"Are they letting ships through now?" Vanyra inquires.

"You're guess is as good as ours. We've heard no news either way, but it is a certainty that they cannot keep the harbor closed for long or the city will collapse," Kali replies.

"Yes, if it is still closed it won't be for long. Though that doesn't mean they'll be letting anyone in, and likely they'll have increased inspections depending on who is now in control," Razzam continues.

"If we were to board a ship, either ocean or air... what kind of cargo inspections could we expect?" Yuu inquires.

"That would largely depend on the type of vessel, and what they are carrying... at least that would be the case under normal circumstances. Now it is hard to say with gaining some further intelligence on what is happening in the capital," Razzam explains. "There's certain to a large backlog of vessels to come in, so they could perform thorough checks of each one, but as to their selection methods it's anyone's guess at this stage"

Kali nods in agreement, "There are too many unknowns at this stage. I believe your best bet is to take the slower journey via boat along the coast, with a stop along the way. This may buy some time to hear something new and the main harbor district of Ossylia is large and can accommodate many more vessels than the air ship port, stretching thin any search parties."

"That definitely makes the most sense. And should something go wrong, we're less exposed than in an air ship. Are there any ship captains you're familiar enough with to take on board a deck hand? I could travel a little further north, and board a ship from a less conspicuous location as this island... at least as far as family ties go." Yuu considers. "During inspection, I could develop an illusion spell to hide us in the cargo bay. Maybe Vanyra and Zelpuz could board as guns for hire? Mercs looking to take advantage of the internal chaos." His words are flooding as his mind ramp into fifth gear.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:07, Sun 26 June 2016.

Both Razzam and Kali shrug their shoulders in negative response. "I don't really know any ship captains around here, but I'm sure something could be found."

"I think we can always find a way in, the question is, what do we do when we get there? It's hard to plan not knowing what the situation is, we can probably find out more closer to the city. Do you have an objective other than finding your parents?"

Yuu considers Zelpuz' words for a time, "My objective... is broader than just finding my family. If my city is in danger, then I want to do what I can to stop that danger. My friends in the palace, and from the Academy... if powers shift, we could have a complete breakdown. Civil war... is bad news, and always leads to high death toll. Ossylia could weaken, and leave her vulnerable to border intrusions."

Zelpuz looks over to Yuu. He thinks for a while then replies: "You are my friend, I am happy to help you as much as I can, but if war broke out, our options may be very limited. Ossylia is your city. You will be better able to judge the best course of action. If nothing else, we'll try to get out safe again." He pauses. "Maybe we can have another day to enjoy this lovely place before we start looking for a way back?" He continues looking at Yuu and their hosts.

"I don't mind either," Vanyra chimes in from her sprawl in the chair, "but its going to be hard to know what to do when we still don't know who's playing the game."

Yuu nods at his companions with growing enthusiasm, "Then we should make that our first objective... figure out who's playing. My stink bombs are incredibly potent... I'm sure it'll persuade a few lips to blather." That his audience aren't all privy to his arsenal of magically enhanced equipment is momentarily lost on him, leaving that last sentence to establish very different images in people's minds than intended.

"Sounds like in the absence of a plan we at least have a course of action. So let's try to find passage on a ship in a day or so. Then we see from there." He looks at Vanyra, "Are you OK to go back now or do you think we should wait longer?"

Vanyra stretches, "I do like it here, but I don't have a reason to wait.  I want to make sure I have a couple things first."
This message was last edited by the player at 00:20, Mon 18 July 2016.

"How long do you need? The day after tomorrow? I'll prepare by spending the day at the beach tomorrow."

"That should be fine for me."

Yuu nods his approval to the idea.

"Settled. I'll take tomorrow to find a ship. Also... please don't mention anything in front of my sister. I'll let her know of course, but... not yet."

Yuu's Aunt and Uncle nod and volunteer ZhuLi as a local guide for his search for a suitable vessel in the morning. With that they bid you all a good night and retire for the evening.

With the meeting adjourned Zelpuz, Vanyra and Yuu head off in their own directions, promising to meet at breakfast the following morning and figure out more then. The next day begins in a leisurely fashion with the communal breakfast, after which everyone breaks off on their own daily adventure. Zelpuz and Vanyra partake in enjoying the various seaside activities that present themselves. Myria heads into town to secure passage to Arghos, accompanied by ZhuLi and Yuu who are looking for their own ship. Upon entering the city proper Myria heads off towards the airship port, while the Jin's head to the sea port.

Much later that day, upon Myria's return she informs everyone that an airship is leaving in 3 days time toward the island state, and she's got a ticket. Furthermore, she picked up a few rumors among the docks that Ossylia's gates are set to re-open soon. Unfortunately the rumors run in different directions after that, with some saying only government vessels will be allowed in, others saying a pre-entry search of each ship will be performed, others state that only vessels carrying essential goods will be permitted, while one even stated that the gates are being opened to everyone just like nothing ever happened. Needless to say there's more than one captain looking to sail to the capital, once they can secure the 'right' cargo. For the time being it seems as though air ships are still avoiding the capital, but their travel times are far less and thus can bide their time more cautiously.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:23, Thu 11 Aug 2016.

Yuu spent a night struggling to sleep, his mind wandering. As his mind wandered, so, too, did he. Around the halls and along the walls. Eventually finding himself back in his chambers for a dreamless couple hours until morning break.

Even with little rest, he felt alert, and scoffed down breakfast, eager to be down at the docks, and seeking passage for himself and his friends. He and ZhuLi walked together with Myria, talking idly, before she split off towards the air ship terminals. Yuu and his cousin continued down to the dock areas, and began scouting out vessels.

As ZhuLi walks with Yuu towards the sea port she begins to inquire as to what he has planned, "What is your story going to be when we find a ship? I mean, your story could very likely guide us to a particular type of vessel, and judging by the view from here it looks like more than the usual selection presents itself." She gestures with a lightly robed arm at a multitude of masts and hulls dotting the harbor area and moored offshore. To the casual eye it appears to be quite a chaotic mess of ships, but after a minute of observing Yuu begins to see the pattern in it all.

In the meantime, Zelpuz went back to the beach to enjoy one more day of sun, sand and water. After a long swim and a shorter while lying on the beach, he climbs up on a cliff, takes out his gun and tries to stun some fish for some targeting practice and, with a bit of luck, produce his lunch.

Yuu walks alongside his cousin in silence for a time. In truth, he hadn't decided. He'd hoped for a knock of inspiration along the way, and he could just start seeing some of the harbour through the street when a particular building on the corner struck him with an idea. It was a school.

He stopped against the side wall, and looked at his cousin. "Why not just skirt the truth. I'm a student of the Academy, who had left the city near the end of the term to visit home. Here. And I couldn't return because of the lock down. I'd recently heard the city was being opened, and was trying to get back, so I could return to my studies."

"That seems reasonable enough. But you'll need a solid local story, and your accent isn't quite right. Both of those we can rectify today," Zhuli responds.

Yuu nods in agreement, "What have you in mind? Any friends in town with a life I could borrow?"

"A few... depends on what kind of life you're looking for. I mean there's certainly not going to be a graduate of the Royal Academy poking around here and looking for work, but there could be other avenues to explore."