Chapter 31

The AMS Dao is thirty minutes out from Emberstrand and rising up into the bright blue sky and turning east toward the great ocean. It is an 8 day journey from the city to the Island of Waves were the great Temple to Leviathan and the spirits of water resides. Everyone has been given their own room off of the central lounge at the aft of the ship. Now familiar to Raziel, Vazkor and Thaylorn from previous trips but new to Talen and Penny. The crew of moogles is efficient and polite under the direction of Captain Farquaharian and he has just excused himelf from the company after making sure everyone is settled and has what they need.

Upon settling into his room the aegyl looks towards Vazkor and mutters, "I'm starting to think of this suite as my second home. I'll see you up on the deck." He gives the dark skinned man a little smile and then turns and he heads for the deck of the ship, a few greetings given to those sailors he's familiar with, probably earning a few strange looks from the effort made, and then moving to the front of the ship to look on towards the horizon. After him scampers a small moongoose which, when the man stops, climbs up to perch on his shoulder like a parot might.

Vazkor glances up at Raziel as he finishes unpacking his bags, and nods, responding with a grin, "Well, this beats where I had to sleep when guarding the coins... Anyway, be up in a minute." And going back at the task at hand. Mostly just making sure he didn't forget anything, before as promised, he follows after Raziel a short while later. Heading towards where some of the others might be, even as he mimics the act of greeting some of the more familiar sailors.

"OY! Raziel!" A voice chimes out as the Aegyl steps out onto the deck "How's it going!" Thaylorn calls as he moves over towards the winged man, offering a wave in turn to Vazkor as he makes his appearance upon the deck, smile showing.

A copper coloured viera steps out of one of the cabins and looks around curiously. Shutting the door behind him, he walks over to where Raziel stands. "Hey Raz, I'm all settled in, not that I have a whole lot of stuff to settle. Did they say how long the journey would be? I ... I think I'm feeling a bit queasy." Talen looks at Vazkor as he approaches, smiling at the ebonskinned man, and offering a nod to Thaylorn.

Up near the ship's bowsprit, mantled green travel-cloak tugged by the wind as she leans slightly over the deck rail, is Penny, a big grin on her face as the ship ascends higher and higher. Thaylorn's greeting to Raziel, and the general chatter of everyone else as they arrive above-deck, draws her away from the vista, the flick of an ear followed by the turn of her head before she steps away from the rail, making her way towards Raziel and the others.

Raziel tilts his head and then looks over at Thaylorn before lifting a hand. As he gets in closer the mongoose shifts on his shoulder a little uneasily before looking down at the ground SOOOO far below and then hunching down beneath the rise of Raziel's wings. "I think your not the only one feeling that way Talen. Anyways I belive it's going to be a little bit over a week on the ship." He looks to Penny as she approaches and then nods to her before looking around, "not sure if everyone knows each other, but you all know me.. so you can introduce yourself." He pauses then ahs and points to his shoulder, "the mongoose is EM."

Vazkor stops near Raziel, and then returns everyone's greeting, raising a hand and offering a smile. Glancing at Talen then, the man reaches out to pat the Viera on the shoulder, commenting, "It'll pass eventually. Just need to get used to the way the ship moves." Before Raziel's statement grabs his attention, and he looks at the others as well. Settling his gaze on Penny finally as he speaks up, "Ah, it seems you're the only one unfamiliar to me, miss. Vazkor il Vazkor, at your service." And he gives a light, polite bow.

"Well uh, introductions then!" Thaylorn remarks cheerfully, apparently useful enough by now to long flights above the ground "I'm Thaylorn! Good to meet all of you!" He would offer towards Talen and Penny, a small bow given to each before he returns his attention to Vazkor "Been a while since I've seen you! How've you been?" Smalltalk, ho!

Talen nods to Raziel and Vazkor, "Ugh, I hope it passes, I don't want to miss out on mealtimes. The breeze is nice at least, refreshing, yeah?" The viera turns to Thaylorn and Penny and politely tips his hat to both, "I'm Talen, nice to meet you both, though I do think I've seen you two around Emberstrand, yes?"

Penny gives Raziel a nod, then a more formal half-bow to first Vazkor, then all the rest, "Sergeant Penelope St. Gabriel, of the Cathedral of Alexander, Shrine of The Seraphim. Penny is fine, though; honored to make your acquaintances." She smiles to Talen, "I'm always around the Cathedral, myself, being as I live and serve there. Could be why you've not seen me before, not counting the fact it's a big town."

There is a polite cough from behind everyone and the short moogle in the HUGE hat with golden feather on it who introdcued himself earlier as Captain Farquharian smiles at the party. "And I am Captain Farquaharian of this beautiful vessel. The Moogle Airship Dao from Baguba Port herself." He flaps up to stand on the railing so he isn't craining his neck as much. "Pleasure to have you onboard Master Talen, Sergeant Penelope, I have to admit these commissions for Master Raziel are quite fascinating and good fun. Last time we even got to use the main gun what ho kupo-po."

Raziel looks at the moogle quietly and then he smirks, "let's hope we don't have a repeat of that hmm? Or of anyone riding a summoned dragon down to the battle." He shakes his head then considers and adds, "or blowing up one of your rooms, or causing the summoner's clothing to disintegrate..." The mage looks ponderous for a moment and then shakes his head quickly, "right, lets hope that things go a bit more smoothly this time around.. So we've a little over a week before we reach the temple, yes?"

Vazkor grins some at Penny, the man remarking, "Impressive title." Before that cough grabs his attention, and he turns around to face the Captain. The swashbuckler offering the Moogle one of those polite bows then, speaking up, "And greetings to you, Captain." Before the mention of cannons and rooms disintigrating makes him arch his brow, glancing at Raziel curiously. Having not been there for the previous adventure himself.

Thaylorn can't help but stiffle a soft chuckle at what Raziel says "It's a miracle we're allowed on this airship still." Grinning still, the Imp turns his attention back to the captain again as he awaits a response to Raziel's question in regards to flight time. "I'm a bit nervous, myself to be honost."

Talen blinks and peers at the moogle captain's hat, a grin slowly spreading across his face. He listens to what the captain has to say, nodding as he's welcomed by name. "Just Talen will do, Captain, no need for the master bit." The viera's eyes widen slightly at the mention of a main gun, and they open wider at Raziel's mention of disintegrating clothes. "Er, people's clothing randomly disintegrating, you say? Rooms exploding? Hrmmm, let's keep our fingers crossed for a quiet week of travel, shall we?" Talen shuffles a bit closer to Raziel.

Penny turns as the Captain speaks, "Pleasure to be aboard, Captain." She arches an eyebrow at Raziel and the list of examples, one ear drooping slightly as she gives him a careful look, "Sounds like you all have some of the most... "interesting" adventures... I'll second the desire for smooth sailing on general principle, though, certainly." She coughs slightly and clears her throat at Vazkor's observation, "Oh, not so impressive; I'm only a Sergeant, not even an officer. Why they didn't send a Captain, or at least a Lieutenant, I've no idea..."

Captain Farquan laughs softly and shakes his head, pom-pom swaying back and forth, "Well there is a reason I upped the price of this charter Raziel. But yes our flight time is about a week.... and ah here are our other guests." Flitting over the deck hand in hand are two bright, golden furred imps. One female who is familiar to Raziel, Thaylorn and Vazkor, she bob her head, wings sparkling in the same golden feathered manner as Raziel's. "I am Alliandre, a good day and greeting. May this journey prove less hazardous then the last. This," she smiles at the male imp who is hanging in midair next to her and regarding the group with soft, quiet golden eyes. "Is Azathorn, I believe you have already met Master Vazkor my dear." He nods to the swashbuckler and grins. "Oh yes... during the little misunderstanding involving Cereberus, Galbadia Garden and the Handmaiden of Hades."

Raziel dips his head to Alliandre familiarily and he looks at Azathorn before murmuring, "I didn't know that any others were involved. Welcome Azathorn." The man pauses before looking at Vazkor and flicking a brow up, "Cereberus, Galbadia Garden.. what?" He looks at Penny and Talen then while smirking a little, "hopefully thing wil be smoother."

Vazkor glances at Penny and remarks, "I've found the Spirits tend to have a reason for picking certain people..." Before he's distracted by the appearance of the two imps. The man smiling as he's greeted personally, responding, "Ah, yes, the misunderstanding... I am glad you two have found each other." And he gives them a light bow, before glancing sideways at Raziel and grinning, "What? You weren't the only one with an adventure last time."

Thaylorn offers small nods to the other Imp's aboard the ship, thinking for a moment that these moogles must be mad, or very well payed to have so many of his kind in one place. "It is good to see you once again, Alliandre." He's not quite sure what this talk of Hades is about, and doesn't chime in on that part of the conversation.

Talen chuckles at Vazkor, "What is Cereberus like? Might have to visit him in person sometime, you know?" The viera tips his hat to the two imps, "Nice to meet you both." he says with a smile. Talen blinks and pales at that moment, and casually strides to the side of the ship. Peering over the edge, he is suddenly and violently sick.

Penny smiles and bows her head in greeting to the pair of imps the Captain introduced, "A pleasure, ma'am, sir." Vazkor's mention of spirits gains a slightly confused look, "I honestly don't know about whether any spirit had a hand in my assignment here or not, sir. I just know I was assigned to accompany Mister Raziel by my captain." She fishes a small canteen from under her cloak, stepping over to Talen when he's finished with his airsickness and offering it, "Water?"

Alliandre smiles at Raziel, "My place is here to assist, Azathorn will be leaving us soon he just wanted to see me off. We have been seperated for many eons so it is nice to once again have found each other." Azathorn smiles at her a warm, radient thing then turns to Thaylorn and smiles, "You are journeying toward the Water-Way, one of the Main Gateways into Leviathan's realm. This will be the ordeal you are most needed on cousin. Be strong and brave and remember your sword can aid as much as the magic you wield." Alliandre nods encouragingly at the imp then glances at Penny, "Everyone here has a place and a purpose and ah... oh dear.." she drifts over to Talen and places a paw on his back, "Be at ease dear," golden light flows into the young summoner, trying to calm his stomach.

Raziel glances to Thaylorn and he nods a little as they say he'll be most needed. He dips a hand into a pocket and pulls a small bacon treat out before coaking his mongoose to his shoulder again with the pronice of a treat. However he pauses as Talen gets sick and frowns a little bit before shaking his head and murmuring, "you..." His voice though trails off as Penny and then Alliandre help him. Stepping back then the man lifts a hand to stroke his chin and ponders, "wonder where we'll be needing to go once we pass through."

Vazkor grins at pre-sick Talen, responding to his comment, "Different Cereberus I think... This one tried to eat me, anyway." Shrugging a bit, as he starts to look away again, only to blink as the Viera suddenly gets sick... Starting to offer a suggestion then, even as Penny and the Imp offer their aid, "Focus on something far off, lad. The horizon, if you can see it." And he just shakes his head a bit, before he looks back at the others, "Anyway, what else happens, I think we'll be seeing Ultimecia again... Actually, did you explain anything to the newcomers yet, Raziel?"

"I'm a bit nervous about that, I've yet to meet any spirits of that realm." Thaylorn murmurs softly as he watches the golden Imp tend to Talen's problem with airsickness. At the mention of Ultimecia again though the water-Imp frowns quickly enough. "If so, we'll have to make sure she is stopped this time..."

Talen blehs and spits a few times before reaching out to take the offered water. He sips at it sparingly, and nods to Penny as he hands it back. "Thank you." he whispers. The veira blinks at Alliandre, rubbing at his stomach in surprise. "And thank you, for whatever you just did. Eugh, just one little bump is all it took, it seems." Talen peeks over the railing and takes a few deep breaths. "Phew, better now, I think." Turning back to the group, he looks to Vazkor and nods, "I'll keep that horizon part in mind for next time. Not looking down helps too, I think." The viera's eyes shift back and forth between Vazkor and Raziel... "I sense a bit of a story there."

Penny takes the canteen back, "You're welcome, sir." Tucking it away again, she rejoins the rest of the group, whiskers twitching slightly in the ship's wind, and at Vazkor's mention of filling newcomers in, she adds, "For my part, I was briefed upon assignment, but only sparingly, with focus on my task: Provide assistance and aid in whatever way possible. I think they figured I'd get anything else I need to know enroute."

Azathorn smiles at Thaylorn, "Just remember you are an imp of Water, they may well ask you to perform tasks for them. We are the servitors after all, we care for them and they care for us." He pauses and looks over his shoulder suddenly and frowns then laughs, "Oh... right... ah.. hold on." He loops his tail around the railing and grabs hold of Thaylorn. Alliandre holds onto Talen suddenly and loops her tail about EM. Captain Farquan doesn't question the imps and just grabs hold of the railing as well as the air behind Raziel in the middle of the deck suddenly splits open. Air rushes through the strange portal, tugging at clothing but Penny and Vazkor manage to grab hold of the railings also even as Raziel launches into the air, wings beating down to carry himself away from the portal and avoid being sucked through it. After a few moments it starts to stabilise, weapons are half drawn and Dust wanders out onto deck, YAWNS, stretches out in the sun and mewls as the portal behind the kitten hangs there.

Standing on the other side of the portal, with the backdrop of the oh so familiar city rippling at the edges from the effects of the magic is Kier. A Kier who is dressed to go into the deep desert for a two week long expedition. His hunting pack is at his side, his quiver is full, and his leathers look all freshly polished, and cloth still carrying that pre-hunt clean look to them. Undoing the sandcloak's hood from around his neck, he sighs once and looks down at Dust, who just looks back up and flicks his tail a couple times. With a sense of grim reluctance, the silver-haired young man steps through, and his sandal-boots hit the deck firmly just as the portal closes behind him. The almost fox-like feline is glared at a long moment, before he says, "I told you... Any place worth going is worth going either on foot, or by ship." Eyeing the group present, he then exhales once and offers the briefest of twitches of his mouth, the closest thing to a smile anyone gets before saying, "Dust wanted to come along. But he is useless without me." Looking a bit away as he speaks, attempting to hide the mix of chagrin and slight disdain in them,

Raziel nearly starts to tumble, but his hand comes up to grab his pet mongoose as wings snap out and catch the wind. He spins suddenly and leaps up, backwinging quickly to keep from flying through the portal. As the air stablizes the man lands on the deck. What comes through isn't instantly incinerated though, despite the glare that is on the mage's face, and it only deepens as he looks at Dust. He stares ten looks up at Kier then down at the cat then up again, "your right.. and if you wanted to come along you could've shown up at the docks like the rest of us, but why are you talking about..." He looks down at Dust, "wait your saying /he/ did that?" The mongoose's fur starts to smooth down and he looks down at the cat familiarily before starting to dance and chitter his annoyance while still perched on Raziel's shoulder. I don't recognize the player named "taklen"

Vazkor grabs the railing with one hand, while the other goes for the Katana sheathed at his side... The man thumbing up the hilt, showing an inch of blue blade, a faint buzz of electricity coming off it, as he stares over at the portal with narrowed eyes. But he soon recognizes the cityscape and the figure on the other end... As well as the cat. His gaze flicking from one and the other, before he just shakes his head, and lets his sword drop back fully into its sheath. The swashbuckler giving the grumpy hunter a good natured grin then, as he speaks towards him, "I agree with Raziel, you're late... And I never heard of a cat opening a portal." Glancing over at the Imps next, as if thinking it was just one of them.

"That is what I have been told." Thaylorn replies to the Golden Imp with a small nod of his head "Hold...On?" He doesn't question as Azathorn grabs him to keep him from being sucked into the portal that is suddenly materializing upon the deck of the ship! With the cat's, and Kier's sudden appearance through it, Thaylorn makes a silly face of sorts, almost confused. "Seems someone had been left behind, hmm?"

Talen yelps as the winds kick up, though he's securely clinging to the railing, as well as being held by Alliandre. "Notfunnotfunnotfun...!" He phews as the winds quickly died down, and straightens, brushing his shirt as if nothing spectacular just happened. He peers at Kier and Dust, and grins, bolting across the deck to wrap his arms around Kier. "You made it!" Kier has connected.

Penny latches onto the nearest rail, cloak and braid whipping in the sudden wind, but as she's focused more on hanging on than anything else, she lays no hand to weapon, and by the time the wind stops and the portal closes, there seems no need to since everyone around her seems to recognize the apparent cause. Regaining her feet properly and straightening her cloak a bit, she eyes the new arrivals curiously. And... cat. She staaares at Dust, eyes alight with apparent thoughts of Adorable. And then, after a moment, she smiles, and stops staring, returning to her regularly scheduled thought processes.

Dust looks up, MEWLS quietly at Kier, flicking his tail from side to side before glancing at Thaylorn and the Star Imps. Alliandre and Azathorn are peering down at the cat with interest. Then they exchange a look at nod, "Right well as everyone is now here I shall get back home." Azathron kisses the back of Alliandre's paw and vanishes with a faint pop. Alliandre sighs and sits on the railing next to Thaylorn and smiles, ignoring Dust now as the cat proceeds to ignore everyone else and sprawl out to sleep in the sunshine. "I believe you were about to tell everyone the story Raziel."

Kier bends just in time to not get bowled over by Talen as he's almost tackled. There's a couple moments before he responds with slowly rising his hands up and touching on his shoulders a moment before he just gives the half-wildcat a look before another deep sigh comes, "Yes, here I am... despite my attempts at being otherwise." Looking around once more, he then gives a few nods of greeting, before pursing his lips and making a small chittering sound to call the cat up to leap to his shoulder, where he can give Talen a few headbutts of greeting, followed with a scritch under his chin.

Raziel inhales deeply as he's reminded that there is a story to tell. Reaching up he brushes the tips of his fingers over a leather bag hanging from his neck. "Very well... at this point how the story begins is really unimportant so let me tell you what we are doing and why. I have been tasked by my people and by the spirits to collect the twelve coins of the Stellazio. Each coin being a, well something of a mortal representation of a spirit. Over time they have been lost and scattered throughout the world.. which is why we are here now. Currently we have five of the coins: Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo and Scorpio. We know where two more of them are... but unfortunately for now they're lost to us." He looks at Vazkor then back over the group, "there are others who are after the coins, a witch by the name of Ultimecia who plans to pervert their powers to evil and we have to stop her at all costs. She has Virgo and Libra... as well as many forces which she has set against us in the past and will continue to do so in the future. Each of you will have a part to play in the coming conflict, that's why you've been selected. Also at the end of our quest and the gathering of the coins a shrine will be opened in our city. Those of you who wish it may join Vazkor and I in serving as guardians of the coins to prevent any from miss using them in the present or in the future."

Vazkor just shakes his head a bit at Talen's glomping of Kier, smirking in amusement, before he turns back around to face the others and listen to Raziel talk... His ears flicking a bit as he listens to the 'story thus far', nodding at certain points made, and watching the reaction of those unfamiliar to most of it... At the mention of the coins, however, his face suddenly brightens a bit, and he grins, holding up a finger, "Oh, actually, I have something for you, dear." He tells Raziel then, even while his other hand goes for a belt pouch, which he unclips, and then simply tosses it to the Aegyl, "I present for you, from my run in with Ultimecia."

Thaylorn pats a leather bag at his side as Raziel lists of which coins the group has found so far, nodding and listening to him retell the story "The hope is that we won't be seeing her this time." The Imp remarks softly as he continues sitting on the rail next to the remaining Golden Imp.

Talen steps back a bit and grins at Kier, reaching up to scritch affectionately between Dust's ears. "Why would you attempt otherwise, Kier? This is a mission from the spirits themselves. Something our people would do well to recognize, for it is a key to hearing the Voice once more from the Woods." He turns and listens to Raziel's story, getting lost in the telling. When Raziel is done, the viera nods, fiddling with the rings in his ears. "Truely, this goes deeper than I had thought. The Stellazio, in ages past, were Andromeda's auguries, dispensing her wisdom, knowledge and prophecy. They were lost long ago, and Andromeda was forced to pass on her prophecies herself. Many of the paths through the Starfield were lost, closed and forgotten by all. We're on a quest, to restore the Starfield, perhaps Andromeda herself, to its former glory. We will be more than guardians, I think."

Penny listens attentively to Raziel's summary of events and objectives, arms crossed over her breastplate, and nodding when he's finished, taking a moment to organize the information in her head before asking, "Are the coins present with us, or were they left somewhere secure, or under watch, or the like?"

Alliandre smiles at Raziel, "Yes did you bring them all with you this time or have you left them in the care of Handmaiden Silmeria?" She smiles at Vazkor as he tosses the bag over at Raziel and laughs, "I was wondering what I could sense... Master Vazkor your timing is impeccable." she grins at Thaylorn then, "I hope we do not run into the witch either... she has been most.... infuriating in her attempts to stop us. But if she is to interfer it would be before we enterred the Waterway. I doubt she would risk rousing Lady Undine or Lord Leviathan's wrath."

Leaving a hand on Talen's shoulder, he replies softly, "I have... my opinions... of the Spirits and the things they manage to make mortals do in their service." Casting his eyes at the cat on his shoulder, before he continues on, "But those are unimportant. I am here now, and since fate or contrivance has seen fit I shall be involved... I will attend. However..." And he then looks around at the others, "I fear I will not be as useful as others. I have very little magical knowledge, and no knowledge of these realms. My expertise is in... more mortal affairs..." Once more he looks away, and scratches at the back of his neck, hiding a slight coloring of his cheeks.

Raziel catches the pack that Vazkor tosses him and his brows lift for a moment and he looks inside before looking at Vazkor, "I could..." Stopping he walks the few steps closer and grabs his shirt, pulling him in for a kiss before loosing his grip and stepping back. With a soft ahem he turns back around and takes the coin from the pack and then slides it into the one around his neck. "They're here with us," he answers in responce to the golden imp's and Penny's question. "Silmeria is by herself and I would not leave someone to guard on their own. It would be doomed." He exhales before listening to Talen and nodding quietly a the summoner gives over his knowledge. Glancing at Kier and then the man everyone knows for being somber lets out a laugh, albeit a short one, "they have managed to get me to do quite a bit, so I can't really argue against those opinions of yours Kier."

Vazkor blinks some at Raziel as he receives the kiss, as if a bit surprised... But he also just grins then, and gives a tip of an invisible hat, remarking, "You're welcome, dear. Silmeria and me fought pretty hard for that one." And then turning back to the others, sweeping his gaze across each person, before he states with a shrug, "Silmeria and me were guarding them previously, but like Raziel says, she's alone now. Better to keep them close at hand and hope for the best..." The swashbuckler pausing a moment to let that sink in, before he glances to Kier, and adds, "Ah, nothing wrong with that, lad. I'm only here because of my decent sword arm, myself. Sometimes more mundane skills is all one needs to take down even the most powerful of foe."

"Well, let's hope that is the case! I wouldn't mind meeting one of them though..." Thaylorn murmurs in response to Alliandre's statement of the water spirits. "The coins are well kept for the time being, in my opinion." The Imp murmurs with a few small nods of his own. "Well regardless of skills, I'm sure we'll all have our place in this journey."

Talen smiles at Kier, "You obviously have a part to play in all of this Kier, or else they would not have tried so hard to ensure you would be here. Sometimes the spirits will not be denied." He looks over at Vazkor and nods, "See, everyone's skills are appreciated and needed. Though Vazkor is underplaying his sword arm by a bit." The viera takes a breath and sighs it out. "You carry the actual spirits with you Raziel, in coin form. That is why that witch is chasing them, she must know that secret."

Penny nods at Raziel's answer, taking that information in as well, "Ok." And that seems to be all she has to say on the matter. Kier's command draws a chuckle from her, and she smiles up at him, nodding in agreement with Vazkor, "Yeah, you're not alone, there, Mister Kier; I'm also pretty much just a soldier, after all, if you'll remember, and not versed in the ways of Spirits and the like. Knowledge of Alexander's scriptures doesn't count, I don't think." Captain Farquan watches the exchange between Vazkor and Raziel with a smile and shakes his head, "Well I suggest you all settle in and try to find something to entertain yourselves and not cause too much mischief. I'll see you all around ship," He tips his hat and leaves heading back for the wheel house and leaving everyone to do as they wish as the Dao continues on its journey through the sky, leaving the land behind and starting out over the ocean stretching out before them for what looks like forever.

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