There's a tension in the air this morning, present in all the crew, and palpably felt from the soldiers below. Though it can't be seen in the murk of the Savan's temperamental seasonal rain, Viper's Hold is not far now.

Word has gotten out that the Governess will be joining the battle, and rumors have begun to fly. Rather than try to quash any of it, General Diamondback has asked that Umeko see the armorer… though she has demonstrated her competence in a fight, he still wishes her as well-protected as possible. The logistics barge Charitable has been brought close to the Equalizer that she may be brought across.

HMS Charitable is little more than a flying cargo hold. Kin is led below decks and amidst piles of supplies to a room near the center. Many of the racks here are empty, but armor pieces, weapons, and shields still litter the area. A Rokuga is here, working a piece of leather with a short, stout chitin knife. Only slightly taller than Umeko, he seems well muscled but his skin hangs loose, many scales apparently worn away down to thick skin. Though he was referred to as a Rokuga, one of his four arms appears to be missing, making for an oddly asymmetrical triplet of limbs that passes scraps and tools to one another. As he looks up, the Governess can see one of his eyes is missing as well, covered over with a hardened leather plate tied in place with rawhide.

Umeko has remained quiet through much of the escort, though she has acknowledged those that have looked towards her with curiosity as they go. One might think her quietness is caused by indifference or a feeling of superiority … but it's not the case. Truth be told, she feels very out of place and uncomfortable. She's brought along her weapons of choice, the Autumn Harvest, so that they can me paired to her armor and appropriate carrying gear crafted. She also actually asked Xander to attend, if for nothing else, to be someone that doesn't make her uncomfortable. When she finally meeds the armorer, she bows her head. "Greetings," she says, "Thank you for taking time out of your preparations to see me. May I inquire as to your name? I like to know such of those I speak with."

The lizard looks up from his work, turning his head to squint at Umeko out of his good eye. Apparently 'good' is a relative term… the iguana-like Rokuga has to lean forward a bit. "Mm," he grunts. "Called Quint. Not m'real name. Short for 'quintuple'. On account of the five limbs. Don't mind it. Beats 'Tripod'. Whatcha want?"

"Quint it is, then," Umeko says with a short nod of her head, then switches to standard for Xander's benefit. "As you have certainly heard, I will be participating in the strike on Viper's Hold. Though it is not my way, I have agreed to be fitted with some armor. It is important to me that I maintain my flexibility and ease of movement, as much of my fighting training derives from it. What would you recommend for someone such as myself?" She pauses, then draws out her two swords, complete with scabbards, and sets then on the table in front of the armorer. "And something that would adequately be able to carry these, of course."

Quint gets up, setting his leather craft aside and limping toward Umeko… one of his legs appears to bend a bit oddly, likely a broken bone that didn't heal right. He picks up the daisho, looking it over… there's a momentary rise of the brow, and another grunt and nod, and then he sets the swords aside. "Let's get a look atcha," he says, leaning closer. He reaches his three arms out to try to pat Umeko on either side as he studies her.

Xander clears his throat at this, and checks Umeko's expression to see if she's uncomfortable or not.

"I can remove the top kimono or whatever else would aid in the fitting. I would not be wearing it into combat in any event," Umeko offers the armorer. She doesn't appear to be uncomfortable at all about being inspected.

"Right. Set 'em on the rack there," he says. He continues to pat Umeko down, on the side, hips, flank, muttering to himself as he does so. "Skinny one, aintcha? Officer?"

Kin dutifully starts disrobing and folding her clothing carefully before she actually offers them to Xander to hold instead. She leaves on the light undergarment, at least that goes to mid-thigh. "Appointed Governess Militant as declared by the Emperor; noble born of Jadai," Umeko answers politely. "Please do not mistake my build for that of someone who has not seen combat; I have."

The Fire Mage holds onto the clothing with equanimity, silently glad that Umeko doesn't carry a purse as well.

Quint nods. "Officer." He leans away from Umeko for a moment, and dips into an open tray of paper slips, taking one off the top. He takes a moment to read it, glances at Umeko, then puts the slip back and returns to his studying. "Requisition's in order." Rough hands feel under the Kiriga's arms, then holds one slender wrist and pats her at the shoulder. "Mmhmm." He steps around to the side, and grabs Umeko's tail around the base, then holds his hands up in front of himself to see how big around it was. "Mmhmm."

"I take it she is not an 'off the rack' size?" Xander asks after all the humming.

Now, grabbing Umeko around the tail base generates a reaction. She actually goes up on her toes even further … and her webbed ears twitch. Her jaw sets and she draws in a slow breath before she lowers herself back down. "It was not … of course not," Umeko thinks to herself.

The armorer doesn't seem to notice, instead putting his hands around Umeko's slender neck. The spare hand scratches his chin, and then he steps around to Umeko's side, the patting down beginning again. This time, it's on chest and back, belly and small, rump and the front of the legs. "Nope." he says to Xander. "Skinny one, this one. Cinch up some of the leather under body."

"Leather?" Xander asks. "I was hoping you'd have some platinum zolk with pockets for chitin or ironwood armor inserts… "

"Females of my kind are all lithe," Umeko insists, though certainly not in a tone that would imply she was offended by the statement. She tries to remain still through the rest of the examination, though contact to her stomach, lower back and rump do get another twitch of her ears. The comment about zolk elicits a brow raise from the Kiriga, though, and she glances to the Lapi. "I do not ask for things far beyond any warrior of the empire would be granted," she notes quietly

"You want lightweight protection that does not impair your movement," Xander points out. "Platinum zolk is best for that. If it can protect an airship against punctures and fire, it can protect your body. The thin armor inserts can absorb blunt impacts and be replaced easily."

"Emperor's made'a gold, son, the army ain't," says Quint. "'Sides, zolk don't cushion. Leather." Mercifully, the scarred lizard seems satisfied, and gets back up from his stoop, giving Umeko one last hearty smack on the bottom. "You're sized, soldier." The armorer turns away to stick his head into a barrel and begin rummaging.

Xander grumbles. "She's a warrior, not a soldier," he mutters.

"Ggnk," goes Umeko when her backside is swatted … but she regains her composure quick enough. She offers Xander an apologetic smile, at least. Rare for her. "Your concern for me is appreciated, Xander," she tells the buck.

"I just wish someone would take that concern seriously," the Lapi says with a sigh. "At least if you were fireproof I wouldn't have to worry about burning you by accident."

If Quint heard, he makes no indication, his forequarters buried in the barrel until he comes up with some leather pieces. They look already shaped, and supple, mostly finished. A few strokes of a bone needle and some sort of sinewy cords close the gaps, and he tosses the garment toward Umeko. "Put that on."

"I do," Umeko tells Xander and even taps his nose pad with a claw tip, "I know that you would never intentionally harm me." Absently her other hand snakes out and catches the garment. She takes a moment to look over the tunic. shedding her under layer of clothing now as well, she slips the padded tunic onto her torso. Her brow goes up with surprise on how well it actually fits her form, too.

Quint comes up with a pair of breeches to match. They're somewhat short, ending around mid-calf, and also padded, with a section in the seat opened for Kin to get her tail through. A few passes of the needle, and Quint breaks off the end of the sinew with his teeth and a sharp jerk of his head, and tosses the garment at Umeko, already turning away while they're in mid-air. "Under body. Now for the armor."

Umeko catches them out of the air and slips them onto her legs, mindful not to snag her talons on them. She ties the cinch at the upper point above her tail to anchor them firmly in place. "Zolk or not, this is not uncomfortable," she comments to Xander.

"That's just the padding though," Xander notes.

The leather under body amounts to a smooth and largely unbroken leather covering, form fitting from elbows to knees. By the time Umeko is dressed, Quint is hobbling back to her with all three arms laden with a jumble of chitin parts, which he dumps into a nearby bin, bringing his arms out with one particular jumble. "Hauberk," he says. "Hold your arms out." He's already stepped behind Umeko before he sees whether she's complied, hoisting the armor up with a rattle of chitin scales. "S'not heavy, should be fine for a reedy thing like you."

"Lithe," Xander corrects. "Or sinuous. Not reedy."

Umeko watches the reptile curiously when he returns with an armful or armor. At the instruction, she lifts her arms outward and waits. The comments about her being thin, though, show a start of irritation as her brow twitches slightly. She doesn't bother arguing the point again, though. "Scales to protect scales," she comments, "There is humor in that."

The coat of scales goes over Umeko's shoulders, but before he clasps it, he pulls a length of rough cloth around Kin's throat, and affixes it on the left side with an ironwood cloak pin with the army crest on it, letting the coat settle over her shoulders on it. The coat covers her upper arms and drapes down from her shoulders, clattering a bit but fairly supple. Quint secures it at the side with clasps, then kicks a stool close to squat on and comes up with another piece from the bin. "Leggings," he says. "Step in."

Umeko can't help but swallow when the cloth is pulled around her neck. It's not unpleasant, but the sensation of an almost collar-like effect is a bit unsettling and she makes a note to apologize to Lilac later. She shakes it off and then steps one leg into the offered leggings, tow-talons pulled together tightly to prevent snagging. Once that leg is in, her other quickly follows and slips into the leggings.

"I do hope you are watching," Umeko comments to Xander, "If I need to remove and re suit later, I expect your assistance."

Xander blinks. "Don't worry, I'll be able to get it off of you," he assures. Then adds, "And back on too."

The armorer lifts the leggings up when Umeko steps into them, the bristled scales smoothing out as the piece of armor is drawn snug and stretched to its full length. There's a belt built into the top, which Quint buckles into place, a firm yank squeezing a bit of air out of the Kiriga. Yet another belt goes over this… this one with a plate on the front, and more draped around the sides, layered to come down in a 'skirt' of sorts. "Tasset," says Quint, rapping his knuckle on the plates over Umeko's thigh. She can barely feel it, but the way the plates are joined, they don't seem as awkward as they might usually. The armorer is already busy around Umeko's feet now, and a shift of his tail sweeps the stool he was using over to her. "Sit. Greaves and boots."

"Grft," goes Umeko when she's suddenly finding herself forced to exhale a bit. Still, she's used to that at least, given how tight her obi was cinched when she was young to insure she never 'over ate'. She's absently tapping on the tassets and scales when the command to sit comes. It takes her a moment to figure out how, but she does manage to sit down on the stool. She looks at her clawed toes … and then wonders what sort of boots would fit those. "I feel like I'm in … what did you call it, Xander? Ah, yes, a corset," she comments to the Lapi.

"Different armor for different situations," Xander says. "The sort of social warfare that involves corsets is undoubtedly more dangerous than a straightforward battle of armies."

"Then do I require a corset around you?" Umeko asks Xander with a completely deadpan expression. Her brow arches expectantly.

"I should hope not," Xander says. "I'd definitely be fearing for my life in that sort of situation. When a woman wears a corset, it's a given that somebody is going to suffer for it later."

Quint answers Umeko's question with a strange kind of boot indeed. His third arm lifts each foot up by the calf, while his two remaining slip what seems more like a hard leather tube over Umeko's foot, up to the joint below her calf. Her toes stick out the end, where a chitin cap covers them, letting her claws poke out beneath. The ball of her foot rests on a thick leather sole that cushions it. The other boot is slipped on, and over her shins get buckled a pair of chitin plate greaves, her knees protected by round caps. He stands again. "Walk around in 'em while I get yer vambraces."

That elicits a small grin from Umeko. Right up until the boot goes on her foot. She gets to her feet carefully and takes several steps. With these … the Kiriga's expression darkens a bit. "They remind me of foot-binding, though not as tight," she comments a bit, well, when she goes neutral Xander should know by now it's usually a sign of displeasure. She's thankful it doesn't seem to throw her gait off much, at least. "My feet look like those of a Zelak's in these," she adds in afterthought.

"Nobody ever steps on the feet of a Zelak though," Xander points out. "Can you kick with them?"

The answer to that is staring Xander in the face a moment later. Three very sharp claws are mere inches from his nose. "Yes," Umeko answers as she lowers her foot back down. "They are not too restrictive."

Xander swallows his heart, and forces a smile. "Ah, yes. I wonder if the helmet will have a scary mask as well," he finally says.

Umeko actually winces when she notices Xander's discomfort. "Sorry," she tells him and her tone suggests she really means it. "I forget sometimes how unnerving I can be for your kind. I needed a target and … I should treat you better."

"Alright, enough quarrellings with yer nancy Lapi wife, soldier," says Quint. "Arms out to me."

"I didn't bolt," Xander replies, as if it isn't that big a deal. Sharp pointy things get thrown at his face all the time, his expression tries to convey.

Umeko holds out her arms to Quint. "He's a mage," she tells the armorer, "It is ill-practice to upset a mage."

"Aye, they get their robes in a bunch all the time. S'alright, they don't wear armor." The Rokuga claps a clamshell-like set of bracers over Umeko's forearms, somewhat manacle-like in the way they go on, but for the lack of a chain between them. "Alright, helm last."

The manacle-like sensation of the vambraces also unnerve the Kiriga a bit. Still, she has to think this can't be any worse than what Hakuu had planned for her. At the comment of the helm, she nods, saying, "Ready."

Coming up from a box, the helm seems the most ornamented part. Crafted though it is of chitin and ironwood, if one were to simply glance at it, it might look not unlike Umeko's own head. The snout is tapered, and the contour of the dome is sleek and curves back. Teeth are built along the lower end of the snout, a ferocious grin of ivory fitted into sockets. The visor has hidden hinges… when it is raised, Umeko's own eyes can peer out, and when it is lowered a series of slits allow her to see with somewhat less peripheral vision than she might be used to. Her ear fins are let out through gaps in the sides, but long spines grown from the chitin protect them like ribs. A leather drape covers the back of Umeko's neck, protecting it while letting her white hair spill out.

Umeko holds herself still as the helm is fitted over her head, the material cool and solid against her scales. It's the second time in so many days she's willingly been fitted with a mask of sorts. "Masked by the Emperor instead of masked by Hakuu," she thinks, "At least I choose what I see in this." She does wonder for a moment how tightly and complex the cinches are for this one too, and how quickly she could get it off if she needed to.

"Too bad you couldn't use Hakuu's mask again," Xander notes. "Not much matches tat for intimidation factor. Maybe a Light Mage is around who can reactivate it?"

"You are welcome to ask," Umeko notes to Xander, "But I thought you were concerned how it may affect me over time?"

"I figured a Light Mage could tell if it had any extra side effects like that," Xander notes.

"Do you want to try and have it reactivated, then?" Umeko inquires. "You know how to speak to a mage more so than I do."

A clunk echoes faintly through the helm as Quint slaps it, looking satisfied. "Yer girded for war, soldier. Your swords can fit through the belt under the tasset. There's a harness goes over your hauberk for your banner. Watch your tail, it's bare. Get up, move around, get used to it. Practice on some dummies if y'want."

"I would, if the mages here didn't scare me spitless," Xander admits.

Umeko dips her armored head to the reptile slightly. "I shall do so. Thank you for your time," she tells him as she retrieves her swords and slips them into place in her belt. To Xander, she asks, "Would you like me to go with you when you speak to them, then? Why do they scare you so and I do not?"

"You're younger than me for one thing," Xander says. "And… well, there are politics involved. All of these mages are Old Empire types who've probably never been to Caroban."

"And there are not politics in dealing with me?" Umeko points out as she starts towards the exit now.

Xander follows along, looking mostly at Umeko's tail since it's not covered in armor. "Are there?" he asks. "But these mages fought in the last big war, and survived. Dagh, some of them may have even been responsible for the attacks on the old Rephidim campus. They're Imperials first, mages second, and I'm not worthy to be squished by them in their minds, most likely. So… ah… I'll just avoid them for now if that's okay."

"You're also the Governess' personal mage," Umeko points out, "They would afford you enough respect to not outright kill you because of that." She also looks back to Xander and adds, "As for politics, well, yes. At some level there are always politics in dealing with a noble. You could be … well, I won't tell you what. It is better left to not think about. Come, I wish to get in some practice and work on my address to the soldiers."