The deck is mostly quiet for the moment, in contrast to its usual chaos. Aside from a few crew, going about their tasks, there is only the captain, and a Lapi. They appear to be engaged in conversation, and also probably waiting for someone.

A cougaress approaches the gangplank of the berthed ship, accompanied by two friends. The dusty Khattha pauses a moment, to loosen the straps on her armour. "Too tight forr brruises." She comments, then looks the airship over

Lochinvar looks up from his conversation with the captain, and calls out to the cougaress. "Good day there, Sasta."

Aaron keeps on the opposite side of the cougar from the Korv, and keeps a wary eye out for Savanites.

One of the cougaress' companions, a normally high-spirited Korv, trudges up the gangplank after her. If one looked especially closely into his eyes, one might be able to tell they were bloodshot. Still, when he steps onto the deck, and takes a deep breath, he seems to lose a little of his tenseness.

Near the gondola's bow, Captain Mira supervises the loading of provisions for the journey. Nothing seems to escape her watchful eye, despite her apparent distraction. Abruptly, she leans over the rail and shouts some colorful encouragement – and perhaps some reprimands – at the dockworkers. Various acknowledgments follow, and the loading of provisions seems to go a bit faster.

"Hiyas Lochinvarr," Sasta says, once she is on deck and closer to the Heyoke, "Ship looks gooe."

Not long behind the threesome comes a familiar kavi. He smiles and waves up to the group, before lightly crossing the gangplank, "Hello, everyone. It is good to see you again."

The Lapi bows to Kavi, brushing his ears back when he straightens up again. "Good day, K'ale."

The Heyoke nods. "I've seen her in a couple of times before when I've been working dockside. Looks like I'm on the other side for a change." He glances at the Korv, and chuckles to himself, having seen the hungover look enough times on fellow dockhands to know what kind of night he had before.

"Hiyas K'ale, I tole you I fine hin." The cougaress gives a nod of her head in the crow's direction. "No was too harre."

K'ale smiles and returns the bow slightly, "And to you, young chemist!" He regards the group, "I'm not too late for the grand tour, am I?"

The kavi nods, "I'm glad you found him… thank you, Sasta."

The Korv sets down his duffel to rub at one of his squinting eyes. "Ahoy, K'ale. Aye, I'm not too hard a bloke to dig up, an' I'm as good as me word." He stoops to pick up his duffel again, grunting. "Got a touch of liquid Hammersong in me 'ead still… "

The cougar Khattha still isn't too sure what to make of K'ale, and her body language shows it. Finding out he wasn't a kavi removed some of her suspicion, finding out he was a Nohbakim, put it back. His shekels are hard however, so she puts the nagging thoughts to rest.

K'ale chuckles, "I wouldn't have guessed it! I'm afraid I don't have anything to help your head for now."

Aaron smiles to Kensington, and offers, "I could give you something for that, if you like."

"So… where's Chit?" rasps Kensington. He speaks the name with a touch of distaste, but leaves it at that. He starts to shake his head at the suggestions of remedies, but stops fairly quickly. "Needs t'sleep it off… s'always th' same."

Sasta slaps the Korv's nearby wing, "long as it hurrts, you know you still alive ah?"

K'ale smiles very slightly, "He is below, as always. He doesn't tend to come topside much, due to some rather… rough treatment in the past. Despite his never speaking above ground."

Mira continues berating the dockworkers as some of them scurry past with supplies for the galley.

Kensington tilts slightly at Sasta's playful slap, listing a little. "Aye… I never felt more alive in me life… " the Korv croaks, eyes scrunching up.

"Talking of being down below, Kensington," Lochinvar says to the Korv. "The bunks are down that way." He makes a rough gesture.

Aaron says, "Better bunk him next to a porthole… "

Lochinvar merely nods and grins at the Lapi's remark.

The avian nods at Lochinvar, shading his face with one wing. "I kin stay topside fer castin' off, at least." The bird manages a weak smile, rasping, "Just be glad Sasta fetched me 'afore I got into me fifth mug."

"Yeesh, to have to choose between being Nohbakin orr Slave, ane a Kavi being a step up frron both." The cougaress shakes her head, looking around at the tri-level decks, and the gas envelope overhead. "Well… life is harre. How long beforre the k'ptain frree?"

Mira is finally satisfied (for the moment) that the dockside help is fairly competent. Unaware of Sasta's remark, she chooses that moment to cross the deck and approach the assembled. "Good afternoon, and welcome aboard. Ye'll pardon the mess – she'll be shipshape in no time. Ye wanted a tour?"

"We apologize for taking your time in such a trivial request, Captain," Aaron says, half-bowing. "But a tour would be most appreciated, yes."

Kensington chortles at Sasta, and the passes his own critical eye over the ship, looking satisfied. "She's a nice lil' clipper, Cap'n. Aye, let's 'ave a closer look over, see if she's kept as fine as she looks."

"I wants see the watchposts, ane yourr ship arrnanents. You looks norre to prrotect than attack." The cougaress drawls, waiting to see where the captain starts.

"Th' Glutton is a fine ship," the captain remarks. "If ye'll follow me, right this way… " The brown Khatta leads the party to the forecastle cabin, a low structure in the bow of the ship with three portholes on port and starboard sides and a single hatchway providing access to the deck. A Savanite holds it open to permit everyone to pass.

"You k'n check the Eee-spots Kensington," Sasta comments, moving around so the Korv is on her left side. She gives a glancing glare at the Savanite, patting a few of her bruises, "I woule clinb up therre, but no wants to rright now."

Aaron clenches his jaw and climbs past the Savanite without looking left or right.

The Korv dips his beak once, working his shoulders in slow circles to remove a few kinks. "Aye, stretchin' th' wings might do me some good. I'll letcha know what I see."

Inside the cabin is a corridor; to the port side are a few more hatchways that presumably lead to individual cabins. At the forward end, a stairway leads down to a lower deck. Sunlight filters in through three portholes in the starboard bulkhead.

Kensington ambles to a clear spot on the deck, and launches himself into the air, to disappear around the envelope.

Lochinvar follows the group, bringing up the rear, as they head through the hatch, though he has half a mind to keep an eye on the Korv and make sure he doesn't injure himself.

Noticing Aaron's reaction to the slave, the cougaress laughs, "Yeesh Aaron, whats you afrraie of? They woulen't fight back to save theirr hiee. We usee chasee then arroune all the tine." She continues after Mira down the hallway, pushing open the doors of a few cabins to peer inside.

Aaron just mutters something under his breath, and follows along.

The cabins, though each is fairly similar to its neighbor, are well-appointed as airship cabins go. Apparently, these are for dignitaries or for other important figures; each has a single porthole in the far bulkhead, a cabinet for clothing, and a desk. All of the furniture is bolted to the floor, which is bare but looks smooth and well-kept.

K'ale follows the group as they go from cabin to cabin, looking around carefully…

"I brreak the arrn of one once, it no nake a soune. It no even barre teeth at ne, just slink off. What kine of surrvival that is?" Sasta continues her rambling discourse as she examines the more elaborate quarters. "Ooo, I thinks I woule want this one, it nice. Anyhow, I only seen two slaves that worrth the fooe you stuff into then."

The Lapi arches his ears in surprise at the cabins. He's never ridden in any so nice…

"Not all Savanites are slaves you know," Aaron comments to Sasta.

"As you can see, the Glutton is prepared to carry any kind of passengers," Mira explains. "Below, ye'll find more cabins, each with a bunk bed n' storage chests. About th' same size, but two to a cabin."

"That's was Chirri's hulk, the one with the sk'rrs, ane his nate. Those two gots fight." The Khattha snorts, flicking her ears. "No you think if they hae any fight, soneone woule have seen it by now? They is everryone's kicking stone."

Aaron scowls, "You've not seen them on their own turf, Sasta."

A brown Khatta tail indicates the forward stairway. "Look, if ye like."

The cougar just grins down at the Lapi, "You no seen Sasta on herr own turrf." She walks to the forward stairway, glancing around.

K'ale decides to look, at least. He goes downstairs, is gone for a few moments, then comes back up to rejoin the group after an apparent quick peek.

Sasta's peek is about as quick, and enough to satisfy her curiousity.

"Is therre warr shutterrs for the porrtholes?" The cougaress asks the captain.

Those who take the time to look below are greeted by a narrower version of the corridor in which they stand. It is much darker here; the light comes from carefully-shielded lanterns hung on the walls or from a dimly-lit bay of some kind amidships. More hatchways branch off into smaller crew cabins on both sides; some are partially open and offer glimpses into simply-furnished cabins.

Lochinvar looks over his shoulder, and decides he will go and check on where the Korv is. Since he's at rear, slipping out unnoticed is fairly easy.

Mira explains that although there are only simple wooden covers for the portholes, there are only a few of them, located in the forecastle. The gunports amidships are each equipped with a thick wooden protective door.

Aaron asks, "Do you stock parachutes?"

"I show you how to pick one Aaron, ane pack it." Sasta says, following along with the tour. "It sonething you shoule know how to eo."

Mira says, "O' course, sir. But ye can bring your own if ye like. "

K'ale nods, "I think yours will likely suffice, captain. Now… may we see the cargo bays? We don't have much to bring, but will be needing some small use of them."

"Certainly," comes Mira's answer. The party is led back out onto the deck, down a larger stairway, and into the ship's main cargo bay and gun deck.

Sasta purrs as she examines the munitions.

Aaron wrinkles his nose at the gunpowder scent, and looks over the complicated counter-recoil mechanism.

This room is by far the largest on the ship. There are some ballistas set behind the gun ports (seven to port and to starboard, fourteen in all), although the current weapon loadout is far from the maximum possible. The ballistas are secured by thick ropes to the bulkhead so that they will not recoil backward when fired. There are racks for rifles and crossbows, although they aren't filled at the moment. There are some cargo racks in the forward section of the bay – taking the place of ballistas – which look as if they can be expanded to fill the entire bay if necessary. Some of the gun port covers are open; sunlight streams in. A faint lingering scent of gunpowder and sweat can be detected here.

K'ale gives a cursory glance over the guns, and dismisses them, as he moves off towards the hold to view its accommodations. He'll leave the fighting to the warriors.

Aaron follows after the Kavi.

"Verry nice," the cougaress keeps purring, closely examining a weapon breech on one of the guns. Noticing the tour moving away, she quickly follows.

The hold is a rather simple affair, located below the gun deck. Utilitarian racks of various shapes and sizes are arranged on either side of a central corridor. Rope, hung from wall hooks and coiled on shelves, seems to be the method of securing cargo. Once again, most light comes from shielded lanterns or filtered from the corridor.

K'ale stands by one of the walls, examining the rope, and also the knots securing the cargo down. After tugging briefly at a particularly ungainly-looking piece, and finding it not likely to budge, he smiles, "I think this will definitely do nicely!"

Mira nods, though obviously pleased to hear that. "Aye," she says, "she'll serve ye well."

Aaron hmms, and quietly asks K'ale, "Are the Gooshurms part of your curse, by any chance?"

K'ale considers that, "Well… part of the curse, though more related to the desert than to us. As I said, we don't know whether the desert will return to fertile land after the curse is lifted, but we do know that the Gooshurm were not as they are now before the curse."

"Is you going to turrn all the way into a Kavi, into a lizzarre of sone kine, orr backs into a Zerrea?" Sasta asks, catching up with K'ale, Aaron and the conversation. "Or is yourr arrn just going to fall off?"

K'ale grins, "I'm kind of curious about that myself. I'm not certain, but since we were all Zerda before the curse, I think that is what I will return to… "

Aaron eyes the size of the hold again, wondering if it would be wise to bring some of the more esoteric plants and animals of the region out of the desert before the curse is lifted…

K'ale finishes checking over the ropes, "Captain, will we get a chance to see any of the areas of ship operations?"

The cougaress nods at the Nohbakim's answer, "Is the kine of thing I woule wants be cerrtain of, if I was you. But, I not, so I will just watch."

Mira explains, "Ye've seen most o' what there is to see, tho' I can show you the galley and th' helm. The sails're set by climbin' in the rigging. The Glutton hasn't all th' conveniences o' those Temple cruisers, but she's got enough to make up for it, b'lieve me."

The Lapi's ears perk up at the mention of a galley. "We don't need to prepare our own meals then?"

K'ale nods, "I leave the sails in your capable hands, but I would like to see the galley and the helm."

Mira smartly turns on her heel, leading the adventurers back through the gun bay and up topside.

The kavi follows Mira with the rest of the group, as they emerge back out onto the deck.

Up top, the party is greeted by Kensington, who glides his way back around one broad side of the envelope. The bird appears to have regained some of his usual vigor, at least not looking bothered anymore. "Hoy there!" he caws, settling onto the deck.

The helm is a rather simple affair: a wooden wheel located on the raised poop deck. A cursory inspection reveals that it is connected to a centerline steering sail. There are handholds here for one or two crew in addition to the helmsman. "And there it is," Mira says. "A simple helm for a fine ship."

Arriving shortly after the Korv, Lochinvar lands back upon the deck, and nods to the rest of the group.

K'ale grins, "Aye… a ship designed to sail. I think she will serve well."

Sasta waves as the Korv comes in to land, "Hey, how it looks up top?" She listens for his answer, while examining the sail, nodding along with Mira's assessment.

"She's pretty sleek, Sasta, 'bout what I'd expect fer a border-runnin' clipper," rasps the corsair, taking a moment to fold his wings neatly. "'Fraid she's not too well protected. No stations to defend from, an' one small crow's nest fer lookout. Standard fire-resistant coatin' on the skin, no platin'. Looks like she's built fer speed, not a sustained fight, so's we probably don't have much t'worry about, iffen we can outrun trouble. Ol' Lochy was takin' a look with me just a second ago… " The avian casts a glance up and over his shoulder.

The Heyoke nods in agreement. "Certainly nowhere onboard to defend from. Which will mean that us fliers will have to be ready, should anything happen," he says, mainly to Kensington, but to the rest of the group too.

"Hnn… well we just gots a passengerr rrun goings out, so shoule be fairrly quick. Is therre any infrrastrructurre in the envelope?" Sasta asks, looking between Kensington and Lochinvar.

K'ale nods, "I'm not certain we will have anything to suit you that is not already here, but you may check the stores below the city if you like. The better prepared, the happier everyone will be."

Lochinvar nods back to the cougaress. "It's a similar construction to most of the other ships I've been on, so yes: there's a framework inside."

The Korv dips his beak in the affirmative with Lochinvar. "Aye, and there also be a small maintenance catwalk within th' structure, an' access from a ladder on th' mast. I don't see much call fer messin' with it, beyond repairs."

Aaron says, "In an emergency, we may have to use that catwalk as a lifeboat though."

"That's a prretty serrious enerrgency. I woule rratherr takes ny chances with a parrawing." Sasta says, looking at the indicated ladder. "How nuch of this trrip we k'n eo in the airr K'ale? Is therre any rreason we have to be on the grroune? Once we in the eeserrt, pirrates shoule be rrarre, ane I no thinks too nany Nohbakin gots airrships."

K'ale shrugs at Sasta, "Your guess is as good as mine, depending on where Rephidim is now and how fast the airship goes. I would guess a week at least, perhaps as long as two until we arrive at the desert."

"Once therre though, any rreason we have to lane except forr when we eoing the rritual?" The cougaress asks.

Aaron says, "The ritual probably has to take place in a Forbidden Zone, right?"

K'ale nods, "Unless we are extremely lucky. An airship near the ground is not terribly maneuverable, and it will be much easier to land the ship, and proceed on foot. The location of the old temple is not known precisely, so we would have to anchor nearly on it to avoid a ground trek."

The dusty Khattha nods, and turns to the captain. "We night wants to get sone bonbs then, will allow us to eeal with grroune thrreats. No too nany ways of getting an Airrship frron the grroune, but therre a couple."

Mira says, "O' course. If ye can find 'em, th' Glutton can mount 'em. It'd just take a few days to set 'er up."

Kensington whistles through his beak. "Expensive ordinance, that."

"I will see what I k'n fine. I spene a lot of tine thinking of ways to get an airrship eown when I was grrounee. I no wants to see what prrofessional baneits cone up with." The cougaress states.

Aaron blinks at Sasta, but doesn't say anything.

K'ale smiles, "An interesting idea, miss Sasta. If you can find the parts, I will get the funding. Captain Mira, thank you for your tour, I am most impressed with the caliber of your ship."

Mira salutes smartly, as do several nearby members of the Glutton's crew.

K'ale salutes back awkwardly, then smiles, "I will be back tomorrow to start the loading of supplies. Our cartographer will talk to your navigator then, as well, if that will be possible."

Sasta bows, then gives a glance at Kensington, "Want to see if yourr seat still warrn?" She waits for K'ale to leave, before heading for the gangplank.

"Eh… sounds strange comin' from me own beak, but I thinks I've 'ad enough t'drink fer a night an' a mornin'," caws the Korv, a little sheepishly. "Hey, thanks fer comin' back fer me. Me temper, it's a lil' hard to keep nailed down sometimes."

K'ale slips past the Korv and cougar, heading down the gangplank and disappearing into the dock chaos.

"No worrrries, I was letting sone things gets to ne too. I get a few klunks ane that strraighten ne out." Sasta confesses, "Well, naybe a lunch then ah? I tell you abouts who you going be fighting with."

The black bird's face splits into a beaky grin. "Aye, a little somethin' t'peck at would be great! 'Twouldn't hurt t'know if the nobs kin swing th' right end o' a sword too… "

"Okaay then, let's go." Sasta starts down the gangplank with a determined stride.

Aaron bows and kisses the back of Mira's paw, saying, "A wonderful airship, Captain. Your pride in her is obviously well justified."

Kensington glides down after the cougaress, chattering a question or two that's lost to the noise of the bustling docks.

The brown-furred Khatta-captain smiles… and did she blush just a bit? "Smooth sailin'," she says as her clients depart. Once they're out of sight, she enthusiastically launches into a tirade against some imagined slight in the ongoing provisioning.