Sam has a little back and forth with Ömertyr as he walks away from the rude and aggressive future-victims of of Nivara, saddened they were unwilling to accept help. He's a bit surprised to find he is walking back to the pack alone but so be it. He does nudge Dottie off his shoulder and instruct her to follow the party, that should allow him to keep track of them a bit... though only for a bit. His connection with the familiar does have it's limits. About 100 feet or so. But hopefully that'll be enough.
So Sam watches as the Rocs are stabled and closed behind doors, the party is led off to possibly similar treatment and the guards fidget about as if unsure what to do. Sam himself bounces his ball and waits...
Gewyn bites off a witty remark about the irony of having an open petty squabble about conducting oneself with military discipline, as he realizes contributing to the conversation would simply compound the irony. Instead he casts a silencing glare at both Vin and Muir to hopefully remind them that debating how to be taken seriously is not, in fact, the best way to be taken seriously.
He looks back and sees Sam wandering off. Realizing Sam's remark was not a gambit but rather a sincere surrender, Gewyn inwardly sighs. How am I one of the only adults here right now. That is hardly my role. He looks to Elthana for a sympathetic gesture, and then calls out, "Hey, Sam! We're headed to the core to meet with Shenoh. Just a heads up."
Elthana is stunned by the behavior of Vin and Muir and thinks back to the team she used to lead back with the Treasury. Apparently, they hadn't worked through how to approach these people enough before they arrived. When the beautiful winged creature finally acquiesces and lets them back, she smiles to Gewyn as he looks at her and then squats down to Dottie. "Think you could get Sam here with us? He doesn't need to stay in the pack on his own."
Muir takes note of the glances and looks “I don’t mind going and heading back to sit with Sam. No sense him sitting by himself and by the looks of it you’re well off here without me”
As Muir take a beat and the heads back vinghov doesn't stop walking. Chuckling slightly under his breath those still with him hear him mumble, "such dysfunction in a group, and apparently we need the help" and then scoff in disbelief.
As those still following vinghov walk down the tunnel, it takes quite a while, half an hour or so of walking before you all break through the mantle of the isle and descend to the hollow space within. A vast city covering every nook and cranny covers the entirety of the inside of this sphere, the distance to the other side is vast and obscured by a shining orb at the core acting as a kind of sun in the center. This army must be millions upon millions strong, "well here she is, the real Isle of shenoh, aside from Griff can any of you fly?"
When Gewyn throws Vin that look, he shrugs and mouths the word what? to convey that he had already shut it down. But when Muir excuses himself, he realises he has gone too far.
Crap!
He points a finger towards Muir, wondering if he should whisper an apology, but decides against it. He hadn't realised the loxodon was so sensitive. In fact, he was sure Muir had thicker skin than that, both figuratively and physically. It occurs to him that Muir never wanted to come here. Perhaps this was an easy excuse to follow his original instinct.
He hears Vinghov mutter under his breath, and doesn't rise to it. He couldn't argue.
Again, crap!
"It is often the case that families are dysfunctional, or so I have read. Perhaps that can happen to a group of strangers who become closer than mere comrades in arms", he wonders quietly and a little sadly, then turns from watching Muir leave and hurries along after Vinghov.
When they finally reach the inner core, and he sees the vast city, his jaw literally drops.
"Ok, credit where credit is due, this is impressive. Might I ask though, why do you need such a large army? I mean, I am glad you have one", he asks more respectfully now. "Oh, and I can fly", he says taking out Bry'ze. "I could give someone a lift too".
Dottie flaps her wings and lets out a moment of excited chattering which ends in a sudden and depressed little howl in response to Elthana's suggestion. The flying monkey then follows along with the group, sometimes jumping from place to place, sometimes instead using short bursts of flight, seldom sitting still on any surface for very long. Their communication with Sam is cut off relatively quickly as the party moves away... (If they move for half an hour then surely they're quickly more than 100ft away...)
Dottie chirps up and chatters excitedly again when one of the strangers ask if anyone can fly. Of course I can, Dottie seems to be relaying. I've been doing it all along! Duh!
Vinghov takes keen notice of Dottie, seeming both amused and pleased to see her, glancing down to vin and then back out in the vast city he takes a deep contemplative breath, "yes I suppose it is very wonderful, bringing new people in always brings a new perspective, I rarely take time to just admire it anymore... In answer to your question the army isn't really too necessary anymore, it's more of a way of life, we used to be a kind of training ground for military to be posted on all Isles and then... Well it was so long ago I can't remember what happened, but those on Akiin trained their own forces, and those on Gojiin went a little rogue, though that might not be an issue for much longer. Here though, the discipline and regime became second nature, something to be admired and worked towards, it keeps crime rates low and means we always have a force ready to help out those who are elderly or infirm. We still protect Duun and Ginro too. Though obviously for a price..."
Just then a soldier comes running up and gives the three stage salute to vinghov, who bows his head in return and allows the soldier to deliver whatever news they have. Vinghov bends down and the soldier whispers something in his ear before vinghov sighs and gives the soldier a nod, replying out loud with something in auran.
Elthana looks out on the vast landscape and wonders what other worlds look like. How just over a year ago she was so very focused on whatever assignment she was given and now with so many thoughts and feelings that have jumbled together in her head, sometimes she misses the single mindedness of it. She wishes Muir and Sam were with them, she isn't sure what Dottie said when she responded to her, but it obviously didn't work.
When Vin says he has room for one more, she takes a look at Gewyn to see if he is claiming this ride or what they were going to do as she sure didn't have the ability. After the whisper of the soldier, she looks to Griff to hopefully interpret what is going on.
Just as you all were getting used to Dottie being amongst you, the winged monkey disappears... (Exact timey-wimey of when is a bit fluid but "now" should be good enough since it's probably "early on" after the separation of the groups and nothing big has happened for you guys yet. Not that nothing big has happened with us either, just saying... Best Dottie disappear before something does.)
Griff answers Elthana with a widening of his eyes and a shrug, she would understand that anything he maybe over heard he wouldn't want to whisper to her in full view of Vinghov.
As Dottie disappears, Vinghov looks disappointed, or is it just sadness, either way the feeling passes quickly, and he lifts off the ground. Bry'ze excitedly flies up and out of the strap they had been chilling in under Vin's pack they do a flourishing loop de loop and, with deadly accuracy, slips between his legs lifting him up and catching hin off guard.
Ömertyr wastes no time and scoops Gewyn and 'Ira' depositing both of them precariously, one on each shoulder. Griff lifts off to and takes this chance, with vinghov's back turned to whisper to Elthana "saying something about Ginro scientists completing preparations"
With that the group begin to fly, over this impossible city and towards the shining core hovering at the center.
Vin mulls over Vinghov's answer about their military numbers, and the reason for having such a large standing army. It doesn't;t quite ring true, having a million soldiers to help the elderly cross the road. Such a force needs to be directed towards some goal, or it will be difficult to control.
And then Bry'ze suddenly lifts him off the ground taking the air from his lungs such is the surprise.
"Ok, ok. You act as though you haven't had a fly in ages", he says with a chuckle letting the broom have its 'legs' for little while.
After a minute or so, he starts to wonder what the message Vinghov received was, and so whispers the question to Griff.
Insight (on Vinghov regarding their military): 14+1=15
Gewyn shifts through a few different positions, trying to find the exact best way to casually yet gracefully slouch atop a giant's shoulder, and then he starts to hum a tune to himself. He sings a brief rendition of one of the child's tales he'd read from this realm, though the language seems to shift and morph through several shades of gibberish as the song continues. Then he returns to humming, content that without Sam and Muir present, he will at least be able to understand Ömertyr And anyone else speaking in a different language.
Those that are close enough and paying attention, hear Vin tell Bry'ze, "Keep it steady, Bry'ze. I am not going to be able to see for a while".
After that, his face goes pale and a haunted look crosses it.
When he snaps back to reality, he directs Bry'ze straight across to just behind Ömertyr, trying to make sure the giants head is between himself and Vinghov so he cannot hear what he says.
"We have to go back. Sam and Muir are deranged. Sam has set his rat pet on Muir, claiming he is not really Muir, and is too stubborn to listen to reason. Muir being the stubborn loxodon he is, refuses to resist and is letting it devour him. It's....horrific. We need to get Ömertyr to turn around, and let Vinghov know we need to get back, now. Even then, it will likely be too late", he says, obviously distraught and horrified by what he has seen.
As Vin approaches, he can see something is wrong with Elthana. She is just about to shout over to Gewyn when Vin positions himself behind Omertyr's head. She listens instead and is completely and utterly confused. "Yes, we need to turn back. Now. Vin, can you tell Vinghov? Gewyn, can you get Ometyr to turn? I um... I shouldn't be here."
Vin is shocked when Elthana doesn't quite react to what he says, but is already of similar mind. He doesn't stop to ask her though, if she sensed something wrong then something was wrong. A thought briefly occurs to him regarding the preparations the Ginro scientists were making, and how the timing of the report was a coincidence, but for now he just needed to get them headed back.
He directs Bry'ze to within shouting distance of Vinghov, "We need to go back. There are problems we need to urgently address". As he shouts he makes a circle motion with his hand and points back the way they came, hoping that would help make it clear, and then he turns back the way they came.
He looks over his shoulder to see Vinghov's reaction, not entirely trusting that he will let them go.
"wait. you argued and insisted on having an audience with shenoh, and now you're turning tail? What issues are more important than the entire plane as you had suggested. This is highly suspicious Vin." Vinghov states. The lack of wind in this enclosed sphere makes it much easier to talk between flying parties in contrast with the constant winds of the vast in Thaeir. As Vin turns around he sees a platoon if flying guards following them, at least twenty of them who were following at a distance.
Vin stops Bry'ze and slumps his shoulders as he sees the guards. Vinghov is right, from his point of view this does not look good. And regardless of Sam and Muir, Elthana seems desperate to leave.
He turns Bry'ze around and approaches Vinghov.
"You are right, and you have my apologies. I have heard from our companions that were left outside, and there has been an incident between them. You had no idea how right you were when you called us dysfunctional. But that is not your concern. If you allow Ira and Gewyn to return to the surface to resolve our internal issue, Griff and I will continue on with you. Ömertyr can make up his own mind, but he will need to return Ira and Gewyn to land. I hope this is satisfactory to you", he suggests, knowing Ira needs to leave and is likely the only one who can talk sense into Sam. She can't go alone, and if Gewyn remains, they will have no way of contacting him, so this was the only way forward he could see.
Vinghov sighs, "this was so much easier tricking you to come by your own volition." Vinghov turns to Ömertyr and shouts something over in giant. Ömertyr immediately looks angry but after a quick back and forth between them ömertyr seems irritable but sated, resigning him to the situation, The giant looks to vin expectantly. The group hears the names "Vox Tontritor", "Lumithor" and "Mori" mixed in with the giant language.
"You're coming with us, all of you, come quietly. We just need to ask you some questions." vinghov says to Vin, pulling out a set of manacles from his saddlebag as if offering vin the option.
“As you wish Vincent” Muir says nothing more and goe snack to being silent
Sam has a little back and forth with Ömertyr as he walks away from the rude and aggressive future-victims of of Nivara, saddened they were unwilling to accept help. He's a bit surprised to find he is walking back to the pack alone but so be it. He does nudge Dottie off his shoulder and instruct her to follow the party, that should allow him to keep track of them a bit... though only for a bit. His connection with the familiar does have it's limits. About 100 feet or so. But hopefully that'll be enough.
So Sam watches as the Rocs are stabled and closed behind doors, the party is led off to possibly similar treatment and the guards fidget about as if unsure what to do. Sam himself bounces his ball and waits...
Gewyn bites off a witty remark about the irony of having an open petty squabble about conducting oneself with military discipline, as he realizes contributing to the conversation would simply compound the irony. Instead he casts a silencing glare at both Vin and Muir to hopefully remind them that debating how to be taken seriously is not, in fact, the best way to be taken seriously.
He looks back and sees Sam wandering off. Realizing Sam's remark was not a gambit but rather a sincere surrender, Gewyn inwardly sighs. How am I one of the only adults here right now. That is hardly my role. He looks to Elthana for a sympathetic gesture, and then calls out, "Hey, Sam! We're headed to the core to meet with Shenoh. Just a heads up."
Elthana is stunned by the behavior of Vin and Muir and thinks back to the team she used to lead back with the Treasury. Apparently, they hadn't worked through how to approach these people enough before they arrived. When the beautiful winged creature finally acquiesces and lets them back, she smiles to Gewyn as he looks at her and then squats down to Dottie. "Think you could get Sam here with us? He doesn't need to stay in the pack on his own."
Muir takes note of the glances and looks “I don’t mind going and heading back to sit with Sam. No sense him sitting by himself and by the looks of it you’re well off here without me”
As Muir take a beat and the heads back vinghov doesn't stop walking. Chuckling slightly under his breath those still with him hear him mumble, "such dysfunction in a group, and apparently we need the help" and then scoff in disbelief.
As those still following vinghov walk down the tunnel, it takes quite a while, half an hour or so of walking before you all break through the mantle of the isle and descend to the hollow space within. A vast city covering every nook and cranny covers the entirety of the inside of this sphere, the distance to the other side is vast and obscured by a shining orb at the core acting as a kind of sun in the center. This army must be millions upon millions strong, "well here she is, the real Isle of shenoh, aside from Griff can any of you fly?"
When Gewyn throws Vin that look, he shrugs and mouths the word what? to convey that he had already shut it down. But when Muir excuses himself, he realises he has gone too far.
Crap!
He points a finger towards Muir, wondering if he should whisper an apology, but decides against it. He hadn't realised the loxodon was so sensitive. In fact, he was sure Muir had thicker skin than that, both figuratively and physically. It occurs to him that Muir never wanted to come here. Perhaps this was an easy excuse to follow his original instinct.
He hears Vinghov mutter under his breath, and doesn't rise to it. He couldn't argue.
Again, crap!
"It is often the case that families are dysfunctional, or so I have read. Perhaps that can happen to a group of strangers who become closer than mere comrades in arms", he wonders quietly and a little sadly, then turns from watching Muir leave and hurries along after Vinghov.
When they finally reach the inner core, and he sees the vast city, his jaw literally drops.
"Ok, credit where credit is due, this is impressive. Might I ask though, why do you need such a large army? I mean, I am glad you have one", he asks more respectfully now. "Oh, and I can fly", he says taking out Bry'ze. "I could give someone a lift too".
Dottie flaps her wings and lets out a moment of excited chattering which ends in a sudden and depressed little howl in response to Elthana's suggestion. The flying monkey then follows along with the group, sometimes jumping from place to place, sometimes instead using short bursts of flight, seldom sitting still on any surface for very long. Their communication with Sam is cut off relatively quickly as the party moves away... (If they move for half an hour then surely they're quickly more than 100ft away...)
Dottie chirps up and chatters excitedly again when one of the strangers ask if anyone can fly. Of course I can, Dottie seems to be relaying. I've been doing it all along! Duh!
Vinghov takes keen notice of Dottie, seeming both amused and pleased to see her, glancing down to vin and then back out in the vast city he takes a deep contemplative breath, "yes I suppose it is very wonderful, bringing new people in always brings a new perspective, I rarely take time to just admire it anymore... In answer to your question the army isn't really too necessary anymore, it's more of a way of life, we used to be a kind of training ground for military to be posted on all Isles and then... Well it was so long ago I can't remember what happened, but those on Akiin trained their own forces, and those on Gojiin went a little rogue, though that might not be an issue for much longer. Here though, the discipline and regime became second nature, something to be admired and worked towards, it keeps crime rates low and means we always have a force ready to help out those who are elderly or infirm. We still protect Duun and Ginro too. Though obviously for a price..."
Just then a soldier comes running up and gives the three stage salute to vinghov, who bows his head in return and allows the soldier to deliver whatever news they have. Vinghov bends down and the soldier whispers something in his ear before vinghov sighs and gives the soldier a nod, replying out loud with something in auran.
Elthana looks out on the vast landscape and wonders what other worlds look like. How just over a year ago she was so very focused on whatever assignment she was given and now with so many thoughts and feelings that have jumbled together in her head, sometimes she misses the single mindedness of it. She wishes Muir and Sam were with them, she isn't sure what Dottie said when she responded to her, but it obviously didn't work.
When Vin says he has room for one more, she takes a look at Gewyn to see if he is claiming this ride or what they were going to do as she sure didn't have the ability. After the whisper of the soldier, she looks to Griff to hopefully interpret what is going on.
Just as you all were getting used to Dottie being amongst you, the winged monkey disappears... (Exact timey-wimey of when is a bit fluid but "now" should be good enough since it's probably "early on" after the separation of the groups and nothing big has happened for you guys yet. Not that nothing big has happened with us either, just saying... Best Dottie disappear before something does.)
Griff answers Elthana with a widening of his eyes and a shrug, she would understand that anything he maybe over heard he wouldn't want to whisper to her in full view of Vinghov.
As Dottie disappears, Vinghov looks disappointed, or is it just sadness, either way the feeling passes quickly, and he lifts off the ground. Bry'ze excitedly flies up and out of the strap they had been chilling in under Vin's pack they do a flourishing loop de loop and, with deadly accuracy, slips between his legs lifting him up and catching hin off guard.
Ömertyr wastes no time and scoops Gewyn and 'Ira' depositing both of them precariously, one on each shoulder. Griff lifts off to and takes this chance, with vinghov's back turned to whisper to Elthana "saying something about Ginro scientists completing preparations"
With that the group begin to fly, over this impossible city and towards the shining core hovering at the center.
Vin mulls over Vinghov's answer about their military numbers, and the reason for having such a large standing army. It doesn't;t quite ring true, having a million soldiers to help the elderly cross the road. Such a force needs to be directed towards some goal, or it will be difficult to control.
And then Bry'ze suddenly lifts him off the ground taking the air from his lungs such is the surprise.
"Ok, ok. You act as though you haven't had a fly in ages", he says with a chuckle letting the broom have its 'legs' for little while.
After a minute or so, he starts to wonder what the message Vinghov received was, and so whispers the question to Griff.
Insight (on Vinghov regarding their military): 14+1=15
Gewyn shifts through a few different positions, trying to find the exact best way to casually yet gracefully slouch atop a giant's shoulder, and then he starts to hum a tune to himself. He sings a brief rendition of one of the child's tales he'd read from this realm, though the language seems to shift and morph through several shades of gibberish as the song continues. Then he returns to humming, content that without Sam and Muir present, he will at least be able to understand Ömertyr And anyone else speaking in a different language.
Those that are close enough and paying attention, hear Vin tell Bry'ze, "Keep it steady, Bry'ze. I am not going to be able to see for a while".
After that, his face goes pale and a haunted look crosses it.
When he snaps back to reality, he directs Bry'ze straight across to just behind Ömertyr, trying to make sure the giants head is between himself and Vinghov so he cannot hear what he says.
"We have to go back. Sam and Muir are deranged. Sam has set his rat pet on Muir, claiming he is not really Muir, and is too stubborn to listen to reason. Muir being the stubborn loxodon he is, refuses to resist and is letting it devour him. It's....horrific. We need to get Ömertyr to turn around, and let Vinghov know we need to get back, now. Even then, it will likely be too late", he says, obviously distraught and horrified by what he has seen.
As Vin approaches, he can see something is wrong with Elthana. She is just about to shout over to Gewyn when Vin positions himself behind Omertyr's head. She listens instead and is completely and utterly confused. "Yes, we need to turn back. Now. Vin, can you tell Vinghov? Gewyn, can you get Ometyr to turn? I um... I shouldn't be here."
Vin is shocked when Elthana doesn't quite react to what he says, but is already of similar mind. He doesn't stop to ask her though, if she sensed something wrong then something was wrong. A thought briefly occurs to him regarding the preparations the Ginro scientists were making, and how the timing of the report was a coincidence, but for now he just needed to get them headed back.
He directs Bry'ze to within shouting distance of Vinghov, "We need to go back. There are problems we need to urgently address". As he shouts he makes a circle motion with his hand and points back the way they came, hoping that would help make it clear, and then he turns back the way they came.
He looks over his shoulder to see Vinghov's reaction, not entirely trusting that he will let them go.
"wait. you argued and insisted on having an audience with shenoh, and now you're turning tail? What issues are more important than the entire plane as you had suggested. This is highly suspicious Vin." Vinghov states. The lack of wind in this enclosed sphere makes it much easier to talk between flying parties in contrast with the constant winds of the vast in Thaeir. As Vin turns around he sees a platoon if flying guards following them, at least twenty of them who were following at a distance.
Vin stops Bry'ze and slumps his shoulders as he sees the guards. Vinghov is right, from his point of view this does not look good. And regardless of Sam and Muir, Elthana seems desperate to leave.
He turns Bry'ze around and approaches Vinghov.
"You are right, and you have my apologies. I have heard from our companions that were left outside, and there has been an incident between them. You had no idea how right you were when you called us dysfunctional. But that is not your concern. If you allow Ira and Gewyn to return to the surface to resolve our internal issue, Griff and I will continue on with you. Ömertyr can make up his own mind, but he will need to return Ira and Gewyn to land. I hope this is satisfactory to you", he suggests, knowing Ira needs to leave and is likely the only one who can talk sense into Sam. She can't go alone, and if Gewyn remains, they will have no way of contacting him, so this was the only way forward he could see.
Vinghov sighs, "this was so much easier tricking you to come by your own volition." Vinghov turns to Ömertyr and shouts something over in giant. Ömertyr immediately looks angry but after a quick back and forth between them ömertyr seems irritable but sated, resigning him to the situation, The giant looks to vin expectantly. The group hears the names "Vox Tontritor", "Lumithor" and "Mori" mixed in with the giant language.
"You're coming with us, all of you, come quietly. We just need to ask you some questions." vinghov says to Vin, pulling out a set of manacles from his saddlebag as if offering vin the option.