A few Zelaks stand watch by one of the Temple's smallest airships, the flyer Glorious Wildfire.

Following a slightly different-looking Zelak than the official Temple ones, Envoy and Chiaroscuro approach the waiting airship.

Roho walks down the docks, munching a piece of fruit. One of the strongest things in his memory from Paradys was how little fresh fruit they had aboard the ship…

A young Rath'ani, loaded down by a rather bulky-looking pack, wanders down the docks, peering at each airship as he passes.

One of Temple Zelaks clacks to Bem, the other two staying still at their posts. On the ship's deck, a few Jupani and Savanites are busy making last minute preparations.

Envoy looks over the airship. It seems to be even smaller than the one she went sky-island chasing on some time ago.

Chiaroscuro adjusts a small pack to set on his shoulders, looking at the airship. "I think this is the right one… Miriam said to find the 'Blaze of Glory'."

Roho hears Chiaroscuro up ahead, and quickens his pace to join up with them.

Bem clacks back to the Guards, telling them (presumably) who is with him and what their purpose here is.

Envoy looks across the hull until she sees the registry. "This is the Glorious Wildfire, is that close enough?"

The temple Zelak clacks, and then says in Common, "Enter." He and the other guards step back one pace neatly, allowing access the gangplank.

Mircus finally nears where he's going; or at least where he thinks he's going, if he remembers the directions right. Readjusting the pack's strap, he shrugs and heads for the nearest ship; one of them has to be the right one.

Chiaroscuro nods to Envoy. "Apparently so… " He starts walking up the gangplank, balancing easily on the board.

Envoy and Bem follow the mongoose aboard, with the Zelak carrying the bulk of Envoy's supplies (mostly paper and lots of ink).

Roho reaches the gangplank, and calls up, "Is this the right ship?"

Envoy looks over the railing to Roho, "Hello Roho!"

"Halt, citizen," a Zelak says to Roho. "Present identification before boarding vessel."

Roho hisses his breath out through his teeth in annoyance, "Er, I don't have any." He calls up to Envoy, "Hey, Envoy! Can you come vouch for me?"

Chiaroscuro turns around, and spots Roho at the gangplank's start. "Hello, Roho! Yes, you are at the right ship."

Roho nods, "I know, but I don't have any ID. Miriam didn't tell me to bring any!"

Envoy chatters something to the Guard at the foot of the gangplank, "Official healer/herbalist/sniffer recruited by Temple."

The guard clacks back to Envoy, "Identity must be certified before entry. "

The Rath'ani cranes his neck to get a good look at the name on the hull ("Glorious Wildfire"). That might be the right one. Once closer, he waits, fidgeting, for a lull in the shouted conversation to get a question in edgewise.

Envoy hmms, and calls to Roho, "Did Miriam give you anything at all, or at least touch you somewhere?"

Roho holds out his palm to the Zelak, "She touched this hand, lightly… "

Envoy asks the Zelak to confirm Miriam's scent-mark.

The Zelak chatters out something to another Zelak, who steps forward and takes Roho's paw in his claws, raising the paw up to its face. After a few moments, it lets go, and clacks back to the 'speaker' Zelak.

The speaker Zelak rasps, "Enter.", and the guards part away from the gangplank.

Roho sighs and steps up the gangplank. Like he looks like a saboteur…

Envoy hugs Roho once he reaches the deck! "Sorry about that. Not all Zelaks are as considerate or observant as Bem."

Roho starts slightly at the hug, and returns it briefly, "Thanks for helping me get out of that… who is Bem?"

Mircus, glancing around while the conversation passed, misses catching the Zerda going up the ramp. Oh well, "Hellooo the ship!" he calls. "Is this the ship headed to Little Rephidim West?" Maybe someone else knows…

Chiaroscuro disappears belowdecks with his equipment, trying to find the cabin.

"Oh, he's my Zelak bodyguard," Envoy explains. The Zelak in question is quiet at the moment, as his mouthparts are occupied with a vermite he quickly caught near a barrel.

Envoy leans in closer to the Zerda and whispers, "Just don't mention anything about my 'mission' to him, okay? He gets an attitude if you do."

A Zelak at the gangplank turns to look at Mircus. "Information classified.", it rasps.

Envoy looks over the railing to the Rath'ani, "Did Miriam send you?"

Mircus looks from the Zerda to the… winged unicorn? on the ship. Ignoring for the moment the unhelpful Zelak, he nods, "The Venerable Officer? Yep! Is this the right ship then?" Grinning, he takes a step towards the gangplank.

"Halt, citizen.", the Zelak says to Mircus. "Present identification before boarding vessel."

Envoy nods to the raccoon, "Yeah, you just have to give the Zelak something with Miriam's scent on it."

Mircus stops and peers at the Zelak, looking faintly surprised, "Identification? What identi… Scent? Uhhh… "

The Zelaks wait motionlessly.

Fumbling through his pouches, the Rath'ani finally comes up with some rolled papers. "She gave me this map. That work?" He offers the papers hesitantly to the Zelak, ready to snatch them away again if they should be in danger of being crushed…

Envoy glances towards the deck hatch, but doesn't see Chipper reappear. On such a small vessel, it shouldn't take too long to find cabins though… unless they are all expected to share one.

The Zelak chatters out something to another Zelak, who steps forward and bends down to look at the maps. After a few moments, it lets go, and clacks back to the 'speaker' Zelak.

The speaker Zelak rasps, "Enter.", and the guards part away from the gangplank.

Carefully replacing the maps in a pouch, the young cartographer cheerfully thanks the Zelak (not like it'll respond) and starts carefully up the gangplank onto the ship.

Envoy waves to the Rath'ani as he boards. "Hello, I'm Envoy, and this is Roho."

Chiaroscuro climbs back up from belowdecks, without his equipment. "Okay, my gear is stowed," he says, walking over to Envoy. "And I ran into some others… " Chiaroscuro gestures a paw to the vulpitaur and the Rath'ani following him.

Naomi looks around hesitantly, staying in step with Chiaroscuro. She makes a halting wave. "H-hi… "

Roho smiles and waves to the Rath'ani, "Glad to meet you."

Envoy waves back to Naomi, and smiles. "Hello Pawtuxet!"

Mircus waves cheerfully and *plunk*s his pack down for a moment. "Hi Envoy, Roho… Everyone else. I'm Mircus."

Pawtuxet padpads right after Chiaroscuro and waves to those, having just boarded. "Hi there!", she smiles.

"A pleasure to meet you, Mircus," the mongoose says, offering his paw. "Call me Chipper."

Mircus shakes the offered paw (perhaps a bit too enthusiastically), "Pleased to meet you, too, Chipper."

Naomi filters her way quietly to Roho, fidgeting and shuffling her paws a bit. "Doctor… ?" she ventures.

Roho smiles and nods, "Yes, last I checked. Can I help you with something?"

Naomi's paws twist a bit of her apron. "I'm Naomi Flangenchette. I was… uh… assigned to be your assistant."

Chiaroscuro grins warmly at Mircus, and heads next to Envoy, leaning back just a bit against the railing.

Roho smiles, "Ah, hello." He offers his paw, "How much experience have you had?"

Envoy smiles to the two new Rath'ani.

Naomi takes Roho's paw, clasping it for just a moment. "I… well… not much. I've had some schooling, about a year so far. Grand-mama thought this would be something to add to my record, and pulled some str-… uh… told the Vener… um… here I am." She falters and trails off, muttering something under her breath about being home and 'practicing'.

Envoy says, "This should be a very interesting trip! If we don't get shot down along the way."

Roho nods, "Well, I hear you're musically inclined. I expect you to be attentive and prompt when we have a patient, but outside of those times," he grins, "Nobody said an assistant can't practice between patients, hmm?"

Naomi stops staring at the floor for a moment, smiling just a little. "I'll do my best, Doctor." A little relief is evident in her voice.

Chiaroscuro winces at Envoy's words… remembering the difficulties on his last airship voyage.

Naomi turns her head to look at Envoy, her eyes a bit wider than before. "Sh… shot?"

Mircus shoots a curious glance at Pawtuxet, then meanders towards the railing where Chipper and Envoy stand, "So just wh… whoah? Shot down?"

Roho gives the nervous Rath'ani a small smile, then turns to Pawtuxet, "Ah, Lady Pawtuxet, you made it. Have you already settled in?"

Envoy blinks. "Well… there is a war going on."

Naomi quavers, "No one said anything about shooting… "

A blackish-gray poodle storms quickly up the gangplank. "Now hear this!", he calls out to the crew, in a booming voice. "I'm going belowdecks to check my cabin… which had better be SPOTLESS, " he directs to a scrawny tan Kavi busy setting up the sails, "And when I come back we're taking off. UNDERSTOOD?"

Pawtuxet smiles and nods to the doctor, "I have, yes, a little while ago." She grins, "I wanted to be sure the ship didn't leave without me."

Envoy tries to reassure the young raccoon, "Well, this is a fast ship, and small. They probably won't bother with it."

Envoy hmms, "That must be our captain?"

Roho grins, "Well, I think you were fairly safe from that." He chuckles at the announcement, "Well, I guess he means business."

Mircus looks faintly concerned at the 'shooting' possibility, but appears slightly more concerned with the captain's announcement. "Guess I'd better store this thing," he mumbles, glancing at his pack. "I wonder… "

Several crew members yell out, "Yes, Captain Sendrick!" The mute Savanites busily sign the same. They frantically move about making last minute preparations while poodle goes below.

Naomi doesn't look terribly reassured, particularly when the poodle stomps past. She edges to an inconspicuous corner of the deck.

Envoy turns to Chipper, "How big are the cabins? Is there room for Bem?"

Chiaroscuro nods to Envoy, without real enthusiasm… "Just barely. It's three bunks to a room down there, and even smaller than my place in Darkside was."

Envoy hmms, "Is there room for my sleeping mat, or will I have to use a bunk?"

Chiaroscuro hmms… "Perhaps you could use the sleeping mat… but likely, a bunk. Let's go down and check, shall we?", he says, smiling at Envoy.

Envoy nods, and goes to get Bem.

Chiaroscuro glances out over the side a moment, taking in the view… amazed once again at looking down at clouds, fascinated by the sight.

Mircus fidgets with a pouch, then blinks. He tries to get Chipper's attention, "Hey; 'scuze me, but I've got some stuff I really oughtta store somewhere, and… "

Roho smiles and nods to the others, "I believe I'm going to go belowdecks. I want to make sure everything was delivered to the ship intact."

Chiaroscuro ohs! "Certainly, Mircus. Come along with me and Envoy, and we'll help you find your cabin."

Naomi looks over the edge as well, curious for a moment. A wave of dizziness takes her, and she gulps. "I… think I'll go inside too, for a bit. Doctor, if you need me, let me know."

Envoy waits at the hatch with Bem, looking down to make sure the captain isn't about to storm up the stairs.

Chiaroscuro steps below quickly, guiding Envoy and the others to the 'guest cabins'; three fairly small rooms. "Envoy, this one is ours… Pawtuxet and Naomi are in that one to the right… which would mean Mircus, you are in this one in the middle, with the doctor."

Mircus peers around and nods cheerfully to the Kavi, "Whatever you say, boss. . Uhh… are you the boss?"

Chiaroscuro shakes his head! "Certainly not me, Sir Mircus. But I checked the cabins beforehand. Pawtuxet and Naomi unpacked already in their cabin, which has a special bunk for her."

Envoy pokes her head into the tiny cabin, and decides not to spend much time it in during the voyage.

Mircus fiddles with something from one of his pouches, only half-listening to Chipper. He unceremoniously tosses his pack into the indicated cabin.

"Cheeskeeree!", a voice calls out from behind.

Naomi touches Roho's left arm for a moment. "You'll know where to find me, sir." She makes her way down the hall, and into the cabin, where a simple flute tune with the occasional sour note can be heard.

Chiaroscuro notably stiffens, as he turns around…

A grizzled Jupani claps a thick paw on Chiaroscuro's shoulder. "Ey, The Waashu Biter is back on ships, Ey?"

Envoy finishes stowing her personal gear in the cabin, and looks out to see who spoke.

The mongoose looks up at the Jupani… "Yes, I sure am… ", he says in a bit of a forced voice. "I see you are, too… "

Envoy says, "What does Waashu Biter mean, Chipper?"

Waashu biter? Mircus listens, interested; who'd want to bite a Waashu?

Chiaroscuro turns to Envoy, with a sheepish look in his eyes. "Well, ah… "

The Jupani claps Chiaroscuro's shoulder again, almost driving the mongoose down onto his knees. "Oh, he saved a whole ship once! This Kavi jumped on a Waashu and bit it until it popped! Ey, you ought be proud of that, Cheeskeeree, eh?"

Envoy smiles, "Oh, why didn't you tell me about that Chipper? Saving a whole ship is important!"

Mircus pipes up, "Bet that tasted terrible."

Envoy says, "Does it taste like Gooshurm?"

Chiaroscuro blushes at Envoy. "I, ah, did not think it an interesting story, Envoy… " He turns to the Jupani, and smiles… .oO(Well, so much for keeping that a secret.) "Oh, and they call me 'Chipper' now, Not Cheeskeereee. The bats could never get the name right."

Chiaroscuro nods weakly to Mircus, and says, "I have never tried Gooshurm, Envoy… "

Envoy says, "It's very chewy."

"Okay, Cheeskeeree.", the Jupani says, and gives him a pat on the back that nearly sprawls the mongoose over. "Ey, I see you around, ey? Captain ready to take off now, I bet." With that, the Jupani moves down the hall towards the entry hatch.

Envoy smiles, "Is it safe to go above and watch the launch?"

Chiaroscuro says, "See… you… around", with the breath half-knocked out of him. He nods at Envoy. "I would suppose so… "

Envoy bounces down the hall towards the stairs then.

Chiaroscuro follows along after Envoy, climbing upwards… where the captain is bellowing out orders to the crew. "Secure that line! I told you to swab that yesterday!" He turns towards the Mongoose and Aeolun. "Ah, more of our guests. I'm Sendrick, captain of this vessel… Three rules for ye: Go belowdecks when I say, no noise at night, an' this ship's name is the Blaze of Glory. Understood?"

Envoy asks, "Does music count as noise?"

"Aye," Sendrick nods. "I'm not one of those officers who stay in the Temple all their lives and can't tell fore from aft, but I like a few luxuries, and sleep is one. An hour after dusk to an hour before dawn, there is silence on this ship."

Envoy guesses the Savanites run things at night then…

Chiaroscuro listens to the Captain's rules, nodding along.

Sendrick looks at the crew. "All in readiness?" he asks a Savanite, who signs affirmatively. "Then deploy the sails, and cast off!"

Suddenly, with a great clacking and cluttering of sound, masts deploy all around the ship… and bright red, yellow, and orange sails surround the ship, catching the wind quickly and billowing forward. There's more sail to this ship than on many larger ones, and speed builds quickly…

Chiaroscuro watches the dazzlement of the sails' colors, and sets an arm gently around Envoy's waist. "A lovely sight, is it not?"

Envoy blinks, "A noisy one too."

Somewhere below decks, there's a lot of thumping, some clattering, and a shrill "PWEET! like a lung-full of air passing through a recorder in the space of a half-second. It might not be audible from above decks, but that's soon solved when Naomi bursts from the hatch, her hair in disarray. "What was that big lurch?! Are we under attack?! Ohh, why did I agree to this… "

Envoy says, "We've just set sail, Naomi."

Naomi puffs a wisp of fur out of her face. "Oh! I… ah… guess I might as well watch the departure."

Envoy smiles, "Is this your first time on an airship, Naomi?"

The craft sails out from Rephidim quickly, the flying island shrinking in size, as crew busily check rigging.

"Well, yes and no," she says, watching the sails snap crisply. "I think I was on one once, when I was too young to remember. I didn't have much reason to otherwise." She looks back at Envoy. "You seem so at ease. You must have been on these things a lot."

Envoy says, "I've been on a few voyages."

Naomi calms a tiny bit. "So these things are perfectly safe, right?"

Envoy says, "I've never SEEN one crash… "

Chiaroscuro nods to Naomi. "These are safe craft, Lady Naomi. No need to worry." he smiles at the Rath'ani, hoping to put her at ease."

The craft turns slightly, now that it is clear of Rephidim, bearing towards the paquebot. A little clattering noise happens as masts and sails move to better catch wind, but much less.

Naomi smiles a little, her fear not quite so evident any more… but the knuckles beneath her paw fur still white with her grip on a railing. "Well… the Venerable Officer didn't tell me much about this … ah… assignment. What are we supposed to be doing, anyway?"

Naomi hesitates. "I mean, I know what I'm supposed to be doing. But what are you all doing?"

A slightly ill looking Mircus appears from belowdecks and moves slowly towards the group by the railing.

Naomi turns, swishing her tail. "Oh! Hello, Mr. Mircus! Are you quite all right? Your fur seems to be lying flatter than before."

Envoy says, "I'm here to record the mission for the Temple."

Chiaroscuro says, "We're going to… " he ponders how best to put Naomi at ease. "Do some investigation work on Little Rephidim West, Naomi. Clean up a few areas, check on supplies, and other such."

Naomi nods at Chipper. "So, it's pretty routine, huh?" She laughs a little. "I guess it's silly of me to think a scatterbrain like me would go anywhere dangerous." She sighs. "Or interesting."

Mircus waves at Naomi, half-grinning, "Er… Just Mircus, please. . Naomi, was it? Yeah, I'll be fine once we get there." He weaves slightly, "Airships disagree with me. . ."

Envoy blinks at Chipper, but doesn't ask about the lethal black goo he mentioned before…

Mircus leans against the railing and does not look down. He peers at Chipper, "So all we're doing is looking around?"

Chiaroscuro smiles. "Oh, it could be quite interesting, Naomi- but it ought not be dangerous, do not fear."

Naomi releases the railing, her chills forgotten. "Ohh, don't worry! I remember this from class, you're disoriented. Hold on, there might be something in the medicine cabinet to help, I'll be right back."

Naomi hurries through the hatch.

Chiaroscuro says, "Pawtuxet is the official mission leader, Mircus… she would be the one to ask. I suppose we will find out more as our voyage continues… "

Envoy sits on the railing, and watches the crew bustle about.

Mircus peers after the departing Naomi, "Gee… I hope it doesn't taste bad… Ok, Chipper, thanks; I'll have to ask her. ."

Envoy says, "It's nice to be travelling again."

Chiaroscuro smiles at Envoy. "It is, indeed… sometimes I wish I had gone with Piti's circus. The places they must have gone… "

Naomi comes back up with a small mortar and pestle, grinding at something pasty. "Let's see… 'If it's fibrous white on your inspection, it's tugrik root, to fight infection, three red spots will have you telling, Vartan's Ear leaf reduces swelling… '… no, that's not it. Wait, I remember what it's called now… "

Envoy watches Naomi work curiously.

Mircus watches too; but he looks a bit more worried (and airsick) than curious.

Naomi presents the mortar proudly. "If airsickness is now your plight, grind nikberries, the Sailor's Delight." She holds out the container. "Here, eat some! It's not that bad, really, and it might settle your stomach."

Mircus reaches for the stuff hesitantly "You're sure about that, right?"

Naomi says smugly, "Huh! Grandmama thought my head wasn't screwed on right, but I remember those stuffy old lessons just fine."

Envoy hmms, "I wonder what's for dinner."

Naomi shrugs at Envoy. "I thought I smelled something from the galley when I went to the infirmary. Maybe dinner is on?"

Deciding that if the stuff kills him, at least he won't be airsick any longer, Mircus thanks Naomi and… well… It doesn't taste too bad, and if it'll help him feel better…

Chiaroscuro perks his ears. "Dinner… that sounds good right now." He turns to Envoy.

Envoy hops down from the rail. "Airship food is usually interesting. It's fun to try to figure out what it was originally."

Chiaroscuro chuckles.

Naomi smiles winsomely at Mircus, then falls into step by Envoy, eyeing her curiously. "It's not really that bad, is it. They have pastries, don't they?" she asks hopefully.

Envoy says, "They have biscuits… "

Chiaroscuro walks along with the rest, heading belowdecks towards the ship's mess.

Mircus follows behind the rest of the group; maybe by the time he gets there, food won't sound so bad…

Naomi's face falls. "Biscuits." She disappears along with the others below decks, mumbling, "Biscuits."

The Blaze of Glory sails along, cutting quickly through the thin clouds of the sky…