AChapter 14
It's been quite an interesting third Act, the Music has taken a turn to the sober, there is much darkness, much horror and the odd shriek and cry from an audience member as Vikris, the Riddle master makes a fiery and rather over-dramatic entrance. It's good theatre and the music shakes the auditoreum. There are also some odd looks thrown toward the front row of VIP guests and there is an air too the performance as if the actors have upped their game. It might have something to do with the glittering Crystal ferret who is sat atop Silmeria's head watching the show. As the third act of the show is drawing toward a close the thunder booms, the skies scream with lightning, rain and wind and the party are victorious! Shemhazzi has been driven back, the Obsidian Mirror obtained, its power coursing through the party as they fight off the deadly wickedness of the Knights of Restoration's final attack! They are driven back, Ainsley swoons into Lee's arms as Silmeria rides a Dragon of Mist in the background.... the lights fall... the music thrums to a close.... and the audience erupts into a roaring cheer punctuated with many an enthusiastic KUPO!
Ainsley stares at that sight of the darkened stage for a while, her hand going up to rub at the side of her head. "Silmeria, riding the Mist Dragon? Goodness, that's a bit of an embelishment. I don't think the dragon has enough... enough solidity for that." She looks up toward Pounce, staring at him for a while. Then she looks around at the rest of the audience, wondering if anyone's distracted by the seneschel's presence. "I'd say that the play needs some refinement, but it's a pretty good dramatic showing of those events." She streeetches her arms over her head, yawning. "I like what they did with that riddle guardian. So... what now?" The question is directed to Lee and Pounce, glancing to either of them.
Lee heaves a sigh as the performance concludes, though he does applaud as well, nodding in agreement with Ainsley, "Quite o'er th'top, indeed. Rather glad it's over with, though. Music aside, it was a bit... much, least fer my tastes." Taking the cue from Ainsley, he too looks to Pounce, "Aye, fair question. What now?"
Silmeria's eyes stray upward to the crystal ferret on her head, then to the patrons sharing their booth, then back up. "....You *do* rather attract attention, Master Pounce," she murmurs quietly, settling in to watch the performance with mingled resignation, amusement, and no small amount of bewilderment. As 'she' rides off on the back of the Mist Dragon, the Esper's nose wrinkles. "...Well. I *certainly* prefer that telling than the reality," she says shaking her head, looking to the rest of the party. "Now? Now the actors take their bows, we find somewhere *else* to hold negotiations, and then I suppose we find how Lord Carbuncle intends to make use of your... peculiar talents, Lee."
Pounce tilts his head and grins, "It was a great story, much better then what really happened I am sure, but akll history is romanticised... you just let the imps write the story and /they/ are notorious for embellshing. Worse the Odin or Lord Mog... now then.." he shakes his crystalline body and jumps down into Ainsley's lap. "We need to pop out someplace quiet and then... Lord Carbuncle will attend... as soon as we pick an impartial adjudicator for negotiations."
Ainsley squeaks, startled by the spirit landing in her lap. Her immediate reaction is that, logically, if he's made of crystal, he must be heavy like a large piece of rock. But, well, he's not. She seems to be conflicted about whether or not it's okay to touch Pounce. Eventually, she tries to pet him, but gently and carefully. "I'm afraid I might not be qualified for that, and I'm not sure where we could find one... That's a political skill, not something I've studied into very much." She tries to stand, careful not to knock the spirit over, giving him time to move if he wants to. "Let's go, then...?"
Lee chuckles a bit as Ainsley gets a lap full of crystal ferret, and nods, "Sounds like a plan t'me... As fer an adjudicator, hell, any fair-minded bloke'd do, I think, but not sure if I've a say in th'matter r'not." He stands as well, offering Cadence a hand up, "So, where's this 'someplace quiet', then? If Lord Carbuncle 'isself is gonna be present, then I'd guess it might not be exactly near 'ere? I mean, just a guess, I'm not knowledgeable on what 'e prefers or th'like."
"Probably best, yes, Lee," Silmeria says with a nod, rising from her seat and looking to Candace, smiling. "Any idea where we might be able to find a nice quiet room to tuck ourselves into, preferably one where we won't be interrupted?"
Pounce leans into the petting, the surface of his body is sleek and warm to the touch and as Ainsley stands he scampers up her arm and perches on her shoulder and peers at Cadence who smiles at him then turns to Lee, "Are you sure about this son?" She asks softly.... Pounce meanwhile looks around the emptying auditorium and hums, "Hmm oh location... oh we'll go someplace... i'll ask in a bit... but we need an adjudicator. I mean i'd suggest SIlmeria here but well she is all involved... mmhmm.... i mean we could just negotiatie between us if you trust us to be fair?"
Ainsley giggles as Pounce climbs up onto her shoulder, reaching up to keep petting at him. "I trust the spirits to know how to be fair. I cannot say that I know how you all think, but I imagine it's better than /some/ deals I've gotten myself into." She smiles and glances aside at Pounce knowingly. "I promise I'll try to keep a clear head during the negotiations." She looks aside at Lee, a worried look in her eyes, for a moment.
Lee gives Cadence a cheeky grin and a wink as she questions his certitude, "Aye, mum, as sure as th'trade winds." At the mention of fairness, he turns his attention to Pounce, "If nuthin' else, I can always decline if'n th'terms aren't some measure o'fair. You know yer master better'n us, though. An' I mean no disrespect by askin', but is 'e th'type t'load a deal unfairly in 'is favor?"
"An adjudicator would make life a good deal more simple," Silmeria offers, looking to each in turn. "Involved or no, I *could* be impartial enough to do the job, I hope. I should think that the concern, Lee, is less 'are the Spirits trustworthy' than 'is either side going to upset the other by ill-chosen phrasing?' Which means..." Here, the blond spreads her hands. "You'll need *someone* to translate at need, we've no proper Summoner, and few other Mortals really know the fine edges of respect and protocol. Master Pounce, I really do think that having me mediate is the most expedient choice."
Pounce gives Lee a loooong look, "Your talking about Lord Carbuncle! The master of Memory... he's half terrified to meet you as is! And ah... he's picked a meeting location he says he'll feel safe in." he nods and beams, "Very well then, Lord Carbuncle has asked a favour from dsomeone to be adjudicator and if Miss Silmeria will act as Interpretor then we are all set. If everyone is ready..." he jumps off Ainsley and perches on the edge of the stage, "Just look at my body..."
Ainsley looks over to Silmeria silently, smiling more brightly, and then shrugs. When Pounce hops away, Ainsley looks over at him, and leeeans over to peer closer. It looks a little silly, but she's just trying to make sure that she's only looking at Pounce and won't get distracted. And maybe try to figure out what kind of gemstone he is by seeing the quality of light as it hits him. If she figures it out herself, obviously she won't need to ask him!
Lee raises his hands placatingly as Pounce, offering a smile, "No offense or disrespect intended, sir, I just 'ave very little experience wi' Spirits an' th'like." He nods as Pounce declares that the arrangements are made, looking from Cadence to Ainsley, then to Silmeria, before turning his gaze back to Pounce, doing as the crystal ferret instructs, "Right, let's get th'party started, eh?"
"ANd this is why we need someone to make sense of things for you," Silmeria replies, bobbing her head. "Well, if Lord Carbuncle has a mediator, that's to the good then." Drawing in a breath, she glances about the party, and nods once, turning her eyes to the ferret's coat as intructed.
Sadly for Ainsley no matter how hard she stares at Pounce she just cannot tell what crystal or gem he is made from, it is like nothing she has ever encountered before. AS everyone stares at the crystalline ferret everything starts to grow hazy... light plays all around and there is a strange moment when Pounce seems to expand! Growing HUGE and then.... he is back to normal and they are in a different place. There are great green-marble colouns, delicate, beautiful fluting and buttresses ovber head. Sparkling crystal windows of stained glass depicting warriors, all of them female in various heroic poses. Walking toward the party, coloured dust motes trailing from her antennae is a large, golden furred squirrel with bright, irridescent wings that buzz behind her as she seems to glide across the floor. "Hello, Hello everyone, welcome to the Palace of the Valkyries, be welcome all as guests of Lord Carbuncle and myself here in Valhalla.""
There's a loud gasp of surprise from Ainsley as the spirit expands, and her arms flail out to grab for Lee... and then the world returns, and they're in the spirit realm. She looks around, and frowns lightly. Then looks off to the... golden furred... squirrel. "... huh. I don't think I've ever heard of you," she mentions, quietly, sort of amazed by this. "But then, I'm not a summoner." She smiles, and relaxes.
Lee gets a brief bit of queasiness from Pounce's expand-o-matic trick and the brief havok it plays on his perceptions, and he slips an arm around Ainsley's shoulders as she grabs for him in the transition. When it's all over and done with, though, a quick breath is all it takes to restore his balance, and he takes a look around at the stained glass and cathedral-like architecture, until his attention is drawn to the winged squirrel by the greeting she gives, leaving him to bob his head in reply, "Thank ye'fer th'ospitality, marm."
Silmeria shakes her head as the crystal ferret returns to his normal, shape, rubbing at her eyes for a moment. Then, her breath catches as ther surroundings become clear, and a slow, wide smile forms upon her face. "Oh," she breathes, standing up a bit straighter and turning to the winged squirrel approaching them. "It's *truly* a pleasure to be here, Lady... thank you, and Lord Carbuncle, *very* much for meeting us."
There is a faint "Breeheeeaaaak" from somewhere and everywhere and the squirrel laughs warmly and enfolds a warm arm about Ainsley's shoulders. She smells faintly of fresh baking and her smiles is warm. "He says thankyou, he'd come out and say hello but he is very shy, come, come you are all our guests. I am Abir, Matron of the Emerald Castle, it is a pleasure to have you all here." She leads the party over to a table set up in the middle of the room. It is laden with food and drink and there are just enough chairs for everyone and a stool for Pounce. "now then we are here to discuss a contract between Lee the Black Dragon and the Lord of Memory. He has agreed to restore the full memory strata of the Lady Cadence in exchange for which Lee shall agree to serve Carbuncle in retrieving a lost memory that was stolen from the Vault some time ago by the Occuria... he believes you will encounter it upon your journey at some point."
Ainsley squeaks as Abir touches her. And immediately, and completely, relaxes at the smell of baking. It makes her look gleeful and bright, and she immediately asks, "Is that blackberry I smell?" Her voice is hushed and excited, her mouth cracked into a big grin at Abir. "I think I like you already." She looks at Lee and continues grinning, knowing his knowledge of Ainsley's /love/ of sweets and baked goods.
Lee follows along to the table, taking a seat next to Ainsley and looking over the selection of food and drink, catching Ainsley's grin and chuckling, picking out a blackberry tart from the assembled array of foods and handing it to her before resuming his own examination of the selection once more. He pauses, though, at mention of the Occuria, a shiver running through him despite tales of them being little more than boogie-man legends remembered from his youth, leaving him eyeing the stronger of the drinks on offer, though he doesn't take one just yet, "Th'Occuria... How long ago, if I may ask, did this theft 'appen? I mean, I wouldn't be likely to encounter any of 'em, would I? There's 'istory there, 'tween them an' my people, after all, an' not o'tha good sort."
"If we meet the Occuria," Silmeria says, her voice flat, "then we have a *great* deal more to worry about than Father's traitor child returning to the world, Master Lee." Picking up a plate, she arranges a small selection of breads, cheeses, and meats on it, before looking up at Abir, eyebrow rising. "Besides, I *highly* doubt Matron Abir would be suggesting that Lord Carbuncle sees brushing against the Occuria as a fair trade for one mortal's memories... Be she ever so precious to you. Would I be correct, My Lady?"
Matron Abir looks scandalised by the mere suggestion and there isa Breekeeeea! As Carbuncle lands on the table in front of Lee. He bounces up and down and waves his paws around, the bright aquamarine critter shaking his head and bouncing and then he vanishes with a flompf and a Blackberry tort lands in front of AInsley. "There will be little chance of encountering an Occuria, but it is an importnat memory his Lordship would ask you to recover. Once you have it drop by a shrine to Carbuncle and let him know and someone will come collect it."
Ainsley has acquired two baked masterpieces. One for each hand! She slowly enjoys one of them, blushing lightly and showing the most joy she has since... well, ever, outside of being at home and enjoying dinner with Lee or other such simple occasions. Carbuncle's appearance surprises Ainsley, but she's so pleased with the food that she can only smile at him. Lee's admittance about the history of the dragons gets a veeeery curious stare out of her, mildly confused. "Huh. So that's where all the secrecy comes from...?" Yeah she isn't very knowledgeable about the spirits. "If we're going to find the memory along the way, anyhow, this is a pretty good deal. I'd assume it would look like a gem, then?"
Lee nods to Silmeria, with a bit of a shrug as well, "Aye, well, best t'be sure, right?" He looks back to Abir, noticing her scandalized look, and blinks, "Wot?" And then Carbuncle lands on the table in front of him, startling Lee somewhat, who's eyes go wide at the spirit's wild gesticulations, before Carbuncle vanishes again, and a second blackberry confection lands before Ainsley to boot. Abir's translation, or so he assumes, of Carbuncle's message brings him back, though, and he coughs a little into one gloved hand, "Yes, well... Didn't think it'd hurt much t'ask. M'apologies, though." He clears his throat, reaching for a glass of wine to sip at, nodding to Ainsley, "Yeah, so th'stories go, luv. Remind me sometime, an' I'll tell ya a bit about it." Then, to Abir, "So, this mem'ry, 'ow am I t'know it should we come across it? Will it be a gem, like Ainsley guesses, or sumfin' else? An' am I allowed t'know what tha mem'ry itself is, or is that irrelevant?"
Silmeria leans back in her chair as Carbuncle makes a grand and showy entrance, piece of cheese held in her mouth as she simply stares, quite surprised, blinking rapidly once the Spirit departs. Slowly, she picks up a cookie, then another... and after a moment's pause, three more, stacking them on a small bread plate. Then, the laden plate gets set, carefully, on the ground, and slid under the tablecloth. "I'll not presume to know the contents of the memory are truly our business... Though what we learn from it incidentally, likewise not our fault. Do we know *where* to look within the Vault, My Lady?"
Abir smiles and looks across at Pounce, "It will appear as a chiliagon shaped Sapphire, you will I am lead to understand encounter it someplace in the Catacombs when you reach them. I cannot say how or why but when you see it you will know it for what it is and should make efforts to retrieve it for Lord Carbuncle." She looks to Pounce who nods and then returns to the apple pie he is devouring, "It is a memory from.. very long ago, another age of Terra, a recording of a great love story, a epic tale of love, a struggle against dark forces..... a memory.... that is mising and lost.... if you can return it your contract with Lord Carbuncle will be made good." The squirrel lady stands up, motes of golden light flowing from her antennae as she starts to pack baked goods into the very large hamper tha tis just there on the table. "If you agree... then these negotiations are complete."
Ainsley finishes off the second confection and reaches over to the hamper, pulling it over to get a look inside. She may or may not have the happiest, most gluttonous look on her face, barely restraining herself from drooling. "I'd like that, love," she tells Lee, "Always good to hear some real history from the people that should know." She doesn't look at him as she says this, though, too concerned with the sweets. She would even try to hand one off to Silmeria, grinning brightly at her, if she's allowed. She pauses, though. "... oh, right. We still need to go to that priestess after this. I can't stuff myself on this..." She stares at the hamper like she's going to cry.
Lee listens to Abir's explanation, accepting the information given, and not pressing for any more about the memory itself. He takes note of the form the memory will take, and that it's somewhere in the Catacombs. He considers for a moment after, then nods, "Sounds fair 'nuff t'me... Very well, it's agreed, then. An' her memory will be repaired or restored or whatever upon completion, I take it?" He smiles a bit, patting Ainsley's shoulder, "Dun fret, luv, I'll take y'out t'buy some sweets later."
Silmeria chuckles quietly, bobbing her head and nibbling away the last of the scant foods on her plate. "Then, thank you again, Matron Abir, and my best to Lord Carbuncle. ...Also the cookies under the table, those are for him too. I thought he might wish to enjoy them in privacy. Anyhow." Sliding her plate forward, she slips out of her chair and sketches a deep curtsy before Abir. "Also, my thanks to Lord Odin and his Valkyries, for allowing us the use of this *lovely* room."
Abir whaps Ainsley's paw in a very motherly way, "Now now, I am just packing up a little something to take back with you all, I'll leave it with Lady Silmeria here to carry." She looks over at Lee and nods, "Well then if everything is agreed on... Lord Carbuncle?" She glances at the end of the table, the Aquamarine spirit is there weaving through the confections as Abir packs up the hamper. He stops to nose at Silmeria and breees out a thanks for the cookies, stopping to brush his whiskers clean and then chitters at Abir who nods. "You were most welcome, we owed Lord Carbuncle a favour.... ah he is starting. Carbuncle believes in setting memories in their place before not after... if you fail to keep the bargain. He'll take restitution from you not your Mother." Carbuncle then moves to stand before Cadence who smiles at him and then the gem on his fore-head glows! The red light drowns out everything and as it fades the group are standing beneath a very large cathedral roof. An elderly moogle is sat on the altar beneat the HUGE statue of Lord Mog and he peers through his glasses and shakes his head, "When I was told to expect guests..." Abir shrugs and buzzes her wings and hands the hamper to Silmeria and turns, Carbuncle on one shoulder and Pounce on the other. "Thus is the bargain written... Lady Cadence?" The bard smiles, adjusting her cloak and walks over to touch Lee's arm and kisses his cheek, "Hello son... it is... nice to be me..." She turns to look at the Mog who is wating and watching and then she lifts her harp and walks forward playing a song.... the music rising slowly, it pulls at the emotions of everyone watching... sadness, happiness, joy... endearment, fear... they all are pulled out of the depths of the listeners mind as Cadence plays...."
Lee cocks his head at Abir, and ahs, "From me? Well, then, I s'pose that's a'right, all in all." He watches Carbuncle, not sure what to expect, but being transported so soon wasn't top of the list, having expected more of a... process, or something, for the restoring of his mother's memory. So, when she kisses his cheek, apparently back to her old self, he's a bit surprised, blinking crimson eyes at her, then giving her a slightly lop-sided smile, "Aye, mum... S'good t'ave ya back." As Cadence begins to play, he closes his eyes and slips an arm about Ainsley's shoulders, soaking in the music, clearly having missed hearing the bard play in full form, her signature style at it's best, like she used to when he was younger.
Ainsley looks around, bewildered by the change in scenery. It's a strange sensation, as there's air quality and temperature to consider, as well as lighting. She shuffles on her feet and then finds herself held by Lee... She reaches to grab his hand, pauses to listen to the song, and goes into a simple, swaying dance with the pale man, if he allows. She's half-decent at that.
It is a beautiful Song... the music flows all around the party and carries them away... at least Ainsley and Silmeria are swept away in the music. Visions seem to dance across their eyes, swirling clouds of vapour, glittering stars that burst... a cascade of running water following by the leaping dance of a chocobo across the plains at sunset only for the point of view to sweep out and up and into the air along a mountain side to burst through clouds and cry into the heavens before sinking down down down into the darkest furnace of the worlds heart, to feel the beating heat of Terra's life before suddenly they are stood beside a spinning globe of blue and green, watching the planet dance throughout the star studded sky, whirling about the solar system.... For Lee the music is beautiful but he stands still, a rock against the tide, his arm about Ainsley and at some point during the song his arm about Silmeria, holding both girl tight as the Lady Cadence plays, the Arch-Priest of Mog watches and the cathedral dissolves around them leaving the group of three floating in the void between spaces.... ther stars are all around and there is a glowing orb of bluish/white light surrounding them to let them breath. Cadence, the Mog... Terra, all are gone but Cadence's final words echo through their minds as Ainsley and Silmweria start to stir. "See you soon children... we must discuss grand children soon...."
Lee listens, and sways slightly with Ainsley, taking in the music... Even he isn't sure when his other arm finds it's way around Silmeria, but he quickly lets the esper go once the music stops, clearing his throat in slight embarassment. Cadence's parting words caus a slight grimace soon after, though, muttering, as if in reply, but probably mostly to himself, "Grandchildren... There's quite a big mess that needs sortin' afore *that's* even remotely a possibility..." Shaking that off, he turns his attention to the new surroundings. Or, the lack of them, distant stars not withstanding. Looking around, he hrms, "So... Is this where we expected t'be?"
Ainsley is lost in the song, but moreso it carries on into the little dance, and then they end up in the void of space, and she stops and stares around at the emptiness. Her eyes flutter... "... huh," is all she says, at first, too dumbfounded by the transition. But her face is red afterwards, as she realizes what Cadence said. Oh for the love of... "We can /discuss/ it until the chocobo come home, it ain't happening yet," she mutters, and then motions to Lee as if evidence of /why/ that is the case.
Silmeria stirs, blinking sleepily at their surroundings, a quiet smile touching her tanned face. "...Yes," she murmurs, apparently either unconcerned or utterly heedless of Lee's embrace. "Yes, this is whe--ack!" It's about then, that she realizes there's no actual ground beneath her, and there's half a heartbeat spent flailing, before it dawns on her that floating is in fact okay, for the moment. "...*Any*way," she says, tugging at her sleeves and clearing her throat, "...this is where we need to be. Or the start of it, at any rate. Ainsley, Lee... welcome to the Starfield."
It sure is pretty, the stars are a brilliant blaze of white/blue light outside their hazy little bubble field, it truly is magnificent and empty and they are drifting and... well they made it!
Lee nods in agreement with Ainsley, clearing his throat a bit, "A-aye, quite so, luv, not yet." A small cough follows, and he looks to Silmeria, "The start of it, right, well that's somethin' at least. So..." He looks around, even down, at the vast emptiness outside their little glowing bubble, "So, 'ow exactly do we get around 'ere? Not 'xactly like we can, y'know, walk, seein' as there's no *floor*." He ponders a few seconds, "I could try to fly, maybe? Not sure this bubble's big enough... Would that even work, I wonder?" He looks from Silmeria to Ainsley, "What'chu think, luv?"
Ainsley looks to Lee, and shrugs her shoulders. "There has to be some way that summoners get around this place without the help of a dragon's wings," she muses, and then she pats at Lee's chest. Then she closes her eyes and thinks. There has to be some way, maybe she read about it? She rubs her hand through her feathers, frowning.
"Mostly," Silmeria says, catching hold of Lee's sleeve before she drifts too far away, "the trick is going in the right direction. Once you've got that, the rest is... relatively easy." Drawing her pistol, she peers about the star-sprinkled void, frowning in deep concentration.
To Lee's eyes it is all well... sparkly and empty and dark and clouds of gas streaming past in the very far distance. For the girls however it is a different matter, a mixture of instinct and knowledge of the stars that hang in the sky above Terra at night. It takes some work but oon enough a clear patch forms in the bubble... it stretches out slightly, pointing toward a dense cluster of stars, a tiny pin-prick of light far, far, far away.... that is the direction they need to go in. Of course they aren't moving yet either....
Lee scratches the back of his head as he looks around, completely lost, every direction looking pretty much exactly the same. He can't even find constellations, seeming to lack a frame of reference from which to begin searching, like he'd when navigating at night with the ground below him. He just kinda drifts in place, slowly, ever so slowly, turning about weightlessly, until he's upside-down relative to Ainsley and Silmeria, arms crossed and his cloak seeming to have a mind of it's own in the absence of any real gravity, "This is buggerin' confusin'." He spends a moment fighting with his cloak, which seems to want to wrap around in front of him, "'Ey, git back there, you! Y'dun belong out in front!"
Ainsley looks down at the patch as it appears, and points them to a specific point. She turns her gaze briefly toward Lee, and giggles faintly. Then turns her gaze toward the path ahead, and tries to concentrate further, reaching out absent-mindedly to grab for Lee to try and help him steady himself. "The spirit world is confusing in general, I gather," she tells Lee, patiently.
Silmeria is currently 11 minutes idle and may not get back to you soon. You page, "You know it is going to take more then just "Thinking about it" to move, you need to do "Something" magical, or physical or something. Something that will represent Movement" to Silmeria.
Silmeria chuckles at Lee's antics, noting the patch of bubble pointing them in the right direction, and nodding to herself. "Not *that* confusing... you just have to understand what each world *means.* That usually gives you a bit of help in understanding how the world *works.*" As she speaks, she lines up her pistol to point in the exact opposite direction, draws in a breath... and fires, trusting in the recoil of the weapon to set them on their way.
BANG! Silmeria's gun goes off, there is a flare of strange electical energy and the bubble the party is in drifts forward at a sedate half a metre per minute........
Lee manages to wrestle his cloak back behind him somewhat, and grabs onto Ainsley's arm as she snags him, trying to re-orient himself 'upright'. Then, at the gunshot, he blinks, and looks at Silmeria curiously, then at the bubble. It's hard for him to tell that it's even moving, slow as it is; nevermind the lack of any nearby point of reference to judge speed of any kind. Looking back to Silmeria, "Ok, so... Did that work as expected? Hard fer me t'tell..."
"We'll never get there at this rate," Ainsley thinks aloud, tapping at the corner of her jaw, her other hand supporting her elbow. She looks off toward Lee, brows raising. "Turn your form," she suggests, "Maybe it would just be best to try that, and ride on your back instead." "Well, damn," Silmeria mutters, looking to Ainsley for a moment and nodding. "Probably it would," she says after a pause for thought. "I don't quite have wings of my own at the moment, and you *are* the most capable flyer we have. As I said, it's not the *how* that really matters... just as long as there's something."
Lee chuckles at Ainsley and nods, "Better'n my idea; was gonna suggest I breath fire in th'opposite direction, if the pop offa gun jus' weren't enuff." A bit of last-minute re-orientation adjustment, and Lee kinda tucks himself into a ball to minimize his size, unsure how the bubble may react to the change. A brief wash of blue-black fire over his form, and he's suddenly several times larger, his black form nearly invisible against the stars, but for the fact that he's so close, the haze of the bubble itself, and his crimson eyes. Carefully uncurling, he looks to his companions, voice slightly deeper, and with a touch of rumble to it, "A'right, climb aboard an' point me in th'right direction, an' we'll give this a try." He fixes an eye on Silmeria, "Yer lucky; only ever let Ains do this b'fore." Evidently, it's an important gesture, being ridden, at least in his mind, though it's not said as if he's objecting, resenting, or begrudging Silmeria the ride; just a statement of perceived importance attached to the act.
"It's alright, sweety," Ainsley tells Lee, as she climbs onto his back, and pats at his scales, "Silmeria has been a vital ally and very important to this journey, I think she's earned it." She looks over at Silmeria, grinning at her, showing admiration of her friend. "Not so much luck, it would've happened eventually if you kept tagging along with us," she tells the esper.
Silmeria chuckles softly, reaching out to snag the hem of Ainsley's robe, only long enough to tug herself toward the great dragon. "No, even still," she demures, bobbing her head to Lee. "I'll try to treat the moment with as much respect and dignity as the offer deserves." ...Which lasts for, it seems, just about as long as it takes to get herself settled comfortably and unobtrusively, which point the very faintest of squeeing noises can be heard from the back of her throat.
Everyone is on Lee's back, the bubble of magically imbued air has expanded out to surround them all and those black wings come up.... and come down and as everyones thoughts turn to the thought of actually finally going someplace they do so! On the down-beat of Lee's wings the stars suddenly elongate and zip past them as the buibble lunges forward! Seconds pass and the whole universe is whirling around them, stars zipping past, flashing from Blue to Red as they pass the party by! Lee's wings come up... and down and they coast forward... picking up speed, the flashing stars whirling past the party faster and faster. Time has no meaning, space has no meaning, they are flying forwards at incredible speeds until a solid band of glittering silvery light suddenly occludes the universe. There are no more stars ahead just ths wall of starlight that spreads out in all directions and dead of the dragon, suddenly coming into sight is a magnificent tiered garden, platforms of many sizes and shapes, linked by ramps and steps and falling waterfalls. A garden and palace of unparalleled beauty hanging in the vault of the heavens. The Gardens of Babylon of fabled legend and well Lee appears to not know how to stop as the gardens rush up toward them... they are going to hit!
Lee chuckles a little, nodding to Ainsley, "Aye, she 'as been, an' I s'pose she *has* earned it, at that..." Glancing back at Ainsley, he continues, "A shame we didn't bring th'arness, might've made a ride like this more comf'table fer y'both; as it, guess this trip'll be bareback. Be sure t'keep yer grips, you two, jus' in case." Catching the faint squee, he cranes his neck a little to get a look at Silmeria, the cat-like slit of his crimson eye narrowing at her, though he deigns not to comment, instead giving another faint chuckle. And then, the flying. Oh lord, the flying. Even he is surprised as the stars begin to red-shift, the dragon not recognizing the significance of it, simply aware that he's going *really damned fast*. The sudden change of scenery startles him, abrupt as it is, and his eyes widen as the gardens come into view at very high speed, the dragon attempting to back-wing to shed speed... But no dice, it's not working, and his eyes widen even more, quickly barking out, "Oh lawd, hang on tight you two this Is Going To BE ROUGH!!"
The sight of the stars sliding past them at uncanny speeds makes Ainsley's head spin. She's got some inkling of the ideas behind locomotion and light, and knows that once someone hits a certain speed, things just start to blur... a trick of the light. If a trick of the light turns things from blue to red ... She doesn't even know, but she figures it has to be significant. And then they're approaching the Gardens at a speed that makes Ainsley's stomach sink. Her mind races for ideas of how to avoid slamming into it, but there might not be any time to consider those in the instant before they'll impact.
The slit-eyed stare, replied to with a completely innocent and sunny grin... and then the flight starts. "...Oh," she murmurs, leaning over Lee's back and hugging tightly, burying her face in his scales and only looking up in short bursts. "...This is, um... wow... suddenly I miss the carts under RabanstLEE LOOK OUT!" As the Gardens of Babylon scream into view, she does the only possible thing she can think to do; grab a double-handful of spine and haul up, instinct forcing to her completely forget physics.
All is lost! There speed is too great, there is no way they are going to stay on the gardens at this speed, they are going to just careen past them and slam into the starlight veil and throw themselves out of the time stream and fate! Which is when the gigantic hand flows out of the veil of glittering white light and plucks them out of the void. Forward Mommentum vanishes with no ill effects as those white fingers close about Lee's body and gently sets them down gently on the lowest tier of the gardens. The hand withdraw, pauses to pet the dragon atop his head in a friendly manner and then withdraws and is gone back into the wall of silvery light as quickly as it appeared. "Well..." a voice murmurs, "That is some entrance, welcome travellers." The tall lady with waist length red hair wearing a cocktail dress calls up to the party from where she is standing and her companion waves a hand. "Be welcome all kupopo! To the Gardens of Babylon!" They have made it, after trials and tribulations, songs and memory and warp-speed they have found the destination they sought, the Gardens of Babylon and there to greet them as Legend says they would be, Lady Luck and Lord Mog themselves.... and shining behind them the bright, beautiful, shimmering wall of silver light beyond which Andromeda resides.....
Left breathless by their entrance herself, Silmeria merely stands there for a long moment, gaping at the affectionate, retreating hand, utterly unlike her typical knowledgeable, unprepossessing self. "....Uh," she observes, combing her hair away from her face with her fingers, slowly turning to face Lady Luck and Lord Mog. ".....Um..... H-hello...?"
Lee rests upon the ground, still poised for flight with wings spread, neck and tail outstretched... and crimson cat-slitted eyes very wide, even as a giant cosmic finger pets his sleep head. Slowly, his head turns, one eye rotating to focus on Silmeria and Ainsley, as a large, manic grin, filled with many teeth and just a little bit of crazy, splits his muzzle, the dragon whispering harshly, "... So much *SPEED*... *LET'S DO IT AGAIN!!!*" The greeting seems to drawn him back from the precipice of speed-freak madness, and his eyes return to relative normal as they afix their gaze on the Lady of Luck and the one and only Lord Mog, his head bobbing a bit in polite response, "Um, 'allo..." He brings his wings in, folding them against his side and picking himself up off the ground a little, but remains otherwise still so his passengers can disembark.
The sudden stop makes Ainsley seem remarkably dizzy, but only for a few moments while she composes herself and shakes off the wonder and the panic. She stares at the spirits with something of a passive demeanor, and slowly climbs off of Lee's back. She fixes her clothing, and then smiles at them, waving, but she remains otherwise quiet toward them. She turns to speak over to Lee, instead. "Sweetie, try not to get addicted to the eccentricities of the spirit realms," she says, softly patting at his side, but smiling at him as if she still agrees with him. And only then does she say, "Hello!" to the spirits, "Thank you for catching us!" Lady Luck smiles softly at the party and shakes her head, "Do not thank us, we didn't catch you." She looks at Mog, "So what do we think?" The Moogle taps his chin, "I'd say points for style, I don't think we've had anyone arrive on the back of a black dragon before." She nods her head, "Oh yes, definatly style but lacking in demeanour for failing to slow down... I'd say an 8." Mog shakes his head, "7 I think.... definatly a 7 anyway should we greet them?" Lady Luck pats his head and turns back to the group. "Welcome to the Gardens, be welcome weary travellers and come and join us in the summer house. We shall lay on refreshments and you can tell us why you have come."
Silmeria gingerly slides off Lee's back, carefully placing her feet once they touch ground, and... sighs in relief, apparently at the reassurance of stable, if entirely spiritual, ground. "THat... would be truly lovely, my Lord, my Lady. From the bottom of my heart, thank you." Lee, and his insistence that they repeat the journey, is tactfully ignored, as she creeps up to stand next to AInsley.
Lee turns his head to look at Ainsley as she pats his side, the dragon grinning again, though not as maniacally as before as he gives her a brief nuzzle and lick on the cheek in return, whining a bit playfully, in jest, "Yes, but, but... the *speed*, luv!" Then, once Silmeria has joined Ainsley on solid, as it were, ground, a silent wash of black fire rushes over him, leaving the regular black-garbed Lee behind in it's wake, the pale young man setting his hat atop his shaggy black hair as he steps over to Ainsley's side more properly, "Much obliged f'yer 'ospitality, marm, sir."
Lord Mog watches Lee transform and claps, "Now that is some style, though the black fire is a bit cliche, woo kupo!" Luck shakes her head and motions toward the first seemingly self suspended bridge arching from the platform Lee was placed on up to the first garden. "Come then friends, let us walk and you can talk." she starts along the path, stilettos clicking on the stone as she leads the way. "We do not often get Dragon Kin, the Conduit of Shemhazzi and the Esper of Death to visit."
Silmeria falls into step behind Lady Luck and to her right, a few paces back, the walk apparently doing much to restore frazzled nerves. "It's not often my duties take me away from Terra, my Lady; it's truly quite a pleasure to meet you both, and we're all truly thankful for your hospitality."
Lee follows along, grabbing Ainsley's hand as he goes, "Well, kinda wasn' left up t'me, that black-fire thing, y'know?" Keeping pace with Silmeria, he grimaces slightly at being referred to as 'Dragon Kin', apparently not liking that turn of phrase for some reason, even if it *is*, technically speaking, not altogether inaccurate, but he keeps quiet about it, out of some modicum of politeness and respect for the group's hosts, instead nodding in agreement with Silmeria's reply, "Aye, even less-so fer me, an' I can't imagine y'get many Conduits a'tall 'round these parts."
"Oh for the love of--" Ainsley cuts herself off, reaching up to rub at her face when her status as the Conduit is brought up again. "Yes, about that," she goes on to say, "This whole trip is meant to make that no longer a title someone can use to describe me. To be honest, I think it's terribly unpleasant to be called the Conduit. We're going through the quest, and I've found the Obsidian Mirror, but apparently the next item is somewhere in the spirit realms, moreover somewhere you'd likely know about." She motions to Lady Luck with one of her hands, because Lady Luck is particularly aligned toward the Starfield, as far as Ainsley knows. Luck look back at Ainsley and quirks a brow, "I may know something about it dearie, but you are the Conduit whether you like it or not. Now then hospitality time Mog get the music." Mog offers Ainsley a grin and rolls his eyes and scampers off to one side as the party finish crossing the bridge and weave through a series of flower beds up to a rather nice raised deck with chairs, table, hot food, what looks like a grilling rack off to one side and then the music starts from some sort of device. It has an odd, tropical beat to it and Mog looks satisfied. "Right..." Luck sits down, "Everyone help yourself to something to eat and tell us what you are seeking? It is clear you are not here to traverse the gardens and go visit her Ladyship which means me and Mog need to put our heads together and see if we can help. SHE may know all but we don't."
"It's the Starsong Key, my Lady, my Lord," Silmeria says, bobbing her head in thanks and moving to the table. "We've the Mirror already, so we're... well, following the path as we find it, and doing our best to keep the Whisperer's servants from our heels."
Lee nods, grimacing in distaste at Silmeria's mention of 'The Whisperer's Servants', "One bloke in particular. Slimy one, that is, an' smug t'no end... Jus' wanna'..." He trails off, miming various violent acts for a second or three before he huffs, "Anyway... There's also a mem'ry I'm s'posed ta keep a watch fer, on behalf o' Carbuncle, but I think 'e said I'd know it when I found it an' such-like." That said, he looks to Ainsley, gesturing to the buffet and refreshments, "Gonna go grab a bite an' such; want me t'bring ya anythin', Ains?"
Ainsley looks at Mog, having caught the look, and gives Luck an incredulous stare. And when they find themselves stopping at the deck, she stands off to the side, seeming awkward and uncomfortable. She looks at Lady Luck as she repeats the question, pretty much, and Silmeria rehashes what she said. She glances at Lee, and then says, quietly, "Yeah..." but doesn't really say /what/. She picks a seat and tries to take up a posture where she isn't imposing.
Lady luck sits down in a chair that is half chaise lounge half swinging basket and regards Ainsley for a moment, "The Starlight Key aye? So you seek the Temple of Mysteries? Understandable I guess.... but why should we give it to you?" Mog groans, "Luck... come on the girl needs a break. If she has creepazoid and friends after her and the Whispering one nattering in her ear." Luck holds up a hand, "I know that Mog... but why..." She looks at all three of them, "Why should we give you the Key to Mystery? The mirror shows thew route, the key unlocks the door and the Torque will wake the statue.... so why should we give it too you?" Silmeria raises an eyebrow at the question, and pops a grilled sandwich into her mouth, turning and taking her own seat next to the pair. It would seem, for the moment, that Silmeria would prefer to let Lee and Ainsley speak for themselves at this point in their quest.
Lee gathers a selection of things from the supplied foods, including a number of sweet-oriented things for Ainsley, while sticking to meats and hardier fare for himself. Returning to Ainsley, he takes a seat beside her and smiles, offering her the plate with the sweets on it. Taking a bite of a random item from his own plate, he cocks his head at Lady Luck's question, "Justification, is it?" Chewing thoughtfully for a moment, he looks to Ainsley, then to Lady Luck, "Well, from my perspective, leavin' aside th'threat Shemmy could well pose if summat *isn't* done ta pry her claws outta Ainsley, it jus' needs t'be done. Fer one, I'm none too keen on sharin' her. But, above an' beyond that, I wan'ta see 'er safe. An' she asked fer my help, which I promised t'give. All selfish reasons, sure, an' like as not irrelevant to the Big Picture, but..." He ponders a bit more, "Could say somethin' like "it's the right thing t'do", but that's gonna depend on who y'ask. Fer me, not countin' m'desire ta 'elp Ainsley an' protect 'er an' such, it boils down ta wantin' ta stick it to Miss Whisperer an' her followers," his voice turns briefly to a grumble, "her smug, overconfident smarmy followers," grumbling over, he continues, "an' show 'em that they can't 'ave their way, deny 'em tha win they seem to think is in tha proverbial bag, ta snatch the victory they so plainly expect from their grubby little fingers... Spiteful, may'aps, but I feel not the least bit o'sympathy fer 'em, as much as they've done ta put my Ainsley in danger an' at risk. I'd kick each an' every one of 'em square twixt their legs, if I could."
The words Lady Luck gives make Ainsley stare at her like someone that's slowly registering something very terrible before it's actually outright said. But then she drums her fingers on the table, as Lee speaks, smiling at his admissions of a selfish, but endearing motivation to help her. "Like Lee says, we're inclined to fix this simply because I belong to him, and he belongs to me. I love him." She smiles over at Lee. "But moreover, it is an issue of what would happen should this be allowed to fester. From what I can see, Shemhazai can take advantage of my knowledge into subjects and use that to inform her followers. None of us want a nosy scholar's mind to be giving a bunch of crazy cultists buckets full of information." She sniffs and sighs, then continues, "There is also the matter of knowing these followers even exist, which I did not before I made my mistake. I want to complete my these series of tasks, and prove I'm not that the tool of that, that..." her voice lowers, turning to a venomous hiss, "that /bitch/. I want to have the experience to snub them out, and to go to great pains to find others like them and do the same." She rubs at the back of her head. "I feel as if there's some kind of downside people have neglected to tell us to the result of this quest, if you are disinclined to cooperate immediately, ma'am. Are you gonna explain?"
Luck listens to Lee and stands leans back in her chair and swirl the Martini glass she is holding, she holds her peace and looks over at Lord Mog. He steps over from the music device and looks up at Ainsley then turns to regard Lee. "Good reasons all... but I have one question myself." he turns to Silmeria, "You are the Esper of Death, one whirl of your scythe and the matter is over. Shemhazzi's link is severed, Ainsley's soul is free and all is right and as it should be." he sits down on a chair and considers Lee then Ainsley. "So Lady Silmeria, what makes it worth the trouble the risk? The Starsong Key is never lightly allowed to leave this place, his privacy is ours to safe-guard so... what makes it worth the risk? Why should miss Ainsley live and this path be trodden?"
Silmeria takes the sandwich from her mouth, raising her eyebrows and bowing her head in deference to Lord Mog. "It's true, my Lord. Had I chosen to, I could have ended the issue simply and cleanly." Looking to Lee, then to Ainsley, the Esper lifts a shoulder. "But it's neither my place nor my Purpose, my Lord. In the end, the matter was begun by mortal choices, and should rightly end so. I'll not lie, and say that it's a simple decision..." The blond looks down at her plate, toying with a piece of carrot, as she speaks. "Often, I worry that this will lead to more problems than it solves... but I have faith in my Lord Hades, and faith in my friends." Her head rises, blue eyes moving from Lady Luck to Lord Mog, and back again, a small smile tugging at her lips. "And that...? It's enough to allow me to stand back and let them throw the dice, I think."
Lee keeps quiet as Silmeria is questioned next, taking a bite of... grilled rib, looks like, from his plate, chewing thoughtfully as he listens to Silmeria's answer, and nodding to himself here and there throughout it.
Ainsley makes this face like she's astounded that Mog would even suggest such a thing, and her mouth opens as if to snap at him, but then she seems to subdue her reaction. And then Silmeria admits that she's been toying with the idea. The lizard girl makes this sound like she would flip the table, if she had the strength to do as much, and /chomps/ down on her frustration. What slips out is a musing, just thinking aloud: "Why is it that I was told by the one with the most justification to /slaughter/ me to go live my life, essentially giving me free reign to rail against Shemhazai as I choose, and yet twice I've heard that so called 'option' suggested by other spirits?" She rubs her hands against her face, making grumbly noises.
Mog looks up at Luck who has sat up straight listening and then he nods to her, his pom-pom dancing. Setting her glass aside she removes something from the front of her dress. It is a black, velvet lined box and it just keeps coming, all two feet of it which frankly shouldn't possible with the cocktail dress she is wearing. She turns it to face Ainsley. "Because Ainsley, if we ask the most difficult question to answer, we will hear the truth.... your answers, your strength, your spirit and determination..." She smiles at the lizard, a warm and encouraging smile, "Will lead you to where you need to be." she opens the box, revealing a slice of the nights sky, a key-shaped object of darkness that seems to contain pinpricks of light. It is like looking through a window or catching a reflection in ebony because inside are stars, inside are sparkles of light and streamers of stella gas. "Not every challenge we set needs magic or fighting or even strength of will. Sometimes we just wish to hear the honest truth, Scholar Ainsley, whose star shall shine so brightly for you will never falter." "Because, Ainsley," Silmeria says gently, "the mind of a Spirit is not the mind of a mortal. A mortal can fight the bonds fate has laid upon them, and make the world a better place for it. When a Spirit does the same... Well. Look to the one we fight to keep imprisoned." She falls silent, then, as Lady Luck draws out the box, her smile becoming a sunny grin. "Thank you, Lord Mog, Lady Luck."
Lee nods in agreement with Silmeria, one hand moving to Ainsley's back and rubbing soothingly, leaning in closer to the scholar and whispering, though not softly enough that others can't hear, "Sides, y'know I'd not let anyone do that, luv, not while there's still breath in me." Then, a quick peck on Ainsley's cheek as Lady Luck pulls out the box and presents the key, giving a soft whistle before commenting, "Impressive..." Though, whether he's referring to the key, or to the super-dimensional cocktail dress, isn't exactly clear. He gives his own thanks to the Lady and Lord, though his is silent and simple, just an appreciative smile and bow of his head, and nothing more, looking to Ainsley to see her reaction to the offered key.
Ainsley stares at the key, and then looks up at Lady Luck. She's surprised by the warmth, and immediately seems flustered. Silmeria's words remind Ainsley of the rebellion from the stories about the Lucavi, and that makes her hand go up to rub at her jaw, confused by the comparison. "Alright. I'm going to be repeating myself, but if there's a downside," she says, "What is it? And another told me that I would... undergo some sort of change as part of the journey? I would stop being as I am now, to paraphrase." She looks at Lady Luck's face for a moment, and then to the key. The concern is on her face. She knows better than to reach out and touch pretty mystical objects nowadays.
It is Lord Mog who speaks, reaching out to touch the key, "Entering the Temple of Mysteries will change you Ainsley, we have not been told what lies in store for you there... but the Lady has hinted that if the path that sees you free of Shemhazzi is followed, then..." he tilts his head, pom-pom bouncing and frowns and Luck finishes. "Then you will find a new path, one that lets you spit in Shemhazzi's face and yet... will lead to places you have never dreamt of." Silmeria nods quietly, casting a smile at the SPirits; one that seems to have as much to do with an inside joke, a shared secret, as her simple gratitude that the Key could have been gained, for them, so easily.
Lee's smile widens, leaning back in his seat a little and looking, well, almost proud, strangely enough. Though, the mention of downsides does have him furrowing his brow in shared concern. Still, Lord Mog's answer seems to make sense to him, in some way.
Ainsley nods once or twice. She smiles at them, though seems uncertain even then. The secretive nature of this has obviously made her uncomfortable. Still, her experience with spirits has never suggested that they are prone to malicious subterfuge, just that they prefer if mortals work for their answers. She reeeaches out for the key, her tongue sticking out, without getting up from her seat. "I guess I'll find out when we get there."
Lady Luck smiles and nods and snaps the box shut as soon as Ainsley is holding the key. "You will find the answers Ainsley, never fear that... now you have a long journey ahead of you. The catacombs lie before you and we would grant each of you a small boon to aid you on your way before returning you to Terra."
Silmeria sets her plate aside, rising from her chair and dipping a low curtsy, for a moment. "You're too kind, my Lord, my Lady. Thank you." To Ainsley's musing, the blond seems quite content to hold her peace, at the moment.
Lee positively beams as Ainsley takes up the key, slipping an arm around her shoulder, "An' that makes two, luv. Jus' one more t'go, an' we can give Miss Whispers th'biggest Finger evah, eh?" At Lady Luck's mention of boons, he looks up at her with curiosity and a bit of surprise before getting to his feet, following Silmeria, and giving the two Spirits a proper bow, "Aye, any assistance would be greatly appreciated, marm, sir."
Ainsley laughs at Lee's words, and examines the key in her hands. She beams her happiness at Lee, and then Lady Luck, but then shows considerable confusion. She considers the offer of a boon. "We just need to keep those cultist jerks at bay until we get to the next place we should be going," she tells Lady Luck, "Anything that could help with that would make me endlessly grateful." She grins at Luck, "Thanks."
Mog walks up to Silmeria and tilts his head, "We don't really have much to offer you Lady Silmeria, you are going home in a way. Lord Kharma's catacombs are as close to home as they can be but.... well." he leans over to hug Silmeria then steps back and leaves her dressed in a full length gown. The bodice is modestly cut from black velvet and there is white lace at her throat and sleeves. The skirts are long and hang to the floor and when she is stood still they look like a full gown with bustle that one would expect from a lady of elegance and refinement. Yet when the Esper moves they are clearly divided for running or moving and stylised on her back is the same wing motif from her rougher burlap sack. "We figured it was about time the Esper of Lord Hades had some decent clothes kupo." he grins at Silmeria, "They are light weight, self-cleaning and easy to move and fight in and you look quite lovely." As Mog is stepping back Lady Luck removes another box from her clevage and holds it out to Lee, "This compass will aid you in your personal quest in the Catacombs. Beware it will only lead you in the right direction and it is a dark path Lord Carbuncle's memory is lost down." Inside the box is black ebony compass, stylised with a pair of dice on the backdrop and it has a single red needle that spins slowly in a circle pointing at the cardinal points. Mog then plants himself before Ainsley and holds out a small necklace to her, it has a tiny replica of his sword on the end of the pendant, "We can't stop them from hunting you but use this when things look dire and I'll send help. As you are here in this place I can hand it to you. I can only aid you once however so summon my aid with care and forethought." He steps back and Luck beams, "Now then... any final questions before," she motions to a door-way that has appeared on the other side of the gardens, the scene through the open portal the market-place in Emberstrand. "You head home."
"I..." Blinking, Silmeria looks down, unconsciously spreading out her skirts. "I... um.... won't this... be rather unsuitable for sweeping temple steps...?" She falls silent for a moment, and shakes her head. "Oh nevermind, it's not worth questioning I suppose. Thank you, Lord Mog, your gift is truly a generous one."
Lee smiles and bobs his head again as Lady Luck presents the compass to him, taking it from it's resting place within the box and examining it carefully as Lady Luck explains, taking the information in, then nodding, "Wouldn't be th' first dark path I've trodden... But I will take all due care, marm." Into a small pouch at his belt the compass goes, the string pulled tight to keep it secure for now. He spares a glance for the gifts Silmeria and Ainsley received, chuckling at the esper's reaction, "Fer sweeping, maybe, but seems quite suited t'errands such as this. Adventure clothes, travel clothes, y'know, eh?"
Ainsley takes the pendant, and considers Mog's warning. She nods at him firmly, accepting his caution. "I thank you for giving me another option to consider, when things get truly dangerous," she says, very genuinely, and then puts the necklace on. She examines the key, mildly distracted by it. "Ah! What should I do to prepare for the next step in our journey?" She clasps her hands and smiles brightly, happy to inquire at someone, as she steps over to prepare to leave.
Lord Mog smiles at Silmeria, "You have an image to keep up my dear, I should send someone round to re-design your entire wardrobe! But Luck says that'd break the rules or something which is boring!" He grins and walks the three of you down to the door with the Lady. "You all take care and have fun working out how to get into the Catacombs! Only been down there once myself..." he stops as they reach the door and he grins at Luck then bows to you all, "Take care children, Lee.. be ware the darkness. This path is darker then any you may have seen before, beware the light of the moon in those depths." Lady Luck kisses each of the trio on the fore-head. "Until paths like ours cross again, be safe and true to yourselves." Mog grasps Ainsley's hands and squeezes them, "Take care, prove all the naysayers wrong, thump that snooty nosed pretty boy in the nose and show them all you have what it takes lass kupo-po!" he gives the lizard girl a grin, "That's simple lass, pick some sturdy travelling companions, head for the Necropolis and ask Lady Silmeria to escort you to the Path o Shale!" He waves and as you step through the door the breathtaking beauty of the Gardens of Babylon recedes, you emerge into dusty streets, the bustle of life... the streets of Emberstrand just off the market hill with a magnificent view of the temples and one very missing bridge.
Go back to Ainsley Quest Chapter 13
Go on to Ainsley Quest Chapter 15
