[open]Ciao, Zucchetto!

[Zaxton Books]

~Status~
Theme: Gold Saucer - FFVII
Location: Galbadia Flying City
~Status~

Rodney had to say; he rather liked Balamb. He and Tiro had been exploring it for a few days now, and had only just arrived in Galbadia when they'd found this little pub. After picking out a table in the corner, Rodney sat down and shuffled his cards, while Tiro walked over to the notice board. Besides a few missions that weren't quite in his league, there was the pub's menu, posted on an old and sun-worn piece of paper. He perused it for a moment, before returning to Rodney with his waddling gait.

"I think I'm just going to get a plate of taralli and some wine."
Rodney nodded. "Cool. Get me the ossobucco and a beer."
"How did you know they had ossobucco?"
"A lucky guess. It's about the right season for it, anyway."

The Nu Mou shrugged, trundling off in search of a server. In the end, with the addition of a single room, the pair had just spent about 300 gil, and would likely spend more, before the day was out. Rodney kept scanning the room, looking for someone who looked like they'd take the challenge of a card game.

The pub itself was fairly crowded. It catered particularly to tourists, so there weren't actually that many moogles here, except for the bartender. It was a rustic little place, mostly wood, but the sun shone in through age-discolored windows, warming it as the sun started to dip below Galbadia's skyline.

[cielo]

At another nearby table sat a young man somewhere in his late teens, skin tanned dark, with hair that was brownish but would probably be blonde if not for the thin layer of dust that seemed to coat every inch of the kid.

He was staring at the door and sipping from a pewter tankard with a smile that didn't seem quite honest, and he looked relaxed.

[Zaxton Books]

When and if Rodney caught the other's eye, he'd hold up the deck slightly, while nodding, before returning to his shuffling.

Offhand, he glanced to Tiro. "Nothing on the boards?"
"Nothing we could do, anyway..." A sigh. "Looks like we might not be in town for long. We've got about 200 left... enough to take the air ferry back down to the mainland."

Rodney made a slightly disappointed face, pausing in his shuffling to pick five of the tetra master cards, leaving them on the table as he put the deck back in his pocket.

[cielo]

The kid took a last glance at the door, then brought his tankard over to Rodney's table, still wearing his smile. "What game?"

[Zaxton Books]

"Tetra master, if you've got cards. If not, you can borrow some of mine."

His beer, and Tiro's wine, arrived, and both thanked the server before she bustled off. The Nu Mou raised his glass to the middle of the table. "Happy trails."

Clink.

[cielo]

Clink.

The kid took out a pack nearly as dusty as he was, but the cards looked new, and he shuffled them absurdly quickly. "Might need some explained, haven't played tetra master in ages."

[Zaxton Books]

"Alright. Pick five cards and lay them out."

Rodney did so, spreading out his hand; a dragon, an Ironite, two Goblins, and a bomb. "I'm Rodney, by the way."

The other sipped his wine. "Tiro."

[cielo]

"...Tyr."

This was not actually a lie. The pause would probably just make it seem like one.

Tyr laid out five cards and flipped them over. (You decide, Zac.)

[Zaxton Books]

Ironite, Mimic, Goblin, Goblin, Saghain. Not too bad. Rodney set his Ironite in the middle of the field.

By now, their food had arrived; Rodney's osso bucco, being, in this universe, chocobo shank that was stewed in white wine, with tomatos and so on. Tiro had a plate of small pretzel-like things, which he proceeded to dip in his wine as he ate.

"So Tyr, you a local, or?"

[cielo]

The smile turned wry, and Tyr pushed his Sahagin in. "Not nearly. Been wandering a while now, town to town, country to country."

[Zaxton Books]

"Oh hey, cool, that's the same as us. Where are you headed now?"

He selected one of his goblins, capturing the Saghain. Of course, if that goblin was later captured, things could change. Tiro, less interested in the game, had removed a map from his pocket and was studying it carefully... which had got them someone watching them.

One of the few moogles in the bar who wasn't staff, the juggler sat on the edge of the counter, sipping beer of his own. He wore bright orange and green, and seemed rather interested in the map.

[cielo]

"Alexandria, maybe." He pushed his Mimic forward. "Haven't been there yet, heard about some sights worth seeing."

---

Out on the street, a kid a bit younger than Tyr stopped to catch his breath. He was paler, but still tanned, with hair that was actually brown and seemed to like curling, with green eyes.

"The son of a bitch is noticeable, at least," the new kid said, standing beside the window. He'd followed a few tips to end up here, after Tyr had gotten away from him.

[Zaxton Books]

"Hmm... I was thinking of heading that way myself." Tiro mumbled. "... Nearest port with shuttle service is... oh. Galbadia."
"We'd still have to go down to the mainland and pick up Occhielo." Rodney reminded him, playing the dragon in an empty space. "... And find a way to get fare for the trip."
"Well, if we travelled Third Class, and Occhielo flew himself there...."

---

The moogle in orange sighed a bit, gesturing for a second blue.

[cielo]

Tyr's Ironite was placed forward randomly, at the same time as someone behind him asked "Does anyone know where my pocket watch went?"

The dusty kid winked at Rodney, flashed what looked like a fine watch, and dropped it silently on a nearby table.

---

Outside, the other youngster took his time to adjust his swordbelt and light armor. If Tyr put up a fight this time, he'd certainly be ready.

[Zaxton Books]

Tiro looked over the edge of the map with a sigh. "... For now, I suppose, that works."
"I'll admit, it's faster than playing the tables." Rodney said with a smirk. "Not that I like resorting to it."

Once he had his drink, the moogle made his way over to the group. "Hey, mind if I sit here, kupo?"
"Not at all." Came Tiro's absent reply.
The moogle hopped up. "Ciao. Name's Zuchetto, kupo."
"Rodney."
"Tiro."