"Tell me about some of your friends, and I'll pick one."

This message was deleted by the player at 19:50, Mon 12 Sept 2016.

ZhuLi thinks for several moments in silence as they wander down the harbor promenade. "Well of those that may have business in Ossylia I can think of 3 likely candidates... that are midian males of course. First is Kahl, he works for a local shipping company in their supply chain management division, so the disruption of traffic to and from the capital may give his company reason to send him there to investigate the effects on their operations. Next is Harmaan, he's a musician that tours quite a bit around all of Ossylia and beyond sometimes; not sure if you know anything about music though. Last is Sarcen, he's a marine biologist who got his doctorate in Ossylia and sometimes attends conferences there. Not sure if any of those strike your fancy, but that's probably the best I got... assuming you don't want to assume the identity of a Water Dancer."

Yuu walks along, easily avoiding the foot traffic. Although busier than back up the streets they'd walked, it's nothing like the hustle of Ossylia. A much more relaxed town, people seem more to saunter along as opposed to racing from one engagement to another. Even the Academy walkways seemed more stressed.

With the mention of Water Dancer though, his foot catches the edge of a curb and nearly knock himself into a basket of bricks strapped to the back of an ancient looking Gnarm. He catches himself on an awning pole, popping out the locks and barely pinches an edge of the tarp before it could drop on the baskets of cheap seaside souvenirs artlessly displayed. "Uh..." is all he manages, holding a pole in one hand and the edge of a tarp in the other.

A bit of juggling, the two sort out the awning and escape before notice, ending the notion of any profession involving dance. Or finesse, for that matter.

"Well, I don't know much about the boating routes around here. I'm ok with the violin and the piano. Not bad with a guitar, and the drums were really fun. I picked up the cello for a bit, and poked around with a clari.... well, anyways, probably nothing I could pull off professionally. Maybe the marine biologist friend... he sounds interesting. Could we meet him? Maybe visit his house? I don't actually need to be him, but if I could adapt as much of his life into my own story, it could help any credibility I needed."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:50, Mon 19 Sept 2016.

"I don't see why not. I could try to arrange a dinner or lunch in a casual setting. Even with the story how are you going to be managing your documents? While here they may no be checking very thoroughly, in the capital I suspect things will be quite different," ZhuLi answers as spins about to collect the scattered bric-a-brac and return it to its rightful place.

"I guess I'm going to try to forge them. I should have some time while we travel to figure out a way. I really just need like... a student card, maybe a letter of acceptance from the Academy. Be cool to grab a school Calendar from somewhere along the way, really add to the story. Where does he live?"

ZhuLi states some neighbourhood Yuu's never heard of and provides a brief description of how to get there. "It would be easiest just meet someplace central, like Market Square or Highliner Street. There are plenty of places to meet and eat there."

"Can we walk there?" Yuu suggests instead.

"If you're so inclined. It will take some time, about an hour, but we could." ZhuLi answers, her gaze drifting up in thought as she does the mental assessment of distance. "Alternatively we could grab a taxi or the bus and it would only take maybe 10~20mins."
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:27, Tue 27 Sept 2016.

"Let's grab a bus?" Yuu suggests.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:20, Wed 28 Sept 2016.

"To where? We can't just show up and expect him to be home. As I mentioned I'll have to arrange a meeting. Perhaps you could find a vessel willing to transport you in the meantime," Zhuli explains, somewhat exasperated. She looks around the area and continues, "There should be a phone booth somewhere around here. I could call his apartment and see if he's there or leave a message even."

"Well, let's give him a call and see if he's around." agrees Yuu, scanning the street sides for a booth.

Zhuli and Yuu find a phone booth in short order, and she calls her friend, Sarcen. As luck would have it he was not home, but she left a message for him stating that she was going to be at a particular restaurant in Market Square around the 9th hour of After-eve, and invite him to join her. She explained to Yuu that she wasn't aware of any out-of-town travel plans he had, so she' hoping he just stepped out for a bit.

The two then proceed to look for a potential ship to ferry the group to Ossylia. Oddly enough there was quite a contrast of availability, with all merchant vessels fully booked or asking exorbitant prices, but passenger vessels were somewhat available. Both Jins suspect that the news of a closed, martial-law capital had forced many a casual traveler to cancel their plans, and thus open up some spots. The more established tour ships were booked-up, with only expensive first-class berths available, on account of stranded Ossylians trying to get back. More independent ships presented an agreeable price and schedule.

After picking out 4 solid possibilities the cousins set off for Market Square, with ZhuLi insisting that they should probably sport some local styles during their journey to reinforce their story. A short bus ride into the city proper and they arrive at a grand bazaar of goods and foods. At first the scene strikes Yuu as a chaotic smorgasbord of merchant activity, but soon he finds the familiar patterns, not so dissimilar from Ossylia's main market areas. After visiting a number of stores and stalls Yuu gets a sense of the local styles, and with ZhuLi's help picks up a few outfits. ZhuLi also picks up a couple outfits for Zelpuz and Vanyra, as she displays a discerning eye for people's body physiques and size. Yuu is able to provide some assistance to that end, explaining what little he knows of the Freyan's natural camouflage ability and their penchant for minimal clothing, and his knowledge of the Order of Ashes.

After a few hours, including a break for a mango-like smoothie drink, the time arrives to head to the restaurant to meet Sarcen. After some waiting, with Yuu's anxiety  over the missed opportunity growing with each minute, Sarcen does arrive and greetings and introductions are performed.

While the meal is light and consists of a mixed fruit and vegetable salad, some scallops and a crusted white fish with a mango-like jam, the conversation fluctuates been serious discussion about the happenings in Ossylia and probes into life as a marine biologist far from the turmoils of the capital. Yuu's familiarity with the Royal Academy, even though he was in Nether Studies, provides many insights and commonalities with which to find common ground for discussion and the base for a sufficient cover story.

Yuu is sipping on a chocolate milk, the day's shopping at his feet, chatting idly with his cousin when her expression changes. He follows her gaze towards an approaching young man. He stands, and as introductions are made, he returns to his seat and lets the two friends make the usual greetings before joining into the conversation.

Once the usual pleasantries are made, the young mage takes little time to dive into his guests schooling, and studies, teachers and courses. Yuu shows apt curiousity and is probably a quicker study than Sarcen would be used to. He asks about local wildlife, migration patterns, and how fisheries respond throughout the seasons. He's asks about the biologist's specialisations, and explores the wide range of knowledge the young man has brought to the table.

As the food comes, the chatter roles onward, bouncing from topics and insights into respective expertise and postulations. It really is a tasty meal, and he keeps to local dishes, with a delicacy for dessert. They converse well beyond, keeping drinks topped up and cooled against the warm breeze.

After the meal and some more drinks ZhuLi and Yuu bid Sarcen goodnight and return to the governor's compound. Yuu was able to acquire more than enough information to fool a layperson that he was a biologist, at least in his opinion. Having earlier identified a few possible transports they could be off to Ossylia as soon as the day after tomorrow.

Upon arriving back at the compound the local clothes picked up in the market square are divvied out and a brief rundown of the day's results provided. Myria confirms her departure for Arghos two days hence as well.

The following day is spent making all the necessary preparations for the return journey to Ossylia. Tickets aboard the passenger vessel are secured for three, some miscellaneous goods are purchased for the trip, and some plans and contingencies are drawn up on how to communicate their progress back to Hashali. For Yuu the biggest task was informing his sister that she'd be remaining behind, though he was assisted by ZhuLi who assured her that she'd personally escort Qwe back home as soon as it was safe. After a hectic day each of them turned in at a reasonable hour for a good sleep for the morning's departure.

The next morning was bright and calm, a good omen for the journey remarked Yuu's Uncle as the family saw off the group after a hardy breakfast. After some abridged farewells, at least relative to formal Ossylian customs, the trio left the governor's residence and walked down the sea-side hill path to their ship. Though it seemed as if a new chapter was beginning the docks held the same bustling and boisterous atmosphere they had the other day, and in fact every day.

With little effort the group found their ship, the Sunset's Reach, a long and low trimaran vessel designed for speed and comfort in near-shore waters. While it didn't have very spacious or luxurious quarters, the top decks provided plenty of lounging space. At the foot of the gangplank they were met by two Exodi, the first mate and a crewman, who confirmed their booking. The crewman then escorted them to their cabin and explained some of the basic schedules and features of the ship for the journey ahead, which was expected to take 3 days, with one stop at the seaside town of Mercli for the 1st night. After that they are left to their own devices.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:06, Mon 21 Nov 2016.

Yuu entered his cabin, and dropped his possessions onto a side bunk. He sat on the bed, tucked his legs under himself, and leaned his head back against the wall. He was a mix of emotions, from awful to excited, nervous to anxious. Leaving his sister behind hurt, and already he felt her missing presence. His reasons were sound, and this had been the plan from the start, but it still sucked.

After a time gathering himself, the young mage straightened his head. He rummaged through his main pack, pulling out various instruments, documents, and machinations. Although he had a few days to burn away, he wanted to get started on his documentation. He'd never forged before, and wanted to dive into the study for the seriousness of the affair, and the distraction it would offer. He grabbed his student ID, a magnifying glass, and got to work.

Having never attempted to forge a document and not having any of the tools he believed one would need to do it properly proved to be somewhat of an insurmountable hurdle. After many, many painstaking hours Yuu's efforts come up short in his opinion; while they will probably fool anyone not very familiar with Academy documents they will not stand up to expert scrutiny, or even a direct comparison. Seems like a bit of luck will be involved here.

During their short stay at Mercli, Zelpuz and Vanyra make the most of their time by grabbing some local food and chatting up the locals about any news and rumors they may have heard. The one consistent story is that a makeshift naval blockade of the Ossylian harbor is underway; these vessels are tasked with searching all ships wanting to enter Ossylia. Beyond that the stories go every which way; that the authorities are looking for rebels or drug runners, that some ships have been destroyed on sight, people are being denied entry if they're not from the capital or they're letting everyone in without hassle. By the end of their shore leave the pair conclude that some sort of search and/or questioning by the Ossylian authorities is probable, but after that it's anyone's guess. They have one day to decide how to approach this problem.

Yuu stares down at his documents, rather disappointed with his work. It's a gamble, and one he should be pretty frank with Zelpuz and Vanyra about. He stands, and stretches, his bones cracking noisily, and shuffles his amateur work into a satchel. Flipping off the light, the young mage departs the room, in search of his friends.

Yuu finds his friends at one of the harbor pubs talking to a group of merchants. When he approaches, Zelpuz and Vanyra welcome him, using the opportunity to leave the group discussion. They find an empty table in a corner and update Yuu about the vastly diverging stories and the most likely common grounds.
"Seems like it's anywhere from open gates to no chance for at least Vanyra and me to get in through an official route" Zelpuz sais in a huddled voice. "I suggest we get off just before the city and try one of the land gates. Depending on which rumors you believe, I'd rather be turned away at a gate than on a sinking ship."

Yuu sips on a chocolate milk shake, as Zelpuz fills him in on the latest rumours. None are really surprising, but all are equally depressing.

"I'm not against that idea. I've tried nailing my ID documents, but it's a pretty piss job, I'm embarrassed to say. I think I messed up the re-heating process, and the school card didn't come out right." He frowns. "Give me a kaskar gem and strip of wire, and I can build a thermal detonator with voice activating functionality and seismic sensitivity. But hand me a pair of scissors and glue stick? and my work looks like a blindfolded kindergarten kid with two left hands."

He adds, "Do you think the captain would divert a drop off as we near the city?"

"Sounds like a lot of trouble, and might just raise more suspicions. But what should our story be? Do we stick with you being a student and us traveling with you or should we adjust our stories? I could have been sent to my chapter weeks ago, which may work or result in an immediate rejection, depending on what has happened in the city. I could also claim that I am returning to my local chapter after a mission elsewhere, but my accent and lack of local knowledge may be easy to spot."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:52, Tue 29 Nov 2016.

"I would go with us not knowing each other. I'm going back to return to school and studies, and your story... being from the Order, wouldn't they basically just let you in?"

"I assume that depends on who is in power and what they are afraid of. But it's the best story I can easily sell. And if it doesn't work, at least chances are, they just drop me off outside the gates, then I'll meet you later that night on the roof of Vanyra's old apartment." Zelpuz looks at Vanyra, "What about you?"