"What's all this about, then?" I found myself asking as I got up from the table I was at. The meal I was formerly enjoying having to be left alone to grow cold and stiff. A frown quickly forming at the urgency of the noises getting my attention. The speakers were going off, staff were wanted and wanted now.

So, without delay, I moved on out and headed to the nearest portal. I could get to where I wanted to go from there and get this over with. And, in my hand was a small piece of magically altered glass. Small and red in colour, it would help me get to where I needed.

"Sorry, Students, but I must use this before you." I said as I forcibly moved some students out of my way. The item I was holding having gone into the portal so I could redirect it to another recipient portal. And, to show that was the case, the magic cast by the portal took on a reddish tone. Any complaints I was getting died down after that.

And like that, I was in a council room with dozens of others also suddenly appearing near and around. Gossip had already begun to spread amongst them but I would have no part in it. So I just sat down in my chair and familiarised myself with the problem. A mixture of audio and pictures before me.

It seems Student Nin was up to something alongside a Student Vadei. They had openly discussed within their dorm a plan to interfere with our supply of no-magic humans. We had already suffered a shortage due to a mixture of war and failed prior deliveries. So, to hear that a student was willing to interfere must have worried some.

But why was Student Nin heading an attempt to interfere with our interests? What reason does an osibindah have to interfere... But, then I heard it, I heard him say it clearly and repeatedly. The lecture that started this response from him, he called him 'countryman.'

"Why has a Council of Concern been summoned? If something is getting in the way of our research... Deal with it." one member of staff asked as he finished up listening to a recording. His shoulders rising as he made it clear what his position was.

"Because, Lecturer Vaernroe, we have reason to believe there might be something that can benefit us here." a well-dressed woman said to him as she highlighted key details. Ones I had just picked up on. Ones those still arriving would have to pick up on as we could not just wait for them.

"It is because Student Nin is claiming affiliation with one of our tributaries, that of... Tobaballe?" I said to the woman that had just spoken. An argument forming in my head just in case I needed to get him out of a lethal punishment.

"Indeed, which is why we called this Council of Concern. See, a suggestion was made by one of my colleagues within the Department of External-Magic Usage and Studies. She suggests that we let Student Nin do as he claims he will." and once she said that, uproar.

"You can't be serious!? He has outright stated he will interfere with our supply of research material when we are already suffering a severe shortage!"

"We have other means of collecting and other tributaries." she said to the angered man.

"That isn't the point!" that same man responded with before I stood up. A few finger swipes allowing me to take command of the information being presented.

"If I can have your attention, fellow staff of Suhurlodst Academy of Arcane Learning and Understanding. What we have here is an even more unique opportunity than Student Nin himself. Provided we can get the means to observe the event, we might be able to get insight into how he came to be. Just think of it, in exchange for losing a few lectures on how something is overwhelmed with magic. Instead, we can get a lecture on how Sudden Induction Theory might play a role in creating human-minded osibindah or even more." I said to everyone present while showing off details regarding the tributary of Tobaballe.

"There's nothing that even points to Sudden Induction Theory being the cause of his state!"

I turned to look at the one who just spoke, "True, somewhat. We don't know if it is a main cause or if it is a cause at all. But, thanks to the efforts of the Department of Student Observing, we have a few interesting details. What Student Nin has frequently been caught saying in his assumed privacy is now shown in front of you."

"Meeting Undwote and the other gods...? Yeah, sure." a noted worshipper of the Mighty Moon, Jhrarda, commented snarkily.

"Your biases aside, it presents an interesting component. But not the only one, as seen here," I say as I point out another recording, one that implies kinship with Student Vapooliar, "Here it suggests a potential involvement from the one the aelenvari call Time's Pestilence."

"And here it suggests from another student that it was because of her, and I quote, 'delicious, potent and plentiful honey.' So we have no real way of saying what caused what." I was told.

"Which is why we let him do this, we observe, we see if Tobaballe has done something creative with its fools gold." I tell him while opening up another possibility. Had Tobaballe perhaps done something with what we were giving them in exchange for no-magic humans? Had their low to no-magic environment given them the means to perform what we could not? The Time of Liquid-Mountains was following a war involving such a superpower after all.

One based out of this very continent. It was why our magic was more than just wind-based like how the Grand-Kingdom was so water-based. This land used to be lacking in elemental magic in high quantities and as such, it was all raw magic. Recovered knowledge of which we used to this day, even here.

Even in how I got to this Council of Concern, to begin with.

"So now that the situation is presented, should we vote on it now?" someone then asked as they stood up from their seat and gestured to a clock. A live recording of what Student Nin was up to playing alongside it all.

"Yes," the woman from earlier said as she stood up again, "All those in favour of letting Student Nin run amok in order to research his condition cast your vote. All those in favour of maintaining our supply of no-magic humans can cast theirs too."

And interestingly, once the votes were made visible, a clear bias was present. Most voted to allow Nin to do what he wanted in order to research how he came to be. A very interesting situation given how much noise was made earlier about it. But, I laughed.

"And how many of you voted just because you didn't want an osibindah on the grounds of Suhurlodst Academy of Arcane Learning and Understanding?" and the response was a field of raised hands. Something that made my laugh boom with renewed vigour.

"I guess we are done here then?" one lecturer asked as he compiled his tablets.

"Yes, you may all leave unless you have further issues you want to discuss with another member of staff." her eyes looking over at me as I quietened down.

"Now we just need a means to get the observation equipment to them."

"Do you have a suggestion, Head of Oddity House Frihdeicalkbr?" she asked me as she came over to my seat.

"We let them take an intentionally left open airship. A long-range one, of course. Hopefully, in his state of anger," I say as I looked at the raging student as they smashed something in rage, "He won't find anything wrong with an unguarded airship. But, to make sure we can get on with it. I propose we involve two more students."

"Involve more students? How is that going to help?"

"Because Student Nin trusts these two and won't suspect a thing." I tell her as an image of Student Einervaene Bosphama and Student Larishazza Sl'Ayiysab appear.

"And you'll get these two involved how?"

"I can strong-arm one of them into doing it, but the other? I'll probably just notify them of Student Nin's plans and she'll hurry along worriedly."

"This Student Einervaene Bosphama, she is Eusorochii?"

"She is, so, we'll even be able to sweeten the affair to others by getting a lightning magic-user very close to the Anvil-Peak." I tell her, speaking loud enough so those around might hear it too.

"You think it might alter her magic?"

"No, I just want to see how it affects her personally. How it makes her feel to be near such a powerful and pure source of lightning magic. So holy and divine..."

"I will assume this feeds back into the capabilities of Mechanical House?"

"It would, I doubt she will be stupid enough to try and interfere with the Anvil-Peak on her own. But, she'll likely enlist many a student and staff member in Mechanical House to satiate her curiosity."

"Despite our deal with the Tobaballians, we can't actually refine thunder gold. it is just too dense with magic in such a strange way. It's why we call it fools gold, what we give them that is."

"I know, I know. But, who knows, who knows what an Eusorochiian might get that we do not."

"Should we get started on getting those two involved then?"

"Yes, bring them both up and we can set out to get them involved with Student Nin's affairs and get us involved too. Also, notify the hangars, have them keep one of our cargo airships vulnerable. Explain as best you can. I'll handle the two fine young women here." I tell her while gesturing towards the images.

"You know, I was looking at the recordings of what Student Nin has been up to recently. You've been implanting a lot of subtle hints to get him to that lecture."

"Have I?" I asked with a smirk before walking off with a chuckle as I acknowledge that I was called out. But, it was true, I had been keeping a very close eye on Student Nin and when I heard a shipment got through... Well, I wanted to put his words to the test. I wanted to know if he really was from Tobaballe.

After all, it did not take me long to find out his name was indeed common in one of our tributaries. And frankly, despite it being possibly the least interesting part of it all, I wanted to see Student Nin's reaction. His reaction to finally figuring it all out regarding his home. Because, everything he describes also coincides with prior shipment issues.

Issues such as one of our airships going missing after they got into the Theocracy's border regions... Nin was destined for a lecture just like what set him off into a fit of rage. But, it seems like he was destined for greater acts as he just kept on going through it all. It may have been over a short period, but Student Nin was living an interesting life.

He had survived Sudden Induction somehow and to a level beyond what we used in our live tests. He claims to have seen and met the gods to his friends in private. It was also backed up by how he showed odd behaviour near some of their shrines. He spoke to them with either madness or familiarity.

Either way, the powerful signatures of magic we suddenly detected within the temple recently. It all coincided with his visits there and his worship. Something was definitely interacting with him and I wanted as much clear information as possible. But, for now, I would be getting two women to go along, not learning about Student Nin.

"I think I will strong-arm Student Larishazza first, well, assuming she is done with her current affairs..." I say to myself while looking into a small observation portal. One that was well-hidden but gave a clear view of what she was up to. However, no sound as otherwise, I'd get weird looks. As, well, she certainly enjoyed the company of other men to put it simply.

She enjoyed it very much.

.

.

.

"When we get on our way we need to discuss your anger issues." Vadei commented as we lingered near the edge of a dorm. Her nose moving about excessively as she tried to pick up on the scent of our targets.

"My anger issues?" I repeated as I cleaned brick dust off of my carapace.

"You've done nothing but work yourself up into a fit of rage and breaking things." she elaborated.

"Again, my anger issues? All you did last I checked was make snarky comments and insult people at every turn."

She looked at me, baffled, "I had reason to be like that! I was stuck in a camp relying on the help of the people who enslaved me and someone from the people I was enslaved to!"

"I had no involvement with your employment!" I retorted back with, choosing my last word carefully to annoy her. But, when she snarled at me I just sighed.

"Let's just get back to finding those two..." she grumbled after she had turned away from me. Her face soon rising and facing a particular direction once she had caught something.

"Found them?"

"I can't tell, there's too many people here. Too many smells to deal with."

"Well, give me a sniff then." I said to her, remembering that I had held on to Heiya and she had been on me. Vadei, however, just gave me an agitated look.

"How is that going to help!?"

"Because I had briefly held on to Heiya when I took her up to a rooftop. Maybe her smell lingers on me, you can use that to pick hers out easier, no?"

She looked away with a stretched out face, grumbling all the while, "Fine, get here and let me sniff you..." a small laugh leaving me as a result of that.

"I'm sorry..." I said to her as I calmed down. Her face having also gained a red tint as a result of my recontextualisation of her words.

"Right, I think I might have an idea now. Come on." she ordered as she slipped away from the building. Myself following not far behind as her head turned to face the smell as we walked. Sometimes moving with greater speed whenever she found a pungent spot. Albeit, I couldn't smell any of it.

"Are they or she in here?" I then asked once we came to a stop just before a building. I wasn't sure what building it was but the lack of students near it must have meant that it was not a student building. It must have been a staff building if that was the case. Which I guess would make sense, they were making a transaction here...

"The smell gets stronger in here, so yes. But should we wait? Teachers might be in there!"

"I can't say I care about annoying a few teachers..." I growled as I moved slightly closer to the building with curled up claws.

"I'm not going to be able to convince you to be patient, am I?"

"Not in the slightest..." I tell her as I looked down at her from the small staircase.

"Fine, you go in first and I'll try and keep an ear and nose out for trouble. But, do it quietly, we need to be able to catch them, not spook them!"

"Noted." was all I had to say before I then gently forced the door open. Cautiously looking about before letting Vadei in after me. Closing the door and focusing in on the sound of Heiya's accent. A claw rubbing Vadei's head gently as I passed by her, much to her annoyance.

But, before I moved about, I tested the floor to make sure my bulk did not make much noise. And when I was satisfied with a certain degree of speed, I moved along. Placing myself against the door where those two pieces of shit were just beyond. My chitters becoming slightly louder.

"Did yau heaaar samething, Paps?" Heiya then asked just beyond the door. A question that made me spring into action and charge through it. A loud bang and squeal filling my ears as I grabbed her by the neck and hit the wall with her. And then, a different kind of sound and a bunch of odd feelings on my back.

"That wasn't very smart of you, was it?" I asked Paps as I looked at him and the smoking barrels of his gun. A few large but thin spikes having got stuck in my cloak and bandages. In response, I tightened my grip on Heiya's neck, causing her to squirm about and beat at my arms. Then, all of a sudden, this Paps dropped all his weapons and raised his hands.

"Don't hurt." he pleaded as his eyes focused on the struggling Heiya. His rate of breathing shooting up when I let Heiya's drop to near zero. It seems like that so long as I had Heiya in my grasp I could get him to do whatever I wanted. But, just to test the strain, I let Heiya choke for a few brief moments.

I wanted him to see this little piece of rubbish struggle...

"DON'T HURT!" he then shouted at me just before I let my grip loosen. Heiya's body rising and falling as she took in many panicked breaths. Her eyes watering up as she looked at me with trembling lips.

"Paps..." she whimpered out while looking at him.

"Get the weapons away from them." I ordered Vadei as she finally came in with a snarl of her own. Her hands soon being packed with weapons that she tossed into the corner of the room. Heiya's gun having to be snapped off by me with Vadei then clearing her of any others. So, to let her do all that, I moved away from the wall and dangled Heiya about.

"What want?" I was then asked by Paps as his eyes tracked Heiya's position. My back shaking about until Vadei used a gun to smash those spikes off of my clothes. That gun then being pointed straight at Paps once she was done.

"I want you to take me to Tobaballe. The home you people took me from." I growled out to him. But, much to my annoyance and rage, he just shook his head over and over.

"We no know way."

"LIAR!" I roared at him with my grip tightening up again.

"W-W-We... D-Dan't!" Heiya then struggled out as her little hands tried to pull my grip apart. But, it was pathetic, to say the least. I was not even registering her attempts in any manner! It was like a baby was trying to do it!

"You best start explaining then!" Vadei then said to her as she violently jabbed her gut with the gun's barrel. Her gun's barrel. A gesture from Vadei soon making me loosen up my grip as otherwise, I wouldn't have.

"We anly ga aut ta set lacaaale! Iishaaar Ha meets up with us there!"

"Iishar Ho?" I repeated while looking about with a frown. No, that doesn't make sense, why would she...?

And then, well, I realised it, I figured out what had happened. That display she gave me, the one involving her strange strength. Perhaps even why the goldhands were the way they were. They had been selling out their countrymen for magic givers of some kind...

"So that's why you were with her..." Vadei muttered quietly as she looked at me now with sorrow. A mixture of regret also appearing shortly after before I made her jump with fright. My magic was now bubbling out of me while I was twitching in rage.

"Fine then, you will take us to that place, take me to the Anvil-Peak and then we can go on from there..." I quietly told Heiya as my mouth chittered over and over. Intentionally being loud with them this time until I got a sign of confirmation from her.

"Yes! We do! Let go!" Paps then said as he moved closer slightly. But, I got him to back off with another growl directed at him.

"First, tell me how you plan on taking us there."

"We can fly! We fly!" he said to me while gesturing with his hands. I was going to look out a window, but I could not see any airships nearby. So it was sort of pointless as I could not ask about that one. But, I could ask about what they came in on.

"Can you pilot the airship you two arrived on?"

"Yes..." Paps said with some uncertainty which pretty much meant he was lying.

"You don't sound particularly sure."

"Not many. Too many needed!" he explained somewhat, but, this made sense to me given my old profession. Sometimes one needed a team to use certain tools just to make sure items were out of the way and so on. A few other things too, but it was usually carrying and so on.

"I guess you'll just have to make do with the two of you then." I said with a frown as I just shrugged off concerns. I had a bone to pick with these two so I might as well overwork them in the process.

"Where are we going to find an airship exactly!?" Vadei then asked me with a harsh whisper for some reason.

"One landed by the building I did the lecture in... We should be able to take that one."

"Would they have not brought it in for maintenance, though?"

"I suppose that is fair, guess we'll be stealing a stored away one, then." I grumbled as I began to move out of the room. Looking at Heiya harshly before dropping her. Watching intently as she scurried over to Paps who then embraced the crying girl tightly. His hand stroking her spines carefully for some time.

At least, until I interrupted this oh so sweet reunion with a stamp of my foot, "Stick close or one of you dies." I threatened them with before I let Vadei take the lead. Myself following our captives who were right behind Vadei as she left we left the building. The guns having been left in the room.

If we needed a swift means to kill these two then my claws would do just fine indeed... I had experience in killing things and people casually so doing it with intent would be more than doable. What wasn't doable, however, was finding where the airship might be located. And, well, we ended up getting lost on the way much to mine and Vadei's annoyance.

I even made sure my claws were keeping those two muzzled up just to make sure they didn't call for help. Not that it would matter, I suppose, I was a big scary osibindah. People were going to get involved with any suspicious thing I did regardless. So I guess we just needed to avoid people in general.

"Nin, over there!" Vadei then pointed out as she caught sight of an airship lying about.

"Is anyone near it?" I asked her as I tried to see if anyone was working on it.

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"No, it seems to be alone now, those who were doing stuff have walked away."

"Guess we will have to be quick..."

Vadei giggled slightly, "We'd have to be quick anyway, we're stealing an airship." she told me in a clearly excited tone. A slight smile of my own appearing as that was indeed true, but it quickly disappeared so I could focus. This was it, I was finally going to start heading home and all it took was me dying and escaping death row...

"I'll get us four onto the roof of that building, we can plan from there." I then told them as I made sure the two slavers were in my grip. Gesturing for Vadei to get on to my back once we got close to the building.

"Can I have a heads up before you jump? I want my grip to be secure."

"Make sure it is tight then." was what I told her as I crouched down before launching up into the sky. A boom following us before I made a loud bang when I hit the metal roof panels this place had. Slight dents forming as a result of me hitting it at such speeds.

"Okay... Maybe more than a heads up..." Vadei complained as she held and rubbed her ears. A claw of mine staying near her to ensure she did not waddle off of the roof. It going straight back to Paps once she had stopped moving about.

"Right, let's get this over with, then." I told the three of them as I brought two of them closer to the airship. The other one following close behind in a crawling-like manner. Yet, despite her otherwise human shape, Vadei moved about on all fours seamlessly.

"There's nothing out there on the landing pad." Vadei pointed out as she briefly tried to lean over. It being brief because the moment she saw the height she was at, she retreated. It didn't intimidate me, but that was because heights sort of have become dull to me.

"But what about inside the building is the question, if someone catches us then we'd surely not get what we want." I said to her while trying to think of how we could observe the inside of the building. My eyes quickly falling upon our prisoners as I had no qualms about their health and safety. To some extent, them dying because they cracked their skull in a fall would not be helpful.

"He-!" Heiya nearly squealed out when I suddenly tightened my grip around her neck again. Hoisting her over the building edge and holding her there before then dangling Paps by the leg.

"If you want her to live, you'll give me an honest layout as to what is in this building." I told him while choking Heiya more to prove a point. Panicked nods coming from him before I then roughly lowered him down.

"No one there! No one!" he told me, but how could I believe this!? We had just seen people working on this machine. There's no way the building was now empty and devoid of anyone.

So, I tightened my grip on Heiya, "Don't you lie to me now..."

"Not lie!" he nearly yelled out as his head bent up to look at Heiya's face. A face that showed her struggle to breathe very well, even if it was covered in fur.

"Alright, let's see if Heiya here sings the same tune." I grumble before bringing them both back to the roof. Inverting the process and letting Heiya dangle upside down while Paps struggled to breathe.

"It's true! Na ane is in there! It's empty!" she said to me after she got a series of coughs out.

"Down we go then, hold on." I sarcastically told the two slavers before I secured them in my grip. Looking at Vadei first to see how she wanted to get down.

"No, wait, hold on, I can probably get down myself. I'll wave if the place stays clear." Vadei explained before she disappeared down the side of the building. My masked eyes watching her as she slowly went down the building. Her sharp nails serving as little hooks as she went down. And once she was down, she spent a short while watching the inside.

Then, like she said she would, a wave came, "Down we go then." I muttered as I sat down before scooting off the roof. Flinching when my landing made a loud bang and broke some concrete. But, I had no time to waste here, so I just rushed towards the airship alongside Vadei. Both of us hiding against these tracked claws holding on to the airship.

"Are these a part of the airship?" I asked the slavers as I looked at the airship. The one that came in did not have these on it but given magic was a thing, I wanted to take no risks.

"Na, laaanding claaaws! Helps keep them staaable when laaanded!" Heiya clarified to me as I held her up to it.

"Right, can they be taken off from inside the airship?"

"They aaare aaalreaaady aff! Apen!" she explained further, something that made me nod and smile.

"All aboard then." I said to Vadei before we then went up a ramp into the airship. Letting the two slavers guide me to the control room before I did anything else.

"Nin, are you sure these two will be enough?" Vadei then asked me once we got inside. And she had valid reason to, this room was filled with machines and dozens of chairs. All we had was two slavers so did we have enough to truly pilot this thing? Or were most of these secondary functions we could do without?

"We'll see, you're swifter, Vadei. Go back to the entrance and keep an eye out. If someone tries to stop us, come back and I'll sort it out." I told her to which she nodded before she went off and disappeared. My eyes returning to the slavers as I let them go and gestured for them to get started. But, from here on out I wasn't sure what to do. I was unfamiliar with this machine and I wasn't sure if they'd try something.

Yet, I also did not want them both to leave my sight so I sort of just had to linger about near the centre. Watching them both carefully as they worked a machine I had no idea how to work myself. It was nerve-wracking to say the least, I was likely being watched by the academy somehow... And, well, we also had all this to deal with regarding the machine.

But, to my relief, the only noise I then heard was the purr of this machine. Its engines clearly coming to life as all the machines lit up and began to make noises of their own. A soothing rumble going throughout the airship as two loud clangs also rang out into my ears. That must have been us leaving the grip of those claws.

"VADEI!?" I then shouted down the way I had come aboard to make sure she was on.

"Yeah!?" she called back in a much quieter tone. Her frame coming into view as she rushed into the control room.

"Don't worry, I was just making sure you were on board." I explained to her before I collapsed into what must have been the captain's chair. Or something to that effect, I wasn't sure if airships had captains.

"Slavers, which one of these gives us an idea of what is going on outside?" Vadei then demanded of the pair as she tried to familiarise herself with the equipment. Something I paid attention to as the more familiar I was with it the better we would do.

"The screen with the pictures aaand bright calaurs!" Heiya clarified as she rushed about trying to do all these different things as we went up. Paps was doing pretty much the same until they both slowed down and breathed a sigh of relief. Likely indicating that we had gotten out of the initial part. But, something had caught my attention.

"Strange thing..." I muttered as I stared at these strange controls near the chair I was on. It was a box of some kind that had just risen out of the floor in front of me. Was it a joystick or something? Either way, I did not want to touch it as something was off about it.

"Wait... Something is wrong." Vadei then commented as she looked at the screen she was directed to. My body soon rising to look over her before I then frowned at what I saw.

"Someone is coming after us, something blue." I noted as it was clear someone was chasing after us. But who was chasing after us...? And why were they blue? Was it because of the magic they used...?

No, wait, it couldn't be...

"Where are you going!?" Vadei asked of me as I began to rush off.

"Get them to open the entrance ramp, I want to look at this myself."

"No ramp! Go to open section!" Paps told me as he began to point at a side door which must have led elsewhere. But, I went that way anyway so I could see what it was and I was hit with a sudden breeze when I got outside.

"NIIIIIIIIN! WAIT!!!!" I heard a familiar voice yell. And I was frankly shocked to see that it was Lari. What was she doing here!? How did she know what I was up to!?

Had she been following us since the start!? But, now I wasn't sure what to do... I had no intention of bring Lari into this yet here she was yelling for me. Her face red as she chased after us.

Did I help her or ignore her...? She was my friend, a very good friend and a woman I had greater feelings for. Would it be right of me to leave her here? Or did I just drop her and ignore her?

"No... Gods preserve her..." I then mumbled before I went over the railings of the airship. Nearly sliding off the airship had it not been for me grabbing onto a pipe of some kind.

"NIN!" yelled out Lari once more just before she stumbled.

"YOU NEED TO JUMP!" I yelled down to her as I tried to stretch out my arm as best as I could. Somewhat worried about how I might send myself off as that pipe was creaking. Was I applying too much magic to it!? Wait, of course, my own magic!

And with that suddenly in mind, I began to try and cast a spell. A spell that existed because of Lari and soon it was there. An extension to my grip in the form of a long magical plank for her to grab on to. I tried to bring it out as much as I could, but I wasn't able to get it that far. Yet, thankfully, Lari could jump far enough that what I had was all that I needed.

And now, she was hugging on to me tightly after flipping over said magic extension. A smile on my face as I heard her wind-muffled laughter before we slowly went back aboard. Her laughter soon filling the control room before she collapsed into the captain's chair. Heiya in particular reacting with uncertainty once she was in here.

"Why's she here...?" Vadei asked me as she approached us, a small wave coming from her when Lari waved to her.

"She has a point, why are you here...?" I then asked in confusion as I stared at her. Taking careful note of how she was dressed more than she usually was. Not massively so, but it was noticeable as she was like Rose in a way. Preferred loose and open outfits as opposed to what most around her wore.

"I couldn't find you so I followed your magic signature and I felt that you were on here..." she panted out before she wiped her face down. Oddly enough, she tried to hide her face as she did so before she then sprung up.

"Right, are you looking for something...?" I then asked her as she looked about in a panic.

"Shower, bath, anything like that here?"

"With beds." Paps then pointed out as he pointed down the central doorway.

"Thank... You..." Lari said cheerfully at first before she noticed Heiya. But, she did not start an issue, instead, she rushed off down the main hallway.

"Must be desperate for a toilet or something." I mumbled before I then sat down again with a sigh. Gesturing Paps back to the front before staring oddly at Vadei. She had just walked past me and gained a sudden blush. But, she said nothing about it.

Did Lari accidentally pee on me or something...? I couldn't see any slight yellow patches, but, there was some kind of wet patch. But, I guess it didn't matter too much, she was a water witch. She made me wet quite often with her antics.

"I'm going to have a look around, get an idea of where everything is." Vadei then told me before she left. Her tail swooshing about as a slight smile appeared on her face before she disappeared too. I guess she was just happy about finally being on her way to help out her family and such. I know that was on her mind a lot since I met her.

And here I was too, smiling as I was finally on my way home, after all this time. All the pain and suffering I had to go through was finally coming to an end. Familiar trappings would soon be around me and I could try to go back to living a normal life. Yet, now that I had seen Lari again, I wonder...

Would I miss any of them? Would I truly feel worse off because I just abandoned those who looked out for me in my time? I may have had a falling out with them, but both Rose and Vapooliar did a lot for me. To say nothing of Lari's efforts and the progress I had made with Einervaene in my time knowing her.

I just did not know, first I was excited to finally be on my way home but now I was moody. Was this going to be worth it as when I got home I would have no friends... Iishar, who I thought was truly sincere all this time was the reason I was here. Her greed and deceit are why I was now a monster notorious for raping and plundering.

"No, can't expect any of them to stay with me..." I muttered quietly as I stared down the way Vadei and Lari went. Sighing before I returned my attention to the two slavers in front of me. Getting up and moving closer to Heiya and paying close attention to Paps. As he had flinched slightly when I had moved towards Heiya who in turn had jumped a bit.

"Yes...?" the small girl before me asked as she turned away from the machines in front.

"Will there be any more problems from here on out?"

"We shauld be getting cammunicaaatian fram the aaautharities af the mauntaaain-staaate... But nathing is caming thraugh. They likely aaalreaaady knaw this is aaa stalen aaairship!" Heiya pointed out worriedly as she tapped away some more. A clear tremble noticeable in her hands while she also tried to hide her neck.

"Then you two best be prepared to get us away from any pursuers." I told her before walking off. The thoughts on my mind being about a possible boarding action. Would we be forced to make it violent or would we get away just fine? I guess we will have to wait and see.

"We can't! Need more crew!" Paps then exclaimed as he approached me.

"Well, we don't have any, you two will have to do. Now, get back to piloting this thing." I told him before looking over to Heiya. Watching with a slight smirk as he scurried back over towards the machines. A quiet sigh coming from me shortly after. This was... Different.

I may have had an extreme bone to pick with the pair of them, but... This wasn't me, I know I used my body as a means to intimidate semi-often. But, here I was actually threatening to harm and enacting it to leash someone with fear. This just wasn't me and I did not like it.

I couldn't even think about this pragmatically, it was just me being cruel that came to mind. Yet, now, something else came to mind. Something was making loud bangs deeper in the airship and I wanted it to stop. So I went down the hall and tried to figure out what it was.

"Hello!? Anybody there!? I fixed the item!? Hello!?" a voice I swear I knew asked over and over as they banged some more. My eyes slightly widening while I shook my head. Another person was here? Wasn't doing a good job of making this a secret escape now was I?

"Alright, who is... This..." I began to say before I quietened down when I unlocked the door and saw the individual behind it. It was Einervaene, Einervaene was on board this airship and we were now staring at each other.

"Urtuoi-kischu? Thank you! I thought I might have been forgotten by the maintenance crew." she explained as she left the room before stopping again. A frown forming on her as she paid more attention to the airship.

"Yes, we are flying, but, why are you here? I left you in that lecture!" I asked of her as I moved closer. It wasn't making much sense that she was here, let alone Lari!

"Well, when you left the lecture I tried to follow after you but then someone came to me for help. I then was brought aboard this airship and asked to fix something. And, well, it seems like they locked me in that room..." she explained before rubbing her head in embarrassment.

"Well, alright then," I said before leaning on a wall, "Well, you are stuck with us then. We are leaving the academy on this stolen airship to go back to my home."

"Stolen airship...? What did you do!?"

"I just said, we stole this airship so I could get back home."

"But why now!? I know you have said that you missed your home but why did you suddenly steal an airship!?"

"Because, Einervaene. When we were in that lecture, I just did not expect to see someone from my home be put on display and then murdered just so some arrogant students could get a better grade on their test!" I said to her with growing anger before moving to punch the wall ahead of me. Except, well, I stopped the punch as this wasn't something I could just damage in a fit of rage. So I just needed to bottle it up, for now, maybe find a rock to throw later.

"You want to help your people...?" Einervaene then asked to which I just nodded. A small smile appearing on her face before she nodded herself. A quiet breath leaving her that sounded like the word 'ok.'

"In terms of who is with us, we have me, you, Vadei, Lari, and the two slavers." I then explained to her. The first two names bringing some excitement to her face while the last bit washed it away.

"Why are those slavers with us?"

"Because I do not know the way home, nor how to fly this. So, in an effort to get both sorted. I forced them into working under threat of death." I said to her before looking away when I said that last bit. It just did not sit right with me, to make someone work under threat of death. But, this hug I got from Einervaene did soothe my mind.

"Then let's get to your home so we can help your people!" she said to me with a smile as her eyes looked longingly up at me.

"You'll lose your hat if you look any higher." I then told her right before using my beak to get her hat off. A laugh coming from her as I was gently shoved by her before she put it back on. Sounds of disgust soon coming from her when she rubbed something off.

"What is this...?" Einervaene asked me as she looked at my chest and the wet spots. Some kind of wetness with a slight white tint having stained her clothes.

"I have no clue, I thought it was water from Lari when she came on board, but it must be some kind of... I don't know actually. I assume I must have got it on me when I went outside of the airship to get her."

"Must be a lubricant then because even with this small amount the smell makes my head feel funny." she said before she rubbed it off on me again.

"That wasn't very nice."

"You can't seriously expect me to wipe it on my own clothes, can you?"

"You could have just gotten a tissue or something." I said to her with a shrug before she shook her head with a huff.

"We best go clean you off then, we don't know if something bad will happen if we keep this stuff on you."

"What about those two, though, can't trust them to just pilot the airship on their own." I pointed out with a raised claw. Her head briefly facing the control room before it went back to me.

"Then we can just have Vadei here look after them." she said as Vadei approached us with a confused look. A sudden blush overtaking her when her eyes saw Einervaene's fingers before she then just zoomed past us.

"I guess cleaning ourselves will be fair." I said to Einervaene as we walked down the ship. Our eyes looking about for a sign or something to indicate a shower or bath. But, one thing I did notice first was how big this airship was. I guess I wasn't paying attention when we stole it but it was like a more cramped dorm.

Everything one might need for travel was here and it was all well-stocked by the looks of it. You had two main chambers of sorts just loaded with beds and most of the airship was divided into two parts. And, going by what I was reading when we walked by it, it was all over women and men. Yet, interestingly enough, the women section was far more luxurious.

"Guess I am sleeping on that side of the airship then." I jokingly told Einervaene as we finally arrived at the washing areas. Her lips taking on a slight smirk as she moved closer to me.

"Even though it is clearly marked as the women's area?" that smirk staying on her face before she moved away. Slightly blushing as she did so.

"Eh, we'll see how many rooms your side has first. Depending on how this might go, the men's section will be for all our new passengers if all goes according to plan."

"You will put your people there after saving them from slavers?"

"No, we'll put Vadei's people there after getting them free from my people." I awkwardly explain to her as I undressed slightly. Watching in concern when Lari dashed out of the washing area in a panicked state. Something that was not common for her at all. So I guess I will talk to her about it later if I can...

"So what will we do about spare clothes?"

"I'll probably just let mine dry, nothing dangling so no clothes is fine for me."

"Alright, what will I do about spare clothes?" she asked again while rephrasing it. A slight blush forming on her face as she twiddled her fingers.

"I dunno, put on a towel and just linger in a bed?" I answered for her, a shake of her head being my response. All before she straightened her back out, took in a deep breath and then grabbed my claw. Dragging me in after her much to my lax surprise.

"Don't get the wrong idea, I am just going to help you." she explained, clearly embarrassed which contrasted my calm state completely.

"Alright, nothing I haven't seen or done before."

"Wha...?" Einervaene exclaimed as she went redder.

"When we travelled to Thrurstradtur, remember? We sometimes just had to put up with each other being there when we washed ourselves." I clarified to her. But, admittedly, Rose had also just dulled me to the idea of it. Not Lari, though, she always gave me privacy when showering or bathing.

"Right... Well... Undress... Yo- me...." Einervaene squealed out much to my joy as it was just fun to tease her. But, maybe I should try something new this time? Maybe I could really embarrass her and have a good laugh. I knew she was just struggling to get a sentence out, but I wanted to be pedantic. Like, really use the fact she said 'me' the clearest.

"Alright, hat first." I said as I then threw her hat across the room. A claw then sneaking into her gloves each side before I slowly took them off.

"EH!? W-W-W-What a-are you..." she tried to get out as I moved my claws closer to her chest.

"And now," I began to say as my claws opened wide just before her breasts, "The loincloth." I suddenly said before going down and pulling it straight off. A clear sight to what it hid greeting me on the way back up.

"W-Wait!" she squealed out again just before I sat down and put her on my lap.

"Now these boots of yours." I said to her while carefully taking them off. Tickling her feet with the ends of my claws once I was done. Laughing all the while before I moved up again as she trembled with a red face.

"STOP!" she then yelled out in a squeamish tone as she turned to lightning somewhat just to get me off. Soon rolling about in pain after that and having her standing over me while apologizing.

But, I forgave her and finished the affair with roaring laughter, "Oh, Einervaene, never change." I barely got out between the laughter. It lasting for quite a while, much to her annoyance before I then just chuckled.

"If you're going to do something like that at least be sincere..." she very, very quietly mumbled under her breath before I got up. Putting some distance between us two before I properly stripped down myself and turning to face her. Her body turning away from me as her face maintained its crimson colouring.

"I've seen it all before, Einervaene. I am pretty sure you were naked our first night together too."

"That's not the point, now sit down so we can get this over with." she said to be as she began to pat and shove me around. At least, until I sat down.

"Why the rush? You were the one who brought me here." I snickered out before a gentle shock went across me.

"Stop it."

"Fair, I'll change the topic then. How badly do you want to shock yourself?"

"I beg your pardon? I don't understand."

"We're in a steamy bathroom... You don't like magic and water...?" my claw rolling about as the gears in her head did too.

She looked away with a slight blush, "Well maybe if you stopped being you then I wouldn't be taking such risks."

"But you love me bei-" I began to say before getting sudden surge of lightning against me. A brief scream coming from me as went flying across the bathroom. The loud thud I made being drowned out by what came after.

"NO ONE SAID ANYTHING ABOUT LOVE! I NEVER GAVE ANY HINTS LIKE THAT...!" Einervaene screamed in panic as she looked about. Magic coursing all over her until she calmed down and realised what she did. Apology after apology once again coming from her as I sat up with a grumble.

"I'll be sure not to take showers or baths with you again, noted." I said to her with a groan as I recovered from that sudden magic attack.

"I'm sorry! I don't know what came over me!"

"Apology accepted, so long as you cool it with the abuse." I somewhat laughed out while dealing with the pain. Like how a young adult might do a stunt with a toy but badly hurt themselves. So they just hobble while wheezing a laugh of some description out.

"I'll try..." she nervously said while stepping back a little.

"No, do, I don't want another shock." I clarified to her before properly sitting down before a steamless mirror. My jaw moving about slightly as I watched Einervaene carefully hide herself behind me.

"Try to keep still, otherwise I can't get between your plates." she told me to which I just waved it off. I was fully aware of that, had enough experience with Rose regarding it.

"I understand I am bulky, Einervaene. But, if you don't want me seeing anything private then why not just wear a towel?" I asked her while keeping my head facing forward. Not really wanting to provoke anything more from her for now.

"If someone important to you is sharing a bath with you, you must copy how they do it..." she tried to say matter-of-factly. But it was clear she had no real reason so I just went along with it. In fact, now that it came up. I could shift the topic to her home.

"So now that you are tagging along unintentionally with me and Vadei and so on. Are you perhaps going to do anything with what you learn on our trip?"

"What do you mean?" she asked just as she squeezed out a flannel along my shoulder. The soapy bubbles likely going all the way down my back and onto her breasts. I may have not been as sensitive as I used to be to touch, but my magic training gave me an idea. I just could feel her magic press against mine, it felt nice.

It was probably a weird way of describing it, but, when Einervaene was happy or enjoying herself. Her magic always felt like it was excitedly trying to meet up and play with mine. I did not know if it was emotional or just magic-science in general. But, I liked it, either way, it was like a fuzzy massage.

"Well, I personally am headed home to solve an issue there. Vadei is coming to solve an issue with her family that is going on there. Is there anything you hope to learn that could help you with your problems at home? It is why we met, after all, something made you want to come here."

"I can't say I wanted to come here, but I have certainly received reasons why it was a good idea to come." she said without answering the question. Her body gently pressing against mine while a happy sigh left her. A bracelet soon entering my eyes as pondered something about it. Only to forget it when Einervaene moved back to cleaning me.

"You never answered the question." I then asked her after a brief mental blackout.

"I don't really know what I will learn or if I will be able to use it. My problems are family-related like Vadei's, sure. But, mine are also not so clear cut. Traditions of blood and heritage are my main concerns along with conduct. I just don't know if I can use any of it."

"Well, if you need any help, I am right here to offer it."

A quiet laugh left her, "Thank you... Nin."

"Oh?" I said while turning my head. Only to get a palm to the face that made me freeze solid.

"Good pet." Einervaene then mocked while patting my face. The fear of being shocked having been fully settled within me. Something she must have caught up on.

"So... If you don't mind me asking, what is the main issue for you? I know you mentioned your mother at some point but you saying heritage and blood and all that makes me wonder."

"You know how my lightning is blue?"

"I do, I have been assaulted by it several times."

"You deserved it, but, anyway, it's because it is blue that my mother has been accused of adultery and that has put her position at risk."

"So you're looking for proof that you are not a bastard child?"

"No... I am trying to ease the burden on my mother as I am not sure if my presence damns her to greater scrutiny... But, I am also hoping to see if I can make my lightning golden or at least some degree of yellow."

"The more like Thurnmourer's lightning the better then?"

She nodded slowly, "Yes, the closer it is... It's something to do with the stories of how the noble clans came to be and all that. Too much to explain in one go and to say nothing of my own ignorance."

"Your people believe they are descended from the Thunder God?"

"More so we copied how he made his mighty hammer. By gaining the trust of the thunderclouds."

"Alright, so your blue lightning makes everyone think you betrayed that trust then? Only this time it wasn't to send a mighty lightning bolt into the heart of the Singular God?"

She laughed for just a sec, "Yeah..."

I looked down to the floor and sighed, "Well, if you ever need any help making your lightning golden. You know where to find me." I mumble while knowing inside my head that it was a lie for all intents and purposes. Once I was home and done with Vadei, what reason did I have to help? I was doing all this because I wanted to go home... I don't even care if I live like a hermit, so long as I am near the Civil Mountains.

"Thank you, Urtuoi-kischu, your offer is very much appreciated. I just hope I can repay your kindness with my own." she told me as he leaned on me again. Her hand slowly making its way to my claw before it stopped just before my bracelet. Tender brushing from her fingers lightly moving the bracelet about.

"Don't worry about it too much, I'm not a loan predator or that. I won't demand it from you until you are ready."

"That's good then, I probably won't be able to go home for a few years now. I have so much I need to do back at the Academy with you and Ayi-chira and all the others."

"Yeah... Back there with those lot..." I said while looking away from the mirror. My tone quiet as I thought on how hollow those words were. I was glad she was pressed against my back, too. That way she could not see my eyes being shifty.

"So... Uh... Urtu... Nin... This might seem like an odd question and a completely out of nowhere one. But, what sort of women do you like?" I was asked by the beautiful, copper-haired woman behind me. I was thinking of just saying that she was my perfect woman just to tease her. But, having been with Aahtha and Motrtha, I don't think I can honestly get it out. Motrtha was just so kind and loving but Aahtha's form reflected your tastes perfectly!

Or, in this case with Aahtha, mine.

"Dark skin, short white hair. Modest measurements. Kind and motherly with the capacity to erotically tease." I said quietly while trying to remember the Pleasure Goddess when she teased me. When she and Motrtha were completely ruining my senses with a dopamine overload.

"Oh... I see. Well, with the men I like, I like them strong and honest. Kind and stern. But, I also like them being fine with not always being strong, I am fine with being allowed to be there for them when they are upset or broken." she explained to me while hugging me tighter. I looked away from the mirror again when she said that.

"Well, good luck with finding a man like that." I told her as I got up, somewhat embarrassed by what I heard from her. But, I was also not comfortable with it. To hear this while wanting to admit myself to Lari... Well, it certainly made me want to do a double-take on it.

But, to say nothing of how some of Einervaene's description was hollow...

"I would say thank you, but I already have found them..." she quietly said with a wide smile and bright blush. Her body still down below as she stayed on her knees while I stared at that face. That pretty face that was so sincere and heartfelt... And looking at it made me disgusted with myself, it made me indecisive and frustrated.

Maybe I should just make it clear to her here and now? Or should I just ignore the issue as I was likely never going to see her again once we got near to Tobaballe...? Gods grant me the wisdom I need here... Please...