Chapter VII) Dawn Sabre

A/N: With every new journey, we meet new friends and new enemies. So it is here, with a load of new characters, each one with their own history. This is a relatively plot-less chapter in terms of advancing the story, but it was necessary to introduce so many new characters. Normal service will resume next chapter:D

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Presea felt a gentle weight on her legs as she awoke, and she opened her eyes against the bright early morning light to see what was on top of them. Rochelle was sat grinning at her, cross-legged at the base of the bed.

"Morning Big Sis," she purred.

Presea blinked sleepily, and rubbed at her eyes as she sat up. "Rochelle? What are you doing here?" She turned over to see the bed empty beside her. "Where is Lloyd?"

The Felesian rose her hands defensively, "Calm down babe, the future Mr. Presea is out helping out Regal with the supplies we're taking with us on the airship." She leapt across to lie beside Presea. "He thought you could do with some rest, what with your arm and all. So how is it?"

The pink haired girl glanced down at her arm. Judging by the state of the bandage, the wound had bled lightly during the night but seemed to be healing well.

"I believe it will be fine," she replied. "I just need to change the dressing."

"Yeah babe, you should take it easy." Rochelle scratched an ear and grinned again. "So, the airship arrives soon. Excited?"

Presea climbed out of bed and pulled out some fresh clothes from a nearby cupboard. "I guess I am…curious. I have heard that the vessel is quite big."

Rochelle leapt from the bed, "Yeah, it's supposed to be absolutely enormous! So c'mon, hurry up! We don't want to be late."

---

Lloyd checked the paperwork he had in his hand one last time and sighed. "I think that's everything. Do we really need all of this?"

Regal surveyed the warehouse, stacked full of materials, consumables and similar supplies before nodding. "The majority of it is necessary. Although the flight to Mizuho is scheduled to take only a single day, the ship has been ordered to remain in your service until you return. They also have one or two slight repairs to make. Nothing too serious," he added quickly, seeing Lloyd's nervous glance.

"Right…" Lloyd stretched, placing the cargo documents on a nearby crate as numerous dock workers began to move the items from the large room. "It'll be here soon won't it? Man, I can't wait!"

Regal nodded again, staring off into the distance. "Yes, it should arrive presently. It…has been a while."

---

Colette placed the last of her things into the large bag on her bed and sighed, wiping her brow. She had been so wrapped up in other aspects of preparation for the journey that she had forgotten to get her own things in order. Slumping down on the bed, she stared at the communicator on the table beside before picking up the item and pressing the button again.

She waited for a second as the communicator crackled, then spoke. "Sheena, it's Colette. Are you there?"

The only answer she received was a static silence, and she sighed, placing the communicator in her pocket. Where was Sheena? It was unlike her not to answer. Taking one last look around the room, Colette hastened to the carriage waiting to take her and the others to the aerial dock.

---

"Captain Quinn, we have reached Altamira."

The captain looked out of the large window before him – seeing the large city emerging, far beneath their location, from the haze of early morning.

Letting out a loud sigh, he brushed a hand through his thick brown hair and smiled. "Altamira huh? Well, it's good to be back." He turned around; addressing his navigator, a youthful looking woman, and helmsman, a rugged looking man. "Set a course for the aerial dock. Oh, and signal them this time," he added, smiling broadly. "I'd rather not have a dressing down from our man Regal again."

The young woman laughed, her bright blue eyes flashing excitedly. "Right you are Captain, although it would almost be worth it to disobey that order, just to see that look on your face when he roasts you again."

Quinn laughed sarcastically as he reached the door leading from the bridge. "Yes, but remember Lilly, the reputation of a ship relies on that of its captain. Plus," he added, "I would hate to have to pass the punishment down on to you."

Lilly grinned wickedly at the helmsman, "Hear that Girvin? Looks like we've gotta maintain the good Captain's reputation."

Girvin chuckled, almost to himself, and rubbed the chin beneath his beard. "Well, don'cha worry non, Cap'n. We'll be sure to let Altamira know that the Dawn Sabre is in good hands."

Quinn's voice echoed back through the doorway. "But of course. After all, you absolutely never fail to give me cause for concern Girvin."

---

"Wow!" cried Rochelle as she leapt out of the elevator onto the highest platform on the docking facility. "Look at the size of that thing!"

Presea and Colette followed the excited Felesian onto the circular landing bay, which was empty except for Lloyd, Regal and a small group of awed dock workers, the pink haired girl looking up at the clear blue sky to see the arriving vessel coming in to land.

It was an enormous ship, if a little eccentric by modern design standards. The vast hull looked as though it had been constructed in a similar fashion to a boat, with the majority of it formed from a polished wood – seemingly beech or oak in origin. Strips of metal along the base and sides of the hull reinforced the vessel, and provided the support for the enormous mana engine that sat precariously at the lower rear of the airship. Tiers of wooden floors followed the natural curve at the rear of the top deck, forming what looked to be an oversized tower at one end. Despite having such a large engine, the ship boasted the unnecessary addition of three large masts – complete with vast sails, two sets bearing the emblem of the Lezareno Company and the largest set depicting what looked to be an angel holding out its hand to a dying man. The angel motif was repeated again at the front of the hull, this time as a large carving, its extended hand seemingly guiding the ship forward in to land.

Presea squeezed through the small crowd to find Lloyd. The young man smiled brightly on seeing her, and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "Morning. How's your arm today?"

"I think it will heal fine." Presea returned the smile and looked up at the ship. "So this is our transport to Mizuho."

Lloyd followed her gaze and nodded. "Yeah, have you seen anything like it? It's cool, but sure is…uh, unusual."

Presea watched the bustling activity on the top deck of the ship as it tilted slightly on the way in to land. "Yes…it also seems a little…excessive. It cannot be a practical use of Regal's resources."

"Yeah. I mean, Regal said that the captain of this ship is the best. Seems odd huh?"

Colette joined them then, looking up at the ship with a happy expression on her face. "Hehe. Its sails are pretty."

The ship circled the platform slowly as it came into land, before gently touching down a little way from the group. It had looked big before, but now it was on the same level as them, it seemed absolutely enormous. Presea, Lloyd and Colette followed Regal as he made his way through the crowd towards the ornately carved door at the base of the side of the vessel closest to them. Before they reached it however, it flew open and a man emerged, dropping down the few inches from the door to the ground.

He was quite young in appearance, looking as though had just reached the prime of his youth, with long lengths of neatly combed brown hair descending around his shoulders from under a tatty looking hat. His clothes were as eccentric as the ship he had just left, baggy trousers similar to the ones Lord Alderwyn had been wearing were held up by an oversized and gaudily decorated belt. A white shirt, complete with frills and tassels, hung from his torso, as if the man had once fit it comfortably but had since lost weight.

Despite being clean-shaven, the man exuded a certain level of seedy charm, with numerous gold and silver rings and brooches adorning his hands and clothes. His ears were also pierced, small chains of precious stones hanging from them, and a long sword was held in placed by an equally lavish scabbard attached to his belt.

"Woah!" Rochelle appeared beside Presea, grabbing her hand as she normally did when surrounded by crowds of people. "Look at him babe – I mean, dashing or what?"

Presea found herself sighing good naturally at the garrulous Felesian, "Perhaps if that is what you find appealing…"

She watched the man approach Regal bearing a broad smile, his green eyes flashing. "What, no red carpet greeting? I hate to say this, but I'm beginning to feel a little unappreciated." His gaze fell on Presea and Rochelle. "But what is this? Am I being rewarded for my efforts after all, with the attentions of fair maidens?"

"I see that your time spent on the fringe has done little for your personality Quinn," remarked Regal dryly, but with a smile on his face.

"Hey, it's done me wonders!" Quinn laughed heartily, slapping the blue haired man on the back. "I'm like a new captain, nay, a new man." His gaze once again fell on Presea and Rochelle. "And a new man needs a new lady." He tipped his hat at the pink haired girl. "So what do they call you then, pretty one?"

What? Presea blinked for a second, perplexed. "…Presea."

"Presea huh? That's a nice name…I once knew a…" Quinn paused. "…Oh…actually, no I didn't. Well, Presea," he knelt down and took her hand, laying a kiss on it. "You're a fine ambassador for such a wonderful name."

Presea withdrew her hand sharply. "…Thank you."

"You're most welcome. So, my lovely Presea, when my business here is concluded how about you come out and dine with me. I believe the nights in Altamira are wonderfully romantic when spent together."

"Yes they are, but I'd rather Presea spent them with me than you." Lloyd's voice cut through the crowd as he approached with Colette, containing no real malice, but a stern warning nevertheless. Presea blushed and felt warmth spread throughout her body at Lloyd's protective stance as he wrapped an arm around hers. This seemed quite unlike him.

Quinn grinned, holding up his hands. "Easy there, Mr. Aggression. I didn't realise I was stepping on anyone's toes." He nodded to Presea, "Well, make sure you take good care of her." Placing his hat back on his head, the man glanced up and saw Colette for the first time.

"Well hello there young lady." He said, taking her hand and kissing it. "That is, without a doubt, the most beautiful smile I have ever seen."

"Oh…um, really?" Colette giggled, looking awkward. "Um…Thanks."

"Speaking truthful words require no thanks." Quinn's eyes glittered in the late morning sunlight. "Well, then…" he paused expectantly.

Colette didn't seem to know where to look. "…Ah, um, Colette."

"Colette? Another lovely name. Well then, Colette, would you do me the honour of your company tonight?"

The former Chosen had begun to blush furiously, "Ah, um, well…um…um…w-well –"

"Perhaps you can continue this…discussion later," intervened Regal with a smile. "The Dawn Sabre will be replenished and provided with materials for repair. I trust you can perform the restorations during the flight to Mizuho?"

Quinn waved a dismissive hand. "Sure, sure. My girl Ceiridwen and her team can repair anything." He looked down at Rochelle; "You should go and meet her, little miss. I reckon you'd get along."

Before the Felesian could reply, Regal had continued. "That's good news. You see, you are scheduled to leave shortly – as soon as the Dawn Sabre is re-supplied, in fact."

It was the first time in the whole meeting that Quinn looked at least slightly taken aback. "Say what?"

"It cannot be helped unfortunately. It is urgent that my friends reach Mizuho as soon as possible."

Quinn looked as though he was about to object, then shook his head with a rueful smile. "You drive me too hard, y'know?"

Regal chuckled, "But at least you are well compensated for it."

The captain laughed, "Yeah yeah. Well," he looked at the group. "Those of you who will be participating of my fine ships hospitality follow me, I'll introduce you to the Dawn Sabre and her crew."

Lloyd watched Quinn as he took Colette's arm, and led the way to the ship, the blushing former Chosen in tow.

"I'd better go rescue her," he said. "Y'know, that guy reminds me of…"

"…Zelos," Presea finished the young man's sentence for him.

The tour was a casual affair, Quinn guiding them up through the many floors of the hull. By the time they had reached the top deck, they had passed through kitchens, crew quarters, private rooms, armouries, cargo holds, training quarters, and even a library. Presea found it hard to believe that so much could be held within a ship, even one as large as this. Quinn seemed to take pleasure in their amazement, pointing out almost useless trinkets of information as to the construction or history of the ship. The sun was already high above them as he led them towards the large tower like structure at the rear of the ships top deck. They passed up through strange rooms of navigation charts, scientific and technological artefacts, and even an observation room. The bridge was housed within this structure, and Quinn strode proudly through the door into the large room.

The bridge was relatively sparse compared to some of the other locations on the ship, its furnishings a matter of function over aesthetics. Maps were pinned up on walls and strewn over tables, along with logbooks and similar documents. An enormous window filled the wall opposite, presenting a grand view of the ship below and of the surrounding area. Two of the crew were present, and looked up from their duties as the group entered.

Quinn pointed to the young lady who was sat at one of the tables, calculating something using the maps. She had long purple hair, tied in a single ponytail, which fell down almost to her waist and friendly looking eyes, bright blue in colour. Her clothing was of similar style to the captain's, although a lot less outlandish, and she removed a small pair of glasses to rub her eyes as she was introduced.

"The fine lady over there is Lilly and the overweight brute by the helm is Girvin. The finest navigator and helmsman you could hope to sail with," he paused. "Not to mention the cheapest."

"Which, considerin' the insults we have to put up with from the Cap'n, is a rare thing." Girvin turned around from the helm, revealing his not quite overweight girth, and laughed. He was a short stocky man, on the later stages of middle age, with a thick rusty beard matching what hair remained on his head. The man reminded Presea of another crew member they had met on the way up, the head chef Boris – although the helmsman was far more affable.

Quinn smiled at the comment as he looked around. "So, where's Alwyn got to this time?"

Lilly stifled a yawn and stretched, leaning back into her seat. "He went to oversee the external repairs to the aft with Ceiridwen, captain. I'm surprised you didn't bump into them." She waved a hand. "Hi, Regal."

The brown haired captain scratched his chin as greetings were exchanged. "Yes, I had wanted to catch up with her. You see, one of our guests remind me of her somewhat."

The two crew members scanned the group for a second, then both gasped upon seeing Rochelle.

Girvin whistled softly, "Well I'll be…"

"I don't believe it," Lilly sat up, amazed. "A Felesian?"

Rochelle blinked as even her own friends turned to stare at her. "Uh…yeah, so?"

Quinn chuckled. "Forgive my comrade's surprise miss, Felesian's are somewhat rare outside of their village, as I'm sure you must know."

The Felesian looked down at her feet, "Oh, yeah…sure." She looked downcast, and quickly clutched Presea's hand tight.

The pink haired girl looked at Quinn. "Excuse me, I have a question. There is just a single village where Felesian's come from?"

He frowned in thought for a second, then shrugged. "I guess so, though I don't know for certain. Ceiridwen would know, if you can get her to talk. She rarely speaks about her roots."

"Why would she know about the village?" Lloyd asked. "Has she been there?"

"She's probably lived there," Lilly replied. "She's a Felesian too."

Rochelle gasped. "R-really? There's a Felesian on board here?"

Quinn crossed over to the navigation table and pored at the maps. "Yup, our wonderful chief engineer. I'll introduce you later if you want, or you can feel free to take a stroll and find her yourself. I'll have someone show you to the guest rooms first though, just so you don't get lost." He looked up at Regal, "So, how long do you think the re-supplying will take?"

The blue haired man thought for a moment. "I would expect no more than an hour or so."

"Man," Quinn dropped into a seat, glancing at Lilly and Girvin. "Don't you think he's working us too hard?"

"Whew," Colette slumped onto the large bed in one of the guest rooms. "The captain is quite a character."

"That's one way of putting it," replied Lloyd sourly as he dropped his rucksack onto the floor. "I mean, is he for real?"

Presea looked out the small window beside the bed. The sky was beginning to cloud over now, the sun going into hiding following its earlier outburst. "He seems to have the respect of the crew. That is an admirable trait for a captain to possess."

"Hmph, too bad the same can't be said for his attitude to women. Come back Zelos, all is forgiven."

Lloyd stretched, then opened the door leading out of the room. "I'm just going to go and see when we're leaving. Won't be a sec."

Rochelle looked across at Colette as the door closed. "So," she said slyly. "Are you gonna take him up on his offer?"

The blonde haired girl fiddled with the tassels on her outfit. "Huh?"

"Don't 'huh' me." The Felesian leapt onto the bed beside her. "Are you going to 'honour him with your company later' and all that."

"Oh that…well, he probably just overheard me saying how cool the ship is and wanted to show me more of it."

"Oh yeah, sure." Rochelle remarked dryly, grinning at the former Chosen. "Like the captain's bedroom!"

"Ah, what?" Colette looked across, startled. "N-no, that's not it…I'm sure that's not it at all, right Presea?"

Presea massaged her sore arm and thought, finding her flustered friend amusing. "Well…he did seem to like you…"

"Oh my…really? Do you think? But…" The blonde haired girl fidgeted uncomfortably. "Um…what should I do? Perhaps I could hide for the journey?"

Rochelle laughed, "For a whole day? You sure are funny Colette."

The former Chosen was looking distracted and concerned. "…heh heh…I am?"

Presea frowned. Something had been playing on her mind since they had left the bridge, and she wanted to clear it up with the Felesian.

"Rochelle…did you know of this village?"

The Felesian stopped laughing, growing suddenly nervous. "Um…well," she sighed. "No…not really."

"Haven't you ever been there then?" asked Colette.

"Maybe…" Rochelle shrugged. "I dunno babe. If I have, then I don't remember it."

"Of course." Presea nodded. "Your amnesia. That makes sense."

"It doesn't make sense," snapped the Felesian, her eyes fierce. "It sucks. I hate not being able to remember stuff. I…hate not knowing who I am."

Presea paused at Rochelle's sudden outburst, not quite knowing what to say – despite having had a similar experience once. Luckily Colette intervened then, placing a hand on the Felesian's shoulder.

"You are you," she said. "I…couldn't imagine what it must be like to not be able to remember your past, but…at least you have all your memories of the last few years, and those of your new friends."

Rochelle nodded after a moment. "I guess…"

Colette smiled brightly. "Hey, I know! Let's go and find Ceiridwen. Maybe she can tell us where this village is? Then we can all go and visit it."

The Felesian looked up. "…R-really?"

"Sure!" Colette giggled. "It'll be fun!"

"There is a high probability she will still be in the aft of the ship." Presea added.

Rochelle wrapped her arms around Colette and squeezed her tight. "Thanks Colette. You're so cool!"

The former Chosen smiled. "Heh heh, not really. Are you coming Presea?"

"I will catch you up," replied the pink haired girl with a smile. "Lloyd will begin to think we're avoiding him if we keep wandering off when he's gone."

---

"So, let me get this straight. We just have to escort your friends to Mizuho, stick around until they've finished their business, then bring them back." Quinn slumped down on the plush sofa in his room and sighed. Picking up a half full bottle of rum from the cluttered table beside him, he poured himself a glass. He held up the bottle to Regal, who was sat on a similar seat opposite, but the blue haired man declined, shaking his head.

"I don't know…is there something here that you're not telling me? Not that it matters if there is – I mean, I owe you my life and all – but the Dawn Sabre seems an awfully large ship for escort duty. Am I to expect some degree of combat?"

Regal looked thoughtful for a second. "To be honest…I do not know, and I apologise for my lack of information on the matter. The reports I have received from the area indicate an increasingly large Delphinium presence amassing round the village."

Quinn looked at the glass for a second before downing its contents. "Those guys…great. Well, I'll make sure I inform Pietro to run checks on all of our weapons." Reaching for the bottle again, Quinn looked Regal in the eye. "Any other…news?"

The blue haired man shook his head sadly. "Regarding Zao? I'm afraid not. We've had a number of skirmishes with pirate vessels, but we've yet to receive any information as to their leaders whereabouts."

"Damn it." His voice was a whisper, but there was no hiding the malice held within it. "I should have killed the bastard when I had the chance."

"Quinn, you didn't have that opportunity. If you had tried to take Zao's life, you would have been slain yourself. Dying will not avenge Liza."

The captain finished the second glass and looked at the bottle, before sighing and returning it to the table. "If it takes that much to kill Zao then it will be worth it."

---

Lloyd wandered down a corridor as identical as the one he had just left and sighed. Where was the crew when you needed them? Feeling hopelessly lost; he tried a door nearby and entered a room containing a number of long metal tables, and cupboards full of bottles of liquid and instruments. A woman in white clothes looked up from what looked like a stock inventory, and Lloyd realised she was an elf.

She brushed strands of silver hair from her face as she stood, her hands moving to her hips.

"Can I help you?"

Lloyd looked about the room in wonder. "Woah, where am I?"

The elf raised an eyebrow. "You are on board the Dawn Sabre, unless of course you meant this room – which, of course, is the infirmary." She frowned. "I don't think I've seen you here before…"

Lloyd laughed, "That's surely a good thing for me, right? I don't think I'd want to visit an infirmary that often."

"Right…"

The young man blinked. "Oh, sorry – I'm Lloyd, Lloyd Irving. I'm one of the group that your ship is taking to Mizuho."

The elf deftly packed away some bottles into the cupboard and nodded. "Well, I guess that makes sense considering your poor knowledge of the ship. Tell me, did our good captain forget to include this part of Dawn Sabre in his guided tour again?"

Lloyd laughed, a little uneasy at the elf's dry personality. "Yeah…I'm kinda lost to be honest."

"That much was obvious. I shouldn't worry though, even Captain Quinn still gets confused around these levels, which is why he rarely comes here." She held out her hand. "Well met, Lloyd. I'm Esther, the ships head physician."

Lloyd shook her hand, "Pleased to meet you."

"But of course," she smiled – a strange ethereal movement of her lips, which seemed slightly unnerving and enchanting at the same time. "Everybody wants to get on the good side of the resident doctor. After all, you'll never know when you could be their patient."

"Uh…sure!" Lloyd fidgeted in the doorway. "Say, would you happen to know where I can find the captain? I need to speak with someone who is with him."

"Really? Well, that is something of a…coincidence. I need to present the captain with the medical stores report. I can take you there."

"Wow, really? Thanks."

"Before that though, I need to actually compile the report." She tossed a stack of papers over to Lloyd, followed by a pen. "Here, you can help me."

The young man looked down at the papers. "Uh…"

"You look like a bright fellow, I'm sure you will find the world of medicine a fascinating subject to be immersed in. The history and development of it is particularly entertaining."

Lloyd nearly sighed, but thought better of it. "You wouldn't happen to know a professor by the name of Raine would you?"

---

Ceiridwen swore as some of the hot Usa tree sap she was using to plug holes dripped onto her arm, immediately sticking to the bare skin. Sitting up the best she could in the cramped floorspace above the aft library, the Felesian tried to wipe off the clear, foul smelling, liquid with a grubby cloth.

She could hear Alwyn chuckling in the room below, and the elf's silken voice floated up to her location a few moments later.

"Sounds like you're having a ball up there."

"Yeah," she replied sourly through gritted teeth as she scrubbed away the remainder of the sap. "It's only when I'm up in places like this that I realise how much I love being stuck in hot, cramped places and covered in sticky crap. I mean, whose idea was it to make the engineering section in charge of repairs?"

"That's something you'll have to take up with our dear captain."

Ceiridwen wiped her hands on her dirty overalls and sighed. She had got the sap in her hair too by the feel of it, despite the flat cap she wore to prevent such a thing from happening. She ran a hand through it, and pulled loose strands of her pink hair, which were stuck in globules of the stuff.

"You know, you could always speak to him on my behalf." She swore again as her tail knocked over the lamp she was using to light the small area.

"Any chance you could direct some of that aggression into productive energy? You could finish that job in minutes."

Ceiridwen looked out of the hatch leading down to the library and flicked a blob of the sap down at the smiling elf. "Aye. You know, you could always roll up your sleeves and help me."

Alwyn neatly side-stepped the projectile, and grinned up at the fuming Felesian. "Not in my job description, sorry. Besides, you do a much better job than I would."

The Felesian stalked moodily to the corner she had been working on and began to slap on the thick sap, fixing wooden planks over the holes. Over her own muttering she could just about hear the sound of Alwyn in conversation with someone, and she assumed it was some of the engineering juniors getting something wrong again. A few seconds later though, she heard Alwyn calling her name.

"Hey Ceiridwen, come down for a second. And for heavens sake, watch your mouth – you've got guests."

"Huh?" The Felesian twisted round in the cramped space and peered out of the hatch again. "Who's that then? Is my work being appreciated at last?"

Two young ladies were standing beside the elf, staring up at her. One of them had long blonde hair, fastened into two ponytails, and wore strange, exotic looking clothing. The other, who was younger by the looks of it, also had blonde hair and was wearing sturdy travelling clothes – but it was her other characteristics that made Ceiridwen look twice. The girl was a Felesian.

She suppressed the brief panic that suddenly exploded inside of her. Surely they wouldn't be looking for her here, and there would be no way Quinn would have let the girl on board if that were the case. The pink haired Felesian slid down onto the ladder and quickly scaled the distance to the ground.

She looked the pair up and down as she held out a grubby hand. "I'm Ceiridwen, chief engineer of the Dawn Sabre. What can I do for you?"

The girl in strange clothes shook her hand, but the young Felesian was staring at her in amazement, and Ceiridwen began to feel slightly uncomfortable.

"So it's really true…there is a Felesian on board."

Ceiridwen looked from one of the guests to the other and frowned. "Uh…yeah, is that a problem?"

The girl in strange clothes was trying to subtly wipe some of the drying sap she had got from shaking hands on her clothes. Ceiridwen watched in amusement for a second before throwing her the grubby rag from her pocket. "Use this. So, who are you guys then?" she asked, feeling her voice grow stern as she voiced her fears. "You're…not from Triela are you?"

"Huh, what? Oh no…" The girl was scrubbing away at her hands with the rage. "Sorry, guess we are being kind of rude. I'm Colette, and this is Rochelle. We're not from Triela…is that the Felesian village?"

Ceiridwen felt her tail lash in anxiety. "Aye."

The young Felesian, Rochelle, grew quite excited then. "You mean there is a village. Oh, wow – Colette, did you hear that?"

The pink haired Felesian shook her head, confused. "Okay…so what's going on here? You're a Felesian yourself, surely you would know that. I don't know of any of our kind who didn't grow up in Triela."

Rochelle clutched her tail. "Well…that may be true babe, but if I did grew up there then I don't remember it."

"Rochelle's got amnesia." Colette added helpfully, handing back the rag.

"Amnesia?" Ceiridwen frowned as she pocketed the dirty cloth. "That's a little…unfortunate."

"Yeah, it must be horrible." Colette smiled, "So…we were wondering if you knew how to get to this village. We thought that…maybe Rochelle's parents are there."

The pink haired Felesian closed her eyes. She had guessed where this conversation was heading. The young pair seemed genuine enough, but still…if they were asked at the village who had given them directions then it would only be a matter of time before they caught up with her. No, she couldn't let that happen.

"Sorry," she said, shaking her head. "I…can't help you."

"Huh? Don't you know where the village is?" Colette looked confused.

"Aye…but…I'm sorry I just –"

"Oh come on," chimed in Rochelle, her tail flicking with frustration. "Please babe."

"I can't help you!" Ceiridwen shouted, stunning them both into silence. "I…I've got work to do now. I'm sorry." She turned and bounded back up the ladder, feeling the heat rising in her cheeks. Climbing back up into the floorspace, the Felesian sat herself in the corner of the cramped area, listening to the muffled voices talking below. Then the ladder creaked suddenly as somebody began climbing up it. Ceiridwen sighed, wondering if it was one of the two visitors, but a few moments later Alwyn climbed into the floorspace, his icy white hair and pale blue eyes flickering orange from the limited light of the lamp.

"Well, that gave an interesting first impression," he remarked as he sat down beside her, his voice light and free from judgement.

"Oh just shut up," she snapped, scrabbling for the tub of sap and brush, so as to continue working. Her trembling hand dropped the brush after just a few moments though, and as she moved to pick it up her tail knocked over the tub, sending sticky sap oozing all over the floor. "Crap! Now look what you made me do!"

Alwyn rested a hand on her shoulder, forcing her to sit back down. "I think it's time you took a break, mate." He took out a hip flask and handed it over. "Have some, you'll feel better for it."

Ceiridwen made to protest, but relented and took the proffered item, having a mouthful of the rum inside. She winced as the liquid ran down her throat, burning its way to her stomach.

"Better for it?" she coughed, "More likely this crap'll kill me."

Alwyn laughed for a second before growing silent. "Well, she was an unexpected surprise."

The Felesian rested her head against the wall. "Aye…you could say that. Nearly died from shock."

The elf nodded. "I guess it has been a while."

"Six years." Ceiridwen shook her head, feeling sorrow grip her. She hated that emotion. "I've never seen one of my own kind since…"

Alwyn paused, taking a sip from the flask. "Do you ever think you should…"

"We said we weren't going to discuss that again," Ceiridwen felt her voice grow taunt and sharp.

"Oh, listen to yourself," Alwyn laughed. "If you don't talk about it then you're going to be stalking about the ship with that bad attitude for the rest of the journey. I don't fancy being on the wrong side of those claws again."

The pink haired Felesian smiled at the memory his words evoked. "You deserved that!" She shifted position so she was looking at the elf. "I understand what you're saying, and you have my thanks for your concern, but I just can't go back. I really can't." She met his gaze, feeling her voice grow quiet and weak. It happened so rarely that she felt disgusted with herself whenever it did. "Please don't make me…"

"What are you talking about? Stupid, of course I won't make you." The elf took her hand, "But talk to me when you feel like this, okay? Don't bottle it up – that's what friends are for."

Ceiridwen felt a warm feeling flood through her at his words. She gripped his hand. "Best friends, right?"

"Best friends," the elf replied, and then laughed. "Now let go, you're going to stain my hands with that stuff."

---

Presea felt like her legs were going to drop off by the time she reached the exit from the ship, emerging into the afternoon air of the docking platform with a weary sigh. Quinn, Lloyd, Colette and Rochelle were already outside, saying their goodbyes to Regal. She ran over to join them.

"Presea!" Colette cried. "We didn't think you were going to make it."

"Well, I appeared to have been wasting large amounts of time waiting for Lloyd to return to the guest room."

Lloyd looked abashed, "Really? Oh, um…sorry about that! I got tied up."

"I was not being serious." Presea replied, wondering why it was people seemed to notice when anybody else was being humorous, but not her. She smiled; hoping it would enforce her statement. "Are we ready to depart then?"

Quinn realised they were looking expectantly at him, and quickly took his eyes away from Colette. "Uh…yeah, of course! Sure! Ready to depart whenever you guys are."

Presea moved up to Regal and embraced the blue haired man. "Thank you for providing accommodation for the last few days. It was fun. Look after yourself." She clutched him tightly, not liking the feeling she got when she said goodbye to friends.

"I'm sure we'll all see each other soon. Take care," said Regal as he returned the embrace, before Presea moved off to join the others boarding the ship.

Quinn looked round as the door began to close, "Right, I'm off to the bridge to supervise the launch. Watch the ascent from the top deck if you want, it can be quite impressive."

"Yeah, c'mon you guys!" Rochelle shouted, grabbing Presea and Colette by the arm whilst looking at Lloyd. "Let's go to top deck."

The group made their way through the ship to emerge outside on the top deck as the vessel began a series of initial, shuddering movements. Presea was dragged to the side of the deck by Rochelle, and that familiar, nauseating, sensation returned as the ship began to lift sluggishly up into the air – leaving the ground far below. The pink haired girl joined the others in waving farewell to a shrinking Regal, her free hand gripping the railing tightly as the other tentatively said goodbye.

After a few more moments, the docking facility faded into the orange evening haze, followed shortly after by Altamira and the island itself. As she watched the land in the distance get consumed by the surrounding sea and dusky sky, Presea felt a strange sense of adventure creeping through her body. It felt just like old times.