his lower lip. “My companions and I dealt with a situation similar to that last year. You see, my twin brother is a Sorcerer…“ he paused, then added with a wry smile, ”which was a complication all its own, though perhaps not as complicated as your Sorceress is.” He glanced between the two of them. “Does she have a weakness of any kind?”

Oh good, there were other worlds out there with Sorcery that was actually called Sorcery. That was somewhat comforting. Seifer glanced down at Loki who whined something at him. "We're trying to find them," he said. "Apparently there's a copy of the fine print of that deal she made lying around. That's the Guardian's job - finding that. As for us mere mortals... we're hoping that raining down bombs on her headquarters is enough to hurt her at least - her and the other Sorceress she's got under her. There are two of them."

Cecil almost fell off his chair at that. “TWO of them?!” His expression was probably a bit on the comical side, his eyes becoming as wide as dinner plates and all, but he really was shocked by that last tid-bit of info.

Seifer smirked. "Yeah, two of them. The second is a real piece of work. Only about a fraction of the power, and about ten times the ambition with a kinky maiming fetish." He glanced meaningfully at the cane that leaned against the table and shrugged. "We have vague suggestions that say they're working together, or that Ultimecia - the second one - is working for Hyne. She's already been taken down once." He sighed. "And she came back. Like weeds in the spring, only worse."

Again, that sympathetic look crossed his face. “I’m sorry,” he said without thinking. Brushing a few strands of silver away from his eyes, Cecil quickly continued, “I’ll do what I can to help if it means finding Kain in the process. I just don’t know what she wants with him though. He’s very… unsociable. And well, moody.” He explained with a small laugh.

"Don't worry about it," Seifer said with a negligent wave of his hand. He snickered a bit. "He might get along well with the Commander then. Moody son of a bitch." He shrugged. "You're buddy's not the only one she snagged. As far as we can tell, she's got three now. Both of them are... close to the Commander - his name's Squall Leonhart and he sounds like a match for your pal there." He said back thoughtfully. "They've got a fleet of ships ready to go in after them so air support isn't that big a concern right now. You said you had a castle right? That implies you've got people under you - an army?"

“Army? Uh, sure…” Cecil grinned, a little embarrassed. “Sorry. I’ve only been King for one year now, and I’m still not used to it. I was much more comfortable as a soldier. Then I got landed as Captain of our airship fleet-The Redwings-before things kinda got out of hand…” He decided to skip the details on that. “But yes, I do have an army.”

Seifer shrugged again. A king hm? Now wasn't that just dandy! Useful too. "Don't feel bad, the Commander's eighteen and in charge of the army on our side. Not what you'd call the easiest thing in the world to be, but he hasn't blundered too much yet," he admitted grudgingly. "I ask because we know they've got one. We can handle the air but since most of our people are up flying around, our ground supports a little thin."

Eighteen? Impressive. “My people can handle things at ground level, then,” Cecil nodded, sitting up a little straighter and suddenly feeling better about his age.

Seifer grinned. Hell, they were all young, weren't they? He was, what? Nineteen now - and married. Good grief. "Good," he said, leaning back in his seat. "I don't have many more details than that, but Squall would. I know he's biting at the bit to get moving and would feel a lot better if he had back up going in. I'll let him know I talked to you and then let you two chit chat and coordinate things, how's that?"

“Sounds good!” Cecil chirped brightly across the table, some of his childish personality sneaking through his ‘regal’ disposition. Now he started to fidget slightly in his seat. If Kain were sitting across the table from him at this very moment, he’d probably kick him hard enough to bruise and tell him to knock it off. Thinking of that caused his smile to dampen faintly as he wondered where his friend was at and what exactly he was doing. Poor guy… captivity was not for him. Cecil worried for the mans sanity; Kain would vault himself out the nearest open window in desperation if given the chance. For some reason that mental image made him giggle, and he forgot for a second that Seifer and his furry companion were still there.

Seifer arched an eyebrow and was about to say something before Loki cleared her throat delicately. He smirked and stood up, leaning against the table and offering his hand out again. "Alright then. I'll go brief the Commander and let him know what's gone down and then let you two hash out the details. Nice meeting you."

Composing himself with a bit of a blush, Cecil shook the others hand warmly. “Thank you, it was nice meeting you too, Seifer Almasy.” Squall, hm? Well, if he’s anything like Kain, Cecil figured, he knew what to expect already...

Hopefully.