Part the North (1)
It's been a week since Thompson's prophechy and the price each member of the party paid revealed to them the location of two of the shards of Shemhazai's prison. Now Ainsley has returned from her research trip and a decision needs to be made over where to go and how to get there. So once again Ainsley's parlour is host to these companions so their plans can be put into action!
"However Captain Farquan of the AMS Dao II is back in town! You shou;d remember him. He has flown Ainsley places before and is reliable and for hire." to Azar.
Azar grins at the return of everyone, and waits expectantly for folks to settle in. "So, there are no regular routes to the far frozen north. However, a certain Captain Farquan is on town, and available for hire. Should we place a request for his services?" Videl is busying himself with the current situation by studying an ancient looking book closely. And all the different ways he can lit it on fire, the thick leather not yielding mcuh to the black mage construct's desires. Who has green eyes now, oddly enough.
Kiyo would be thinking about just what he'd gotten himself into... he knew absolutely nothing about what was fully going on... all he knew was that he was doing this not for the monetary findings... as he'd said before... but because being alone in this city was more than he could bare. And having companions to talk with would help him in the long run to adjust to life in the Emberstrand. He was once again back in this location of where he had met everyone prior. However, there was one more here than there was before. This was apparently the infamous Ainsley, who he remembered hearing that was going out and gathering information about these Shards they were to collect. Once again, he'd be settled into a chair, looking a bit high off the ground from his short stature. He'd think a bit about this 'Captain Farquan' fellow. "What sort of transportation does this good Captain deal in, Kupo? Sea? Air? Land?"
Lee enters, carrying a tray loaded with teapot, cups, tea-related condiments, plate of biscuits... Just in time to catch Azar's question, "Farquan? That name, sounds familiar..." He trails off, while depositing the tray in a central table, evidently unable to place the name after a moment's thought, after which he shrugs the matter out of his mind, "Tea an' biscuits, fer those wot want 'em; help yerselves." Moving to a chair and settling in, he rests his elbows on the arm rests, steepling his fingers, "I'm bettin' air, m'self; that'd be fastest an' most direct, an' probably a pretty common thing t'find goin' that direction." This time, Ainsley is, indeed, here. She sits in her cozy little seat, with a cup of tea in one hand and her legs crossed. Her scholarly robes are on, and her eyes gaze at the party passively as she slurps at her tea. Siiiip. In recent days, she has started to show signs of age. She's probably in her mid-thirties, and her feathers are starting to grey here and there. A very recent change. She doesn't seem unhealthy, however... far from it. She smiles passively. She knows the party should go after those two pieces first, but wanted to see what everyone else had in mind. Once people have spoken up, she says, "If he is our only option, or our easiest and cheapest option, how he gets us there is only a matter of personal comfort and thus... irrelevant, at least to me." She raises her brows and shrugs her shoulders. She sets her tea down. Downright regal in her behaviors. Kind of weird for people that know he to see it. "Place the request, please," she says, motioning to Azar, "Unless you have any better alternatives. We do not have a lot of luxury for shopping."
"Nor time," Silmeria notes, knitting needles clacking faintly as she looks up, brow furrowing at Videl's apparent attempt to set a book alight in the middle of a house. "But knowing Azar, I'm fairly certain the good Captain heads an airship, and the speed will be a welcome thing." Pausing, she lifts up her project to check its progress; a black yarn scarf, with what appear to be cat-ear-bearing skulls picked out in pink along one edge. "We *should* have sufficient supplies laid in for the weather, but with only so much room in our packs, it's probable we'll run into difficulty somewhere along the line."
Marduke has taken himself a seat in the back, his staff rested across his shoulder and had already gotten himself a glass of tea. His eyes move over each in turn and shrugs his shoulders, yet offers no comments at this time on transportation. He has a travel bag sitting next to him and his belt seems to have a few extra pouches. For those who know him, this is Marduke's general traveling assortment, the man ready to go.
It doesn't take long for Azar to set up a meeting with Captain Farquan, the Moogle captain is there within the hour. He's as tall as ever! As in the moogle in dressed tall and his presence is as usual quite firmly in place. In a frock coat, be-plumed hat and snazily turned out boots he is quite the Airship Captain. He looks around the room, nodding to those he knows and those he doesn't. "Well this is a fine gathering you are to be having here Miss Silmeria," he takes a pocket watch out of his jacket pocket and reads the time then snaps it close. "So Azar says you are looking to hire the Dao, I'm always willing to take a charter. Especially if the Lady Silmeria is involved but well the northern ice wastes? That's a hefty way to go so I'd need to hear a hefty amount of gil or other such price to make it worthwhile."
Videl's experiments have progressed towards attempting to bury the book in sulfur, by the time the Captain comes around. He lifts his head and looks around the room for a time being, then lifts up his hand. "Videl has a prize." He stares blankly with his green eyes.
Kiyo sighs in relief. "Kupo! I was fearful we'd be travelling by sea... last time I travelled by sea, it was not a very pleasant sight, Kupo..." He shuddered a bit in the memory. He'd shake his head as if clearing cobwebs. "I have my essentials, basically... except..." He'd look at his paw and grip at the air... he felt a bit naked without his gun... he'd look to Silmeria with a half smile. "If that offer for borrowing a Pistol is still on the table, Kupo..." He'd then witness another Moogle entering the locale. So this was Captain Farquan... he didn't know it was another Moogle... and a very proud-looking one, at that... he was in awe of the way the Captain stood tall, even with the height challenge. He'd shrug a bit at the Captain's declaration of price... "I've got nothing left to give, Kupo... sorry..."
Lee joins Videl as the mage speaks, giving him a smile and patiently fishing the book from the sulfur pile, "Don't think tryin' to combust th'local literature's quite necessary just now, Ser Mage." Dusting off the book, and thus spreading a hint of the smell of sulfur about the room, he asks, "Think y'could give us a quote fer a price, Captain? A 'hefty amount of gil' isn't too terribly specific a number." He reshelves the book, giving Videl another smile and nod, before making his way to retake his seat near Ainsley, "Oh, help yerself to tea an' biscuits, if y'like, Captain, more'n enough to go about."
Silmeria ducks her head, chuckling quietly. "I know it's rather far out of the way, Captain," the priestess says, setting her knitting aside and unbuckling the white-leather gunbelt at her hip. Passing the entire works over to the uncertain engineer, she tilts her head, eyebrows rising. "But I agree with Lee; what would you be asking?"
Ainsley spends some time frowning at Videl thoughtfully, though she doesn't openly protest at the Black Mage, considering the eccentricities of the peculiar artificial race. She spends more time with a small notebook of some kind, scribbling something into it, when she waits for the Captain to show up. When he does, and he speaks of the trip and what it will cost, she tears off the page she was writing on and considers it. Then she gets up out of her seat, and walks over to him. She reaches to grab one of his hands, veeeery carefully, and places the piece of paper there. "This is all the money I have saved up for this, but..." She pauses for a beat, making sure she has his attention. "I can find someone to help tune the float stones on your ship. The money as an advance payment, and the tune-up can be done when we are not so pressed for our task. When we return, I will devote all of my attention to it." She releases his hand. "Does that sound workable?" She smiles at him warmly, her hands clasping in front of her.
Marduke waits quietly and patiently for the captain to arrive. As the moogle enters Marduke offers a raise of his eyebrows as he assesses the captain, a touch of a smile crossing his face. As the moogle mentions a price, he shifts in his seat to start standing up, only to stop as Ainsley goes offer and makes her offer. Instead he stands up to get himself some more tea, still staying quiet.
Captain Farquan hefts the bag of gil from Ainsley then glances into the scholars eyes. "That be quite the offer miss Ainsley. Your reputation speaks for you as do those of some of your other companions." he hefts the bag and considers it, "It be a long trip though" he looks inside, "This much gil will cover the food and lodgings of maybe three of you... tuning up my float stone and machines before we leave however... aye that'd cover you all the way. But the AMS Dao II be just out of shakedown. Newly built n blessed by Mog n the High Priest o Levithan. If'n you can see to findin me those engineers before we be leaving you got a deal girly."
Captain Farquan takes the bankers draft from Ainsley then glances into the scholars eyes. "That be quite the offer miss Ainsley. Your reputation speaks for you as do those of some of your other companions." reads the note again and considers, "It be a long trip though" he looks inside, "This much gil will cover the food and lodgings of maybe three of you... tuning up my float stone and machines before we leave however... aye that'd cover you all the way. But the AMS Dao II be just out of shakedown. Newly built n blessed by Mog n the High Priest o Levithan. If'n you can see to findin me those engineers before we be leaving you got a deal girly."
Azar hmms and looks to Ainsley when the Captain mentions getting the engineers in early. "If that covers the costs, assuming she can get the engineers in now, then can we start packing and getting our gear stowed aboard Captain? And while we might not all be practised crew, we can also lend our blood, sweat and tears to the operation of the ship. That might be worth a bit, yes?"
You say, "Ayhe lass, working your way be an option but with the likes o miss Silmeria on board their helping to defend the ship be more useful then adding you to the muster.""
Videl's hand held up diverts him from the fact his book is being removed from him. He turns around and with narrowed eyes, barks, "I was studying that, creant!" With a huff, he gets off his chair and shifts his way over the Captain. "This group is smarter than some raggedy group of gear crankers, we have ways to make that stone explode! ... with power, of course. " He adjusts his hat on his head, before he moves over Kiyo and attempts t push the moogle forward. "Tell him about that mythical piece of equipment you were forced to relinguish."
Kiyo accepts the gunbelt from Silmeria and looks a bit at it... then he'd attempt to fasten the gunbelt around his waist... however, it was a bit too big, even by fastening it around his waist as much as possible... he thought a bit about how he was going to set this on himself... and brilliance struck him, as he instead fastened it around his shoulder, the gunbelt being fastened from his left shoulder and looping around his chest to his right hip, then back up his back. He grinned at his own brilliance. He'd then hear the banter between the Captain and Ainsley, slightly and timidly raising a paw up. "Umm... I-I could take a look at it, Kupo..." He gulped as he would continue speaking. "I'm not as well known as Miss Ainsley here... in fact, this is only my first week here in the city, Kupo... but if you were to trust in me, I..." He takes a deep breath and attempts to keep himself straightened and upright, trying to inspire as much confidence in himself as he was trying to portray that he had. "I would not disappoint in my abilities, Kupo!" He looked the Captain dead in the eye as he spoke. He'd then deadpan as the Construct spoke of his gun... He'd nervously chuckle, rubbing a paw behind his head. "A VERY early work, I assure you..."
The captain nods his head toward Kiyo, "Tha be sounding mighty swell. We are lacking in free mog engineers right now. Tha High Priestess she be using most of em to repair the steam engines under tha Temple o Mog. Running water for the slumbs be more important then us airship pilots in 'er book and I can't rightly fault tha lass." he looks Kiyo up and down and turns back to Ainsley and holds out ahand, "You be having yerself a deal Scholar."
Lee chuckles good-naturedly in response to Videl's scolding, "Of course, Ser Mage, my apologies." His head cocks at the notion of working part of the passage costs, and the Captain's response to the suggestion, "I've no qualm with takin' a turn as a Fusilier or Ship's Marine... Wouldn't be th'first time, truth be told." He holds up a finger after Kiyo finishes, with a slight grin, "Ah, an' Engineer th'First, looks like! We're ahead o'tha game already, Ains!"
Ainsley takes the Captain's hand and smiles brightly at him. "Good! Good," she says, enthusiastic. She looks over at Kiyo brightly, because he is offering to help out. It doesn't necessarily have to be god-like engineers. Any real engineering help could cut a tune-up time down significantly. She then walks over to Kiyo, and pats him on the shoulder, lightly, "You'll be a vital part of the team, for many more tasks, if you continue with that attitude." She grins at him. She is very pleased by his confidence, and his skills are unique. She likes engineers, too, so there's that. She lets out a sigh, and then wanders over to pour herself a cup of tea or two. "I will try to scrounge up a few more engineers, too, that would be interested in helping. I may have to end up in the debt of a few people, but that's just how the social dance works, mmh?" She seems pleased by the idea. Then she climbs onto Lee's lap. Flop. And she sips her second cup o' tea.
Marduke pours hismelf another glass of tea as the negotiions happen. Glancing back as Kiyo is marked as the needed engineer, only to smile over to the moogle. He turns to walk back over to his seat and sits down. Sipping a glass of tea, he watches everybody, but currently does not feel the need to add to anything.
Silmeria turns a sunny smile Kiyo's way, bobbing her head in agreement with the scholar's estimation, and starts to gather up her knitting. "Well! Since we seem to have it all worked out, best we get ready, then. Captain, when would you prefer to leave? Master Marduke and I seem to be ready to go immediately, and I'm sure it won't take long for the rest of us to prepare."
You say, "Ah Miss Ainsley you be a star, but only Mog engineers mind. Tis bad luck to let others nah blessed by Lord Mog tinker with a mog ships engines!" he nods his head. "Well then I do say we get you all down to the ship" And true to his word he sees about making arrangements for any luggage or equipment to be collected and transported and down at the aerodome you get your first view of the Dao II. It is big, a metal hull sleek and fully contained with five decks and a pilot house up top. Proper Rozzarian mark engines and clearly quite new from the way the hull sparkles in the sunshine. It's a real sleek cutter too, designed for speed and cargo capacity and as you are all led up the gang plank the interior is plush! Rich carpets, oak panelled walls and that is just the embarkation lounge inside the passenger hatch. "Be welcome aboard the AMS Dao II!" Captain Farquan said as he patted the wall. "Lets get your gear stowed, your cabins are just up this way and then young Mog you and I will take a walk down to the engine room" " Marduke pages, "Oh as a note, I am bringing the rainbow drop with me. Because it may be amusing, or you never know when that crazy wild magic effect may prove useful :)" to you. Azar is prepared to leave post haste as well, carrying one pack filled with the essentials: clothing, warmer clothing and survival gear. Any who might need a hand getting their gear /to/ the ship will find her lending a hand. "Well, a splendid ship captain, sleek and with all the comforts too. Thank you for having us and taking the contract." Once her gear is stored, she'll see what the rest of the group is up to before she begins to inspect the ship, at a slow and introspective pace.
Videl turns his head towards Kiyo, then points up a finger. "A myth in the beginning, legend by end, good man!" He offers, before walking away. He too had most of his belongings with him - save for his chocobo, that required a little bit of hunting to find. "So! Shards. Do we have a plan to retrieve a shard yet? And does the plan involve explosions?" Honest, important questions.
Kiyo blushes a bit at all the praise he was receiving. "I-it's not THAT big of a deal... I mean, you're in need of someone to do the job, and I offered, Kupo. Any self-respecting Moogle would jump at the chance to help another if they needed it..." He'd look at Silmeria and pat himself a bit. He had a pair of boots on, a toolbox on his hip, and the gunbelt around his shoulder carrying Silmeria's pistol. "I'm ready to go myself, Kupo. I say the sooner we get this trip underway, the better." Then soon as he'd said that, they were off! Once his eyes met the ship, there'd be a very long, low whistle escaping from the young Mog's lips. "An impressive ship, Captain! The Dao II looks amazing!" He'd then look to the Captain and nod in response to him talking about going to the Engine Room. "Aye, Kupo!" He'd then follow the Captain, very much interested in the mechanics of this vessel.
Lee doesn't really react to his lap being climbed onto, as if the occurrence isn't at all unusual; indeed, his free arm automatically wraps around Ainsley's waist to safely secure her there, while he smiles. "I'd only need a few moments to gather m'things, myself. Hell, half my travel things stay packed most o'tha time, anyway." And then the Captain is ushering and transporting luggage and such-like, though Lee doesn't have much: A travel pack with a hard-board back that's actually bigger than the pack itself, for some reason, a couple or three large wineskins, and a shoulder-bag that looks like it contains the cold-weather/winter items he's bringing along, which don't need to be worn yet. At sight of the ship, he gives a short whistle, following Kiyo's sentiments with his own, "Aye, impressive, Cap'n, duly so." Following along to the accomodations, he offers Ainsley a hand where necessary, or appropriate, or, seemingly, just at random a time or two. To Videl, he gives a manic grin, "Plan? There ain't no plan!" He waves off his own words almost immediately, "Actually, I'm jus' kiddin' there. Plans're fer better minds than mine, but given who's along on this... Explosions? Yeah, there might be a few, though whether they're part of a *plan* is another matter entirely."
The lizard girl tries to find some Moogle Engineers, but is unlikely to find more than Kiyo on short notice. Eventually she'd find herself on the ship, with her luggage and everything ready and packed up. She is unlikely to offer much more input at this point... Ainsley has gotten her business handled, and they're going to go to the frozen far north one way or another. She spares a significant glance to Lee when she notices the shape of his pack, and laughs knowingly, but doesn't really say why. "I will be in the cabin, when you two are done," she says, smiling to the captain and Kiyo.
Silmeria's luggage is similarly light; not knowing where their travels will take them once they've made the north, her bulging hiker's pack simply has some warm underclothes jammed into it, a long, fleece-lined coat draped over it all, and a thicker bedroll tied onto her pack's frame. Apparently weaponless, she trails behind the party as they're shown onto the Dao II, murmuring greetings to the crew that happen to pass by, and generally stays out of the way while being a notable presence in the passages.
Marduke just shakes his head slowly as the terms are finalized. Walking over and grabbing his bag he follows the group out to the ship and looks it over. A faint hmm escapes him as he looks over the plushness and luxury of the insides. He does not take long to unload his gear into his room, mostly just dropping his bag and a set of winter clothing. The summoner soon making his way to the deck, finding himself a nice spot to sit so he can watch the landscape below for when they get moving.
The Quarters are on the passenger deck which is deck B, the second deck down. There is a large dinning room, observation lounge at the front of the ship. A small library, a music room, a quiet contemplation lounge and a shrine to Mog and Ark. Then there are the bedrooms, Luxurious even the smallest room is well turned out and beautifully furnished. This ship has been designed with love, care and style! There is however no open promenade deck, a short explore will reveal that the only deck space is outside the Pilot House on the uppermost deck and that is for maintenance crews only and the passengers are quite firmly locked out of the Pilot House anyway. Seems the Dao is all internal. The engine room when Kiyo is led down there is sleek and beautiful and quite modern. The float stone is in the centre of the chamber with varous turbines, engines, generators, panels and switches and buttons and levers and other engineering stuff. He introduces Kiyo to his chief engineer and leaves the two to get down to business! It is quite some work that needs doing. Everything is new and shiny but nothing is quite settled in yet and there are many a tweak that is required to get the system turning over just so. Whilst everyone else is settling down and getting comfortable Kiyo is getting some hands on experience with those beautiful engines! It's hard work but the Dao's engineering crew is good they just need Kiyo's extra helping hand and flashes of brilliant insight! They aren't used to such brand new engines but a fresh set of eyes, a different way of thinking are just what they needed, especially when it comes to helping them with the water based coolant system. Kiyo is able to unpick this rather unconventional design where the steam is cycled back into the storgae system through a series of collectors and condensors! It is the height of Rozzarian engineering with some interesting tweaks courtesy of the Priests of Leviathan. After a lazy six hours of relaxing on board everyone else is jolted lightly as the Dao rises up into the air and it becomes apparent why no one is alloweds outside! The ship zips along at a speed that is twice that of the older, wooden and gas-bag style airships favoured by the usual desert city state traders! The ship rises higher into the air and turns toward the North! It will still be a long journey but with Kiyo's help the ship is speeding along and their journey has begun!
Onward to Part_the_North_(2)
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