“Personal business.” Kali answers dryly. “I also got to make a pit stop for our dear ol’ captain and get her some relaxant as it seems dealing with a rag tag bunch of people is already getting the best of her.” The brunette laughs, and passes a hand dismissively. “Is there anything else you wanted before I head off, Carrhae? Misha?”

Carrhae smiles, shakes her head no, and waves goodbye to Kali.

Misha said nothing, lost in thought, and watched Kali leave. After a few moments, she turned to Carrhae, walked over to her with her usual smile, and put her hand on her shoulder. “How are you feeling comrade kapitan?”

Carrhae shrugs her shoulders. "A bit sluggish, but none the worse for wear. Right now I'd just like to sit down and watch the sunset " She pats the ground next to her, inviting Misha to join her.

Misha, ever obedient, takes a seat next to Carrhae. 

“One of most amazing theengs I see on thees world is the way the sun sets and rises..the colors it makes sky. It ees very deefrent from Acheron, don’t you theenk? We have no star we orbit, only..well..” she trailed off, failing to find the words.

"It's very different. It was one of the things I missed. The shade of blue the sky is at the height of the day. The mixture of red and violet during the morning and evenings. Looking up at night and seeing the moon and a full set of stars. I'm grateful that the Acheronians saved me and I value the time we spent together, but there were days when I would've given anything just to see the skies for a day."

Misha remained quiet while Carrhae spoke. She stared off into the horizon and was contemplative. 

"Looking at sky, can see why you feel dat way, comrade. Am sorry you were away for so long. But, eet was required." she said. "I would geev anything for peace among my peeple." she said. "Nearly all of my kind only know a life of war. And fewer steel get chence to leave homeworld to see other places." she smiled softly and sighed. "But.. I was not made to weesh or to want. Only to comply. I know nothing else."

Sana sits bolt upright as she comes to a realization. "The cannon rope," she says. "I didn't finish! Excuse me," she says to the others as she stands, collecting her cards. "I'm going to go make sure the guns don't go flying off the ship the first time we shoot them." She grins and waves, heading up the stairs to the deck. She waves at Carrhae and Misha as she passes, then finishes tying the securement rope she left half-undone, humming a quiet tune.

Carrhae was familiar with the way things worked on Acheron. When she asked Taetanicus why they saved her and what she was training for, the only response she got was an extended silence that was eventually followed by "Because it is Bane's Will." She didn't get anything more than that, but it was enough to let her know that Bane's Will was reason enough in Acheron. And while she couldn't see his face, the way Taetanicus stared at her gave her the impression that he was perplexed at her inquiry, as if no one had ever done anything other than comply before she had arrived in Acheron. And no one will ever do so again. "I'm sorry that your people are always at war. Perhaps our mission might help bring peace?" She asks hopefully.  "Well, it sounds like you're the lucky one. You got to come here and be with us. You get the chance to have desires." 

Carrhae waves at Sana as she runs up and ties the cannons down. "Do you want to watch the sunset with us when you're done with that?"

Sana nods, yanking the rope tight as she finishes the knot. "Sure! I always enjoy watching it, although it's even lovelier when you're on the open ocean." She grins and sits next to the two women, her hair shortening so that it's no longer in her eyes and turning the color of Carrhae's.

"My people have been at war since the dawn of creation. My homeland is all I know, all I love. I weel do what I can to try and stop Hell from eets assault. I weel do my part. Do what I was programmed to do." Misha said, quietly, but proudly. "I am not sure eef I am to be called..lucky, Kapitan. But, I DO feel honored to be weeth you again, and to make new friends. Bane has a plan. I trust heem. Just as I trust you." 

She thought about what Carrhae said. About desire. Am I allowed, Lord General, to pursue my desires? Even if they do not fall in line with Your wishes? 

"Since emerging from the Genesis Chambers, everything in my code has been meticulously programmed and predestined to exact specifications. While blessed by Him with free weel, theengs were left out. I do not feel everything you feel. I lack certain..emotional luxuries..and have other things strengthened. Bane will look over me, guide my hand. He is my Master. To question Him is to invite doubt. But..watching sunset takes mind to other places, like, thankful to be created to see such beauty in other places. It ees reminder that, while back home, destruction and fighting reign, there could be so much more to life."

Noticing Sana approach, she made room for her, and smiled at her.

After a moment, she looked back to the horizon, closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and exhaled, lost in the beauty she rarely got to see.

I hope that I prove worthy of your trust, my friend. Carrhae occasionally envied Misha, who didn't have the capacity to doubt. She had always had her doubts, dating back to when she was assigned to work to save the delegates and stop the cultists. She had questioned her worth at times, wondering whether someone with her lack of experience wasn't out of her depth in a mission that far reaching. But then she was rescued and taken to Acheron when she was on the brink of death and even though she didn't worship Bane, the war against Hell was a cause she could get behind and she felt that if Sune didn't want her to go to Acheron, she would have snatched her right up. And after all, I was placed in the care of Misha, the most beauteous of Bane's creations. Carrhae contemplates saying something else, but declines to do so, simply allowing herself to experience the moment with her friends.

Kali gave the two women a wave before heading to her quarters to grab her signature red coat and hat and set off to the streets of Waterdeep. The hybrid had weaved her way easily through the nightlife bustle of the docks, giving greetings to familiar faces when she passed by and getting curious looks to those who don't normally hand around the area (returning them with a smile). It was clear to those about her that she was on a mission and did not want to be caught up in idle chatter, but of course that wouldn't stop the occasional drunkard to hobble in front of her and try to grab the brunette's attention, which never worked, as they would be met with an irritated look as she kept walking.

Thankfully she knew the place she was heading to wasn't too far, and she found herself at the location in question relatively quickly, a brisk fifteen minute walk at most from where the Belle was docked. She looked up at the small wooden building sandwiched between two larger brick made structures before heading up the steps and knocking on the door.

After Kali gave an empty apology for ruining the woman's date (or entire night for that matter), she walked back to the Belle in silence, focusing on breathing as the drug now coursed itself through her veins. Once she successfully finds herself back on the ship (not paying mind to anyone on the top deck), she heads into her quarters and searches for her pipe.

When Kali walked by without saying a word, Carrhae didn't stop her. Part of it was because she was nice and comfortable between Misha and Sana, the other because Kali's business was Kali's business. She respected Carrhae's personal details, so Carrhae would do the same. And besides, she could ask for her Bloom Nocturne tomorrow.

THE GREAT ACHERONIAN CODEX
SUBJECT: THE GENESIS CHAMBERS
SECURITY CLEARANCE: CLASSIFIED
PAGE: ONE

"Brave are those who know everything, yet fear nothing."
- Legion Commander Taetanicus, Lord of the Primes

When the cosmos was very young, a great war began among two civilizations bent on conquering the other. The militaristic society of Acheron versus the organized legions of Hell. For over countless Eons, the warriors of both sides knew nothing else but that there was only war, and since time immemorial both sides waxed and waned during the conflict. Asmodeus was clever and tenacious, but by Bane's Command, for one brief moment in time, the scales were tipped. Technology was appropriated from a vast array of conquered worlds Acheron crushed, and armed with magic and science, new Acheronian technology was created that allowed the design of life: The Genesis Chambers.

The Genesis Chambers were massive biological creation vats that served one purpose: the creation of specific forms of life based on algorithmic and magical properties coded in by Provost Anabaptists. Thus, on that fateful day, legions of warriors were able to be created at a fantastic rate with specific genetic outcomes. Upon Bane's Command, when he decreed the creation of the Prime Paladins, Bane gave one drop of blood to the Anabaptists and this precious ingredient was forevermore used as a Primer for future creation of Prime Paladins.

All creations that emerged from the Genesis Chambers were newborns. Ordinary Acheronian warriors, both male and female, had various specifications based on the role they were meant to fulfill, but Prime Paladins had different specifications. While also emerged as newborns, both male and female, they are created with a different set of programming based on the very genetic code of The Lord General and Tyrant. They grow faster, stronger, able to perform more fantastic feats of strength or mental wonders, based on their destiny. So powerful, only one thousand Prime Paladins were made. Some notable Prime Paladins include: Athanasius Innokenti, Yevgeniy Kolya, and Anzhelika Katenka. Only one time in the history of the Prime Paladins did one defy their programming, betray their own, and defect, stripped of all glory and honor: Praxia Matyev the Betrayer. Her name is not spoken on Acheron, and her location is unknown.

An ignorant Acheronian is a danger to himself; a learned Acheronian is a danger to all. To lack conviction is to invite defeat. To question is to doubt.

Carrhae was getting tired, but she wanted to stay up to greet the moon. And so she did. Four years on Acheron had strengthened her will to the point where she could press on past the weaknesses of her physical form. So, she kept her eyelids from drooping and saw the moon take its rightful place in the sky. Her goal accomplished, Carrhae allowed herself to drift off to sleep, slumping over between the two women.

Misha was careful to make sure Carrhae didn't bang her head, or that she had support while she was sleeping. One of the perks of Acheronian genetic programming was, obviously, a near immunity to alcohol poisoning, and the lack to need to sleep very much, if at all.

So, she stayed awake, and praised her creator, Bane, for allowing her to see such a wonderful celestial event.

"Eet is beautiful, Sana, no?" she breathed.

Sana nods. "Yes, she's lovely," she agrees softly as she supports the blond carefully.

Misha blinked and smiled, giving Sana a quick glance of amusement..but said nothing to correct Sana, who obviously didnt realize Misha was talking about the sunset.

But, to be fair, she wasent wrong. 

Sana sighs and settles back somewhat, the colors of the sunset racing through her hair, skin and eyes, creating an almost hypnotizing pattern of color.