Flight of Fancy: IC (Mature) {Currently Closed}

[justacritic]

"Well it's impolite to pry too closely into your appearance. I hope that whatever choice you take it goes well for you. So you are really the famous Jakob Petersson?" The fennec asked "We watched your documentaries. It was required orientation material." The incubus looked left and right and whispered "you better watch out for your next birthday I heard rumours our leader was complaining for settling some more debt for Lord Daryil by renting a rave, finding how to do a shadow clone technique and 9000 tank tops. "

[Tapewolf]

"Yes," Jakob said simply.  "I never did become his one-and-only, though we did make out in the rose room once."  The wolf shook his head and sighed.  "Oh, to heck with it.  I think I'll keep the headwings hidden for now, particularly if people are going to recognise me and ask interesting questions.  After all, I can always reveal them in the morning."

"Thank you for your warning," he said with a bow, "I dare say we'll meet again.  Right now, I'd better prepare for the dinner, though."  So saying, he shook the other's hand warmly and politely took his leave.

[Corgatha Taldorthar]

The Theater

The conclusion of Hobbies play brings polite applause, if somewhat muted. Still, the crowd can be heard discussing the play as they disperse to their haunts around the ship. Staffers can be seen ushering people out, and taking the chairs away for storage.

The Casino

Morden mutters a bit at his companion leaving, and scoops up his chips and heads away from the table.

Captain's Repast

Two long tables have been set out in the dining room on the third deck, with the rearward bar converted over to holding the dishes and providing a degree of separation between the exalted guests and the lowly peons who fetch the wine and delicacies.  Somehow, the crew has managed to redecorate the room in the scant hours that this bar has been inoperative. The walls are festooned with banners and buntings, most depicting legendary battles, or the crests of important families from all round Aesillar who had contributed funds to the building of the vessel. The tables themselves are richly set, with cream and butter dishes alternating freshly baked bread and honey cake, all set around lightly scented beeswax candles to give a homey, intimate atmosphere.

From behind the bar, the scents of steamed vegetables and roasted meat waft out pleasantly towards the entrance-way, which is filled by the bulk of the vessel's captain, seeming ill at ease in a dull grey suit, that seems about a size and a half too tight for him, especially around the shoulders. He is flanked by a  flunky, also in a suit but with a pearl-white coat, carrying out the function of escorting the guests to their respective seats after the captain has exchanged a few pleasantries with the invitees.

[Tapewolf]

Jakob looked the part as he entered the Captain's dining room, headwings still concealed.
His clothing was similar, though different, to the outfit he had worn before - knee-length boots, expensive leathers and a partial shirt of the kind preferred by winged Creatures, fashioned from green silk with a golden trim to it.  His arms were bare aside from a matching set of sleeves.  Gloves he had considered, but since he was going to be eating it was perhaps not the best idea.

Flashing the invitation to the flunky, he was led to his place at the table, where he sat once he was sure it was polite to do so, and glanced around at the other guests to see who else had been invited.

[Tipod]

Back home, formal functions required a minor degree of preparation: paints, chevrons, removal and insertion of more ornate plating, designs etched onto his chest, so on and so forth.

Having access to none of these things, Terry simply went as he was. Rather than bother the flunky with his questions, he simply took his seat at the table, palms resting flat against the surface. It wasn't long before his fingers started drumming, eyes occasionally flitting left and right to get a better look at his surroundings and fellow guests. It didn't take a mindreader to tell how anxious he was having to sit here like a... a...

Like a somebody. Terry felt perfectly happy being a solitary nobody. Maybe this canine with the boots and green-gold shirt had fun playing dress-up, but right now, he'd love to just be vegetating in his cabin.

[Boog]

Jeremiah felt watched.

This wasn't particularly out of the ordinary. He typically felt watched. He was a jumpy man these days, frog jokes notwithstanding. Had been for years now, he blamed it on his curse. It made being a dishonest man difficult, feeling scrutinized, and it was worse when his voices attempted to offer critique in the middle of something. Usually because it was good critique. Nothing fudges a lie like being recommended a better one mid-sentence.

Regardless, the feeling persisted as he approached the door to the service stairwell and loosened his bow tie, pulling it aside and stuffing it in his pocket. He liked this stairwell. The exposed pipes clanged satisfyingly on his way up and down, sometimes he liked to pretend there was a tune. He listened a moment as he set his hand on the doorknob, smiling a little to himself.

... Someone was walking very quickly. He glanced around. The crowds were a bit of a way off, and thick, but he saw a pair of ears coupled with a set of horns rapidly approaching, at more purposeful a clip than the usual hobnobbing...

[Kafzeil]

"Excuse me, my good Sir!" Eden smiled, leaning in closer to eye Jeremiah. generally most employees hated when you tried to get their specific attention when their shift was over. Eden knew this, mostly because she quite intended to get this frog to hand her off to someone who'd know more about her questions then he likely did as as soon he he could so he could enjoy a nice panini. He was toady, after all.

In her mind Eden made note of the toad pun for future reference.

"I wanted to ask some questions in regard to this fine vessel, Good Sir." She maintained the overt formality to see how he'd react. "After all, I'd hate to have to maim someone to get the answers, " She adjusted her glasses, grinning. A nice off colour joke was usually a good way to tell what kind of Being she was dealing with here. "Especially you, my Technicolor friend." She chuckled, sending him a message she was joking.

...Not that that usually made anyone less afraid of her, but still. She'd like to stay out o trouble on this trip. She might try to cause it but generally she'd prefer to watch someone else get smacked down by security.

[Lisky]

Aleyna and Baseel both left what they were doing. They went to their room, and dressed.  They arrived on time, and sat next to eachother, taking note of the others around them, then awaited the captain. He was dressed in his typical tunic and robe, while she wore a longer, more elegant dress.  They choose a more proper attire, given the formality of the letter.

Taking note of those who'd arrived before them, the first person noticed was the not so subtle incubus.  The others seemed familiar, but not besides Terry, none of the other names were coming to either of them.

[Tapewolf]

Jakob waited patiently and took note of the other guests as they filed into the captain's dining room, giving a polite nod to the Demoness and her partner.  He wasn't entirely sure what to make of Terry, but nodded politely to him as well.  Undead or construct? he wondered.  Either way, I doubt they can actually eat.

[Aisha deCabre]

Aisha had to admit...even through the discomfort of an unfamiliar place, with none of the usual scents of a tavern or an adventurer's haunt drifting through the air, she didn't know when the last time was that she could feel lightly at ease.  Perhaps it was in her nature to be calm through the thought of impending chaos...of being chosen to participate in a mission of justice and liberation.  Or perhaps it was the slight buzz that the smells of wine and champagne from behind the bar gave out to those who sat around long enough...

...Or perhaps, she noticed as the darkness of night slowly fell through the porthole windows, it was nightfall and past time for her to start turning in.  It was in Aisha's discipline under Rynkura to be an early sleeper and an early riser...though a bath would be nice beforehand, the panthress surmised.

With one last gulp of the tingling strawberry ale, she turned to Kafzeil.  "At any rate, amigo, I think I shall bid you goodnight.  It has been something of an...eventful day."  With a slow stretch of her limbs, she slipped from the chair and politely nodded her head to the ferret angel.  "Perhaps I'll see you around tomorrow, Kafzeil.  You can probably find me at the gym or here at the bar, if not in my chambers.  If not, just send someone...I'm not too hard to find," she smirked.  As Aisha spoke, she was careful to keep any hint of their earlier planning out of her voice and facial expression...surely, even one small glimpse of this giant scandal to anyone working for that demon Captain would have the dire consequences of being thrown into the slave hold herself.

Once her farewells for the day were said, the black feline sauntered out of the bar area where the noises of gamblers and the rare reveling, drunken nobleman soon disappeared from behind her...she was just as happy to be rid of those noises as she was to be rid of the demons nearby.  She did keep her ears and eyes open for anything strange once she made her way into the more quiet halls...something like footsteps following, or hushed tones.  But, everything looked normal...peaceful and safe, as it should have been on a giant airship cruise.  A few security guards passed her by, and they did send her fairly suspicious looks; wearing her adventuring attire with her hair loose and few pieces of jewelry gleaming, she looked fairly out-of-place among the people that they were used to seeing...but they spared her no trouble, though she felt more than one set of eyes on her back even until they turned another corner.  She figured a quick sighting of the Mistress's ensign on her bracer had something to do with it.

...Looks like I'm going to have to watch my back, she sighed.  I doubt they'll suspect me of something just by the state of my dress, but I've met guards who were less justified in their actions.

Aisha had dinner via room service once she returned to her private chambers, followed by a quiet bath.  As she slipped into bed, with the night's silence falling all around, she could only guess what sort of things tomorrow would bring.

*     *     *

Back down in the slave hold, the food had been consumed as it had before with quick enthusiasm to quell the hunger of the unfortunate captured.  Jake had made sure that the youngest or the weakest got their fair share of the freshest leftovers, and then he contented himself with the meager portions of what was left; the gryphon could only hope that his stomach wouldn't start rumbling in his sleep.

At that point, he saw a tired but hard-faced Wallard pacing back and forth and up and down between each member of the hold.  He made sure to ask each of them privately how they were faring, and if they'd felt sick or tired, more so than usual.  When more of them said that they felt sleepy than most, he stood at the head and slammed his fist a few times on a piece of metal to get everyone's attention.

BANG.  BANG.

"A'right, everyone, all ears!" he called out in that rough voice of his, crossing his arms as it echoed and everyone settled.  "I know it's hard ta tell time down 'ere, so I'll be doin' that for ya.  An' since many of ya are about ta fall over asleep, we can assume that it's about that time o' night.  So congratulations on survivin' yer first day here aboard the hold o' this flyin' crapshoot.  I hope ya get used t' many, many more.  Now git some sleep...and that goes double for th' young'ns.  If'n the rest of ya feel like stayin' awake, don't make noise...and if I catch anyone pissin' on anyone else, I'll personally flog ya.  Yeah, g' ahead and laugh, but it's happened before.  G'night...an' one more thing...hold on t' them dreams, 'cause it's th' only piece o' freedom y' have now."

That last sentence, Jake noted, seemed a little out of character for the roughness that made up the old gryphon...but considering what he must have been through and all that he agreed to on this first day just for the simple hope of escape, it felt strangely appropriate.

Before Wallard retreated to his own personal corner, wandering among the mumbling crowd, he caught Jake's eye and nodded once.

Sleep tight, kinsman.

"Well, you guys heard him," the Knight said to his younger group of friends, "Sleep's the best thing for anyone now, I suppose."

With everyone's well-wishes of the night in his ears, Jake succumbed to his own fatigue with a wide yawn and slumped lightly against the wall that he'd adopted as his own space.

Meanwhile, unbeknownst to him, Kenyan kept to a dutiful watch for the scrabbling of any unchecked stowaways past the wall that separated the loading dock from the supply hold...and sure enough, there it was.  Two, maybe three sets of scrabbling, scratching claws on wood or metal...and one set of feet that sounded suspiciously like the flat, unclawed type.

*     *     *

Outside, night waned on and made those on the deck feel isolated with only the soothing thrumming of the engines for noise, amidst the constantly-unsettling sounds of echoing, plaintive roars somewhere deep in the clouds.

[justacritic]

Hobbies paced around the ship, wandering and wondering what to do now. Outside the night sky was star studded depending on the amount of light pollution. He was lost in thought when he suddenly heard faintly some noises outside of the ship. Sometimes sharp large ears didn't bring much to your peace of mind with the things you accidentally overhear. The fennec headed towards the gymnasium for maybe someone to practice sparring, if something was going to attack, the incubus wasn't going to go down screaming like a little girl, no offense to them of course, he thought to himself.

[Mel Dragonkitty]

After watching the glorious sunset through to its last glimmer Mel stood and stretched. She decided a good meal before bed would be just the thing. A few minutes later a hostess was seating her at an empty table. Hopefully she wouldn't have to share with anyone too tedious. Almost before she got comfortable a cheerful lynx waitress was by her side with a menu.

[Tipod]

With others slowly filing in, things would probably be getting under way soon enough. But for some reason Terry just couldn't be bothered to sit and wait patiently. What if it was some silly fundraiser? He wasn't about to sit here and waste his precious unlife like this. Though, he would just sit there rather than embarrass himself by standing and leaving in the middle of some Creature's speech.

The wolf sitting nearby, he seemed like an agreeable person. Terry leaned over slightly. "Sir? Excuse me, but... do you have any idea what this meeting's about? I'm deathly allergic to surprises."

[Tapewolf]

"Oh, hello," Jakob said affably.  "I don't know if there is any kind of an agenda, as such.  Though now you mention it, not everyone does eat.  So perhaps there is more to it than just a social occasion."

"Not to be rude," he added, glancing at the construct, "besides I imagine you get this a lot, but given that you resemble some kind of construct... may I ask if you are, well... biologically challenged?"  If so, I imagine this is going to be rather a dull occasion for you.

[Tipod]

"I should say not." He sounded almost offended by the notion. "Being alive was a challenge, this is transcendence."

Though given that the ship's magical damping had been fatiguing him since the start, maybe that last statement wasn't entirely true.

"Sorry if I seem short," he continued, "but not all of us are born on higher rungs of the evolutionary ladder." He did sound a little apologetic, but implying that his new body was some kind of detriment did make him a little cross.

[Tapewolf]

"My apologies," Jakob said courteously.  "I have seen some rather curious undead in my time, and it's not always an improvement so far as they are concerned.  In far too many cases it's a 'better-than-nothing' scenario.
"But this... transcendence, you say...?  Now I'm curious.  What advantages does this form give you over what you were before?  That is, if I'm not prying too much," he added hastily.

[Tipod]

Terry's eyes had trouble maintaining contact as he spoke. "I was... broken on several occasions as a being. This body stops that from happening again."

He sat up a little straighter. "It's not very pleasant dinner conversation. Let's just say that changes had to be made."

Hm, that was too grim of a note to leave off on. "But enough about that. My name is Terrence, and you are... someone reasonably important, I assume."

[Boog]

Jeremiah nearly jumped; she'd shown up quickly. He chuckled nervously. She reminded him of someone; had that manic pixie fairychild thing going on.

Her sense of humor left something to be desired. Jeremiah's smile froze, slightly; he tried not to judge people in advance, but he didn't like demons. They were loud and brutish and loud and arrogant and loud and their jokes were never as funny as they thought they were. It was the teeth, he thought to himself. Comedians need flatter teeth.

Of course, he was bored all day. And she seemed like the type to make the day interesting, if it wasn't traced back to him...

"What would you like to know?" Jeremiah's grin leaped into place, of a variety he hadn't had since his last poor decision. He'd slightly missed it. "I, Madame, am at your service."

[Tapewolf]

"Noted," Jakob said.  "So you were once a Being?  I thought I was too, once.  Discovering otherwise was a bit of a shock and has been a burden at times, but you can't help what you're born as.  And for that matter, I don't believe that Demons, Angels or 'Cubi evolved since there is no evolutionary chain to study.  It seems far more likely to me that those races were created artificially by Dragons or Fae as some kind of experiment.

"As for me?  I am Jakob Pettersohn.  Importance is relative.  I am an envoy to Lord Daryil, sent on a diplomatic mission, which I dare say seems to have succeeded.  So yes, he considers me important, important enough to book return passage on... this," he said, making a sweeping gesture.  "In the grand scheme of things?  I don't have many pretensions.  To tell the truth, I feel a little out of place here."

[Tipod]

"You feel out of place?" Really, Jakob had to consider who and what he was talking to. "Before I boarded, three people confused me for the hired help. Then some demon wouldn't quit staring at me when I tried to play cards." Transcendence really did have its downside when the entire rest of the world's population was one plane of existence behind.

"At least you're a diplomat," he continued. "You have some idea of why you're here. My sponsors booked this flight as a going-away present. It was supposed to be... you know, a nice, quiet reprieve. As in, no dinner parties or soirees." The material in his left hand creaked as it tightened, then relaxed slowly. The more he dwelled on it, the more irritated he grew.

[Tapewolf]

"It's not my first choice either," Jakob admitted quietly.  "But we can't disappoint the captain, and besides we may possibly learn something to our advantage.  I guess we'll have to wait and see."

[Tipod]

"It's the waiting that kills me."

He finally paid attention to some of the banners: patriotic pablum, all of it. Given their message, he had a vague idea of what this would all be about, and he had little intention of staying here and listening. Politics and local history were the last thing he felt like indulging in, especially on a luxury cruise.

"Frankly, that captain disturbs me." Even through the narrow visor, Terry's eyes were visibly slanted. "He looks like he'd sooner stab me in the chest than shake my hand."

[Tapewolf]

"Well," Jakob muttered to the construct, "I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt for now.  After all, a luxury liner like this is nothing without a reputation.  You really think they'll be able to attract the rich and famous if some of them go missing?
"And maybe this will give you a chance to evaluate the captain and see if your appraisal is accurate."

[Corgatha Taldorthar]

Captain's repast

Once most of the guests had filed away to seats, and the waiters were going from chair to chair inquiring about drinks, the captain stepped away from the entranceway and moved towards the head of table.  He took up his own glass and raised it, as he addressed the crowd in a booming voice.

"My passengers, friends, honored guests; I hope this first day of travel has been pleasant for you all. The winds have been favorable, and we are now passing over the mysterious lands of Qaggat. Some of you may have had dealings with the blank faced people of that land, but for those with worries, let me re-assure you that the Flame of Freedom was eagerly supported by the The Chair, and we have safe passage over the misty forests. Everyone here who has helped make this grand endeavor possible does their utmost to provide you all with the most secure and magnificent travel accommodations available. As part of that, we wish to have some of our senior people share a meal with our valuable passengers; to better let you know the faces that are here to help you should any inconvenience arise.  But in the meantime, the drink is cold, the food is warm, and let me not keep it from you any further. Bon appetit, and fair travels!"


He pulls a long drink from his glass, and eyes over the crowd, a smile only slightly undercut by a physique that seems more suited for springing into combat than greeting guests.
The hallway.

With no reply forthcoming, the Moose glances dismissively at Evan and hurries off.

Refectory

Soon after the waitress departs after depositing the menu, a moose being that you think you've seen before in the crowd hurries over to your table and sits down. In a hurried whisper, he says "Madam Icewing, I apologize for intruding so on your repast, but well, it's important. I am in a position to hear a great many things, and I've come across one Evan Merrick. He has an enchanted blade, one I believe stolen from your family's hoards.I thought you should be alerted.

[Tipod]

"Deeuughh--" Terry let out a small, exasperated groan and rolled his eyes. If his sponsors thought this would be a cute way for him to get to know people, they were sorely mistaken. He didn't feel like talking, and couldn't eat anything; what was the point? This was a colossal waste of his time.

And yet, he couldn't just stand up and leave, especially with the captain idly scanning the crowd. There were vague rules of engagement in high Creature society, chief amongst them being grace and etiquette. He'd have to wait until more people were busy schmoozing before sneaking out. It felt so silly having to plan something as simple as leaving a room, but when surrounded by such haughty people, one had to act carefully.

[Inumo]

Finally, the day is done, Xyrtia thought as she found a spot along one wall. Kneeling down, she placed the backs of her hands together in front of her chest, her fingers pointed down. "Chk'ee keet co caw tee trrr," she chirped in her native tongue, sounding grave. "Ki taw kree kree chrrr caw. Chk'ee krrr." It was a common prayer for safety when away from home, though she couldn't help but feel it was a bit late for that as she felt once more at her clipped feathers as she curled up into a fetal position to sleep.

[Kafzeil]

Kafzeil smiled, raising his glass to her as she rose. "Oh Don't worry my friend. I'm sure our paths will cross again.If I'm not here I'm probably in my chambers. Or somewhere peaceful." He ordered another drink. "Goodnight, and good fortune."

As she left the angel shook his head. He could already feel the alcohol start to catch up with him. By the gods he hated this ship. The entire idea of flying through the air in a balloon filled with explosive gas, then using it to ferry people who could sling fireballs with ease--granted the magical dampener would at least help with that--was simply a disaster waiting to happen.

The ferret started his next glass. Another drink or two then off to crash in his chambers. How the hell anyone sleeps on this deathtrap is anyone's guess.

As he swallowed sweet stout, he couldn't help but feel like he would come to regret this somehow.

**********

He is submissive, clearly terrified of me, and his poker face is actually somewhat good. I like this one.

Eden grinned, then patted herself down and rolled her eyes.

"Ah, shit." The groaned."You wouldn't happen to have a pen and piece of paper handy, would you?"

She then shock her head, waving her hands in front of her a bit. "Nevermind if you don't. I'm sure I'll remember the basics, anyways. The ship. Any idea how much one costs? How much weight she can carry, you know....that sort of dealie?"

"I mean you are a member of the crew. I'd expect any Captain who doesn't make sure all ship hands don't know every nook and cranny of their vessel pretty much deserve to mutinied or keelhauled or whatever you airship crews do when you mutiny."

Eden's smile vanished. I mean clearly he didn't like the maiming joke. Maybe bluntly asking how likely an air mutiny was would be in bad taste.

[Tapewolf]

"Yeah," Jakob said quietly, sensing Terry's conflict.  "You don't want to upset someone with a figure like that."
The wolf ate, but not much, giving an occasional glance at the crew and other guests.

"So, who are your sponsors, anyway?" he asked casually.

[Angel]

As the others went to sleep at Wallard's command, Kenyan kept his ear to the wall. He wasn't tired anyway, not when there was still work to be done. He idly listened to Xyrtia's prayer, but her language wasn't an exact match to the language of wild birds. He could understand the emotions behind the words – a kind of desperate hope, and faith – but he couldn't discern what was being said.

Before he could get too distracted trying to learn her tongue, Kenyan heard the scratching of little feet and claws on the other side of the wall. Relief washed over the lion's mind yet again ... only to be squashed by the sound of feet of a decidedly non-rodent nature. A Being, or some other two-leg species he didn't know about. Why were they in the hold so late?

Kenyan swallowed and crouched down, perching on all fours. His thoughts were quick, cloaked in his true language for comfort. <Is it someone who can help? Should I speak up? No, don't be stupid. It could be a crew member, or one of our jailers. If I speak up then, we will all die. Talk only to your own "kinsmen".>

So, Kenyan confined his communication to the pests. He scratched at the wall with two claws, lightly enough not to damage the boards but loud enough to be heard. "<Can you hear me? Who's there? I need help.>" To anyone else, the sound was little more than a rat squeaking softly in another room.

[Boog]

"I can think of a handful of employees who'd mirror the end of that sentiment, but you didn't hear it from me." Jeremiah grinned and slouched a little, "Unfortunately I'm only working with the casino itself; our entire business is, at the end of the day, more of that cargo you were talking about. Different channels, all that. My total knowledge of the cost and capacity of this ship is 'more money than I'll ever see' and 'all of us', respectively. If you want someone who can answer more technical questions," His smile dialed down a couple notches, "Then what you'll want to do is head down this stairway behind me. I'm going one floor down, you'll want to go three. Step off there, take a left, then a right further down. That's where the technicians are, out of the way of the paying guests."

This was not technically a lie. Jeremiah, and much of the rest of the Service crew (although, he recalled, not all of it) had been repeatedly told that entering the sections of the ship he'd just given directions to was punishable by expulsion from the ship. The people who asked whether the ship would land first were pointedly ignored. The frog was assuming the best, but he hadn't seen that girl from the first day of training lately.

They had been told that these corridors lead to the engines of the ship, and that any distraction to the engineers could send them plummeting out of the sky. Jeremiah had taken this as the usual extreme flying safety regs. Surely she'd walk in, make a minor fuss that would be contained quickly, the ship might give a minor shake and she'd walk out to the embarassment of all involved. No big.

Somewhere at the back of the frog's brain, Bal withdrew his hand from the logical reasoning process he'd been fiddling with.