Ed sat grumbling to himself, unable to relax in the luxurious cabin of the airship they had needed to book passage on to reach their destination. He had come to appreciate the gentle rocking of a seafaring vessel, having spent so much time between the two that were the beginnings of his fleet, when circumstances had forces him to travel to some gods forsaken mountain top in the middle of nowhere. Bad enough that he had to put his own plans on hold to do this, but he was also being forced to ride as a passenger, a passenger! Aboard another captain's airship. He had sworn that the next time he would set foot aboard an airship it would be one that belonged to him once more, yet here he was, repaying a favor and breaking his word to himself. If a man couldn't keep a promise to himself then what did his word mean, really? Nothing. He continued grumbling and moaning under his breath, completely ignored by the companions that had joined him on this journey.

Sat silently, as always, opposite him were the mage Twinkle, all bundled up in the robes that were six sizes too big for her, her faintly glowing green eyes the only thing visible within the shadows cast by the hood. Next to her was the sullen ranger, Fieri, another mute. He swore he heard the two of them talking to each other, deep within the hold at night while he was pacing the ship on watch. He knew it. Proving it was difficult, though, as they both seemed to have unnaturally sharp hearing. Fieri kept her brown hair in a short tail, and her green eyes were focused on the bow she was inspecting. The latest addition to their crew, a gnome golden eyes who was far too chipper to be okay in Ed's book, had made the bow for her. The girl's other bow, which she prized beyond anything, had been crafted by Twinkle who was really coming along with enchantments. That left Peabody in the seat beside him, eyes closed and head resting against the back of the seat, dozing away. Ed sighed, wishing he had brought Kamri along. The mage would have at least attempted awkward conversation with him. She had been adamant that she stay with the kobolds, though, aboard the other ship. The one that sent shivers up his spine. He wasn't going to be going back on on there, not for a long while. If it got him closer to his goal, though, then it would be worth it.

Somewhere aboard the ship was the dwarven lawyer, Stella Quartz. Another new addition to his crew and his only direct contact with Thrustbunion, who was the one calling in this favor. According to the information that had been provided to Ed, there was some kind of shindig going down in some cathedral on some mountain, and inside was some… thing… that he was meant to find and acquire. In return he would get a share of the profit and a dwarf off his back. Sounded easy enough. If things went well then maybe he'd be able to enjoy this party for a while. He looked out the window, seeing the clouds soar beneath, a sight that any other time would fill him with wonder. Tonight, though, it was just a bitter reminder of what he had lost.

Before long they were landing and Ed was pushing through the crowds to be one of the first off of the ship. He looked back at it in disgust, grateful that a different route had been arranged for him to leave by. It had been agreed that if all went sideways, he would need a quick getaway, and relying on a public transport wasn't the best way to do that. It would be like escaping a heist on a regular stagecoach. Ed spun in place, cape twirling magnificently as he did so, to gaze upon his companions.

Peabody, his manservant, was wearing full dress uniform from his time in the service. He looked respectable, as always, and at his side hung a rapier made from some insect's stinger, a trophy from a skirmish in the latest war. They hadn't been overly involved in that, just a couple of things here and there to do their part, but nothing substantial. After having just survived a demon attack and limping their way across the ocean on an undermanned vessel, there had been little they could do effectively. Fieri was dressed, as always, in the stained leather armor he had given her when they met. All attempts to find her more suitable wear was met with stony silence, save for the green cloak she now wore. Beside her was the diminutive form of Twinkle, the golem's features hidden beneath the robes she also refused to change. Then there was the dwarf, all dressed up in a granite coloured pantsuit, looking ready for business. Of all of them, only he and Peabody had made any kind of effort for this. Ed himself was wearing his "Job Suit". Bright yellow noble's clothing that was the height of fashion, along with his cape, gloves and the blank white mask. He wore the hood of the bright yellow cloak up over his shaved head. He knew how marvelous he looked, and didn't need anyone to tell him. After giving his companions the once over, he nodded to the mage and ranger and they slipped off to do their part. Leaving just the three of them to enjoy the ball, for now.

Luckily they had been set down close to the cathedral, which Ed had been told was housing the ball. He could already hear the sound of music, and it wasn't long before he heard voices murmuring. The cathedral came into sight, and despite everything Ed had seen on his travels across the continents, this was still something to behold. It was obvious from afar the time and care that had been put into the construction of such a masterpiece of architecture, providing a place to worship… The name was on the tip of his tongue, he knew it… And lost it. Well, whoever it was for, he was sure they deserved such honor. There were stained glass window, depicting scenes of… All kinds of people. He was sure there were stories to go with them, and if he cared to look then perhaps later he might find some time to visit the chapel and read up on them. Perhaps they had nice plaques set up. Ed liked a nice informative plaque as much as the next man. 

Well, he could stand around admiring art all night or he could get on with enjoying himself before the job. He knew which he would rather do, so rubbing his gloved hands together, he headed towards the door. Entering the hall beside the cathedral he allowed the sights and sounds to wash over him like a gentle wave. Around the room people danced, or sat talking or eating. It looked mighty inviting. He strode into the room, eyes darting as he looked for some trouble to get into while he waited.

"Oh, but you absolutely must go to the ball!" Madame Pauline's insistent voice was muffled as she rifled through her tiny wardrobe. Aarek sat on her bed with a grimace, clearly disagreeing with her statement. "It's one of the most important events in your lifetime, you know." No, he didn't know. But he didn't argue, either. She was obviously trying to get him out of the orphanage after the, well, incident last week. Really, though, how could he have known that the children were planning on dumping perfectly good flour on him?

Sighing, he watched in disdain as she dragged out an old suit from gods know where. It was very plain (which Aarek was actually quite thankful for), save for the ivory detailing on the jacket. With the way they shimmered under the light, the half-elf noted that the pattern bore a vague resemblance to the tattoos on his forearms. Had she chosen the outfit specifically for that reason? Before he could even question her, she had darted into her small washroom and began rummaging through her cabinets. He cleared his throat, trying once again. "Madame, I really don't think–"

"Hush!" The authoritative tone of her voice was enough to shut him up, for the time being, and he felt just like he was still a child under her care. Things had changed, he noticed, since he'd left. Madame Pauline had lost some of her strictness. Her age was beginning to show, though the many laugh lines etched into her face suited her well. A hint of guilt prodded at his gut, but he pushed it away. He was going to have to leave soon, anyways. Not for the first time, he let his eyes wander over to Kassia, who was resting on the bedpost. He wondered what her human form was like. She'd only been a child when she was cursed, right? Then she'd still be small once he found a way to free her. And he would find a way to free her. 

For now, though, he resigned himself to attending the ball. Madame had emerged with several palettes of makeup and taught him how to apply it on his own. She also hemmed the suit to fit him and made sure he'd made it on time to the airship departing Adeluna. Now, as he stared outside the docked ship at the crowds of people leaving, he reconsidered his decision. A prickling sense of anxiety crept up his throat when he realized he was almost the last one to leave.

Kassia nuzzled against him, and he took a few deep breaths to steel his nerves. They didn't have to stay long; only long enough to greet a few people and try some food. That in mind, Aarek steadily made his way off the ship and towards the huge cathedral. His hair was already beginning to come out of his ponytail, and the crack on his glasses was more than apparent, but otherwise, he blended in with the crowd just fine. Even the small, blue songbird on his shoulder didn't draw any attention to him. Warm relief washed over him, and he finally felt at ease.

At least, until he entered the cathedral and the air was ripped from his lungs. Inside, people in beautiful gowns and elaborate cloaks mingled in a field of pure starlight. For a while, he just stood in the doorway, unable to move for fear of disturbing the beauty of it all. Suddenly, he felt very, very underdressed. He didn't belong here, in a place like this. Before he could turn to escape, someone shoved him forward, forcing him to be a part of the activity. Copper eyes darted around the room in panic, searching for anywhere he could seek refuge. Briefly, his gaze landed on a man near him (he was dressed in bright yellow clothing, of course Aarek noticed him), before passing over to the food tables. There were less people around that area, and so he pushed his way through the crowd with as much assertiveness as he could muster.

He felt like a helpless animal by the time he made it to the refreshments, and he just wanted to go home. But, he thought ruefully, he didn't even have a home. Kassia crooned a soft melody at his side, but that only reminded him that he'd left his instrument at the inn. Squeezing his eyes shut, he counted down from ten to lessen his light-headedness. It worked a little, so he hastily grabbed a drink and sat down at an empty table. "Tonight's gonna be a long night, Kass," he muttered miserably.

Ed took a deep breath and just stood still for a moment, letting the sights and sounds wash over him in a wave. It had been a while since he had attended any kind of event half as interesting as this one looked to be, and the last ball he had been to had been in some backwater township to celebrate… Something or other. There was a chance he had partaken of a little too much wine that night, which had left his memories of that time a bit of a blur. That had been in different days, though, when he had been more apt to overindulge himself. These days he was a changed man. The tables off to his side, he noted out of the corner of his eye, also had one dedicated to a number of glass bottles and decanters full of all kinds of interesting looking liquids. His mouth went dry, and without conscious thought, his feet led him over to that table.

"Sir, might I suggest keeping a clear head. We are here tonight on business." Peabody's stern and sensible voice was a whisper in his ear, cutting through Ed's thoughts. He smiled a warm, toothy smile as he turned to face his manservant, but it was hidden behind the mask. "Ah, Peabody, you know I wouldn't. I was just curious about what they were serving is all!" His exclamation was a little too loud, but he didn't think anyone would notice. With sheer force of will he managed to turn from the table but before he could walk away there was a sudden sensation of… Wrongness. His eyes darted quickly, his mind clearing of all other thoughts as he entered a state of readiness. Something was draining him of his energy, he was as sure of that as he was of anything. When you had spent as long as he had altering your body's natural state, you became attuned to changes. A flash of black and red caught his eyes, low down on the ground.

What looked almost like a fairy was staring up at him in shock. She was wearing a tiny red dress, standing perhaps ten inches tall with small black horns poking out of her indigo hair. Ed didn't know much about fairies, but he didn't think they went around sucking on people's energy like that. He had also always heard that their wings were a little more butterfly-like and a lot less… Hideous bat-like… And was that a tail?! He had obviously caught her by surprise, but the sheer wonder at seeing such a tiny little thing had caught him by surprise too. She recovered first, and shot away under the tables.

Ed breathed out heavily, stumbling a step before righting himself. Well, that was interesting. He closed his eyes a moment and when he reopened them he was steadier on his feet. Maybe he would get something to eat after all. He picked up a plate, selecting a couple of things at random before walking over to the nearest table which was already occupied by another man. Ed cleared his throat to get the other man's attention, he was wearing an interesting suit that looked well worn but had remarkable detailing in ivory. Ed smiled a charming smile, but remembered the mask and instead gave a shallow bow. "Excuse me, sir, but might I share a table with you?"

At first, Aarek thought he was hallucinating. The familiar buzz of alcohol thrummed in his veins, even though he'd only had one drink, and he was beginning to suspect that someone had cast a spell to make the drinks more potent than usual. After seeing a tiny, bat-like fairy dart past him, the half-elf came to the conclusion that, yes, he was definitely somewhat inebriated. So, when he heard the voice ask him if he would share his table, he was all but ready to burst into laughter (or tears, but that wouldn't have been as much fun). 

His copper eyes searched for the source, fully prepared to find some strange creature in place of an actual person, but the sight of the man before him sobered him up in seconds. The man towered over the table, and he was dressed in brilliantly yellow noble clothing. He even sported a white mask, like most of the people attending the ball. Under normal circumstances, Aarek might have felt his cheeks flush a bright red. Luckily, he saved himself from that embarrassment by squashing down any ounce of flustered emotion, thus sparing his dignity. Still, he must have looked like a trout with his mouth agape and blank stare, so he quickly averted his gaze and nodded wordlessly. In his shock, his glasses had slipped to the bridge of his nose, so he pushed them back up, tucking a few strands of hair back into his ponytail while he was at it.

Suddenly, he felt very warm, so he removed the jacket of his suit and draped it across the back of his chair, revealing his black vest and shirt. He rolled up the sleeves, and began to idly trace his tattooed forearms. Once a few moments had passed, Aarek carefully allowed himself to glance over at the man, taking in his features. Although his clothing denoted that he was a noble, something about his demeanor seemed off, not entirely conforming to his class. Just as well. Aarek wasn't particularly in the mood to be judged by some aristocrat. He and Kassia didn't have anything to prove to anyone. Speaking of his companion… his face paled when he caught sight of where she'd been pecking at crumbs on the floor, but he was too late.

Kassia had not noticed the man approach, but as soon as she saw him sitting at the table, she chirped excitedly and hastily flew to flit around the man's head. "Kass, no!" Mortified, Aarek reached out and snatched her from the air before giving the man an apologetic grimace. He held the songbird gently but firmly, ensuring her childish instincts didn't take over once more,

"I'm so- so terribly sorry, sir," he stammered, readjusting himself in his chair. Now, his face had gone from pale to red from a combination of anger and embarrassment. "She doesn't know any better, you must understand. She's got the mind of a child, still, and… and…" He cut himself off with a sigh, turning away to save himself from any more embarrassment. Not allowing his eyes to look back over at the man, he silently scolded Kass for her immaturity. To be fair, perhaps he should have spoken to her about manners beforehand, but the past was in the past.

The man, a dark skinned elf and quite handsome, Ed noted, stared at him wordlessly for long enough to make him wonder if he had said something stupid. Had it been a mistake to ask to share a table with another person? A quick glance at the empty tables nearby made him realize that perhaps he was being rude, intruding on another's peace. He opened his mouth to apologize when the man nodded. His glasses had slipped and he was forced to push them back into place before he began to fidget nervously with his hair. Well, he had done something wrong and now he was going to be forced to follow through, despite how bad he was starting to feel. Obviously this man had wanted some time alone and here he was, blundering around and upsetting him. He cursed himself, quite thoroughly and without restraint within his mind as he sat himself silently down in the nearest chair, setting down the plate he had been holding onto the table.

His reluctant companion seemed to relax a little, then, taking off his jacket and revealing tattooed arms. Ed slipped off his hood and removed his mask so he would be able to eat. He stroked his beard absently as he looked at the tattoos, curiosity catching his attention for a moment. It had been a while since he could sit down and admire another person, he supposed, and the tattoos were interesting.

Well, sitting there gawking at the man wasn't going to get him anywhere. Or, he grinned as he picked at the plate of food, maybe it would. A glance over his shoulder confirmed that his two companions had, for the time being at least, disappeared. Strange, that. Peabody never left his side. Well let the man have a little fun of his own, it didn't happen every day. It wasn't like Ed had any plans to leave the table any time soon, was it?

There was a chirping and suddenly a bright blue ball of feathers was fluttering around his head. Ed froze where he was, having heard uncomfortable stories about what a hunting bird could do if disturbed. If he had been a little clearer headed then he might have drawn on some magic, but as it was he just remained in place as the elven man grabbed at the bird and pulled it away from him. Ed watched, speechless, as the man began stammering his way through an apology. So the bird belonged to him, it seemed. Ed smiled, then laughed at the absurdity of the moment.

"I am Captain Ed Ward." he said with a grin, holding out a hand and leaning over the table to offer it to his flustered companion. At that moment the plate decided it would flip up into the air, sending food flying all over the place. There was a giggling, small and brief, that came from under the table but it sounded like whatever had made the sound was moving away at speed as it made the sound. Ed was fairly certain he had something on his shaved head, but he stayed as he was, grin in place and hand held out in greeting.

When he heard the man's weight shift somewhere to his side, Aarek was sure that he'd finally scared him away. Perhaps it was for the best, he thought, that the man would find some other place to rest. Surely, the half-elf's nervous energy was exhausting to even watch. Still, it would have been nice to have some company, at least for a while. Aarek tried not to let his disappointment show on his face. "I am Captain Ed Ward."

Snapping his head up at the greeting, Aarek could scarcely hide his joy and disbelief. So the man, a captain, wanted to speak with him. His eyes flicked down to where Kassia rested in his lap, and he smirked a bit. She was a tricky bird, but he was certain that she didn't plan this result. That being said, there wasn't a chance that Aarek was going to pass up the opportunity to introduce himself to the man. With new resolve, the half-elf moved the bird to perch on his shoulder and leaned over the table to grip Ed's offered hand. But, as fate would have it, another interruption unfolded at that very moment.

The other's plate flipped in the air, causing any food to fly off of it in different directions. Startled, Aarek flinched and searched rapidly for the source of the mayhem, but all he caught was a blur flitting out from under the table. A clattering of the plate as it crashed back on the table caught his attention, and he struggled to regain his composure by picking a few pieces of food off of his suit. The second he returned his gaze to the man in front of him, he had to slap a hand over his mouth to stifle a fit of laughter. On top of his shaved head was a rather large leaf of lettuce. Yet the man simply stood there, unaffected. Yep. Aarek concluded that he was probably drunk.

As soon as the urge to giggle had left (though he could do nothing about the wide grin spreading on his face), he removed his hand and grabbed Ed's hand, shaking it firmly, just as he had been taught. "My name's Aarek Lin, Captain," he stated, a dopey smile still plastered across his face. Briefly, he noted that the man had removed his mask, and his face was indeed handsome. It was the face of a captain, not a noble as Aarek had first suspected. He was actually a bit relieved at that.

"Did you… are you–" Words were failing him, but the elf did not give up as he released the other's hand. He gestured to the top of his head, wondering if he should just pick it off himself. But he figured that would probably be weird, not to mention incredibly awkward. He still wanted to do it, though. "You've got some, ah, food. On your head, Captain."