It was a Saturday and she was off duty. The Templars were a demanding mistress who took up most of her time, The Dancing Dog- her other more, fun loving mistress took up the rest of it. It was early in the day so there was little traffic. She kept the front door open to let in fresh, cool air and some natural light. When one walked into her bar, you were greeted with the bar directly across. On the left wall offered booths with free standing tables across half the room. On the right wall was a massive fireplace with an extended ledge. Two wing-backed chairs sat on either side of the fireplace. And most often than not, her canine Asa lay upon the extended ledge. For those new to the place, until Asa moved, most believed the canine to be a prop. The rest of the space was empty of obstructions, allowing for dance. Music was a constant hum within the four walls. Speakers cleverly located throughout the room.
Often times, like now, Silver would be humming along, dancing as she wiped down tables and cleaned in general. This was her territory. The place she felt the most safe, the most in control. Quick footsteps had her glancing up. “What’s up Taz?” The ragtag girl in question paused, “Normal riff-raff. Feel off, so I’m going to catch a few z’s.” With that the girl with the black and green spiked hair sped through the door to the side of the actual bar which led to stairs and the kitchen. The stairs led to rooms above the bar. Catching the door before it swung shut, Silver yelled “When you wake be sure to muck out the stables.” There was a back building that held more rooms, which usually held the street kids, and a stable beside which housed horses of course.
Despite Fiore being in a time of peace, it still had a ton of pockets that needed to be addressed. Orphaned, abandoned, poor, and street kids were one. Even Crocus had its own run down section. Silver’s one soft spot were kids. A mother hen, she took them under her wing. Most likely due to her own troubled upbringing. She did not care their background, where they came from, what they did. When they were under her roof, they were hers. For room and board, they in return did chores according to age. Being Mother Hen, she also had rules especially with her being a templar. Though her templar ways were another story completely, and she was a bit loose in the templar department much to Captain Lockhart’s chagrin.
Glacial orbs glanced up at the pounding of paws on the floor. It seemed Asa was rough housing with the kids again. Most likely Taz. That one’s name suited her well. With a well known sigh, she began to wash dishes, dry them and put them up.
Last Edit: Sept 2, 2015 2:45:45 GMT by Silver Steele
Post by Roxanne Lexington on Sept 11, 2015 22:22:59 GMT
So, it was an interesting day. An interesting week, actually. What with being caught by the Templars due to a betrayal from her 'partner' and then being offered a job after. The redhead wore something of an unamused expression on her face as she was marched through Crocus in front of none other than the Templar Captain, himself. No words had been said in the last hour or so. She'd kind of done nothing but nod ever since she'd accepted the proposal. She did not want to go to prison; she'd heard horror stories about it from the ones that had been sent there in the past.
The pair stopped in front of a small bar, Captain Abel wearing a smug grin. "Here we are. Just hand this-" she was handed a rather official looking envelope, "to the woman at the bar. Trust me, it'll be much easier this way, even if it doesn't seem like it." He chuckled. A brow twitched on the redhead.
He reached up and placed a hand on her shoulder, gently pushing her through the door. She couldn't help it - she let out a small yelp as she found herself now inside the building. She was more than a little familiar with bars... but this was not the reason she wanted to be in one. Though it did make her want a drink.
After looking around with a bewildered expression on her face, Roxy straightened, running a hand through her hair. She strolled over to the bar, still trying not to seem interested in what was going on despite the break in her current 'character' that had just occurred. She handed the letter to the woman with a small cough into her free hand. "Hiya..." she greeted awkwardly.
Post by Silver Steele on Sept 12, 2015 4:34:12 GMT
She had just set two glass mugs on the rack when there was a yelp. She caught site of the tail end of a familiar red flapping cape before another filled the doorway. Grabbing another glass she washed it, blue eyes on the red head that entered noticing her bewildered expression. Something told her she was not going to like the news this stranger brought.
Silver took the envelope from the woman, an eyebrow raised but otherwise she said nothing in the way of greeting the other woman. She noted the templar sigil on the front and the wax seal on the back, which automatically gave way to who the letter was from. Blue eyes had barely skimmed it before she placed a hand on the bar and vaulted it, crossing the floor quickly to peer onto the now empty street. She had known that cape was familiar. “You’re a coward Albel!” She yelled down the street. Turning, she walked back to behind the bar, letter hanging from her hand as she eyed the redhead, her braided ponytail swaying from side to side. Her brow furrowed as she read the letter slowly.
‘Lieutenant Steele, It has come to my attention that there are a few issues that need to be addressed. In answer to: -the half dozen complaints from your fellow officers in the past month -your blatant disregard to the law in regards to your bar -the stunt you pulled last month involving chickens Since you seem to rehabilitate delinquents in your spare time, even going so far as to offer them room and board instead of proper punishment, I will add another. Ms. Roxanne Lexington is your formal partner in regards to all things Templar. I am assigning you with her training as she is now your responsibility. Squawk, Captain Albel Lockhart’
With a sigh, she folded the letter and put it in her back pocket. Silver knew the Captain was going to pay her back for her little stunt but she had not considered this. He had been lecturing her about the kids she was slack with and instead hired to work for her. She had told him ‘I am an officer of the law not a farmer so if you’re going to squawk like a chicken, she would send in someone better suited for the job.’ It did not help they were not alone at the time. He gave her 24 hour duty punishment. The next morning when he opened his office he was attacked by over a dozen chickens and a rooster. He had no evidence it was her though none was needed. The Templars still talk about it.
Crystalline eyes regarded Roxanne, arms crossed with the fingers of her left hand tapping on her right bicep. “So what’s your story puppy?”
Post by Roxanne Lexington on Sept 12, 2015 5:04:11 GMT
Puppy? Yeah. This had to be a bad dream, right? She was going to wake up and be in her nice, comfortable bed back at the Red Blades hideout. No, she'd pinched herself half a dozen times on the way here with the same hope, that wasn't it. Her eyes quickly scanned the words on the letter - she was a very fast reader. She'd taught herself a lot of skills with all of her free time back when she was just a spoiled rich girl.
Hands rested on her hips as she raised an eyebrow. A small smirk crossed her face. "You're on good terms with Lockhart eh?" she half joked. "Me? I'm Roxy, your resident Community Service Templar. Apparently" Roxanne actually kind of liked the looks of this bar. She didn't come to this area that much before now, or she'd have probably spent a fair amount of time here. "Long story short, I'm a bad guy... or girl, rather," she took that moment to wink at the woman. "But not anymore because I don't want to go to jail until I'm old." She leaned on the counter.
"If you want more specific I was trying to rob some people and my so-called partner ratted me out. Apparently Lockhart wanted to test a new reform policy on me." Which was fun. She didn't even like authority. "So, a quick trek to get permission from those council jerks, and now... apparently we're partners." She raised an eyebrow, crimson eyes scanning the woman before raising an arm to reveal the anti-magic cuff a certain Captain had saw fit to put on her as a precaution after she reminded him she could betray him and make her escape if he didn't bring people with him. "Now... Care to be my new favorite bestie and help me out a little?"
Post by Silver Steele on Sept 12, 2015 18:13:51 GMT
As Roxanne talked, Silver grinned. The grin widened by the time Ms. Foxy was done. “I am about in as good terms with him as you are. Considering you’re technically free rather than in a cage, you must have charmed him.” She smirked, gaze traveling down and then back up Roxanne before making note of the anti-magic cuff. “Charming maybe but not smart enough to keep your trap shut so he wouldn’t put on a cuff.” Granted, the Captain was looking to pay her back but he would not have risked making a Templar out of a criminal unless he saw something in the woman… Or maybe he believed Silver could handle whatever happened. Captain Albel having faith in her? Ha. That was an amusing thought.
Grabbing a glass and setting it on the counter in front of Roxy, she filled it with a dark soda. Placing a straw in it, she paused as she leaned in. Love, I don’t do partners let alone besties. I help no one, those around me earn their keep puppy. Show me you are not all looks and maybe I will reconsider.”
Straightening, she turned and began writing a list. “Do you have a place to stay?”
Post by Roxanne Lexington on Sept 12, 2015 19:16:09 GMT
"Worth it." Roxy rolled her eyes at the mention she wasn't smart enough to keep her trap shut to stay out of the cuff. She dropped her arm, her jacket covering the cuff again.This woman didn't seem to do besties or partners, which told Roxy that this was an interesting situation she was in indeed. Maybe the man just wanted to torture her. Or Silver. Maybe both at once.
She laughed though, at the idea that she could change Silver's mind by proving she wasn't all looks. "So you admit I've got the looks then eh?" She had a playful, almost defiant look in her eyes despite the circumstances. "I won't pretend I'm not at least a little shallow, so I'll take that as a good start." The smile vanished for a moment with her next words. "Look, I don't do 'Authority' or Templar in general. I'm apparently stuck with you regardless of what either of us 'do.' I haven't exactly had the best week, myself. So..." She wiggled her arm again - the one with the cuff on it.
"And no, I can't say I have much of a place to stay. What with them not taking too kindly to Templars and all." Nor was she going back to her damned parents. They had enough money they could probably own the Templars if they wanted. They could get her out of this entire situation, but there was no way in Hell she was going to turn to them after two years of freedom from their crap.
Post by Silver Steele on Sept 13, 2015 5:31:31 GMT
At ‘Worth It,’ Silver murmured “It usually is.” She would not turn back time to hold her tongue or change any of her actions despite the consequences. Though in this case it might have allowed the woman to stand a better chance at escaping. That thought in itself was amusing, if only because the Captain does not forget and if he does it is on purpose. It would have been her job to find the woman and bring her back. Gotta look at the bright side of things right? Dark orbs glanced over her shoulder, catching the look in Roxy’s eyes and couldn’t help but grin. A good start… She was about to find out just how good it could get.
“I don’t do the ‘Authority’ thing either and that is why you ended up on my doorstep. But I will do what I can to help those that truly need it. Look at it this way, your so called partner ratted you out rather than let you do the work and kill you for the spoils afterwards when your guard was down. Their mistake, as you now have the time to plan how to handle their disloyalty.” Though depending on the group she originally belonged to, it might be taken care of by the head honcho. Or maybe her partner was ordered to tip off the Templars by said head honcho. ‘Them’ not taking to kindly to Templars indicates their general attitude. With Roxy now being a Templar it may cause future trouble, especially if whoever ‘they’ are decide a reformed Templar is better dead. Hmm… Something to think about later.
Pursing her lips, Silver whistled a low key, two tone note. The right side of her mouth curved upwards in a half smile, blue eyes mischievous. Turning back to Roxanne and placing a bronze skeletal key upon the bar she explained. “This key belongs to the second largest room above this bar. Its yours, if you want it, on one condition.” A pause, her head tilted slightly. “You win the match.”
The swinging door opened silently, a head peeked from around the corner of the door. Crystalline eyes glowed eerily before the door opened further admitting the large striped canine into the room. Long legged, slim lean body seemed to glide across the floor in silence until finally the door closed. Bright eyes closed as her body shook as if wet, black mane swaying each way. She had been still only a moment before she slowly sunk to the ground, sky blue eyes focused on the red head. “Good luck.” Silver amusingly said, Asa’s rear wiggled as if in conjecture. Silver snapped her fingers and the lengthy brute pounced.
Post by Roxanne Lexington on Sept 13, 2015 5:53:43 GMT
Roxy had already thought out what she wanted to do to the man who betrayed her. He had all number of reasons he might do so - whether it was because she had no interest in him and he was vindictive, or because she was doing too good of a job impressing the guild master, Roxanne had no idea. She also apparently didn't have much time to think it through. "Hm?" Her eyes turned downward as the key was placed on the bar. The second largest room? Wait so she could live at a bar? It was an alcoholic's dream come true... which... admittedly she kind of was.
The downside came when she was told she had to win a match for it. "A match?" Her crimson eyes moved upward once more as the massive canine came through the door, watching her. Great, she was supposed to fight this thing? With the words 'good luck' the canine crouched to pounce. "Wait a minute what about-" She reached out her hands as the dog pounced, keeping it at arm's length as she rolled onto her back. A sharp kick had it sailing over her head, and a blink of an eye she was up. The canine, meanwhile, was ready to pounce again. She took a moment to cast a sidelong, annoyed glance at Silver, pointing once again at the wrist with the binding magic on it, and mouthing the words 'what the hell?!' silently.
She managed to step aside as it pounced yet again, looking for something she could pick up and use as a weapon. She was a wizard, not some straight up soldier. Sure, she was amazing with swords of all types (in her own opinion) but unarmed, well, she could use improvement. It was the enchantments that came with the blades that benefited her the most. "Aren't dogfights illegal or something?!" she demanded as she shoved the dog off of her a second time, this time before falling to the ground. She had the advantage of having better footing on two legs, but not outright strength or weight from a dog that size. How was she supposed to win?! She couldn't just go killing her new partner's dog could she? And even if she was allowed, the only thing she could find to hit it with was full bottles of alcohol or a bar stool...
Post by Silver Steele on Sept 14, 2015 10:57:54 GMT
Silver leaned against the bar, arms crossed and folded on the counter. Roxy’s annoyed look brought a smirk to the silver-haired woman’s face. She had to admit the red-head was fast, which was promising. “Well now if you strictly rely on magic than how am I to count on you to watch my back as my partner?” She wondered if the decision on when to remove the magic cuff was hers to make. If so, it would take a little more convincing before that would happen. Silver found the thought of chasing the red-head a chore, an unpleasant one and she could not be sure she wouldn’t still run. And this current scenario reminded her of the case where the suspect used a magic deadening device that covered a set area as he robbed places. Besides deactivating magic alarms it also prevented responders from using their magic. That earned her three complaints from fellow officers as she worked with a team to get one step ahead of the suspect.
As Roxy side stepped again, Silver was reminded of how agile the woman was. Point to her. At the mention of dogfights, her grin turned to a full smile as her pearly whites showed. “Besides the fact that this is my bar, dogfights indicate dog against dog… unless you have come to accept the title of puppy… in which case I suppose I could call her off.” Strong too as the woman blocked Asa’s attempt to knock her down. Silver had pegged the woman as one who took barbs a bit personal. The comment about her not being smart had not been taken kindly. Though, had their positions been switched she would not have held her tongue either. She wondered what reaction the puppy comment would get.
“She isn’t even noming on you. Just pouncing. Grab her, put her in a headlock or something.” [/b] Asa sneezed in reply as if unapproving of the help. Maybe she should have explained how to win the match or rather the kind of match it was. That wouldn’t be fun though and not nearly as helpful.Though Asa was in unleathal mode, if she got Roxy down and pinned her muzzle placed against the woman's throat would give the dog the win. Roxy recovered quite fast from the surprise and was holding her own. She seemed reluctant to permanently harm the dog and did not go straight for a kill.
Post by Roxanne Lexington on Sept 14, 2015 14:21:22 GMT
"I don't rely on magic I rely on the things my magic gives me!" Roxy corrected right before an 'oof' as the dog tackled her and very nearly wrestled to the floor. She was a requip wizard and she was a far better swordsman than she was at hand to hand combat. She grunted as she held the dog's head back from her neck. "And I'm not a puppy!" At least not in this sense.
Grab the dog, put her in a headlock. Right, she could do that. Her face grew serious for a second as she shoved the dog again, this time spinning around and landing on top of it. She wrapped her arms around Asa's neck, squeezing just hard enough to let the dog know to stop. She should have realized the dog wasn't trying to hurt her; she'd had several dogs that attacked her with far more malicious intent. She'd just been distracted by a number of factors. "Down girl," she told the dog before standing up.
Roxy gave her long red hair a flip over her shoulder, making sure to be flamboyant about it as she grinned and picked up the key from the table. "For the record, I only answer to pet names from people I'm involved with." She shoved the key i her jacket pocket. "You and me? Not until you learn I only like to be restrained in certain situations." She sat down at the bar stool, looking amused with herself once more. Who knew how this woman would take what she was saying. The aim was to annoy her, possibly be just a bit creepy. She saved the flirting for people who didn't throw their dogs at her. "So what do I need to wrestle to have this stupid cuff removed? Tell me it's you."
Post by Silver Steele on Sept 14, 2015 19:44:11 GMT
A grin as Asa almost got the best of Roxy, the grin widened at the woman’s outburst of not being a puppy. The grin disappeared as the woman took her words serious and won the match within seconds. So when serious Roxy got the job done. Good to know.
Roxy quickly switched back to her defiant attitude once the ‘match’ was over. As Roxy talked, Silver assumed a slightly amused expression; one eyebrow raised with the corners of her lips slightly curved upwards. Thumbs in her pockets she walked around the bar until she stood beside Roxy, hip leaning against the table. “Is that an invitation?” A fast twist of her legs and she placed a hand on the table to either side of the woman, leaning forward to whisper in her ear, “I learn very fast. Would you like to start now?”
Silver knew what the other woman was trying to do. She would learn real fast Silver didn’t back down nor did she intimidate easily. Two could play that game.
Post by Roxanne Lexington on Sept 14, 2015 19:59:09 GMT
Roxanne was mildly surprised when Silver so readily got up in her space and told her she was a fast learner. If Roxy hadn't been exactly who she was she would have probably been blushing rather intensely, all things considered. But instead that haughty grin remained haughty, and if anything she just looked more amused. Her gaze locked with Silver's before rather obviously giving the woman a once over before shrugging. "I dunno. Sicking a dog on a girl isn't the best way to convince her to 'wrestle' with you," she chided. "You're jumping on the pet name thing a little fast and that's a bit of a red flag in my book."
She knew Silver was playing chicken. That look, while calculated, was not one that was actually accepting of Roxy's half serious almost proposition. "Besides," she took out the key and waved it in Silver's face. "Misplaced trust aside, I used to be a stubborn rich girl. I don't think you've seen just how dedicated I can be. Besides, I think I'd enjoy the game more than you either way." Her new Captain wanted her to be partners with this woman? Well, no one said this woman had to be the top dog in the 'partnership.' Okay why were there so many animal puns in her thoughts? She glanced down at her wrist. Was she really going to play this game with Silver? Yes. As much as she wanted her magic back this woman had started it, and Roxy was going to finish it one way or another.
Post by Silver Steele on Sept 14, 2015 20:36:01 GMT
Sapphire eyes never left Roxy’s, “Like what you see?” She didn’t move from her spot, her tone remained amused. “Puppy is in reference to your newly acquired job title. If I were to give you a pet name…” It was Silver’s turn to give Roxy a thorough look before returning to her face with a half grin. “It would not be puppy.”
Silver filed away the tidbits of information for later review. The key reminded her, she had given this woman a room to stay in, so she should try to play nice if the partnership was to work. Roxy’s last comment however had that thought quickly vanishing. She could not say why this woman of all people would push her buttons so easily or have her feeling the need to win at this contest of wills. Blue on crimson, Silver leaned forward until their noses almost touched. “You would enjoy it. Immensely. Trust that.”
Before she could say anything further, Asa pushed in between their legs with a growl, efficiently pushing Silver back. Her gaze still focus on Roxy until Asa turned around and head butted the front of her legs with another growl. A grin before she dropped her eyes, “Alright you pushy beast, you win.” She took a knee, scratching the canine behind her ears. “You must be going soft, you lost.” Asa pushed her head against one of Silver’s hands with a low groan. “Yeah, yeah.” Grabbing a piece of jerky, she gave it to Asa before standing. “Asa, Roxy. Roxy, Asa.” She tossed the woman a piece of jerky as the canine sat next to the other woman. “Traitor.”
Last Edit: Sept 14, 2015 20:37:13 GMT by Silver Steele
Post by Roxanne Lexington on Sept 14, 2015 20:52:13 GMT
Did Roxanne like what she saw? "I'd be lying if I said I didn't." Roxy wasn't lying, and that probably only made the situation worse. It was probably one of the worst possible ways to get acquainted. Well, that wasn't true, Roxy had had some pretty strange ways of meeting people. Silver was every bit as relentless as Roxanne, though, and it was going to lead somewhere Silver would regret. Or not. What was she trying for with this particular course of action again? She opened her mouth to say something else, but suddenly Asa was there pushing Silver to back down. The sight was so hilarious that it caused Roxanne to chuckle.
"Asa saves the day," she decided for now to not push it anymore and leave off the comment about who would have one if she hadn't. Roxanne caught the jerky, which she gave to the dog for his assistance. "You earned it," she patted his head, then leaned on the bar, obviously more relaxed than before. "Alright, Asa wins round two," she decided. The dog had ended the fight better than either of the human women. She'd probably try again; she did want to prove herself to Silver after all, for some unknown reason. Even if it was just to be the better (or was it worse?) person. "So. I haven't been around here in awhile. Not for too long at once anyway. Anything interesting going on?" She pushed up her sleeve and just left the anti-magic cuff exposed without saying anything this time.
Post by Silver Steele on Sept 15, 2015 1:40:40 GMT
Silver could tell Roxy spoke with sincerity and had it not been for Asa’s interference she wasn’t sure what her response would have been. Running a hand down her hair, she grabbed her braid and pulled it over her shoulder taking a breath. The tension having been broken by the smarter of the three in the room. “Asa usually saves the day.” The canine pulled her weight and then some.
Though she did not let it show on her face, the fact that the woman was decent with her dog despite earlier had Silver thinking a bit kinder of the woman. Walking back to behind the bar, she grabbed two glasses. Pulling out a blue liquor, she poured it to about halfway. Putting the liquor away, she pulled out lemonade and filled the glasses up the rest of the way. Pushing one glass towards Roxanne, she took her own and leaned on the counter connected the wall.
“A lot of traffic is moving to Grand City as it expands. Because of the expansion we are also seeing an influx of travelers and tourists which increases robberies, pick pockets, and random class D crimes. The market has expanded surprisingly. Club Indigo is popular.” She took a drink of from her glass.
A glance at the cuff and she gave a quiet sigh. “You know what betrayal feels like. For better or for worse we are now partners. I take that cuff off I am trusting you not to run just because you can.” She did not explain further nor did she go into detail about how she would retaliate if she were crossed.
