On said airship, a certain black Khatta sits in his cabin room on the provided bed, bored to tears. He should have brought a book or something. His cheetah companion, Born-in-Shame, is fast asleep, and not much of a talker anyway.

"This castle better be worth it," Jynx grumbles to himself, "I've logged more times on airships recently then I care to remember." With a sigh, he lies down on his bunk, settling on a night of rest.

The soft thud of wood on wood can be heard outside the door as something approaches down the hall. The sound continues up until the footsteps stop directly in front of the door to the cabin. Silence follows for a brief moment before the soft echo of a gentle knock can be heard resounding through the room.

The black Khatta's eyelids snap open in a flinch. Great, I wonder who that is… Grumbling, the feline slowly gets up from his bunk, and walks over to the door. He opens it just a crack, and peers outside. "Yes?"

At first no one appears to be outside the door, just the empty blackness of the hallway. It soon becomes apparent that there is someone out there; she simply doesn't stand tall enough to be noticed on a first glance. The visitor appears to be the Aelfin Mage who was allowed on board by Jynx's little sister, Eve. A smile brightens the face of the small creature and she curtsies once she is noticed. "Greetings, honored sir. I have come that I might partake of your company, if you would be so kind as to allow it."

Jynx looks down at the small creature, his eyes narrowing a bit. "Oh, it's you, the one with the fox singer." He sighs, opening the door a bit wider. "Do you know how late it is? I'm trying to get some sleep!"

At that response, the Aelfin's smile fades into a frown, and her eyes close as she lowers her head, dejected. "I… " she begins, ears lowering slight, "I did not mean to offend you, sir… I… will, not trouble you. I regret having done so." She apologizes quietly before beginning to turn back the way she came.

The Khatta grimaces. "Wait, hold on… " He looks up at the sky, giving a gaze of frustration. "I suppose I could use a bit of company. It's not that late and I'm not tired yet. Come on in." The feline walks back into his room, and sits down on his bed, an annoyed look on his face.

The Aelfin doesn't need to be told twice. Having been invited in, she perks her ears up and scoots inside after the Khatta. Once the man has been seated, she gives him a more formal bow and smiles at him. "I am so glad that you would allow for my company, though I visit late. I see that you must not like the fox I came aboard with, but you see, I am not truly here with that man. I joined him merely to help fulfill my obligations with the College. I must admit, however, that he has pointed out many a flaw in my Rephidim Standard," she tells the Khatta a bit excitedly

"Whoa, whoa, slow down!" Jynx massages his temples as the Aelfin talks at a million words a minute. "One thing at a time!" He eyes the small creature, nodding at her. "You got one part right though, I'm not too fond of your companion, so you'll understand if I'm suspicious of those traveling with him." The cat crosses his arms, "Let's get first things first. What's your name?"

A giggle escapes the little one as she realizes she was indeed talking so quickly. "Oh! I'm so sorry, excuse my excitement. This is all very exciting for me," she mentions. The Aelfin takes a moment to calm herself before answering the Khatta's request of a name, using her staff to gesture to herself when she does. "I am Scarlet, Apprentice Water Mage, although my teachers tell me I am skilled enough to be a Journeyman. I came to Rephidim to learn magic, like my heroine, the great Wynona Windcaller."

"A water mage?" The Khatta arches a brow, "Why did you want to come with me then? Sylvania's a land-locked country – no ocean or sea there." He fights back a grin at the mention of the Aelfin's heroine, "Oh, Wynona… I think I've ran into a time or two, but she's an air mage, isn't she?"

The little creature lifts her delicate white hand to gesture around herself."Water exists in more than the oceans. Liquids flow through the life blood of creatures, the workings of plants, and the streams that feed crops across our world," she explains, followed by a slight nod at the mention of Wynona's sphere of choice. "Indeed, that is correct. I once considered following her perfectly, but one day my teacher told me that despite what I wished, Ms. Windcaller and I are very different. My teacher instructed me that practicing a sphere apart from hers might be best, and may impress Ms. Windcaller more," the Aelfin answers.

Jynx just nods at this, pulling a strip of jerky out from his duffel bag, which he promptly begins to gnaw on in cat fashion. "Well, that makes sense, I suppose, but why did you want to go where I'm going?" The feline pauses as he gulps down the tough food item. "I mean, I doubt I'm going to a need a mage or anything." His expression turns into a frown. "… and especially not a tone-deaf bard… "

"I have been requested to practice magic outside of Rephidim as part of my testing. It is necessary I know how the power of magic flows on the surface," the Aelfin explains, reaching over to pat her small leather pouch. "I have the letter here, if you require verification." The letter is removed and offered to the Khatta before she continues. "And to be truthful, sir, I have heard something of your doings in this world. I wanted to be part of an adventure. I will endeavor to be useful. Beyond my magic, I have survival skills, and a limited knowledge of Sinai itself. My magic can create fine drinks if I am given time to prepare."

The Khatta takes the piece of paper from the Aelfin and peruses it. "I'm afraid I'm not much of a drinker. And as for my reputation… it's not as great as you think."

The letter seems to be from the Aelfin's teacher and is addressed to Scarlet. The letter goes on to mention that the young apprentice has been required to journey from Rephidim and practice magic where it is less hindered. It does not, however, say how just exactly she is supposed to go about doing this. The Khatta may realize the young Aelfin was basically left to her own devices to find a way to accomplish this.

Jynx grimaces at the letter, "So you think you'll get a chance to practice your skills if you come along with me?" He hands the letter back to Scarlet.

The letter is returned to its place safe in Scarlet's pouch. The Aelfin then nods to the Khatta and answers. "I hope so, yes. That strange fox fellow whom I met in at a shop back upon Rephidim said if I followed him I would be able to fulfill the demands made on me. That is why I came to this ship."

"Well, trouble seems to follow him around, that's for sure. " The Khatta readjusts his sitting position. "Then again, I guess I'm not one to talk." He scratches an ear, and makes a long pause before saying anything else. "Well … as long as you stay out of the way, and don't make any sea creatures or anything suddenly appear, I guess you can come along, but don't be surprised if all you end up with is boredom."

A faint smirk crosses the Aelfin's muzzle before she turns off and steps towards the window of the cabin. "I have not been bored since I left the continent of Ur. This is so very exciting. In a short span of time I have traveled across the skies, learned to perform magic, and met so many interesting people," she tells the Khatta. Upon reaching the window, she lifts her head to peer up and out of it, and continues, "To be one of the very first of my people to explore the world beyond Aelfhem, it is quite an honor for me. So you will forgive me if something so mundane to a traveled person such as yourself would be so amazing in my eyes."

Jynx just shrugs, and leans back on his bunk. "Well, yeah, I guess it is a bit exciting now and then, but it gets old after a while, really. Especially when you have goons trying to kill you, or you have to get rid of some rock that can destroy the world, or… you get the idea."

The Aelfin pauses a moment to consider the Khatta's words before she turns from the window and scoots over to him. "How dreadful!" she exclaims as she reaches to take his hand protectively. "Trying to kill you? What ever for? How horrible that is! And then you mention a rock that can destroy the world? What of that?" she then asks.

The Khatta blinks, and retracts his paw from the Aelfin. "Oh… uh, nothing. Forget I said anything, they're all long stories." He sighs, and looks out the window. "Well, it's really late now, and the captain will probably want us up early for breakfast in the morning. You'd better try and get some sleep."

The little Aelfin takes a step back, though she keeps her hand out for a moment before she lets it fall to her side. The girl nods slightly and gives off a small sigh as she studies the ground. After a moment she nods and glances towards the door. "Yes… You are of course right, sir. Mmm," she agrees before reaching over and digging through her pouch and removing a leaf – which she offers him. "This will help you sleep if you have trouble." The Aelfin takes another step backwards and glances towards the door again.

Jynx arches a brow, and takes the leaf. "Oh, uh, thank you." He puzzles at the strange flora, turning it over and over, then suddenly gives a sharp-toothed feline yawn. "Well, it was a pleasure talking to you, but let's try and do it at a more decent hour next time, okay?" He gives a rare smile to the Aelfin, to show no hard feelings.

Catching the smile in the corner of her wide eyes, the Aelfin returns it with one of her own. The Khatta is given one final curtsey as a sign of respect, and then the Aelfin walks over to the door. Just before leaving, the Aelfin pops her head in the gap formed by the nearly closed door and offers him some final words. "I do not regret joining this trip, even if I may have arrived with a less than reputable fellow. I hope to help you as much as I can," she says before her head vanishes back into the hallway. The door is closed with some effort, followed by the soft tapping of her staff against the wooden floor as she presumably walks off to her room.

Chuckling, the Khatta reclines back on his bunk, turning the leaf over and over. "Help… that'll be a change." With a final shrug, he pops the leaf in his mouth and begins to chew it. "I mean, since when has anyone ever helped – " he is cut off mid-sentence and mid-consciousness as the leaf takes effect, and soon snores emanate from the sleeping feline.