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The rest of the day proceeded smoothly, if uneventfully. For Ahnasha, anything that could get her mind off of the prior conversation was welcome, and the tome was a suitable enough distraction. For Kaleeth, spending time with others was her preferred method to pass the time. The long conversation with Sabine gave her many questions, some of which she asked to Janius, but many that she could only really answer through experience. She still had fear and anxiety for the new and unfamiliar places they would be visiting, but curiosity proved to be a stronger force in her mind.
Through the weeks of study aboard the vessel, Ahnasha learned more about how to begin the long path to extend her life, though it wasn't particularly savory. For her goal, she needed an in-depth understanding of the forces that bound her soul to her body. In essence, she needed to become a necromancer. It was a practice looked down upon in almost all of Tamriel, and she could not say she found it appealing either, but for what she wanted, there was a lot she was willing to sacrifice. From her own magical studies, she already had some knowledge of conjuration, so getting started was rather quick. Not long after she started, she was already to the point where she could reanimate rat carcasses for a short time, and during the journey, further improved the spell's duration. Unfortunately, given a lack of corpses, she could not test her spells on larger creatures. Beyond her studies, most of the rest of the voyage was rather dull, though that was perhaps for the best. The Dunmer Reynal was just as keen on avoiding them as they were of avoiding him, so they only had a few more unpleasant encounters with him. The only other point at which Ahnasha became significantly upset was when the ship stopped in Leyawiin to resupply. It was her hometown, where her parents and family likely currently lived, and for the entire day that they were there, she did not even leave her bunk except for her most basic needs. The reason she gave to Fendros and the others was that she did not want to risk being seen by someone who knew her, but with how depressed she seemed for most of the day, it was clear that there was more to it than that.
For many of the others, the appeal of the voyage was wearing quite thin by its end. Lorag rather liked the regular access to ale, but the fact that it was tightly rationed frustrated him. Of course, he recognized that, were it not rationed, sailors would dehydrate themselves by overdrinking, and they would run out of their ale long before they reached their destination, but that did not prevent him from complaining. Out of everyone in the pack, however, he seemed to get along most easily with the sailors, as their personalities were much closer. He joined in on many of there bets and competitions, and when he was not with the others in the pack, there were a few sailors he spoke with regularly. Similarly, Kaleeth tended to talk with the sailors more than most of the others, but for different reasons. She was a social individual, and when she could not speak to the rest of the pack, or when they ran out of things to talk about, she tried finding others to speak to. However, compared to Lorag, there were less who she could get along with, and some of them, especially Argonian men, gave her kinds of attention that seemed to upset Janius, and after a while, she stopped talking to them altogether. Meesei was less social with the crew, though she did talk with a few of them from time to time. Drinks made a few more advances on her, with no more success than the previous. Otherwise, when she was not with the pack, she passed the time with meditation, as usual.
It was early in the morning when the ship finally came within sight of the Imperial City, so the Captain sent down someone to awaken their passengers so they could leave before the crew needed to start unloading cargo. The sailor was meant to awaken them quietly, and not disturb the sleeping members of the crew, but being that it was Nirasi he sent, she chose a much more direct approach.
"Alright ya lazy fetchers, rise n' shine. The city awaits, in all it's pompous glory." Nirasi shouted as she entered the bunks, immediately producing a few groans and curses from some of the tired sailors.
"Yes, I'm...sure we will." Ahnasha answered, eager to get off of the topic. She knew Fendros wanted some sort of resolution to their issues, and she felt like she was holding him back, but those memories were just too much for her. They needed to find some other solution, any other solution. She just hoped their travels would give them some sort of opportunity. For the moment, however, she just needed to distract herself. "Let's just find some way to pass the time. I don't really care what it is at this point, I just don't want to be left to my own thoughts."
Kaleeth gave something of a skeptical grunt. "Hmm, I don't know why someone would think a dress would make them look pretty. Janius said I look better undressed. I guess they just think differently. If that is why they do it, I think it would make sense. In my village, people would go through trouble to make themselves look nice, so I guess it's the same thing. I always wanted to try it, but I never could because I was a hunter. Too...impractical is the word, right? It still is, really. If I tried putting rings in my fins, I just know it would get caught on something. It happened to one of my friends, and she said it really, really hurts if it does."
Kaleeth gave something of a skeptical grunt. "Hmm, I don't know why someone would think a dress would make them look pretty. Janius said I look better undressed. I guess they just think differently. If that is why they do it, I think it would make sense. In my village, people would go through trouble to make themselves look nice, so I guess it's the same thing. I always wanted to try it, but I never could because I was a hunter. Too...impractical is the word, right? It still is, really. If I tried putting rings in my fins, I just know it would get caught on something. It happened to one of my friends, and she said it really, really hurts if it does."
It was quite the relief to see the gunship arrive, and with the accuracy of its targeting computer, it was easy enough for it to finish off their foes. With how far any of them were from an entrance to the interior of the station, they did not have the time to escape. Once the gunship was in a stable position and Shiva had grabbed on, Rareth pushed off from the debris and grabbed on to one of the holds nearby. Though they were still technically in a combat zone, the immediate danger to them was now significantly less than it had been. for the past hour or so. Now, they were essentially in the clear.
After each member of the team found a place to grab hold, the gunship took them the relatively short distance to the hanger through which they had originally arrived. Rareth radioed ahead to Ashley that they were inbound, but even still, she managed to take a few moments to take in the sights from the outside. The station defenses were disabled, so it wasn't as if there was a space battle around it, but the damage to the station was extensive, and impressive. Large holes and gaps in the station's hull had been created by plasma and explosions alike, sending pieces of debris floating out into space just beyond. As tragic as destruction tended to be, it almost had a sort of beauty to it.
It was only a minute or two before the gunship made it to the hanger, the door of which was now locked in an open position, exposing it to the vacuum. Like the rest of the station, it was also devoid of artificial gravity, so the Hummingbird was being held in place by its own magnetic clamps. Rareth pushed away from the gunship and planted her feet on the hanger floor, once again using her magnetic boots to keep her in place. Her steps towards the heavy and slow, but completely silent to all but herself. They had to wait a few moments for Ashley to depressurize the interior so she could open up the loading ramp, so Rareth gave a nod to Shiva and spoke to her through the radio. "So, once we get a moment, do you think you could take a closer look at me? The pain in my chest is still a bit concerning."
After each member of the team found a place to grab hold, the gunship took them the relatively short distance to the hanger through which they had originally arrived. Rareth radioed ahead to Ashley that they were inbound, but even still, she managed to take a few moments to take in the sights from the outside. The station defenses were disabled, so it wasn't as if there was a space battle around it, but the damage to the station was extensive, and impressive. Large holes and gaps in the station's hull had been created by plasma and explosions alike, sending pieces of debris floating out into space just beyond. As tragic as destruction tended to be, it almost had a sort of beauty to it.
It was only a minute or two before the gunship made it to the hanger, the door of which was now locked in an open position, exposing it to the vacuum. Like the rest of the station, it was also devoid of artificial gravity, so the Hummingbird was being held in place by its own magnetic clamps. Rareth pushed away from the gunship and planted her feet on the hanger floor, once again using her magnetic boots to keep her in place. Her steps towards the heavy and slow, but completely silent to all but herself. They had to wait a few moments for Ashley to depressurize the interior so she could open up the loading ramp, so Rareth gave a nod to Shiva and spoke to her through the radio. "So, once we get a moment, do you think you could take a closer look at me? The pain in my chest is still a bit concerning."
Ahnasha did not know for how long she was silent, only that the silence between them was long enough to build up tension to a palpable degree. Even so, it took her a while to calm down; even Rhazii was growing restless at the silence. Eventually, however, she finally raised her head and turned around to face Fendros. Her voice was unsteady and she was shaking slightly, but she did manage to give a response. "Look, Fendros, this...I know what you are wanting. I know you are wanting to find a way past this. I agree that we can't rely on that medicine forever, that isn't a cure. But this...it is too painful; it isn't helping. I mean...it could help you. Talking about it, that might help you, I hope it helps you, but me...I can't do this. This isn't for me."
"What I find strange? I...don't know where to start. It's all so different. Even the way they work together is different from my village. Janius said there is a lot of buying and selling with these gold coins I've seen you all using. In my village, we just gave people what they needed. The gods they worship are different. The...eight or nine gods they have don't live in the world like the Hist do. Though, I guess Sithis is also like that, so that part is kind of the same. They are so strange with clothing too. Those...dresses, that women wear; I don't know why anyone would want to wear them. They just don't make sense." Kaleeth answered.
"What I find strange? I...don't know where to start. It's all so different. Even the way they work together is different from my village. Janius said there is a lot of buying and selling with these gold coins I've seen you all using. In my village, we just gave people what they needed. The gods they worship are different. The...eight or nine gods they have don't live in the world like the Hist do. Though, I guess Sithis is also like that, so that part is kind of the same. They are so strange with clothing too. Those...dresses, that women wear; I don't know why anyone would want to wear them. They just don't make sense." Kaleeth answered.
Ahnasha tried to remain stoic, but the memories Fendros was repeating were just too painful for her to remain unaffected. As he spoke, she slowly lowered her head and turned away from him. She found herself just staring at the top of Rhazii's head, trying in vain to hold back her thoughts. She did manage to hold back from sobbing herself, but only just. Even as Fendros finished his recollection, she remained facing away from him with her head down, completely silent. She gave him no visual or spoken response, just a silence that said more than either of those ever could.
"I...guess so?" Kaleeth answered in a questioning tone. She did not quite know why Sabine would want to get in her hammock when there were plenty of other ones open, but she had a hard time denying requests from the rest of the pack. "There isn't really much room in these things though. Be careful not to tip us over; I did that a lot when we first got here, and two people makes it harder to keep it the right way up."
Meesei gave a glance to Janius as he approached, as well as a grin. "Oh, just a sailor making a fool of himself. It would not have been bad had he taken my first answer. It would have been flattering, really, but he did not give up quite so easily. Why, did you put him up to it? I seem to recall that you were quite interested in my...relations with others at one point. Even without my responsibilities, though, a sailor would not quite fit my tastes. At all."
"I...guess so?" Kaleeth answered in a questioning tone. She did not quite know why Sabine would want to get in her hammock when there were plenty of other ones open, but she had a hard time denying requests from the rest of the pack. "There isn't really much room in these things though. Be careful not to tip us over; I did that a lot when we first got here, and two people makes it harder to keep it the right way up."
Meesei gave a glance to Janius as he approached, as well as a grin. "Oh, just a sailor making a fool of himself. It would not have been bad had he taken my first answer. It would have been flattering, really, but he did not give up quite so easily. Why, did you put him up to it? I seem to recall that you were quite interested in my...relations with others at one point. Even without my responsibilities, though, a sailor would not quite fit my tastes. At all."
You can go ahead. I may not be able to get to it tonight. though I don't know about Balmung
Ahnasha was trying to remain unemotional, to not give into the pain that normally came with these memories. It was, understandably, a difficult task, so her response came across as more harsh and uncaring in its tone than she actually felt. "Yes, that's indeed what happened, I think. Probably. I don't like to think about the details. I can still remember the pain like I just felt it if I think about it, which I now am. If that had been the worst of it, there wouldn't have been a problem, but you know it wasn't; you know what happened next." She said, though her thoughts continued. "And now you're going to make me relive it."
Kaleeth looked around to see if anyone had been listening to them, but she did not actually see anyone paying attention. Some were asleep, others were talking amongst themselves, but no one was looking at them. They had to hear Sabine, but she did not think anyone noticed. If they did, Kaleeth did not notice them. She did not know what else to do at the moment, so she decided to lay down in her hammock, which she was finally able to climb in reliably. She had just woke up not long ago, so she obviously was not tired, but she felt like it would be good to relax for a while. "I think I remember seeing some of those in some of the places we've been. I wonder if they will find me strange in the city? I mean, I find the Imperial traditions strange, so it must be the same for them."
"Okay, now you are just trying too hard." Meesei said with a chuckle. She did not look at him and instead continued staring out at the shoreline in the distance. It was hard to make out any details with how far away the land was, but with how long they had been traveling, she knew they were still off the coast of Black Marsh. "You see, I am not the average traveler. Really, I am many things. A mage, a scholar, and in a way, a caring mother. Although, honestly, I do not like to label myself, the one most applicable to you is that I am dangerous. I am someone you would be better off avoiding. Not that I wish to harm you, just that you would be better off staying away from me. Besides, you should not be making offers that you cannot live up to, specifically that, with that group over there listening to and translating this conversation, nothing you are saying is secret."
Kaleeth looked around to see if anyone had been listening to them, but she did not actually see anyone paying attention. Some were asleep, others were talking amongst themselves, but no one was looking at them. They had to hear Sabine, but she did not think anyone noticed. If they did, Kaleeth did not notice them. She did not know what else to do at the moment, so she decided to lay down in her hammock, which she was finally able to climb in reliably. She had just woke up not long ago, so she obviously was not tired, but she felt like it would be good to relax for a while. "I think I remember seeing some of those in some of the places we've been. I wonder if they will find me strange in the city? I mean, I find the Imperial traditions strange, so it must be the same for them."
"Okay, now you are just trying too hard." Meesei said with a chuckle. She did not look at him and instead continued staring out at the shoreline in the distance. It was hard to make out any details with how far away the land was, but with how long they had been traveling, she knew they were still off the coast of Black Marsh. "You see, I am not the average traveler. Really, I am many things. A mage, a scholar, and in a way, a caring mother. Although, honestly, I do not like to label myself, the one most applicable to you is that I am dangerous. I am someone you would be better off avoiding. Not that I wish to harm you, just that you would be better off staying away from me. Besides, you should not be making offers that you cannot live up to, specifically that, with that group over there listening to and translating this conversation, nothing you are saying is secret."
Close and distant blaster fire was a constant as the group moved through the temple. Even if the path they took did not intersect with the clones themselves currently, it was easy to hear blaster fire and explosions through the walls, frighteningly close, in some cases. It was unnerving, but they pressed on regardless, as their chances of survival diminished the longer they were in the Temple.
Eventually, they made it to the hanger, but as Shir feared, the clones were there in force. A Padawan was cut down in front of them, and prompting the Human Jedi leading the way to hold off the blaster fire while the Padawans and Temple guards escaped through the passage he opened. Shir could sense no one following them, and since the passage had been closed down, the Padawans should not face opposition within, so Shir's thoughts turned to preventing the unnecessary sacrifice of her Human ally. As she rushed past the Padawans to join the Human, she grabbed the blaster rifle out of Tactus' hand. "Sorry, I need this."
Shir dashed into place alongside the Human with a lightsaber in one hand, and the rifle in the other. She placed almost all of her focus into joining him in deflecting the incoming shots with her blade, but at the same time, she held the blaster under her arm, firing from the hip at its highest rate of fire. Her goal was not accuracy, but rather suppression. As long as the shots were landing close enough to the clones, they would be forced to take cover, thereby reducing the volume of incoming fire, and hopefully giving them all enough time to escape.
Eventually, they made it to the hanger, but as Shir feared, the clones were there in force. A Padawan was cut down in front of them, and prompting the Human Jedi leading the way to hold off the blaster fire while the Padawans and Temple guards escaped through the passage he opened. Shir could sense no one following them, and since the passage had been closed down, the Padawans should not face opposition within, so Shir's thoughts turned to preventing the unnecessary sacrifice of her Human ally. As she rushed past the Padawans to join the Human, she grabbed the blaster rifle out of Tactus' hand. "Sorry, I need this."
Shir dashed into place alongside the Human with a lightsaber in one hand, and the rifle in the other. She placed almost all of her focus into joining him in deflecting the incoming shots with her blade, but at the same time, she held the blaster under her arm, firing from the hip at its highest rate of fire. Her goal was not accuracy, but rather suppression. As long as the shots were landing close enough to the clones, they would be forced to take cover, thereby reducing the volume of incoming fire, and hopefully giving them all enough time to escape.
Ah, I can finally load the site, though I don't think I'll be able to respond until tomorrow.
Ahnasha sighed in resignation, shaking her head likely before regaining eye contact with Fendros. "Fine, alright, just...go ahead. Explain, and I'll listen, for all the good it will do us. Just don't blame me if it makes things worse." Ahnasha answered, her voice slightly elevated at first. With the yelling around him, Rhazii became upset and started to cry for a few moments before Ahnasha was able to lull him back into a calm mood.
"I, well, I don't know. What is there? I've seen all the races that you've seen since I've been with you. I had never saw anything but Argonians before I met all of you. I think I remember the names of most of the races, and with all the places we've been going, I've probably at least seen them all, but...I don't really know much about them. You probably know more about them than I do." Kaleeth answered. While she was familiar with the layout of the ship by this point, she really did not know where they should go, so she decided to just follow Sabine. However, Sabine might not necessarily been aware that she was leading.
Meesei had not expected anyone to be approaching her, but she had to give a smile at the man's boldness. She was not interested, of course, but the fact that he was trying was at least flattering. Even without her responsibilities and obligations, she likely would not have been interested in a sailor, but even so, she did not feel like making him feel insulted. The least she could do was reject him in a way that would not make him feel bad, so she tried to make it seem more like something that was her fault. "I appreciate the compliment, but that probably wouldn't be a good idea. I do not really want to get into it, but it really would not end well. I am sure you can find someone else with no problem."
"I, well, I don't know. What is there? I've seen all the races that you've seen since I've been with you. I had never saw anything but Argonians before I met all of you. I think I remember the names of most of the races, and with all the places we've been going, I've probably at least seen them all, but...I don't really know much about them. You probably know more about them than I do." Kaleeth answered. While she was familiar with the layout of the ship by this point, she really did not know where they should go, so she decided to just follow Sabine. However, Sabine might not necessarily been aware that she was leading.
Meesei had not expected anyone to be approaching her, but she had to give a smile at the man's boldness. She was not interested, of course, but the fact that he was trying was at least flattering. Even without her responsibilities and obligations, she likely would not have been interested in a sailor, but even so, she did not feel like making him feel insulted. The least she could do was reject him in a way that would not make him feel bad, so she tried to make it seem more like something that was her fault. "I appreciate the compliment, but that probably wouldn't be a good idea. I do not really want to get into it, but it really would not end well. I am sure you can find someone else with no problem."
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