[h3][u]Ayer Lecomte[/u][/h3]
[b]--9:35pm[/b]
- Mentions [@Mataus] 

He chuckled at the simple request and wishes, "A bottle of finely aged alcohol? So be it. We shall find the finest in the world for you!"

Upon the matter of the physiology of the Eldi species, and the rampant corruption in Kel, Ayer tilted his head in thought. He heard of such rumors of corruption, but facing them like this was wholly different. Paric seemed like a sensible fellow despite coming from this background. If he grew up in such conditions, Ayer wondered what heinous experience drove him to abandon his old home.
	
	"Hm. Speaking as a human, I find the thought of consuming the flesh of other sentient species to be a little... odd, to say the least. But I supposed this trait had it's benefits too. During my studies, I was surprised that some of the greatest mages in history were Eldi who had partaken in such practices. While I was initially disgusted, I realized there was some virtue in it. These Eldi would be beacons for the ancient world, in a time where raw power was needed to fend off monsters. But it did not come for free. Many of them would lose their minds, falling into madness, desperate exile, and self-isolation. In such a brutal age, it can be seen as a 'selfless sacrifice'. However, I agree with you. This practice has grown out-of-fashion, and unnecessary in our current world. I am glad to hear you are innocent of this crime."

Then Paric said something that struck him.
	"Leias...? Hm..." 

Ayer had been so worried about escaping alive in the first place, that he hadn't thought about where they were going to go after all this. He scratched his brow, a little timid after his blunder that nearly cost them their lives. He was glad to find such a kind individual. 

	"I haven't really pondered it, considering what happened today was more spontaneous and required my utmost attention. But yes, yes... Leias seems like a good place to go next. It will be the closest moral civilization, I expect. Hm, yes, I like this idea the more I think about it!" his eyes then sparked with excitement, "I heard there are countless ruins full of wonder and those yet to be discovered! It's a perfect place for scientific research. And who knows, we might even strike rich if we're lucky! I won't need to rely on shady deals to fund my research anymore! -- Oh, that's why I was here, by the way. But the Nilliums, they don't seem to be the reasonable sort. They wanted to use the Ars for war and fighting. And I could not allow that."

	His eyes shifted towards the bloody rags covering Paric's arm. "Yet, it was you, my savior, who paid the price..."

Ayer sighed lowering his raised arms and beginning to paddle again with his oar again, coughing to calm himself. Even though he had fun talking freely once more, he needed to remind himself where he was. They were on a boat trying to outrun an outlaw fleet, out in the middle of the pitch-black ocean. He was reminded because of the faint sound that rumbled over the calm ocean. 

The blonde glanced out towards the encroaching lights, the mana lanterns that adorned the looming island-fort, those that traveled between, and those that closed in on them right at this moment. 

 "Oh no... start paddling, friend Paric!" he said, just as it started headed their direction. 

He quickly glanced over at [b]Wax Jury[/b], which he had, after the accident, since moved down into the safety of the hull. No good. The meter was 4 ticks full at this point, even slipping into the red. He closed the panel and disconnected the main unit to allow it to cool down faster. He wasn't going to risk trying to operate it again, not after getting a bit of salt water in the pipes either. Polluted mana flow will cause unforeseen variation with the formula and result.

He was already feeling winded, but he tried to keep calm as he formulated a plan. "If we slip to the side, we might avoid collision! But we've got to keep close, otherwise we'll be seen by the outlook."

...