Elona Bound: Part 4
----- Payment -----
It was the thought of home which snapped her attention back to the task at hand: passage. A quick glance told her she had arrived and paused her approach. The majestic beauty of the floating contraption captivated her. An airship, as they were called, lay suspended in air, with a large sapphire tail slowly pivoting to and fro. Circuitry on the outer hull weaved an intricate pattern, with brilliant waves of electricity distorting its contours. The ship was massive with gears and holographic parts marvelous inventors fabricated. Demitra was small and humbled and in awe of such a massive display of ingenuity and creativity.
Dismounting the celestial beast caused swirling sands to replace it, which promptly flowed back into her bracers. Paying it little mind, Demitra approached the airship with the eyes of a child.
"Ahoy there, miss! Ye lookin' for someone?" a shipman called out.
"I be someone!" said another.
A disenchanted Demitra looked at the men. "Neither of you lot are the one I seek. Tell your captain I've arrived."
"And wut ya be wantin' with me captain?"
The auburn haired woman grinned, "It is more likely what he 'be' wanting from me: payment."
The sound of footsteps coming from the airship made the two sentries turn. Striding down the walkway was Xavier dressed in his usual black leather jerkin, tunic, boots, and breaches. Different from before, he wore no hood. Raven black hair was combed back and his pale blue eyes shone in the pale light of the moon. “Ignore these two, Demitra. Follow me please.” He eyed the two guards who quickly moved out of their sponsor’s path.
Demitra smiled thick ruby lips. "So you recall me then? Perhaps I made an impression during our rendezvous?" She hesitated a moment, then stepped onto the airship. The lack of movement aboard the vessel was surprising to the woman, she felt no discernable motion. To this, she attempted to remain poised, as though she'd been born on such a ship. "And your name was… Xavier, if I recall?" Demitra teased.
As the woman walked behind the captain, her dress flowed in the open wind. She was clad in a fanciful dress with feathers adorning her shoulders. The elegance of the deep purple outfit, lined with silver bits, buckles and tracers, was only enhanced by the woman's own elegant movement; she seemed to move to a rhythm only she could hear.
Xavier made little effort to maintain balance aboard the airship. Once the woman was behind him, he made a signal to the two sentries to carry on. He turned and took a moment to watch the woman's melodic movement, taking note of her poise as he came to walk beside her. “I hardly forget the names of my clients, and nor such an exotic name such as yours.” Switching his view from her to the ship, he continued. “You will find that your guild’s furnishings are quite relaxing. You and your lot should had a wonderful venture to Elona.”
"Of this, I have little doubt, captain," she grinned and hung on the word for a moment. "You seem to be a man skilled at making his clients feel… relaxed; much more so than your crew, I would wager." She raised an eyebrow and placed a pointed finger on the man's chest. Should we secure our valuables on this 'relaxing' trip?" Demitra blinked a few times with a flirtatious look, her tone purposefully light and airy.
“Each guest shall have a tough box for their valuables, my Lady, you and your guild need not worry.” He’d eye her finger and paused but a moment. “But yes, I pride myself in making my clients feel well looked after and more than content with their voyage.”
Demitra turned on her heel, threw her hair back, purposefully brushing the man's face. She walked forward shrugging, "I must see such 'amazing furnishings' you are most proud of; perhaps a tour of these facilities? What is this contraption called? Do you give names to your large objects?" Demitra giggled as she strolled the deck, running a finger along the starboard railing.
Xavier rolled his eyes with a small smile when she threw her hair in his face. “Of course, where are my manners. Welcome aboard the Songbird. She just recently returned from her first voyage. Flew mighty fine too. Should be smooth sailing.” He led her on to the main deck. The ship’s crew were running in and out of a nearby hatch though the Captain led them to a quarters aft of the ship.
Demitra looked around with huge emerald eyes, attempting to hide her obvious enthusiasm for everything she saw. She felt her eyes wander and peruse her guide on more than one occasion, to which she also avoided discovery. When they paused at the quarters, she stepped very close to the captain and leaned into the doorway, cautiously poking her head in to inspect the accommodations.
She saw a lavish and large crew quarters before her. Beds were laid out along with a tough box and dresser. The sheets were clean and the lighting bright. Various contraptions were also available to section off the beds for privacy when needed. “This is where most of you will stay, Demitra. It may not look like a lot, but it is far more spacious and comfortable than your ordinary luxury craft.” He held the door for her to explore further.
Demitra floated into the room, tracing various objects, until she came to the tough box. She opened it, spun around to face Xavier and winked. "I shall test your accommodations, Xavier. The room is indeed adequate; quite quaint, as it were. The box..." She slid her hand from a gauntlet, placed it into the box, then repeated the process with the other. "The box shall also be adequate, I believe. And the bed..." Demitra reached behind her back, unfastened her dress, allowing it to fall from her person. "Well, perhaps we shall see how adequate it is?"
Xavier stood in the doorway for some time before decidedly shutting it behind him. “You are more than welcome to all of the amenities aboard this ship,” he said before producing a scroll. “But first, let us finish this deal, hmm?” He approached the woman slowly as the lights of the cabin dimmed.
Demitra sat on the bed, leaning back as her eyes reflected the dimming lights. "Seal the deal, indeed," she said with a smirk.
To Be Continued...
