Chapter Text
Glint:
The Wind - the ancient, untamed spirit of the Morov Steppe, caught a kite. It belonged to a lazing shepherd child, but now it was just a flash of scarlet, a small, foolish hope dancing on the currents. But the thread could not hold. Not when the Stellan came. The great, silent flying machine cut its swift, merciless path across the ceiling of the world. The string snapped. The kite, suddenly free, gave itself over to the spiral, a small, meaningless farewell to the child who stared powerlessly. He watched it go, eyes fixed on the massive, indifferent hull that had stolen his sky.
The boy, small and alone on the immense prairie, watched the kite vanish. The sight was a small instruction in what the world did to small, bright things in these times. He did not cry. Crying was not an efficient use of energy on the Steppe. He simply turned his back. He put one foot in front of the other, walking toward the distant, low line of his home, as so it goes. Sorrows and mental tears drained into the great, swallowing land.
Below, the Steppe lay vast and uncaring under the tentative heat of the new summer. It was the color of old sorrow and dried blood, the deep ochre hues of earth that had seen too much. Life here was a continuous, brutal bargain between the resilient greens that broke through the earth, and kindling bushes waiting for the cleansing sweep of the next great cycle of fire. The trees were gnarled and tough, their leaves leathery and their roots sunk deep, always waiting for the spark that would burn them clean and make them honest again. The scent of ash lingered still, threatening the Steppes along with the blanketing warm air. But now, where the earth met the horizon, crude, new windcatchers stood like fingers of a landlord, stark against the honest flatness of the land. Patrols of black chocobos, their riders cloaked against the ceaseless wind, moved with predatory rhythm. Commonfolk traveling through the trading and foraging pathways of the land were moved upon by the Breezetamers without haste, without malice, but with cold, absolute certainty of a fact - they were the new masters of the land, and no breathes of rebellion would be exhaled without their knowing.
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Jiroq:
Jiroq releases a heavy sigh of relief, "No sentries at the border. I wonder if it's overconfidence or someone's actually forced Rujahn to shore up defenses at the High Seat instead."
"How are we all feeling?"
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Jaunt:
Jaunt peers over the railing of the airship, taking in the breadth of the landscape before him- vast and lush with bright greenery, before turning back to Jiroq. "Same as always." He replies, black hair fluttering in the breeze. "Bit quiet though, down there, don't you think it could be an ambush?"
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Jiroq:
"Could be, but nothing down there will be able to do anything about us unless they're carrying those totems. We're not due to arrive for another two and a half bells. Once we're all settled, I'd like to explain what the plan is, and we're open to suggestions, of course."
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Jaunt:
"Come on. Hit us with it. I'd like to hear what you've got." Jaunt crosses his arms across his chest, cracking a grin at the Qashite.
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Taka ???:
Taka was leaning over the rail, helmet on and peering down to the vista below, though less interested in taking it in and more so trying to glean any info. He pulls himself and turns to Jiroq, "Ready when you are." he says "Can't make any suggestions without your ideas first."
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"Stray":
Stray had hunkered down after the Stellan set off, belly once again pressed to the cold metal ground in an army crawl. He watches the others from the safety of the hull, not wanting to cling to the rails again. Still, vertigo has not spared him. "Think I'm gonna be sick," he mutters under his breath.
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Menja:
Menja is pointing and laughing at Stray from a safe distance.
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"Stray":
The wolffolk scowls at Menja, glaring daggers at her from across the hull. His claws scrape against the ground in an effort to fight down the nausea. Flying is the worst!
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Jiroq:
"Of course." With a few motions and gestures, Jiroq clicks the plane into its automative state.
"While at Nuevadorra, the three of us... acquired a high-powered radio which allowed us to message a friend - The Targuud tribe. One of our honor clans that survived the Breezetamer's genocide, and have been waging a guerilla war on them since."
She pulls out a map of the region.
"A key factor that has allowed the Breezetamer's hold on any form of rebellion has been their uncanny success in extracting information. To counter that, any Qash loyalists have cut contact with each other, to our detriment."
She then points to the High Seat, "I will convince the Targuud to infiltrate us into the High Seat. My plan is to announce the deception of the Breezetamers and my return at the same time. This will draw the rest of the loyalists out of hiding. What do you think?"
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Jaunt:
"Right. Right." Jaunt nods, peering over the map. "Where are we meeting these people, then? And how can we.... for a lack of a better word, trust them?"
He glances at the part of the map where Jiroq was pointing. "I mean, plan sounds good an all. Bit it's a lot of big events with no... Staging points in between Say, once you've announced your return.... And the loyalists have been drawn out... Where will you lot be gathering? I'm sure you lot have some form of secret base in the steppes, right?"
".... Right??"
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Jiroq:
"Mönkh, the leader of clan Targuud, was one of my brother's closest allies. I share the same unbreakable bond with Targuud's current leader, Irviz, daughter of Mönkh."
She nods to Jaunt's suggestion, "We are headed for Targuud's secret base as we speak, a former Vidorran underground bunker."
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Jaunt:
Jaunt nods, looking at the rest for their opinion, but especially Taka. "What do you think, love? Or do you think this all is sounding too hasty?"
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Taka ???:
"For lack of a better word, it seems like an ambitious plan." he lets out a thoughtful hum and rubs his chin, "Get in contact... then infiltrate the high seat. I understand you want to make it quick, but we have no idea what we're dealing with, or how much secruity is going to be around it, and i assume quite a bit."
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Jiroq:
Jiroq crosses her arm, in a more honest manner than her request for suggestions. "I'm waiting to hear a better plan."
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Jaunt:
"It's your gambit love. If sneaking into the High Seat is what you want, at least have a way to disguise yourself so that the Breezetamers don't, you know-"Jaunt makes a motion of a knife slicing across his neck towards Jiroq and Taka. "- do that."
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Taka ???:
"I'd be able to handle this kind of thing myself..." he mutters under his breath.
"Eh, well. What i would usually try..." Taka looks at the map for a few moments "Well i think meeting up with our contact is a good idea..." he nods "And i suppose you're looking for someone in particular to get your hands on right?"
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Jiroq:
The heiress pouts to the left in satisfaction, "Good." She hums in thought before answering Taka's question, "I mean, I intend to get my hands on anyone who gets in my way. But... no one in particular, no. That may change once I learn more about what's happening."
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Taka ???:
"A bit directionless at the moment, no?" Taka raises an eyebrow to Jiroq "Just... get to the high seat... Right." the clicks his tongue "Well, i was definitely assuming you had someone in mind to go after, i think we should work on that, im sure the, uh, what was their name- Targuuds will have a good idea of who's the most important."
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Jaunt:
Jaunt frowns momentarily, tapping a clawed finger on the table. "What about those two- the wanted criminals?"
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Jiroq:
"Indeed. This is just the start, after all. I never thought it was going to be simple to retake the High Seat."
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Jaunt:
“If only it were as easy as walking through the front gates, though I might be able to alleviate some of that burden.”
Jaunt sighs, and a hand reaches into his satchel. A moment passes, and four necklaces inscribed with ancient looking sigils are placed down on the table on top of the map.
“I took the trouble of placing some glamour enchantments on these, before we left. The luster within should be strong enough to disguise anyone on this ship by giving them a completely new appearance, temporary, of course.” He explains, fiddling with a similar one that hangs on his neck. “But when one activates, the rest will too. So we should plan ahead as a group.”
Allowing the rest a couple minutes to observe the talismans before he returns them to his bag, the drahn shrugs. “I don’t have many, so those who need the disguises the most should get first pick” He gives a knowing look towards Jiroq and the Qashites.
“As for the rest, I am still capable of applying a hands on illusory ritual if needed, though I’d rather not unless pressed in the most dire of situations.”
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Jiroq:
"Noted," she nods towards the team. "So... easy enough then? Nothing crazy or unethical enough for your rejection?"
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Jaunt:
"Bit hard to say when we've got no one in mind right now to jump on, eh?" Jaunt smiles amicably at her, flashing a row of sharp teeth.
"I'm good so far with what we have. I suppose we'll be able to plan things better when your guy paints a better picture of what's going on within the Steppes."
---
"Stray":
"How far are you willing to go?"
Stray's voice rises from near their feet. Having strained to pick up the conversation amongst the wind, he had crawled over to the deck. He eyes Jiroq from the ground, amber eyes intent.
"Are you prepared to kill?"
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Jiroq:
She grips the table at the question, "Of course. It is the way of the land." Steeled, she slaps the table and stands up, "Okay, I am returning to the cockpit. I will inform you guys when we are a bell away."
---
"Stray":
Stray's gaze follows Jiroq's retreating back until she disappears from view. His claws scrape against the ground, a slow grating sound. "Hope we're not killing more innocent people," he murmurs under his breath, his voice a rough growl.
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Menja:
"More? When have we ever killed innocent people?" Menja spins by, having not paid any attention to the plan at all. "We're here to help Jiroq save her people, right?"
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Jaunt:
Jaunt frowns, peering at the map once more. "What makes you think we're killing everyone we meet?" he sighs and leans against the table, propping his head against a hand as he traces the form of the mountains with a lazy finger. "The nice thing about not being beholden to one side, love, is the choice to not slaughter everyone come across on enemy ground. And besides, if what Mahdi and Nokh have told us are true, then Rujahn and his conspirators are very much not innocent, at all."
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Taka ???:
"Hrm... Jaunt is right." He says, propping himself up against the edge of the table "As much as we're here to help Jiroq and her people, I'm sure there's more to it than just the Breezetamers suddenly aiming for the high seat." He looks up, "We need to find someone to go after specifically... can't just close our eyes and shoot into the crowd, so-to-speak."
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Jaunt:
"Aye. Remember what the Councilman said? Supposedly one of the Fiends are responsible for this whole mess. Tiamat, no?" Jaunt stabs a clawed finger dead center on the map. "Now there's a guy to look out for it we ever wanted one."
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Menja:
"What's a Fiend?" Menja pipes up, her head popping up from the other side of the table. "Or a Tiamat? Or a Councilman? Actually, what are you guys even talking about?"
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Jaunt:
"Councilman Navarro? The Junel guy that dropped by a month ago? Remember him?" Jaunt looks at Menja with a shrug.
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"Stray":
"Who's that?" Stray pipes up from the ground.
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Menja:
Menja looks at Jaunt blankly.
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Taka ???:
Taka rubs the bridge of his nose at the response, sighs, then elaborates for Jaunt, "Councilman Navarro was the old Junel we had in the fort some time ago. The Fiends are a group of bastards who are invested with bringing back the empire in some degree... Tiamat is one of their strongest... apparently."
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"Stray":
"Anyone who wants to bring back the empire is a fiend alright," Stray growls, muzzle curling in distaste.
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Menja:
"So... They were the Mad Emperor's lackeys?" The rabbitfolk's face noticeably gets tighter when she mentions the infamous monarch. "And Tiamat is... here?"
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Taka ???:
A smile finds itself on Taka's face in response to stray's reaction, "Correct. And presumably they have a hand in this situation, curious given how the empire was poised against the likes of the Breezetamers." he pauses for a moment and frowns, "We should very much consider the fact that Jiroq, and by extention us, are being played... especially with those arrows being gifted to them."
---
Menja:
"Do you think they-" Menja pauses, glancing at Stray. "... that they... know?"
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Jaunt:
Jaunt follows Menja's gaze, before speaking once more, his voice lowered. "The reason it's us going on these trips and not the Orthodoxy themselves, is because they do not want to risk a war between the Steppes, and Colophon itself, especially not if the mastermind behind the coup is one of the Fiends of Vidorra itself. Perhaps an all out war is exactly the kind of distraction they need, to swoop in and claim power and land when everyone else is too busy being distracted." He clears his throat, and sighs. "Anyways. That's why it's probably in our best interests to choose our targets wisely, and to not... reveal our hand too much in the Steppes. Who knows what spies Tiamat might have around, and how deep their influence goes."
---
"Stray":
Stray swallows hard against the bile rising in the back of his throat. The vertigo is bad enough, but hearing the 'Mad Emperor' makes something deep in his gut churn.
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Lai:
Lai walks in from below, refilling her waterskin. "Tiamat, eh? Actually, some of the news we got from our friends was that Tiamat ain't around no more in the Steppes." She takes a swig, then sits down. "You fellas ever been to the Steppes?"
---
Taka ???: "Yeah. Few years ago." Taka nods to Lai, "Can't remember for how long exactly, maybe a decade or so, stayed there for a bit, year or two, working alongside some folks for some work."
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Jaunt:
"Once, or twice." Jaunt shrugs. "Couple jobs needed me to pass through the area, others were on leisure trips."
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"Stray":
Stray shakes his head mutely, still looking ill.
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Lai: "Ah... me and Qub didn't like it when we first came. Too hot, and smoky. But after awhile... the food. The people. Ah... I just hope the Breezetamers haven't done too much to the High Seat. When was the last time you were here, Jaunt?"
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Jaunt:
“Three years ago… I think. Maybe two.” Jaunt continues to fiddle with the necklace around his neck, as if to will away the nervousness that bubbled within. “Found my way over to Colophon, and then picked up a job that ferried me over there. Think it was a performing troupe that I accompanied…. I wonder where they are now.”
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Menja:
"I've never been!" Menja pipes up.
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Lai:
"Ah... there were a few of them for sure." She takes another swig of water then stands up. "Ah, well, I was gonna recommend, based on Düü's plan, we coulda used more word of mouth. Ah well, we'll figure it out, hey?"
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Taka ???:
"Hrm, well..." Taka starts again, "I did have a not-insignificant contact in the steppe, not exactly the most savoury of individuals, they were a thief, worked alongside them for a bit, like i said, it was a few years, but I'm sure they'll remember me." He pats his pocket for gil, "And if they're not nice enough to lend us a hand out of the goodness of their heart, i can always pay them for their work."
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Jaunt:
"Course you'd know someone like that." Jaunt laughs, amused. "C'mon, tell us. Who's the fellow?"
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Taka ???:
“A- uh- beastfolk individual…” Taka nods “if we meet them, we meet them, but they’ve got a flair for the dramatic… for a thief.”
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Jaunt:
"Underground's good. Means they have ways of staying undetected." Jaunt hums. "Let's hope the Breezetamers didn't get to them first, aye?"
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Lai:
Lai chuckles, "Hey, you could always kidnap them and then eventually give them a kid to take care of, that worked for me and Qub!" She laughs as she walks away and back down into the engine room, somehow satisfied with that exchange.
---
Jiroq :
On cue, a stream of static comes to life.
<p class="textMsg">
<em>"Hey... I'm seeing something weird on the ground. Can someone head outside to check, over?"</em>
</p>
---
Menja:
"I'll go look!" Menja hops to the edge of the ship and looks down.
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"Stray":
The idea of peering down the airship sends another surge of nausea twisting through Stray's stomach. He swallows thickly, breaths shallow. "What do you see, Menja?"
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Menja:
"A giant wolf eating bird."
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"Stray":
"What."
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Jaunt:
Jaunt heads over to the ships side to peer downwards, now freshly curious about Menja's comment.
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Glint:
Below, the world was a map of deep greens and rich, black earth, stretching out to meet the pale curve of the sky. In that immense space, one small spot held the whole story of Menja and Jaunt's world. There was a single, lonely tree, its roots clawing into the dry rise of the earth. Near it, four dark, quick shapes of the riders on their strange riding birds were gathered. One of the black mounts carried a bound person, slung over its flank with rough, efficient rope, as if they were nothing more than a shifting bundle.
And then there was a floating man. He hung in the clear air, a perfect, arrogant testament to what power could buy—a total disregard for the laws that governed ordinary men. He and his riders were not looking at their captive. They were looking down, searching the earth around the roots of the old tree, searching for something that had been hidden, or perhaps something that had been taken. They searched with the cold, absolute certainty of men who knew their answers lay beneath the soil.
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Jaunt:
"There's... People down there?? Searching for something? There's like a floating guy down there too." Jaunt scratches his head in confusion before turning around to face the rest. "HEY TAKA! COME CHECK THIS OUT!! IT'S WEIRD AS ALL HELL DOWN THERE!"
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Taka ???:
Taka darts over at Jaunt's call, he leans himself over to look down at the ground below, "What in Ifrit's balls is going on down there?" his eye squints, trying to get a better glean on the situation, "And what about the person bound up?"
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Jaunt:
"They're not caring about him right now! Look at what they're doing!" Jaunt squints harder at the tree, leaning over as much as he felt safe doing so to get a better look. "Ain't that the bloody tree from the Reach's Precursor Dungeon?? What's it doing all the way over here?!" He yells, hoping Menja would remember it's presence. "Come on, we gotta take a closer look."
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Taka ???:
"I suppose i could do a flyover." Taka suggests, he motions with to his suit, "if we don't want to put the ship and everyone in danger."
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Jaunt:
"If you're willing." Jaunt raises a hand in response to Taka. "Let me give you a symbol as protection, if you're really doing it."
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Menja:
"You want to go near that tree?!" Menja's ears flatten. "Oh... what's it doing here?!"
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"Stray":
The repeated exclamations finally overwhelm Stray with curiosity. He inches himself towards the rails, dragging his belly across the ground and takes a look. "Woah," he breathes, nose twitching. "The hell is that?"
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Jaunt:
"It's a tree. Not a good one." Jaunt sighs. "It's not supposed to be here, is what it is, and whatever those men are finding, it can't be good either." His grip on the ship's railing only tightens as the airship hovers in the air. "Taka. I think you should descent to take a look. I can't be sure from here, but the last time we saw something similar like that tree, it was in a Precursor dungeon."
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"Stray":
"Pandora would know what it is," Stray mumbles to himself, ears straining while he squints down at the figures below. "Probably."
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Taka ???:
"Right. I'll go have a look then." Taka nods, and grabs his helmet, fitting it over his head, and looking for somewhere appropriate to dive down. "I suppose they should slow the ship for a moment..."
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Menja: "What about those bird guys?" Menja points at the four riders. "They don't exactly look very friendly."
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"Stray":
Stray flexes his fist, and thin slivers of bone push outward beneath the skin between each knuckle. They gleam sharp, like quills poised to launch. "I'll cover you if anything goes wrong," Stray promises, squinting down his nose at the figures.
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Jaunt:
The sight of Stray's bone flanks force a scowl to appear on Jaunt's face before the drahn quickly turns away.
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Menja:
"What are you gonna do? Dive bomb them with your fists?" Menja makes a show of spinning and throwing up sparkles. "Don't worry, Taka. I'll cover you with my Menjablasts."
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"Stray":
Stray makes an annoyed 'tch' sound, twisting away from any stray sparkles. He does not deign to reply.
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Taka ???:
"Okay." Taka nods to Sstray, he paces over to the cockpit, calling out to Jiroq, "Do you mind if we slow down for a moment." he asks "we've spotted something we want to check."
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Menja:
Menja pouts angrily at being ignored. Again.
"I gotta step up my game..."
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Jiroq:
Jiroq calls back, "Positive. I'll slow down, you guys should be able to land if you grab the slow-fall gear."
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Taka ???:
"I'll let everyone know, I'm going down on my own first." He replies confidently, "They'll be able to make their own call if they need to go down."
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Jaunt:
"Signal to us if you need help." Jaunt nods.
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Taka ???:
The helmeted Taka nods, not giving away any emotion to jaunt before the engines of his magitech suit light up and he rockets off the airship and down to the surface.
Diving down Taka keeps the sun at his back, using its glare to keep himself obscured, a favoured tactic of birds of prey in this region, and the irony isn’t lost on Taka as he does so. Eventually he draws himself close enough to have a better look at the situation but, not close enough to break his potentially fragile stealth.