Cafefe Cafe
The Enigma
Summary
It is of no surprise the world has plenty of dark secrets, and even darker people in every corner with prerogative.It is she, The Enigma and her "hands," that these dark people would employ for the price of information.
Written, or otherwise...
Personal Details
Due to the enigmatic nature of this woman, the information shared here is based on hearsay and what little is known by syndicates.GENDER:
Female
AGE:
???
(Presumably middle aged)
NAMEDAY:
???
BLOOD TYPE:
???
HEIGHT:
4'0
SEXUALITY:
LesbianLIKES:
Coffee, Dancing, Reading
DISLIKES:
Tea, Dragons, ArroganceOCCUPATION:
Contracted Assassin/Informant
WEAPONS OF CHOICE:
Dexterous Weaponry, primarily ScythesBIRTHPLACE:
???
CURRENT RESIDENCE:
??? (Mostly seen in Ishgard)
LANGUAGES:
Common, Eorzean SignlanguageHOBBIES AND HABITS:
- Cafefe often smokes and apparently has a very high tolerance for alcohol.
- Due to the prices agreed upon with her contracts, most assume she's a collector of tomes, public or secret information.
PERSONALITY:
- Cafefe is a soft-spoken woman with a prim and proper disposition, fitting for her elderly demeanor and appearance. Curiously, she's kind, polite, and friendly for someone of her visage and skillset.
- While it may be seen as a weakness, it is not to be taken as an opportunity that she's narcoleptic. Her lack of energy and occasional bouts of sleeping-while-standing shows in her speech and overall gently paced presentation.
- As a woman of elegance, she has mastered focus and efficiency. Human error in her is apparent, yet rare.
- For someone who is known so little behind what the eye can see, she is sociable, and in the little spare time she has, attends whatever social events are held by regular contractors of hers who hold her in esteem from previously completed assignments.
... Whispers through the grapevine have told of contradictory information gleaned from her personality and identity. Though for how valuable an asset she is to operations, there is no need for prying, heavens forbid whatever consequence unforseen.
Quotes
"Need to have a message delivered? Mayhaps some discipline. A package handled? A political figure or competitor overstepping boundaries? For a price, my dear child, you shall have your peace.""I envy the young... a simple story of light against dark is dreadfully repetitive, but I would not have hesitated to take such a fate over this.""Hohoho... I must admit I'm very easily swayed by passionate people.""Iᴛ ᴄᴀɴ ʜᴀᴘᴘᴇɴ ᴛᴏ ᴀɴʏᴏɴᴇ... ᴇᴠᴇɴ ʏᴏᴜ."
Abilities
Cafefe's combat skill has been described to be a poetic synergy of dancing with physical and weapon attacks.
MAGICAL ABILITY:
- Cafefe does not seem to cast magic. It's unknown if it's because she can or if she chooses not to. There are those who would claim to sense no aether from the woman.
- In what little recorded information that is shared, mind based magicks are useless against The Enigma. Should an ambitious soul seek to conflict with her, elemental magicks or physical combat is ideal.
...
- It's been said that although she lacks magical ability, there is a nagging disturbance from syndicate members who have challenged her to friendly duels. Consistently, something is lost, or perhaps taken after exchanging blows. It is however, unclear.
PHYSICAL ABILITY:
- Cafefe is absurdly flexible, this much is greatly demonstrated in her fighting.
- Her skills with the scythe are the highest in her knowledge, as she can elegantly string together acrobatics with attacks, as well as punches and kicks if needed.
- Most of her power in her movements in hand-to-hand combat are in her kicks. A fight against Cafefe is much like a dance, with or without a scythe.- Her physical strength goes beyond what any would understand an adult female Lalafell to be capable of, and such has lead most to assume she is either inhuman or enhanced physically by substance or magic. Theories from eagle-eyed people describe a notable trait about her being unnaturally sharp fangs among her teeth, and her black painted nails protruding through the fabric of her gloves.
...
- She would never willingly reveal what's under the eyepatch, no matter how much it benefitted her. Twelve forefend the arrogance of thinking removing it or attacking there would provide an advantage.
VAMPIRE THEORY:
There is a silent debate amongst those who have worked with her or who continue to work with her that she may or may not be a Voidsent. Evidence points to the idea being impossible due to the lack of aether detected by those who are sensitive, yet such ideas are contradicted by the possibility of her being able to hide her aether.
The best possible assumptions that have been made about her nature is she's a form of unusual Ashkin, one that feeds upon the blood of humanity. Vampirism is known only to those who practice in hemomancy and the beasts that consume blood.
As of right now, the only evidence suggesting such is her extendable fangs, fingernails, regenerative ability, aversion to the sun, the mystery behind the eyepatch, and whatever phenomenon is occurring after her fights.
Whether or not she is what she seems to be matters not to those who simply wish to have a valuable asset in their underground business, the discussions and theories come and go as hearsay and aren't worth the expenditure of her cooperation... or those who are much too inquisitive.
WEAKNESSES:
- She has no protective magics, no ability to cast shields or anything deflective. She relies entirely on her speed and endurance, which are great. Any movement dulling magics work well against her if her strength and flexibility can't save her.- Her nails aren't indestructible, as they're just bone.- Magics that involve an artificial sun seem to work against her, PROVIDED they're a near-perfect simulacrum of the star, radiation and all. A fire based ball of light wouldn't be as affective.- Cafefe's aversion to the sun seems to be a time based process of growing damage on her skin, it's not been seen how harshly it affects her after being exposed for longer than 30 minutes, but her reaction and avoidance is instantaneous.
Interestingly, it must be DIRECT exposure, the sun's rays through glass or other transparent obstacles does not affect her, meaning clouds or the light of the afternoon is weakened/ineffective.- Cafefe's stamina seems to depend on a resource that is presumed to be blood, further supporting the Vampire theory. It's possible she has absorbed blood to heal her wounds.- Cafefe might be allergic to garlic.- Holy Water doesn't seem to affect her skin, it's unknown what would happen if she were to ingest it.
Physical Traits
EYE:
Purple
HAIR:
Black and blanketed with aged greys
ACCESSORIES:
She's always seen with makeup and an eyepatch covering her left eye. It's unknown whether or not it's because it's blind, replaced by materia, or if there even is an eyeball. She likes silver floral jewelry.
BODY:
She appears middle to elderly age for a Lalafellin woman, with the only visible signs of wrinkles being on her face.
She appears well built, including an impressively plump physique from the waist down.
Amongst parts of her body are scars with varying tales of how each are earned. One such scar that seemingly has no story is the biggest and most notable burn scar that covers nearly her entire back.WEIGHT:
???
(110lbs/49kg estimated)CLOTHING:
"A suit bespeaks business, yet a tie tells a story." According to The Enigma.
It is learned that she prefers formal wear, form fitting wear, with or without leather straps and lacing.
Contracting
The Enigma
In Ishgard, there are several spots visited by a queer and small Griffin, with the build of a crow, friendly and inviting to the touch, yet uncanny in it's soul piercing visage.Should an interested business partner wish to reach out to enlist the services of the enigmatic, one only need attach a written formal invitation to the leg of the bird.She will come to you.
Cafefe's price for her services is ALWAYS information. Whether it be rare tomes on ancient worlds, magic, civilizations, people, it's extensive and varied. Her collecting of information and not coin comes as a foolish proposition to decline to the average buyer, with the rare situation of her required information pertaining to secrets hard earned.
However it's of no import, considering what she can perform and how well she does it, to those who believe she's the woman for the job.
Some would seek her out personally, electing to disregard the crow invitation and have themselves be her company for where she is assumed to reside. A quaint abode in the quietest part of Ishgard. If they were to find her, they'd find a warm welcome and hospitality, and proceed to discuss business. Yet of course, such a method is ultimately discouraged, after it's become common that those who leave her abode sense something missing, and never find out why...
Cafefe's Entourage
Cafefe with Sani
Spotted in Ishgardian Pub
Seen in Thavnair
Cafefe with a Katana
Cafefe on the Job
Cafefe with a Gun
Vigiloux Servusant
A male Duskwight Elezen, personal Butler to the Enigma. Vigiloux's history, much like his higher up, is shrouded in a thick fog of mystery. Aged souls in the upper echelons of the criminal world would tell you he might possibly have been related to the shocking disappearance of a prestigious house, but lack of evidence leaves it only to be assumption.He has a distinguished disposition, polite and unopinionated. He's not one for conversation, deadpan silence being his most used response to attempts at looking beyond his mask. He is however, very perceptive, arguably immune to attempts at provocation and manipulation.If his personality, or lackthereof, weren't enough to convince anyone he might possibly be inhuman of sorts, his efficiency at fulfilling contracts has rarely left wanting. It is safe to assume that if Vigiloux is sent instead of the Enigma, the task is just as satisfyingly performed. The man moves with astounding focus, discipline, and skill. Regular clients suggest his marksmanship for long ranged assassination contracts.
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Quotes
"A pleasure to make your acquaintance, you may refer to me as Vigiloux. I will be acting in the stead of my Mistress for you today.""If that is all, then.""As you wish, expect your results within the moon.""Halone bid you mercy, for I offer none."
Judas Sigvat
A male Hrothgar who is only ever seen by the spies onlooking the jobs tasked to him by his higher up, or those ambitious enough to have found themselves in her company and within the walls of her domicile.He's rude, combative, repulsive, and reeks of combat and ale. As if he were some kind of parallel to the other hand and the Enigma herself, he is at face value, betraying the image they represent.Yet much like his cohorts, his appearance is highly deceiving. If he's trusted with the job, then the job is just as well done. What great mystery lies within the man's background and visage is dismissed by the phenomenal prowess of combat ability he has in his arsenal, fighting with only the body he has and able to change fighting styles in a heartbeat. The only lie visible to those fortunate enough to not be in range of his fists is his title being The Left Hand leading those to believe he is somehow lesser than the Right.
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Quotes
"Aye? Y'lookin' for a scrap?""A fight's what ye get! Then ye buyin' me ale!""COME THEN, ONE ON ME CHIN, IFFIN' I DON'T BLEED THEN I BE TAKIN' YER HEAD!""Drinkin', fightin', beautiful lasses... Ain't no better life."
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Short Stories
In this section are written short stories in no particular order that are told in first-person or third-person narrative, each are labeled at the beginnings of their passages.The reasoning for there being different narratives is due to the differing views and experiences of the characters.Character's perspective is: 1stPReader's perspective is: 3rdP
In this section is art of Cafefe, by myself or others
By @VITWIXT on Twitter
Uncolored Ref pose by me
"Awakening"
1stP
Blackness.No sight, sound, scent, or any feeling.Yet, there is thinking.As usual.Then it all came at once, like a wave crashing upon the consciousness and overwhelming every sense at once, creating a short burst, that didn't feel short at all, of nothing but agony.The agony of waking up.
Again.
...It was still dark, but not completely. A long line of light had been drawn and it was several feet away. It was as thin as a sliver, and it slightly stung to see. Peering toward it couldn't last much longer because of the otherworldly stench that invaded the senses, triggering a headache. A familiar stench. It became clear with the combination of the stench and the meager light from the sliver that this was a room. The sliver of light was the crack of a door. And the stench is of corpses.Piles upon piles of bodies, strewn and scattered across the cobblestone floor, all of which had dried up blood... some fresh.
Men and women with varying ages and sizes. Some of these people are dressed differently, perhaps not taken from the same locales? And the features that stand out are none I've seen... while some are uncannily familiar. Already, there are more than enough questions to prompt action, which meant returning the attention to the sliver of light, the door that's slightly ajar.It had been a while since I've had feeling, so walking on the cold cobblestone floor needed some adjusting. Come to think of it, it was a little chilly. With a little more light after approaching the door and giving it a gentle push, it was apparent the only clothing I had on my back was a hooded robe. It draped all the way down to my ankles, but did very little in the way of keeping warm, not that it mattered.Ahead of the door was a stone wall, lit with torches. The symbols were unfamiliar but the structure and decay leads to believe this is a crypt of some kind. This is where bodies are supposed to be... yet not in the way the previous room led to believe. The environment's peculiar sight was almost enough to distract me from the large armored man that stood at the end of the corridor, presumably patrolling the area. He was dressed with chainmail and padded with red metal plates. He had a bronze hatchet holstered, with a symbol on it akin to a flame. His helmet was covered in cloth, and his visor decorated with holes to see out of.
Toward me."... What in blazes...?" He muttered. The hall wasn't very long, but hearing him was easier than I expected. Slowly, his hand crept toward his side where the hatchet was stowed. His unease grew into fear. "Halt! S-stay right I see ye! Are ye demon?!" He shook, nearly dropping his hand axe. The man clearly wasn't expecting to see someone walk out of the corpse room. Undoubtedly, he plans to put me back in, so I approached him. Though perhaps, it would've been wiser to speak first, since this was enough to spur him into action to charge and take a swing at me.I attempt to dodge his axe swing, however having just woken up and only grown mostly adjusted to my senses, his blade lodges itself into my shoulder before he's swatted to the side against the wall, nose broken. There was very little to be surprised of, having been so weak and having the blade of a hatchet stuck in your shoulder hurting more than you anticipate. Even more when it's quickly pulled out, leaving a gaping crevice where it once was. If the typical remedy for this situation doesn't work, then it might get dire.
I need his blood.
My fingernails extended and sharpened, long enough to have fashioned myself deadly claws.Good.That hasn't changed.The guard was reeling, both from the sight and the injury he just endured, the fear and panic making themselves his only allies in his final moments."D-dear Gods... Help! SOMEONE HELP! A VOIDSENT! THERE'S A VOIDSENT!" He shouted, like a cornered rat.Voidsent...?Nevertheless, he's not alone in this crypt, and more like him would be trouble. Making it quick, his head had been severed with a quick swipe across his neck. Last words toward his comrades would've been a risk, and I needed sustenance. There were heavy but distant footsteps approaching, so with seconds to spare, I made a carefully aimed prod at the open wound and extended a nail into the flesh, sucking through it enough blood to heal my wound and give the strength needed to escape.The crypt was large, and every flight of stairs were weirdly composed of massive steps. Navigating the structure was confounding due to the pathways being slowly overtaken by nature claiming it over time, which was evidence that this was an underground establishment in a forest somewhere. Some corners had been guarded, and where I couldn't narrowly avoid being seen, I had to perform very swift and silent kills. By the time an exit had been found, there only had to be a handful of lives taken, with fewer moments to gain strength back in between.As suspected, it was a forest. Nobody out in front, but there were supplies, tools, a couple of carts and... birds?
Large yellow birds, long legs that dwarf their wingspan, and large beaks that were strapped with leather. Bird drawn carriages?
There wasn't any time to speculate, and as cute as they are, I will need more strength to make distance.After dispatching both of them and draining them completely, there was enough energy and feeling to grasp the situation further. This is an unfamiliar land. There are unfamiliar people, and the animals are unfamiliar. Even my body was unfamiliar. As fortunate as it was mysterious, I did still have what little abilities I had left, enough to transform into a bat. Henceforth, I flew. Wherever I could, gathering what knowledge I could, and finding someplace to lay low.
"A Royal Welcome"
1stP
My mind is marred with an overflowing deluge of questions.That, along with endless flying, is exhausting.What felt like hours of flying was stopped short of intense winds, accompanied by airborne creatures and bird-men in blimps. Turning around was longer flown, and growing hotter, seemingly due to my approaching of the equator. The sun was slowly approaching, shelter had to be nearby. The woods were civilized, though hiding out within reach of those armored men would've been a risk.Whether it be south or north where the temperature is rising, what laid before me was sandy plains, decorated with oasis' and arid wastes. These parts seem civilized too... yet ill-fitting. Walled off with heavy metal, towers of machinery and military personnel patrolling the borders. They seem advanced, greatly contrasting the woodland civilization I first saw.What time period have I awoken in?Guns and swords are hardly welcoming, perhaps a bit more flying is necessary.
And as if the patience had been rewarded, there was a city further beyond, much more native in appearance to the lands around it. The symbols decorating the uniforms of the soldiers and buildings look nothing like the colors this new city flown. A friendly faction? Colonists, at worst. Doesn't matter for now.First impressions must not be this city's forte, if they're so comfortable having what looks like the homeless lining it's outer walls kept at bay by the security by the entrances. The sky's growing bright, there's no use in hesitation, shelter is shelter. Flying into the city, I made my way toward it's dark corners to change back and move, wherever there were roofs and awnings.
...
Coming here was a mistake.
The very same red armored men are the common guard in this city. Were they not authorities to the woodlands I departed? Irritating.My robe is similar in design to some of the townsfolk's garments, blending in shouldn't be too-
"Hello, miss? Is aught amiss? Do you require assistance?"
A short woman in commoner clothing, her skin was pristinely well cared for and her strawberry blonde hair draped the sides of her head from under her turban. She spoke eloquently, her upbringing was clear in her appearance and mannerism. I'll have to match it."How startling... Is it common for the youngfolk to sneak up on the elderly in these parts?" I retorted, holding my chest in exasperation. The smaller woman hesitated, visibly backtracking in her approach. "A-ah! My most sincere apologies miss, I was too forward in my eagerness! Forgive me, I was compelled to lend a hand, since you seemed so lost. If assistance and introduction may make up for my blunder, you may refer to me as Lilira." She enthusiastically offered a bow after her amusing attempt at recomposing.She's odd.I haven't been in this city for longer than a few hours and I already have a bad feeling about this woman in particular. I don't know how easy it is to tell me apart from other civilians but the fact that she stands out from the small groups I've seen doesn't bode well. She's too eager to help. I may have to kill her."... A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Lilira. I'd offer my name... but in my present condition I'm afraid I've suffered some damage to my head... I can barely remember anything." Managing as believable a lie I can to coax information out of her. If I have to kill her, at least I'll learn what I can beforehand. Her eyes brightened up, like what I said had connected every dot in her head. "Oh dear, were you attacked? That explains the blood on your robe... and your... eye?" She nearly looked where she shouldn't, before my hand instinctively clasped the hood over the 'eye.'
"I remember being chased... by them." I pointed toward the red plated guards, the group far enough away but not out of eyesight. Her expression furrowed toward them, followed by her turning and saying, "Follow me."
I'm no stranger to traps, but judging by her serious tone, maybe I won't need to kill her. Are the authorities corrupt?
Bypassing the public view, I followed her through narrow paths sectioned by buildings and market stalls, with more and more of the public coming into view since the sun had nearly completely reached the sky. Lilira was making it suspiciously apparent that she was intimately familiar with this city's nooks and crannies when she had taken me out of the public's view into a hidden passageway. This is no normal citizen.
"We should be safe here for now. My apologies for the sudden action, but it can be no mere coincidence someone like you would turn up during times like these." She said, turning her eyes toward me.
"'Times like these?' Are there other citizens with symptoms of amnesia?" I continued to lie. It seems I've awakened at an interesting time."Not quite... Pray, enlighten me on your earliest memory to right now. I know we've only just met, but I beg you trust me with your story." Lilira pleads.
"Why are you so interested in me, dear? Are you some sort of spy, or agent from the government in this city?" I questioned. As piqued as my curiosity is, this Lilira has checked every single box of suspicion I could have against a stranger. She paused, wistfully looking down.
"... I don't hold your doubt against you, I've pulled you around on the faintest notion there's a chance for answers, yet I'm disguised as some random Ul'Dahn citizen." She admitted.Ul'Dahn?"Very well. If it'll earn your trust. I'm the Sultana." She said, removing her turban.
"... Sultana?" I squinted.
"Er- The Sultana of Ul'Dah? The governing head of state? I must once again apologize, I hadn't anticipated how much of your memory had been taken from you. But this is why I must know how much you know, as it pertains to events that have been transpiring in my city."So she's the governing ruler. This raises more questions, but if the ruler is on my side..."I see. Alright, I shall trust you." Faking a gentle smile, I give her an abridged version of my awakening up until now, adjusting the truth in certain sections to keep my nature secret. I don't know if there are other Vampires in this world. Ruler of this Ul'Dah and eager to help she may be, I still don't trust her. She's naïve. I would've killed her if she were any more forward than she had been. She is however, no idiot. In a town bustling with people wearing the same exact clothing, even without the subtle bloodstains on my robe, she spotted someone who looked nothing like her people. She must disguise herself and blend in with her people often. This Lilira person has potential to be a useful asset..."... Just as I feared. The men you encountered were members of the Brass Blades. They're the army of mercenaries under the jurisdiction of my government, moreso the Syndicate. As Sultana, I'm but the face. The power is more in the Syndicate's control. More and more they run the city than I can..." Lilira laments, gripping her fist.Not my problem."There have been disappearances in Ul'Dah- no, in all of Eorzea as of late. It's all been happening so fast and with my limited faculties there's naught much I can do to mitigate or even learn of what or who could be behind it. I have none but the knowledge the Brass Blades have been performing secret expeditions, and nothing to show of it. Except you, now." She rose a glare of determination toward me. "I knew you showing up amidst sudden disappearances had to mean something. That's why I rushed you into secrecy. Thank you dearly, for granting me the boon of your trust." She smiled.That explains the bodies in that room I woke up in. As Lilira says, it's no coincidence I've rose out of a crypt full of corpses that hadn't been embalmed, simply tossed to the side like garbage and spooking the Brass Blades that were supposed to be guarding it. Why am I here?
There's so much that's been answered, and yet so much more I must know. What's becoming abundantly clear is if I'm going to be in this world, I'm going to have to learn about it.So learn about it I shall."Forgive what is now going to be my forwardness then, dear, for all that I've had to endure since my arrival, there's much I would like to rekindle my memory with, if you would help me." I ask of her. She raises her hands and claps them together in affirmation, "But of course! But ah- allow me to clarify, my name is Nanamo Ul Namo. Lilira is the moniker I use when blending with the citizens. Do you... remember your name?" She realizes, mildly embarrassed.
After deceiving her by shaking my head, she frowns.
"Would it be too overfamiliar if I gave you a temporary name?" Nanamo asked sincerely.I nodded. Letting her name me would probably allow me an easier chance to blend in, and understand her and her people better. She seems to be of the same race of people I am, perhaps it'll be a similar name to Nanamo, or Lilira. Phonetically, the first two syllables seem to be the same sound with the third being different, and if her last name is anything to go by, it must be the first and third syllable toge-"Cafefe Cafe. I'm... admittedly not terribly creative, but it's temporary!"...I give up."It's darling, Nanamo. Thank you." I lie, smiling to her naïve joy.
"Well then Cafefe, shall I tour you around the city?" She offered her hand.
"That would be marvelous, Nanamo dear, but if you could help me with one small thing before we go...?" I ask to her puzzled expression before I lift enough of my robe up to expose an entire leg, her face now matching her hair in red hue. I ask her cheekily, "Are you going to let an old woman walk around with just a robe?"