Heaven and Hell

Heaven and Hell 1


Characters:
Glasica
Nathaniel Adams
Known for the purposes of this rp as Nathaniel Gillepeddi
Illianna
Profile still not quite to my liking, but I'll play with it later^^
Damian Jinlark



Almost exactly two months from that moment, Glasica eased herself through the air next to the ship, enjoying the warm air and sea, occasionally dragging a paw through it before swooping back up. The sphinx landed beside the harpy up at the highest point, looking out in the distance, "Is that land?" She asked, glancing over at the seasoned sailor.

Mad Rurail, who had been preening herself without the faintest shred of dignity or grace supposedly natural to a creature of her build, swiveled her head around to look at Glasica, then at the horizon. When her golden eyes snapped onto the tiny spot of land, they widened into saucers and a cry built behind her throat. She gripped her harpoon tightly and began to hop up and down rapidly in her excitement. If one used their imagination, one could imagine the phrase "land-ho!" in the ensuing shrieking and howling, but the experience was more painful to the ears than most brains would bother to think over.

Surprised, Glasica let herself fall from the heights, laughing in delight of it all before gliding down to the decks. Sure it was a large ship, but amongst the sea it was limiting and the sphinx had found herself in the air much more then she had been on Frore. Her coat was sleek with health, being able to live on fish better then most species and the muscles in her shoulders built up from flying literally from sunup, till sundown.

Illianna shielded her eyes and glanced upwards at the sphinx. It had been a strange an exhilarating journey for her, she'd never been away from Frore, never knew the seas to be so... grand.

Gracefully, Glasica landed on the deck and trotted over to place herself at the prow. She couldn't wait to see this new (and warm) land they were about to encounter. Her hindquarters shivering in her excitement, Glasica smiled at other passing ships, letting the sea breeze whip her hair across her pretty face.

A whistle pierced the salty air, and the crew took on a sense of movement and optimism that had slumbered just below the skin the rest of their journey. The first-mate lowered the copper whistle from her lips, standing at the helm and gazing at the magnificent city that awaited them.

Nathaniel emerged from the captain's quarters, his long, red hair swept back in a neat que that stretched to his calves. He wore a more civilized mask, white and elegantly decorated, to cover his facial scars, and his usual military uniform, but over his back he bore his huge claymore. He stood by his first mate's side, who saluted.

"Expecting much resistance, sir?" She asked, glancing at the sword he wore on his back.

Nathaniel smiled. "I just missed the weight. Doesn't feel like home in Gaarga without it." His eye caught the image of Glasica and Illiana on deck. "Seems like they've brought good luck. We haven't seen so much as the hint of rough seas since we left Frore."

"Yes, sir," His first mate replied. "And tolerable sea-hands as well. Mister Corsaw and Miss Kaur have given me good reports, and I see they require less and less assistance in their duties."

"Worth keeping aboard?" The captain asked.

The human met his eyes. "They are able hands, but their permanent enrollment to the crew is up to them, you, and the paperwork."

"Are you excited, Glasica, to be meeting new people again?" Illianna stretched near her friend.

She knew she was excited, Illianna had heard about shops far grander than those that had adorned Frore, and with her newly earned wages she hoped to be able to find something a little more sophisticated than a fur robe to wear. She missed her companions though, the animals of Frore, and hoped that they were able to get on without her.

A passing bird caught her attention, a gull. Though she'd never seen any on Frore she'd learned about them through questioning crew and even the birds themselves when she saw one. They'd seen a few in the past couple of days, and now there seemed to be thick blankets of them upon the horizon, and, seeing now, the beaches too.

Illianna felt a tingling in her shoulders and an odd, yet familiar, weight told her that she'd just sprouted her wings again. She wanted to fly, she wasn't very talented with it yet, though, it was still awkward and tiring. But she would learn.

"Excited?" Glasica ducked her head, her eyes glittering, "Very much so. I haven't laid eyes on another sphinx in... well, quite a long time. With only my brothers, and the few inland on Frore, I hadn't much to choose from." She butted her head against Illianna's arm, "Hopefully you'll get some action too." The sphinx giggled before taking a glance at her companion's wings, crouching into a playful stance before jumping backward in the air. The manuever took some skill, and the sphinx gloried in her freedom. Doing a loop in the air before hovering, Glasica suddenly realized that the captain was watching. Blushing, she humbly landed and resumed her seat next to Illianna.

Illianna glanced over at Glasica, "I'm curious of the creatures in this land." She said, "The birds speak highly of quite a few species." She smiled, noticing Glasica's look over her shoulder, "Do you... like him?" She asked softly.

The sphinx blushed again, "Well... I... yeah, I guess I do. I mean he's the closest thing to a sphinx that I've seen since before my brother's died. I mean... he has something he's hiding, just because his is physical doesn't mean he is any different from anyone else." Glasica sighed, "He hasn't shown anything but kindness and indifference towards my actions."

Nathaniel leaned into his first mate, asking quietly, though he knew the answer, "You are certain there isn't time to visit Karlicktan?"

"Yes, sir," She replied sympathetically. "It's... a week out of our way, and if we intend to cross the Dead Straits before winter, then we can only stay here long enough to restock. I'm sorry, sir. That's just how the cards have fallen."

His lips pressed a thin line and he nodded silently, looking away. He gripped her shoulder with one large hand encouragingly. "No fault of yours, Adeen. See to it the docking process goes smoothly."

"Sir," She nodded as he walked away, hands in his jacket pockets. His masked face was downturned, ignoring the splendor of Gaarga's docks in favor of his own thoughts. In a moment he was near Illianna and Glasica, and took a breath, returning to reality.

"Good morning," He greeted them, a smile trying to lift his mood to match his expression.

"Ah... good morning Nathaniel!" Glasica willed her blush to fade, ignoring that fact that it was caused by him, but instead blaming in on the current excitement of the voyage.

Nathaniel's smile gained back some of its genuineness, charmed by Glasica's eager reply. "I see the voyage has treated you well. Has my lieutenant given you your pay yet?" He asked, addressing both of them.

"Pay?" Illianna cocked her head to the side, clearly confused, then glanced over at Glasica, "What's that?" she asked.

"I... I don't know." she answered, passing the look to Nathaniel, "Is... it like a blood boon?" Glasica knew all about those type of things.

Nathaniel's smile grew and he couldn't help but chuckle. "Not in so many words," he said, his eyes searching the skies for a good way to explain it. "I suppose it's like one--a very minor one, uh, short lived. You two have earned your bread aboard the HMS Retribution--in exchange for your work, we've given you boarding and rations proportionate to your value. My lieutenant will give you each a small bag of round metal tokens; this is the currency of the land, and if you give a merchant one of these tokens, they will give you what you agree to be proportionate to its value," He explained. "A bonus for your hard work."

"I see..." So, basically they were leaving them two here. Alone. In a strange land, with strange... tokens. Glasica's face fell and she let out a disheartened sigh. She was grateful that Illianna was with her at least.

"So... does that mean we're getting left here?" Illianna voiced Glasica's thoughts aloud, her features surprised and depressed at the same time, she didn't know how else to take the situation. The wings faded from her back almost immediately.

Nathaniel gave a short laugh. "No, no, we're not abandoning you," He said. "Although you're welcome to stay here if you like. We're stopping here for supplies for a few days, and we'll be setting off after that. Your, ah, minor blood bond to us is completed, and you're free to come and go as you please." He gazed at the rest of the crew, who had given him glances at their addressing him by his first name.

"I understand," Glasica noticed the glances but didn't understand it, instead she smiled up at him, happy to know they weren't leaving quite yet.

"So... what's in this town then?" Illianna asked, now that he'd assured them that they weren't being ditched she was excited again, she didn't notice the others staring at them.

Nathaniel stood with his hands clasped behind his back. "Gaarga is home to many creatures--mostly elves, but some humans and a small dwarven population to the east." He glanced up at the sky. "If the weather holds, the goblin market should be in town."

"Goblins?" Glasica tilted her head, her eyes questionable and she refolded her wings, concealing her familiar pack with the gold dusted feathers and her tail swished back and forth.

Nathaniel's grin broke into a smile, and he ducked his head, charmed. "Yes. They come down to town to sell their wares."

"That sounds... intriguing." Illianna thought aloud, "I can't wait to see all the creatures of this town... Are they... like the villagers on Frore? We won't be turned away from businesses or anything, will we?" Her worries settled in.

"That is a major problem with the traders on Frore," Glasica added, a little wilting of pain in voice.

"No, you'll find if you have gold to spare, they'll do business, regardless of what shape you come in," Nathaniel said. "I've even seen some Planar beasts there--I wasn't sure where their heads were, but the goblins knew their gold was good." He shrugged. "In fact, sphinxes are treated with much more respect here than on Frore."

Her ears perked up at that, "Really?" But she was distracted when the ship bounced against the docks and her eyes lit up in excitement. Glasica brushed past Nathan as she ran across the gangplank, making circles around a few people before gliding back aboard, "Illianna, land!"

Illianna grinned and leapt onto the dock now as well, "It's so warm here!" She spun around, taking in as much as she could, "When can we go in?" She glanced up to the deck of the ship like an excited child.

Nathaniel strode down the gangplank, his boots making berth on the cobblestone shore. "You two are free to go whenever you like," He said again, gesturing his hand widely to illustrate their freedom. "I will be taking care of some administrative duties inside the city, but I will join you shortly, if you like," He offered, grinning.

Glasica smiled back, if shyly, "I would like that... Illianna?" She looked to her companion, her smile widening. "I haven't been to a large city since I was a pup!"

"It would be quite fun." Illianna replied, glancing over at Glasica, "I've never seen more than that one village on Frore... And even that was different... So used to living in the caves as I was..." She shook her head, almost sadly, "I wonder if they have forgotten me already..."

"I'm sure you'll find something to amuse yourselves," He said with a smile. "Now, if you ladies will excuse me," He said, bowing his head slightly and walking away.

"Familiar with the town?" Miss Kaur said, striding across the gangplank elegantly to join the two. Her long, plaited black hair looked like it had never touched the harsh sea wind.

Watching him go, Glasica let out a quiet sigh before looking up at Miss Kaur with a little smile, "No, this is the first time Illianna, and I, have ever been in a city, or away from Frore." She shuffled her wings and turned her head slightly, hearing a far off argument slowly gaining in volume.

---

Down the dock, a fight broke out from aboard a docked fishing vessel. A husky captain pushed a younger man off of the boat onto the dock. "You little cretin! How dare you thieve from me?!"

The young man who was pushed off caught his balance immediately. He had messy brown hair where two large horns shot back out of his skull accompanied by a smaller horn in the center. "I did no such thing!" Damian shouted back.

The two bickered back and forth for a while until the husky captain retracted and walked back aboard his ship.

Nathaniel passed him silently, glancing him over dismissively as he disappeared into the crowds.

Miss Kaur lifted one elegant eyebrow, one long-fingered hand touching lightly the coinpurse at her feathered waist. "It's always good to go armed in the cities," She advised, her own curved short sword nestled in the small of her back. "It's a peaceful town, but there are crooks and pickpockets here as much as there are everywhere else." She smiled and shrugged.

The human lieutenant approached Illianna and Glasica, two brown bags in her hand. "Your wages," She lilted, handing one clinking bag to each. "We set off in three days. Try to enjoy yourselves." She almost hazarded a grin, then turned back to administer the rest of the crew their pay.

Illianna held out her hands and took both bags, "Want me to hold onto yours for a while, Glasica?" She asked the sphinx, slipping her own into one of her pockets. She glanced out over the docks, eager to begin exploring.

"Actually, if you can just slip it in my pack I can keep it safe." Glasica said, grinning happily. The argument came to an end and the sphinx kept one gold eye trained on the strange looking person accused.

Illianna slipped open Glasica's pack and put the coin purse inside before latching it closed again, "Are we ready then?"

"What about my stuff!?" Damian shouted back at the fishing ship. A sausage-shaped sack was tossed from the boat. It flopped onto the pier at his feet. "Asshole!!" He snatched it up and laid the strap across his shoulder. Damian started heading down the dock. As he headed in the direction of the two ladies, he stopped and looked up at another docked ship. Eying it up for an opportunity, he waved at one of the workers aboard it. "Hey sailor! Lookin' for a cook? Handyman? More muscle?" The sailor shook his head and took a drag of his cigarette. Damian rolled his eyes and moved on until his eyes caught Nathan's ship. He eyed it up with envy.

"I think we're ready," The sphinx answered, noticing the strange man's blank stare. He didn't look like anything she had ever seen before and finally she bucked up enough courage to speak, "Are you a goblin?" Her gold eyes were wide and her body trembled ever so slightly as she was nervous in asking this.

His large ear twitched towards her. The woman's voice snapped Damian out of his stare. "Goblin? Me? ...Not quite love. Goblins don't look this good." he joked.

"How do we know you aren't lying?" Illianna commented, "We haven't seen a goblin before... and I've heard they're tricky. Surely your manner and attitude are... quite tricky." She stood with her index finger touching her chin lightly, a thoughtful pose.

"Love, comparing me to a goblin is like comparing you to a squirrel....or something like that." Damian contradicted. After he said this, he wondered himself if it even made sense. Damian shrugged, not really caring if it did or not. He lifted a hand up and scratched at the patch of scales on his neck. "Chimera." He concluded for her.

"You look more like trouble to me," Miss Kaur looked him up and down and leaned on one hip with a sly twitch of her lips.

"Didn't mean to ma'am." Damian gestured to tip a hat though he wasn't wearing one. He went back to the comment on how one of the ladies hadn't seen his kind before. "Just curious- but you are new here, yea?"

Squirrel? Glasica giggled, "Yes, yes we are." She bowed slightly, extending her wings out gracefully, "I am Glasica."

"We've never been to such a large place." Illianna put in as well, she glanced sideways at Glasica as she introduced herself, "My name is Illianna, and yours would be...?"

"Damian. Nice to meet ya loves." He smirked, offering Illiana a hand to shake. Realizing he need to shake the other woman's hand, he offered his other hand to Glasica. Both hands were out, reaching for a handshake. In doing this, the sack on his back slipped off and fell behind him onto the dock. 

"Eh..." She looked at his hand before her eyes raised back up to him, "Did you want something?" Glasica couldn't stop herself from glancing to her hidden pack.

"Usually a handshake..." Damian tilted his head before lowering his hand slightly. This was...awkward.

Miss Kaur bubbled a chuckle. "Really fresh off the boat, these two," She explained fondly. With a glance to the sphinx and the gryphon to make sure they were paying attention, she took Damian's outstretched hand and shook it firmly. "My name is Harpreet Kaur. It's excellent to meet you, Damian," She said sweetly, her black eyes staring into his. She let go of his hand and explained, "It's the common greeting of strangers in this land." She gestured for them to give it a try.

"What a strange custom." Illianna commented, she glanced down at her own hand, palm slightly extended, why did they have to touch in greeting? It just seemed to awkward to her, "Maybe next time I'll give it a try..." She said at last, lifting her hand to scratch nervously at the back of her head.

The sphinx looked at her paw, then at his hand, then back at her paw, "I... think I'll try that later as well. I would feel awful if I nicked you."

Damian put his hands down, figuring a verbal greeting was fine too. He reached back and picked up his luggage sack and slung it on his shoulder. "So, this your boat?" He reached his arm up, pointing at the craft with his thumb.

"You mean the galleon, the HMS Retribution?" Miss Kaur corrected with a smile. "It's the very ship they came in on, if that's what you're asking. But come, the docks are no place to get to know each other." She spread her arms, pulling Damian and Illianna, who was closest, to her side with a gentle hand to their backs. "I know a lovely cantina just down the road. Drinks are on me," She smiled, ushering them down the street.

"Really? Thanks Harp." Damian smirked. Jeez... this was the easiest drink he had ever been treated to. "Just curious- but are ya looking for an extra hand on the ship? Extra muscle? I can cook too."

"What's a cantina?" Illianna asked, allowing herself to be lead down the dock.

"A place that sells delicious food and drinks," Miss Kaur explained to Illianna, and continued to Damian, "And it's Miss Kaur if you intend to get a job by me."

"Right love... err" Damian shrugged his shoulders, "Miss Kaur." He was wary of his huge horns as he moved his head to close to the bird woman. "So what pub are you thinking about going to?" Damian had worked in this city for quite a while, so he knew a fair amount about it.

Glasica padded after them, not knowing what either words meant, but if they had milk... she was sure she would enjoy this... pub.

"The Kettle & Brandy, down near the blacksmith's shop," She replied, leaning in her head carefully to his.

"I assume you use these... tokens there?" Illianna rattled the coins in her pocket in curious emphasis.

Damian gulped, "Is it alright if we go someplace...else?" He scratched the back of his head as if hiding something, "You see love- I think it would just be easier for your company if we went elsewhere."

Miss Kaur raised one elegant eyebrow. "Oh? Some poor broken-hearted young thing lurks there, drinking your memory away?" She teased.

"Heh...Not quite." Damian scratched the back of his head, slightly embarrassed, "I used to work there. Didn't end so well I must admit."

"You must not have worked there long," Miss Kaur said, "I've never seen you there. How about the Dragon's Wing, then, or have you been fired from there as well?" She asked, amused.

"Nope- not yet at least." Damian shrugged with a sheepish grin. He hoped this wouldn't effect the likelihood of Miss Kaur hiring him. It seemed as though he had worked nearly everywhere in the city and had been fired from each one.

"Wow, look at this!" Illianna was away from their sides in a flash, kneeling beside a small cage in which cowered a small, beige creature, "Poor thing..."

"Ah, miss?" A balding man in tan slacks and a blue shirt approached her, "Can I help yeh with anything?"

"Perhaps..." She stuck her finger through the grates despite the merchant's surprised warning, and the creature lifted it's head, revealing itself to be a young ferret. "Is this enough for him?" She pulled out a coin and lay it in the man's hand.

"Yeh don't want 'eem." The merchant managed, "Ee's nothing but trouble."

"No... he just misses companionship." Illianna jerked the cage open and the ferret ran up her extended arm to settle on her shoulder, "There now." She scratched him under the shoulder.

"Tha's nuts thah is." The man muttered, "Take 'eem, but I don' make returns."

"Why would she return it?" Glasica asked, eyeing his other wares, "It's not like the creature is going to injure us..."

"Makes for a good barbecue." Damian added with a grin, halting his stride to wait for the two loves. "With just the right spice, cooked with low heat til tender- Mmm! Delicious." He pinched his index and thumb together for emphasis.

"Most likely for the smell," Miss Kaur commented, shooting Damian a dark glance. "They're also not known for their easy tempers, although they're good for killing other vermin, in my experience." She regarded the ferret with some skepticism. "That one looks nice enough." She beckoned them to continue walking.

"He's just frightened. Wouldn't you be if you were locked in a cage in a place like this?" Illianna gazed at the small creature on her shoulder, "We'll have many adventures together Aryn." She said softly.

"I suppose it functions as a pet too." Damian lifted a hand to pet the little ferret on Illiana's shoulder.

Aryn stiffened, gripping his claws into Illianna's shoulder though allowed Damian to pet him. "As a friend." Illianna replied, she didn't consider the ferret a 'pet'.

Just then, a serpent rose from Damian's shoulder and glared at the feret. "Alright, as a friend." He could tell the feret wasn't too keen on him petting it so he retracted his hand.

"Here," Miss Kaur gestured at the magnificent sign. Incense drifted past their noses and music played within the gold-and-red establishment. She lead them to a large, spacious table in the corner of the room and sat down on one of the comfortable pillows; it was obvious that they were used to serving nonhumans because the table was so low to the ground and the pillows were so plush. Miss Kaur folded her long legs under her, and they disappeared in her burnished feathers. "Please, have a seat!" She invited her companions.

Glasica sneezed, a little wary of the thing that appeared to be a tail and sat on one side of Miss Kaur, knowing that Damian would sit on her otherside.

Damian walked to the opposing side of the table, but didn't sit quiet yet. He paused and gestured for Illianna to sit down. "Love?" he caught her attention. The snake slithered on the ground behind him and motioned her to sit as well.

Illianna sank onto one of the plush cushions and Aryn scurried into her lap, nestling against her thigh as she glanced around curiously. The room was strange and unique to her.

A lean, catfish-faced waiter greeted them. Miss Kaur gestured and said, "A round of sparkling cider, please, and roast duck curry for me." The waiter nodded and passed out menus to her companions, disappearing to retrieve her order.

Glasica frowned and opened a menu with a curious paw, praying to Frore that she would be able to read this. Gasping in delight, she found she could. Living off of hogoboghins for so long, something new would be absolutely wonderful. Looking through, she spotted somthing that looked yummy. Teriyaki pulled pork with pineapple, caramelled apples on the side.

"This is very kind of ya. I thank you again for this hospitality." Damian said again to Miss Kaur. He didn't look at the menu very closely, since he already knew what he was going to order. Roasted cattle tongues with garlic were one of his favorites. Damian always preferred making them himself but a free meal cooked by someone else was always nice. "So I take it you're the captain, yes?" he asked Miss Kaur.

Miss Kaur laughed like the breeze through wind chimes. "No, I am not the captain of the Retribution. That honor falls on the mighty shoulders of Captain Nathaniel Gillepeddi. But," She said, recieving the drinks from the fish-faced waiter, "I have sailed with that fine man for many years, and my word with him is as good as gold, I assure you." She took a deep drink from her cider, enjoying how the bubbles stung her tongue.

"Ah- for a second there I thought I was going to be the only male on the ship." Damian said with a hint of disappointment. "I mean, if you hire me that is." He took a sip of his cider, "How am I doin' so far?"

Glasica tried to look at Kaur secretly while she sipped the drink, wondering if her and Nathaniel... were close.

"Oh, don't spoil the fun!" Miss Kaur said, smiling coyly behind her glass. "I'll tell you when we get back to the ship."

Damian chuckled and took a sip of his own cider, trying to hide his real expression. Behind his cheeky grin, he truly was a bit nervous after Miss Kaur's last comment. He needed a new job as soon as he could get it. Most of the fishermen that dock in the city have either heard of or have hired Damian previously. It wasn't that Damian wasn't a hard worker. On the contrary, he worked as hard as he could to impress his bosses. Though he often becomes more clumsy in doing so.

"Hm..." Illianna was glancing down at the menu, there were a lot of things with meat in the mix, she wrinkled her nose at even the slightest possibility of eating another living creature. She finally came across a vegetable soup and decided to settle on that, "So... where are we headed after we leave this town?" She asked Miss Kaur.

Miss Kaur tilted her head to the side, pondering Illianna's question. "It really depends on how much supplies are put on board," She said. "If it's less than two hundred stone of grain, most likely we're bound for the Thagarian Coast, or Ysra, or some other port along the Kosovo peninsula. More than two hundred stone, and our dear captain may again be in an adventurous mood," She smiled at Illianna. "Most likely we'll find ourselves at the port of another Frore."

"That... would be interesting." Glasica commented, "How many other... Frore's... have you been to, Miss Kaur?" She wondered if they had gone through something like this before.

"I, personally, have been to three other unknown shores," Miss Kaur replied. "The good Captain, however, has been exploring the New World since before I even knew of the Retribution." The waiter took their orders, and returned in short order and placed their food in front of them. "Many thanks," She smiled at the fish-faced employee, who blushed and moved away without a word. She took up her ceramic spoon and said a blessing in a different language over the food, scooping up the curry and drinking it with relish.

Glasica's ears perked up when she caught the scent of her food and her gold eyes opened up to be completely round. The sphinx's stomach growled loudly. "This place is amazing." She said simply before digging into her meal heartily.

Damian cut his cattle tongues right away. Dipping them in the garlic sauce, it slipped down his throat easily. "I must admit that I'm a bit envious of him. I can't wait until I can have a ship of my own." The serpent rose between himself and Illiana. It jerked forwards and sank it's venomous fangs into another cow tongue.

Miss Kaur smiled at Glasica. "That's why we came," She said, glad that she approved of the place. To Damian, she said, "Well, Captain Gillepeddi came by his ship through his family--on land, he's a high noble, one of the Three Families of the Ballade Islands, but shipside he's worth his salt many times over." She sipped her curry, taking spoonfuls of white rice to cleanse her palate before eating more roast duck.

The waiter blanched at this name, but hid it quickly, refilling their drinks and returning to the kitchen.

Illianna ate in silence, glancing over towards Damian as the serpent appeared and gorged itself on cattle tongue, she held a chunk of potato up to Aryn and it was quickly devoured, "I've longed to explore for more years than I can count... Frore was a beautiful place... however, that's all it was. Snow and ice."

Damian couldn't wait to meet their captain. Hopefully he would give him a good impression. He took another bite of his food. "Can't say that I've been there. Then again I'm a fan of cold weather."
The snake soon swallowed the tongue hole. The lump in it's neck was distinct and grew smaller as it moved down into the thicker end of the snake's body. The serpent's head turned and watched as the small mammal was fed. It slowly turned it's attention back to Damian's meal.

Miss Kaur nodded. "If you like harsh, cold life, Frore's Glacier is the place to live," She said. "I, on the other hand, would prefer to stay away from such places. I grew up in Southeast Thailand; give me warm and humid any day." She smiled.

"Warm and... humid you say sounds nice... Being here, I don't have to worry about freezing to death." Glasica mentioned, licking her lips clean of sauce before diving back in.

Damian took a sip of his cider and finished his meal quickly. He leaned back and stretched his arms before resting his hands behind his head. "That was delicious." he said finally. His tail was fully satisfied as well. It retracted down and laid itself on the seat next to Illianna.

Illianna finished her soup at last and stretched restlessly. "So, Damian, you must know this town quite well... Is there anything interesting to see?" She glanced over at him.

"Course there is. Then again it also depends on what you like." Damian gave the cute gryphon a smirk. "There's the museum downtown. But I'm...sort of banned from stepping into the perimeter. Accidentally broke an old vase. The thing was ugly anyways." he shrugged with an embarrassed expression. "The boardwalk is pretty cool. It's down the coast a ways. They always have games, food and rides. The carnival runs until the weather gets too cold." he explained. "What sort of things do you two loves enjoy?" he asked both Illiana and Glasica.

Glasica chuckled at that, "Well, the only thing one really could do... to hunt down hogobohgins."

"Indeed... hunting was about it." Illianna shrugged, "That and playing with the cubs..."

"You two are... mothers?" Damian asked curiously. Sure they were of age, but he just had to ask. Considering their education level, he was nevertheless curious. "Sorry if that came out rude." he scratched the back of his head.

"...No...?" Glasica was confused. "There weren't that many sphinxes on Frore." She coughed, "Not any I would like to mate with."

"Ah..." Damian faded, feeling rather foolish right now. His attention went to Miss Kaur for a subject change, "If I may ask, when do you plan on setting off again?"

"In a few days," Miss Kaur replied. "We're on leave only as long as it takes to restock the ship, and then we'll sail the Retribution to some uncharted shore." She smiled, pleased with the idea.

The fish-faced waiter came over to their table and said anxiously, "I'm very sorry for the inconvenience but I'm going to have to ask you to leave."

Miss Kaur looked up, surprised. "I beg your pardon? Is something wrong?"

He wrung his hands. "We don't serve your kind here. Please understand."

She frowned severely. "I'm sure this is some kind of mistake. Be so kind as to fetch the owner of this establishment," She told him calmly.

"H-he won't speak with you. He told me to have you escorted out of the restaurant. Please, don't be difficult."

"What have we done wrong?" Miss Kaur's voice rose, and the restaurant fell silent. "We have not disturbed anyone. We were enjoying a good meal in the peace of the afternoon. What reason do you have to disrupt this?"

"We do not serve Gillepeddi's kind," He said. "Please, don't make a scene."

Miss Kaur set her jaw. "You are extremely rude," She said. "My employer is an honored and respected man, and I will not have his name slandered."

The fish-faced waiter blanched and wrung his hands again, unsure of what to do about all of this. "I'm very sorry for the inconvenience," He repeated, "but I really must ask you to leave. You are bad for our reputation."

Miss Kaur stood, silent fury burning in her eyes. "You have disrespected me and my friends, and you have spit on my good captain, so I will spit on you." She spat on the restaurant floor. "I curse this establishment for its fools. My kindred will know that you have scorned a kinnaris, and you will be ridiculed." She dusted her feet and turned to her friends, beckoning them to follow her as she left.

Glasica had been licking one last pinneapple during this whole thing, with her gold eyes wide and a startled look on her face. When Miss Kaur turned to leave the sphinx took one last look over her shoulder before following her on padded feet.

Damian stood from his seat angrily. He stepped to the side and waited for Illiana to get up with the group. With a glare, he looked at the waiter, "Thanks for the free meal, bub." The snake slithered around between Damian's ankles. It hissed at the waiter, displaying it's fangs. The situation could have been worse but at least they all had pretty much finished eating.

"I do not understand..." Illianna stood as well and moved quickly to be with the others, "What do they have against the captain?" She glanced back towards the waiter and the other patrons uncertainly.

"I can't imagine," Miss Kaur sighed, troubled as they walked back out into the sunlight. "We have been gone from the Ballade Islands for a long time, and it is the nature of things to change, but not this drastically. This has no precedence."

Damian was the last out of the restaurant. Stepping out, he sped up to the group. "At least it was a free meal?" he shrugged, trying to think positive. Damian chose not to pry into their personal business, especially if it would push Miss Kaur away from hiring him. Bad reputation or not, a job was a job.

"Most certainly," Miss Kaur smiled. "I am pleased about that, but these coins are still burning a hole in my purse. Let's go down to the carnival, see if we can't unload some of this weight, shall we?" She joked, winking.

"Sounds like a plan. Truthfully, I haven't been to the carnival for recreational purposes in ages. Worked in one of the concession stands a year ago..." Damian paused, "...and the dart game stand." He couldn't help but chuckle at the long list of jobs he had taken up and lost. "Cotton candy kept getting caught on my horns in the concession stand. Not ta'mention that they kept on popping the balloons in the game stand." It was clear that his long horns caused him to loose a career or two...or ten.

Miss Kaur reached out and took one of his horns gently near the end. "Why don't you just trim them?" She asked. "That's what the Captain does whenever his come in."

Damian froze and immediately gave Miss Kaur his attention when she grasped his horn. He kept his head level as to not rip his horn out of her hand. "Trim them? Pff...are you jokin'? I've been growing these beauties since I was a cub. If I shaved them down now...I'd never get back what I lost." He smirked and tilted his head at her, "Besides, don'tcha think I look more handsome with 'em?"

Miss Kaur released his horn as he turned his head. "If you've had them since you were a cub, why haven't you learned to mind them?" She asked, grinning. "I'll admit, they're very striking, but there's no point in handsome unless it earns you a meal and a roof over your head."

"Damn- and I thought it was working so far." he stuck his hands in his pockets, referring to his handsome horns possibly landing him a job on their ship. Damian grinned sheepishly at her first comment. "Don't get me wrong, Harp-...erm...Miss Kaur," he corrected, "but I do know my length very well. It's just that in a new job environment, I'm prone to knock something over accidentally. It's a flaw that I don't take in the environment of my surroundings before acting. But I'm still workin' on it, love." He realized midway through that he was making himself look bad in front of Miss Kaur, a potential boss. "But...I'm a hell of a hard worker and an excellent cook. I can easily wake up early and go to bed late if need be. And you only have to tell me something once, I'm a quick learner." He felt his self esteem plummet as he started to see Miss Kaur more as a boss then a friend.

"I'm sure you would do well Damian," Glasica said, smiling, "They were good enough to take us in with no background at all." Although she liked his horns, she couldn't really see him as striking. The sphinx didn't really feel attracted to anyone bipedal.

"I think they'd look rather silly in the sails though." Illianna joked from the back of the group, "Might be a little tedious in the rigging too..." She picked up her pace so that she was beside the lot of them rather than behind, "Tell us, Damian, what are some of your skills on a ship?" She was curious.

Damian turned back and slowed his pace, letting Illiana catch up. "Well let's see... I've worked on 5 ships over the past 4 months. To be honest, I'm not quite good at mapping. That's what got me fired from my first fisherman job. Eh..heh..." Damian laughed nervously before clearing his throat. "Let's see...well like I said, I can cook. I'm also good at netting fish, lobster and crabs. I can clean the decks and mast no problem. Hmm...oh! I also know how to prepare the sails and take them down afterward." Placing his hands in his pockets, Damian leaned back, "I tried to learn every aspect of sailin' through my odd jobs. I plan on owning my own ship someday. Though it's a far off dream, considering my income." he smirked, admitting his long list of jobs.

The group came upon the fair grounds quickly. The boardwalk stretched out into the ocean and was illuminated by bright lights. Brilliantly painted tents of shows, food and games were all around and cheery music seemed to pour out. As a gust of wind picked up, the smell of carnival food hit them like a wave. Cotton candy, caramel apples and sweets of all sorts invaded theirs nostrils. A large Ferris wheel was at the end of the boardwalk. The sheer size of the giant circle seemed to outweigh the size of the setting sun itself. In the center of the boardwalk was a brightly colored carousel featuring mythical beings from all around the world.

Glasica's body trembled and her eyes grew as wide as they could go, "This place... is magical!" She nearly jumped out of her coat in a frenzy to see everything but held herself in check just in time.

"It's dizzying..." Illianna replied in awe, looking this way and that. She couldn't drink in enough of the scene. She didn't know what she wanted to see first... She glanced over at Glasica who seemed just as awed as she was. And the smells... Illianna closed her eyes and took in the delectable scents that wafted around them.

Damian smiled at the two woman's reactions. This was going to be quite entertaining. Personally, the smells were a little too much for him since he had juts eaten. Not only this, but after working in the food stands, Damian knew how the food looked before it was cooked and the grease it often absorbed. "Shall we, ladies?" he gave them a coy smile as he gestured.