final fantasy//endless abyss

[Captain Glomps]

Within moments the slid open from the deck revealing a rather windswept looking Mu "Hey guys I came indoors partly because I think we've just changed seasons and partly because I was wondering. May I have some of that food. It smells really good even outside" she asked politely.

Amane smiled and nodded her head "Oh yes the pancakes are for everyone, theres two for all but one of us because Merric ate one but I am ok with just the one pancake myself" she decided so nobody could fight over it. "Oh I don't think there will be any statues of me, Temples prefer to have statues of the summons decorating the place. You should maybe visit a few. If they are anything like our temples you wont see anything like it anywhere else" she recommended to Jeckhart.

Hebal cheered happy everyone was going to eat "Well I cant hear Merric making much noise so he can't be that bothered about being in the stables there I would guess" she assured Zadina before bouncing off to the fridge "Amane doesn't need a statue to be awesome regardless. I'm sure people will be ok with just remembering lovely little smile" she added raiding through the fridge.

Seph paused giving Itaka a squeeze while she made a decision "I think I want the strawberry and marshmallow kebab thing to shove in the chocolate " she told him pointing to the food with her tail. "How about I get you one too, you can put your wallet away for now. In the meantime you have all year to get me a chocolate fountain for next festival"  

[lack-of-originality]

Felina nodded "It always is spectacular here though really hard to top each year since people have really high expectations. But don't worry guys. I'm going to make sure Oassu sees all the hard work that has came out of the preparations for the festival" she cheerfully added reaching for a glass of water waiting on the table "You don't mind if I have this do I? Wish I ordered something to drink now"

Alusaadi rubbed her chin puzzled for a moment "Hmm I suppose the people of Agralia do not see the festival as such an important event like us elves and gria do. Pity because you have really been missing out and with the more recent events and parts of the city still in the process of being rebuilt, a lot more money has gone into the festival this year to lift the mood."

Satoshi laughed "Oh I am sure you would look graceful even when floundering about so don't worry about that one and we can just stick to the shallow end for the time being. Looks like Yuudai is starting to wake up though so might not be time to relax just yet" she frowned watching her brother dive from the three to the pool"  

[Pierre42]

Oassu shook his head "Oh Agralia likes the Dragon Festival as much as the next country I just find unless you have children you grow out of it a little bit" he said "Though I doubt anyone likes the Dragon Festival as much as the Gria" he admitted.

Gil smirked "Sure if you say so" he said stepping back to avoid a little splash "Well I suppose that's one way wake yourself up" he said passing his glass of wine to another hand "Are you hoping we'll get it all to ourselves or something" he asked waving to Yuudai when he surfaced.

Zadina nodded "Of course you can have some Miss Mu, Amane is really good at pancakes though I'm surprised you can smell it all the way through that thick door" he said carrying a plate over to Alpha "Here Cap'n some for you too!" he said offering the plate to the demon.

Jeckhart nodded "Perhaps I will sometime I bet they are quite the spectacular locations" he said taking some pancakes for himself wondering what Hebal was getting from the fridge.

Itaka nodded "Sounds more like it's a present for me but I'll take the marshmallow and fudge one since its your treat," he said petting Chobi who seemed uninterested in the chocolate and more interested in headbutting Annabelle with her hat. "Will need to get some exercise to work off that meal and this" he said.  

[Captain Glomps]

Alpha paused fiddling with the buttons the moment the airship was flying in a straight line before finally taking his hands off the wheel to take his food "Autopilot should be fine for about ten minutes provided someone's keeping an eye out for obstacles. Thanks for the good" he told Zadina poking at the plate unsure what it was.

Hebal hummed happily to herself removing the jam from the fridge "Ha I found it! Jam is the best on pancakes and all the more delicious" she sung spreading it upon her and Amane's pancakes. "It's really strange you know, this is the first time everyone on the airship has eaten at the same time while eating the same food" she recalled.

Amane smiled sniffing the plate "Perhaps Miss Mu has really good smell just like us viera or just really likes food too. When hungry everyone sort of tunes in more when something that smells even faintly like food kicks in" she guessed.

Mu grinned grabbing her plate "Well thanks there, much appreciated though I'll just have one too. Found this guy here on deck while you were all doing your own thing in here. Seems only fair the guy gets something since she's having to work on the day of the festival" she explained pointing out to everyone the small moogle that had been sitting shyly in the corner with a small pile of packages. "Already sighed for them. Got some dedicated mognet moogles for sure. I didn't even think you had enough friends for this many gifts dad" she teased.

Seph yawned handing the gil over along with a reasonable size tip worth roughly 30% of the price for both "I think its safe to sat we have given up for the time being watching weight. Lets just hope the next trip isn't back to Tricasia. Im sure Barbaros wouldn't want us checing up on him quite so soon" she smiled handing Itaka his stick.  

[lack-of-originality]

Elorin chuckled shaking his head "Probably not. I've been lucky enough to celebrate the festival in Kunec one year. I must admit I got more attention just for being a summoner than the fact that I was the prince of another country at the time"

Felina snickered "Well they probably hoping you would summon some dragons for them. For a bunch of dragon people they don't seem very good at connecting with their ancestors" she suggested leaning back as the servants dived in making sure each person at the table received a glass of orange juice. "Though I think I can convince you to grow back into the festival after today so try to keep an open mind" she optimistically told Oassu.

Satoshi rolled her eyes "Pff stop trying to be such a show off" she called to her brother the moment his head resurfaced before turning back to Gil and leaning forward "Well you must admit it is nice to have just you me and pool all to ourselves should the opportunity arises. Will have to make sure we have one if we ever get a house together" she quietly told him.

"Hey Nadira, if you have to cool down, may as well do it in style" Yuudai shouted back swimming over to the side in order to splash her "You two should have brought your dragon costumes, could have been entertaining"  

[Pierre42]

Oassu nodded "Sure it's not like I don't like it or anything it just became less of a big deal but sure it'll be wonderful tonight" he said thanking the servant for the orange juice before gleefully sipping some. "Still how was the festival in Kunec that year?" he asked.

Gil smiled shyly "Sure that would be nice for sure" he said sitting down at the table and sipping his wine before looking at Yuudai "Wouldn't want to have spoiled them with the water but they did do very well, though I'm surprised Nadira's costume didn't win over mine" he told him.

Zadina giggled "It's a pancake captain, it's a sweet little thing" he said having only tried them for the first time himself a few minutes ago before spinning on his heel back to the others with the jam "Hmm could I try some of that on mine please Miss Hebal?" he asked turning around when Mu mentioned the moogle had arrived "Oh...hello there little moogle" he said uncertainly looking at all the presents.

Itaka took his little stick of sweet things examining it up close slightly before thrusting it under the chocolate fountain, rotating it for a while to fully coat it "I doubt he's even made it there just yet, only left a few days ago and will need to pack and arrange things with his family, might be having trouble with them leaving and all" he said.  

[Captain Glomps]

Alpha put his plate down examining some of the gifts "Hmm well theres one for me and Mu... one for Zadina and Amane too. Wasn't expecting anything in particular but I can live with that" he chuckled signing for the presents. "Apparently some people named Ardie and Melanae combined their savings to get you a present each" he read from the card.

Mu smiled failing to notice the moment of confusion from the moogle at receiving food "Ooh I hope its something shiny looking though best we leave them until after dinner" she decided almost dropping her own pancake from bouncing slightly.

Hebal meanwhile was humming to herself spreading the jam away "There you go, awesome pancakes for you guys, I think its really sweet that the pair of them managed to get a present sent to you by the mognet for today. Must have cost a fortune to get next day dragon festival delivery from the mognet. And don't talk with your mouth full or you'll drop it all" she added to Amane as she was about to add something.

Seph paused fixated for a moment on the fountain covering her marshmallows "Hmm true it would take a while, but Barbaros is a smart one and pretty tough so I'm sure he'll make it to Tricasia just fine and love it there. Even if the nu mou start moaning about an increase in petty crimes against naïve tourists." she quietly added jokingly. "Maybe we should get them a present when they finally get settled in there don't ya think?"  

[lack-of-originality]

Yuudai chuckled and shook his head "Sure both of them are really good but what can I say... this village loves shiny things and the scales looked really good with the sin reflecting off the gold and silver scales on your costume. Provided quite the little light show for anyone looking far away so probably contributed" he explained leaning against the poolside.

Satoshi scratched her head "I didn't actually notice anything like that but if you say so then I will take your word for it. I liked the pink costume more for me anyway even if it isn't a costume winner. Either way I will probably be able to sell it for a good amount of gil if I can find the rught kind of market" she optimistically answered.

Elorin paused "It was spectacular to say the least. Good music, good food for everyone. Street performers and parades and parties all day and night and massive fireworks. Something you would really have to see for yourself but my only complaint was that It was freezing since the city was floating above one of the coldest places on earth combined with being so high in the clouds."

Felina let out a low whistle "Oh wow that must have been unpleasant. But anyone lucky enough this year, well Kunec was floating towards Tricasia when we were there so will be lovely and warm for the visitors this year. Ooh and that was fast..." she sighed happily as the servants came into the room carrying along trays of various bright and colourful fruits followed by rashers of bacon and other foods that would be common in Agralia but be considered exotic to the people of Yithra.  

[Pierre42]

Gil raised an eyebrow "Yeah that seems like an odd market, not sure where you'd get that market buying old Dragon Festival costumes, unless someone wants to keep it for next year or something" he said scratching his chin "Could probably get it done at Kunec I reckon" he said

Oassu grinned widely as the food was laid out in front of them "Well that's certainly quite the impressive spread" he said thanking the servants again "Still sounds like it was nice, perhaps we could check it out one day" he suggested to Felina.

Zadina gasped surprised moving closer once he heard the present was for him "Wow that's really nice of them..." he said making a note to pick them up some valuable presents in Yithra "I thought they'd forget about me an all" he said examining his oddly-shaped present.

Itaka nodded "He's alright but certainly they deserve a present, he's got a nice family an it'll probably be pretty hard for some of his kids moving to a whole new city and all" he sighed pulling his kebab away once satisfied with it "So perhaps we'll pick up something nice, though less spending now, I'm sort of at the point where I need to actually work to earn some money" he said.  

[Captain Glomps]

Amane shook her head having no idea as to what Zadina was about to receive "Nah uh they remembered you silly. They think you are a pretty cool guy though needed a bit of last minute help saving from Milly. But still hehe I hope its something cool and interesting looking"

Hebal giggled watching the moogle exit from the deck pancake in hand "Guess that one there is just eager to get home now. I know what Ardie and Melanae got you though because, it was their idea but some other kids from the village also helped out since its a pretty big deal" she told her surprised Amane had not yet worked out what was inside.

Mu raised her eyebrow only now just noticing the presents not intended for herself "Well yours Amane kinda looks like some form of staff. No clue about yours though" she guessed ripping her food apart with ease. "Hey Jeckhart, did you get any presents from your fellow clansmen? Think your the only one who hasn't mentioned what they got this festival" she attempted to make conversation seeing as he appeared to be the quietest in the group.

Seph nodded already sucking the end of her kebab "Well not right away anyway. Will be a while before they settle in to need housewarming gifts I'm sure" she agreed taking a bite. "Mmm well if you ever need the odd job, if we can steer the others around to do a few side jobs every now and them, I have enough contacts to get us some work. Decarabia is still throwing noticed at me every month" she offered.  

[lack-of-originality]

Alusaadi smiled exchanging a few brief words before waving away the servants "I take it this meal is satisfactory? If there is anything else you require then just say the word and we will have you something sent up in no time" she told him based upon his reaction.

Elorin meanwhile chuckled "I am sure he's fine. They do have all these dishes in Agralia after all and lets try and give the servants as much of a hassle free day" he responded giving one last nod to the remaining staff to leave making them the only ones in the room.

Felina giggled and leaned forward "Hehe they always have little disagreements like that. Think you can guess which is the softer parent" she whispered then suddenly sat up realising her parents were watching her and helped herself to one of the fruit salads. "If you like we can track down Kunec one year and celebrate there one year though not sure if I would want to celebrate the festival in summer time. That would just be weird"

Satoshi nodded "Yeah some gria would definitely buy it maybe even some elves or a few wealthy fanatics in the capital here. Next year I'll just make a new costume, its usually a good activity to make one when your not rushing about for time working on them" she laughed noticing Yuuadi shudder at the mention of the capital citizens.  

[Pierre42]

Oassu nodded "Oh certainly it all looks fantastic, we didn't really have much to eat in the forest this morning so this will be good for keeping me going" he said helping himself to some fruit salad following Felina's example "Still sure we can try and head there for it even if it is in summer, can get cold weather anytime in the right places" he said.

Gil nodded idly stroking Satoshi's back "What is your capital like? I didn't think your ninja clans would be so united as to have a capital and stuff like that" he said surprised as Enkidu padded over to them flopping down beside them having grown tired of waiting by the barbeque.

Zadina nodded "Well I'll certainly need to make it up to them, you musta been really popular to get all the kids to pitch in" he said opening his present pulling out an unusual leather thing "Hmmm it's...a leather...cushion of some sort?" he said swishing it about a little as he examined it with curious.

Jeckhart swallowed the piece of pancake he'd been quietly eating "Well, I'm sure you understand Mu but it's not really a demon holiday, being a mostly demon organisation there's not all that many presents going around at this time of year, only a few give gifts there" he explained.

Itaka frowned a little tearing his eyes away from Seph and her kebab to focus on his own taking a chomp out of a marshmallow "I guess so though with Felina and Oassu's quest I doubt we'd get all their support plus I'm not sure Hebal would just want to do general mercenary work, she's always been around for a quest of some form you know" he said.  

[Captain Glomps]

Seph scratched her head a little with her free hand "I couldn't picture her being too frilled at mercenary work but with the right job with a little ethics I think we could perhaps sway her somewhat. To be honest I think she is just travelling with us partly for the fun of it and partly for when her past catches up for her and she has some safety in numbers. That's what I gather. We aren't exactly the closest after all. Theres other group members I get on with better"

Hebal giggled shaking her head at Zadina "Oh no silly that isn't a cushion. That's a chocobo saddle. It's a bit big for Merric now you can see, but he will be a fully grown chocobo ready to ride within a couple of years of growing up. Best to prepare you since might be a long while before they see you again" she explained to him

Amane paused unwrapping her present "Ooh good guess Miss Mu" she smiled waving her new staff about between pancakes "I never would have thought I would get my first summoners staff just yet. Will have to thank everyone when I get back for such a major gift" she squealed happily.

Mu hesitated playing with her pancake a little "Well that's a shame, theres sometimes the odd exception. Like we at the circus mostly celebrate it just from picking up the local cultures since almost everywhere we visit has some kind of celebration. But I'll buy you a drink or something later on for the festival at least" she offered.  

[lack-of-originality]

Elorin quietly chuckled reaching for the bacon to avoid it being wasted from nobody having it. "Well that doesn't surprise me. As much as Nares would be happy to hunt you something to eat I can imagine Corella would most defiantly not enjoy that experience. Not being an outdoor person"

Felina smirked "nah she hasn't changed at all in that sense. But it's our faults for sleeping in so didn't have much time to get breakfast before we left" she admitted unaware that Oassu was copying her. "I think if you ask around you can track where Kunec is moving to otherwise it would be impossible for them to get any form of tourism in that city. I think even at different times of the year a lot of places offer cheap holidays there when its nearby too"

Satoshi sighed enjoying the sudden contact from Gil "We aren't united but theres more to this land than ninja clans. We have ordinary villages towns and cities just like any other country that are filled with normal non ninja folks. The capital is called Imishiku and its basically just a load of old buildings and temples and a big palace for the emperor. Quite nice though the people are a bit weird"

Yuudai nodded in agreement "I've only been there a couple of times and agreed, they are an incredibly snobby bunch of people with the most bizarre of lifestyles. They don't even allow women to learn any form of combat skills either. Apparently its dishonourable or something."  

[Pierre42]

Oassu added some bacon to his plate as well "I bet the big aerodrome there keeps people updated on where it is so it's probably not that hard to get a place there" he said enjoying the freshness of the fruit salad "And yes Corella looked real uncomfortable having to eat that squirrel this morning" he added with a grin.

Gil nodded understanding "I see, Mari must live in this country as well then, she has the look of someone from the east" he said shrugging "Still I suppose the ninja clans don't really owe much allegiance to the emperor then given the rivalries and all?" he asked sipping his wine while some of his other hands massaged Satoshi's shoulders.