The group looks out at the wharfs, deciding which ship they should take. They ask Queenie for suggestions, but she replies that even she isn’t entirely sure. The group seeks out a nearby dock worker for advice.

Dock worker: Hm? Odale?

Dock worker: Only certain ships here will take ya der. Mostly dated ones as da latest vessels such as the big one that just left have restricted access to dock der.

The dock worker grunts as he heaves a crate on top of another.

Doc worker: But…! That’s just Odale…That’s why der’s da saying, “Odale is an old tale…”! Can’t give you all a recommendation with much confidence on which one would be da fastest…

Dock worker: Otherwise, you can try some of da self-employed folks der. - The dock worker points out the selection of individuals at the corner of the dock owning a variety of aquatic monsters.

Dock worker: Most of ‘em use water beasts to transport folks to places. If ya plan to go with one of dem folks, I recommend the Ge’kos as dey’re da fastest water beasts stationed here. But if ya folks are lookin’ to cut down on costs and don’t mind a long voyage time, then the good ol’ leaf paddler will be da cheapest option.

Victor: Oh~! That’s something I’m familiar with! - Victor says as he sees two men waiting at the dock with a gigantic leaf stationed at the waters next to them.

Victor: I’ve seen a lot of those at the port me and my dad went!

Dock worker: Yeah…Those thangs are as old fashion as you can get. In the olden times, that was how folks crossed the waters. As you can see, there are some people who still use 'em in these days and ages.

The group discusses their options. They all agree that spendings isn’t a problem, so they don’t need to take the leaf paddler. Darren and Queenie express that they’d prefer to get to Odale as soon as possible, but it isn’t a major concern for them. The group heads to the corner of the harbor where the dock worker pointed out to them earlier to scout their choices.

The group finds the Ge’kos that the dock worker mentioned to them. Two slim admiral colored aquatic reptiles with a light red underbelly trailing from its tail to chin the size of a tall human resides in the water with harnesses attached to a wooden shack raft. Their features includes webbed feets, forearms and tail, with the end of the tail fanned out in the shape of an oar. The head of one of the creatures lifts up from the water. The fins located behind the nape unfurls into a sail, and its red throat bag begins to inflate in-and-out. Wrapped around their eyes is a red tinted bubble mask which made them look like they were wearing large pairs of red goggles.

After having a brief talk with the Ge’kos owners, the group checks out the next boatman. As the dock worker had told them, these men also had a monster to transport a small sea home. This time a gigantic goldfish wearing a giant bamboo hat. The boatman that’s also wearing a bamboo hat asks the group where they were going.

Boatman: Odale? That’s not a place most people choose to go to…

Boatman: I use a sunbelly to get around. Native fishes from where I am from. You’ll rarely come across these species anywhere else! These things consume light ya see? And the more condensed they are, the more delicious it is for these things. When the light they eat gets digested, they turn into light balls that get stored in its translucent belly sack, hence the name! I use a rod with a light orb attached to the end of it to steer the fish.

The group ogles at the giant fish in intrigue. Though their description could be summarized as simply goldfishes the size of a canoe, there was an exotic aesthetic to them. The tips of its fins and brows were flame shaped with a red gradation. The light balls held inside the belly of the sunbelly illuminated beneath the fish, basking the surrounding water surface in a bright yellow that mirrored the image of the sun reflecting off a water surface.

Queenie (thinking): The hat and clothings…And the fact he uses a sunbelly fish…I’m sure that this guy is from Raon…I wonder if he’s a smuggler that can take people to and from there.

Boatman: I don’t usually come here, and my fees are pretty pricey. But I don’t think I'd be able to take you all. My small sea shack wouldn’t be enough to hold all of you.

Tatsuo: Yeah, the dudes with the Ge’kos said the same thing also.

Boatman: In that case, your best bet would either be one of the bigger wooden made ships, or the water glider.

Victor points at a large supercraft with a dome shaped as a bubble with rounded building structures built inside of it in a cervical shape resting at the port’s basin across from their location. The way Victor pointed at the ship resembled an innocent child secretly inquiring their parents about a toy that had caught their attention.

Boatman: Ah…I believe that’s the Aquamarine. I don’t think that one goes to Odale.

Victor: Aww…That’s a bummer…It looked enormous.

Queenie: It’s one of the recent modern seacraft. Like the dock worker said before, access there is likely restricted for it.

Sharon: Looks like we’re taking one of the ships instead.

Darren: Well, how about the giant whale?

The group falls in silence for a moment.

Group: …..

Sharon: …The what now?

***

*Skipping over, the group confronts a massive whale beached at one of the wharfs.

They stare at it, boggled that there was simply a whale randomly beached up at the dock. Perched on top of one of the wharf’s wooden pilings was the whale driver smoking a cigar pipe. He wore a typical brown colored pirate captain’s attire. The scars and stitches marked on his old weathered body suggest of him a sailing veteran.

Whale driver: Sure, I can take you all to Odale. It was my next stop anyways. Come on in.

The whale’s maw opens wide. With no difference in reaction, the group continues to stare at the creature in resigned confusion. The whale driver hops off from his seat and proceeds to calmly walk into the gaping mouth of the massive creature.

Whale driver: Come on, let's-a-get a movealong!

The group takes a step forward, and they slowly enter through the vessel’s entrance. The group follows the whale driver deeper into the whale until its mouth closes shut behind them, making a groaning sound equivalent to that of a tree falling.

The whale driver takes the group through a fleshly tunnel containing rooms. The whale driver takes them to one of the rooms, stopping right in front of the iron door saying that this is the room they’ll be staying in. The whale driver opens up the door, revealing a nice, normal cozy homely area.

The group walks on inside in awe.

Whale driver: Not what you all expected eh? – He said in his scruffy voice.

Whale driver: You won’t have to worry about using the bathroom as long as you don’t go too much and set yourselves at a pace. The water gets filtered out each time the whale blows its hole, and replaces it as it submerges. You’ll know when that happens when the inside of the whale gets filled with water. When that’s happening don’t go out unless you all wish to drown.

The whale driver shuffles himself out of the doorway.

Whale driver: I’ve warned you all now, so I hold no responsibilities if anybody dies. I’ll also have the whale give a warning cry each time before I have it go underwater in case any of you so happen to be outside your room. In any case, if you have any other questions for me, let me know.

The whale driver leaves the room. The group settle their belongings and begin exploring their accommodation.

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

Victor: Wow…So strange…

Darren: Yeah, who would’ve thought there’d be rooms like this just built inside a whale. Wonder how all of this works.

Sharon: And it’s rather clean too. Even though we’re deep inside a monster, it doesn’t smell at all!

Victor peeks outside a circular window: There’s even windows installed in this thing! Look! You can see the outside from here!

Victor lightly taps against the panes.

Victor: Yeesh…Did the old man drill holes into this thing? I feel terrible imagining what it had to go through to have all of this set up.

Sharon: The whale doesn’t seem to mind at all though…

Darren sits himself at a chair beside a table.

Darren: I still find it unbelievable…We’re actually going to be leaving Irene.

Sharon looks out at the harbor outside the window – Yeah…It’s exciting, but I kinda feel sad at the same time. I wonder if I’ll get homesick.

Sharon’s words bother Victor for a bit.

Victor: Hm…? Something about what you said just made me feel like I’m forgetting about something important…

Tatsuo: You’re right Henteko, why is he still here…? - Tatsuo mumbles to himself.

The group decides to explore the inside of the whale, curious to see what else the place had to offer. Queenie stays behind in the room to settle herself. Making their way through the hallway made of flesh, the group comes across a plump, meaty wall. Before concluding that there is nowhere else left to go, Tatsuo points out that he can hear voices coming from the other side of it.

Sharon: Huh? You hear other people talking coming through this?

Sharon knocks on the fleshy wall. The wall unwinds, presenting a valve-shaped opening to the group, surprising them.

The group enters into a large, spacious room with multiple other exits. Various tables, and furniture are arranged in the room, similar in structure to that of what you would find in a tavern. A couple figures can be seen hanging out in the room and sitting next to one another.

Victor: What’s up with this? Some sort of lobby area?

Sharon: Seems like it. A place for people to just come to hang out or stay in besides their own room.

Tatsuo: Looks like the inside of some of the inns that we’ve been to, like the one in Flavrence.

A stranger sitting at one of the tables with a jug in his hand spots the group and sociably greets them to come over and chat. Darren and Victor grimace in disgust, but Sharon compels them to socialize.

The stranger introduces himself as Calvin, a shoemaker. He gestures the group to the two people sitting across from them, telling them how he was talking to these people as well.

The two other people sitting across from Calvin raises their hand in a friendly greeting gesture, introducing themselves to the group – Brespasso, an adventurer, and Tulip, a dancer.

Calvin: It’s entertaining to share stories with others and it’s one of the best ways to pass time when you travel often.

“I agree!” Sharon exclaimed.

The two groups mingle together, sharing information and asking questions about each other. Where they came from, what they do, why they’re going to Odale and more.

Tatsuo: Since you’re an adventurer, that means you’ve traveled to many other places right? - He asks Brespasso.

Tatsuo: In that case, do you happen to know a guy named Veloren Aund Gerfuden?

Sharon promptly then asks Brespasso about the Mardi Gracias, but the adventurer cordially was unable to give them an answer. Tulip also replied, “I’ve been to various places around the world too, but I do not know of anything regarding your questions, unfortunately…”

After discovering that this is the group’s first time traveling overseas, the three strangers decide to enlighten the group about the whale.

Calvin points towards one of the room’s exits – You see all those different passages? They all lead to different areas of the whale.

Tulip: Yeah. When you guys feel like it, go explore the place more. Not all of them just lead to different dorm sectors. There’s a couple neat places that come with useful functions and utilities for commuters.

Calvin: Mm-Hmm! For example - Calvin points towards one of the exits with a sign displayed on the wall next to it.

Calvin: If you go through there, it’ll take you to the open restroom area.

Brespasso: But that’s the area where basically all the waste goes inside the whale until it all gets flushed out. As you can probably tell based on that, the smell is really terrible! It reeks! And just as he said, it’s an open area meaning you won’t be getting any privacy when you do your business. You’d only wanna go there if you’re really desperate. - He says in a flippant tone.

Tatsuo sniffles, with his nose colored in a swollen red.

Tatsuo: Yeah, I can tell. I was able to smell it from before we walked into this room. My nose is really stinging right now.

Calvin: Woah!-Ho! Ho! Damn! Yeah, your nose is super red! Ha! Ha! You look like a troll!

Brespasso points at another passageway – Also if any of you guys would like to make your own food, the area right there has what’s basically a large pond for you all to fish at.

Victor: What?! You can fish in here?!

Brespasso: That’s right! Water from the ocean flows through the whale when it dives underwater. It eventually dispels it, but some of it gets left inside that chamber through that passage. This includes the fishes that came along with it!

Sharon: Heh…Interesting…

Victor: Now that you mention it, whatever happens to this room when the whale begins to dive? Is there something that prevents it from being flooded?

Brespasso grunts affirmatively: You know that flesh valve you guys walked through? That’s an organ from the whale where it’ll close sealed shut as it’s underwater. Even if you’d try knocking on it, it won’t budge. Not until it resurfaces. The same happens for all the other exits you see here.

Darren: Hmm…Interesting how its entire layout works.

Brespasso: There’s a public kitchen in the room next door over from the fishing location, but your own room should also have a kitchen as well. And there’s heat rocks stored in some of the barrels here to use for cooking.

Sharon: I see…Thank you for all the advice!

Brespasso: No problem. So you said you were an adventurer too? – The adventurer says while moving his elbow on the table closer to Sharon in interest of her.

Sharon: Only in spirit…I’ve never actually been recognized by the adventurer association.

“Well, not that you need to, since you’re now part of a guild.” Brespasso proceeds to take a drink from his mug.

Brespasso: Man I’ll tell ya what, it’s hard work for us. I’ve grinded my ranks back when I was at Naringarus. Shit wasn’t easy over there. Managed to get all the way to silver, and close to gold. Figured i’d be able to advance my rank by simply doing a lot of the easier quests here in Irene, but I've been grinding it out here for about a year already…

Sharon: So you’re still silver then?

Brespasso: Yup. Man, all that time wasted for nothing…! Which is why I’m going to Odale. I’m hoping that by doing things there, it’ll be enough to raise my rank. The activities there are just a bit more challenging than here, and it’s a lot safer than risking it in some other country like Naringarus or Mon’ Diego.

Calvin: Aww, but Mon’ Diego has many amazing places to visit there, such as Ameria and New Traum’ Deure!

Bresspaso: Yes…I’ve been to Mon’ Diego before…Which is why I can say that the common monsters there are really tough! It’s only safe as it is because that’s where some of the bigshot adventurers and guilds are!

Brespasso lets out a sigh: Man…trying to move your way up in the world is hard…

Sharon: I know…! It sounds like the same thing we had to go through to earn our blue badge that we just got.

Brespasso: Oh? Gratz.

The group looks at Brespasso confused.

Sharon: Hm? Gratz?

Brespasso: Yeah, as in congratulations. It’s common courtesy among the adventurers and guild circle to tell gratz to anyone for any recent accomplishment.

Sharon: Oooh…! I did not know that…!

Victor: Aww…What a sweet thing to do.

Tulip: I’ll say, it’s an oddly cute thing you guys have going on with it. You know, in contrast to the whole idea of you guys hunting monsters and risking your lives and such.

Sharon: In that case…! Gratz on getting your silver rank! And soon your gold!

Brespasso chuckles: Thanks…! Though it's been a while since I received my silver promotion, and I have yet to make it to gold so…

A sound resembling that of a loud blow horn alerts all the passengers.

Darren: What…The heck…?

Calvin: Oh don’t mind it. It means that the whale is about to take off.

The whale bellows a deep moan as water spouts from its blowhole. As the horn noise continues to sound off, the heartbeat of the group continues to beat rapidly in the heat of anticipation.

Tulip: You guys said this is your first time leaving Irene? That means this marks your first journey overseas…! Gratz!

Brespasso: Well…That’s not something you’d really need to say gratz for…

Ignoring Brespasso, Calvin raises his jug high in the hair, congratulating the group with a spirited “gratz!”

The group in high spirits also reciprocates with a lively “gratz!”

The whale unbeaches itself from the dock, the water crinkles against its enormous body. Thus, the group departs from Irene, heading off onto their new adventures in Odale.