----------------------------------------------
RESPITE FALLS - EARLY MORNING
----------------------------------------------
Narrator: The lamps have just been put out and everything seems still, tranquil, perhaps...calm. A picturesque sunrise along the horizon, shining along the buildings and...the shadow of a small airship flying majestically in the aether, gasbag bulged, undercarriage trimmed. The Palamedes was going through its paces, though...far from a perfect flight...*
Fleuret takes an early walk, still getting used to this new place after all. The sight of an airship however seems unusual even for this new frontier, so she gives it a curious look as it floats by.
Narrator: The ship takes a lazy way down, close to where Fleuret walks, having found a wide enough landing area, gently grazing the ground, coming to a full stop, gas bags letting out a sudden hiss of air. Soon, a begoggled badger peeks out of one of the portholes, taking a furtive glance around. "Hrmph...no damage this time. I guess that means that can be a success...well done, Montag."
Fleuret walks up towards the airship cautiously, though definitely curious as well. "Very interesting. I did not know anyone was working on an airship here."
Rikard hears the voice. He turns, seeing the prescence of...a Unicorn? Truly? Words fail him for a second, then he clears his voice. "It is an independent venture, I assure you. This is the Palamedes, a craft on the cutting edge of today's technology. It got damaged in our arrival, but as you can see, we can still take it for short jaunts."
Fleuret nods softly, looking it over from a respectful distance. "Outside my area of expertise, to be sure, but it indeed seems impressive."
Rikard would soon emerge from the craft. Large gouts of steam still waft in the air as another character, canine in appearance, rushes to the stern to adjust the vents. The badger would finally doff his goggles , jumping down to the ground, looking up to Fleuret. "What is your expertise, if I may be so bold to ask?"
Fleuret smiles. "I know a fair bit about enchanting, your basic thaumaturgical interactions and such. Nothing that could levitate an airship, though. That would be beyond my scope." She looks beyond the badger to the airship for a moment. "Were I to take a guess, I would suspect this is not magically driven, perhaps?"
Rikard smiles. "Only certain elements. It was designed in mind for the chance that we will be able to develop machinery that is not completely dependent upon magical and alchemical means. Many of the designs are drawn upon contemporary studies of physics and other earthly sciences."
Fleuret: me ahhs. "Fascinating. Seems a worthy endeavor to me." She turns to the badger once more. "My name is Fleuret, by the way. I do not believe we have met before."
Narrator: As the canine readjusts the vents and gets a spanner to work on the rudder, the badger wipes his hand on his waisket, taking Fleuret's hand, kissing the back of it. "Rikard Dresden. A pleasure to meet you, Lady Fleuret. You have been here long?"
Fleuret blinks at the gesture, then giggles politely. "Oh, not very long. Still trying to find my place here, I suppose."
Rikard: "Aren't we all, dear? Aren't we all?" Rikard smiles gently, walking away from the airship with Fleuret. "You are in commune with more of the magically oriented residents of this place, I trust?"
Fleuret mms.. "Well, perhaps not as much as I could be. I have my job at a trinket shop and my room at the Minnow, but I must admit I have been hesitant to make too many connections."
Rikard glances around conspiratorially. "I guess you have your own reasons for discretion. I have reasons for mine, which is why I try to keep the flights to the early morning before the sunrise. I've already been fussed at by some of the guards, especially that feline one."
Fleuret nods. "I can say I have had few interactions with the guard since coming here. Which is not to say that I am prone to drawing their attention, but still."
Rikard cracks a smile. "Quite attractive figures along a few of them, I dare to admit."
Fleuret chuckles. "I would have to agree. Though most everyone has their own charms."
Rikard: "We'd have to in times like this where many times we have to survive by our wits and abilities." Rikard would go on, but the canine bangs his spanner on one of the metal storage containers to get his employer's attention. "Ah...seems my engineer wished to call something to my attention. It is nice meeting you, Lady Fleuret...I do hope we run into each other again when the sun is upon us..."
Fleuret considers a moment, then nods in agreement. "I would not mind if we spoke again sometime, Rikard. It has been nice meeting you."
Rikard gives a low bow, giving another smile. Then...more *CLANK CLANK CLANK*. The badger looks behind, irritatedly at Montag.* "I HEARD YOU! USE YOUR WORDS, MONTAG! YOU'RE NOT A MUTE!" *He hurriedly rushes over, leaving Fleuret to continue her walk.