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

[Mel Dragonkitty]

Mel gave the rabbit her very best why are the ornamental statues talking to me look. She reached into her pocket, the charmed one no one could access but her, for her passport. After a moment's hesitation she chose the fancy one with all the ribbons and seals. The one that all but had "Ambassador of Oh-No-Not-Them land" written on the cover. As she handed it over the last thing he said finally sunk in; slavers. She looked around and saw the number of undead and resisted the urge to pinch the bridge of her nose against the oncoming headache. Between slaves and the sullied dead grandmother could NEVER hear of this. Auntie Di would never be able to control the PR if grandmother had an episode.

Officer Dumont felt a twitch developing in his left ear. The ear that told him when an operation was going bad. He was supposed to be in his office; today was the day when the baker brought over the pies to the police station to thank them for their protection. Until that overbearing Rhino had come from Central command and dragged all of them out here. Then his sensitive ears caught the sounds of two different voices on bullhorns.  One was commanding the passengers to head towards the safety of the police and the second was urging them towards the protection of the crew. Dumont did have to commend Rhino for being able to spit out that safety of the police line without giggling. That was why he was at Central and getting bribed in gold and Dumont worked the dock district and was bribed in pies.

Then the deep thrum of engines starting up convinced Dumont that his left ear was absolutely correct. If the ship managed to lift there was a good chance of everyone on the loading ramp being dumped down three stories to the bottom of the docking bay. He shouted out to his crew "This location is unstable. Gather up everyone who looks valua... I mean bring all the passengers to the safety of the stationhouse until the fighting is past."

Mel found herself being crowded rapidly down the ramp and off to who knew where.

[justacritic]

"Hobbies, Hobbies G'ian" The fennec blinked at the kangaroo officer and when demanded his passport he went to comply. "Is there anything wrong officer?" The incubus looked generally clueless at why law enforcement had appeared on the ship.

[Tapewolf]

Without warning, Jakob flopped to the ground.  It looked like he had collapsed at first, but one of his large, sensitive ears was pressed hard against the carpet.  "It's starting," he said.  "I can hear the engines powering up.   I think that fleeing the ship is just about to become a whole lot harder."

[Shax]

The cabbit stayed low behind the overturned table, wings wrapped tightly around him, almost like a hooded cloak. Shax stared at the newcomer out of the corner of his eye, giving a wary glance. "Welcome to the club I suppose." He muttered. Those pink eyes darted about for any means of escape, a way out of here...

He gave the newcomer a sharp look for a moment as his grandmother, and SAIA were mentioned "I know this... But I can't stand being cooped up in one place too long, while it is my home, it started to feel like a prison." Sighed the young incubus. "In any case, yes, if magic is restored, I can heal those who need it, I'm afraid in combat, I'm not much use. Strength is not Jin Clan's specialty. And unfortunately, my knife is back in my room."

Eyes peered to Jakob as he got low "Are you alright? Whats wro- Starting? They are firing the engines?!." His head shook "This is not good... Because now they will get desperate. Some would rather die than get arrested. I hope whos behind the wheel has a level and stable mind, otherwise, he might just take down the ship, and all of us, officers, passengers, and crew with it, just to avoid getting prison time or the block..."

The cabbit's eyes lit up, remembering the bird that fell on him earlier, and looking up at the vents. "Think we can get up there and find a way out of this area using the vents?"

[Tapewolf]

"I like that idea," Jakob said.  "But three of us or more... the vents could barely support him.  We'd bring it down instanty.  Plus there's the problem of getting up there without getting shot at.  Above the crowd, we'd be very exposed.  But there should be vents in the walls, maybe at floor level.
"Or," he said, making one of his wings razor-sharp with some difficulty, "We could make our own vents in the walls."

[Shax]

Shax would sigh, "Hm... You make a good point..." He looked over at the wolf, "But I would not reccommend right to cut our own, less you hit a wire and get the shock of your life, or cause a power outage for the room, that would put everyone here in a panic with a blackout and we don't need that... Let's try to find a wall vent."

[Yugo]

Milla smiled warmly at Shax. "I understand, dear. I've only been at the academy for barely two decades, and I already feel like a chicken in a coop." She cocked her head. "I am only out on special leave, and even then, only because I was invited," she cooed, glancing about. She flitted a little and stared as Jakob very intently listened to the ground. After a moment, she noticed a slight movement like the gentle rocking of a boat. "Oh, my, that does not bode well," she said quietly, flinching as another volley of gunfire passed overhead. "I think we may have to throw our plan to abandon ship to the winds, Jakob," she agreed. "Even without the ability to cast spells we can still wing-shift enough to fit into a vent, although it will certainly be cramped." She looked around, her eyes darting from corner to corner. There were a few smaller vents, but nothing big enough for a whole person, let alone three, to fit into. "This may present some difficulties."

[Aisha deCabre]

The panther was getting more and more anxious by the minute with Thorialtor's words.  Now the place was being shot up?  She felt that if she strained to hear above the shouting, there would be gunshots somewhere in the cacophonous mix.

If an adventurer did something suitably adventurous...

Aisha grinned.  Now he was talking her language, and there was nothing better that she loved to do in a time of urgency than to take action.

She looked between the moose and the ship, in which the boarding ramp was now a hub of chaos, and placed her hand on the hilt of the boomerang.  She'd have a less difficult time with her enchantments, but if the magic suppressor was still in place on the ship, the naked weapons would do.  Hopefully, if she could do this quickly, there wouldn't be a need to kill anyone.  Gods help an officer if they got in her way.

"Twist my arm, señor," she answered with half a smirk, giving him a serious look.  "I have to find Kafzeil and my other acquaintances first, and then we'll see what we can do once inside.  You just keep your word about that help."

Then, with a deep breath, she turned away and made ready to jump the railing.  But at that moment, she tensed at feeling a hand on her shoulder.

Aisha was certain that if it were a cop stopping her, his head would have come clean off.  Turning around with a growl, her jaw instead fell, having done so now twice today.  A bold tigress stood before her, some years her senior but still with the vitality of youth, another very familiar face.

"...Dios mio," The panther barked a hearty laugh.  "What is this, 'reunite our heroes' day?  Kaela, amiga, what're you doing here?"

But it was then that adding to the deafening sounds were the loud, all-encompassing rumble of a ship's engines.  The panthress turned back, to her horror, to see the Flame of Freedom readying itself for departure.  It would still take a while to get it into the air, hopefully, but that rumbling added an extra sense of urgency into her adrenaline.

"Shit," she cursed and turned back to the tigress.  "I think a good conversation can come later, I'm afraid.  Long story short, that ship's hiding a slaving ring, the cops are raiding, and I'm playing emancipator.  If you wanna bash some heads--and I think you want to, if I know you," she smirked, "then stick close, 'cause I'm going back in."

With a swish of her cape, Aisha pulled her cowl over her face to hide her features and vaulted the fence atop the overlook and back down to the dock.  Like a blur, she was shoving aside anyone in her way and using the shoulders and heads of the taller ones as step-stones, making it back through the doors.  Thankfully, once she drew her sword, most people didn't object to moving out of range.

She was following her ears to where the most ruckus seemed to be coming from.

*     *     *

Somewhere in the guest quarters of the stern, Jake breathed a sigh of relief when the tortoises finally had the idea that they were dealing with escapees.  His pangolin friend was tense as ever, but was thankful that the shackle-marks hadn't rubbed off completely of his scaled wrist.  His own wings felt like they hadn't completely gotten used to being free of the weights.

At the sound of shooting, the Gryphon's ears flicked around with his head.  Oh Gods...things are getting worse, I think.

At least the cops were eager to get running.  He nodded his agreement to get out of there.  But as good an idea as it was to get off the ship, he wouldn't stop thinking about the others below deck, awaiting their return.

His inner Knight wouldn't let him break a promise, even for the safer option.  He was still frozen in front of the door.

"Friend," he called to the pangolin as he straightened his loose, ruffly shirt and vest.  Hopefully he still looked the part of a noble so the guards below wouldn't give him more than a glance.  "Go with the officers; get out of here and be free.  I imagine the paperwork's bad, but it's not worse than slavery."

The pair of terrapins narrowed their eyes questioningly at him.  The pangolin sputtered.  "What the hell are you thinking of doing?"

"Back to Wallard and the others in the hold," Jake answered, flexing his talons.  "This chaos is the perfect opportunity to get them up and out.  Besides, the bastards stole my trusty halberd," he smirked.  "Can't let that go without a fight.  If one of you wants to follow me," he told the cops, "that's fine, then you'll get your proof.  If not, just be prepared.  And get my friend to safety."

And before another word was said, he rushed out and where he hoped he could remember was back down into the lower levels.  Most likely his weapon was stored with any other goods stolen from the slaves, somewhere in the crews' quarters.

*     *     *

While many of the other slaves were backing into a corner at the sight of the wolf demon and his armed minions, Wallard stood with his arms crossed, having not moved an inch save for the raise of his eyebrows.

"Had ta be someone on th' crew," the wingless Gryphon said, a hint of dismissal in his voice.  "Don't know who she is.  Didn't see 'er face, didn't see where she took 'em.  Thought she was hired by you goons ta play with us.  That's all any a' us knows.  You know me, doggy, I been here longer n' anyone.  I ain't lyin'.  So yer wastin' precious time questionin' us here."

On the inside of his facade, Wallard's nerves were close to being shot.  Jake, where the hell are you and the others and what's goin' on?

Beneath their feet, the rumbling of the ship grew louder.

[Boog]

The Cafeteria

The whud of bullets and the roar of demons howled around the three cubi, huddled in the safety of their fortifications. The doors seemed a continent away, but there were two visible vents on their side of the room. One led through the kitchens, the other to the outer hall full of police.
Unfortunately, they wouldn't have much time to make their decision. An iguana on the police side of the room noticed them, about the same time a mottled grey wolf demon from amongst the guards did.
"OVER HERE!" The wolf demon waved over, "We'll get you out of here, come on!"
"COME HERE." The iguana bellowed, "WE CANNOT GUARANTEE YOUR PROTECTION IF YOU STAY!"
Welp.

The catwalks above the Flame of Freedom

Thor opened his mouth to respond to Kaela, but before he could Aisha had vaulted over the railing and went skipping across the crowd, he blinked a few times, and then chuckled. "Adventurers."
"When you catch up with her," he said to Kaela, "And please, for the love of god catch up with her, let her know that there's an unguarded way in around the back of the ship. The Flame is built to land on a flat platform, and the wall behind it in the Quaggath airdock blocks the other ramp from opening fully. There should be enough space for you two to slither in, unguarded save for the odd engine discharge, and if you meet up with my agent inside she should be able to provide further aide. She should presently look like a cheshire cat mercenary, and answers to the name Singing Grin." He turned back to the ship, "The resistance thanks you for your efforts, Madame. You're fighting the good fight."

The Hallways of the Flame of Freedom

As Jake ran down the hallways, disregarding the "STOP" of the police behind him, he couldn't help but notice a discarded object in the hallway. A patch in the form of a simple hankerchief, layered with enchantments to resist the antimagic field, and embroidered with a simple picture of a wide-eyed cat sticking out its tongue.

--

"He's listed under the entertainment..." The kangaroo's aide said meekly. The officer looked Hobbies up and down, squinting.
"Trade issue. Should be shorted out in-,"
There was a muffled banging from elsewhere in the ship. "-... Short order. Very short. In the meantime, come with us. We'll need a statement from you regarding your business on the Flame of Freedom." He added a smile, almost as an afterthought. "Should all be very routine."

--

"Make yourself useful and you may get your chance," The cop grinned down at Xephelon, apparently happy for an ally. "Keep your aim on him." Ignoring the grumbling chagrin of the creature, she cuffed him. After a moment she clasped the shackles from his own belt onto him as well; he was a demon, after all. "Help me get him outside, I'll let the chief know you were cooperative." With that, gun still trained on the grumbling guard, she led them for the ramp.
The guard, however, wasn't out of ideas.
"She's lying you know."
The demon hissed to Xephelon, wild eyed and panicked, "Rights aren't exactly a big THING here in Quaggath, as soon as they have you in a cell they'll shuck you like an oyster for that golem. They run snatch and grabs on visitors all the time, they call it eminent domain. Set me lose or we'll both die in one of their gulags!"
The officer's ears twitched, but she didn't turn to look. She didn't seem to hear...

The boarding lobby of the Flame of Freedom

Never underestimate the invisibility bestowed by a brisk walking pace and a lack of eye contact. The police captain's aides were too preoccupied with their superior's health to look where he was pointing before Lea and Jeremiah had gotten around the corner, and the other cops seemed to be vacating the ramp in large numbers. Someone had given orders to withdraw.
Unfortunately, it was when they were around that corner when the second bellow came. "-To the Empress herself if you don't just SLAP A NECROPATCH ON IT AND STOP FUSSING LIKE SCHOOLMARMS YOU TWO WILL BE THE MOST DEMOTED MEN IN OUR GODSDAMN HISTORY! And WHY HAS NOBODY APPREHENDED THAT FROG AND THAT DEMON!?[/b]" There was a panicked whispering and the sound of approaching feet. When Lea turned back down the hall Jeremiah was already running, the slap of his broad feet disappearing down the hall.

The Slavehold

"Pretty sure I 'been wasting my precious time FEEDING you!" The demon snarled through the bars, "Funny thing, I got better things to do with my time than play HEAD GAMES with the PRODUCT. You said it was a woman. What was her NAME?"
"S..." A timid voice came from the back of the hold, a mouse that looked like she was on the verge of starvation, "... She said her name was Singing Grin."
"Singing... Oh gods of gods Ysengrin." The fat demon face gave way to one of abject horror. It couldn't be sure if it was an improvement of his usual one of slothful arrogance.
"Yer all movin' out. This place ain't safe. Men, Ysengrin Uidnetan is on board the ship! We ran drills for this, every guard take up position. We take 'em away in groups of five...!"
Jake was just now making his way down the steps back into the hold, a few hallways down from the cells, but he could hear the ruckus all the same, "... Three guards to a group, facing out, weapons DRAWN. And if you see that ice slinging old bitch you aim for the damn HEAD!"

[Tapewolf]

"I'm sorry," Jakob said, with an expression of regret, "But I can't trust either of you.  And I need my documents."
So saying, he scurried to the nearest vent, kicked it in and began to scrabble inside, motioning for Shax to follow.
It was the vent that led towards the kitchens.

[Yugo]

Kaela was all ready to bring Aisha into a sweeping embrace before the growling of spooling engines shook the ground around them. "Lo siento, Aisha, I think we might have to save the introductions and catch-up for later," she said, twisting to glance at the Flame of Freedom. The ship wasn't anywhere close to actually taking off, but if the situation onboard was as desperate as Aisha claimed, they needed to get inside, and quickly. "Slaving ring? Certainly a good reason to start cracking skulls," she growled, clearly unnerved. "I came here for a vacation, but at looks like there'll be plenty of action to go around." She gave Aisha a hearty slap on the back as the panther leapt off. "Drinks are on me when we clean this place up!"

Thor's explanation hit her ears, and she didn't stop to respond, leaping over the balcony and hitting the ground in a combat roll with catlike grace. Eschewing Aisha's somewhat more athletic approach, Kaela opted to simply use her bulk like a battering ram to get through the crowd. "Aisha!", she called out, cupping her hand to make a megaphone. The tigress barely caught up just as the panther was hitting the doorway. "There's a better way around back!"

[Inumo]

Xyrtia was well down the hall by the time the big bangs started happening, driving any thought of a plan out of her panicked flight. Turn, turn, straight, turn, straight, turn, through the door, out that one, dodge that lion, leap that bar, run, run, run, and suddenly she saw that gryphon from the holding area running too, but towards her. Along with a lot of very angry people in black, like that rhino. "Kraak," she muttered, before turning around and picking up speed again. She fell in with the gryphon and panted, "So. Plan?" Athletic though she may have been before slavery, her ribs were starting to hurt and she could feel her legs tiring and scuffing.

[Shax]

Shax reacted fast and began to follow close behind the wolf, rushing as fast as he could. The young cubi gasped, emitting a groan as a stray bullet struck his shoulder. He could not worry about that now, the cabbit entered the vent and crawled behind the wolf, the scent of blood filling the crowded space quickly. "Ngh... Frig, thats painful." He paused for a moment to check his injury. "So much for keeping us safe... Either side doesn't care who gets injured."

[Yugo]

Milla flexed her wings and stared dumbly as Jakob scrabbled into the closest open airduct, his Jin companion close behind him. She scrunched her narrow face into an expression of disgust. "You're just leaving me at the mercy of these brutes?", she huffed. The young succubus looked over one wing back at the ensuing firefight. She made her avian eyes wide and huge and accentuated her shocked expression as she turned and marched quickly and regally towards the ship's guards, using her aquiline visage to enhance the effect. "Oh, please help me!", she cried. Her shoes clicked and her hips swayed as she did her best to make the most elegant and beautiful appearance possible. "None of the passengers will help me, and the police have been shooting at me!"

[Tapewolf]

Jakob swore as he heard the succubus kicking off behind them.  He heard Shax muttering and complaing behind him.  "What's happened?  Where did she go?"  The wolf's eyes narrowed as the cabbit grunted.  "You okay there, Shax?"

He slowed as they approached a ventilation port and peered out, looking for signs of police or crew.

[Shax]

Shax shook his head. "She didn't follow..... Shall I go back for her? It won't feel right leaving her to those animals..." The cab it closed his eyes, huffing and gritting his teeth in pain. "I was hit, the bullet is still lodged in my shoulder but I'll be fine for now... We need to worry about getting to a safe area."

[Tapewolf]

"No, no... don't risk yourself," Jakob said, pushing the vent out of its frame.  "Jin would be distraught if anything happened to you.  Once we get out, you check your injuries, and I'll go back and see if she's still there."

[techmaster-glitch]

To Xephelon's relief, between himself and the police officer, the demon didn't put up a fight to being apprehended. Most demons were strong enough that a single well-placed kick could cave in his exoshell or snap a limb, as Xephelon focused on filling his exoshell with craft-assisting enchantments instead of combat-oriented reinforcing enchantments. Xephelon lowered his arms as the demon was cuffed, and the bobcat started to lead him away. Xephelon trailed along just behind the two, pondering how the situation might go now and what he might have to do. The demon's words, however, interrupted his thoughts. At first, Xephelon thought that the demon was probably just throwing out lies as a last-ditch effort to get out of his situation, right up until his choice of words with "shuck you like an oyster".

Shuck you like an oyster.

Xephelon stopped in his tracks. If he had eyes (well, exposed eyes at least), they would have been twitching. For Xephelon's type of Mythos, that kind of imagery was deeply unsettling and provoking, playing exactly to their worst fears. Xephelon spent a moment mentally reeling while he tried to come up with a contingency plan, before settling with constructing another half-bluff he could use if needed. If circumstances pointed towards anyone trying to capture him for his exoshell, he could claim that it was his life-support, and if anyone were to try and remove him from it, he could explosively disenchant it in spite.

Not too far from the mark...

Quickly, Xephelon picked up the pace and scuttled to catch back up with the policewoman and the shipguard, though he was now keeping a bit more distance from them both than before, and mentally tracked every turn, branch, and doorway, keeping tabs on where he could immediately bolt to if it became necessary.

[Shax]

Shax gave a nod and a small sigh, moving to continue to crawl behind Jakob until they can find a exit to the confined space they were trapped in.

[Tapewolf]

"Well, I can't see any obvious dangers here, so I'm going to risk it", Jakob decided.  He gave one large push and the grate finally gave way, clattering to the ground.  Slowly and carefully he stuck his head out, and crawled out.  Glancing around briefly as he dropped to the ground, he turned to help Shax out of the vent.

[Shax]

Shax crawled his way out of the vent with Jakob's assistance. The Cabbit's should was in pretty bad shape and was still bleeding. "Ngh... T-thanks. Well, this suit is ruined." He chuckled, clutching his shoulder.

[Tapewolf]

"Shit, you're a mess," Jakob said, looking distraught and somewhat queasy.  "You're the healer, and I don't want to abandon that Nact'Larn succubus, but all the same... do you need help with that?"  He looked anxiously at the vent, fretting over whether the succubus or Shax needed his help more.

[Shax]

Shax, with a huff, would remove his jacket, walking over to a nearby wall, and grabbing a knife from the rack on his way over. The cabbit slumped down, sitting against the wall. "I'll be fine, go and get her." He raised the knife, dreading what was next. "By the way, if you squeamish to blood... You might was to look away..." Eyes closed tight and teeth gritting, he dug the blade into the bullet would, starting to dig around. If the wolf looked at the young cabbit, it was clear by the look on his face how much pain he was in with doing this. After a bit of effort, Shax managed to pry the bullet out of the flesh, the lead tip falling to the floor with a small clatter. The blade was removed from his shoulder, and tossed aside.

The Cubi needed a minute to regain his composure, his free hand pinching the bridge of his nose tightly as he tried to focus away from the pain. "....That was... Unpleasant, but the lead needed to be removed, least it get infected. Once the anti-magic shield is down, I can heal it proper." Shax took his jacket, and tore off a long piece of fabric, wrapping it tightly around his shoulder to try to slow the bleeding. "I should have just gone back to SAIA..."

[Tapewolf]

Jakob sighed.  "All right, but take care, okay?  I'll be back as soon as I can."

Reluctantly he climbed back into the vent and made his way as carefully as he could towards the lounge they had come from, ready to crawl backwards if danger threatened.  If I can't see her, I'm going to crawl back down the vent.  But I'll only see the opening after I've gone past it.

[A Madman Person Guy]

As she rounded the corner, Lea's backbone lost the coathanger-stiff quality, and her legs tensed instead, as she loosened her knees. Her fingers drummed nervously against her palms, hands itching to grip something hard and heavy with the signature Demon's first instinct to solve things with a simple application of force. But, when you were uncertain, the last thing you wanted to do was throw yourself at something to see what stuck. For starters, you'd be throwing yourself, and there were some awful things to stick to. Or which could get stuck to you in turn.
   There came a shout from behind her. Another rabidly barked order, then footsteps, and Lea's head spun. Her magical muscles flexed momentarily, gripping for purchase, for something to hold on to and start swinging. But her forebrain caught up in the nick of time. What she needed wasn't a fight, not now. Always better out than in. No, she had to keep the opposition guessing, and find answers. Find answers, find Miles. Perhaps a distraction? Arm already extending, she turned, and went for the traditional collar grab.
   She stumbled, gripping only air. And, grinning ill at the realization, she saw the frog legging it with speed born of desperation down the corridor ahead. Oh yes, she thought, Showing your manners, boy? She growled under her breath, and began running after him, high boots thudding on the floor. For a more generously proportioned woman, she had a very good turn of speed. Act fast, get some motion going, she continued to herself, feeling the adrenalin kick in and some warmth starting to build up. Cabin's port side, one deck up. Hopefully the damn antimagic field will come down quick enough, and I'll be able to knock out anything that comes the other way...

[Angel]

It was awful. Everywhere Kenyan and his little friend turned, there was more noise, more gunfire, more yelling and blood above and below. He couldn't even follow Xyrtia anymore; Kenyan had to get out, he had to run again, he had to get home. The longer the vents went on, the more frightened and confused he became. He could barely even remember what he was looking for. All he knew was that he and his friend were trapped, and they needed to be free again NOW.

At last, during the endless crawling, he heard calm... and smelled food nearby. It had been so long since he'd eaten anything but the scraps the crew had fed himself and the other captives; he could feel his ribs against his skin more than he ever could before. Not caring for how much noise he made, he crawled towards the smell, reaching a corner -

And then smelled someone else coming through the vent. <SHIT.>

He turned to his little friend, squeaking roughly. <Hide. Now. I think another big creature is in here. I'll keep you safe.>

[Tapewolf]

Wary and cautious in case there were further shots, Jakob peered out from the vent, but the Nact'Larn succubus was out of sight and he was not in a hurry to risk getting shot at again.  Cursing under his breath, he crawled backwards through the vent, watching carefully for the exit he'd left Shax.  Just then he felt a bump or two from in the metalwork... apparently he was not the only one in the vent.

"Shax...?  Miss Nact'Larn?  Is that you...?" he called out softly.

[Shax]

Shax was still back in the kitchen, slumped against a cabinet and gripping his shoulder in pain. He had already started to bleed through the piece of fabric now. "Come on Jakob, hurry and get back, we gotta go..." Muttered the Cabbit under his breath before giving a sharp intake of breath and gritting his teeth. This is not good, he started to feel dizzy from the blood loss.

[Boog]

The Cafeteria

Milla's subtle shifting of features had more than the desired effect. A few bullets still whizzed by here and there, but the guards were briefly dumbstruck. One of them, a younger man, actually had to scramble a moment to maintain a grip on his firearm. And no surprise; her runway strut across the battlefield was like something out of a film.
Needless to say, she was welcomed into the Flame of Freedom's guards little makeshift bunker with open arms. And the occassional hanging jaw.
"This way Ma'arm, Miss, uh, right here!" One of them, a blonde wolf, seemed to be in command of this little subsection of the ship's forces, and crouched behind the tables and chairs they'd piled up were four other passengers. "We're trying to get folks away from the battle in groups. Which reminds me, Elyse, you're up." A female guard nodded, gestured over one of the passengers (A grey, anxious looking elderly fox), and both bolted for the doors as some other demons laid down covering fire; the guard had her wings spread to protect the civilian, and soon both had ducked through the same doors the captain had ducked down. "We'll try to get you through in a bit, trying to operate on a first-in-first-out system." The blonde wolf winced as a bullet whizzed by his head. "Don't worry Ms. Nact'larn, you're safe with us"
Meanwhile, Milla could hear a banging from the vents above her. The guards seemed to not notice with the overwhelming preoccupation of not getting shot. She could see, through a bullethole above, a brief flash of grey fur; was the incubus from before coming back for her?

The Kitchens

The kitchens were vast and abandoned by the time Shax and Jakob had gotten there, but as the young healer felt himself grow fainter he could hear people approaching. A uniformed officer, a female iguana, entered through the far end of the room, weapon drawn. "Is anyone here? I heard- ohmigod." The authoritarian veneer shattered completely at the sight of blood, and she started making her way across the room, picking her way around spilled food and scattered cutlery, pots and pans clattering as she slipped and staggered. "Stay right there sir help is- ack!"

Halls of the Flame of Freedom

They made an odd procession; the guard, the police officer, and Xephelon at the rear wondering which to keep his gun trained on. The bobcat seemed perfectly happy for his company though, so there was that. They made another turn; it seemed like he'd come on board just to be marched out again, they were heading for the boarding lobby. They stepped into the hall-

Jeremiah ran headlong into a demon coming out of a nearby hallway. This was far from ideal. With a terrified yelp and an infuriated snarl both went down in a flailing heap. What followed was a few seconds of tangled scrambling and cursing, brought to order by the bobcat firing her gun at the ceiling once.
This is about when Lea showed up.
Unfortunately, Lea was a wolf demon in the company of a liveried member of ship staff.
"NOBODY MOVE!"
"Ah, absolutely officer!" Jeremiah had managed to transfer from a heap to a low, ingratiating bow remarkably fast, "Whatever you-!"
"Xephelon, consider yourself deputized, cover 'em both." The bobcat's eyes narrowed at Lea, "You're not in their uniform, who are you?"

Elsewhere, in the Cockpit
"-Which is what I'm SAYING sir. We can repel the boarders, but we need you to lower the antimagic field so our mages can work."
"..."

[Angel]

Kenyan barely breathed once he heard the other presence in the vent speak. He could smell the other Being, even with the smell of food nearby - canine, male, but with the scent of feathers. Another winged being? They seemed to be very common aboard this ship for some reason. The voice didn't sound unkind, but he couldn't tell in the vent if the man was carrying a weapon or not. The smell of metal was all around them, so he dared not risk it. He was keeping the little rat huddled in his shirt, keeping perfectly still...

And then there was a clatter from the same direction as the food-smell. And the sound of someone yelping in pain.

Before Kenyan knew what he was doing, he pulled himself forward to look towards the source of the noise, and found himself face to face with the Being.

"Skt-kee!" he squeaked in frustration, yanking himself back. Well, now there was no hiding himself from danger. Kenyan was ready to run away again, but then he thought back to what he'd seen earlier, when Xyrtia fell. There were people on the ship who were confused when they saw her fall. The more he thought, the more sense it made - this ship was massive, and if what Wallard and Jake had said were true, the people on it were very wealthy. Why would a mere slave ship be so elegant? Of course there would be people on board who didn't know what was going on - and if Mateo's reaction earlier was anything to go by, then there were people who'd be appalled by what was going on below deck. <If he's a guard, it's back to the holding cell, but if he's just a passenger, there's hope for both of us.> His best hope was to appeal to the other being's kindness, and hope that that would guide him no matter why he was here.

Reluctantly, he whispered "...Please. If you can...help me."