final fantasy//endless abyss

[Captain Glomps]

Seph shook her head "Actually quite the opposite. If someone finds you wandering in the woods naked, say as little as possible and put on a few tears and they'll usually just assume you were attacked by bandits and take you into town to get sorted out. The average citizen can be too nice sometimes" she snickered knowing the method to be an effective way to get into more xenophobic areas, "But you know me , I didn't exactly go to school with no uniform on. Had to dress appropriately for that in human form. Demon world on the other hand, pretty much the norm not to wear anything and simply made me a target"

Amane giggled watching Mu run around the rooms opening all the doors so to check out each room before eventually diving onto the couch with her things "Bet you've not seen the captain with that much energy or enthusiasm though" she replied.

Hebal on the other hand raised her eyebrow but called across the room to Mu who each of the rooms she looked into belonged to. "The airship is pretty cool don't ya think. And those are just the top levels. The whole airship got kitted out and decorated while we were in Kunec. But you should stay out the engine room cause its also an armoury" she warned.

Mu smiled stretching her legs out "It's very nice looking. Some of the rooms are a bit oddly decorated but I am guessing they are meant to be personal. I can tell straight away which one is dads and Seph's apart from by their stuff. But I'll take a look at the lower levels a little later. Im guessing theres a trapdoor somewhere"  

[lack-of-originality]

Nares shook her head honestly "Well no the people of Laluhu wouldn't particularly like the arrangement. But they value good manners towards other elves more than anything else in their society so would do there very best to be at least civil with you. Were certainly pleasant enough when I went there with my human friends" she assured him

Felina smiled "On the other hand though, the people of Age'nale would really like it because that is without a doubt the most human and elf intermixed society we have so a good place to take a small tour of post wedding" she recommended.

Hayate meanwhile simply nodded ducking down beneath the low hanging tree branches "If you look pretty carefully you can probably just make out the back of the palace lands and its wall below us since the trees are about to become further apart from each other" he informed them pointing downhill.

Satoshi sighed listening as one of the judges spoke down the microphone "No hurry for the beast master arrangements just yet. Basically we'll have to sit through two minutes of thank you for coming everyone. Blah blah blah this village is a great place and everyone keep doing your amazing job. These public events always have some kind of motivational speaking. The people in charge especially try to keep ninja morale as high as possible" she explained in a whisper guessing she would have heard everything being said a million times before.  

[Pierre42]

Oassu sighed disappointed thinking there was a city so conservative to be dead-set against him "Still so long as that other city is nice we can check it out must be something like myth with humans and elves mixing so well there" he said leaning forward to see down the hill.

Gil shrugged not particularly caring for the speech as he shuffled in beside Satoshi attempting to slip a hand underneath her costume to give her hand a little squeeze "Well good luck anyway though why is morale so important in a ninja town compared to other places?" he asked quietly.

Itaka smirked "Well I suppose that's one way of doing it, doubt it would work for guys though" he chuckled "Must've been a good actress, few people can cry on cue like that, least of all you, hard to even imagine you tearing up" he said helping himself to another roll.

Zadina nodded in silent agreement with Amane "She's got almost as much energy as you Miss Hebal though yes there's a lower level with some more rooms and things" he said placing Merric gently down on the ground once inside.

Jeckhart frowned noting Mu taking up most of the chair with her stretch before going to the kitchen area for a glass of water "Well now we are all here and settled we should probably leave" he glanced outside at the light "I think we already stayed a little longer than we'd planned to" he said feeling somewhat anxious about their time.  

[Captain Glomps]

Seph snickered snatching up the last piece of bread for herself "Well I would give you a demonstration If it weren't for the fact we were just about to have dinner in such a small little community. But yes I can cry on queue, tears are a lot easier to produce when in a human form. Though I am sure you could get away with doing that too being a guy. Sure you wouldn't get the same level of attention but theres many a kind soul out there still"

Alpha grunted following Jeckhart with his gaze "I know I know get moving and fly full speed to Yithra. Just give me a moment. Gotta make sure your all ready for take off or the sudden movement of the airship would be enough to knock over some of the smaller people here" he warned looking at Amane now as he turned on the engine.

Amane smiled at Alpha shuffling into the spare space on the couch "The lower levels look a lot nicer on the inside than they do on the outside. Don't worry about me though captain. I am ready for the flight" she assured him making room for Zadina "Are you sure its ok to leave Merric down by himself for take off. Do you think it might scare him at all" she asked concerned.

Hebal yawned meanwhile and helped herself to the fridge "Relax a little Jeckhart, we'll make it to Yithra in time for the really pretty fireworks. I bet being in such a magic focused community those will be spectacular and to rival the ones at the tournament in Kunec!" she sung.  

[lack-of-originality]

Nares shrugged "Depends on which country you're in guess but it is true Mineerin is pretty much the only country that humans and elves so close together but there are other places that have good relations also. Like I said politics and all, it varies from country to country and even then it's not perfect. I just got back from a potential dispute with the Mineerin people not going into classified detail."

Felina smiled peeking over the hill recognising the familiar wall which she grew up being inside of "Well perhaps me and Oassu can change that or maybe encourage others to give human and elven cooperation an perhaps more a try" she optimistically suggested privately deciding she wanted to roll down this hill once the snow had gone at least once.

Satoshi sighed happily making the effort to find Gil's hand underneath her costume "Simple because other towns don't have a massive portion of their population in a career where they are at risk of getting killed every time they go into work they may as well be trying to manage an army. A lot of ninja if not looked after properly have mental breakdowns"  

[Pierre42]

Oassu nodded "I'm sure we'll be a beacon of human-elf relations" he said half-jokingly "Still lets hurry back, as nice as it was I could use a proper lunch in the palace" he said

Gil raised an eyebrow in surprise "Well I guess that makes sense, would think Ninja would be used to it, most mercenaries tend to cope ok as far as I've seen" he said falling quiet as it seemed the winners were going to be announced.

Itaka nodded chewing on his bread while he listened "I'm sure you'd make a killing in the theatre with skills like that" he chuckled "but no I hope I shouldn't ever have to pretend to be a pleading little weak person lost in the woods doubt people would believe bandits could beat me anyway" he said half-boasting.

Zadina nodded in agreement with Amane and picked up Merric before sitting down happily beside her "Good idea, don't want this little guy flying all over the airship" he said petting the chicobo in his lap.

Jeckhart nodded "I'm sure they will be sorry if I seemed overtly anxious" he said settling down in a chair "I heard the elven king makes a point of summoning the dragon king bahumut every festival for such an occasion" he said  

[Captain Glomps]

Seph leaned forward with a slight headshake "Nah problem with theatre is I would have to spend long periods of time all clothed up and probably in human form too since there aren't many demon plays out there. You know a career like that would drive me insane. Though worst case scenario just claim amnesia and pretend to be a bit less intelligent and you should get a similar effect. And I bet I can help you look more like you have taken enough of a tumble to be forgetful" she playfully added playing with her knife.

Hebal gasped surprised at the suggestion "King Elorin would summon the dragon king Bahamut just for the festival? Wow then the gria must definitely be jealous. In fact I can imagine many gria coming to Yithra just for that since according to Felina they are on good terms with the elves too. It would be great to show Amane just what she could possibly do when she's older" she decided unable to stop herself bouncing.

Mu jumped up suddenly in response to the airship springing to life "Well yeah that's a pretty good reason to go see the elves. Though I thought it was common knowledge nobody holds a dragon festival better than the elves and gria. They may not have the means to summon bahamut but they can still do one hell of a show" she remarked moving to look out the window.

Amane tensed up listening to the sound of the engine starting while she braced herself for the take off "I don't think Merric will ever fly as such but he would probably roll about a fair bit. Though is it true about Bahamut being there? Will I really see him?"  

[lack-of-originality]

Felina laughed nodding her head "Well yeah some people will see it that way which means lots of smiles for the public. And I am sure they will make sure all the major elf communities get full coverage of the wedding too. Which is probably partly why everyone is already making a big fuss about the dress to the point I think they are probably going to drag me away an hour or two tomorrow to try and sort things."

Corella grinned "Oh yeah mother has been planning that for you tomorrow. That's sort of her way of getting involved with it in some way even if she doesn't approve of it. Be ready to be presented with hundreds of different design ideas while your poked and prodded for measurements. Don't think you will be allowed to be there Oassu but I am sure I could show you around or entertain you in some way while waiting" she offered.

Nares managed to fight back a small snicker "Well the dresses are very nice looking. Your mother has good taste in those at least. She tried starting this long conversation with me about it to the point I started to feel bad about the fact I couldn't care for feminine clothes. Not sure you and Oassu would find the same kind of things entertaining though"

"Difference is that mercenaries make choices where as ninjas are conscripted from an early age if proven to be good at all the tests thrown at them" Satoshi whispered deciding against saying anymore for the first winners "Well.... Hotaru and Hitomi failed to snag the first place for the most dragon like dragon but they managed to get the title of runner up at least which is better than nothin"  

[Pierre42]

Oassu sighed "That'll be a shame, don't think I could stand for any of that poking and prodding for a day sounds so dull though sure you can entertain me tomorrow if you like Corella if you're sure you don't have anything better to do" he said not wanting to be a big burden "Though I'm sure we'll get on fine Nares" he said rolling his eyes.

Gil nodded solemnly understanding before applauding "Well that kid seems happy at least though I hope Hotaru won't throw a little tantrum because of it" he said chuckling

Itaka nodded somewhat "Well sure I guess to be in the theatre you'd have to like clothes cause of the whole costume aspect but yeah Demon plays wouldn't be allowed somewhere like Kunec" he said thinking Seph's obsession with nudity was a little funny "Though I'll be ok, don't plan on being taken in by any communities anytime soon" he chuckled glancing over at the kitchen hoping to see their food being brought over.

Zadina nodded "Yes from my recollection Uncle Elorin does do that as a special treat though I think the Gria have their own thing that they do instead" he said uncertainly petting Merric to keep him at ease.

Jeckhart smiled slightly from his place at the counter seeing Amane's interest "Well then at least we won't have told a complete lie to your village Elders since the trip will definitely prove educational for you Miss Amane, perhaps you could even ask him how he did it" he suggested  

[Captain Glomps]

Seph paused expecting some sort of sigh at the waitress lay down the most recent food to come out the doors to the table of the couple just across from them "Your not missing out on much anyway. Plays and books and art aren't exactly high on the demon culture links. The only thing arty that really gets done by demons is architecture and the occasional weird sculpture. Demons totally dig dark scary castles with 20million traps and secret passages. I got so lost when I first visited Beur's castle like you wouldn't believe. Tried to find the bathroom and ended up in some kind of basement shrine" she recalled with a shudder.

Mu muttered to herself happy that there was suck a clear view from the window "Never realised airships took off quite this vertical. But you guys should really see a gria dragon festival too. May not be a bahamut but theres loads of dragons and good entertainment and they even intentionally move the sky cities as close together as they can so people can jump back and forth between since their festival is 3 days long. Come to think of it, could mean they could also have time to summon Bahamut too"

Amane rubbed her ear "I guess I could ask how he does it but I already know about how summoning works from my training though I would be curious as to what he had to do to prove to Bahamut that he was worthy enough to be able to call on his service. That dragon is really famous for refusing to serve anyone without first giving them some sort of quest to go on for him first"

"And no doubt you will pass with flying colours. You're my daughter afterall hehe" Hebal encouraged trying not to bounce during take off. "Besides, he's meant to be an advanced summon so you should be well into your pilgrimage and going strong by the time you get to that point"  

[lack-of-originality]

Satoshi shook her head "Nah she's a good kid who is just having fun with her big sister. She'll be a little mad but more determined next year to beat the second place" she guessed watching the winner roar at the crowd earning a small round of applause. "Right and the best costume goes to....... you apparently" she eventually answered surprised to hear Gil's dragon being called out. "Well march up, grab the trophy, wave then come back. If need to speak just roar" she advised pushing him forward.

Felina snickered "Well I doubt it will take a whole day to be poked and prodded about the dress and besides. You wont have that sort of thing. Will probably just be measured for 5 minutes to work out what sized robe to give you then be done with it"

Corella smiled shyly at Oassu "Well sure I don't have much to do post dragon festival since its still nice quiet holiday time. I can see where Nares is going with it for I don't take interest in manly things but I could show you around the palace properly or something. Unless Hayate wants to do the entertaining instead.

Hayate simply shrugged "Me and Adohand are off hiking tomorrow so he's all yours Corella" he answered hoping they would get the hint that what he was saying meant he was wanting some privacy. "Could always ask your dad for permission to take him further afield if need be"  

[Pierre42]

Gil blinked flabbergasted at being chosen flushing slightly beneath his costume "W-well...er...shouldn't you go up as the designer and all?" he protested before Satoshi nudged him forward slightly while the other dragons cleared a path and applauded him. He meekly marched forward making sure to keep the costume well over his head and hidden as Enkidu proudly walked behind him as he made his way onto the stage.

Oassu smirked "If you don't want to entertain me you just have to say Corella I'm sure I can find some fun stuff to do in town on my own" he teased hopping down onto an almost-horizontal tree growing at an angle out of the steep hill to peer down over the walls "You'd think having this steep hill behind the palace would be something of a security risk right?" he said knowing he would use this route if he were to try and sneak into the castle as he examined the grounds.

Itaka smirked sipping his beer "Well you demons aren't really doing much to break the stereotypes, perhaps Kimino's crew are all right in that you were originally borne of some kinda celestial evil" he chuckled finishing his bread "Shame though, you'd think with a demon's lifespan they'd be able to undertake greater projects and work on things for longer" he shrugged.

Jeckhart nodded "Hmm they must've been moving the cities closer together when you were all in Kunec then" he said to Alpha "Still yes I'm sure the Elven King will be able to share some wisdom with you" he added to Amane.

Zadina nodded in agreement "You're right Miss Hebal you shouldn't worry Amane you have plenty of time to increase your strength before trying on a super summon like Bahumut I'm sure you'll be ready when the time comes" he said brightly placing Merric on her lap.  

[Captain Glomps]

Seph shrugged "Building big mechanical and enchanted buildings is kind of a project to be proud of don't ya think? Plenty demons work with dwarves in their building projects which is why they are one of the few races, along with gria and bangaa that have a positive relationship with demons rather than just tolerating them. But yeah yeah I know the teachings, we are all some kind of manifestation of sin. I'll buy you something nice later on if you can guess which sin got slapped against my name" she offered somewhat amused by the clans teachings.

Amane let out a small sigh of relief feeling the airship change direction to go forwards "Yeah though I am also kind of nervous because... well its like talking to a king isn't it. What if I say something that makes him mad. You'll have to keep me right Zadina and maybe I need some fancier clothes if going round the palace too" she pondered.

Hebal on the other hand giggled "No you don't dear your clothes are fine. And put it this way, our friend Seph has been in front of the king several times wearing no clothes at all so cant look any less classy than that no matter what you where hehehe"

Mu released a surprised snicker pulling her head from the window once the view was taken up by clouds "She did what now? Well gotta hand it to her, the lady has no shame in being a demon. Anyone else who tried something like that would probably be kicked out or made to robe up in something in front of royals"  

[lack-of-originality]

Satoshi simply smirked and mouthed a "Good luck" to Gil as he was gently guided towards the centre stage. "Hah I did good" she then muttered to herself guessing Gil didn't have a clue what they were saying to him while the trophy was being forced into his dragon hands on his way off stage again.

Nares sighed and nodded her head in agreement "If you asked me it would be best to just claim this hill as part of the grounds but people prefer to just rely on magic see" she agreed with him throwing a rock upwards only for it to bounce off when it should have gone over the wall "Barriers are nice sure but not ideal to rely on in my opinion"

Corella turned slightly red and shook her head "Well no. I mean that would be easier for certain. But... since you are going to be marrying my sister that's going to make us family. So if we're going to be family, we should really try and get to know each other better" she suggested.

Felina grinned "Well I think that's a really nice thought and I'm glad your willing to make the effort. Got to be easier than the time in the near future where Oassu and dad will have to try and get to know each other better probably surrounded by a guard or fifty just in case something were to happen"  

[Pierre42]

Gil nodded humbly once on stage at receiving the trophy and gave the crowd a roar before turning to amble off the stage. "Might not be the most dragony dragon but Nadira's costume sure went down a treat" he muttered as he shuffled back through the audience to where Satoshi was.

Oassu smiled hopping onto another overhanging branch looking down on the wall glad that Nares had pointed out the barrier issue "Well yeah barriers are handy and all but they ain't fullproof" he said testing his footing before hopping back up to the ledge "Though I'm sure it'll be a fine day, like Felina says it'll probably be more awkward with your dad, I doubt he'll leave the palace for fun things" he sighed.

Itaka grinned leaning back to think for a moment "Hmmm that's a difficult one" he said musing for a moment "Beauty?" he joked "So pretty the gods were jealous of you called it sin?" he chuckled "Pah silly words, probably pride or something knowing you" he said his eyes flickering to the kitchen as another waiter left with two dishes heading in their direction.

Zadina nodded "I'm sure you won't need anything special though if you like we can still get you some nice clothes, I'm sure my cousin Corella will have something nice to fit you or we could visit the district where they sell fancy clothes!" he said getting increasingly excited about the trip.

Jeckhart flinched at Hebal's words "Really now?" he sighed "Not wearing clothes is seen as a matter of demon pride, indeed for some demons clothes are just impractical due to their shape but for someone like Seph she must have a lot of gall to appear before his highness like that" he groaned rubbing the bridge of his nose in frustration.