Lady Marigold was having a rather interesting night. During the day's exploration her crew had found quite a few unique odds and ends which would not only fetch a pretty penny but further solve the mysteries she desired. Better still, none of them had been injured. Between the merry making and sorting of their new goods, the crew were all still wide awake despite being the middle of the night. The lady was no exception and watched over them all like a hawk. While she trusted the lot, she also knew they were a mischievous bunch who were too daring for their own good and would go quite the distance for a good laugh. Of all things however, what she did not expect was a flying machine to arrive. The black armoured ship with wings spread wide like a bird created quite the noise as it landed and the Lady was the first to greet it despite the potential dangers.
Before the door had even fully opened she was in front of the machine and eyeing it with a thirst she hadn't felt in years, "Oh dear I want one." It was only after she caressed the black steel when she turned to those exiting it. "And of course it's you lot that bought it here."
"Lady Marigold," Kyle bowed his head politely.
The older lady pretended to flush, "My Kyle, you certainly are dressing quite nicely these days. Give me some time with your hair and I could make you even more of a star."
"Umm thank you," Kyle replied unsure how to feel about the complement.
"No I should thank you!" the boisterous lady smiled. "And here I thought you didn't get my message."
"Your message?"
"Hmm, is that not why you're here?" she raised her brow. "I called on the usual line but no one answered so I left a message. Then I guess this is a happy coincidence. Though I expect you're the one in need now."
"You could say that," Kyle said. "We have someone injured and if we could, we'd like to talk privately."
"No problem, pull them out." Lillia and Valandus came out with Reina on a stretcher causing Lady Marigold to widen her eyes, "Reina? Oh dear how did this happen?"
Valandus answered, "It's better we go somewhere secure."
"Of course," the Lady immediately began to lead the way and bark orders to her crew as they shuffled around, many of them still in awe of the airship.
Kyle lingered by the ship as one of its occupants still hadn't come out, "Melissa are you coming?"
"Umm yeah," the young women poked her head out hesitantly. Her eyes locked onto Lady Marigold and ensuring that the older lady was not looking her way she stepped from the ship and let the door close.
"Is something wrong?" Kyle had to ask at her obviously shady behaviour.
"Lady Marigold and I have some... 'history'," Melissa began guiltily. "Before I worked for the Hero's Guard, in my wilder days, she and I crossed paths and well, we never really settled what happened."
"Now's a good chance, it can't have been that bad right?"
"Ugh... it was that bad." She shook herself and slapped her cheeks, "But don't worry it was in the past so we're good. Let's do this."
They followed after the group and made it to a large tent that bordered on being a proper building. The inside was clean and well-kept with plenty of equipment and beds. Though no one else occupied any, several trained doctors were on standby.
"Lay Reina down over here and we'll get her checked up," Lady Marigold. "You can trust my crew, they're some of the best."
"We know," Valandus smirked. "You poached quite a few from us."
"Well great minds do think alike," she laughed. "Now before we head to my quarters, is miss assassin over there okay? She's acting quite shy."
"Assassin?" Kyle and Lillia both looked to where Lady Marigold had indicated only to see Melissa.
The women hid her face behind her hands, "I-I don't do that anymore. I'm sorry about before."
"Ah it's in the past," Lady Marigold bushed her anxiousness away. "Plenty of people have tried to kill me. Mind you, you came exceptionally close but it's nice to see you mellowed out."
Both Kyle and Lillia couldn't believe their ears as Valandus simply smiled, "We in the Hero's Guard come from the best of the best. Don't mind it. Why do you think we call the Captain, Captain? He used to be a pirate."
"What?" Kyle and Lillia spat.
"No of course not," he laughed only to groan as his wounded side flared. "Captain is an orthodox guy. Reina's a bit of a story but she'd kill me if I said anything." He turned to Lady Marigold, "Anyway, we have quite a bit to discuss and it'll take some time. What did you call us for? It might be better if we take a look at that first."
Lady Marigold nodded in understanding but also held a complicated expression, "Well it ain't easy that's for sure. Thing is we found some people, a pair actually."
"What, did you find them in the fog?" Valandus scoffed.
"Exactly that my fine 2nd Officer," it wasn't a joke as her expression showed the serious nature.
"You're kidding me...." The driver gaped. "And they're alive?"
"Very much so, the two are enjoying a nice beer in the mess tent."
Kyle couldn't remain still, knowing what the fog was, his curiosity broke free, "Can we meet them? Did they say who they were? Where did you find them?"
"Settle down," the Lady calmed him as did Lillia who stood beside him. "We found them a few hours ago. They say they're from another sweeper crew far to the north, gave a name and everything but, the name they gave hasn't been active for a good twenty years. The fog can do some trippy things to you, so we're keeping it quiet while we watch them. Hence why I called."
"Well you certainly made the right choice," Valandus scratched his head. "Though with our current predicament I'm not sure how much we can do. We'll check them out briefly, mostly to sate Kyle's curiosity. Seriously you look like you're going to explode."
"Ah, sorry," Kyle closed his eyes and breathed concentrating on the feeling of Lillia who stuck close by him. "Okay let's go."
"Not yet," the driver looked to Melissa. "You armed?"
"Always am," she responded easily.
Lillia stepped in, "Wait, we're not going to fight them are we?"
"This could be another trap." Valandus checked the pistol he had taken from the airship, "We're just being careful and so should you."
Lady Marigold led the way to the mess tent. Again the structure of the tent was semi-permanent and made up one of the largest within the campsite. Though the walls were made form thick cloth, the material itself had been enchanted to block out more than just the environment. Supported from within by large wooden poles, the tent had a jolly atmosphere as the tables that lined the space were laden with drink and many of the sweeper crew. Despite the late night they still hadn't settled down.
"So where's our lucky pair?" Valandus asked as he eyed them from the entrance.
"Looks like the young lass isn't around but there's your guy," Lady Marigold pointed to the centre table which was full to capacity. "The one with the black hair." The man stood out from the crowd. To say his hair was simply black was an injustice to the depth of its colour. Though sitting, it was easy to tell the man was quite tall and packed with lean muscle. His eyes, a very dark brown, had a relaxed glint to them making him seem quite lethargic, but the smile he toted proved otherwise as the men and women around him were charmed by his features.
"Oh wow," Melissa blushed. "If our situation was better I'd totally go for him."
"Cool it," Valandus frowned at her. "Sure he's handsome but it's not like he's that great, right Ky-." Before he could finish Kyle had already stepped forward, his eyes wide.
"Riften?" at first the sound of his voice was barely audible but as Kyle came closer, so did his voice boom in a mixture of excitement and nerves. "Riften!"
Kyle's voice caught the attention of everyone within the tent, but none more so than the black haired man who froze. He looked up and seeing the white haired boy stood suddenly. With graceful ease he escaped his seat and approached Kyle mouth agape.
"It can't be... Est-. No wait," the man who had come closer let out a piercing gaze towards Kyle as he scanned him up and down, settling on his chest with severe intensity.
On instinct Kyle covered the area with his arms, "W-where do you think you're looking at you perv!"
"No well, I thought you might Estile but well her chest was... you know, and your chest is basically fla-."
The might of the slap that resounded was enough to shake the tent as loose paper flung into the air. Kyle had flashed forward and hand extended, slammed the man into the ground, smashing his head into the wooden boards.
The man however recovered quickly and laughed, "Nope, it's definitely you!" He grinned as if the slap had never happened. "God I never thought I'd see one of us ever again."
Kyle opened his arms and the two hugged, "It's good to see you too Riften."
"I always dreamt of hugging one of us again like this, but I thought I'd never get the chance. Truth be told in my dream the hug with you felt nicer but-."
"Riften, you're talking a lot of crap for someone who's within slapping range."
"Sorry, I'll just enjoy the moment." The two eventually separated and Riften wiped a tear from his eyes. "Wow, look at me getting all sentimental. Anyway what's with you, you look... different."
"I'm still in my transitioning period," Kyle replied as his mind finally caught back with his actions. The entire act had felt like he was on auto play but now having a chance to calm down he became acutely aware of the staring people around them.
"Right," Riften nodded. "So you're still growing. That makes sense."
"Yeah...."
Valandus who had been watching incredibly confused stepped forward, "Okay hold up! Kyle you know him?"
Riften choked, "Oh my god, did he- did he call you Kyle? Your name is Kyle?"
Kyle pointed at him annoyed, "Just shut up, you can blame Ar-." He stopped himself, "We should talk but not right here."
"Hello!" Valandus waved, "I asked a question."
"Yes I know him," Kyle answered with a tender smile. "He's suspicious as they come but he's a good guy."
Lillia stepped closer, her eyes plastered to Riften, judging if he was a threat, "Kyle is he who I think he might be?"
Before Kyle could answer Riften's eyes lit up again, "Lav is that-. No, I'm sorry." He sighed, "You're one of the Garden children aren't you?"
Lillia blinked surprised, "You know about us?"
Kyle also turned to him, "You know about them?"
The black haired man took a moment to look around, "Actually what you said before was right, we should talk somewhere else. Don't want to put on an unpaid show after all." He looked to Lady Marigold and bowed his head, "My lady, could we please use your office?"
"Well of course," she smiled. "We were planning to take you there ourselves. We'll pick up your companion on the way." Leading the way she gestured for the others to follow.
For a moment Valandus stood alone in the tent, "Am I invisible?"
A swift knock rapped against his head as Melissa appeared with a tart in her mouth, "No you're just unimportant. Now come on before we miss out on the mystery."
"I better get overtime for this," the driver sighed and shuffled after them.