2018-02-25: A Matter of Possessions

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===========================<* Kislev-Aveh Front *>============================

The frontlines of the Kislev-Aveh War have shifted many times in the last few hundred years, but they have left their scars on the land. One can, of course, find fighting between their infantry and Gears here. Such places are dangerous, and most Drifters know to steer away from them. However, sometimes there is no choice; even the rail lines thought to be away from the front can get caught unawares by a patrol, and skirmishes have resulted in delays and death for those trying to get to the Badlands.

The areas not currently being fought in are also dangerous. Deserters and monsters alike can wander them, and the dry, dusty land leaves little succor for those in need. To make matters worse, abandoned fortifications and trenches make an excellent hiding place for the bandits seeking to profit here. Drifters are sometimes drawn here, though, to either fight for one side or to excavate abandoned ARMs and Gears left behind in a battle. This sort of salvage work is risky, but the rewards can be great.


<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.

        The Fereshte has completed its maiden voyage, settling on the top of an arid cliff overlooking a gorgeous view of the horizon -- the twilight hues of the ocean bordering the western end of Ignas. They've got cover from the knife-edge mountainsides at their eastern side, and it's close enough to a small frontier town to go fetch supplies...

        As is expected from a ramshackle airship cobbled together by a frankenmash of ancient technology, several disparate Kislevi Gear servos and generators, as well as Emma's technology... the maiden voyage -- while successful! -- left a lot of duress on the ship. Somewhere down below deck, Cetiri is busy yelling at her understudies to put fires out and get things in order again.

        Riesenlied is busy doing what she does best, even wounded as she is -- tending to her villagers, who are largely gathered in the cargo hull of what appears to be a traditional Filgaian sailing ship repurposed overnight. It's a tight fit, but with the hangar bay door open and people trying to set up prefab walls...

        It's got its own kind of hardy charm to it. It's very Wayside, still. 

<Pose Tracker> Leon Albus has posed.

Leon is a little relieved to have finally landed. While he doesn't mistrust the Fereshte's crew, he is not so certain of its engineering -- though the flight handled the worst of those fears -- and a little nervous that Lydia Seren might decided to pitch him off this vehicle, too. He walks down into the cargo hold, looking around the area -- and peering at the now repurposed, miniature Wayside Village that has been recreated inside the hold.

It has a charm... but a melancholy, too. He can't help but think of the destroyed village that he only got a glimpse of. His task was checking on those Kislevi Gear servos and slave generators, and keeping them operational.

He looks to Riesenlied as he enters, and then his arms fold over his chest. He wears his suit vest and shirt; the long duster has been left in the space he claimed. It is, presently, a blanket for one Lily Keil. "Riesenlied," he says, with a nod.

Then, he looks around, and sighs. "It looks like they're settling in..."

<Pose Tracker> Noeline has posed.

        ... to be honest, the part of Tainted Life that Noeline is getting most used to is probably the ability to patch herself up remarkably quickly and then get back on her feet. Given that she heals rather faster than the rest of the Tainted, she had been intending to assist with the wounded in the cargo bay earlier - but wouldn't you know it, a freshly christened airship involving a mish-mash of technologies tends to generate a lot of problems, and during the flight and the subsequent landing she's been kept running from one side of the ship to another.

        She is obviously tired, and her personal kayfabe has taken rather a hit for the time being. Her dress is torn, one shoulder is heavily bandaged, and her hair's kind of wild and free without its fasteners - but the light's still in her eyes as she hurries from place to place around the ship, ducked into the inner workings of the machinery as one of the more able-bodied right at this moment. "--two more leaks, left side!" she calls over her headset, one of the more steam-resistant Tainted hurrying to plug them, and then she's moving again...

        ... but that was a while ago, and now a ruffled and tired Noeline sags her shoulders as she slips into the cargo hold, offering Leon a curt nod as she moves to place a hand on Riese's hair. "... somehow, we've put another sunset behind us," she comments, without a trace of her wry and amused nature to it. 

<Pose Tracker> Lydia Seren has posed.

EARLIER

Lydia is laughing hysterically. "We're geniuses geniuses geniuses!" She spins the wheel to try and throw off any pursuers off the track. "The world is ours! We have conquered the sky and the power of the wind is ours to command! I knew we were smart but I didn't realize we were scientific pioneers! The metal demons can't catch us now! nyeheheh!! Where shall we go? Aquvy? Elru? SPACE????"

A fire breaks out nearby.

NOW

The Fereshte has touched down on a cliff in western Ignas. It seriously needs repairs. "Maybe we better keep low to the ground..." She murmurs as she tightens screws. "Least till we've got the time to innovate..." Her job is largely to help with repairs, find lost screws, and general encouragement. Sometimes she hits something so it works again.

She has been hugging people a great deal. She's in an amazing mood. This is the best day of her life. Somehow.

She finishes her work and hugs Leon suddenly from behind, like a kid.

"We did it..! I can't believe it! And your girlfriend is super hot!!"

She will then hug Riese too if not interrupted.

"Your girlfriend is hot too!" She shouts. "Everybody has hot girlfriends!!!" 

<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.

They were flying. They were actually flying. Jacqueline had her concerns, of course, but it had actually worked. She was still amazed, and just a little concerned, all throughout the flight, but she's settled down a little now.

Or, as much as she could settle - due to the way circumstances had transpired, she had actually escaped the events at Wayside relatively uninjured, which meant in her mind that she had a duty to help tend to those who needed it.

It helped that she and her opponent had paused the fight to have a relatively friendly chat about science, even if the latter was more interested in her as a specimen...

She's passing out supplies where needed, which mean she's present when Leon walks into the room.

"Ah, Mister Albus, hello!" Jacqueline greets with a smile, on her way toward the person who she thinks is next in need of medicine.

That's Riesenlied, as it happens.

She walks up to her about the same time as Lydia goes in for a hug, and at least politely waits for her to finish before handing a bottle of medicine over to Riesenlied.

"I'm proud of you, Lydia. And everyone else, of course! " Jacqueline comments with a smile. She doesn't comment on hot girlfriends, though, because to her knowledge she doesn't currently have one. 

<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.

        ADDITIONALLY, in case you were wondering where Wayside got a sailing ship from?

        ONE NIGHT SEVERAL WEEKS AGO

        A Drifter in Jolly Roger stumbles around, deciding that fifth pint of lager was a wee bit much for him as he exits for some night fresh air, hiccuping. He's about to step onto the pier to relieve himself when...

        "W-what in tarnation?!"

        A sailing vessel zooms right in front of him, lifted straight out of the sea line. A round Dragon with a blobby face underneath it looks at him for a moment, before absconding with her treasure into the distance. *pshoo*

        A certain person whose name begins with L.S. and ends with *ydia *eren may or may not be involved in this shenanigans.

        NOW

        Riesenlied smiles warmly towards Leon when he approaches, having set the bandage and splint on a villager that'd been harmed by Berserk's powerful shockwaves -- but all the more astonished and relieved that he'd survived such a wrecking ball.

        She gasps just a little as Lydia tackles Leon from behind, and-- blushes brightly as she stammers, "L-Lydia...? Goodness, you're full of energy... I suppose everyone else is, too."

        Indeed, the momentum in the cargo hall-turned-miniature village is infectious; everyone is nervous and anxious, but at the same time, most importantly: hopeful. Looking forward to the future.

        Noeline comes beside her, and she nods very softly to express, "Another day, and another chance to see what we wish to flourish--"

        Lydia limpets onto her with an energetic hug, prompting a gasp and a wince from where she just got wrestled, stabbed and also negative rainbow-ed by a particularly angry Siegfried not 12 hours ago. She hasn't gotten any sleep.

        "You are a genius, and I know you could do it," she perhaps encourages Lydia a wee bit too much, but darnit, she's really proud of her, giving her a loving, momly pat on the head.

        She smiles warmly at Jacqueline too when she arrives. The alchemist is particularly known and popular, and her supplies are welcome relief at a time like this -- "Jay... I'm-- I can't--" she holds back a sudden sniffle.

        "I can't express enough my gratitude for all your aid. If any one of you were not present... we may not be standing here, as we are now..." 

<Pose Tracker> Leon Albus has posed.

"Let's not jinx it," Leon tells Noeline. "We might invite some disaster, if we're not careful." There is a hint of wry humor to his voice. He isn't a superstitious man. The soldier-turned-mercenary lets out a sigh and--

--And gets hugged from behind, by Lydia. He makes a face and jumps, before he shakes his head as quickly as he can. "I'm sorry?" he asks. He looks at Lydia -- and then coughs, obviously flustered, and looks to the side. "Well--yes, I suppose she is. Ah, good job up there."

He looks to Jay, as she walks in, and then nods. "Miss Barber," he says. "I'd say that I'm surprised to see you here... but I really shouldn't be. Are you holding up well enough?"

Then, back to Riesenlied.

He hesitates, before he shakes his head. "We wouldn't have abandoned you or Wayside. I'll accept your thanks, but... it was the least we could do. You're one of us, now." He doesn't mean Drifters or more generally. He looks at Noeline, then. "Both of you."

<Pose Tracker> Lydia Seren has posed.

ONE NIGHT SEVERAL WEEKS AGO

Yeah Lydia would totally encourage Muni to steal a ship for science/not bening murdered. She left all her money behind for the poor victim so they aren't wholly ruined.

NOW

Lydia doesn't seem to mind being broke. She bounces around in high spirits and dislodges from Riesenlied. "Of course! This is the first step towards my dream! I never would've experienced this if I stayed in my home village!" She turns and faces it. "Granny Halle....We did it...!"

She blinks twice. She sniffs once. And then she latches onto Jay, bighugging her this time.

She is crying. "We did it...! We did it...!" Sniff sniffle. "Yer a Filgaian like the rest of us, Riese...!" Sniff sniff.

"Granny...!" She bawls. "I wish you coulda seen it...!" Despite abandoning her hometown, despite hating her parents, despite everything...

...Maybe its thanks to the people here that she can miss her hometown in this moment. Halle is someone she looks up to, more than ever.

She holds position for a moment before exhaling.

"Okay, okay! I'm good...!"

She looks to Leon. "Heheh...you're actually a cool guy, huh?" 

<Pose Tracker> Noeline has posed.

        It's not that Noeline's acting unguarded, more that she simply doesn't have the energy to guard; she simply huffs at Riesenlied's affirmation, gently running her fingers through the blonde's hair for a moment as she lets out the breath she's been holding more or less all day. So distant is she, right in the moment, that she actually yelps in uncertain surprise at the way Lydia barrels into them both, and looks up with surprise at Jacqueline as the alchemist nears. Someone's powers of observation are definitely on the fritz.

        "Disaster would be nothing new, at least," she comments back to Leon, and there's a little more of her in that statement as her humour returns as she answers his comment with another nod of respect. "To think that we managed to get away in such a fashion - well, it definitely puts the Quarter Knights to shame, even in such a bizarre confrontation as that." For a moment her smile flickers, thinking of Harken and her subsumed memories; that draws forth an instant of genuine anger, but she tamps it back down. Nothing to be done right now.

        She absolutely does not know what to make of a bawling Lydia - so she doesn't, not for the moment, instead letting the girl have her exultation. "I doubt we're out of danger completely, but... it is a very, very important start." 

<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.

Jacqueline gives a sheepish chuckle, both at Riesenlied's compliment and at accidentally startling Noeline.

"O-oh, I don't know about that...I just kept Miss Malfi busy, really...my suppies would be here even if I wasn't..." She replies, once again diverting compliments. That's just how she is. "But...I am glad that we were all able to escape. I was so worried about everyone, while you all were off fighting the Quarter Knights, and that Red Gear..."

Leon greets her, and Jacqueline replies with a nod. This is about the same time that Lydia latches onto her, giving her a big hug that Jacqueline readily returns.

"I'm doing alright, yes. I got my opponent talking, so I was able to slip away relatively uninjured when the Fereshte launched..." She replies, extricating herself from Lydia's hug before sending her a smile.

"I'm sure Elder Halle would be proud of you right now, Lydia." She replies confidently. 

<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.

        There's a genuinely bashful smile at Leon as Riesenlied tucks her head down. This was probably not the time to speak about what'd happened at the Summer Palace... she wanted to catch up with Leon about that, but-- she wicks a tear away when she says that she's one of them. "I--I feel... deeply grateful that you'd say that. After all that'd transpired between us..." She pauses, and bashfully says, "I will do everything in my power to help the Wolves and Wayside, both."

        It's hard to not get swept in Lydia's excited, heartfelt pace, however. "I--I am..." she has not gotten any less bashful, "I've always expressed my love for Filgaia. I wouldn't abandon the world I was born into, no matter what I am, or what people say I am..."

        She's not the one jumping up and down with excitement--

        "LYDIEEEE!"

        A certain mouse Beastgirl, freshly surviving her encounter with the Quarter Knights and Id, shoots from the side like a bullet and tackles onto her. "Omigosh omigosh you did it!! You did it! It really flew like you said you would!" Janey exclaims, grinning. "Ugh, I'm so happy right now!"

        She's got a few bandages and scrapes, but... kids bounce, literally. She doesn't look like she just stared a chi blast to the face from the Demon of Elru and only got away with it because of Yaro.

        Riesenlied looks rather impressed, and yet unsurprised that Jacqueline's method to defuse her opponent would be to get her talking. "It wouldn't have been the same, and I would have been heartbroken. Cetiri expressed how terrified she was to me to see you taking such risks, earlier."

        Underneath in the engine room, Cetiri grumps and calls on an understudy to be more delicate, huffing. 

<Pose Tracker> Leon Albus has posed.

"I don't doubt it," Leon says with a smile of his own. "A lot's happened, hasn't it? It's hard to believe that it's been less than a year, since we met in that tavern in Adlehyde." A tavern with a hole torn in the roof. He wonders, now, if it was patched up. Maybe they can go check, after all of this is done.

But then Lydia calls him cool.

"At times," Leon says to Lydia with a sigh, "I give that impression. I'll take it as a compliment." She is crying, though. Much like Noeline, he stares awkwardly for a moment -- and then glances to the side. He shakes his head once, eyes turning back to Noeline. He hesitates, for just a moment, and then nods his head. "It is. Do we know where we're moving them to, yet? Being up here... there should be safety in that. No one on the continent has any real air power to speak of."

He glances to Jacqueline, then tilts his head to her. "Good," he says. "The fewer wounded, the better. I know that Josie and Lily were out there, too... I believe both are recovering nicely."

<Pose Tracker> Lydia Seren has posed.

Lydia blushes fiercely. "Heh hehh, that's so like you, maybe it'll work out!" She is not normally so optimistic but after today, she might be holding onto optimism for a while.

"There's my lady of calamity...!" Lydia says, nearly bowled over by the mousegirl. She hugs her tightly and she says, "I hear you took down the demon of elru AND Yaro with but a glare. That's tthe spirit! Didja enjoy getting to see your old friends again?" She means the slew of orphans she (temporarily or otherwise) brought to Wayside after stealing them away.

"Oh but--hey hey... I need to show you something." She hefts Janey up, hoisting her on a shoulder. "Now I don't know if you've seen it before but..."

She heads to the bow of the ship and points out towards the ocean as the setting sun reflects off the waters.

"You haven't really seen the ocean," She tells Janey. "Till you've seen it like this!"

Janey has protected Noeline from Lydie hugs...for now. 

<Pose Tracker> Noeline has posed.

        Noeline stares for a moment - and then puts her hand firmly back in her hair, rubbing at it hard enough to tousle it as she lets out a ragged breath. "... honestly... good grief, Miss Barber. For a simple country alchemist, you do seem to like making things difficult on yourself. Do try not to pick up too much of that from Riese, hm?" she ventures with an amused chuckle--

        --except Janey appears. The girl even manages to get picked up by Lydia and deposited on a shoulder before Noeline finds a silent moment to clear her throat. It's a complicated noise, and one that involves a large side order of 'kid you are in so much trouble' and 'I'm begrudgingly proud' all at once. Maybe it's for the best that Lydia's immediately tugged her away to one side, before the demon can really get spun up.

        She lets it go, at least for the moment, in hopes that they're done being reckless for the time being. Instead, she looks back to Leon, offering him a way out of paying attention to things. "... to the west would probably be best. As far as places likely to be sympathetic to our cause go, I can imagine the Thames would be first and foremost - its inhabitants are very much like the Tainted, in a way. Frankly, the further away from Gebler's operating range, the better."

        She doesn't mean to sound grim, obviously, and catches herself with a chuckle as she ruffles Riese's hair carefully. 

<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.

Janey barges into the room, as full of energy as ever. Jacqueline can't hold back a relieved smile at the sight of it, as the girl goes to tackle Lydia.

"I-I don't know what you're talking about...!" Jacqueline says, glancing away from Noeline with a hint of embarrassment. Her attention returns to Riesenlied before long.

"W-was she...? Perhaps I should go apologize for worrying her sometime, once her workload lightens up a bit..." Jacqueline replies, considering for a moment. For worrying her, of course, not for taking risks. Jacqueline wouldn't be Jacqueline if she didn't!

She nods toward Leon, then.

"Oh, that's good to hear...I was worried when I heard about the condition they were in...but I suppose I needn't have. Those two are rather tough!" She replies, then considers Noeline's suggestions.

"The Thames...? I've never heard of that before. What's it like?" She asks, curious. 

<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.

        Riesenlied can't help but chuckle as she agrees with Lydia, "He certainly is a cool guy." It isn't like Riese is the type to tease, but perhaps she's just so buoyed by the children's mirth she can't help but chime in a little. She looks to his question of where they're headed...

        "... I need to take attendance and speak to our position," she answers Leon's question. "We have accomplished the first step of our mission to find a means to transport our disabled brethren back home. But I would not take anyone not willing on what is effectively a nigh-suicidal mission back to Elru... and-- yes, Gebler is also a clear and present threat we must be aware of, with the aerial capabilities they showed in Adlehyde."

        She closes her eyes. "As such, Noeline has the right idea -- we must give those who wish to disembark a chance, to bring them to safety. To give them a true chance at life."

        There is a delicate smile to Jacqueline as she says, "She tries to be aloof, but she has a mother's heart. I know this... as her daughter."

        Janey turns around and takes a moment-- as she hurries with Lydia and gawks as they stare at the sunset over the ocean together. "W-whoa... whoa! Yeah... Micky and I were-- gonna run to the end of the continent and try to stow away on a boat, originally, before Riesemama found us and took us in. It's so gorgeous...!"

        She rubs at her nose and grins softly, saying, "Y-yeah, they said I was crazy-reckless... hehe, to be honest, I thought I was a goner when I puffed my chest and stood up to that weird slug mister..."

        She peeks back towards Riese, Noe, Leon and Jay-- then scratches her cheek. "I'm... gonna get mooore than an earful, hehe... Micky bawled at me until she fell asleep, the poor thing..." 

<Pose Tracker> Leon Albus has posed.

Leon cracks a smile a little at Jay's reaction. He looks away -- and from Janey, where he isn't aware of what she did (and would be cross, if he did) -- to Noeline, and then to Riesenlied. "The Thames... that's a good idea," he says. "If we can get someone to them in advance, that might be for the best. I don't want to chance showing up and being turned away. After all of this, it would be a damned mess."

It's a risk, he knows. But a place outside of Gebler's long arm may not present itself without going towards Aquvy.

He looks down for a moment, and then he rubs his chin with his hand. "Do we need to be resupplied?" he asks, looking back at Riesenlied. Then, back to Jacqueline. Supplies are her specialty, after all.

"They're tough," he agrees. "We've all had a... busy few weeks--the events in the Kaiser's palace, then this. I could stand to have a vacation. And I still don't like the look of a few of those Kislevi servos--they're off-kilter, and I want to take a wrench to them and--"

He sighs. Of the original Black Wolves, the one who was a closet gearhead is sitting right in front of them.

<Pose Tracker> Lydia Seren has posed.

Lydia adores Janey. And indeed, she adores Lydia's wild side too.

But when she hugs Janey again, shortly after showing Janey the ocean, it's a pretty tight one. She doesn't say 'don't do that again!' or anything of the sort but it's a tight hug.

Maybe for a moment, Lydia too worried that she was going to lose Janey. She doesn't bawl or cry or say anything. It's just the hug.

But eventually, she does say, "You made it." She tells her. "But get yer earful 'fore too long."5

She sets Janey down and rests an arm on the wheel, exhaling and closing her eyes for the moment. All that energy is stabilizing and she's chilling out.

"Well we had to get outta here with only base construction complete. If we had another month, maybe we could've run some tests and had the whole thing all stable." She tells Leon. "But hey, if you want to advise the engineerin' team, we ain't gonna say know. We're all eager to learn."

She smiles at him.
5rThe Thames, she thinks. 

<Pose Tracker> Noeline has posed.

        With a light chuckle, Noeline looks to the alchemist with a nod. "It is-- I suppose you would call it an offshore platform where they attempt to gather resources for Guild Galad and other nearby cities. Imagine a town, except it is all placed on a gigantic metal gantry out to sea. Life there is rusty and frenetic, and its people are far too boisterous and stubborn for their own good." And yet, there's a naked admiration in her voice as she hums quietly. "Sound familiar?"

        Certainly, Noeline takes the time to look in Janey's direction as Riesenlied speaks - and something about her gaze definitely promises a lecture of her own later, her arms automatically folding.

        Looking back, she nods in Leon's direction. "I have some old friends there. Whether they will remember me, I cannot say, but-- it will hopefully be better than nothing as far as introductions go. As for supplies... we made sure to stockpile some things in the ship long before we left. We don't have as much as we'd like, but we at least have a workable amount - for the time being it's a matter of adding to it, rather than building up a supply chain completely."

        She pauses, and winces softly as her shoulder pulses with pain; she decides to simply sink down next to Riese, taking a seat at last as she stretches her legs out. She can't disguise the sigh of relief. 

<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.

There were a lot of problems to keep in mind, definitely...this wasn't going to be easy for anyone, and in many ways, they've only made the first step. Still, they've made it this far, at least, and that;s important.

There's a knowing chuckle as Riesenlied talks about Cetiri's heart.

"Yes...I can tell." She replies.

Noeline explains the Thames, and Jacqueline nods in understanding...with a smirk that makes it obvious that she knows what she's hinting at.

"So what you're saying is, we'll fit right in." She replies with a chuckle, and a glance back to Leon. She nods at Noeline's assessment.

"Yes. I have a few suggestions for maximizing the use of the resources we do have, as well. I think there will be enough to last us until we can safely resupply...I'm willing to offer my assistance in negotiation as well, if necessary." She says. 

<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.

        Janey... is pretty cognizant of things, as much of a freewheeling airhead as she can be at times -- she's streetwise. Lydia's the same kind of gal she is, really, just a couple years older!

        As such, she looks content to give that unspoken hug back, nodding. "... hehe. Yeah. I deserve it."

        She continues to gaze out towards the ocean as Lydia returns.

        "We're-- honestly lucky to have you here, with your expertise, Mister Leon. I didn't know you knew so much of the craft with Kislevi gears... these were units we were lucky to, um, steal back when we scarce escaped with our lives at the warfront, back during the events of the Temple," Riesenlied explains. "Like Lydia mentioned, we're happy to learn."

        She smiles delightfuly at Noeline as she says, "Yes... I am eager to see it one day. It feels like we would fit in... and Leon is right -- we should send someone to speak to them on our behalf first."

        She nods in turn and says, "We'll need a lot of raw materials -- both for the ship and the villagers... your skills would be most appreciated, Miss Jay -- I'll... try to find a way to recompensate you as best I can, of course." 

<Pose Tracker> Leon Albus has posed.

"Mm... right, I know," Leon says to Lydia. "Sorry. I'm more irritated at the Kislevi mechanics, really. We can make the improvements needed--we have the time to do that, after all." He looks at Riese, then he nods. "And I can teach your crew a thing or two about the Kislevi parts, I should think. It was--well, I needed to know enough to repair ARMs and Gears out in the field."

He quiets, though, and listens to the explanation of the Thames. A surprised look registers on his face; he never knew that Noeline had traveled there before. He looks more at ease with the idea immediately, though, and nods to her. "That's good, then," he says. "Both the Thames and the supplies. You're chipping away at my natural instinct to over-plan and over-worry, Noeline. I wonder what I'll do without it."

He catches the sigh of relief, too. He tilts his head to the side, and then considers for a moment. He looks from Riesenlied, then to Jay. "Maybe I can help. The Black Wolves--ah, we're a mercenary company that reformed recently, Miss Barber--could take a job for free or for reduced payment, depending on the details, as repayment for your assistance."

<Pose Tracker> Lydia Seren has posed.

Lydia glances briefly to Janey, seeing she's not coming with, but then she smiles at her and lets her be. She hopes that spirit never dies.

She doesn't know much about this waterfront business being talked about, but she considers it. Raw materials. Unfortunately, Lydia is going to have to claw her way back up as it pertains to being a merchant. Luckily she can hurry and make some water sales once she's done here. Water is always profitable in the Badlands.

"Hopefully nobody will find this place for a while and we can take our time with repairs." Lydia says. "I don't wanna have to take another flight like that." She glances to Riesenlied. "I think until we can figure out how to manage the turbulence, we should stay low to the ground." 

<Pose Tracker> Noeline has posed.

        "It is a place of teeming life and chaotic activity. On my first visit, I was immediately hooked," Noeline admits towards Jacqueline with no small amount of fuss, as if she were delivering a lecture. "It was very much the opposite of the Photosphere; bewildering and exciting all at once. I stayed frequently, and assisted where I could." ... that's the particularly hard part to believe. The idea of Noeline dragging up fishing nets and working on the sea...

        Openly, Noeline rests against Riesenlied's shoulders. "In time, I suppose. To be honest, my mind is still catching up on today, and the fact that we are still breathing against all possible odds. Three Quarter Knights, a Demon of Elru, Metal Beasts-- I thought, for a moment, that I saw hellions amongst the enemy number as well," she grouses.

        "Believe me," she adds after a moment, looking deliberately glum. "If that is the case, it's only because I am the one doing the worrying and the planning instead. ... is Miss Keil quite alright? It is only thanks to her assistance that I could even particularly stand toe-to-toe with Lady Harken." 

<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.

"It sounds lovely, I have to admit. I wouldn't mind visiting it sometime." Jacqueline replies with a nod toward Noeline. She smiles, then, and shakes her head at Riesenlied.

"That's not necessary, really...I'm just glad to be able to help you out. The only thing I'd ask is to have a place with you all, if ever we need it. ...But I know I really don't even need to ask." She replies.

"Ah, yes, Lily told me you all reformed..." She says with a glance toward Leon. "I do wish you all luck on your endeavors."

She had to echo Lydia's hopes, as well...hopefully no one arrived while they were still recovering and repairing the damage to their ship... 

<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.

        Riesenlied does look just a little nervous, not wanting to put too much of a burden on the Black Wolves herself. Though she is a member, she knows that both groups are ultimately rather small and funds can be rather stretched amongst them...

        "Much like the Summer Palace... the ship and the Dragons are both available for future efforts with the Wolves," she speaks in turn to Leon. "To the best of our ability... it is the least I can offer."

        She does quietly try to continue smiling as Noeline reminisces, perhaps still feeling a little left out... but she made a promise to not dwell on the past. ... it's not a promise she keeps very well, to be honest, but.

        "... Noeline certainly is much more of a planner and thinker than I am," Riesenlied admits bashfully. "I would have been blindsided a lot more without her." She-- bites her lip and says, "Miss Lily gave it her all... and Josie was hurt very bad by Id as well... I dropped by and checked on them earlier."

        She looks to Lydia. "Cetiri agrees with you. High altitude flight is not suitable for this craft at the moment -- we're most stable hovering across the ground, using desert currents to our advantage."

        She chuckles at Jacqueline and says, "... somehow, if we were to head west, I could imagine Shalune creating water wings for the Caravan Kinship. It seems like a very-- her thing to do."

        And indeed, she could only hope that they could have some time to rest. And that no infiltrators or spies have attached anything to the ship... 

<Pose Tracker> Leon Albus has posed.

"I hope not," Leon says, with a glance at Lydia. But, he looks back to Noeline -- and he blinks, once. He only heard of Thames; hearing it described surprises him. His eyes widen for a moment, and then he nods. He glances down at the ground for a moment. Then, he nods. "She is, Noeline. She needs her rest--we know little about what she's... doing."

Leon looks back at Riesenlied, smiling for a moment, and shakes his head. "Well, you heard Miss Barber. And I'm afraid my sense of economics outweighs a lot," he says. "So, I'll have to take her up on her offer."

He stands, then, and dusts himself off. "I should, speaking of, check on those servos. I want to do a little fine-tuning. Take care of yourselves--and get some rest, Noeline," he says. "I'll be in the engine room, if you need me."

<Pose Tracker> Lydia Seren has posed.

"H--hey! I'm not missing that! I may be a genius but I still need to learn everything I can!" Lydia says and rushes after Leon.

She comes back a moment afterwards and adds, "Don't get possessed while I'm gone, Riese!" Then she runs back to catch up with Leon. 

<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.

        Riesenlied looks positively scandalised as her horns wiggle, and her cheeks flush bright red. "I--I don't... I don't get possessed that often, right, Noeline, Jacqueline?"

        Danger, danger! Choose your response wisely!! 

<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.

"Water wings...honestly, I'm a little worried sometimes that I'll come back to find she's turned it into an entire ship." Jacqueline comments with a chuckle. There was no telling what Shalune would come up with next...but it did make things that much more exciting!

Jacqueline chuckles a little at Leon's comment, and then nods when he says he should go do some fine-tuning.

"Take care, Mister Albus." She says...and then glances toward Riesenlied.

"U-umm...i-it's fine, really!" She replies. ...That's not a 'no'...

"A-anyway, I should get back to making sure everyone has everything they need...!" She says.

How smooth. 

<Pose Tracker> Noeline has posed.

        With a sigh, Noeline just nods a farewell to the assembled group - and pets Riesenlied on the hair out of sheer sympathy. "... I believe I am due a long, long talk with a certain Lord of Calamity."

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