Boy, the headmaster wasn't kidding when he said the security to get into the empire and her cities was a pain. He wasn't wrong about having to leave the elemental ammunition back at the academy either, since anyone who used 'magic' was taken into custody. Sky could only assume it was a different name for Dust, but he wasn't entirely sure. It'd be a few more minutes to be able to ask, with three or four people ahead of him in the line to be checked into the city. The guards were also flanked by these strange creatures, bound and looking like they were decaying or something more sinister. He flinched at their appearance, but at least they weren't Grimm. Why did they have the creatures anyway, were they some sort of weapon they used here instead of attacking head on themselves? That was the only thing he could think of, maybe they were really good at eliminating the Grimm which was why they could leave the gates to the port city open like this. Before long it was his turn, and he glanced up at the towering guard with his sapphire eyes. The last thing Sky wanted to seem was stupid, but it was better to know what they were actually looking for so he could afford getting a hold of it while he was here on break. With a nod, he started his question.

[color=34e1ff]"Greetings sir, I have a question... ...What is magic? Is it like-"[/color]

[color=red]"It's a certain type of special powers. You don't have the ability or the Ablated would sense it. Now hand over your weapon and passport for inspection,"[/color] the guard asked in a dark gruff voice, and Sky handed them over without question. The guard grimaced, not expecting the small blade to be as heavy as it was, but after a quick inspection handed it over to Sky before glancing over his passport. With another nod he gave it to Sky, then nodded towards the gate. [color=red]"Move along."[/color]

That out of the way, he figured things would go much smoother from here but he was mistaken. After having some of his money converted to the local currencies he went visiting the various terminals where it became clear that it'd be another day before he could take an airship to the capital city, and from what he could see from 'natural' travel options there were no more horses left to be rented. With a sigh he ran a hand through his hair, trying to think where exactly to go from here. Glancing around the stables he saw all manner of creature, none of which he recognized. The only one he saw that looked remotely familiar to him was the large wolves, which vaguely resembled the Beowolfs back home. Approaching the owner, he reached into his pocket and pulled out some of the currency and his passport.

[color=34e1ff]"One of the wolves please,"[/color] he said quietly.

[color=teal]"O' course o' course! Right this way!"[/color] the tubby man said cheerfully, taking the money and writing down his name and information before grabbing his keys to start waddling towards the stable with Sky by his side. [color=teal]"He'll take ye straight to ta capital fer sure, but there won't be no pit stops so don't expect any. After signing in with ta guard there it'll automatically take ye to the stables in the town there. Don't be tryin' ta do nothin else now, or he'll attack ye. Kill 'em and you'll owe me big."[/color]

[color=34e1ff]"Understood,"[/color] he replied with a nod, watching as the wolf was released. The man held the reigns out for Sky with a cheerful [color=teal]"Here ya go lad,"[/color], which he took as he mounted the beast. Without warning it darted forward, forcing the blond to grip onto it hard with his legs as he squeezed the reigns. It apparently had its own specialized path out of the city, with it taking its trail around the wall before exiting through the gates. The trip went incredibly fast, the speed of the creature was incredible and far beyond anything he'd experienced outside of an airship. What surprised him most though was as they traveled through the countryside besides livestock all he could see were wild animals and beasts, there was no sign of Grimm anywhere. The very idea of that just baffled him, but it only made it more clear why this place was so peaceful and productive. After all, not worrying about your life constantly would make things much easier.

Entrance to the city went the same as it did entering the port, and Sky rode the wolf into the stables. Dismounting it, he signed his name into the book under the watchful eye of the stable keeper, then nodded as he made his way out the door. Now what? Well, after all that he needed to relax and the best way to do that was to get a drink. It was getting late anyway, nothing to see until tomorrow anyway. He could probably get directions to a place to stay from the bar too, so there was that going for it too. Not wanting to ask for directions he wandered a little bit down the main streets of the city, before getting tired of the crowd. He'd kept his hand on Diamond Wing's handle the entire time, making sure that no one dared take it from him, with his other hand over his pocket to guard that as well. The last thing he needed was losing his things here, it'd be a nightmare to get home without them. Either way this was making him uneasy, so another block he ducked into one of the alleys and let out a sigh of relief. Much as he liked people, big groups like that made him nervous. Maybe he'd find something out here, and after wandering around for a while he came across a small group of connected buildings, with signage indicating part of it was a tavern and another an inn. What luck, everything he needed was in one place! Hopefully he could keep that up so long as he was around.

Upon entering the establishment, and it certainly had an odor to it. He wasn't exactly sure what it is, but it smelled... Earthy? Not quite damp, maybe the smell of some sort of plant? He didn't know, or care, just wanted to settle down for the night. Thankfully the place wasn't too crowded, with a few people scattered throughout and only three men at the bar. He found a stool on the side of the bar farthest away from them before sitting down and signaling the barkeep.

[color=34e1ff]"Strawberry sunrise, no ice,"[/color] he ordered quietly, earning a quirked eyebrow from the barkeep before he started to make it.

[color=lightgreen]"Isn't that a little... Fruity for a man such as yourself?"[/color] the barkeep asked, and Sky shrugged. There was no need for an answer, he honestly didn't care what others thought of him. All that the barkeep needed to concern himself with was payment, which the future Huntsman placed on the the counter. The barkeep shrugged in return, before handing him the drink he wanted. [color=lightgreen]"Here you go,"[/color] he said, taking the money before moving back to tend his other customers. Sipping his drink, the blond's sapphire eyes wandered across the faces of those in the bar while he quietly analysed them to see what was going on. He wasn't exactly eavesdropping, just listening for if there was anything in particular he should be doing or looking for while he was in the city.