Atal follows after Felix, replying, „Conversation is a two way street of both listening and being heard.  They seem to forget that last part.“  He pauses, and then adds, „Thank you for sticking your neck out to chose us as your team. I apologize if we brought you shame in the process.  But not for my opinions, or feelings; only that I dragged your good name into them.“

"Clearly you are loyal to this Right Hand." Austin comments as they walk towards the establishment. "I have yet to decide if that is due to the position or the person." She leaves it at that, as there is little to say to sway any of these folk, and the fact the Right Hand, and their minions, have shown nothing but dishonor,, disrespect, and complete incompatence in everything so far they have done is not something Austin cares to go into with those loyal to this Right Hand.

"Indeed. That is how a conversation works. Rather than offering an initial hand of cooperation and in return receiving disrespect, insults and defensive complaints. And I am loyal to the Temple of Light. I trust her, because of common-sense."

Reaching the cafe, Felix sits at a pair of tables outside, with easily enough room for the party. The sign above the door however read 'The Cafe formerly known as Nancy's'. Felix did not seem to notice or at least felt no need to react.

Felix held a hand up to catch the attention of a woman serving two other patrons, only continuing to speak after she had noticed and then moved away. "The Right Hand offered you the job of as fulfillment of a favor to me. Don't forget, you two-," he said looking at Uthal and Atal, "-are wanted criminals. You...we...illegally entered a royal estate, and then you proceeded to rob it." He paused as the woman from before brought pitchers of water and cups to the table. 

Once she had left, he spoke again, freely, but with a more hushed tone. "This group, has done more to hinder the Right Hand's efforts than to help them, against the Berossus's." He turned to Uthal, "The very ledger you were sent to find, was already in the Right Hand's possession. They were investigating traitors amongst the royal family, and had a servant within the estate feeding them information. When you...we...acted that night, their work was rendered useless, as it caused the Berossus's to flee from what could have potentially been a contained situation within the capital." He then turned toward Current, though it was an uncommitted direction, as though he wasn't completely sure he was addressing the right person, though assumed enough. "When you all attacked the Mage in Sardynea, the flooding caused a cave in and rendered the sire useless to Zelda. This forced her to flee, before the Right Hand could surround it, as they were already in the process of doing."

"Word of Anton Berossus, of course, was originally only what little you provided in Midgar," he said to Anearis. "Fortunately, when the Arbitrator returned, he was able to corroborate your story. And that assisted in convincing her to hire you all, rather than just outsourcing to the hundreds of other adventurers that are present in the Kingdom."

"I'm not saying you're at fault here. You all are foreigners...for the most part," looking towards Uthal. "You don't know the laws, the customs, the social, economic, or political climate of this world."

The woman returned to the table, she had pale skin and dark black hair, but wore a polite and welcoming smile to the group of patrons, outside the cafe. "Six lunches. And water is fine for now." Felix quickly ordered, smiling and watching until she left again.

"I'm not faulting you all for your actions, as you weren't aware. I do hold you accountable for your smugness and general lack of decorum, that comes with simple civility." Felix poured himself water from the pitcher and drank. "The Right Hand is responsible for more than any one person should be burdened. The position is more of a curse than a blessing to the one who holds it. I'm not asking you to trust the Right Hand. I understand your situation, and know trust is a fickle mistress. But just as I understand you all, I understand the Right Hand and the Chosen Men. And what I am asking you, is that you trust me. For now, work together, it's the only way anyone will come out ahead."

Uthal nods. "I know we're not easy to talk to but if they explained things like you just did then it would be easier to understand things. Instead they have just insulted us the same as we have them. I know it is not evident but I have seen this group return kindness for kindness. They usually give what they are given."

Anearis seems lost in thoughts for a moment. Their alliance with the Right Hand was strenuous at best. And with reason. He and all of his companions had their reasons for hunting them down, only to see it bogged down by the bureaucracy and politics of this continent. 

At the mention of the Arbitrator, Anearis snapped to attention. It seemed that once again, Ser D’armes had come through for them. He would have to thank him if he ever saw him again.

Anearis sighed and responded to Felix. "I understand that she has responsibilities. But so do we. At this time, I cannot fully trust these people. But you have helped us in the past, and for that I want to trust you. And I will trust you. I will do this job that she gave us. But not because she ordered us. Because it’s what I would have done anyway."

"I am just glad not to have to resort to using 'the enemy of my enemy, is my friend' at some point, to convince any of you." Felix said as the woman brought out food to the group. The plates contained some sort of fish dish with tomatoes and a green sauce. And loaves of bread with a buttery like cheese.

A rather cold breeze blew by bringing a chill to most, but it went as quickly as it came, and the group otherwise only had the calm brisk air.

Atal sighs, digging into his food.  "Look, I've never been one for politics, and I never will be.  All I've ever wanted to do is figure out why I was drawn to this place.  If it wasn't for my visions--"  He cuts off and scowls.  "I was raised across the sea in a port town of humans that scorned anyone who looked different from them.  I had my wits and little else to get by, but somehow I didn't end up as another corpse on the street over there.  And once I had the means, I thought I'd escape all of that.  Go someplace where demis weren't seen as dirt and live a good life, one where I could be recognized as a person and not a thing.  Maybe find the High Forest and learn about what it meant to be an elf, not a stranger raised on human terms in an elven body.

But something made me come here instead.  And since arriving, I've only seen more of the same that I grew up with.  Maybe it's because I don't have the money or experience to know what it's like to live comfortably and buy acceptance.  I'm used to looking at the dirty underside of things, and believe me, there's a lot of dirt in Cathaan.  Midgar was only marginally better, or should I say, literally split in half between decency and the status quo.  It colors my opinion, particularly of this Right Hand.  Maybe they're working for change, and I know you have the logistics of your empire to look after.  But I personally have little motivation or desire to preserve the human kingdom that has built itself here.  I just hate seeing people suffer, a practice which seems to be a cornerstone of the Berossus family cult."

He takes a gulp of his drink, allowing anyone to reply, before continuing with his questions.

"Does the Hand know about the beskars that Zelda was collecting in the ruins?  The two fellows who were with us, Maas and Juppo, could tell you more about it.  Apparently it was a regular mining operation going on down there.  I'm more than a little worried about how much they managed to take out with them, and what they're going to use it for.  I'm assuming D'Armes told you all about Eccks, Xoriat, and the beskars if he sent you -- just stop me if I'm wrong.  When we fought Zelda, she'd already melded with one of those tentacle-brain monstrosities, just as Anton had when we slew him.  And just like her minions, she kept getting back up when we felled her."

He pauses, and then said to Felix, "Also, I'd like to know more about what's going on with He Who Should Not Be Named.  I feel like ignoring, as I might have put it, the 'dirty underside of things' as all this happens, is a huge and perhaps fatal mistake."

Afterwards, Atal asks the others.  "Anyone seen Maas or Juppo about?  I want to say goodbye to them before we have to leave."

Austin listens to Felix politely as he speaks.

"That is all fine and good." Austin says once he finished. "But your Right Hand has done nothing, absolutely nothing, to show herself as honorable, as compitent, or, frankly, as worthy of being followed." She holds up a hand for Felix, "Let me finish please." She says. Making sure no one is there to overhear, she continues. "I was not there for the robbing of a noble's estate," She glances to those that were there and gives them a narrow-eyed glare. "If I had been, then maybe things would have gone differently, but that is not here nor there at this late state." She turns back to Felix. "What I can tell you is that I tracked a known outlaw to where I first met this group. While trying to apprehend that criminal, I was brought into conflick with these royals everyone is chasing, and dealt with the issue there, with the aid of my companions here." She looks around the table, this time with a bit more aplumb and respect in her eyes. "What do we get for that? Thrown into a cell and getting carted off to be put on trial." She turns back to face Felix again. "According to what you have just told us, I would expect the Right Hand had reasons for that. The problem is that her chosen are either incompetent, aligned with the royals, or simply without honor. I cannot tell you wich it is, and I only know those two that took us captive, Harper and his crony, but they take no responsibility for their actions, nor does this Right Hand take responsibility for the actions of her minions. If that is how this Right Hand, and her minions, work, then I fear for your country, your people, and your way of being." She settles back, taking a drink of her water.

"Can I work with the Right Hand?" She says into the silence. "Sure, I have worked with cut-throats, murderers, and criminals of all sourts. I can work for this Right Hand as well, it is no different." She sets down her glass as she holds Felix's eyes. "Will I trust her, will I be loyal to her, and will I believe whatever she says, not a chance. She has much to prove, and, frankly, walking away when confronted with criticism is the act of a child, not of a proven leader or of someone who should be respected."

Having said her peace Austin gives Felix a shrug. "I don't expect to be able to convince you of anything here. You are loyal to her, and I don't have an issue with that, but please stop acting as if what has been done by us is some mistake, or simply incompetent fooling around on our part. Should we have done things differently when facing the latest royal, likely, but then we can only do what we have knowledge of, and cannot change things now that we know differently. Are we at fault for foiling the Right Hand's plans, certainly, does she have reason to not trust us, certainly, but it is a two-way street, and at least we are willing to hold our own actions as our responsibility, they have proved they are not willing to do so."

Anearis started to partake in the food and drink that was provided by Felix. He had begun to grow accustomed to the food served on this continent, though the green sauce had him concerned. 

He turned to Felix and in a hushed tone asked: 

"You mentioned that someone in Midgar was ready to help us find the Berossus. One who has no loyalty to them. Who is this person? How will we find them?"

Felix continued eating, while Austin spoke, allowing her the theatrics, with no intention to interrupt her, and simply speak after she was done. Giving pause, in case there was anything further to be said, Felix wiped his mouth before speaking.

"The actions that the Chosen Men took towards you were done so with reason. Now we've established that everyone here, myself and them included, are guilty with acting and reacting to only what information was available. The Right Hand and Chosen Men obviously withhold information for good reason: ongoing investigations, keeping the peace in public eye as to not cause a panic, ensuring those they divulge information to are not subjects of the traitor members of the Berossus family. And just the same, you all withheld information and specific details for similar reasons: you didn't know who to trust, you didn't want to incriminate yourselves, etc. I know because of been in those types of situations in the past. I'm not saying I agree with them, but I can understand. Although in her power, I do happen to know that you weren't to stand trial, just simply be sent home, once reaching the capital. As is the current public record, per our agreement. The four individuals held by the Chosen Men on Midgar have been deported, and you all are simply a group of adventurers who came to Theviranne for just that, adventure." Felix took a sip of water, preparing to continue a speech that he did not entirely look like he wanted to, though did so nonetheless to provide clarity and information.

"Regarding the Right Hand's abrupt dismissal. That I do have a bit more insight to provide. I won't pretend to know what god or deities you worship, if you even do. But given the record thus far, I expect you to not be well versed in those of Theviranne. The Right Hand belongs to a sect that requires specific prayers to be conducted at specific times for specific reasons, and should she fail to do so, would have to pay penance which at the very least would have been even more time consuming, and I believe we can all agree that time is short. When she spoke with you all, I was aware that it was during such a time. However, and this I can only assume, was that she initially accepted the penance she would have to fulfill in order to do so, and when it became a matter of being insulted rather than conduct her prayers, it is likely she felt it no longer a worth investment. Honestly, I don't fault her for that, as I would personally consider it a plight against the gods to chose to remain there, rather than paying due homage in accordance of my beliefs."

"I don't defend their actions, just as I can't defend yours. I can however speak to the benefits of both, and do so willingly, as I believe it to be the best course ahead." He looked towards Atal, "Though I will admit that even I was offended by some of the insults spouted, especially when someone claimed they escaped themselves, when I specifically remember myself and another individual coming to aide." He then showed a sly smile at what he was saying, before turning to Anearis, regarding his question as well.

"I confess I stretched my known association with the man. A loose use of the term 'friend's to provide more substance to my justification to the Right Hand. He's more of someone I know through a friend of the same unnamed individual who may have assisted you all in Cathaan. He's agreed to assist because of certain connections we have through mutual acquaintances. There is a shop in Northern Midgar that specializes in oddities and rare items of nature, as well as those of men. Reliable information has informed us that he and his organization have managed to map out exactly which ruins on the continent possess these gateways that the Berossus's are using. And this same man has informed us briefly about beskar and Xoriat, though I am unaware of 'Ecks'. Perhaps you can ask him, the shop is called Unfamiliar Familiars. " Felix turned back towards Atal regarding the statements of the otherworldly information.

"Crap." Uthal exclaims as he eats, letting everyone else discuss things. 

"Thought it was Tepes," Atal says, settling back, satiated.  "Thanks for the meal, by the way.  I wonder what happened to Nancy?"  he muses.  Coming back to the present, he nodded.  "Tepes asked us to bring back a sample of what we found under the Castle of Aaaarg, but I have to admit, it plain slipped my mind at the time... what with D'Armes going missing, then Anders, and myself being infected with some sort of black bat disease which brought me to the brink of death.  It's thanks to him that I was cured."  Waving his hand slightly to switch topics, Atal continues:  "But about the beskars.  They're shards of metal being sought out by the Order of Pahzishun, which I take it is a group of githerazi warriors from the Plane of Limbo.  When we fought against Anton Berossus and his diseased tentacle, Eccks somehow traversed planes to help us take care of the... what did he call it?  An 'Illithid Eldar' I think?  And recover the beskar.  I take it that this Order is in some sort of long-running and deep-rooted war against the Dark Brain Tentacle Club, as I've taken to calling them.  He did want to be informed if any more beskars were found, though... that was something he asked of D'Armes, I believe, and not us.  Still, if D'Armes has a way to contact that friend of his and pull him back through, I get the feeling he and his Order would be extremely concerned about the beskar recovery operation that it looks like Zelda was mostly successful at completing here.  I can't say I know the inner workings of the Berossus cultists, but I think they're using those beskars to reawaken whatever Illithids might be left on this continent from some battle long ago."  

Felix rubbed his chin, looking almost away in thought. "Perhaps that might have been the true nature of the Trevor's excavations and expeditions of ruin sites. Initially we thought Hammerfells was the one, financing it, but according to the ledger the Right Hand has, the bastard was just stealing money from the church for his personal coffers. Trevor was the one funneling it elsewhere. What does this beskar look like? Does it have any distinguishable properties that you can see?"

Atal puts his hands on his forehead and thinks hard, trying to recall the battle with Anton.  After a moment, he glances up.  "So.  These beskars, I think they actually summon those Illithid things from other planes, too, because the one that was atttached to Anton was weak, since it'd been stuck here for a while.  I have no idea if the one attached to Zelda was fresh and powered up from a different plane of existence, though.  The only beskar that I ever saw was Anton's.  It was some sort of white metal, and cut very strangely... almost like it wasn't even cut at all, but rather splintered off, or broken.  It looked sharp and dangerous, even though it was only about yea long," he adds, demonstrating the size of the piece he'd held by holding up a hand and using his fingers.  "Like I said, Juppo, Maas, and their friend Bloth who apparently died down there, were the commoners they hired to search for more of them in these ruins.  They'd probably be able to give you a better description if they saw more samples than I did."

Current manages to hold her tongue throughout the conversation, letting the other members of the group voice their own concerns. She definitely shares most of their opinions, but Felix's explanation strangely makes sense to her. Towards the end of it, he almost sounds reasonable, and Current is visible shaken by the priest's words. She hadn't spent much time around people that accepted their own mistakes, and Felix's admittance of fault felt strangely satisfying.

For the rest of the conversation, Current nods and does her best to commit the knowledge to memory. As they talk, Current realizes that this group has been through so much more together than she could have imagined. Quietly impressed that these people have remained so devoted to their cause, Current stays silent as the others talk. Even as they discuss their knowledge of what is being attempted by the Zelda woman and her family, Current just tries to absorb as much information as possible.

Uthal grumbles. "So far I've seen no sign of that traitor to the faith. We've seen some of the Berossus's but never any sign of him."

Anearis nods. "I do not believe I have met this man, but my instinct tells me that our path will cross his soon enough."

Felix finished his food, and sat back. "Trevor has contacts in Shinra, however, the nature of these contacts and the relationship he has with them, we don't know. While locating the ruins, the Shinra capital may be the best place to start for information on him." Felix left a few gold coins on the table.

"I imagine, they will be ready to move soon. If you have anything you need to do around town, you still have some time. I will be returning to the inn, unless you all need anything else."

Austin finishes her water. "I will return to the inn shortly, as it likely would not be good to keep this right hand waiting." She does not rise though, and would only return now if that is what everyone else in the group is doing.

While he didn’t relish the thought of going back to meet up with the Right Hand and her soldiers, Anearis decided it was time to go as well. He finished his meal, not having touched the green sauce, and heads out.