PrinceAlexus

Voyage of the Heiress: A Tale from Empire of the Clouds

An post is up. It may need a few refinements but it is up!

Voyage of the Heiress: A Tale from Empire of the Clouds

Character App

Character Description

Name: Lt Laurent “Louis” Le Mariner
Gender: Male
Age: 23
Nationality: Favis
Appearance:

A taller man, dark hair and athletic having recently graduated from the Military academy with green eyes, a small scar on his cheek from a sabre competition accident and a lighter weight pugilist who took upon it as a way to build up his frame a little.

A certain charisma that might make him break him. Or both.

My Hider

Personal Effects:

Imported Harlan .45 semi auto.
Officers sabre engraved with his name and Favis Navy coat of arms.
Pair of knuckle dusters for when its time to fight dirty.
A small Favis symbol on a chain to remind him where he is from containing sand from a Favis beach.

---

Background:

What is your jobLt in Favis Royal Navy Fleet air arm. On extended duty.
Backstory:

Born to a family with a long history of service from Dubious privateers, outright pirates and Naval officers, to statesmen and more. The name weighed on his choices and future. His father had served a short time before becoming a foreign office member, his Uncle was a … the man was both an officer, a rogue and a diplomat at once. Making sense of that was difficult.

His mother had been a non inheriting daughter of a larger titled family, she bore no title bar a minor inheritance and a somewhat talent to find trouble but talk her way out of it.

They held a large townhouse in the capital and he, while not a Lord or titled, was a family of means, gentlemen and ladies who held various posts of influence over the decades with the name going back to the era of Piracy when Favis was a nation of barely legalised piracy under a glamour of legality.

After a few too many drinks he wanted to break the expectations his father had of joining the Marines and went to his aunt who got her brother to call in a favour. The now Admiral got him reassigned to the Favis Fleet Air arm, and that led to an offer…

He graduated well in his class at the officer academy, not the first but well and won the class dueling award in 2 of his 3 years earning a named and decorated sabre as an award from the academy commandant. He was s light weight boxer and used the time to build contacts, as well as to try and put on some muscle.

Favis needed to learn about airships, he was a young driven man, willing to take risks, and a certain expedition sounded like a good way to gain experience of airships to bring back knowledge and fulfill his desires for adventure. He sold it well, and soon found himself on a ship bound for the Main with his uncle's approval smoothing the way, a Rear admiral's support soon cleared paperwork out the way.

He upset his father, the argued but remained firm and took his own path in own ways, choosing a new gun out of the main, taking a path in a new branch of service where it had yet to fully decide what it wanted to become.

He took at times like his brother for his father's comfort, the old rogue had done well but it was not the path he wanted for his son.

That all led to a hotel in the Main, an adventure. An airship.

It was new. Dangerous and also entirely up to him to create his own opertunities. Perfect.

Voyage of the Heiress: A Tale from Empire of the Clouds

We are alive :)

Paradise Lost

Reenneesuash (Ren to humans) daughter of veanamdarr

Ren nodded and made a mental list of what she would require for the trip, things that were available in her area or general stores etc. She had a plan at least. Forward motion, forward motion was a good thing. “Il get ready, see you at the shuttle.” Ren said, getting up from her chair and heading out the bridge to find some clothes that would be better for her trip to an unknown planet. “You know, try to not eat the killer plants, or get happy with an alien princess.” She said jokingly and headed out.

…

Ren took a while to pack, throwing rations, sample kits, water, and a whole list of things into a back pack. Boots, a weather jacket, Ren packed and prepared for a longer trip than she hoped. Ren at least had been part of a little field research and learned a few mistakes the hard way, like not packing spare water, snacks and replacement battery's…

Multiple sample kit sets, one could fail or had a bad chemical etc plus she could let someone like the Dr do part of the work.

Oh and a mask… because even it was just really really bad hay fever? Why risk it?

My Hider

The Keiller was hardly packed up like a soldier and armed like one, but snuck her small pistol into her back and a knife which was good for many things. From poking, to taking samples. Just enough to be able to look after herself and not be a burden on them.

All in all Ren was prepared when she arrived, sorting her silver hair into place with a short round rod, it was a little more complex but also more comfortable than other methods for a prolonged time.

“Ready adventurenoughts for another fun trip!” She said imitating a kids Holo show line as she headed over to the shuttle looking for people. “I packed spare xeno test kits if anyone wants their science Explorer badges with Dr Ren.” She was serious but also a little silly as she thought more bodies meant faster work and more data to use. The test kit was easy to teach, long as they understood how to mix a chemical with a test strip and a sample. The colour on the handy chart would give them a rough idea what they were dealing with.

She also had the fancy machine, but that took training and that was days to learn how to use it properly. The test kit took a high school education and a pictogram instruction card / colour reference sheet.

The ship was sleek looking though, really fancy like those high end corporate models. Looked fast if they got in trouble at least.

DELTΔ HYPER (Anti-Gravity Racing, Cyberpunk/Solarpunk RP)

Bellatrix Olympus. Nordic.

Jordan. Desert Dunes.
17 -11 - 2094.

Jordan

Race n Rally. Lucky 8.
17-11-2094

Bellatrix was feeling rather happy as she was pulled into a one armed hug after the successful race. She was caught half unaware but rapidly smiled for the cameras and waved to the Delta hyper red lights. Bellatrix did not commit the murder suicide and kiss him instead she shook both the others hands and was rather surprised by the level of … rivals between the two drivers, Beatrix and the Countess.

“Thanks, no idea what it is but if fast, yes.., Paris, pre Dubai, if you want to say hi, or join us. Ma Ren got a place near the Louvre, come find us even for only lunch or a evening.” Bellatrix said graciously, the place was a full on grand Parisian Town house but hey… they were hardly normal. A few of them had planned a pre Dubai trip to relax, shop and things needed before the grand finale of the season. Beatrix could join them for a few drinks, or a meal if she wanted, the more the merrier from her and Ren, friends and family of both. Shopping. Whatever. They already had a fancy cocktail place picked out, classy, cozy and an rather old spot.

Whatever that race was, if it happened it definitely could be fun. Bellatrix like all of them were honestly, speed freaks and proud.

Bellatrix did her press bit before she caught one of the side by side and got driven back to the team area by her stern but ever attentive local security lady. The team area was a hive as ever with checks on the new ships engines and so after they had been rolled out their travel pods and engineers acted like a nest of worker ants busy and constantly moving.

The weather here, the desert, the time of year was weird to be honest, she was both hot, cold and unlike Australia could not find the desire to sunbathe and rest. Instead Bellatrix was editing a post for social media with the back lit rocky valleys and canyons then chose to mute her phone and find a book relaxing before the race. Not too many fans, and no real party going on at Wadi run.

It was a good time as any to do a little pirates, Yoga, or whatever else took her fancy.

…

Jordan

Qualification.
18-11-2094

“Watch the ship!” Bellatrix radio said as she nearly clipped a rock during a section of her practice lap, the dust of another pilot was dead ahead and she swept past another ship that was slower on a return or warm up lap.

“Try, choose less weird races.” She said and glided into a tight 90, the ship was not really the one for a track like this, but Bellatrix tried her best to keep it from being an embarrassing day for Nordic Call.

“The fans love it, so just keep us from having to re-build it again.” Radio joked back as she pulled into a section that she quickly realised had mis counted the rocks and had to slam the brakes down and pick up speed again rapidly after a quick evasion. Damn, this track was a challenge and throwing a few curve balls her way. This track was far from her best and Bellatrix was fighting the ship, the track and her own doubts after a few wobbles.

“It's gonna be a slow one.” Bellatrix said over the comms. She saw the projected time and groaned as the clock went up again.

…

“P13…” She repeated over the conference room table as they sipped from cold recovery drinks and looked over the tracks and data on the screen. “P15, it's gonna be a tough Sunday.“ Astrid agreed as they both studied the runs, sector times and so. Sector 1 was ok, , 2 was better and 3 just had not worked out for both pilots.

“Right Ladies, let's talk strategy.” The group gathered as the race engineers, various team members helping to work out a strategy that could salvage something from the race.

“How far can we push in this, it's cooler, Less risk of engines over heating. Bellatrix is only about two places off her lover. We can aim for at least one point.” Someone joked that as well as making solid points, Nordic had a chance, whichever pilot could gain ground might be able to get at least a small point win. 13, 15.. it was not great. But it could be worse. 13 and 15, they could push the engines, Astrid might get some clearer air, and Bellatrix was ao far proving to have no problem dog fighting in the fraction of seconds close up.

“Right. Where can our chariots gain time” Floki said in his odd accent, nature and weird cadence. The man was a genius…just a little eccentric. However he also knew the ships like his own hands and their abilities.

The meeting was long and the two Pilots had to head off early as an assistant ran over waving a pad. “You're gonna be late, we need to get you ready for DH.” The assistant was firm and directed to a scene where two drivers where waiting outside with side by side already.

Jordan

Media Dome.
18-11-2094

…

Bellatrix changed out her race gear, she had swapped into the lighter team coloured zipped jacket for the cooler night, a fun tank top with a sleepy dragon wrapped round a princess tower on it and some dark leggings as well her regular AG racing cap. It was more casual, comfortable and waited for her security to meet her at the team area before she arrived at the interview.

Waiting for her turn she gave the camera the required smile, wave etc. “Hello again Aurora.” She said politely to the host.

“Id like better, but we cannot beat the odds every single time. Sometimes dice give us a bad roll.” Bellatrix took the 13th place with grace and tried to show a good face forward.

“Well, I'd like to claim all the credit, but I have a great team, co pilot, and engineers helping me. They deserve the fans support too.” Bellatrix said giving them their due, they did alot and never got the fame. “I was running for a Junior AG top 3 this year, I know there's some great pilots in the Junior championship and I hope to see at least one next season.” She said diplomaticly, sure Bellatrix had come out hot straight from race 1, but she had to show, Junior teams were still racing teams, they did not have such fancy tech, but they were no joke. They could race too, and plenty of the Junior champions could give their senior pilots a good go in Bellatrix's view.

Astrid was disappointed but proud of Bellatrix, she had come in and scored points from day one, worked hard and was annoyingly loud, far more expressive but also had never said a bad word on TV about her or the team. She was a good pick and Nordic would be utterly stupid in her view to not sign her for the next season. Give her a ship that was designed for her and not a half modified Frankenstein project. Her success in her former team mates' spare was clearly not just dumb luck.

Plus on a rather selfish side… having someone like her meant the media work was less on her shoulders and Astrid had more time for racing and her Gin company. Life just worked out some times.. “We will race, that's it, P15 is just where I am, so we will race there.” She was pretty blunt about her response but firm, Nordic would race wherever Nordic ended up. Infact that was a long quote for the Finn, wasting words seemed pointless.

Much as Astrid did not like to admit but could not deny, the Crazy small woman whose too loud emotions clashed with her own, quieter nature had brought a new energy to Nordic. It was infectious and seemed to be doing good things for the team. The next year would be interesting if this kept up.

Pilots’ Group Chat

Bellatrix @Bea. Deal, don't tempt a girl with a good time lol. Ps…also. I got sent a creepy story… im not sure i can even fully type it out… it involved a ship..ship…

Bea So I’m confirmed the asylum warden when it comes to unhinged community. Great… 😀

Max You can’t open that can of worms and then leave us hanging!

Bea After my on track and on radio scrap with Jen at Portugal 2091, I got a submission that was an inkpen drawing featuring me, Jenny, ropes and candlewax.

Jenny THE WHAT?!

Bea I swear most of my fans are normal! 😀

Jenny Burn it.

Bellatrix Ps. Anyone else feeling like Anakin..and sand…

Paul I am thinking more about Lawrence of Arabia.

Bea Don't get eaten by a big worm when driving over the sand.

Bellatrix. This is Worm. I eat weird fire hair two leg. Hi speedy snacks. Not nom. Two leg is crunchy…

Realms of Sun & Shadow

Dawn Haven flash backs.
No sleep & Temple Times.
Sya & Persephone.

Flash Back
Persephone did not sleep well that was a fact but in the last few weeks she got used to her partner's presence and warmth that always made her feel safe, secure and able to let go. He had departed as they had their quiet but passionate goodbye however unlike the youngsters had found a private spot to do it. Daphne had left too and her motives well, a certain Priestess was high on the dark-haired squire's reasons. Persephone just smirked at the fact they were totally not together, sure. A trek into the wilderness and they would give up trying to hide it… It had a habit of stripping away things and making you see the truth.

It did for Persephone.

But that was why she wrapped a robe about and treaded softly downstairs to try and distract herself seeing the still glow of the fire pit in the lower room, constantly fending off the cold. The chill bit hard and about a week prior they had some strange menu choices. Breakfast was rather confusing when you ate desert for breakfast, stuffed crust breakfast croissants and more besides.

“Again? Lady Presssephone.” Sya said, slithering out the darkness from a side door at an ungodly hour of the morning. Her tail was silent and her eye looked out the darkness into the fire light that glittered off deep blue scales and a robe from a Auralian trader who had popped by part of a passing caravan.

“first time i seen you.. but not you me.” Persephone said, not shaken or surprised by fact, Sya she already noticed could be either as sneaky or chaotic as she liked. The fact Sya who ran this place, could move through it with absolute stealth and evade her patrons and customers. “Cannot sleep.” She said and sat at the bar as Sya moved behind and poured two glasses of a strong smelling liquid. “Might help.” Sya said, pushing one to the woman across, her hair reflecting the glow of coals and hot embers in the fire.

“Thank you.” Persephone nodded and took the drink, the two quiet and Lady Coswain could not hide a grimace at the strength of the burn. The alcohol was strong on levels that no one else in town had.

…

Sya was recalling the last 2 weeks, the first week had been… weird. Sya was greatly missing her friends and even Becky had stopped her and challenged her boss. The menu for first week Sya tried to distract herself by making.. things, anything. New combinations of foods that still weirdly worked and people ate it and kept coming back.

The day the convoy left Sya fears had run rampant, The Lamia had almost shut down that evening and curled up in the book nook, her sanctuary and slept off the emotional overload. Multiple of her valued friends were going out on the expedition, people who held great value for the inn keeper.

The later week Sya had been distracted by a large caravan of traders that stopped by, so much to buy, goods to buy, sell, stocks to check and more. Now Sya was.. feeling… empty and so did the town. Though maybe Sya could go talk to Kira, she did not fear the blightborn who had shared a relaxing soak which saved her from the bad yolk peacock, that went a long way to making her a good egg and yolk.

The caravan did sell a very nice robe as well as a few other things though.

…

Persephone just nodded along to Sya, they chatted about nothing mostly, no real importance but it helped fill the gaps.

Her own week had been kinda weird. Persephone felt a little rudderless of the main group she was on her own now. Her husband, their squire was away, the temple's priestess was gone with them. She found herself at the Temple some times just enjoying the quiet and the peace of the place, able to find a little peace and focus. After the Vision and other things, her mind had felt like birds fluttering about it, it felt busy all the time. This place helped calm it all down and she also kept the place tidy, pushed snow away from the door and placed winter flowers in a small vase by the altar.

It was a miracle they still grew, pale blue and stunted but still flowers.

New clothes had been sorted from the local traders and crafts people for the winter, the business of preparing for a long winter, home or not, household management was her part of life, she ran the estate back home. Well when she was home anyway.

With the Royals keeping her distance, the prior incident.. well? Safer to stay quiet and under the radar. She could gain more information and learn more by listening about the goings and comings of dawn haven.

The rest, well. Persephone just kept up the days. Purpose would be found but she did some favours for Sya, it kept her able to at least fill her time and keep mind off other thoughts.

…

“We meet again…” Persephone said as the inn keeper was upstairs, in her private apartment, she had been invited however. It was rather more grand than anything she expected with tall book shelves in a side room, multiple doors and large collection of pillows visible into an octagonal room that seemed to rise high out of sight. Sya was sprawled over some cushions working on a set of thick books.

“Welcome, Cannot ssssleep again.” Sya said and Persephone tried to hide her reaction to the hiss but her Lunarian side and faith was seeing even with her also pragmatic side of Sya being a valuable ally. “Vy maths, adding up…you vind being a once over.” Sya said and passed over a book after a few minutes with a hot cup of a fragrant tea that smelled rather like lemon and flowers.

“You run a tight household.” Persephone remarked as she saw the numbers and neat columns much like ones she ran and began to scan the list. “And tastes id not expect.” The team was very nice, far less decorum to tea but still good tea.

“Thanksss” Sya said, it was not a friendship, they were too different but a level of respect definitely. Sya knew she could learn from Persephone and Persephone got something. A fair trade. “I ssssuprise many people.” The Lamia said with a low rumbling hiss and slightly additional danger to her voice. She was more than a blight born.

Persephone nodded along, from hunts and words it seemed Sya was planning or otherwise spoke of such people she was concerned for as Princes Aide, the lead Sage, and the fact Sya controlled the town's hot meals, ales and warm beds… The Blightborn had way more potential sway than Persephone first assumed. If Sya wanted or.. could focus on something for longer than a short time, she might have put Persephone out of a job.


…
10 am to Sun Temple
Sya was heading out and had found one of her older cloaks for a little more weather protection given the cold and light snow, while it affected her less, it did mess with her hair she had neatly put into braid that morning before the breakfast run. It would be a shame to ruin the work and have to redo it all.

She pushed the door closed with a nudge of her tail waving as she left the Eye in her staff safe hands and looked out on a lightly snow dusted Dawn haven. Or .. “Gloom Haven” had been done in graffiti on one wall. Accurately she giggled slightly at the remark and following picture of a moon that hung over the words in a very rough art style. The fact Sya was able to tell roughly the variations of gloom, she was not sure how widely known. It was before noon. That was what she could tell.

The path was not deep and the ground was already hard, it was so cold so long it was hard to convert into a slush, though it could get icy. Sya was growing more nervous as she made her way down a side street to a building with great burning torches visible and wood working of higher quality than the homes around them.

Sya paused before the street, and wrapped her arms and tail about herself, shaking and mentally took the effort to breathe slowly before unraveling again. No. Sya had to do this for her friends and not run away.

Even with old fears, the feeling of dread and her past memories of the faithful being anything but a hostile enemy she slithered her way to the door slowly and pushed the portal to the Warm Temple open. It was very different but similar in other ways to the far more bare and practical Temple that was built in her home town, a mix of Lunaris and Auralian traditions.

The brazers and heat were a surprise, shedding her hood but the brighter light did annoy her rather sensitive eye, too many Candles and fires for her extraordinary acute night vision to be entirely comfortable for someone who could see in almost total darkness.

Sya paused visiblely unsure and took slow steady breathing, forcing calm and looking about to complete her task, because she wanted her friends to come home safe.

…
10am. To moon Temple.
Persephone had decided to give her horse some exercise, stopping by the stable and getting her horse tacked up, after an apple to make up for forcing him to head out into the cold. Several minutes later that was not a problem as she took a wider route and let her horse free galloping down a track used for guard training that was empty and jumping one of the fences. Had it been less dangerous times and or her partner might have headed out but she aired on caution and rode inside the walls. The smaller course was still fun and she rode though the well worn route, jumps, straights, turns and so on before she turned more at a canter to the Temple on the outer ring of town. Her sword was in reach and she had thrown a few items from Lord Coswain's cart into her saddle bags.

You never could be too careful after the last week or so.

The Lunarian Temple was much as she left it a few days ago, the flowers a little sad, the bowl a little dusty and the place had signs of use. Not uncared for, no. Just… Katherine was away so it was more a transient place now than a home.

Persephone tried to rectify that a little as she began her chores, sorting the humble Temple into some kind of order. Singing softly as she works an old song she picked up furthermore from the Capital region.

"Alduin's wings, they did darken the sky,
His roar fury's fire, and his scales sharpened scythes.
Men ran and they cowered, and they fought and they died.
They burned and they bled as they issued their cries.

“We need saviors to free us from Alduin's rage,
Heroes on the field of this new war to wage.
And if Alduin wins, man is gone from this world,
Lost in the shadow of the black wings unfurled.

But then came the Tongues on that terrible day.
Steadfast as winter, they entered the fray.
And all heard the music of Alduin's doom,
The sweet song of Skyrim, sky-shattering Thu'um.

And so the Tongues freed us from Alduin's rage,
Gave the gift of the Voice, ushered in a new Age!
And if Alduin's eternal, then eternity's done,
For his story is over and the dragons are gone.”

Dragons, it seemed the world did not need Dragons to end, they had plenty enough darkness to do that. But Persephone did do her best to tidy the Temple up, keep busy and keep her mind off one place she did not want to go. Adonis, Daphne had headed out and into the darkness on the Prince's great gamble, their best guards, sages, and more had gone. Dawn has best in multiple regards all on one fleeting hope.

Her family grew ever more at risk, while the Prince seemed happy to wait, where were they even making a baby? If it came down to a prince and princess or her own children or grandchildren, Persephone would plunge the dagger in herself if need be.

Those thoughts had her sighing sitting by the clean clear cold pool, by the moon goddess, she just wanted her family to be safe.

Empire of the Clouds

Rear Admiral Le Marinier

New Adventures
.455 Hot

The Admiral accepted the help, in part because it made jobs pass the time better, the other much as he was proud, he still was a man with one eye, a messed up hand and prosthetics.

“Four hands make light work Zano.” He said and agreed as he was somewhat lost in thoughts, assuming she was Princess, and this was her ship. Nations aside and cities he was maybe the last and only diplomat to the nation from Favis left? He might be the Ambassador even?

How on God's green earth did he end up an Admiral and promoted twice over in theory? Weird promotions and career moves aside he started at least on some coffee, maybe some more fortified coffee was needed.

“I would have thought you would stay behind, but glad you're with us.” He said as Hamerlin struggled with overly tight military coffee cans, one hand lacking some dexterity he had to sit down and use his legs to provide more leverage for his good hand. “Help me with this coffee, I've never been great at it.” He said with a can he finally got open.

“What do you reckon about all this, honestly? Its pretty crazy, I'm not even sure what we are, what our goal is. it's probably gonna be an adventure.” He said as he searched and shook his head at the quality of one of the bottles of brandy, just smelled…way too harsh. “Not sure what she wants to do, but we are packing a serious magazine for a Royal yacht.”

Finally he found the officers stash, they always hid some better stuff that might make their first gathering more pleasant.

@Theyra

Ban the User Above You

Banned. For your crimes against zombies and the undead. They even pay taxes.

In The Black (A Clean-Up Crew RP)

The Tech who lifts.

Enzo was a little twitchy after the last encounter, how many things were loose in the place and how many types of monster had they made? Please not dogs..oh god not the resident evil dogs.

“We are here to do a job, but we will get you out safely. Our man here is good, even if he uses way too much after shave like it lasts one use.” He said diplomatic and careful, also trying to lighten the mood by slapping Fabio on the arm and making this like a normal situation as it could be.

“We might have to avoid the main stairs, maybe south fire exit side or back track, it's probably wall to ceiling zombie salsa on main. " He asked quietly over the radio trying to solve their new civilian problem. “Mellisa, Our people can compensate you for lost gear, and dry cleaning etc, just get you safe, we can buy you a new camera and so, I know how expensive that can be, we will cover it. Just stick by us. You'll be out here soon.” He tried to be gentle, reasonable, make exit the easy option out and the company would handle any losses and costs. They had the funds to buy some new clothes and a camera etc. He directed that part to their journalist, the massive European was doing his best to not seem as scary as someone who benched her weight like it was light work out knew he could seem to be.

“If our team is able to hand off a civilian, I can head down assuming DA ok it, got most of my stock still.” He replied to Graves message and looked to the other two of the shooters, they knew the shooting bit and if they could make the call if they could make it to the basement. He directed this one to both, but Kadeem had seemed to become their unofficial team leader, he was steady and held together very well under pressure.

If they approved and they could make it, he definitely had slow, fast and even cutting charges available in his pack along with a selection of various accessories and detonators for a multitude of door and wall related problems.

He was the expert at blowing things up, the other two could handle the military decisions.

@Dyelli Beybi@Flarbinia@Terrans

Microfiction & Poetry contest #14 - new beginnings (voting and feedback)

Eve.

With conflagration tree as a second.

Talk about a tough to decide contest!