"We just step into the orb and we will end up in Eryth Sea." Alvis gestured to the odd orb of light with a smile. "I can assure you it will not injure you."
"I assumed it would be without injury, if you're willing to do it." Egil looked down. "And Oka seems fine with it, as well."
"Oka know very safe! Bird people and Alvis use before, so Oka can trust it." She nodded, smiling.
"I assume it's some sort of ether use." Linada added. "Unless it tries to drain us of ether, I can't see it being dangerous."
"If it is the only way, we have to take the risk, either way." Vanea nodded. "Let us go."
Alvis blinked a few times, eyes wide, but he quickly recovered, chuckling. "I see, well then. After all of you."
Egil shrugged and stepped into it first, the other Machina and Oka following first. It was a strange sensation, but soon enough his feet were on sand. He looked around and let out a low whistle. So this was Eryth Sea, and he supposed the floating city in the distance was the home of the High Entia.
"Is it simply ether holding them up or is there technology behind it?" He spoke, mostly to himself. "How curious."
"A bit of both, we mine float rocks from the Shoulder and build them into our technology to make Alcamoth hover as it does." Alvis stepped up next to him. "It is mostly float rocks and ether combined that make the reefs stay in the air, however."
"I see, rocks make it possible." He hummed. "I would love to study this in more detail. Compare it to the technology we use in Agniratha."
"I may be able to help you with that, if you are interested." Alvis gave him a smile. "I have a few connections, after all."
"They talking quite a lot…" Oka tilted her head. "Should Oka stop them…?"
"No, this is normal." Vanea shook her head, sharing a look with Linada. "If he finds someone to talk to about this kind of thing, he can go on for hours."
"Indeed." Linada sat down with a sigh. "We may as well get comfortable, it's going to be a while."
"Indeed." Vanea joined Linada, allowing Oka to climb into her lap. "Chances are we won't even be changing our armour until it's dark out."
"Oka going to take nap, then. So Oka be energized for night when we head out." She curled up on Vanea's lap. "Friends should sleep, too."
"I'm not tired, but I will consider it." Vanea pet her head. "Sleep well, Oka."
"Well, then. What should we do to pass the time?" Linada looked at the men with a sigh. "They'll be at this for hours."
"Hmm…" Vanea drew a little board in the sand with her nail. "Tic-tac-toe?"
"Well, better than nothing." She drew and X in the center of the little board. "Your turn, then."
Vanea began returning with her own play, a hope for this to not go on too long in the back of her head, no matter how unlikely that was. She would have to think of more little games to draw into the sand for the next few hours…
Egil tugged at the armour with a frown, already missing the moments of not being upset with Alvis as they talked about High Entia-based technology. This was a strange armour set, even by the standards of a Machina such as himself.
"Is it just me or is this armour a bit more focused on flair than actual function." He made a face.
"Don't be silly, Egil." Vanea clicked her tongue. "These seem perfectly fine, and quite sturdy!"
"I agree. You just have to get used to the visual flair." Linada nodded. "You prefer orange to any color, but you look nice in that."
"Very nice." Alvis hummed, hand on his chin. "You should wear more armour like this, the color looks nice against your skin."
"Egil looks very much good!" Oka nodded. "Egil must just be embarrassed."
"Not embarrassed, but…" Egil groaned. "Oh, forget it. The lot of you won't understand. I will simply wear this until… better armour becomes available."
He wanted to change back into his usual gear, but Alvis had control of that, and he doubted the Homs would just hand it over. Oh, as soon as he figured out how to get it back, he was changing out of this.
"With that decided, we can move on." Alvis gestured towards a teleporter of sorts. "We can use those to get to Alcamoth, where I can explain your being here before troubles arise."
"Alright." Egil sighed and started for it. He supposed he could figure out where to go based on those red lines travelling from one teleporter to the next. Good, at least they couldn't get lost on their way.
"Oh Eryth Sea so pretty!" Oka let out a happy sigh as they teleported to the first reef. "Should bring family sometime for vacation! Oka just worried they all wander off."
"Would they not follow the lines, then?" Egil looked back at her, stopping for a moment.
"Littlepon too little to think about that, and Riki too stupid." She sighed. "Oka would have to keep all of them on leash! And Riki always complain when put on leash."
"I am not sure I want to hear about your husband on a leash…" Vanea made a bit of a face.
"Why not? Oka have many story of Riki on leash!" Oka spoke, utterly oblivious to the discomfort the rest of the group was showing. "Once Oka had to put him on for family dinner! Riki kept getting up to steal food of littlepon's plate even though Oka tell him littlepon must eat vegetables!"
"So he tried to help them out of healthy eating." Alvis snickered. "I'm sure he meant only the best."
"Oka was right to stop him, though." Linada spoke up, the same doctor-like tone Egil was used to coming through. "His children need their greens to grow properly."
"Linada understand after one night at Frontier Village!" Oka smiled. "Oka very much like machine doctor."
"Why thank you, Oka."
Egil sighed, rubbing his temples. "Let's just keep going, I'd rather not hear more about Riki and his leash."
Egil knew entirely too much about Riki and his leash now, but at least they were almost to Alcamoth. Travel had taken a while and light was returning, but that was fine. They could rest once everything was settled…
That was when winged guards appeared. They held weapons out, shield in front of them. "Don't move! You're in violation of the treaty!"
Egil raised his hands. "I know, but we are here-"
"Seer Alvis!" Another guard moved the Homs behind him, cutting Egil's attempted explanation short without missing a beat. "Please, do not worry. We will take care of these criminals."
"Ah…" Alvis looked at Egil, as if asking him to trust him as he spoke. "I understand. I will speak with the Emperor on my findings."
And with that, he stepped into the teleporter, leaving Egil and the others in a hell of a lot of trouble. Egil grit his teeth, taking a step forward. He just left them like that?! He should have known this was a trap!
One of the guards slammed into him with their shield, sending him tumbling back just a bit. "Stay right there! If you know what's good for you, you will listen to us."
"Alvis…!" Vanea's eyes widened. "He…"
"I can't believe this…" Linada crossed her arms, stepping back from the guards near her. "Did he really just leave us?"
"Alvis… is friend, right?" Oka frowned up at Egil. "Right?"
"I am… not sure, Oka." It was seeming he wasn't to him, despite the look they had shared before Alvis departed, but he didn't want to upset the woman. She had enough stress as it was. "We should focus on this predicament for now."
"No more talking!" One of the guards shoved into Egil again. "You will come with us, and stay quiet as we travel!"
Egil grimaced, staring after a man he couldn't even see anymore as he tried to steady himself. "Fine, then. We will cooperate, for now."
