Act 1: Let's get out of here

"Oh, how fun!" Steve listens to their song and claps along. He also joins in on the chorus when it's repeated.

"I heard them talk about it yesterday," Amber says to Mihai with a grin.

The teenager looks at the long line of fairies and spots Florolf among them. He's moving to the rhythm of the sound, just like they are.

Segel nods at his captain and informs him that he can handle the wheel alone for now.

The fairies are happy to have Pizza guy join their chorus, and they continue their song with renewed enthusiasm. Femke, who's standing near the stern, is observing this scene with interest. Some might say she's even fascinated.

10:33 AM, 1st of April 422
Zest's Gate, Enclave

Clouds have begun to cover the sky last night.

This hasn't lowered the fairies' morale at all. They're as cheerful as ever, and often break into a song whenever they start to get bored. Many of them play with Amber's board game, others with a deck of cards and the rest chase each other around the masts. The teenager is happy to join them, since there's nothing else to do on this ship. Florolf prefers to nap in one of the cabins, and comes out only to get some fresh air once in a while.

When Zest's Gate comes into view, the Vulcan starts its approach, just like it did in Narrowfist. Except the ship doesn't come close to crashing into the waterfront. The fairies are truly excellent sailors, and it's a little surreal seeing them use telekinesis magic like they do. They sure do raise a lot of eyebrows in Zest's Gate, and many longshoremen come to take a look at this strange crew that is nevertheless very efficient.

The customs agent come to inspect the ship's cargo, and when told that these eight crates are from Galarian Vodelratch, nods at the party members and motions to his subordinates to take care of it. It doesn't take long for the crates to be unloaded, and the agent informs the party they won't have to pay for their halt at Zest's Gate. If they wish to stay for more than a day however, they will have to start paying the regular fees.

Steve, Konrad, Mihai and Amber are now standing on the docks.

"I'll make sure my siblings don't go too far away," Segel says to his captain. "Don't worry, we'll be ready to sail as soon as you come back."

As the fairy leader flies away, Femke approaches the party to inform them of her plans.

"I have a few errands to run in town. I will be back in the next hour."

"Got it." - he nods at Femke, then goes looking for a local Fairy.

"See ya later, Femke." Steve waves goodbye and follows Mihai. "We should stop by the bank while we are here and get some funds. And look for a place to sell our extra equipment."

As Femke leaves, Florolf hops onto the ramp leading off the ship and starts to follow Amber again.

"So are we going to split up?" the girl asks.

Mihai nods at Steve - "Sure, i'm carrying too much on hand anyway."

Then when Amber speaks up - "We're gonna try and meet Breeze's boyfriend, then Snicker's big cousin. Wanna come with?"

"...Yeah, sure. Sounds like fun."

She looks at the others, waiting to see what their plan is.

Mihai shrugs - "Depends on what we come across."

"Agreed." Steve nods in emphasis. "And we should look for some cargo to deliver after we are done."

After some discussion, the party members decide to stop at the Zest branch of the Padlock Bank to withdraw some money from their account. Amber discreetly joins the others in the line and gets some money for herself.

Once this is done, the party heads for the plaza.

The 15 feet tall effigy of Alvo Victivius, depicting a cloaked man with his sword pointed forward, is still cordoned off by metallic fences. The residents of Zest's Gate who walk by the monument don't appear nervous or even curious. It's just part of the scenery for them.

Mihai looks at Alvo, and speaks not too loudly "There are creatures we know only as The Enemy. Their mind feels similar to that of a Fairy, except they want to kill everything that lives. They might manifest as Aspects of people whose minds they take over. Do you know anything about them?"

The Endless' reply resonates into the mind of all four party members.

"Do not bother us with questions to which you already have the answers."

Steve keeps an eye out for trouble while Mihai (and possibly Konrad) talk to Alvo and crew.

Awareness 23

"The members of the 17th squad of the Imperial Surveillance Agency know," Alvo says. "Our assistance is not required in this matter."

White the rest of the party handles the Endless, Steve examines the plaza, making sure that nothing gets the jump on them. He even manages not to get distracted by this very attractive woman in a red dress that walks by the group.

"If you can see that far, you must also know we have no way to know what they know. Not while our minds are our own. As of right now we're ignorant, and could remain so until we're forced into a confrontation."

"We have assisted you," the Endless answers. "Do not bother us with questions to which you already have the answers."

Steve continues to keep watch. He then notices that the woman in red has dropped something on the ground. She leans down to pick it up, offering Steve a lovely view of her behind, but the black mage manages to avert his eyes.

"Very well." - he moves to leave, but then halts a moment - "Snicker is dead. I know you didn't do it for us, but thank you for your help."

Konrad's fingers curl into his palms. "So it's up to us to make the connection, then? No clues?"

Alvo is silent.

Mihai walks off. Time to look for Fairies.

Konrad glares at the statue, wishing it would rust and turn into dust. "Oh, I see now. Yes, I do have the answers. What was I thinking? Thank you for telling me."

As he walks away, he spits over his shoulder.