RyuShura

Caravan: Resurrection

Ayer Lecomte

--9:48pm
- Mentions: @Mataus

His lips straightened at the result of his compliment. He was never ever good at those, as it turned out. He hoped maybe after all this practice, failure, and repetition, it would get better. But it didn't seem like it, just yet.

He shook his head, raising his hands as their hands went to their blade.
"Sorry, if I happened to offend. I just have a habit of giving nicknames. As a show of endearment. Such as Wax-Jury" tapping the machine at his waist, then waving a hand at Paric. "And my 'Glorious Drunken Fire-Bender' over there, just to name one."

He continued his explanation after a short bow of his head,
"I think primates and such are cute, that is all. But yes, if you don't like that one, then I shall follow your preference. I shall treat you differently... Though I feel the need to point out; I don't treat anyone with prejudice. Hm, but like Paric over here, you say..." rubbing his chin, glancing at the male Myti closely, "I'm not sure you want to be dragged into a goose-chase around a town all night by wild gangs, but if it's an introduction you want..."

Acknowledging this, Ayer coughed and then immediately sweeping both of his arms to the side. Both of his legs bowed and the man suddenly undertook a different mood. With another turn and spin, he struck another unabashed pose, twisting his body in an elaborate coil.
"Oh peculiar traveler, grizzled and hardy, shrouded in mystery, it seems fate has brought us together! A glorious fortune! Though your eyes shine jaded to attempts from my charm, feel free to be awe-struck instead! As you are in the presence of the greatest Arcane Theorist in the world, Ayer Lecomte!"

He glanced over at Paric, winking. Nailed it.

Ayer stayed in the awkward pose, arms crossed over his shoulder and face, waiting for a reaction from the Myti. Though it was difficult. He was already wobbling in place, trying to hide the fact that he is struggling to keep balance in the uneven sand.

...

Caravan: Resurrection

Ayer Lectome

--9:47pm
- Mentions: @Mataus

His eyes perked when he heard actual words coming form the mysterious form in the trees. It was still relatively difficult to hear from that distance, but he made out enough words to understand the meaning behind the irritable growl. Was it sand in his ears that made it so difficult? He tilted his head to the left and right, giving slight bops to each side with his palms to make sure. None.

"Hmm... So not a primate. A fake primate, then?" he muttered, turning to Paric, "No, this probably means that unknown hanging in the tree must definitely be a Myti."

As the ears, tail, and features were all made more defined at the approaching pace of the exotic, what appeared to be male, Ayer waved at the male Myti nonetheless. He was completely oblivious to the annoyed state they were in and smiled as if they were close friends. He didn't think he was being rude just a moment ago, at all. It was just a slight misunderstanding. Nothing to be embarrassed or ashamed about. Best yet, they must make intentions clear from this point on. There is no use arguing in the middle of nowhere, when the Nilliums, and who knows what else, have surely figured out the method in which they escaped. It would be any moment now that hands would reach out to detain the two men, who were in shortage of supplies, energy, and options.

"Well, in any case, I am glad to see you're just as clueless about all this as we are. What are you doing all the way out here? I thought Myti who are native to Leias do no roam out often. Are you perhaps a traveler like us? If so, I'd like to make a request. I have some important research that must be... protected, at all costs."

Ayer then motioned to the device by his side, turning to allow the stranger to see the intricacies of the design. He even tucked out a leg, in a gesture that one would think him to be modeling for them in unabashed pride, even.
"This, my greatest invention, must not fall into these savage warlord's hands. Not again. If you help us get away from these lands and towards Leias, I am sure I can make it worth your time, my cute little fake-primate."

Compliments. That's how you establish a good impression, right?

...

Caravan: Resurrection

Ayer Lecomte

--9:45pm
- Mentions: @Mataus

Ayer followed Paric up the sandy shore, using the miniature compass as close and confident reference. While he wasn't sure of his own senses of navigation, he was sure technology would never fail him. As the arcanist kept keen watch on the metal dial, he noticed something and glanced up.

Well, it was rather hard to not notice the leafy ruckus.

He scanned the canopy above and spotted the source, cautiously hold Wax Jury's handle. That was, until he spotted it. Ayer narrowed his eyes and stared intently at the silhouette hanging from one of the tallest trees nearby, of which, curled up from the soil beneath the sands and hung over them in an almost warning manner. He knew the forests of Meotey were hostile, but he didn't expect resistance from nature so early. Luckily, it seemed to be more keen on observing them than attacking outright. This meant this thing was probably alone. They were not immediately in danger. From what appeared to be... a Primate of sorts? And did it say something? He was too focused on discerning the shape that the small utterance was lost to his ears.

He quickly tapped Paric on the shoulder, whispering into his pointed ear, "Hey, umm, do you see that? Is that a primate or something? Or am I seeing things? It's hard to see clearly with the moon shining down at this angle."

Ayer stepped from side to side, bucking his head even to try to get a clearer look from various angles. He even pulled down the little monocle adorning the side of his head for a better examination. "Nope, yeah, that's definitely some sort of funky looking primate... Maybe a simian, or monkey. I'm sure of it."

He glanced back, "What should we do?"

...

Caravan: Resurrection

Ayer Lecomte

--9:43pm
- Mentions: @Mataus

Ayer smiled at the reprieve of his new instated assistant, taking a deep breath as he swung himself over the ledge. "Yes, you won't regret it. There are plenty of benefits... However, do not expect an easy time. There is much to do, as my life is ever so busy. Don't think this is a tactless position."

That said, never before did he have a subordinate. There wasn't much opportunity in the first place. All his life, though surrounded by work and science, he hadn't ever been integrated into a formal laboratory and research group setting. Was there a procedure, or some form of contract? Or perhaps was there supposed to be some sort of promotion offering from Ayer, himself? As a sign of good will. He didn't know. All Ayer knew was that he owed the man, and this was the best way Ayer could conceive putting his gratitude into action. Still, he didn't really understand what to do with that. Maybe he'll have Paric be a live test any new experiments for any new ideas. That's what assistants did, correct?

To be the man to sacrifice for the greater evolution of arcane sciences -- An honor even greater than the conception, he believed.

The pale blonde immediately fell over in the sand, letting the ground gather around him as the Ars slunk into the grainy surface. He didn't even mind it getting into his hair and scratch his sore neck. He gazed up at the blinking stars, shining like a glittering spray of dust across the indigo of the night. He never truly appreciated its beauty until now. Seeing the look of relief on Paric's face brought him a light chuckle. Escaping with one's life was an odd way of making one appreciate all the small things more.

"Yes, I've lived on the road so long... Everyday I would observe the starry sky, but it was never beautiful as it is now..."

He resolved to lay there for a moment longer, but Paric brought up a good point.

"Ah... I don't know how much more I can take, but I suppose we still have ground to make. We'll sleep by day. A long sleep." as he said this, he pressed a botton on the mechanism adorning his right ear and a small disk snapped off. A small compass.

He raise it up to the light of the moon, looking at it then at the land for a bit.

"Hmm... That's... No, that's North." he muttered, pointing towards the forest that encompassed the main landmass of this island. By the looks of it, this was the main continent. And this was the preliminary overgrowth that lead into the Meotey Jungle, judging by the thick gangling canopy that topped the horizon. With a sigh, Ayer hoisted himself and returned Wax Jury and her many modules around his waist and back, slinging the many straps and clamping them shut with a click. He coiled the tubes as he walked forth, flushing them with a few shakes to purge any residual water or sand caught inside.
"Well, it was nice while it lasted, but -- Ouch!"

Feeling a sharp pain, Ayer swung his head and discovered a nasty little creature pinching the lobule of his left ear. A tiny, ferocious crustacean. He tried pulling it, but learned it would sooner tear off his ear than let go.
"Ow, ow, ow! Paric, my assistant, quick! Do something! It's not letting go! It's going to eat me whole! Help!"

...

Caravan: Resurrection

Ayer Lecomte

--
- Mentions: @Mataus

Ayer felt tired and sore, but they were so close now. He simply started to oar towards the sandy beach before them at the command while his companion nestled themselves.

While the water trickled the sounds of the oar splashing faintly in the murky nighttime water, he heard to more of Paric's story. He didn't know if it was the waters or the thought of escape that made the man so leisurely. Or maybe it was the lack of blood that made the man pour out his personal story? Isn't this what people did if they thought they were going to die? If that was the case, he needed to hurry. Though still, despite his focusing on paddling, he listened as much as he could. Much of the tale felt foreign to him, as he didn't bother involving himself with politics or customs or social dynamics. All he knew was magic, machines, and tinkermanship, and the laws that govern those things. Ayer learned only what was in books, or essays, and old manuscripts. He was no person to say what was right or wrong, or how things should have been in a society or should be. But Ayer felt a tinge of sorrow for the lonely life of a traveler.

He glanced back, a familiar wicked smile perched across his lips. "Keep your spirits high, my friend. Whatever happened in our pasts affects us no more! As travelers, we live in the now."

Ayer suddenly threw his head back and laughed, "If you have nowhere to go, then be my assistant! A position of utmost prestige, I assure you. This is only the beginning of my grand path! This may have been an unfortunate roadblock, but I have overcome adversity after calamity all my life! Like you said, Leias will be a new opportunity for us. And there, I will find my wings among the ruins of the ancients. And with them, to the very heavens I will soar! Like a glorious Phoenix, burning bright in the pyre of my naysayers! And my allies will share in my profound bounty. Those fools that lead you astray before. None of them were a genius like me, I bet! Together, with you as my assistant, we will make changes in this world that not even the Gods can defy!"

His haughty, near maniacal laughing continued for a while. Until he was promptly thrown off his seat by a rough halt of the boat. They seem to have landed.

...

Caravan: Resurrection

Ayer Lecomte

--9:37pm
- Mentions: @Mataus

Ayer hugged his Ars and curled up in the boat for dear life. The metal was hot, steamy, and right near scalded him. But it was the only stable thing left in life at this point. The only sense of order. This is the worst kind of hopelessness, when you have to rely on hope itself instead of having a plan to conquer. He can only wait and see what happens.

Suddenly, he felt a nudge from below, and nearly lurched out. Ayer croaked, thinking he was going to vomit. But then remembering how he hadn't eaten anything nearly all day. He merely held his head, fighting off the horrible swirl of feelings as acidic juices swelled within his gut. In his discomfort squirming, Ayer noticed the bump was surprisingly softer compared to earlier, followed by a series of similarly weak smacks. His confusion was replaced with fear, when a spined pale dorsal fin popped up from the surface of the water and circled the bobbing dingy.

Ayer thought this was it, expecting a huge maw to suddenly surround them and swallow them whole. But instead, the behavior did not change. Another few nudges vibrated from the bottom of the boat, gentle and rhythmic. A suddenly familiarness washed over his eyes. Ayer has seen it before. This was an act of courtship, wasn't it? The arcane scientist can only watch incredulously as the ritual unfolded before him.

"Friend Paric... Is... is it trying to mate with us...?" he muttered in disbelief, "I always thought myself a beta... but this takes it to a whole different level..."

A few more attempts ensued, where the Nillium nudged, brushed, and nestled with the rocking boat, as though trying to seduce and rouse the vessel itself. During heat, animals tend to be overwhelmed by their hormones and instinct. If this was so, the creature was probably blinded by its libido, it's normal viciousness now subjugated with a more 'loving' protocol. Luckily, they must seem like a female, as otherwise, the meeting of two males would prove a wholly different sort of ritual. A rumble and splash was the last thing they felt before the creature retreated back under the tides in frustration.

After a moment of silence, the boat finally stopped its nauseous sway, the waves caused by the bigger vessel abating as the ship crossed away from them. Ayer nearly cracked out laughing.

"D-did that just happened?" Ayer said, smiling big. "Seems like it isn't just miracles that are keeping us alive today. It is the power of beautiful nature itself!" He looked over the side, seeing the shadow disappear, "I hope you better luck in the future, my sad, horny, little friend!"

He held the oars firmly, and looked to Paric.
"Well then, shall we make it to shore? Though I'm flattered, I don't want anymore advances today."

...

Caravan: Resurrection

Ayer Lecomte

--9:36pm
- Mentions: @Mataus

The winded arcanist was happy to hear the crew aboard the larger cruiser was distracted by something happening on the other side, allowing them to slip beneath the beams of the search lights. A Nillium shark, it seemed like. He would've loved to have a closer examination of the creature. While it was not magical, from what he heard, it was sight of nature to behold. Their teeth and scales were supposedly stronger than metal, but much more beautiful and light. Who knows? He might've figured out a way to used these materials in prototypes for the Ars, as metal oftentimes had a problem of prolonged heat retention. It was the problem of them, being thermal conductors, despite their usefulness in malleability and general conductivity. It was one of the things he intended on doing during his stay here in the port-town. But those plans have changed, clearly.

As they passed behind the ship, his eyes widened. The boat was being rocked by currents caused by the arcane engine of the larger ship.

"Oh merde...!" he whispered, shifting his oar to the other side to try and offset the heavy bobbing they now experienced.

But another forced seemed to join in the rough bobbing the ship, adding a sharp bump. He was reminded how much he needed to relieve his bladder at all of this uncomfortably displacement. And of the sheer terror that swelled up inside him, quite literally gripped the poor man by his groin. Ayer slowly poked his head over, hoping that his greatest fear was just his overactive imagination. But it was not. A large looming shadow passed underneath, a slender, monstrous shape. One cast by the residual lights shone into the water overhead. Right then, he quite almost pissed himself.

Paric's words only confirmed his sighting, and cemented his terror.

"I-I do not have a habit of excessively rocking the boat! I just... I underestimate my own strength. Yes." he whispered, yet he found himself shaking like a wet dog. Damn.

When he wished for a close examination of the Nillium sharks, this was not what he meant.

"P-pull the oars in." he said, trying hard not to panic. "Pull them in, now...!" As he yanked his over the side back onto the boat, Ayer began steadily scooting himself to one side of the ship, "Hopefully, with our combined weight, we'll keep the ship in balance from the currents. The largest unknown factor which will lead to us being flipped and probably eaten, is that very shark. If we appear just like a floating piece of junk, it might ignore us. If not... Well..."

He didn't want to think about it.

...

Caravan: Resurrection

Ayer Lecomte

--9:35pm
- 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 Wax Jury, 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."

...

Caravan: Resurrection

Ayer Lecomte

-- 9:33pm
- Mentions: @Mataus

Ayer was glad his odd behavior was well received, nodding as he listened, "Paric... hm, and from Kel? I heard a few things of Kel. You're not all the way out here trying to hide from the law, are you?" grinning, "Well, I suppose after today, I guess we're both wanted fugitives regardless of what our original backstory was."

Ayer glanced to the side at the mention of his home.
"I'm from Arcadia..."

He hasn't thought about it in a long time. Not of the city of Arcadia. Those so-called arcane academies for 'higher thought' were nothing more than over-bloated factories recycling old ideas. Whose deluded and complacent members spurned and mocked him for his genius. No, those, he curses every waking night. Rather, he doesn't usually think upon his birthplace. It was a farmstead out in the rural lands on the border. Where he came from, they spoke a different tongue. He left so long ago, the images were blurry and stale in his mind when he tried to recall them.

I wonder how my mother and father are doing...

His somber look then dispersed as he remembered he was in the presence of company. He then puffed his chest. His weary demeanor puddled away as he struck a pose with one arm, flicking his hand over his head. A wicked grin pierced his expression as he gazed off with a lofty sweep of his left arm.
"No, non, non." his fickle accent slipping out more and more as he broke into his more eccentric character.

"Do you understand what you've just received? Esteemed ally, Paric? To have earned the favor of the world's greatest Arcanist, Ayer Lecomte, that is a fortune found only one-in-a-lifetime! You have proven to possess a good heart. And for that, you must be rewarded! I am a man of miracles. Or, rather, one soon to be! Whatever you want, do not hesitate to ask. By my honored name, I will make it so. If you wish for the stars to be recolored, so you can sleep easier at night, so be it. If you have internal drama with your family that you cannot hope to be patched, I will be able to fix even that!" he then swept his arm back again, his fingers forming a circle that curved around his right eye, "With my Ars, I seek to reforge this devolved world. All under the grace of revolution and science! Those foolish mages in Arcadia do not see the potential right before their eyes! How could they? They've lived their entire life with their heads up thei-- Ahh!"

As he digressed into his diatribe, Ayer slowly forgot where he was. Striking an honestly embarrassing pose, he had stood up to revel in his shamelessness. And as his foot slammed on the side of the boat, he nearly slipped, barely catching himself.
"Whoa... Whoa...!"

But as Ayer wobbled in place, waving his arms and trying to keep from tipping himself over in the rowboat, the handle had dipped into the water, causing the boat to nearly flip over as the magic wind blew in direct resistance. In a panic, he flipped the switch, and hugged the bow of the boat as they slowly bobbed back into place, trying to slide from side to side, hoping to offset the imbalance to prevent them from being capsized.

When he felt they stopped moving, he slowly opened his eyes and laughed. Grateful that the night was dark to hide his shamed face. Ayer pulled the length of the cable, fishing out the now dripping handle from the water. He wiggled it off the side, allowing the water to flush out.

"Heheh... Well, let's get out of here first. That will be my first miracle..."

And with that, their ferry ride across the channel was briefly halted. Without the Ars, for the moment, Ayer would then resort to use the miracle of conventional physics. By applying leverage and friction, he would propel the boat once more.

And thus, they paddled forth towards their destiny.

...

Caravan: Resurrection

Ayer Lecomte

-- 9:32pm
- Mentions @Mataus

The climb proved a little difficult, Ayer slipping a few times and catching himself on a rope or nail. Out of a general clumsiness and fatigue mostly. He cursed under his breath at the sharp stings, but eventually he made it onto the boat.

Ayer almost forgot what it was like to sit in one spot, his body sore and burning alike from the excursion across the dock-town. He felt like a hot balloon underneath the ocean current, feeling bruises across his arms and legs. He breathed out a long sigh. His eyes fluttered for a moment in his leisurely thoughts, but they blinked back wide. They were not free yet. He scooted himself next to the stern and swung the handle of the Ars off the side, aiming it until it aligned with the boat. Quickly, he performed a series of adjustments to the main unit, similar what he did earlier when he prepared the shot-gun air blast against the unsuspecting guard. The core shimmered slightly, and his eyes glanced over in concern, the the spark of electricity faded quickly.

He had reduced the power input and funneled the mana to a decompression unit at his rear, where the excess mana would be cycled and await being siphoned forward. That way, the output would be steady. In reality, the machine still used the same amount of energy, just not all at once.

Ayer glanced over at the Eldi with a small smile, "Not much longer now, my friend. Rest your head. I'll steer the vessel."

With that, he pressed the trigger and a staggered gust of wind bellowed the boat forward. There was a slight hop and bump as the boat hopped a little off the water, where Ayer forced down a surprised yelp. But after this slight hiccup, they moved steadfast.

"Sorry, haha..." he muttered in embarrassment.
Ayer had the laid the compressor flat and had the panel flipped open, frequently glancing down at it as he steered them. There would be enough stability for maybe 20 minutes of propulsion before he would have to turn off Wax Jury to cool off.

He sighed in relief as the lights and the commotion of the harbor and city faded further and further away.

...

For a while they drifted forward, kept straight by careful outputs of the Ars and the occasional realigning with the oars. At this point, while staring out at the dark water at the distant forms, Ayer finally made a noise. For once, he didn't have to whisper or strain to listen to himself or the Eldi.

Realizing this fact of freedom, Ayer suddenly let out a loud laugh, trying to keep them steady as his shoulders shook and his lips curled up. The boat almost veered off coarse with how much he coupled. His emotions were tattered. In one place, he felt both victory and sheer joy from having escaped, but also of fear and frustration and regret from all of everything that happened. He didn't know why he laughed, in reality. Maybe it was just his way of repressing all the stress and boost moral.

But he took it in stride, looking down with a big smile.
"Ha... You know, we've been through all this and I still don't know your name. I keep hailing you as this 'Fire-bending Eldi Savior' in my mind, but I think it is more fitting that I associate a proper name to that idea now. Don't you think? Especially since you already know mine."

...