Once Beloc is gone, Wally asks "Would you two like to stretch your legs a bit, or are you content with more rest for now?".

Shiaran swallows, gulps down the last of her drink, then sets the glass down very delicately.  When she speaks it is in a quiet, even voice.  "I would like a shower, and a change of feminine clothes to wear while my 'work suit' is getting professionally cleaned.  Then I want to talk to whomever is in charge and figure out where I fit in this katakrino world eleven years, seven months, and twenty three theos egkataleipo days removed from everything I've ever known."

She glares at Sypher who is about to warn her about language choices.  When she speaks again, there is a cold hatred to her voice that sounds quite dangerous.  "Then I'm going to find those ba'ar aphron who started all this and end them."

Sypher sighs and shakes his head.  He smiles wanly at Wally.  "A quick wash and a change of clothes would be nice.  However, I'd also like a night to meditate if there is time.  For you, more than a decade of nights have passed.  For us, we woke up about ten hours ago to board the Sea Burrow and return home.  I find that I am rather tired after such a long day."  The corner of his mouth quirks into a slight smile.

Wally gulps down the last bite of a roll and responds to Shiaran first, and then includes Sypher. "Well then, I ah.. sure. Sure. Just speak to one of the sentries outside. They're probably under orders to escort you all where ever you go, and can help you find what you need. Though, finding women's clothing on this base might be a bit of a chore. For you Sypher, there's plenty of places to rest".
This message was last edited by the player at 02:40, Fri 24 Mar 2017.

Shiaran rises and wipes her mouth and hands on the napkin.  She goes over to Wally and gives him a hug.  Then she pulls back and looks into his eyes with sincerity.  "I really am glad you made it, Wally.  Sorry if I took it out on you just now.  I didn't mean to."  She gives him a kiss on the forehead and walks out of the room flirting with the sentry in order to get the kind of clothes she wants and a real bath.

Sypher stands as well.  He walks around the table to Wally and shakes his hand in the more common style of parting.  "Thank you Wally, for coming after us.  Though it would have been a peaceful end, Jehovah has provided an opportunity for further service.  I intend not to let it slip away.  Until tomorrow, my friend."  He bows at the neck then departs, politely requesting where he might wash and rest.

Wally gives the both of you a farewell. Outside of the pod room, Shiaran and Sypher find a sentry posted outside of the door, and two more down the hallway. More large glass windows line the side of the hallway. The two of you get a look at a sort of grassy courtyard down below, suggesting you're on the second story. A formation of around a hundred marines stand in neat rows on the grass, with a retinue of officers standing before them. You both see a man that looks like he might be Sylas giving an address, but you can't quite be sure, and you can't hear him through the glass. The skies are blue and clear. Beyond the courtyard are several grey brick buildings that tie directly in to the fortress' high walls. The walls themselves make a sort of angular turn, suggest the fort is some sort of geometric shape.

The marine sentry Shiaran speaks to is more than happy to escort her, informing her that while there aren't any female clothes in this building, the Naval hospital across the way has an almost all female staff of nurses, and that she should be able to find a change and a clean up there.

The sentry Sypher speaks to says he can escort Sypher to the officers quarters, where he can find rest and a wash basin as well.

Both sentries insist on escorting the two to their respective destinations, and both claim "Admiral's orders".

You both go your separate ways with the marines.

~~A Few Hours Later~~

As everyone splits off and one by one make their way to their respective quarters, they find plain rooms waiting for them. A simple cot, wash basin, mirror, and matching dresser and nightstand are all that adorn the rooms. Thankfully, they all have a window at the very least to let natural light in, rather than relying on the crystalline fixtures in the ceiling to provide their dim illumination.

Each of the three finds a simple, typed letter laying on the dresser, with a signature in ink at the bottom.


I'm sorry if the accommodations are drab. They're quite nice by military standards, but I don't expect that's makes it feel any better. I would like to extend to you an invitation to dinner this evening at 1800, as my guests of honor. Please feel free to rummage through the dresser in your room; I've had the marines deliver something a bit more formal than your traveling clothes. Formal attire is optional of course, but since this is a special occasion I didn't want the three of you to feel any more out of place than you might already. If you don't accept my invite, I completely understand given the circumstances. If you accept, please just find one of the sentries, they'll escort you. I do hope to see you there.

  -Sylas T. Glen

  P.S. Please leave any weaponry behind in your room. It will be well guarded from curious eyes and sticky fingers. I promise there wont be any fights or brawls breaking out over dinner.


Contained within Sypher and Beloc's dressers are formal looking coats, shirts, slacks and shoes. The shirts are white and have bow ties sewn in to them with locking hasps hidden behind the bow.

Shiaran's contains a modest black dress that runs down to the calves, and has a slit up the sides that runs to just above the knee. A pair of black heels sit neatly next to the dress.

Shiaran frowns at the black.  She sends a sentry off for a tailoring kit and makes a few modifications.  The slit in the dress rises a couple more inches.  A few other modifications meant to distract the men follow.  She grimaced at the heels and checks her boots for gore.  A quick clean and they once again fit comfortably on her feet.  Two hidden mini-daggers still in place.

Satisfied with her hair, which is straight down and brushed well (not that she can do much else anyway), she looks for her bag with the makeup before remembering it was left on the Sea Burrow.

Completely unsatisfied, she heads to dinner.

Sypher reads the letter and sets it aside.  Then he takes the wash basin and calmly cleans his clothes until only a hint of stains remain.  Those he lays aside to dry.

He takes a small, well-worn brown book that he always carries inside his left breast pocket.  The pocket is water resistant and sealable.  He reads for an hour, then runs through some katas to recenter his Chay.

As the time for dinner approaches, he checks his clothing and finds it dry enough to wear.  He glances at the First Blade, but trusting in Jehovah more than his hosts, he leaves it where it rests - a place of honor in the relatively lavish room.

He finds a sentry and requests escort to dinner.

From behind closed doors, not much is heard from Beloc. He props his shield up against the wall near the cot and rests his blade next to it. The wooden plates, that cover him nearly head to toe, have been a fixture for so long that they feel more like a second skin these days. However, given the situation, he takes the time to "dismantle" it for the dinner.

Without his armor, the standard issue greys to prevent chafing would likely be more embarrassing than wearing the formal attire of humans. So, reluctantly he cleans himself up and tries on the shirt and slacks. They fit a bit loose for his slim elven frame, but with the formal coat, it doesn't look terrible by human standards.

Despite having a sewn in bow tie, Beloc affixes a simple looking wooden amulet around his next and opens the door leaving his room. He nods to the guard standing in the hall. "If you would kindly show me to the dining hall."

The three are individually escorted to the dining facilities. It isn't hard to distinguish the officer's dining area from the enlisted. Because space isn't a luxury on board the base, the entrance for the officers dining is a narrow hallway with a half wall divider that runs along the side of the enlisted dining area. Just enough to be separate, but low enough that anyone passing through would be in plain view of the troops having their evening meals. Rows of simple cafeteria style tables with long benches sit crammed on top of one another, with barely enough space from bench to bench to act as walking paths for finding a seat.

The only one of the three that draws any attention of course is Shiaran. No one cat calls or jeers, but eyes dart to and remain glued on her until she passes behind a partition that forms a short ten foot hallway to a set of double doors..

The marines leave each of you at the entrance to wait for one another, though you all manage to show up within a minute or so each. The three of you now stand at a pair of double doors, which have square windows in the center of each door. The marines take their leave, informing you all that they'll be grabbing a bite, and will be available for escort back to the rooms outside of the chow hall once dinner is over. The marine Beloc was escorted by adds not to worry about taking too long, they're used to "hurry up and wait" scenarios.

The officers "mess" as it's referred to is a semi-formal looking area with actual tables and chairs. White table cloths with small lanterns in the center adorn the tables. White china and polished silverware sit atop neatly presses white cloth napkins in each place. In total there are around 14 tables tightly packed in to the room. There is a semi-circular stage in the far right corner from the entrance of the room. It sits around a foot high, and has a 4 man string quartet softly playing. Each man wears a Royal Marine uniform. The song they play adds a nice background noise to the low murmur of the room, but isn't anything fancy. Several rows of polished and square cut white crystals give additional soft light from the ceiling. Enlisted waiters bring out silver trays of food one table at a time, exiting from two side doors that look like they might converge into a kitchen area that goes behind the enlisted mess as well.

Next to the stage and spanning lengthwise with the wall is a table larger than the others. It has the same decor and motif as the rest. The seat in the center is occupied by an older looking gentleman with thick grey sideburns and eyebrows. Next to him, sits Sylas. There are three chairs to Sylas' side that are empty. Three more sit on the side of the older gentleman, all occupied. A short fat man with balding pate, a blonde woman who looks very plain, and a gentleman with jet black hair, and a clean shaven face. All of them, including Sylas, wear cleaned and pressed naval officer's uniforms.

The rest of the tables in the room are mostly occupied, with space here and there.

Sylas isn't looking in the direction of the door right now, and instead seems to be speaking to the older officer.

Shiaran drinks in the attention she knows she commands.  A few of the middle of the road sailors - not intolerable, but not drop dead gorgeous either - she winks at.

Once in the officers' mess, Shiaran sees the seating arrangement.  She makes a point to reach the high table first, ignoring all those sitting at the lower tables.  Once there, she arranges herself in the chair farthest from Sylas.

Sypher takes note of the details of his surroundings, paying attention to what while Shiaran concentrates on who.  In the officers' mess, he takes the second seat from the end next to Shiaran.

Beloc stiffens up a bit after seeing the size and formality of the event. A little uncomfortable, he tugs at his clothes and walks into the room. He spots another, single wood elf on the other side of the room and nods sheepishly.

He walks up to the head table and bows. Oddly enough, the amulet that dangles around his neck remains close against his body, as if defying gravity when he bows. He takes the last open seat next to Sylas.

At first glance the table seemed straight across from the other side of the room. As the three of you get to it though, you all notice is has a slight curve to it, making sideways conversations more feasible.

As you take your respective seats, Sylas gives you a warm smile. He looks genuinely pleased that everyone has decided to attend dinner. The rest of the table also looks pleased, giving nods and smiles of their own.

"Lady, gentlemen, I'd like to introduce you to Grand Admiral Driggs" he says, referring to the elderly gentleman to his left. "He's the commanding officer of the entire Fildegarian Royal Navy. Next we have Lieutenant Commander Haskell, Captain Amithra, and Commander Brask. Everyone here is quite excited to meet you".

Shiaran ignores the bigwigs and flags down a server.  "Are they serving sea food?  If so, I want crustacean, shelled, buttered, and salted.  I'll also have milk - cow not goat."

Sypher sighs heavily, smiles at the admiralty, and bows his head slightly in acknowledgement and greeting.

The server is caught off guard by Shiaran's request. He glances over at Sylas a brief moment, clearly confused by the request and if he's able to make it.

"You heard the lady, hop to it".

"Aye sir" he quickly manages. He looks at Sypher and Beloc. "Tonight were serving pheasant, with a tossed salad and a steamed greens mix for the entrée. Does this sound ok for you gentlemen, or should I put in something special for you as well?".

Sypher frowns at Shiaran the gives the server a neutral look.  "It sounds delicious.  Thank you."

Beloc smiles and nods. "That sounds fine. Thank you."

As the waiter takes Beloc's order, Sylas instructs him to ensure the trio's orders are moved to the top of the queue. The waiter responds with another "Aye, sir" and hurries off.

Grand Admiral Driggs leans forward to get a better look at the three of you.

"So tell me, how is it you all found yourselves in the company of the notorious Oro and Gazra?".

It suddenly occurs to you that they haven't seen either of the two since they were thawed.

"Notorious? I wasn't aware they had a reputation." He puts his utensils down while speaking. "It was all chance really. We just happen to all be aboard the airship when Sylas here decided to pay a visit."

"I noticed their pods were recovered, but empty. Are they still on base?"

"No, they've been moved for their own safety. And I don't call them notorious as a means to say that they've done anything wrong. They have quite the history in Fildegarne actually. When Admiral Glen here was just a young ensign, ah, that's the lowest of the officer ranks mind you, he was Gazra's commanding officer. And Oro, he once held the title of The King's Heel. I suppose that's what landed him, and us all, in this mess really. Dove too deep down the badger's hole, and the badger came up fighting. No one blames him though, but he thinks it. The man was merely doing the job he was sworn to do, much like Glen here with his deep cover espionage".

The Grand Admiral pauses to take a drink of water.

Beloc shrugs. "I can't say that I knew them very well. Although, it was quite clear that Gazra was willing to risk everything to get Oro back." He thinks quietly to himself for a moment. "If Sylas was his C.O. then I guess that explains some of the animosity. I guess the history there wasn't evident."
This message was last edited by the player at 13:31, Tue 28 Mar 2017.