A Life of Crime, or Just Bad Influences?

I blame the Mithra. (Arketa, this means you, yes.) I know, I know...that's a common solution, but really, this time I could blame a certain Elvaan woman too. (Yes, Fiery...or Alison) But actually, this all follows from the first thing I learned when studying the arts of the treasure hunters, was how to shift blame...and we shift it well too! You see, I've been living a life of theft and avoiding blame recently, and damn, it's been a great ride! Treasure hunting and the arts of a ninja go beautifully together, but having a great core static is making it even better! I've leveled from 30 to 34 thus far with a group from GraveyardShift LS in following formation: Lanoire (NIN/WAR), Alcindor (SAM/WAR), Valynne (WHM/BLM), Sumiko (THF/NIN), Zaria (DRG/BLU), and myself finally (THF/NIN).

I may go solo'ing a bit need to catch up a bit so Sumi's SATA's aren't quite as high above mine >.> Next level will grant me new daggers, however, so I will definately enjoy that boost! There is something powerful about getting new daggers to accompany those shiny Drone Earrings that I've been hoarding for this point in time. Drone + Dodge will make me very glad that I don't have to deal with pierced ears and can just change clips during battles. It's been a busy but fun weekend, and I will be sure to Mug you later....errrr, I meant meet you later! *waves and flees*

And for those who mailed wondering about Fiery... This is the one whose fault it is that I tapped into my criminal nature...Least I can do is offer you a picture, right? *He reaches into his wallet and pulls one out from a distant past*

This one was for Fiery...

I placed the testimony from the stupid turtle upon the Burning Circle in Palborough Mines, and it granted me passage to a long corridor leading into some sort of Rock Dome where I saw the old man again. I knew of his vehement battles against Red Mages in the past, having experienced one run of just pure bad luck, where not a Sleep II would stick, but this time, the possibility of that happening didn't cross my mind. This was vengeance...dedicated to someone. Failure just wasn't an option. As I arrived, I sprinted forwards towards the hermit, shouldering Pluto's Staff, and as soon as I got within range, unleashed a sleep spell, which took a shadow. Quickly using Dispel to get rid of that pesky condition, the follow-up Sleep II landed without problem. Drinking a Yagudo Drink, the Red Mage's instincts kicked in, and quickly Protect and Shell 4 were cast, followed by Stoneskin, Blink, and finally Phalanx.

It was offense time! After binding the old bugger and switching over to the Moldavite Earring, Elemental Torque, and Auster's Staff, I backed up and unleashed the mightiest spell in my repetoire: Aero III, which landed for a decent 407. Quickly followed up with a Sleep II to send him back to dreamland, and recast Blink as his Fire II and punches managed to eat my shadows. Lather (Aero III), Rinse (Sleep II), Repeat (Healing/Yag Drink/Hi-Ether)...Made me wonder what was so hard about it after it was over. I just had to have motivation, apparantly. First time I fought him I was rather "Meh" about the whole thing, and didn't fight to full potential, I feel. Not landing a sleep will make one think that...But this time I made a promise to win for someone, as I hadn't before...and that drove me onward. So Fiery....the old man's down.

Is that a heart I feel...or just a singeing flame?

((OOC: This is dedicated to you, Fiery. Wish you well in all you do RL, I know you'll do fine. You can always drop me a message if I can help anyway within my power. I'll miss you in Vana'diel. Here's my attempt at a overly emo poetic embellishment...I know, {Too weak} LOL)) {{Side note: I will try to remember to add a couple pics to this later}}

Last night was the closest to bringing a tear to mine eye that I have been in a long time, as one of my dearest friends took an indefinate leave from Vana'diel. I was ecstatic to see her for the short time I was able, and hurriedly sent her a message on my communicator as I sensed her presence. "Hey, glad you're not gone yet, had me worried there."

I waited for the reply as I finished that annoying Windurst run for the stupid mace-weilding Al Zhabi wench, and then it scrolled over my communicator, "Yeah, it's my last day here, I'm getting ready to leave now."

"Well, you can't leave yet," I quickly sent back, for some reason slightly nervous she might have to leave before I arrived, "Where are you now, hon?"

Meet her in Jeuno? Alrighty...a short combo of Mazurka and Flee later, I arrived at the Windurst Port and waited for the airship where we talked about her impending departure, and then she helped her friends in clearing out her things together. Now, those who know me will tell you that I'm a toreador when it comes to matters of the heart. It is far easier for me to avoid the horns of the bull with delicate evasion while pulling the strings of the beast as it pounces....However, I knew a genuine sadness as I went to say my farewells, knowing that a person who had aided in shaping my ideas in the game, a travelling partner, and overall, a good friend...was leaving.

As I arrived at the port in Jeuno, she was waiting there for me, as I took a moment to gaze upon her visage one last time. She was the elegant sort of beautiful, her face was the one of a warrioress who had been through countless battles, and hardened a bit from them without losing her delicate feminity. The silver webbing silhouetted her facial features, bangs falling softly to the side of her face to compliment the slight scowl upon her lips, her pride shining through ultimately, and I sighed inwardly as I knew our promised match in Ballista wouldn't get to happen anymore. We comrades shared a long look that passed many things without so much as a word...

My turn to break the silence, "Before you go, would you make me something to remember you by?" I paused slightly with that cocky grin of mine, "And of course, it will insure your legend lives on in Vana'diel, too." She laughed, and after picking up a couple items, we headed to the Kazham port. It struck me that this legendary Thief was wearing her Red Mage gear, while I was dashing about in my silly RSE as BRD/THF. So we went to Kazham where she made a lot of chocolate, and I changed to White Mage to teleport us to the Mea crag for a run to Windurst...where I could finally get comfortable in my Red Mage gear myself.

I remembered my first encounters with Fiery, as she was running about stealing things, helping me with various items and LB1...and the first time I got to party with her, while she leveled her Ranger in Eastern Altepa Desert, and I got to pull my Red Mage along...so very close to my homeland that had been decimated by the damned backlash of Vana'diel's energies. By the time I returned, she'd completed her crafting, and had decided to leave me with a Wrapped Heart with her name on it. I smiled, reminded of the little heart candies at Valentine's Day, and immediately set it for the max bazaar to show the world, and if someone buys it, well, damned if she won't have a huge gil surprise upon her return.

We talked for a while about what true friendship is, and how rare it was to find in modern life with the way people have become. She offered me to trade, and as I was shocked as she placed in my care a lot of valuable equipment from her Red Mage, and confided that I was the only one who hadn't asked her about getting her gear when she left, only about her and her future. I told her it would all be waiting for her when she decided to return to Vana'diel one day, and I would be sure to defeat Maat with it for her.

She looked at the time, and we hurried on to her Mog House, where her moogle was waiting to send her to the other dimension, and shared a long look at the doorway before I gave her a light kiss farewell and whispered that I would always remember her, and would do my best to live up to her legacy. In true toreador form, I left unsaid was that which I think she already knew, and neither of us would mention...so I'll say it now for all of Vana'diel and the world to see: I think you taught me of love during the times we shared in this world, Fiery. I can only hope I was able to show you something as deserving and worthy in return. May your flames forever burn brightly.