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[indent]Kymir finished taking in the grand sight of Exusia before her just as another member of the troupe put their weapon to… sleep. Kym’s eyes glanced over the mecha-creature with a glint of curiosity. It was the first time she’d seen a weapon like that. The user was brave to be so obvious with his magic. Kym didn’t think poorly of anyone who practiced the arts, but she was aware of the reason why the public opinion thought differently. Even so, Kym was looking forward to seeing his weapon in action. Kym noticed the next man in line step up and eye what the owner called a “magishell” with interest as well.

[b] “I don’t… suppose my bird counts as a weapon?”[/b]

Kym’s attention was drawn to the speaker, and she took in the sight of the other archer in the room with a light smile. This young woman carried a black bird on her arm and a crossbow as long as her body. Not only that, but the girl was covered from head to toe in paper talismans. Kym’s interest in this group was growing by the second. Each person here seemed to have their own quirk. What better company than the most odd characters in an odd world. Then again, Kym hadn’t expected any normal being to take on such an impossible quest. There was even a giant golem of rock that seemed to move of its own accord, who proceeded to point a small boulder of a finger in the knight-ish man’s direction.

[b] “You. You are a commander of authority. I respect you.”[/b]

Was there a natural leader already in place?

It was then that she heard the girl, with the lightest shade of red hair Kym had ever seen, request a moment to freshen up before meeting with [i]her royal highness[/i]. Kym’s eyes brightened at the thought of cleaning the sand from her clothes and hair. Perhaps they could even request a bath. [i]Oh,[/i] how she yearned for a hot bath and a glass of refreshingly cold water. Could such pleasant things be offered in Exusia to visitors from below?

[b] “No.”[/b]

Kymir’s heart felt as if it had been crushed.

[b] “Let us make haste. Tabitha awaits.”[/b]

[s][color=777DBB] “What kind of royal is named Tabitha, anyways.”[/color][/s] Kym muttered to herself as she began to follow the group. When she noticed the nearest knight that surrounded them eye her, Kym simply smiled and tilted her head like she hadn’t said a word. She then turned her head to the side to see who she was walking next to, but found herself looking up at the tallest woman she’d seen since Darington. The woman was busy watching something else, so Kym turned her head towards the exquisite halls before them.

Soon they entered the Queen’s throneroom. Kym had to admit that she was impressed by the Queen’s taste. She was even more enthralled by the woman herself. Pale white skin, most likely as soft as a newborn’s derrière, and a tall head of bright white hair. A ruby red rose sitting perfectly within a line of pearls. The woman’s smile made Kym uncomfortable alone, but it was the way the Queen spoke to them that made Kym’s shoulders tense.

Move closer? Kym didn’t fear the woman, but she had no intention of breathing the same, blessed air as the witch queen. Her feet carefully guided her into the light of her majesty's throne. She stopped before the Queen dared to command her to.

[i]This woman really needs to touch some grass.[/i] Kym mused to herself. Surely the grass up here wasn’t real.

[b] “... but why? Down there, money is truly worthless when you get down to it.”[/b]

Did she really just say that?

Even after witnessing the glory of Exusia for the first time, Kym was still under the impression that this floating rock was no different than the land below. While Exusia was no doubt safer than the lands of Deadwood, Kym believed that the same dynamics of human, or inhuman, nature thrived here. A class system, racial prejudice, a means of seizing power and keeping it, and above all a master to answer to. This master in particular being a Queen of condescending nature from what Kym had gathered during these few moments. There was no guarantee that the Queen would soften if they returned with the answers she seeked. There was no reason to believe that they would be treated equally if they chose to live out the rest of their days in Exusia either. Perhaps the people would welcome them with open arms, but all of the Queen’s horses, women, and men would think of them as refugees of the [i]lower-realm[/i].

Kym couldn’t think of any way she could find a proper means of living here. In a place as rich as this, the cost of living was surely higher than below. She couldn’t imagine herself living as a maid, a servant, or even worse as a [i]bar wench[/i]. She had the highest respect for the women with those roles, but she would never take such a position willingly. 

The most pressing argument that Kym had against Exusia was that each citizen answered to the Queen. Kym answered to no one. Her decision to return to Alphos was made long before she stepped foot in the floating city. She would certainly have a target on her back after receiving the Queen’s reward, but she could live a much more comfortable life than before.

Each of the other’s answers were respectfully made. Kym understood why some were choosing to remain in Exusia after their journey. Deadwood certainly was a “cesspool of chaos and discord”, but that was all Kym had ever known. It was still her home, chaos and all.

Kymir nodded with respect to the man who called himself Artur of the Bastardborn. He was the first among them to deny a new life in Exusia, and also the first to let the Queen know that they weren’t amused by her tone. Kym wondered if any of the remaining party members would say the same. Would they think that Artur and herself were absolutely mad for choosing a life down below?

Kym allowed the bastard born man a moment to let his words sink in before she took a step forward. In an act of mutual respect, although she didn’t expect the same from the Queen, Kym bowed her head before she let her eyes look into the Queen’s.

[color=777DBB] “My name is Kymir. I’ve joined this quest not to live on Exusia, but to live comfortably in the place I’ve called home. I have also wondered what happened to these lands many times before and I hope that we may return one day with that knowledge.”[/color]

[color=777DBB] “I will ask only for the reward of coin. I could also hope that Exusia may consider helping the lands below if the knowledge we return with is to your satisfaction.”[/color] 
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