[CENTER][img]https://i.postimg.cc/L5GsZ5sv/a195ca2580892c2f64767511da4ce176.png [/img] [color=gray]Location: Inside the Jotunheim[/color][/CENTER] [hr] Even though the soldiers were now able to properly identify the strange, smoldering figure form earlier as an Iriad, they were still understandably nervous around it. It's appearance was only one of the reasons. The other was the fact that not only it was a mage, but it seemed to be a rather powerful one. Fortunately, despite the soldiers being rather on edge, the fact that the Iriad didn't seem to invoke his powers, coupled with his rather slow movements, made them feel a bit less apprehensive. The moment it finally identified himself, the soldiers seemed to relax a little bit, at least enough to make them take their hands off the hilt of their weapons. The fact that it identified himself as the companion of an esteemed Seeker coming from Arcaeda, which was probably the female Tekeri they saw earlier from a distance, was more than enough for them to not see it as an immediate threat. It was thanks to that fact that the soldiers didn't react in an adverse manner when Shirik simply continued walking after getting his walking stick and instead, simply ended up 'escorting' him inside. In the other hand, the Glen seemed to be much more... reactive and uncooperative. Identifying himself as a master from the Blacksmiths guild and showing them the official emblem of the Blacksmiths' guild, he continued to show his displeasure, going as far as asking if they were the ones to bring down that huge fortress-ship. The very moment J'eon asked that to the soldiers, they couldn't help but look at each other, incredulous. Even if they were both mages, which they weren't, it would still be highly unlikely that they could do anything to bring down that hulking steel fortress. [color=gray]"We are soldiers of Lenkik, under direct command of [i]Castigator[/i] Nellara to investigate and secure the crash site. Our objectives seem to align, so we ask you for your cooperation for the time being, Master J'eon. We are under strict orders of Castigator Nellara to not engage in combat unless strictly necessary."[/color] One of the soldiers said with a serious tone, unfazed by J'eon's threat of them being interfering on the guild's business. The way the soldier empathized Nellara's title was a clear way of saying that they were under orders coming from high enough that they didn't need to be worried about such threats. Meanwhile, Nellara, who was already inside the ship, quickly had her attempts of communicating with the strange creature from the ship frustrated. Not only it didn't seem to understand her words, but it's sudden reaction to aim at her with the strange object she had on her hands and keep it aimed despite having fallen on the ground, was almost enough for Nellara to send a burst of electricity through her orbs to incapacitate the strange creature. Fortunately, on the very moment Nellara was about to do so, with the metallic orb the creature had nudged away having already re-positioned itself near her, the female Tekeri was quick to explain to her that the beings from the ship didn't seem to speak S'toric before she identified herself as a Seeker from the Order of Sages, showing Nellara the unmistakable medallion, symbol of her position. [color=d3c28b]"Well met, Seeker Kareet."[/color] Nellara said, greeting Kareet with a respectful nod. [color=d3c28b]"I understand the situation, but we still have no idea of what they are capable of, nor if the other beings inside this fortress-ship will end up being more hostile than this one."[/color] Nellara said, lowering her hands and putting them behind her back. [color=d3c28b]"With that said, you have my word that neither me nor my soldiers will engage in combat or display any overly hostile behavior... Unless strictly necessary."[/color] Nellara said, reassuring Kareet that she didn't want to escalate that situation any more than it already was. Following Kareet's example, Nellara looked to he strange being after it introduced herself as 'Vigdis' and lowered the object on her hand, before she pointed at herself speaking her name out loud. [color=d3c28b]"Nellara."[/color] She said, introducing herself. At that moment, Vigdis would notice that the metal spheres, which seemed to immediately reposition themselves whenever she tried nudging them away, seemed to back away, rolling back to where Nellara was, making a circle around her. [color=d3c28b]"Communicating through mimic and hand signals, while primitive, seem to be our best bet for establishing friendly relations with these strange beings for now."[/color] Nellara said, agreeing with Kareet. It was only at that moment that the other members from Kareet's group, the glenfolk and what appeared to be an Iriad, despite it's strange appearance, arrived inside the ship, being 'escorted' by Nellara's soldiers, one of which approached Nellara, quietly telling her about the glenfolk and the Iriad, before backing away again. [color=d3c28b]"Thank you for your report, soldier."[/color] Nellara said with a nod to the soldier before she turned to both the Glenfolk and the Iriad. [color=d3c28b]"J'eon and Shirik, my soldiers have already told me that you are Seeker Kareet's companions and I am sure they have already explained you about our objective. I assume I can count with your cooperation, yes?"[/color] Nellara said, making a hand gesture for the soldiers to relax. [color=d3c28b]"I am Castigator Nellara, assigned to the city of Lenkik under direct orders of the Order of Magisters of Arcaeda."[/color] Nellara said, introducing herself to them, without taking her eyes off Vigdis. Vigdis, despite apparently being a bit overwhelmed about everything that was happening, slowly took something out from inside her clothes before she slowly moved towards a nearby wall and started doing something. [color=d3c28b]"Is she... writing? It doesn't seem to be like any other language I've ever seen..."[/color] Nellara said, curious as she gave a step forward, leaning and trying to see what Vigdis was doing. The explanation about what Vigdis was doing only came a few moments after, thanks to Kareet and the other male Tekeri's cooperation, whom introduced himself as Kerchak. Apparently, the things Vigdis was writing weren't exactly letters or words, instead they were numbers. [color=d3c28b]"It seems to be trying to gauge our level of intelligence... Perhaps by using numbers instead of trying to communicate with words or by writing? Intriguing..."[/color] Nellara said, watching Vigdis' actions with clear curiosity and interest. While she was by no means a scholar like Seeker Kareet or apparently, her companion Kerchak, Nellara was still well versed and educated in many areas which were necessary for a Castigator. Unfortunately, linguistics wasn't one of them and as such, Nellara could offer little to help decrypting Vigdis' writing. Surprisingly enough, it seems like Vigdis did notice how Nellara was a bit outside of her field of expertise when compared to Kareet and Kerchak. As Vigdis began staring at her, she raised one of her hands and began talking into what Nellara could only describe as some kind of metallic bracelet. After she finished speaking, she slowly approached Nellara, removing a metal projectile from inside a small case and offered it to her. Curious, Nellara slowly took the strange projectile from Vigdis' hand with the tip of her claws. A quick inspection quickly revealed that the projectile was made of a very rare metal. Definitely not something any Tekeri, no matter how wealthy, would consider using in something disposable like ammunition. It was much denser than iron or steel, much harder to work with and it was also immune to Nellara's magnetic or lightning magic. Those characteristics, when coupled with the format of the projectile would surely make quite a dangerous projectile. If Nellara assumed that the metal object on Vigdis' hand was a weapon able to shoot this projectile repeatedly, it would definitely make her initial assumption even more likely. Those creatures were dangerous. Very dangerous. As a means to offer something back to Vigdis, after returning the projectile, Nellara extended her hand forward, making the metal spheres, which were previously rolling on the ground, float to her hand and begin slowly spinning. This continued for a moment, before Nellara made a strong arc of electricity jump from one sphere to another as they continued spinning. After that small show of skill and magic control, she made one of the spheres separate from the rest, floating to her other hand as she grabbed it with her claws, offering it to Vigdis. Upon close inspection, Vigdis would find that despite seeing them not only floating and moving by themselves, but producing electricity, the metal spheres were totally unremarkable. Other than the fact that they were almost [i]perfect[/i] steel spheres, there wasn't anything else going on with them. Meanwhile, Shirik, despite not seeing to be particularly well versed on those subjects like the Seeker and her companion, was still paying enough attention to use fire magic to draw in the air a small summary of Kareet and Kerchak. Which would undoubtedly be helpful both for Nellara and the others to not be completely clueless of what was going on. When he asked Nellara if she thought Vigdis was alone, she immediately shook her head. [color=d3c28b]"Considering the amount of equipment they have around and the size of this fortress-ship, it's highly unlikely that she is alone. She also seemed to be communicating with someone by using the strange bracelet on her wrist. Judging by the projectile she just handed me to inspect, which is made of an very rare metal, they seem to be very well armed..."[/color] Nellara replied, still carefully watching Vigdis' movements and her surroundings, preparing herself if others like Vigdis approached the group.