<div></div><br> <br>A startled cry, and a darting shape. The crowd parts as something moves through it at a rapid pace. It's small enough to not be easily visible from a distance, though its effect on the crowd is like a ship through water, eventually veering off into an alleyway.<br> <br>Selena paces out of her abode at the sound of the disturbance, looking over the crowd with a quiet sigh and muttering something to herself, glancing around the alley for a moment and tapping one of the passers-by. "What did I just miss..?" She asks with a hint of lethargy on her tone.<br> <br>From the direction of the river, there's a badger making his way home down the path when he hears the cry and sees some swift movement in his peripheral vision. Cedric raises an eyebrow as he wanders over towards the source of the commotion, still damp from his swim. He notices Selena wandering over at about the same time, and offers a little wave. "What happened? I thought I heard some kinda noise."<br> <br>Having been on patrol nearby, a certain noble fox blinks at the disturbance in the crowd. Ictus hmms as he follows the trail to the allyway, starting to hide in the evening shadows as he looks around<br> <br>Following the trail to the alley is not too difficult. Some people are pausing, looking in that direction, while others press onwards. No one seems entirely sure what they're reacting to. The alley is dimly lit, with deep shadows hiding what may be hiding within.<br> <br>The rattle of her plate-mail announces Rixo's presence briefly before the panda, herself, makes her way onto the scene. "What's all this about? More of a disturbance than I'm used to over here." Her helmet is tucked under her arm, for the time being, as she glances among the crowd.<br> <br>Selena sighs, shaking her head disappointedly as she moves off immediately down that 'trail' with a quick wave to Ictus, Cedric and Rixo with a brief smile, a flick of her hand bringing a few flickering flames into existance to light up the alley.<br> <br>Cedric nods as the flames lights up the alley, and turns his head to look around for any clues that may have been illuminated by them. "Hmm..."<br> <br>Light spills out into the darkness, banishing the shadows closest to Selena. A small figure shrinks behind a box, a boot or shoe of some sort shrinking out of sight.<br> <br>Ictus nods to Selena as she arrives and chuckles at the balls of flame, "Well, that's one way to flush them out." as he looks towards the box and hmms as hje approaches, "What do we have here?"<br> <br>Rixo leans on the wall of one of the buildings, just behind the others. "I'm kind of curious, myself. Whatever it was, it was moving pretty quickly. A thief, maybe? I didn't hear much of the shouting that usually comes with such a happening."<br> <br>Selena looks back to the fox and then the box. "Yes, what indeed. I can safely say it isn't Arimia." She jokes, looking over to Rixo. "I'd like to hope not." She replies, looking over near the box. "Hey, are you all right back there?" The wolfess queries, moving over to the box cautiously.<br> <br>Wulf is a bit late to the party, but she supposes thats fine. Being in the back meant she could ensure the zippy thing didn't slip by. "Sorry I'm late."<br> <br>A short figure suddenly bursts out from hiding. It's wearing very strange clothing. No cotton of local manufacture, that's for certain, and such bright colors! Its hands are covered in white gloves and a hood flaps about its head, concealing it as it dashes away with a squeak.<br> <br>Cedric stretches his arms out as he glances in the direction of the figure, a little surprised at its sudden departure from hiding. "H-hey, wait!" the badger shouts after the squeaky being before running after it without much hesitation.<br> <br>Rixo rubs her neck and sighs before jogging after Cedric at  a more relaxed speed. "We're not going to hurt you or anything!" A moment of pondering and she adds, under her breath, "I think."<br> <br>Ictus looks to Selena and sighs, "Likely the case though..." he then blinks at the being and shakes his head as he chases after with Cedric, "Stop!" as he works to catch the being<br> <br>Selena blinks as the figure takes off, a little dazzled by the bright clothing. "Well. Hey Wulf." She greets the husky as she arrives. She doesn't attempt to run after the small figure as Cedric moves off, but she does follow the pair.<br> <br>Getting a hand on a shoulder, Cedric sends the small figure spinning around. The hood whips free, flopping onto... her... back. A child, bare of flesh, with no snout to speak of. She squeals when held and begins speaking animatedly in a strange tongue, frantic and frightened. It sounds similar to the common tongue, but off.<br> <br>Wulf tips her imaginary hat at Selena and dashes off to help Cedric and Ictus to catch the speedster. "Wait up there you!" as she catches up she slows to a halt, staring at the child with interest. "That in the creators name..."<br> <br>Cedric blinks a few times after the hood falls, unable to understand any of the being's odd rambling. "Er... hi? Can you understand what I'm saying?" the badger asks, quickly adding, "Cause I don't understand a word you're saying." he then notices the bare flesh and the lack of a snout, and releases the female being's shoulder, to try and show her he doesn't intend to hurt her.<br> <br>If she was curious before, she's fascinated, now. Rixo rubs her eyes with the hem of her cloak just to make sure it's not some kind of trick of the eye. "You're...  Well. This was unexpected. Can't say I've ever seen anything quite like you. Interesting!"<br> <br>Ictus sighs as Cedric catches the being first and shrugs, then he blinks at the child with a shake of his head, "What...?" his eyes go wide then, "A... A creator? Here? Why? What is she doing this far from the camp?"<br> <br>Selena blinks as the being begins to talk, shaking her head. "First tongue, I'll bet." She comments simply as she comes up to the others, looking back to the child with a quiet sigh. "Could you speak slowly?" The wolfess asks the child, tilting her head slightly - though not asking the same questions as the others to be sure. Ictus and Rixo's comments are met with a shrug. "Let's not crowd her. Children are curious; that's all the reason they need to wander about."<br> <br>The child bounces back a step or two, looking between all those present. When not being held, she seems to calm, taking a few breaths,  then trying again, slower. Most of the words are either archaic, or just... wrong... As if she were simply taught badly, or were from a land so distant, the accent rendered it night intelligible. 'Hello' comes through at least. She puts a hand on her chest, 'Juliana', then repeats the gesture and word again.<br> <br>Wulf backs up a bit and twitches her nose curiously. "Your name is Juliana? Can you understand us little girl?" The Husky crouches  to the ground to get more to eye level with her. "Your awfully fast."<br> <br>Ictus nods to Selena in agreement as he takes a step back, "Err... Hello." as she introduces herself, or at least that's what he assumes, "Ictus." as he repeats the gesture<br> <br>Cedric nods to the little creator girl. "Well, hello Juliana.  Um... sorry about chasing you, I just wanted to make sure you were okay. Are you lost?" he asks, crouching down slightly so that he's speaking to the girl at her own height.<br> <br>Rixo just offers a shrug. She's not so good with children, but she places a gauntleted hand on her chest. "Rixo. Nice to... Meet you?" She shrugs again and gives a polite bow, completing her greeting, before she takes a step back to give the child space.<br> <br>Mirroring the gestures, Selena introduces herself. "Hello, Juliana. I'm Selena." The wolfess does give the child a few moments more of an appraising look before she turns to Wulf. "Well, we'll see. I have the feeling she's not fluent in our language." She replies, tilting her head to the side and listening in on the others from a polite distance.<br> <br>She points at Ictus, "Ictus." Then she repeats the gesture to herself, "Juliana." A few more words come out, sounding like "Ecstatic joining of the firsting degree todays!" She bobs her head at Rixo, "Rixo." With introductions being exchanged, she looks far less spooked. "Selena... Being of the greatest prettiness pets make in standing me!" she says with a big smile, sounding excited, and imcomprehensible.<br> <br>Wulf shakes her head a second, trying to jumble the words. "I'm Wulf Tiernan, sorry, should have started with that." The Husky places her hands on her thighs to lean foreward a bit. "Did you just say that your happy to meet us?" She looks over at Selena and lifts an eyebrow.<br> <br>Ictus ponders Juliana's words and shakes his head with a slight frown, "I don't think I understood that..." he then looks at Selena and chuckles, "Though it seems she likes you." he hmms and nods to Wulf, "I'm guessing that's what she meant..."<br> <br>"Oh... uh. I'm Cedric." the badger says to the girl, upon realizing he neglected to mention his name or anything.  He nods his head. "I'm not sure, I don't understand much of it." he admits, before looking to Selena. "I think she wants to pet you or something, maybe? I dunno..."<br> <br>Selena coughs  quietly and looks back to the husky confusedly. "I don't know either." she replies, looking back to the child. "Thank you, Juliana? Firsting degree?" She asks curiously and seats herself on the ground, chuckling quietly at Ictus's comment. "I... DOn't know what she meant." She comments to Cedric and Ictus.<br> <br>"Talking of strangeness great," says the girl with a soft tilt of her head to the side, "???? talking formal ?????..." she trails off, glancing around a moment, "Wulf... Woof!" she suddenly says, grinning at Wulf, "Woof woof." Easily amused. She starts to approach on cautious feet, moving to circle around and examine her interrogators. "Firsting degree," she echoes Selena's words with a bit of a laugh, as if amused at Selena's attempt to copy her words. "Out of place unfamiliarity pets ???? speech ????? good."<br> <br>Rixo rubs her chin, eyes set on Juliana. "Firsting degree... Some kind of... Test, perhaps? That'd be my guess. A test, or challenge. But I have no clue what that would be, exactly."<br> <br>Ictus hmms? at that and chuckles, "Talking of strangeness great indeed..." he ponders that next and shakes his head in confusion, then blinks at Wulf with a laugh, "Well, that's cute." he shrugs and then blinks a bit, "Pets?" he questions, "I don't get it... Does she think we're pets?" he looks at the others in confusion<br> <br>Wulf chuckles to herself and nods. "Yeah I'm Wulf." She gives the girl and actual woof with a laugh and continues speaking. "If I understood that right yeah, your speech is unfamiliar to us." She looks at the others. "I wonder if that is what she thinks, also, maybe we can go visit a priest to figure out what she is speaking of."<br> <br>Selena looks back to the child as she's circled, gesturing to her lap if the child would wish. "Again, I'm going to go there - I wish the church didn't keep the first tongue to itself." The wolfess gripes, then shrugs. "It'd be naive to assume that, but she is a child, Ictus. I think we should move over to Saint's Square; the priests there could probably translate, as much as I'd rather not have to ask..." She replies, nodding to Wulf.<br> <br>Cedric chuckles a little, looking at the girl and wondering. "Not really sure... maybe she does." he says. "I'm sort of curious about why they brought their cubs with them." he says, tilting his head to the side a little as he regards the creator curiously.<br> <br>Snatch. As Wulf looks towards the other, her tail is sized in gloved hands. The girl pets the fluffy limb a few times, seemingly pleased with it. "Greatness ??? ????" she says in a complimenting tone, smiling up at her.<br> <br>* seized.<br> <br>Wulf stiffens up a bit and turns back to the girl. "I suppose it is great, but then, I have it all the time so it's not too interesting to me." The Husky whips her tail right out of the girls grip only to makeit come back and bat at her hand. "It's part of me so NO pulling."<br> <br>Ictus nods to Selena in agreement and then blinks as Wulf's tail is snatched with a snicker, "Well, lets get to the church then?" as he looks around, "It's likely be safer for her too."<br> <br>Rixo folds her arms and nods in agreement. "Yeah, I don't think anyone would harm her, but it's best not to take chances, yeah? I don't know about you, but I don't exactly want to go an anger any creators." She rolls her neck and glances back down the alley. "Getting someone to translate would definitely be a plus, too."<br> <br>Juliana squeaks when the tail breaks free of her grip, only to grow delighted when it returns. She bats it lightly, then returns her attention to the other side of Wulf, looking from her to the others. "Translate." she echoes, then frowns. She digs into a pocket and pulls out a card sized wager of Creator Steel. She rubs two fingers over it before it begins to glow. A figure appears over it, a Creator. The illusory looking creator has some resemblance to Juliana, but larger, adult. It speaks a word of greeting, which Juliana echoes back at it.<br> <br>* wafer<br> <br>Selena shakes her head and chuckles as the little creator's antics, again looking back to the others. "Do you think she'd mind being carried over to Saint's square?" She asks the others a little bluntly, glancing back to the child. "That's the best chance we have of having her comments understood, and for getting her back to her parents as far as I'm concerned." The illusion brings her attention immediately back to the child, and she gestures to the apparition with a degree of surprise<br> <br>Selena says, "What on promise is that!?""<br> <br>Ictus hmms? at Rixo and nods in agreement, "Indeed." he watches the creator a bit and sighs, "Well, I think she would... I mean, wouldn't you?" then the hologram appears and he eeps a bit, "The heck..." he shakes his head and ponders<br> <br>Wulf blinks as there is a shiny wafer brought out. "Oh... now whats this?" The Husky reaches out to poke the illusionary creator with curiousity. "Can that thing understand us? that what you mean by translate?"<br> <br>Cedric shakes his head in response to Selena, standing up straight again and placing both hands into his pockets. "I dunno if that'd be a great idea. I think it'd upset the others if we seemed to be carrying off one of their young by force." he says with a small chuckle. The little girl takes out the thin wafer of creator steel, and the badger looks at the thing curiously. He notices the figure appear after the girl rubs the steel, and parrots her statement. "Translate?"<br> <br>Juliana points the ghostly figure of the female creator at the group, speaking a strange word. "Yes." speaks the tiny figure. Then they are both quiet, as if waiting for something. She looks suddenly impatient, "Talking..." she searches for the right word, "Largely, great, increasing!" She pantomimes with one hand a mouth going open close, open close, then points at those gathered.<br> <br>Selena shakes her head. "I thought that part was at least obvious." She comments to the others as they begin to ask about translation with a grin, sighing quietly after before she murmurs something to the husky, an ear flicking back momentarily. "As for carrying her off... It's a problem with the language barrier, frankly. If someone's willing to teach, I'm willing to learn. I'm assuming you want us to speak more?" She asks the child and gestures to the machine-bourne apparition.<br> <br>Ictus nods to Wulf and Cedric with a chuckles, "I'm guessing that's what it does..." he shrugs and then shakes his head at Selena, "If that can translate, it would be unnesscary, would it not?"<br> <br>Drawn by the small crowd that's gathered, Sveta wanders over to the group. Normally she wouldn't be drawn away from her chores - small crowds in alleys are a crown a dozen in Firmament - but the sight of a familiar face in the mess piques her attention. "Good day, Selena," she says, elbowing her way across. "Hope you don't mind me asking what's -" she catches sight of the Creator youngling. "No, no. I think I'll ask anyway, even if you mind."<br> <br>Wulf listens quietly to the girl as she starts listing things. "Learning perhaps?" The Huskys ear twitches and she looks at Selena and nods at her. "Yup."<br> <br>Rixo eyes the device, slowly bobbing her head. "I'm not surprised that creator offspring would have neat little gizmos like that." She gives a waves to Sveta. "I'm not sure, really. The youngling ran back here and we followed. It is very... Well, today has been far more enlightening, already, than I imagined it would be when I woke up."<br> <br>"Talking," says Juliana, pointing at the figure, "Naming." The figure changes, becoming a bright red apple. She tilts her head at the newcomer, looking at them curiously a moment before she looks at the others, then points at the apple again.<br> <br>Wulf immediately answers the girl. "That dear girl is an apple, not one of my favorite fruits but it does satisfy depending on the kind you get."<br> <br>Selena quirks a brow and smirks. "Okay, I see what she's doing." She comments, then gestures to the false fruit. "Apple." She states plainly, then looks over to the child with a smile. "You call it a..?" She asks, mimicking the gestures before looking back to Rixo. "I wasn't expecting this kind of entertainment this evening." She corroborates.<br> <br>Ictus blinks at Sveta and waves at the hawk, before he blinks at the image of an apple, "Yes, an apple..." he chuckles at that then nods to Rixo and Selena, "Indeed, not what I was expecting at all."<br> <br>Immediately, the spectral image becomes a banana. Each time it's identified, it changes to some new object. Chairs, boats(though fantastically designed!), buildings, increasing in complexity as more and more things are identified. Then comes links. A person eating that apple, a woman holding her baby, and a sick person in bed. The little wafer quizzes on and on tirelessly, continuing with a subtle press of Juliana's finger.<br> <br>Wulf for her part has been naming things as they come up along with Selena, eventualy she starts getting fed up. "ughhhh.... this is getting tiresome, are we nearly done missy/"<br> <br>Sveta blinks as she looks back and forth amongst everyone in the group. They all seem so blase about what's practically a miracle in the street and her amazing gadget. It's all a bit too much for the poor goshawk as the naming continues. "Help me understand what's going on. We practically have a miracle walking the streets of Firmament, and everyone's all so calm about it? I can see how one mightn't want to kick up a fuss on the streets, but has someone at least tried to contact the Church?"<br> <br>Rixo frowns at Sveta. "We considered it. We're just trying to make sense of what we can, right now. Communications are... Difficult, and quite frankly, I have no clue how to deal with creator offspring." She places her hands on her hips and shakes her head. "Or creators in general, for that matter."<br> <br>Selena indulges the odd machine as it goes on, though it is interspaced with a quiet yawn from time to time as it gets later. If she's tired, she's not making it obvious in the slightest, though she does murmur back to Wulf again. Sveta's comment it met with a nod. "I know! We did think to contact the church, but then she started with this... Thing. It's better to be calm than overreact and scare her." She replies evenly.<br> <br>Ictus hmms as he lists off a few of the things that the image becomes and shrugs, "As interesting as this is, I hope we won't be doing it all day." he chuckles and shrugs a bit more before looking to Sveta, then nods in agreement with Rixo, "Yep."<br> <br>Juliana presses a different portion of the wafer, and trails a silvery line of flowing metal up to her ear, then hangs the wafer from a chain around her neck. The image vanishes. She speaks her strange words, and moments later, they're echoed from the wafer. It's still her voice, but easier to grasp, "Hello. I hope this worked. We only finished a little bit of it."<br> <br>Wulf twitches her nose as she starts to speak through the device. "Well how do you like that, yes I can understand you lil' miss. Noooow, what were you talking earlier, about pets and greatness and such... and that woof." The Husky turns to Sveta a moment. "Yeah... well it wouldn't be good if we had people crowding all over us."<br> <br>Rixo looks a little startled before taking a breath and regaining her composure. "Ah, well, I understand you much better, now. That is a good thing." Such a drastic change. "That is a nice little device you have there."<br> <br>Selena looks back at the odd device with that same look of surprise and wonder, evidently restraining herself in some degree from taking a closer look. "It did - and well." She affirms, craning her neck a little as she looks over the wires. "It's good you can understand us now, but I'd be more comfortable if the reverse was true as well. You're speaking our language because of that... thing you've been fiddling with, right? Could you then teach us your language so the device isn't necessary?" Blunt, unsurprisingly. But Selena keeps a polite tone at least.<br> <br>Sveta elects to remain silent, instead stepping back to study the situation with a hawkish glare. Let the others do the introductions and pleasantries...she'll say something when she's got something that needs saying.<br> <br>Ictus blinks at the device and nods a bit, "Err, yes... I can uderstand you just fine now." he looks to Wulf and nods at that, "Yeah, that's true." he looks at Selena and nods in agreement, "It'd be nice but I suspect it's take longer."<br> <br>Juliana holds up the wafer, featureless as it seems now that she isn't fiddling with it, "Yes. This is my personal UNKNOWN(spoken in a loud monotone) assistant. My mother got it for me. You saw her when I activated/awoke it. I am Juliana. Sorry for running. I'm not meant/allowed/permitted/destined to be here." The translation seems to skip in places, offering multiple words, or even outright giving up. "You're a dog," she says, looking at Wulf, "Dogs go 'Woof'. You have a funny name."<br> <br>Wulf lifts her eyebrow with a chuckle. "Well... yeah, thats true. Though I don<br> <br>Wulf lifts her eyebrow with a chuckle. "Well... yeah, thats true. Though I don't know about having a funny name... tell me, what makes my name funny little gal. Oh, and etween me an you I won't tell a soul you were out here."<br> <br>Selena chuckles at the childs' comment, nodding back to the child as she peers at the device. "I think 'allowed' would be appropriate. Juliana, do you think it'd be possible at all, though? If you need any more information on our language... You might've met some of us on patrol in the forest or elsewhere." She suggests, chuckling at the latter comment. "Funny thing; I had the same reaction when I met you. It's the similarity in how your names sound - 'Wulf', 'Woof'." The wolfess chuckles. <br> <br>Ictus hmms at Juliana and nods, "I won't tell anyone... But how did you get out here? The... Ship is all the way in Shralesta..." he looks curious and then looks to Selena with a chuckle, "It is similar..."<br> <br>Rixo mumbles something about how she never thought she'd meet a creator before shrugging. "Yeah, I'm interested in how you got here, as well. Are there more with you? Outside of the town, somewhere?  INside the town?" She scratches her head, frowning.<br> <br>She holds up a finger to her lips, "Don't tell my mother," Juliana agrees, then looks around again before focusing on Sveta, "Bird. I don't see many birds," she murmurs half to herself. "This whole UNKNOWN is a land of pets! Mother never let me get one..." She looks towards Selena, then points to the boats, "I hid on a boat to get here." Sudden panic. She dashes to the end of the alley, peeking outwards, then rushes back, "The boat is gone! How will I get back?!"<br> <br>Wulf taps on her own nose. "I think the UNKNOWN there that your looking for is planet." The Husky looks over at the boats. "I might know someone who could get you home, he sails on a boat. Then again... Uhm anyone else got any ideas?"<br> <br>Sveta clicks her beak at Ictus' words. "Considering what we've seen of what they can do in their ruins, I'm confident that..." her voice trails off as Juliana speaks, lowering to under her breath. "Never mind. Assumptions." She considers things for a second. "Now, if there were a Creator boat docking in Firmament, someone would have noticed, so I can only assume she stowed away on one of OUR boats..."<br> <br>Selena shakes her head, though there's an almost immediate look of horror. "Oh no..." She murmurs, putting a hand to her muzzle. "Juliana, there's two things you need to know, now. We're not pets, we're independant beings. And two, your mother's going to be worried sick about you!" She sighs, looking back to Wulf. "We could get an airship, perhaps - Are there any departing soon?" She asks concernedly, looking about the group. "She's just a child. She can't stay here alone."<br> <br>Ictus ponders that and shrugs, "We aren't pets..." he hmms? as she dashes away and almost follows before she returns, he blinks at that and shakes his head, "Your mother must be very worried..." he looks to Selena and sighs, "Indeed, we she get her back as soon as possible." he frowns a bit and shakes his head, "How long have you been away?"<br> <br>Wulf gives Selena anad Ictus each a look ."I am not sure she meant it as an insult Selena, she is a child after all."<br> <br>Juliana looks baffled at the responses she gets. "Are you wild?" she asks, "I never met a wild pet before..." Then she remembers her predicament, "Yes, I have to get back. I have been gone for..." She looks up towards the night sky and her expression shadows, "About a day. They are looking for me. I will UNKNOWN if they know!"<br> <br>Ictus blinks at Wulf and shakes his head, "I didn't think she did." he tilts his head in confusion at Juliana and shakes his head, "No, not wild..." he ponders a bit and sighs, "Well, can you contact your parents with that?" he points towards the device in her hands<br> <br>Selena chuckles besides herself, then shakes her head. "We're not pets at all, Juliana." She replies quietly, hazarding a glance over in the direction of the docks and sighs quietly. "Maybe we could charter an airship? There's got to be someone about that'd make that trip..."<br> <br>Wulf opens her mouth and closes it... thinks for a moment and speaks. "I suppose you could call us wild yes, and sometimes dangerous, we here aren't. But there are people who aren't nice out there." The Husky stands up and looks around. "A day hmmm? We need to get you back and quickly."<br> <br>Sveta clicks her beak and dusts off her arms, sending a little down floating to the street. "Well then. We'll need a plan of action - pets or not and what that means for us, we can all discuss that over a cup of tea later. Yes, an airship would be the swiftest way of getting her back to where the Creator ship is docked. Someone's got to pay the fare, more if we're going to charter one. Then we'll have to digsuise her somehow to avoid inconvenient questions, and someone's got to babysit her all the way back. And if she could contact her parents with that gadget of hers, I think she'd have done it already."<br> <br>Rixo shakes her head again, shoulders slumping. "Hrn. This is not a pleasant situation, but there's no backing out now, is there?" She rubs her face. "Do we even know where the ship is at? It's an honest question. If someone said it, I may have missed it."<br> <br>Selena raises her hand. "I can cover the expense - Ironsoul's Defender work, even if the down payment comes out of my pocket. Chartering a ship is likely the better choice; less beings to ask questions, and there's no chance she'd be able to get lost again." She replies, pulling herself to her feet. "But I'm not leaving Juliana alone in a strange city while her parents worry about her. I'll be back soon - I'll see if there are any airships free at this hour."<br> <br>Finding an airship bound to Shralesta proves to be little difficulty to Selena's master bartering skills! The male water folk captain agrees, sight unseen, to ferry the cargo across. Juliana nods slowly at them, "Wild, but nice. You have all been very nice." she agrees with a smile. "Sorry for making trouble. If you want to stop being wild, I'll ask mother one more time if I can have a pet." she says, looking eager. A Wulf for a pet? What child would say no?<br> <br>Wulf raises her hand. "Yeeeeah, your not going any where without me Selena." The makes to follow Selena while she searches for an Airship... until she finds one of course, which she boards. She shakes her head a bit with a chuckle about being a pet. "I don't think you quite understand that we aren't really pets/ But that is niether here nor there. You'll understand when you are older."<br> <br>Rixo nods at Juliana. "Right! We have our own rules, culture, and society. We're not pets at all! We are different, yes, but we are smart! Most pets don't talk, either, as far as I know." But what she knows is really rather limited. Maybe creators do have talking pets.<br> <br>Ictus hmms and shakes his head, "I may as well help... I wouldn't feel right if I didn't." he chuckles and shrugs as he looks to the girl, "No thanks, but..." he shakes his head, "No, probably not my place."<br> <br>"Well then, that's settled. There's something else, though..." Sveta fiddles around on her person and pulls out a hooded, feathered cloak. It's a little large and baggy for someone Juliana's size, but maybe that's the point. "You might want to put this on until you get home. There are 'pets' out there who will take an unhealthy interest in you because of what you are. Best not to get into trouble." With that she offers the neatly-folded clothes to the creator child while turning to Wulf. "You're boarding the airship? That means I take it you're willing to see her safely all the way to the Creator ship?"<br> <br>Selena gives Wulf a smile as the husky accompanies her, though at Juliana's comment she sighs quietly and puts a paw to her forehead. "I'm going to be joining you for this trip, Juliana. It wouldn't do to leave you wandering around Shralesta alone, but I can't stay after that." She replies, moving over to the airship. "But, I'm going to have to stay 'wild', I'm afraid. There's a lot of work here. As Wulf said, we're not pets. It will make more sense when you're older. I don't think it'd be too easy to explain with both the language barrier and everything else." There's a moment's pause as she ushers Julia into the appropriate part of the airship, seating herself and waiting for the trip. "I can look into writing, if that would be reasonable." She comments, nodding to Sveta. "Both of us, and the rest of you are welcome to join us as 'cargo'."<br> <br>Juliana pulls up her own cloak, hiding most of her features, at least from the side and back, but also accepts this new one, which she puts over the first. "If you must. But I hope we can still be friends." She has no comments on intelligence or culture, but then, she is a girl. She probably thinks she's the only smart person in the universe. "Let's go!" She thrusts a gloved fist in the air.<br> <br>Selena spends 150000 Crown for RP reasons.<br> <br>Rixo folds her arms behind her head as she considers. "You know, I probably shouldn't... But shoot, I should probably see to it that she gets back safely, myself." That and her curiosity practically demands it of her.<br> <br>Wulf nods at Sveta with a grin. "Yeah, I am. You didn't think I'd leave Selena and this little girl to their own devices did you? Or that I'm afraid of flying? I actually can't wait to get up in the air." The Husky looks excited in fact and turns to Selena as she takes a seat. "Rightio let's get going."<br> <br>Selena gives Wulf an impish grin. "What exactly is that supposed to mean, Wulf?" she jokes, nudging the husky. "Do I ask too many questions, hmm?" After a moment, she turns back to the child and nods. "Of course we can, there's no harm in that." The wolfess smiles, looking back to the girl. "So, how many of us have been to Shralesta before..?"<br> <br>The group proceeds to the airship. With the generous bribe offered, the merchant has the ship up and out of the harbor in record time, zipping across the ocean towards the desert jewel of Shralesta, city of faith. The pilot is as competent as he is amorous, and he gets there smoothly, while delivering smooth lines to his female guests in vain attempt to get some company for the evening. When the ship lands there, in the city that glimmers even at night, the plank is set out to allow departure.<br> <br>Wulf does treat the captain to an evening at least one night of company... but in other news she spent most of the time walking about the deck and hanging her head over the edge with her tongue hanging out. As they arrive Wulf finnaly answers the question Selena had asked hours earlier. "I've never been here to Sharlesta, but I was supposedly supposed to go there to get a dream interpretted."<br> <br>Rixo steps off of the ship and frowns a little as she glances around. "I had not hoped to be back here so soon. Ah well, at least it's still relatively fresh in my head. Just be mindful of what you say around here. Some people do not take kindly to speaking ill of certain topics."<br> <br>Selena is unfortunately utterly unreceptive to the advances, shaking her head. Though the captain's piloting is met with compliments of her own. Upon landfall, the wolfess offers one last appreciative nod to the pilot before disembarking - carrying the child carefully if need be; such a late hour would probably not leave her awake. The wolfess nods back to the husky. "Well, you might get your chance. And I'm aware, Rixo - I've been here before. I'm not particularly fond of the place, to be honest..."<br> <br>Sveta had spent most of the trip much like the species she was derived from, content to perch herself somewhere away from the Captain's advances and watch Juliana throughout the trip. Once they've landed, though, she follows Selena down the gangway, the latter with the child in tow. "Oh, I know what you mean. I was there with you. Rather unpleasant. Would rather not have it happen again, but that's a mass of beings for you."<br> <br>Ictus shakes his head at the pilot with a chuckle at his amorousness and looks to Selena, "I have, I spent some time there during the war..." he looks to Wulf and ponders, "What dream?" he seems curious<br> <br>Juliana follows after the group. She tugs at the closest sleeve and points off. The great Creator Ship is visible at night easily, even outside the city as it is, "There there!" comes the voice from her wafer, after her strange words.<br> <br>Rixo glances after Juliana's pointing,  brow raising. "Well, at least it won't be hard to find it. That's nice! And I know what you mean about it not being your favorite place. I don't mind it, but people tend to be rather stuffy for my tastes. And I'm not fond of desert climate."<br> <br>Wulf whistles at the ship off in the distance. "Wow..." This is the best wording she can come up with to describe. Shaking her head the Husky looks over to Selena with a nod "To the big ship out there." not too long afterwards the Husky calls back towards Angus. "It was about a creator ship crashing into the moon and some other things that were strange."<br> <br>Selena looks back to the others, smiling back to the child and leaning down slightly. "I know. Now, let's get you home." She smiles, stretching out and guiding the child along the streets with the others. "To be fair, that was just a crowd getting worked up far more than necessary. From inside, the earthquakes were... unexpected. I'll admit they were more than a little worrying." Wulf's comment is met with a simple nod. "It's more impressive up close, trust me. Well, then. What're we waiting for?"<br> <br>Sveta's seen the ship before, and thus a little less awed than most of the others. Familarity breeds contempt and all. "Waiting for them to stop gawking, although it's not completely unwarranted, I suppose Why don't we go a little way ahead first, and then let them catch up when they're done pulling up their jaws?"<br> <br>The ship has two layers of protection. There's a fence of sorts erected around it, crude and quick, with a few beings patrolling it. Further in, a shimmering wall of glowing force seems to be the Creators' own take on the task of security. Even at night, perhaps even especially at night, many beings are around, bowing and/or praying to the ship and those on board.<br> <br>Ictus hmms and nods to the girl as he looks at the ship, "Indeed..." he chuckles at Rixo and nods, "True." he ponders the beings surrounding the ship and looks to Juliana curiously, "How did you slip out to begin with?" she's no ninja, that's for sure<br> <br>Selena groans audibly as the blockade comes within view. "You've got to be joking..." The wolfess sighs, moving along nonetheless. "This is just peachy. Brilliant." She grumbles exasparatedly. "Exactly why I don't like Shralesta. This is ridiculous..." Taking the remaining time to calm down, she looks back at the child  and then to Ictus. "She's a creator. That should explain enough, I think." she states flatly to the fox. "And it more than explains why she thinks we're pets." Aparrently, subtlety isn't a concern of hers as she approaches the blockade as though it were just any other gate.<br> <br>Rixo rubs her chin as she regards the ship before she looks back to the group. "Ah, strange question. I've been out of town lately, but when exactly did this get here? I don't remember hearing about it, oddly enough!"<br> <br>"I just UNKNOWN past the fence. The fire/light/force wall won't stop me," says Juliana, looking towards the ship, then her new friends. She hops back a step, "Maybe I should go alone from here? I wish I could show you all to mother!"<br> <br>As they arrive Wulf looks around at the prostrate and the prayers. The Husky offers a bow at the ship before studying it with a critical eye; seems wulf is more interested in the ship than the math surrounding it. "I fail to see how it explains why she thinks we are pets Selena..."<br> <br>"It was a little while ago, when the folks here decided to enact the Ritual of Receiving. I'm sure you can ask the Creator Church back home what happened - it's not exactly a secret, after all." She clicks her beak, and pats Julianna on the shoulder. "I get the feeling your mother can see us just fine from where she is, dear. If you know you can go it alone safely, then do so."<br> <br>"You are pets because..." She stomps a foot, frustrated. "Because you're pets. Wild pets, amazing pets." she claps her gloved hands together, "She isn't allowed to look outside the ship. I shouldn't be here either. Thank you." She raises a hand, waving, then moving to slip towards the ship in a scamper.<br> <br>Selena furrows her brows at that comment and shakes her head. "We've come this far. I don't care if I'm sent back for being an outsider, but I'll see her to the ship." She says firmly, moving towards the group with the child. "But what was that supposed to mean? There's got to be someone that sees outside the ship if that's the case." She asks, quieting herself once she's within earshot of the crowd of beings around the ship, no longer commenting on the 'pet' status.<br> <br>Ictus shakes his head and chuckles at the girl, "Hopefully she doesn't get in too much trouble..." though he watches her as she heads for the ship just in case something goes wrong<br> <br>Rixo rubs her head before shrugging. "If creator parents are anything like my parents? She'll be in for quite a stern talking to at the LEAST." She stays back, but she does keep her eyes on the child to make sure she'll make it alright. "What an adventure this turned out to be, hmm?"<br> <br>Wulf shrugs and follows Selena, staying quiet for now but giving the child an odd look when she throws that tiny fit.<br> <br>As Juliana arrives at the first fence, she crouches beside it and grasps her assistant. As she rubs over it and speaks quietly, one of the patrolling beings wanders over and shouts at her, "Get back from there! This is sacred ground."<br> <br>Sveta watches Selena set out into the crowd along with the child. "I think the rest of us should stay back and let Selena have the honour. A group -" she blinks and scowls ferociously. "Bah, so much for stealth. Get ready to help if need be."<br> <br>Ictus winces as Juliana is spotted and sighs, "I wonder..." he mutters as he sticks to the shadows as he heads over, wondering what he could do that wouldn't cause an international incident as he sneaks towards the guard<br> <br>Selena glares over at the being as they approach the child, moving between them. "She's but a child, and we don't mean any trouble." She says firmly, though remaining a respectful distance from the fence in her own right. "If you would rather I remove the fence entirely, I could do so. The creators have their own ground marked, if you're not blind to that field they have set up around the ship." The wolfess replies, flicking her tail. "If you'd allow her a look at the ship, just a little longer, you'd have made a very happy young being tonight. In fact - why set up a perimiter and patrol outside? If this is a sacred ground, why not allow all beings to pay their respects? Please. Elucidate me." It's a genuinely perplexed tone, although her general distaste can't be masked by any amount of honey - and she's not trying to.<br> <br>The guard looks towards Selena, "Sorry, ma'am. We're keeping the area clear to prevent swarming of the holy vessel. The Creators will address us when they're ready. Have faith, and patience, and they will grace us with their presence soon," he explains. "Besides, we're not certain if that wall of light is safe to be near. Better safe than sorry, especially with a child." He reaches to pat the top of her hooded head, apparently not noticing her nature, yet.<br> <br>Wulf comes to a halt next to Selena, her hand on the Sabre handle at her hip. "Humph... if there were a creator in hands reach of you I bet you wouldn't even know it. i heard they all wear hoods" The Husky grins just a bit, edging a little bit towards the field.<br> <br>The being, a feline with snow white fur with black rings, bearing a large folk seal at his shoulder, looks perplexed, "Hoods? None of the sacred drawings of carvings have hoods... Why would they hide? They are our creators, beloved and cherished." he says, baffled at the very notion. Taking advantage of this moment of perplexlement, Juliana suddenly makes a break for it, dashing under the low planks and squirming past. She pops out the other end and is off in a dash towards the ship.<br> <br>Rixo claps her plated hands together. "Way to go!" She flashes a big grin as the child makes for the ship. "Hopefully nothing stops her, now. I was afraid we'd have to make a scene."<br> <br>Selena clicks her tongue and sighs, looking back at the guard. "But why patrol the exterior of your blockade? If I may be so bold - there's already a crowd around the vessel. I am not asking for her to be escorted inside the perimiter, and if I was she would remain my responsibility." She replies, her skepticism becoming a little more apparent. "If you want crowding to be reduced, decree it. Have the area left be entirely. Perhaps the creators would be more comfortable with a wider berth. These are not the same beings that 'created' us, are they? They may not be as comfortable being looked at from all angles, far from their home. Most of us can't even speak to them. Think about it - wouldn't it be disorienting?" She replies. Juliana's break for it is met with a sudden sigh of what seems to be relief.<br> <br>Sveta clears her throat. The cold desert air really is getting to her. "Oh, even if she does make it unscathed, I think we're still going to create a scene. This is probably going to get interesting."<br> <br>The guard thrusts a hand out towards her, "Get back here! You're going to get hurt, or anger the Creators." Maybe both? He doesn't know! Juliana reaches the light wall and plunges directly through it. She pauses mid step, caught in mid air for a moment. The second cloak on her sparks, then suddenly ignites. She falls through the flaming clothes to land on the other side, seemingly unhurt as she continues her run through the ashes. Her escape does not go unnoticed, as people gawk with wide eyes and slack jaws, watching this strange hooded figure rush up to the side of the ship, then vanish inside.<br> <br>Wulf turns to the gaurd and grins at him, the Husky's tail wagging at the girls escape. "Like I said sir, you wouldn't know a creator if they were in hands reach of you. Oh, annd she even had a hood on.... fancy that." Often the best distractions are to nearly tell the truth. "So, now that you've just witnessed history why don't you go get a drink."<br> <br>Ictus blinks at the field and shakes his head with a grin as Juliana escapes, before looking to the guard as he sneaks back to the others, "Well, at least I didn't need to do anything..." he hopes that continues to be the case<br> <br>Rixo glances around and pulls her greathelm on. If there is to be a scene, maybe she'll at least not have her identity associated with it. "Well. Good to know they don't like us visiting them. I wonder what brought them here."<br> <br>Selena closes her eyes - definitely relief as the girl disappears inside, or perhaps awe at the strange immolation of the cloak Sveta had given the child. Selena smiles and puts an arm around the husky and nudges Wulf. "Well. She's home now..." She smiles, patting the guard on the back in an almost patronising manner. "We didn't want attention. You'll have to deal with that little bit of information; how about that?"<br> <br>Sveta sighs softly as her old cloak explodes in flame. "Oh well. I was going to pawn that off for petty cash, anyways. Would've been nice if I could say I was the first to give a proper gift to a Creator and be able to prove it." She taps Rixo on the shoulder. "Show may not be over, though. Get ready to extract them from that crowd if need be."<br> <br>The guard's hand lowers, trembling. A few fat tears run from his eyes as he mumbles something under his breath. Those quivering paws make a gesture of imploring to the Creators before he looks to the foreigners in front of him, then out to the crowds that are mustering to their feet and approaching. "You should leave," he suggests, tone a bit flat, shaken and numb. He has a job to do though, which just got more interesting as the faithful start to press up against the fence, renewed in their desire to reach the Creators.<br> <br>Wulf removes her arm from around Sel's shoulders and looks at the crowd and then the guard. "Buddy, I'd like to help you control a riot but... I think we would be more trouble staying. Hurry up and grab your other gaurds, we don't need burned people." The Husky tugs at Selena. "We should go." That done the Husky quickly begins leaving the scene, trying to get Selena to follow her. Should the need arise she is more than ready to try run through the mob and bob and weave.<br> <br>Selena nods back to the guard and sigh. "Before we do - can we help with the crowd in an-" her sentence is cut off as Wulf tugs her along, giving the husky a scowl before following on nevertheless with a look over her shoulder and wave to the ship as though someone inside could see it.<br> <br>Wulf mumbles something back to Selena.<br> <br>Sveta elbows her way back, clearing a path to the airship for Wulf, Selena and the others. With all the other beings in the locality desiring to go the other way, it's a surprisingly easy task, and it's not long before the airship is in view at the docks, the gangplank still conveniently lowered.