Location: Reinout Herdenkingspark
Runali, Amaiya, Chester and Cassidy
Cassidy hovered eagerly against the side of the sky gondola. She couldn't help grinning as she enjoyed the feeling of her hair whipping in the wind. Humming happily, she grabbed two mugs of the hot chocolate from the stand and sauntered over to Runali, Chester and Amaiya. "These are for you. They're free for all passengers so drink as much as you want," Cass winked. "Yesterday it was mulled wine and in the evening a hearty chowder."
Sitting down on an empty spot on the bench, Jack's sister sighed happily as she felt the warmth coming from the crackling fires inside the bronze brazier. "Bonifaas sure has changed a lot since the last time Jack visited. During winter months, tiny huts are set up around town where you can warm up before continuing on your errands. I heard that they keep the fires going at night so the homeless have a decent shelter. Haven't seen it myself but it doesn't surprise me. The Prince Consort and his children really care about the people."
She helped herself to a mug of hot chocolate as well when the gondola staff passed by with a laden tray. "Did you feel the warm mist earlier? It comes from hidden pipes built into the buildings along the street. Gets released every hour or so to keep temperatures tolerable. I heard they were installing the same fixtures along the canals as well. Really can't wait for them to be done. It'll keep the commuting more pleasant after Yulemas."
"Yeaaaaah," she tapered off. It didn't feel like the friendly chatter was appreciated even though she hoped to take their minds off things during the ride. She hummed appreciatively as she drained the last of her drink. "If you look to your left after this stop, you should see Reinout Herdenkingspark."
Not wanting to spoil the surprise, Cass replaced her empty cup with a full on from a passing tray. She stood up and inclined her head. The rows of narrow townhouses thinned out gradually, leaving fields covered in a blanket of fresh snow. Black, naked trees reached for the skies like grabbing hands but these were far and few in between. The cobbled paths below met the foot of a large dome of glass and bronze, looking very much like a colourful snow globe. Even from this far away, they could see trees from warmer temperate countries growing luxuriantly inside. Birds flying around behind the glass added flashes of colour among the greenery. Chester seemed extremely fascinated by the birds.
"Reinout Memorial Park was rebuilt into this greenhouse. It's usually nice and quiet inside," she commented with a slight frown. "Seems to be busy today for some reason," she added as she motioned to the people flocking towards the entrances on the ground floor.
The three women disembarked on the platform. Cass led the captain and her first mate towards a winding, metal staircase. She paused at the very top of the stairs when she realised where the crowds were gathering. "Looks like people are gathering around the statue of Saint Agony. Hope we'll be able to find Jemima in this crowd."
They were on the landing on the third floor when a small boy caught their attention. Runali would have no problem recognising Levon; he hadn't changed much since he took his last photo. The boy had climbed onto the pedestal and peered at the woman's face. He tiptoed and reached out with his handkerchief. Having caught Ru's expression, Cass realised this must be the child accompanying Jemima. However, his mother was nowhere in sight.
"Look!" she exclaimed suddenly, grabbing Amaiya's arm.
Standing close to the boy was a young man in a hooded coat. Based on the colour and cutting of his pants, he appeared to be a Navy cadet. Cassidy felt a chill running down her spine when she noticed a number of Navy officers mixed in with the crowd. She chewed her lips as she figured out what to say. She couldn't figure out why the Navy would put a young cadet in such a position. The Stardusk were clearly beyond anything he could handle.
"Let me know how I can help?" She offered after much deliberation. "I can get closer to the kid easily without them suspecting a thing. They don't know that I know you."
"Rrrraow," Chester echoed. His intelligent eyes looking towards Amaiya as he waited for her or Runali to give him his instructions. He had promised Jack, for some cream of course, to be the liaison for this group.
"It is a pretty view." The captain had been relatively quiet for the most of the trip, offering small nods or requests for cocoa to fight off the chill. "Be on your guard." She commented at one point as they looked out from the gondola. She adjusted Coral's sling as they began to walk, and Runali made the effort to keep her hood up and not attract too much attention- for once. She was mistaken for a noble once, she wasn't sure how many times she could get away with that- especially with the Navy roaming about.
"That's definitely him - Jem's kid." Runali told the two women. "A mother never strays too far away from her kid… Unless the kid is being babysat." She pointed towards the Navy cadet. "Would be helpful if you kept him distracted. Nothing to cause attention, just to keep his attention for a few minutes." She made a soft click with her tongue to get Chester's attention. When she felt the familiar weight, she reached up and scratched his side. "Go unnoticed. Warn us if any navy soldiers get too close. Follow me." She gestured to Amaiya, moving away from Cassidy and falling in step with the crowd. Every now and then, she'd glance at the kid, keeping his attention without drawing more, up until she and Amaiya disappeared completely into the hustle and bustle.
The two appeared on the opposite side of Levon and Runali quickly put a finger to her lips to keep him quiet. "You're growing up as a navy soldier, like your mom huh? Tsk, tsk not fun at all." Her voice was low but she still teased. "You've seen Amai- hm, Alicia in the posters before, right?" She gestured over to Amaiya and quickly looked back where the cadet had been to make sure they weren't noticed. When the coast was clear, she spoke again. "We'll have to chat a bit later little Lev, I need to know where your mom is. Do you know where we can find her?"
"Don't cry, Miss."
The four-year-old did his best to wipe the bloody tears from the stone woman's face. He pouted when he realised Ems' handkerchief was soaked. Giving up, he scrunched it up in his baby hands and looked for the big brother. It was then that he noticed Runali signalling to him. His eyes widened as he tried puzzling who that was. He couldn't really tell with the shadow over her face.
"Huh? Who you? How you know my Mommy?"
He tucked his hands behind his back and started rocking on his feet. But, he didn't inch any closer to the strange women. Ems warned him to be careful. Bad people were coming for him and they got Mommy into trouble. He glanced behind the Stardusk as he tried to find a familiar face.
"Mommy say 'Licia has w'ite 'aair. I don't see it," he offered after spotting Ems. He decided to wait until the teen got closer before running. "Won't tell you nuthing 'till I sees it."
'Meooow.' Chester alerted Ru and Amaiya.
The cadet's hand was an inch from Ru's shoulder when he leaped back. His sneaking up on them failed. Confusion threaded his brow as his hood fell off to reveal his face. He didn't get a chance to pull it back up when the onlookers recognised him. He gasped as his body turned numb. He had jeopardised the mission.
"Prince Emerens!"
"Look! It's His Highness."
Runali, Amaiya, Chester and Cassidy
Cassidy hovered eagerly against the side of the sky gondola. She couldn't help grinning as she enjoyed the feeling of her hair whipping in the wind. Humming happily, she grabbed two mugs of the hot chocolate from the stand and sauntered over to Runali, Chester and Amaiya. "These are for you. They're free for all passengers so drink as much as you want," Cass winked. "Yesterday it was mulled wine and in the evening a hearty chowder."
Sitting down on an empty spot on the bench, Jack's sister sighed happily as she felt the warmth coming from the crackling fires inside the bronze brazier. "Bonifaas sure has changed a lot since the last time Jack visited. During winter months, tiny huts are set up around town where you can warm up before continuing on your errands. I heard that they keep the fires going at night so the homeless have a decent shelter. Haven't seen it myself but it doesn't surprise me. The Prince Consort and his children really care about the people."
She helped herself to a mug of hot chocolate as well when the gondola staff passed by with a laden tray. "Did you feel the warm mist earlier? It comes from hidden pipes built into the buildings along the street. Gets released every hour or so to keep temperatures tolerable. I heard they were installing the same fixtures along the canals as well. Really can't wait for them to be done. It'll keep the commuting more pleasant after Yulemas."
"Yeaaaaah," she tapered off. It didn't feel like the friendly chatter was appreciated even though she hoped to take their minds off things during the ride. She hummed appreciatively as she drained the last of her drink. "If you look to your left after this stop, you should see Reinout Herdenkingspark."
Not wanting to spoil the surprise, Cass replaced her empty cup with a full on from a passing tray. She stood up and inclined her head. The rows of narrow townhouses thinned out gradually, leaving fields covered in a blanket of fresh snow. Black, naked trees reached for the skies like grabbing hands but these were far and few in between. The cobbled paths below met the foot of a large dome of glass and bronze, looking very much like a colourful snow globe. Even from this far away, they could see trees from warmer temperate countries growing luxuriantly inside. Birds flying around behind the glass added flashes of colour among the greenery. Chester seemed extremely fascinated by the birds.
"Reinout Memorial Park was rebuilt into this greenhouse. It's usually nice and quiet inside," she commented with a slight frown. "Seems to be busy today for some reason," she added as she motioned to the people flocking towards the entrances on the ground floor.
The three women disembarked on the platform. Cass led the captain and her first mate towards a winding, metal staircase. She paused at the very top of the stairs when she realised where the crowds were gathering. "Looks like people are gathering around the statue of Saint Agony. Hope we'll be able to find Jemima in this crowd."
They were on the landing on the third floor when a small boy caught their attention. Runali would have no problem recognising Levon; he hadn't changed much since he took his last photo. The boy had climbed onto the pedestal and peered at the woman's face. He tiptoed and reached out with his handkerchief. Having caught Ru's expression, Cass realised this must be the child accompanying Jemima. However, his mother was nowhere in sight.
"Look!" she exclaimed suddenly, grabbing Amaiya's arm.
Standing close to the boy was a young man in a hooded coat. Based on the colour and cutting of his pants, he appeared to be a Navy cadet. Cassidy felt a chill running down her spine when she noticed a number of Navy officers mixed in with the crowd. She chewed her lips as she figured out what to say. She couldn't figure out why the Navy would put a young cadet in such a position. The Stardusk were clearly beyond anything he could handle.
"Let me know how I can help?" She offered after much deliberation. "I can get closer to the kid easily without them suspecting a thing. They don't know that I know you."
"Rrrraow," Chester echoed. His intelligent eyes looking towards Amaiya as he waited for her or Runali to give him his instructions. He had promised Jack, for some cream of course, to be the liaison for this group.
"It is a pretty view." The captain had been relatively quiet for the most of the trip, offering small nods or requests for cocoa to fight off the chill. "Be on your guard." She commented at one point as they looked out from the gondola. She adjusted Coral's sling as they began to walk, and Runali made the effort to keep her hood up and not attract too much attention- for once. She was mistaken for a noble once, she wasn't sure how many times she could get away with that- especially with the Navy roaming about.
"That's definitely him - Jem's kid." Runali told the two women. "A mother never strays too far away from her kid… Unless the kid is being babysat." She pointed towards the Navy cadet. "Would be helpful if you kept him distracted. Nothing to cause attention, just to keep his attention for a few minutes." She made a soft click with her tongue to get Chester's attention. When she felt the familiar weight, she reached up and scratched his side. "Go unnoticed. Warn us if any navy soldiers get too close. Follow me." She gestured to Amaiya, moving away from Cassidy and falling in step with the crowd. Every now and then, she'd glance at the kid, keeping his attention without drawing more, up until she and Amaiya disappeared completely into the hustle and bustle.
The two appeared on the opposite side of Levon and Runali quickly put a finger to her lips to keep him quiet. "You're growing up as a navy soldier, like your mom huh? Tsk, tsk not fun at all." Her voice was low but she still teased. "You've seen Amai- hm, Alicia in the posters before, right?" She gestured over to Amaiya and quickly looked back where the cadet had been to make sure they weren't noticed. When the coast was clear, she spoke again. "We'll have to chat a bit later little Lev, I need to know where your mom is. Do you know where we can find her?"
"Don't cry, Miss."
The four-year-old did his best to wipe the bloody tears from the stone woman's face. He pouted when he realised Ems' handkerchief was soaked. Giving up, he scrunched it up in his baby hands and looked for the big brother. It was then that he noticed Runali signalling to him. His eyes widened as he tried puzzling who that was. He couldn't really tell with the shadow over her face.
"Huh? Who you? How you know my Mommy?"
He tucked his hands behind his back and started rocking on his feet. But, he didn't inch any closer to the strange women. Ems warned him to be careful. Bad people were coming for him and they got Mommy into trouble. He glanced behind the Stardusk as he tried to find a familiar face.
"Mommy say 'Licia has w'ite 'aair. I don't see it," he offered after spotting Ems. He decided to wait until the teen got closer before running. "Won't tell you nuthing 'till I sees it."
'Meooow.' Chester alerted Ru and Amaiya.
The cadet's hand was an inch from Ru's shoulder when he leaped back. His sneaking up on them failed. Confusion threaded his brow as his hood fell off to reveal his face. He didn't get a chance to pull it back up when the onlookers recognised him. He gasped as his body turned numb. He had jeopardised the mission.
"Prince Emerens!"
"Look! It's His Highness."