It is early afternoon, Rephidim still visible behind the airship, though dwindling away in the distance. Through breaks in the clouds, the ground can be seen drifting by at what seems to be a slow, leisurely pace from this elevation.

Envoy leans waaaay out over the railing, trying to see as much as she can of the landscape far below.

Several Savanite ship hands tend to the deck work, while a black-furred Jupani captain taps his way along, one leg a wooden peg, and under one arm a wooden crutch. He also has a black patch over one eye … and a small winged lizard perched on his shoulder, which occasionally scrawks, "Anyroad! Anyroad!"

Zoltan strolls along the deck. He looks around, checking to see if there's anything useful he can do.

An old, fidgety fox shuffles along, wearing long black robes and a monacle in one eye, with a chain (constructed of tiny pieces of chiten) danging down and disappearing behind a tabard. He eyes the strange winged being with unconcealed interest, but, while spending a moment to regard her, decides to move along nonetheless.

Toward the fore of the deck, a Naga – a snake-like being with two arms and a humanoid torso, but with a lower body consisting of a long and twisting coil – continues chanting, occasionally scattering powders about himself, within the magical circle inscribed on the planks of the deck. His garments are black with silvery trim, adorned with many runes.

Envoy stands up straight again, and looks around the deck. So many things to see and learn on an airship! She goes over to watch a group of Savanites in the rigging, working on her understanding of their hand signs.

Zoltan avoids the Naga. Hmmph… so much for no magic on this trip.

A big burly wolf with long blond hair swaggers by, dressed in a leather vest and baggy trousers. He looks Zoltan up and down. "Ah. You stand up proud and tall, Vartan! Like the other guards! Like me!" He thumps himself on his sizeable chest, " – Phai'Baioh! Don't look wimpy-girlie."

Phai'Baioh pauses long enough to reach into a vest pocket, and pull out a small disc, which he snaps open. He gazes into the disk, turns his head one way and then the other, then whips out a chitin comb and adjusts his ever-so-slightly tousled hair. He snaps the disc shut again. He smiles and nods, and then swaggers along.

Zoltan grins! "Yark! Proud and tall!" He thumps his own chest.

Envoy hovers around the navigator, asking questions about the instruments and maps…

Oddly enough … they've got a Vykarin as a navigator. He rurs and rowrfs, clicks and pops his answers to Envoy has best he can, happily showing off his pride and joy, his work.

Envoy asks, in her limited Vykarin, how he keeps track of Rephidims ever-changing position…

Zoltan watches the wolf leave. Then his eyes catch a glimpse of something white and gold… with wings? Is this the Aeolun from the party last night?

There is a rapid thumping from belowdecks. A harried-looking fox dashes out. "Am I late? Am I late? I … Oh, nevermind." He snaps out a disc just like the one that Phai'Baioh was carrying, and adjusts his hair. A rabbit follows behind him, and dabs his cheeks with a powdery puffball, sending small clouds of white flying in the breeze. At last, the fox snaps the disc shut again, and walks the rest of the way up, checking the sword hanging at his belt. "Ah! All ready now. Isstan! Isstan – Oops. Sorry. You're casting a spell."

The Vykarin rowrphs back, showing a very complex chart of predictions of Rephidim's movements, but he manages to convey that these charts must be updated frequently, for they are no more accurate than prognostications about the weather.

Envoy notices the tiny mirrors. She wonders if there's a heliograph on the ship, and if the operator uses Vykarin or some other code for communication.

Envoy looks over the complicated charts, and asks the Vykarin navigator if they've ever tried using an electric spark as a radio beacon for the island.

Another fox – this one a vixen – comes up from belowdecks, tightening a shawl about her to keep out some of the chill – though surely if she had a more modest cut to the dress, that might not be quite so necessary. She glares at the muscle-bound wolf and the "swashbuckler" fox, and then looks about the deck, and spots Envoy with the navigator. She walks that way. "Hello. I don't believe we've met. Things were terribly disorganized for this expedition. I am Amelie Fireheart. And you are – ?"

Zoltan jams his hands in his pockets and walks up to Envoy and the Vykarin. ( Is that really her? What would a bard be doing on an exploration trip. ) The hippogryph ponders.

Envoy smiles, and offers her hand, "I am Envoy of Lothrhyn. I'm here as a linguist, mostly."

Meanwhile, the "swashbuckler" fox seems to take a curious interest in Zoltan. "Ah! A Vartan! I was afraid that we wouldn't have any more of those for a while after last time… "

"A linguist. How intriguing," the vixen smiles. Something about this seems to please her greatly, if her expression is a fair indicator. "Well, I hope you will enjoy your time aboard the Savan Queen. Fortunately, it won't be quite so long a journey, as Rephidim's wanderings have worked in our favor this time."

Zoltan nods to himself, that explains things.

Zoltan blinks at the fox, "Last time? What happens during last time?"

The swashbuckler fox sighs. "Well, they all DIED, that is. Terrible tragedy. W – Titus almost lost his life during that journey. It seemed that anything and everything was determined to fall apart."

Envoy says, "I hope there will still be time for me to learn all the functionings of this vessel. It is quite remarkable, don't you think?"

The vixen half-yawns, "Oh, I suppose so, if you're interested in that sort of thing. But, trust me, the novelty wears off after a few voyages."

Envoy says, "Are you a frequent traveller then?"

Zoltan rocks back and forth on his hooves. "Is try to nots let that happen this time, yes?"

"Yes, you can say that. – I notice that we have a different representative assigned from the Temple this time. I haven't had the urge to go speak to her belowdecks. Would you happen to have caught her name by any chance?" the vixen asks.

Envoy says, "I haven't been belowdeck yet. My travelling companion wasn't feeling well, so I thought it best to let her rest in the cabin alone."

"Oh yes – That must be the bat, yes? Well, flyers as they are, not all of them are suited to the sudden change to the relatively thin air once we leave Rephidim. I can't say I'm terribly fond of it, either," the vixen frowns.

Envoy says, "I find it very interesting. What do you think maintains the air pressure around the floating islands? There are many different pollens at this pressure."

The older scholarly-looking fox shuffles by again, looking fretful, scanning the horizon constantly, and almost bumping into Envoy and Amelie. "Oh! Excuse me, pardon me, sorry."

Envoy smiles to the elder fox. "Hello."

The vixen hmms. "Well, you might try asking the Professor here. I'm sure he could answer such questions far better than I. Professor Dron, might I introduce you to Lady Lothrhyn?"

Envoy curtseys to the professor.

The professor bows, the tip of his tail peeking out from behind his voluminous robes. "My pleasure, madame."

Envoy says, "Do you teach in Rephidim, Professor Dron?"

Yet another person emerges from belowdecks – a calico cat wearing a couple of round, dark-shaded glasses, and a rakishly-tipped beret, with a bandanna around his neck. He walks over to a chair on the deck, and plants himself down in it, his tailtip swishing back and forth.

"Well, Lady Lothrhyn, I occasionally do, but presently I have been applying my expertise to the study of ruins of the First Ones and other ancient cultures," the professor answers.

Zoltan thinks to himself, . o O ( Not many fliers on this ship. You'd think an airship would be packed with them. )

"Black ship ho!" cries out a wolf from up in the crow's nest. The crew immediately springs into action, rushing about the deck.

Envoy says, "How fascinating! Have you studied many ruins? Oh… what's a Black Ship?"

Zoltan erks as the crew goes racing around him.

Envoy's eyes light up. Something interesting is surely going on!

Far ahead and to the starboard side, breaking through a wall of clouds, can be seen another airship – and it certainly fits the description. A black zeppelin sails along, with tattered black sails, and numerous rods that protrude from the undercarriage like bony spines. Upon the main sail can be seen the only contrast in color … a stark white icon in the shape of a leering feline skull.

Zoltan rushes to a railing, trying to get a better look at the ship.

"Oh! Pardon me," says the professor, and he shuffles over toward the captain.

Envoy says, "My… I wonder how much that ship's skin expands and contracts over the course of a day?"

The peg-legged captain points out at the approaching vessel. "Aye. That be the ship of none other than Blackear the Pirate! We be in for it, for sure!"

Envoy hmms, that doesn't sound good. "Do we have a heliograph?" she asks the navigator.

The professor says, "Judging from the winds, our present velocity, and the likely maneuvering they will take in order to make an intercept course … " He quickly makes some calculations on an abacus. "I predict that we will have approximately six minutes until they are within firing range."

"Nay, sir," the crusty captain growls, "Blackear will wait until he kin see the whites of our chestruffs before he fires! He ne'er misses, and won't dare to break his record."

The Vykarin seems to be rather busy with his calculations and adjustments.

A couple more crewmembers come from belowdecks – a pair of black-furred foxes, wearing tall turbans on their heads, and voluminous robes that are rather bulky in the back. They set to work alongside the cheetahs.

The cat wearing the beret, still sitting in his chair, makes some sort of hand sign at the professor. Abruptly, the professor slips away, running back over by the navigator, while Phai'Baioh walks right up to where the professor stood.

The black ship draws closer. Something comes sailing through the air!

"Evasive maneuvers!" the wolf captain barks.

Too late – With a loud THWOCK, a spear imbeds itself in the wood of the deck … a long and spindly cord stretching from it back to the black ship, which is now close enough that a horde of pirates can be seen on the other deck.

Phai'Baioh puffs up his chest. "Let them come! They will taste cold chitin, and regret that they ever strayed from the light, into the darkness!"

The black ship is coming in much closer now. More spears fly across, with more lines, even while some of the cheetahs attempt to sever the cables that have already been shot across.

Envoy goes over to the tall Jupani. "I can use a bow, if you have one to spare."

Meanwhile, the Naga spellcaster is still weaving his spells, totally oblivious to the action around him.

"Ah! You are of a brave heart, but combat is not for womenfolk! Belowdeck – I will drive them off," the blonde wolf declares.

Suddenly the vixen dashes over to Phai'Baioh, clinging to him. "Oh, woe! We are doomed! We'll be all murdered, or worse – sold into slavery!" She looks as if she's about to swoon.

Phai'Baioh carresses the vixen's chin. "Fret not, my lady. So long as I am aboard this ship, you have nothing to fear!" With that, he steps away, and draws his shining sword, which glistens in the light. "Have at you, foul scum of the skyways!"

Envoy blinks. She goes over to examine the connection of the cord to the harpoon…

Pirates begin to scramble across the cables, even as the Black Ship comes closer to the point that the airbags are pressing against each other, causing the decks to rock. The vixen stumbles and staggers away, gasping and calling out, while the blonde wolf retains his heroic stance. Abruptly, he turns and walks toward the cabin, while the swashbuckler fox charges the incoming pirates. "Yah! Have at you, foul scum of the skyways!" he repeats.

At once, there is a ring of chitin against chitin, as pirates fight with the ship's defenders. One of the turbaned foxes swings a huge scimitar that looks far too heavy for him. He buckles over, though, gasping in pain, then staggers back and falls over the railing. "AIIIEEEeeeeeeeee!"

All about, the combatants – the defenders in light colors, the pirates all dressed in black – exchange blows. Despite the criminal scum that these pirates must be, they DO manage to die rather dramatically, and can manage a few fancy sword flourishes to boot.

"Oh! Help! Help me!" the vixen cries out, putting her hands to her face, as a cackling feline pirate slowly advances on her. "Aha! There's nowhere for you to escape NOW, my pretty!" He's a bit hunchbacked, with big bulky shoulderpads and a heavy cloak, with a nasty scar stretching across his face.

"Die, pirate scum!" the fox calls out, as he lashes at a rope, then grabs on it, and swings clear across the deck, bringing his boots to bear on the feline pirate's rump. "Yiiiiiiii!" cries the cat as he goes flying overboard. A couple of other pirates close in, swords drawn, one on each side of the heroic fox.

Despite the obvious danger, the vixen pecks her hero on his cheek. "My hero!"

Envoy blinks at all the chaos and fighting around her, unsure of what to do…

A surly-looking cat with a patch over one eye dashes up to Envoy, chitin blade drawn and pointed at her. "Arrrr!" he says, with conviction.

The pirate is dressed all in black, with really big leather shoulderpads (big the point of looking unwieldy) and a big billowing black cloak – popular among the feline attackers. He also seems to have a back problem as well.

Envoy says to the charging pirate, "You really should have waited until we were on our way back, loaded with treasure… " Then she screams in his face at as high a pitch as her two voices can manage.

"Aieeee!" screams the pirate, as he staggers backward, his sword flailing about blindly. He accidentally pokes one of his comrades, who cries out "OW!" then gasps, clutching at his gut, and starts moaning. "Ahhhhhh!" He staggers to the railing and collapses. "GAH!" With that he wheezes and falls back with a thud, eyes staring into space as he makes a loud death rattle.

Meanwhile, the partially deafened feline pirate staggers over toward the railing as well, and bumps into it. "Aieeeee!" he cries out, as he falls backwards, arms flailing. He looks down. He seems to have his cloak snagged on something.

Envoy blinks. "Oh… sorry." She picks up the fallen pirate's sword though, and starts hacking on the nearest grappling cord.

The sword bounces back from the cord. It doesn't seem to be making any progress whatsoever.

*RIP!* "Aieeeeee!" The feline pirate falls off the edge. A scrap of torn cloth and a couple of feathers lie on the deck where he was just a moment ago.

Envoy eyes the feathers. The bulges on the pirates' backs must be parasails or something…

Envoy leans over the railing to see what happened to the other pirate.

The feathers are brown and black, and are soon blown away by the wind.

Over the railing, Envoy can catch a glimpse of the falling pirate. His cloak and shoulderpads fly off … and a pair of dark wings snap out! He soars along, disappearing into the cloud layer.

Envoy says, "Uh oh… "

Envoy dives over the rail, spreading her own wings. She then tries to climb above the airships to see what's going on…

"At last we meet!" bellows out a deep voice from the main deck. "Bwah ha ha!"

In the middle of the deck stands a big white rat, with a single black ear. One hand ends in a hook, and he wears a pair of massive leather boots and a massive black hat with the skull and crossbones on it. "Arrr! You don't stand a chance now, Lord Titus! And is this the lovely Amelie Fireheart? Bwah ha ha! She'll be MINE now!"

From Envoy's point of view, she can see the two zeppelins pressing against each other, and some more swordfighting going on, over on the Savan Queen. The swordfighters seem to be keeping clear of the spellcasting snake. Also … in retrospect, it seems that the only ones who have a tendency to fall overboard are those turban-wearing foxes and the overdressed cats.

Envoy recognizes the cats as being Solus… but she never heard of a flying fox. She heads for the big black gasbag…

Zoltan knocks a pair of the pirates out of his way… trying to get to Envoy.

Having heard of one or not, there's one of the foxes now! Or, rather … it's a foxish-looking bat. He's hovering over the zeppelins. "Hey! Hey, what are you doing up here?"

Envoy pauses, and looks at the bat… "I was going to slice open the pirate's gasbag."

The bat cries out, "Ahhh! Nononono, are you CRAZY? What in the – " He soars closer.

Envoy says, "They'll have to stop fighting then, or lose both ships."

"Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear! Please, come follow me, will you? I think we have to straighten something out and quick… " the black bat frets.

Envoy blinks, and follows the bat.

Zoltan looks up at Envoy and the bat from the railing. Should he follow? Or help on the deck?

The bat soars down to the Black Ship deck … where there are several Solus and "foxes" sitting there, guzzling ale, occasionally pointing at the other ship and laughing as someone goes tumbling off the edge. They see the bat and the – thing – fly up, and start waving.

Envoy blinks as she lands on the deck. "This is all… for pretend?"

Meanwhile, back on the Savan Queen, the exchange between Blackear and "Titus" continues … except that the one that the poodle isn't anywhere to be seen. It's the big blonde wolf now who is exchanging barbs with the rat pirate captain.

Zoltan watches Envoy get taken prisoner by the bat!

The black bat groans. "Guys, guys – She thought she was supposed to rip the gasbag! What is going ON here?"

Envoy thinks of the cut-open pirate she got the sword from. "Oops."

Zoltan leaps off the railing, he flaps after Envoy.

One of the dark-winged Solus sizes up Envoy. "Hmm. Want a drink?" He offers Envoy a mug. "Ripping the gasbag would be a real bad idea."

Envoy accepts the mug and has a sip. "So… what is this all about?"

"You aren't the love interest, are you?" a second bat asks. "If you are, you'd better hurry back before it's time for 'Lord Titus' to rescue you. But I thought the interest was supposed to be a fox… "

Envoy says, "Is it… a tea party? I'm the linguist… "

Zoltan dives for the deck of the pirate ship! "YEAAAAUUUUGHHH!"

"Linguist?" another Solus muses. "I don't remember reading that in the – AUUUUGGGGHH!"

Envoy looks up, "Hey! Hi Zoltan!"

Mugs of ale go flying, as the "retired" pirates scramble to get clear of the incoming Vartan.

Zoltan tackles the bat! *WHOMP*

Zoltan screeches, "Run Aeolun! I holds them off!"

"Aieeee!" cries out the bat. "Stop! STOP IT! We're the dead ones, bottles-for-brains!"

Envoy says, "I don't think they're really pirates, Zoltan… "

Zoltan blinks, he pokes at the bat. "You no looks dead."

The others regain their wits enough to try to pry at Zoltan. "Hey! Let off of Squeaky. I think they must have really botched up this time in hiring."

The second bat nods. "I know Titus was really set on getting some more Vartans. Must have been a rush job."

Envoy takes a closer look at her 'sword', taking the tip in one hand and trying to bend it.

Zoltan rowrs! He flapflaps his wings, trying to keep the others off.

The sword is duller than a butter knife. And while it's not by any means floppy, it is far more flexible than chitin should be.

The not-so-brave rescuers of the first bat scatter back. One grabs a stool, holding it up as a shield as he crouches beside the table. "Uhm … Nice birdie! Nice birdie!"

The hippogryph presses his beak against the bat's nose. "You explain!"

Envoy says, "Hey, Zoltan, look! The swords are just toys… "

Envoy offers her sword up to the Vartan.

"Squeaky" gulps. "Uhm … you want to talk over a drink? I think the battle should be winding down by now. You aren't playing an important role, are you? They might need you back on the 'Queen'… "

Zoltan looks at the sword.

The sword is pretty much as Envoy describes – too well crafted for a 'toy', though. More a costume prop, though a fairly nice one at that. In fact, a bit fancy for a pirate to be wielding.

Zoltan squawks, "ROLE?!?" His feathers puff up. "You means this not real?"

Envoy goes to the railing to look across to the Savan Queen.

Envoy says, "It's a tea party… "

"Hey, hey," Squeaky says, "Of COURSE it's real. It's just … ah … uhm … Hey, my vocabulary failed me, guys? Help?"

One of the Solus says, with a flourish, "It's simply enhanced reality."

Envoy turns back, "Do you have a fake Gooshurm on board too?"

"Yeah!" Squeaky nods. "That's it!" He looks to Envoy. "Uhm. No, but we had a trained one, last time. We had a lot of trouble with it, though. It kept slurping Flynt and the Professor … and the babe, too."

Zoltan blinks, "Tea Party?" He presses his beak against Squeaky's nose again. "This all just hatchling game of lets pretend?"

Envoy blinks. "Is the Professor a real professor?"

Squeaky blinks. "Of course! That's why they have him step in for Titus when he has to talk real smart-like. He really knows his stuff."

Zoltan climbs off the bat. He scoots backwards a bit on the deck. He folds his arms against his chest and gets a sort of 'I'm not budging' look about him.

Zoltan grumbles.

The "pirates" phew, as they help up the bat, and put the table back up. They help themselves to a tapped keg, and fill up their mugs again. "Want some?" one of the Solus offers a mug.

Envoy frowns, "I don't get it. Who is this all for?"

"Hey! Hey, guys!" Another bat comes along the side, looking through a spyscope. "It's the Big Duel to the Death! Heads up! Don't want to miss this one."

Zoltan snatches the mug, still scowling.

Envoy sets her mug aside. One sip was enough for her.

( Never, ever, ever trust a poodle. ) O o . Zoltan thinks to himself.

Back on the Savan Queen, it looks as if the blonde wolf is about to engage the rat in a swordfight … and then suddenly he steps back, and the swashbuckler fox takes his face. Someone can be heard shouting "Action!" Suddenly, there is a clash of blades, as they fight back and forth, leaping up onto obstacles, swinging around, spinning around in totally useless but dramatic-looking flourishes, and generally making as action-packed a swordfight as one could hope for.

Zoltan chugs the contents of his mug in one gulp. He needs it.

Envoy looks to Zoltan, "I wonder who else doesn't know it was for pretend?"

Zoltan scrawks to Envoy, "You bat friend on boat?"

Squeaky shrugs. "Someone's gonna get a spankin' THIS time. I'd hate to think how we'd handle the ship going down. 'Course, it wouldn't matter as much to me as the ground-bounders."

Envoy says, "She was belowdecks."

"Ground-bounders?" roars a wolf. "Aha! That's the last straw, Squeaky! I'm gonna get you now!" With that, the wolf pokes his finger at the bat. A stream of red shoots from the bat's gut, where his hand is clutching. "Auuuuuuuugh! I'm DYING!" the bat squeaks, while the others guffaw.

Envoy blinks, then goes wide-eyed!

Zoltan's eyes go wide! His mug falls from his hand as he just STARES at the bat.

Squeaky starts laughing, and holds up a little pouch, which still drips red. "Fooled ya!"

Zoltan growls, "That NOT FUNNY!"

Envoy says, "Where did you get the blood from?"

There's a scream from the other ship. Another bat points, "Hey, guys … I didn't know the Love Interest was supposed to fall overboard. She hasn't got wings or anything, huh?"

Envoy goes over to look at the pouch.

The bat points at a falling figure.

Envoy looks to Zoltan, "She doesn't have wings."

Zoltan pauses… is this just another pretend game? He glances at Envoy, then back down at the fox… and LEAPS off the deck, diving after the falling vixen.

"Hey – Don't look at ME," one of the bat protests. "I can't carry someone that big!" A Solus protests, "Hey – I'd strain my wings." "Not in my contract," says another.

Envoy leans over the railing to watch the rescue attempt. "Did Amelia know about the play?"

There are several sighs of relief as the Vartan dives off. "Whew! Think he'll need any help?" "Nah."

The vixen hurtles through the air, disappearing into the dense cloud cover below.

Meanwhile, on the Savan Queen, the blonde wolf runs to the edge of the deck, looking like he's about to dive off. "I'll save you!" he cries. Suddenly, he's tackled by several "dead" pirates. "Idiot! You can't FLY!" "Oh."

Zoltan shoots through the clouds after the vixen. ( At the very least… if this is just another pretend game… maybe I'll spoil it for them. ) He muses to himself.

As the two plummeting forms break through the clouds again, the expression on the fox is awfully convincing. And there's no WAY she's hiding a pair of wings or a parachute or any such in that dress of hers.

Zoltan squawks down to the fox, hoping she can hear. "Hold out you arms and legs! Will slow fall! I catch you!"

Zoltan hugs his wings tightly against him, trying to get as streamlined as he can. He shoots downward like an arrow.

The vixen's legs and arms are already flailing about, the folds of her dress catching the air. "BlastthatgoodfornothingboneheadedPhai'Baioh!" she shrieks.

In a moment … the vixen is within reach of the darting Vartan.

Zoltan grabs up the vixen. He oofs as her dress smacks him.

The Vartan's wings snap open as he tries to level off.

The vixen gasps as the breath is knocked out of her. After a bit to recover, she wraps her arms around her rescuer. "My hero!" she swoons, then blinks. "Waitaminute. You're not – Oh!" She blinks, then gives the Vartan a peck on the cheek. "You'll do JUST fine as my hero."

Zoltan grumbles as he flies back upwards. "Where you wants land? On you ship or black one?"

The vixen groans. "Oh no. Isstan is going to make SUCH a fuss. He hates messy edits. Uhm … the black ship first, until they decide what to do." She already sounds calm, almost business-like in her demeanor, despite her recent predicament.

"My, what strong arms and wings you must have! We're almost back already," the vixen observes.

Zoltan continues flapping upwards. Back up through the cloud bank and towards the black ship.

Back on the deck of the black ship, the "deceased" cheer and hoot and applaud as Zoltan comes back in sight.

Within Envoy's hearing, one of the bats comments, "Haw! I'd just like to see how they're going to manage to fit Titus into THIS one!"

Envoy waves! "Hi Amelia. Are you pretending too?"

Zoltan lands on the deck of the "pirate" ship. He drops the vixen out of his arms rather abruptly.

"OOF!" The vixen glowers back up at her rescuer. "Hey! Careful with the merchandise!"

Zoltan just harumphs. He plops back down on the deck… this time a bit closer to that ale keg.

The vixen stands back up, kicking off her one remaining high-heel shoe. "Grrrr. He's going to have to pay EXTRA for this, or I walk," she mumbles, as she stomps over and grabs a mug of ale, guzzling it, and then wiping her mouth in a /most/ unladylike manner.

"Hey!" protests a brown-winged Solus. "That's MY drink!"

"Here," the vixen hands back the empty mug. "You can have it back now."

Envoy thinks about the fox and wolf preening in their hand mirrors, and the rabbit putting on makeup. "Who is watching this play?"

Amelie hmphs. "New, I see. I guess they didn't fully explain it to you, did they? They've been getting sloppier about that lately."

"They not explain at ALL!" Zoltan grumps.

Envoy blinks, "Nobody told me anything about a pretend pirate attack… "

She looks back to the Savan Queen, where the snake mage is bouncing and writhing around, shaking his fists, and generally looking as if he's throwing a tantrum. "Well, safe to say that the show's over for now." She turns back toward the Vartan. "Hmm." She boots a bat out of the way and takes a seat.

Envoy asks one of the bats, "Is that a real fox tail?"

Zoltan scoops up his dropped mug and fills it to the brim from the cask.

A bat flutters over, landing on the black ship deck. "Hey, guys! Major rewrite. We're going to have to take a break while the brain-bender works on another spell, but he has some notion in his noggin' as to how to 'fix' the problem."

Envoy blinks. "The Naga mage was magically recording all of this?"

The red-brown bat points at Zoltan. "Okay, you're now a pirate, okay? We'll get you a costume. The deal is, you were trying to snatch away the vixen. They'll just edit it so he was looking the other way when it happened."

The vixen nods to Envoy. "Yes. The Professor, Phai'Baioh and Aero Flynt all play the role of Titus, depending upon what it calls for. Oh yes, and there's the stunt double, too, but we have a lot of turnover in that position."

Zoltan gulps from his mug. He suddenly sputters at the word "mage", then sputters a bit more at the bat's words.

Zoltan scrawks, "I gots one question first. Titus say I gets lots of shinies at end of this all. That pretend too?"

"You see," Amelie says, getting into a tone that sounds as if this explanation is rehearsed, "it's quite innovative, really. Some persons are heroic and dashing at heart, but with wealth comes responsibility – all the functions to attend, all the estates to manage – you know. Day-to-day life. No time to go adventuring and saving the known world."

"And all that day-to-day bother is just NOT of much interest for party talk. So some persons pay to have others to go on their adventures FOR them – They pay well, in exchange for the rights to the experiences, you see," Amelie adds, not yet answering the Vartan.

Envoy blinks three times.

"It used to be that we'd just do a few explorations, but Titus wanted something a little more … exciting. So that's how we came up with the 'reality enhancement' idea," the vixen adds, as if this were all perfectly reasonable.

Envoy rubs the edge of her muzzle with a finger. Where'd she get that habit? "So… what do you do when you aren't playing pretend?"

Zoltan begins to agitatedly preen his left wing. Little bits of gray fluff start floating about in the air.

Envoy says, "And what happens if real pirates or some other ship shows up while you're playing?"

"The Professor stands in when it's time to say something brilliant. Phai'Baioh is Mister Braun and Body – and The Voice. Aero Flynt does all the acrobatics and sword-swinging. Red is our current stunt double." The vixen blinks at Envoy. "Well, we eventually get around to actually investigating the ruins. I'm an expert in this field, after all … " she then sighs. "But, you see, this … supplements the income significantly. We couldn't get funding otherwise."

Envoy ohs…

"Real pirates? Well … uhm … " the vixen shrugs. "I don't handle that part."

Envoy says, "So, Titus isn't really leading this expedition… he just pays for your expedition, and gets a story out of it in exchange?"

The vixen props an elbow on the table. "Well, legally … he IS leading the expedition. He has full rights to the experiences, after all. The memories, after a bit of editing, become his. So, he IS living it, I suppose. In a strange mystical sort of way."

Amelie grumbles, "I wish I could live MY life with all the edits I wanted… "

"The Professor stands in when it's time to say something brilliant. Phai'Baioh is Mister Braun and Body – and The Voice. Aero Flynt does all the acrobatics and sword-swinging. Red is our current stunt double." The vixen blinks at Envoy. "Well, we eventually get around to actually investigating the ruins. I'm an expert in this field, after all … " she then sighs. "But, you see, this … supplements the income significantly. We couldn't get funding otherwise."

Envoy ohs…

"Real pirates? Well … uhm … " the vixen shrugs. "I don't handle that part."

Envoy says, "So, Titus isn't really leading this expedition… he just pays for your expedition, and gets a story out of it in exchange?"

The vixen props an elbow on the table. "Well, legally … he IS leading the expedition. He has full rights to the experiences, after all. The memories, after a bit of editing, become his. So, he IS living it, I suppose. In a strange mystical sort of way."

Amelie grumbles, "I wish I could live MY life with all the edits I wanted… "

Envoy blinks. "He won't take my memories too, will he?"

Zoltan hmphs.

Amelie laughs. "Oh no! I don't think he would plan on remembering himself in a dress. That WOULD be hilarious, though… "

Zoltan's ears shoot back, "He take mine, then?"

"Don't worry, though – I assure you – I'll stake my reputation on it – that the City of Hands is real. I KNOW it! We are SO close this time… " She glances back to the Vartan. "No, I don't think so. Didn't the bat say they're going to have you be a pirate for this scene? Oh – Here they come now. That must be your costume."

Zoltan doesn't budge from his seat on the deck.

A couple of wolves come up with a garish, frilly costume suited for a large winged occupant. "Best we could find on short notice," one of them shrugs.

Envoy nods. "That's good. I want to talk to the buildings there."

"I give up games of pretend long ago. I not start again now." The hippogryph scrawks.

Envoy says, "You get paid extra though, Zoltan."

The vixen blinks, then giggles. "Oh yes. I forgot – You're a linguist." She turns to the Vartan. "Oh, come now! I'm sure it won't take long. Yes, and you'll get paid extra, since this means you will be in a semi-starring role."

Envoy says, "So… does the mage have an ansible he records things to, or do each of the people playing Titus have one?"

Amelie flutters her eyelashes. "Well … I'm afraid I'm not exactly well-versed on the particulars. Magic just isn't my … thing."

Zoltan hrmphs, "Is pay pretend too? I already been lie to once."

Envoy nods.

"Pay? Hmph! It's certainly real, I assure you. I wouldn't be here otherwise," the vixen rolls her eyes.

Zoltan holds his hand out towards the frilly pirate costume, motioning for the people holding it to hand it over.

The wolves hand over the red jacket and the frilly white shirt and the big boots … and the skull-and-crossbones hat.

"You can probably skip the fake hook-hand," one wolf offers.

The other wolf nods, "And the fake mustache is definitely out."

Envoy says, "So what will Zoltan do? Is he going to get killed?"

"Well, yes," the vixen says, "I suppose. Not for REAL, you know." She turns toward Zoltan. "How good are you at dramatic death scenes? Oh, just keep it easy, and roll over and play dead when he pokes you. That should be simple enough. No need to go overboard."

Zoltan begins systematically pulling bits of lace and ribbon off the costume. He's not shredding it to pieces, just making it a great deal LESS frilly.

"Places!" a voice cries out. The "dead" pirates scramble. The wolves scramble, too, one pausing to cringe at the damage, but not willing to stop to protest.

Envoy says, "These other pirates went overboard when they died though."

Zoltan dons his new outfit.

The vixen hands Zoltan a fake blade, and stands up next to him. "Okay, grab me like you're holding me hostage, but when he swings across, get into an action pose. Just act natural, and roll over when you get poked."

Envoy says, "I guess I should be out of the way. I don't look like a pirate or a Love Interest."

On the other side, a nervous-looking fox in a costume similar to the swashbuckler's stands on the railing, holding a rope (suspended by who-knows-what). "Action!" someone cries out, and the fox lets out a loud yell as he swings across, between the ships. The vixen leans over to Envoy. "Good idea. Best hide!"

Zoltan scoops up the blade, and bends down to pick up the vixen. He throws her over his shoulder.

Amelie gasps! Her legs kick. "Oh! Help! Help me! SAVE me, Lord Titus!"

Envoy hides behind a barrel of ale.

Zoltan sighs, he holds the blade out rather limply.

The fox swings over, his yell sounding more like a scream. That must be something they'll edit out. Also, he's pretty short. Only 4 feet tall. "I'll save you!" he squeaks, wobbling on the railing.

The other fox, having crossed a bit ago, steps up. "I'll save you!" he cries out, more convincingly, as he puts out his blade. "Unhand her at once, foul cretin!"

Meanwhile, the short fox on the railing scrambles down and dashes away and out of sight.

Zoltan reorients on the other fox. He's never used a sword before, and tries to imitate the swinging motions he saw the others use. The results are almost comical, and he nearly drops the vixen.

The swashbuckler stifles a sigh, and deliberately intercepts most of the swings. *Crash* *Clang* *Boing* *Clash*

At last, the swashbuckler pokes Zoltan in the gut. It looks like … the sword goes right in! Zoltan doesn't feel a thing, though, from the foil, except for it pressing against his gut.

"Ya!" Flynt cries, drawing back his blade, which quickly springs back to full length. He averts his eyes from where there should be blood spilling out (as there is none), instead keeping his gaze on the Vartan and his hostage.

Envoy whispers loudly from behind the barrel, "Fall down now, Zoltan!"

Zoltan glances downwards… then remembers his instructions. He neatly plops to the ground, dropping the vixen on the deck again.

The vixen hops up, and runs to the "heroic" fox. "Oh! Lord Titus! You've SAVED me!" *SMOOCH* (swoon)

"CUT!" comes a cry from the other ship. "Okay, that's a wrap! The Vartan needs a bit of work, but good job for a first-timer, eh?"

Zoltan sits back up and starts peeling the pirate clothes off.

A couple of Solus pat the Vartan on the back. "Great job!" "Yeah. First rate!"

Zoltan just sits and fumes. He's gotten very good at that.

Envoy says, "What do you do with this airship between… performances?"

The "pirates" get back to the black ship, while the "deceased crew members", miraculously regenerated, get back to the Savan Queen.

"Extra supplies," the vixen says, as she is helped back over to the other ship.

Envoy ohs. "Very clever."

The swashbuckler fox offers Envoy a hand. "Back to the Savan Queen?"

Envoy takes the fox's hand, "I suppose so."

Zoltan pulls himself off the deck and trudges back to the Queen.

Aero Flynt smiles and leads Envoy back, where the crew is busily cleaning up the mess, and scrubbing any traces of fake blood from the woodwork. The wizard snake is fuming, scribbling notes furiously from his rune circle.

Envoy eyes the mage. Perhaps he doesn't have an ansible afterall.

Zoltan stomps off to his cabin, he brushes past a female Jupani on his way to the hatch leading belowdecks.

Esther pulls herself up out of the hatch by a railing. She is almost pushed over by the gloomy Vartan. She casts a sour look behind her, then walks on.

The cat with the beret and the dark spectacles sits to one side of the cabin door. "Good morning, Inquisitrix – You missed the fun!"

Envoy blinks at the she-wolf. "I know her!" She leaves Aero's side and waves, calling, "Hey, Esther!"

Esther walks briskly over to the cat. "This is not my idea of fun, Rock. As far as I'm concerned it's a waste of valuable resources."

Esther hears someone shout her name, and sees Envoy. She tries not to notice her for the time being, setting her jaw firmly.

The cat shrugs. "Hey. We have to make a living somehow… "

Esther says, "That doesn't mean I have to like it. Is the ship and crew still in order?"

Envoy trots up to the wolf, and waits until she's done talking to the cat.

"Nope. Nothing to speak of. Fuzz-for-brains – Er, I mean, Phai'Baioh knocked Fireheart overboard, but a Vartan saved her," the cat says.

Esther smirks. "Heh. Always with the pretty boys." She continues. "Very well. I see you're already cleaning up, so I'll let you go about your business. Hopefully the scientists can get back to theirs."

Rock stands. "Hey. We just do it for the sake of science, you know," the cat grins, peeking over his spectacles for a moment to raise his eyebrows. He folds his collapsible stool, and heads back down into the cabin.

Esther turns to Envoy. "Hello, Envoy." Her voice seems strained. "Strange you being here."

Envoy blinks, "Really? Where did you go to? I haven't seen you since you squirmed down that air duct."

Esther barks, a little too loudly, "Don't talk about that!" Then more quietly, "You got me in enough trouble the first time."

Envoy smiles, "Inquisitor Melchizedek thought this expedition would be good for me. Vielanika is here too!"

Envoy smiles, "I'm coming along to talk to the buildings. How did I get you into trouble?"

Envoy says, "You know, when I mentioned it to Inquisitor Moffat, he thought I was mentally unbalanced?"

Esther says, "I was trying to keep you a secret from the rest of the Temple, so you wouldn't be manhandled the way you Exiles routinely are. Then you started screaming a bunch of nonsense."

Envoy nods. "Lord Verdigris wanted me thrown into a pit because of that."

Esther says, "Moffat doesn't have your interests at heart, believe you me."

Esther snaps, "And DON'T tell him I said that. Or he'll throw us both into a pit somewhere."

Envoy says, "I'm interested in all sorts of things though. I'm not supposed to go back to the Temple."

Envoy glances around, then whispers to Esther, "You wouldn't happen to know any secret entrances to the Temple, would you?"

Esther sighs, pulling Envoy aside. "You really are too innocent for your own good, Envoy."

Esther blinks. "Why do you need to know that?"

Envoy smiles, "I need to get back inside, so I can talk to the computer again. I don't need the helmet though, just the connecting cable."

Esther says, "Talk to what? I don't understand."

Envoy says, "The shipmind that lives in the Temple, from when it was a starship."

Esther scowls, searching her memories from the days of her initiation into the Priesthood. "You mean the Spirit of Rephidim? You can talk to it with your mind?"

Envoy blinks, "Is that its name? I talked to it when you put the helmet on me."

Esther steps back, looking away and holding her mouth. "This… this is too much. A star-ship? A computer? That speaks through the helmet? I don't know what you mean exactly."

Esther looks across at the black airship. Then at the sky. "No… surely it couldn't be!"

Envoy sighs, "Nobody at the Temple seems to want to hear about it."

Esther takes Envoy by the arm. "I want to hear it. Please, please tell me all about it." She begins to steer Envoy toward the hatch, and her cabin.

The last of the mooring cables are set loose, and the black ship pushes away, amidst many shouts and hoots. It drifts away, leaving the Savan Queen free to continue its voyage to the land of its namesake.