A Search for Answers (backdated to November 13)

[desertbloomed]

Ashelia and Lightning have been talking for a while about checking out the lost city of Aqures Tosf. Surely, there must be answers there; it's the original resting place of the Crystal of Fire before it destroyed the city, crystallizing the inhabitants it didn't kill outright. With Aqures Ixen nearly coming to the same end on The Night of the Thirteen Moogles, answers are needed more than ever.

What awaits on that forsaken island? Marvels? Horros? Treasure? The truth? No one knows. Will you take on the challenge?


[Aqures Ixen Airship Port]

The Heroes gather at the Airship Port to depart on their flight to Balicea. Who is coming along? Why? What do you hope to find on this journey? One word of advice: don't be late. Ashelia cannot abide tardiness.

[Airship Ride to Balicea]

The ride on the ship is short, but it doesn't have to be uneventful. Is this your first time on an airship? Time to find out if you get airsick.

[Balicea]

The Heroes arrive in Balicea on a mission. Ashelia tells everyone that they'll have the day to themselves to explore, but they should be at the docks the next morning bright and early. Ashelia will make sure they have a ship chartered to take them to Aqures Tosf.

[The Voyage to the Lost City]

Ashelia hopes that some of the Heroes coming along are better sailors than she - not one captain was willing to take them to Aqures Tosf. It looks to be a safe enough voyage with the weather, but running a ship is no small feat and Ashelia is an amateur.

[The Lost City of Aqures Tosf]

This is it. The Heroes have arrived. What awaits them? Will they learn anything that will help them unravel the mysteries of the Crystals? Or will the strong creatures that have made the ruins of the once-great city their home prove to be too much?

Comments

Aqures Ixen Airship Port

[desertbloomed]

Aqures Ixen Airship Port

[umslay]

Ales had been up since dawn preparing for his first real airship flight since he officially became a pilot. He had planned to start right after receiving his license, but the total shutdown of Shoopuf Airlines last month ruined his plans. This time, however, he was sure that he was going to get there early and make his first passenger flight his best.

Once he woke up Mimi, they prepared a more decent breakfast than usual, and together they left for the Aqures Ixen station. His uniform was new, unworn since he received it, though he kept his usual hat one. They spent an hour checking their papers and looking over the ship, reviewing where everything was.

An hour before they would begin boarding passengers, he decided to take a walk outside the station, looking over at how many people he would be transporting. Not that he never flew a flying ship before, but this would be the first time that that people he didn't know where on it as well.

Scanning the small crowd, he noticed a familiar face.

"So you're coming on this trip?" he asked as he walked up to them.

Aqures Ixen Airship Port

[zodiac_brave]

Ramza greeted the little blue pilot.

"Yes, once the boarding gate is put into place," he replied with a little smile, making light of himself that last time he had tried to board the airship.

He looked over Ales' new uniform. "Will you be taking the helm on this journey?" he asked.

Re: Aqures Ixen Airship Port

[umslay]

Ales smiled, remembering the time he last traveled with Ramza, waiting for the boarding plank.

"Of course I will. This will be my first official commercial flight!" He lifted the sides of his uniform to show off the Shoopuf Airlines logo on them. "I'm pretty excited to finally have the change to fly one of these things by myself!"

Aqures Ixen Airship Port

[zodiac_brave]

"Congratulations," Ramza told him. "We shall be in good hands."

He set down his pack, filled with clothing, food, potions, everything he could anticipate needing on this quest and could easily carry. He hoped he was prepared; he was not used to being so limited in holding space. Usually, supplies were spread out amongst his ranks of allies.

He wondered who else would reply to Lady Ashelia's summons. "Do you plan to venture to the Lost City, or does your employment interfere?" he asked his little companion. He knew Ales did not seek out battles, but he had joined in for that previous conflict.

Aqures Ixen Airship Port

[umslay]

Ales laughed. "Of course. I wouldn't even be considered a pilot if they weren't confident in my skills." And he was glad flying his own machine back home gave him a head start in learning how to operate the ship.

Eyeing Ramza's pack, Ales realized that most of the passengers had to depend on themselves for supplies. Crew members were provided food by the Airlines.

"I'm afraid I won't be able to. Once I reach my final destination, I have to immediately turn back. I won't have any scheduled flights the rest of this month, so hopefully I can join on another trip later."

Aqures Ixen Airship Port

[zodiac_brave]

Ramza nodded. "We will miss your aid on this quest. But I am sure you will have opportunity to explore later. There is still much we do not know about our new home."

He paused. "Sir Ales, did you learn anything of the Lost City in your research?" he asked. Simon had mentioned that the pilot had been searching for answers, but so much of what had happened in the days leading up to the Night of the Thirteen Moogles was a blur to Ramza.

[desertbloomed]

"I should think so," Ashelia replied curtly. She was standing by the gate, looking at a large scroll she had unfurled before her. It was a detailed sea chart of the central waters between the continents.

She looked down at Ales, her concentration broken. She broke into an ever so slight smile as she nodded courteously at the Teensie. "I am glad we are to have one of our own to guide us on this first leg of our journey. Preparations are on schedule, I hope?"

[umslay]

Ales tried to see what she was looking at by standing behind the scroll and checking if the light shown through it. No such luck, and he wasn't going to ask to climb her to see what she was looking at.

"Of course everyone's going according to schedule; you've got me as a pilot and one of the most organized crews in the company!" He gave her a tip of his hat. "Is everything ready on your end?"

Aqures Ixen Airship Port [Open]

[shinrasfinest]

He hadn't replied to the letter yesterday, couldn't quite find the words with which to reply to Ashelia. Spencer had advised him to stay away if he wasn't going to commit, and that's why he was without the moogle now. Less than a month ago and he would have insisted on being part of the clearly important expedition to Aqures Tosf, but now -considering that it would have been the fate of Aqures Ixen if he-

If the Calamity hadn't been stopped? Thousands of years ago, or only last month? To say Sephiroth were still having a crisis of conscience in the aftermath of his brainwashing would be an understatement. He'd already communicated the same to Ashelia as well, and only her, for even having moved into living with Angeal and Zack he still preferred to soldier on alone; being all that he'd ever done.

He arrived at the Airship Port promptly at the allocated time, as usual for anything he might put himself forwards for. He wasn't dressed in his armor and that might be the clue as to his intention to stay behind. It had gotten colder in Aqures Ixen and even he needed to cover up, being as he was back to being weaker once more. A light grey turtleneck sweater poked out from the folds of his leather trenchcoat where he had gone bare chested before. Arms folded as usual as he took stock of those that would be appearing here soon to depart for that destroyed City.

Aqures Ixen Airship Port [Open]

[goddessofthesky]

"Sephiroth?" Her voice sounded small as addressed him. She couldn't help but feel nervous. She still remembered that night clearly and part of her was afraid. It wasn't in her to back down or show that weakness though. She put on a gentle smile, determined to be strong.

She had come to see everyone off but hadn't expected to see the tense solder there as well. A basket was tucked under her arm and Kopula hovered nearby eyeing Sephiroth like a mouse would eye a cat. Zelda wore her light brown cloak and a light green dress underneath it. Her hair was loose but tied down due to the scarf around her neck. "Are you going too?"

Aqures Ixen Airship Port [Open]

[shinrasfinest]

He wasn't sure that he recognized the small voice behind him to begin with but as Sephiroth turned his head over a leather-clad shoulder to look who it might be, he carefully engineered a half step back with a turn to face the blonde princess whom he had killed. Her expression, the tears that had fell from her face, shot across his memories like a flash of lightning but outwardly Sephiroth managed -ever the professional- to hold his composure. He too, was ever-so determined to maintain his strength in the face of adversity, or in this case, an awkward encounter that had only been a matter of time before he'd be faced with.

Sharp eyes, alight once more with remnants of the Mako he'd had infused once more last month, sought out Kopula and noted well the way that the moogle acted around him. No great surprise really. Equally carefully, he answered Zelda.

"I had considered it-" Obvious as it was, from his low tone, that he'd already decided against it. "-but no. Still it's important to wish them luck"

Aqures Ixen Airship Port [Open]

[goddessofthesky]

She covered her mouth as she coughed and then smiled up at Sephiroth. It was weird and she couldn't stop thinking of him with the hateful glint to his expression. "I came to wish them luck as well."

Zelda lifted her basket slightly. "And to give those going something for their trip."

Aqures Ixen Airship Port [Open]

[shinrasfinest]

Hateful expression Sephiroth was hardly a far cry from his usual serious semi-neutral one after all. Except without a certain spark behind it, though much made up by the ethereal glow his eyes would retain for weeks yet; the reminder even in his own reflection of what had passed. As if he was going to forget it in any short time.

He lowered his eyes from Zelda's face and broke eye contact, turning back around to where he had been overlooking the airships that were boarding. Certain he had been early, but who knows maybe they were all already on board and getting ready to depart. None of the other Heroes owed him any words whatsoever after what he had done.

"That's nice of you." He sounded as honest as ever, not lacking the sincerity that came with his manners but really there wasn't anything else for him to say about it.

Aqures Ixen Airship Port [Open]

[goddessofthesky]

She stepped next to him, looking out at the airships. Talking to him was harder than she had thought it would be but she wasn't ready to stop trying. She slowly let out a breath of air that she didn't know she had been holding. "I just hope they all stay safe."

Zelda didn't turn to look at him. It was easier talking into the distance and her usual confidence returned to her voice. "You wanted to see them off too right? That's very nice of you."

[desertbloomed]

Ashelia saw Sephiroth from across the way. She was surprised, but pleasantly so. His sword would be welcome on the trip, and she couldn't think of a better way for him to start settling his conscience over what had happened than helping with the investigation of the Lost City. The information they would glean from the trip would make all the difference Could make all the difference, she corrected herself. There were never any guarantees.

The queen approached the general, pack and supplies left with Merlose, who was going over her itinerary. "Sephiroth. 'Tis good to see you. You are..." It was then she clued in to his dress and lack of supplies. "You will not be accompanying us?"

[shinrasfinest]

Logically, it should be the perfect salve for the deep-seated issues that had been stirred in his over-thinking mind. But no matter how many times, how sternly he had tried to brain his way around into sparking his motivation to accompany Ashelia's crew to Aqures Tosf, the discomfort he felt underneath his skin was too intense to ignore. Perhaps next time he might but now, now he just wanted to be alone.

Begged the question why he had even come to see them off, really. Though, he was there now and he only slowly nodded at Ashelia once she had read the signs that -indeed- he wasn't going to be accompanying them.

"I felt it only right to come and personally see you off, even if I will be absent on the expedition itself." His voice held a steady, if a low tone to it and he didn't keep his -near-glowing- eye contact with Ashelia for very long. He looked past her, as if the surroundings might give him a clue what to say next.

"Have you everything ready? Just about?"

[desertbloomed]

Ashelia didn't look too pleased with Sephiroth's resolve not to come on the trip, but it was his choice in the end. Their exchange over Mognet had told her all she needed to know about his state of mind. In that light, it was actually a good step for the man to feel comfortable to come see them all off.

She nodded at his question. "Zelda was kind enough to bring some winter clothing and cured meats. I shall miss her healing on this voyage, but we all have our own path." She sighed lightly, looking at the other Heores that heeded her call. "Mine is to find what information I can, and bring everyone back alive and well."

[shinrasfinest]

The last thing he needed was Ashelia's displeasure, on top of everything else, hence the glancing away from her in that instance. He imagined he could feel how disappointed she was though, so it didn't help very much at all. Sternly, he turned his own thoughts to more of the other reasons he had decided to stay behind. He wanted to take on the military employment soon and he'd need to be able to get to Esdham.

He couldn't bring himself to tell anyone that, though.

"Zelda-" He swallowed a dry lump in his throat over mention of the Princess he'd killed without even a thread of a provocation. Did Ashelia know what he'd done and mentioned her on purpose? Still, concerned over manners, Sephiroth followed with a nod and a light 'humph' in agreement.

"We are all so similar, yet so different at the same time." He hoped, silently, that he might find his own way back to his path once he'd cooled off over what had happened.

Aqures Ixen Airship Port

[holycrows]

Henry showed up a few minutes before the scheduled departure time. He had packed lightly, he was used to wearing the same clothes for a long amount of time, so he really only brought along a few undershirts and other unmentionables. It's not like Armor went bad or anything. In addition he had some dried meats and berries, just in case, though he could stock up more in Balicea.

He was excited though. There hadn't been much action since for him since the factory invasion, and he was a bit sad that he had slept through the time when everyone went kill crazy (though he had been feeling poorly that entire month, colds suck, don't they?), so it was a great opportunity to go somewhere else, explore, and probably beat up some bad guys.

Aqures Ixen Airship Port [Open]

[goddessofthesky]

Zelda wore her light brown cloak and a light green dress underneath it. Her hair was loose but tied down due to the scarf around her neck. She smiled at those she knew and waved.

She hadn't planned to go on the trip but she got some provisions together for those who did. She couldn't help but worry and she hoped that they would be safe in their travels. A basket was tucked under her arm and Kopula was fluttering by her side waiting for instructions on what to retrieve from it. It was mostly filled with homemade snacks and a few winter hats for those who didn't seem to bring any of their own.

[desertbloomed]

"Zelda," came a voice from nearby. Ashelia approached the young woman, smiling warmly. "Come to see us off? I must thank you - your presence will do much for morale." It was already doing wonders for Ashelia - receiving a letter from Zelda was one thing, but seeing her live and well was an entirely different matter.

[goddessofthesky]

Her smile widened as she turned to face Ashelia. "Yes. I brought some winter wear and previsions for your trip if you need it." She held out her large basket with a warm smile.

Zelda had taken the time to prepare and salt the meats herself as well as dried fruits.

[desertbloomed]

"Ah. You've my sincere gratitude." Ashelia wasn't one to balk at winter temperatures, but the meats and fruits were a welcome addition to her own supplies. She motioned to Merlose, who came over to collect the basket and take it back to the queen's own provisions. "I'll make sure they are evenly distributed. That Luffy is coming along on this trip, and he has...an appetite."

[goddessofthesky]

"I know." Zelda couldn't help but smile at that. She made the mistake of buying the boy food once and she decided it might not be best to do that again. At least if she was going to she might have to get a second job.

Her eyes scanned the group gathered for the trip before coming back to rest on Ashelia. "Please be safe." Part of her wanted to join them and be a dedicated healer but she had things she needed to do here first.