Welcome to Gaia! ::

Ichigo caught the goggles that were tossed over to him and slipped them around his head as Sakura instructed, letting them rest on his forehead for the time being. He sure wasn't one not to take the avice of someone who obviously had previous flying experience. Even though he had experienced flying before through other means, this was the first time he had to fly on dragon-back at what he assumed would be high altitudes.

But it seemed as if he wasn't the only one who wasn't used to flying like this. Katie, the tall woman seated in front of him, was digging her hands into the dragon's scales even though they hadn't lifted off yet. A woman of her stature didn't appear to be the kind who would have a fear of heights, so Ichigo decided it was best he didn't pry.

Though, speaking of stature, Ichigo noticed that Katie was a lot taller than most women he had seen before. In fact, remembering back at the bar, she was even taller than Kenpachi. Ichigo's five-feet-eight-inches had nothing on that, and from the looks of her attire she was no doubt a powerful warrior. Although female fighters weren't anything new to Ichigo, someone of Katie's build certainly was.

This whole ordeal just kept leading to many new things for the substitute shinigami.

"Nah...I'm all set," said Ichigo in reply to Sakura's inquiry. Even if he had any questions, it'd just be holding them up.

The tone of Nyth's voice was somewhat obvious, although it did little to bother the red fire dragon that was slowly swishing his tail back and forth in the sand now that the passengers were loaded. "Yes... she is rather the impatient type. Well, regardless, it looks like we're going to be working together for a while. Let's keep it professional, shall we?"

It almost sounded like he was laughing, at least for a moment.

"Hey... ow. Jeez, what did you tell them, that I make frequent stops? I've been poked with enough sharp things from people trying to slay me in my lifetime, thank you."

Moments later, a great crashing of sand came flying upwards as Ryuji took the first beat of his wings, and in just a few seconds they were several feet above the ground. Despite everything Sakura had said (standing quite comfortably at the base of the dragon's neck), the ride was surprisingly smooth - not much different than sitting in a somewhat scaly car.

"Welcome to Dragon King airlines. Please keep your arms and legs inside the mythical beast at all times. Exits are located in every direction that isn't straight down, and if you do need to use an exit, please feel free to pray to whatever gods you might believe in to save you. Our in-flight movie is Biosphere staring Shauly Pore. Hey, Katie. You got the map? Let's boogie."

"I can have a Chinook transport two Jeeps here. I have my HB outside, which I can use. While helicopter transport is useful in infiltration, it's used mainly for either altitude infiltration or for dropped a unit long distance from their target. What we require for stealth is a long range ground vehicle that can take all of us, but is silent. Hence, jeep. It's lightweight, has a quiet engine, and an old mechanic friend of mine improved the fuel capacity so it can go further."

Arms, slowly folded across his chest yet again. A finger tapped his chin. And Maximos listened intently. Which unfortunately wasnt as helpful as he may like. As the first thought in his mind as Quin finished was.

Whats a Jeep? For that matter, whats a Chinook?

The later sounding more like a creature than a vehicle. And he simply wouldnt begin to try and figure what a HB is.

"And I can show you how these 'gadgets' work when we get the time, I'm always happy to oblige a curious mind."

Maximos smiled from ear to ear and said.

Excellent! I look forward to it.

Then resumed tapping his chin, deep thought on his features. The extra second or two spent tapping his chin, while looking very strategic were infact Maximos reviewing what was said. A jeep was a lightweight vehicle of unknown size able to make an extended journey in near silence. And a Chinook was....a mystery. These were the perils and flaws in living on a floating island thousands of feet above civilization. And of course, in being from another time.

Just before his thoughts settled the idea of a massive hook shaped creature, with wings, and large chin, they were interrupted as Cecil spoke up.

"I, ah... ... ... dismiss enlarge person."

Or rather spoke up, then down again. In all blunt honestly, Maximos hadnt realized Cecil cast the spell at all. He had only realized that Twitch wasnt that size earlier, and that her head might be slightly injured. And Cecil had just professed a skill with magic, and a little healing. So calling on him to fix what seemed a magical issue and heal what could only be a light wound....Made sense!

He had entirely missed the whispered words. And so was entirely confused when Cecil continued.

"I'm sorry. I think... maybe I don't belong here. I'm sorry to trouble all of you."

What?

He said in utter disbelief.

Oh no, that simply will not do!

Some may think Maximos was being patronizing. Maybe even mocking, but that was only those that did not know Maximos. The ferver with which he spoke was completely honest. He believed in the forces at work behind the scenes of the universe. The notion was a throw back to a simpler older time, much like the man himself.

Thats no way for a prophesied one to speak! I insist Mr. Hawthorne. You simply cannot scoff fate so easily. Sit, join us.

He waved a hand to whatever Firebrand personel were still on duty, and said.

Drinks, food, we'll never get this sorted with parched mouths and empty stomachs!

No one, save for Sun had ordered anything. And everyone who remained, save for Quin, Lu, Rei and Cecil had exerted themselves greatly already for one day. He assumed the staff would bring some standard snack food, and some sort of equally standard beverage. Regardless, he turned to Quin, and Lucind, regarding the Feather Fall spell with a nod.

The Jeeps sound best. The target is ground based. With Durem and Aekea under attack, and Barton so very closely guarded our enemies will be watching the skies. And to jump from the air into a field having already caught their attention seems foolish.

His hand slipped from Cecil's shoulder and moved across under his opposite elbow as he took another swig from Sunstrike's flask.

But, if our companions have not raised too much of a stir, a lightwieght ground vehicle would allow us a quick, quiet entrance, and the chance for a surprise attack.

He nodded, looking back and forth across the table. He had left Lucind's question alone, simply because he hadnt even the start of an answer for it. Sunstrike drew the map, he'd likely know best. In the meantime he was curious to see what those at the table thought, or might say.

The elf waved a hand dismissively and grinned. She wasn't offended by the Raven's departure and her counterpart certainly wasn't accountable for her behaviour even if she had!

"No need to apologize Hono'o! In fact, there was something I wanted to discuss with you."

She paused, glanced after Raven for a moment as an afterthought and then tilted her head to the side, returning her focus to the woman in front of her.

"She doesn't have the same problem as you, does she?" She was of course referring to feeding off of energy and the ability, or lack there-of, to control it. "Either way, I think I may have a temporary solution for you."

She pulled one of the packs into her lap as she took a seat, her focus on the Raven completely.

"Is it okay to discuss your metaphysical diet here, or would you prefer a more private conversation?"

"She found another way... Just goes to show what difference a few changes can make..." Hono shrugged a bit and glanced at her nails, aghast to find that she still had bits of Rae's blood caked around those little weapons gonk sweatdrop

"What did you have in mind? "Hono asked as she pulled a little metal nail file out of her pocket space and attempted to clean her nails without cutting herself xp , apparently not really caring if anyone overheard them.



Rae on the other hand, was leaning against the bar watching all the antics and wondering if there was a way to get around being stuck in another human deathtrap that was supposed to double as a mode of transportation sweatdrop

The moment the wings flapped Katie's heart pumped hard against her chest. She had that feeling in the pit of her stomach as they were quickly launched into the air.



She quickly glanced over her shoulder at Ichigo. For a moment she thought he had already lost his hold. The moment she looked at him there was surprise on his face, but it was quickly replaced with eagerness. She gulped before turning back around.



"Y-Yeah."

Did Sakura want her to let go of the dragon to look at it? One hand loosened against the red dragon's scales, fumbling for the map. In her nervous state she nearly lost the map to the air, but she clenched onto it with a frown.

Loosen up. It's not that bad.

She took a deep breath and freed her other hand from the dragon's back. If anyone looked close enough they'd see the muscles in her legs were completely tensed. She was digging her feet into the dragon's scales, holding on with everything she had.

With both hands free she pressed the map against the dragon's back to see where they needed to go.

[Honestly, not sure which way we're headed now. surprised ]

"I, er... I don't think... ... ... I... am kinda hungry..." Needless to say, the young man didn't bolt for the door, but kinda waited idley about as people discussed and planned.

Cecil liked to help. He was what one would consider "prime squire material" if he was in that line of work. So, knowing the limits of his spellcasting abilities, he was in favor of the helicopter drop; but the older man and the different-eyed man seemed to choose a land-based alternative.

"Umm... well, wouldn't a jeep be easier to spot? An aerial craft could just fly above the cloud cover and be fine, wouldn't it?" But it really didn't matter concerning his two cents though, since the jeeps had already been called in. Perhaps there were factors he was unaware of concerning this operation.

Cecil would kind of shrink back a bit, and put on his 'sit down and shut up' face, kind of feeling stupid for his suggestion.