"Well, so long as he didn't fall in the ocean he should be easy to find. Marion might be a little...fragile, but he's made it this far after freshly leaving home. He's got some toughness in him."

Come to think of it, did Marion ever actually explain why he chose to leave home? Seeing the world was one thing, but putting yourself in harm's way while traveling was another. Of course, Marion wouldn't likely turn down helping people even if he wasn't out to save the world in the first place. He's the bleeding heart type after all. But adventuring is a pretty dangerous job. Maybe he should ask Marion more about what he wants to gain from taking on such risks. 

Everett steps over to the door and opens it for Beak. They then make their way back down to the room. 

"Did Marion tell you about how he fought off a swarm of angry wasps? He was quite resourceful." 

Meanwhile, Elleon watches Marion nearly trip and fall flat on his face. 

"Oi, careful. Lots o' things down 'ere ta trip over." 

It's probably a good thing that Everett is able to keep the ship so stable while it sails, otherwise Marion would be bouncing off the walls every which way.  

Elleon isn't the most talkative guy, but he does give short responses to whatever Marion ends up asking about. He points out what the cargo is, different parts of the ship, and how to get around. His answers are very to the point and matter-of-fact, but maybe that's just because he only just woke up.

"I'm sure if ye sit still an' don't go wanderin' off again they'll find ye." 

Elleon looks over to the stairs just as Everett and Beak come back down the stairs. 

"Captain." 

"Good day, Elleon." Everett's eyes drift down to the flower tucked into the loops of Elleon's shirt and he gives the elf a curious head tilt. 

"What?" The elf's tone is a bit confrontational. 

"Nothing, nothing." Everett waves dismissively and gives an awkward laugh. "Glad to see you up finally. I see you've met Marion, and this is his friend, Miss Beak."

It doesn't seem like Elleon buys Everett's deflection, but he doesn't press the issue and instead looks at Beak. There's a long awkward silence as he eyes her. He's not eyeing her with any suspicion, more just taking in the most notable details of her so he doesn't forget who she is. That's pretty easy given her appearance, but he is still pretty tired and groggy.

He bows his head a bit after a moment has passed. "Ma'am." 

"Marion and Miss Beak will be traveling with us to Sol City," Everett explains. 

"Aye. Figured that much out. Anyway, I better get back ta work." He nods to Marion and Beak again. "NIce meetin' ye both." And with that, he steps past Beak and Everett and disappears up the stairs.

Everett looks back at Marion. "Everything okay?"

Beak decides that the telepathic communication would be more trouble than it's worth to explain just for a simple greeting along the lines of "Sir" or the like, so she instead just gives a polite bow of her head and just... lets Elleon assume she's mute, perhaps? Feh, so be it, so long as she's not causing a scene. Everett was very understanding and the two had a lovely conversation, but if the entire crew knew Beak's secret, they might be coming after her with torches and pitchforks sometime later in the evening. Best to avoid that situation if at all possible.

"Hello again, Marion," the skeleton (because she's among people who know, now, even if they're keeping her secret, well, secret) broadcasts cheerfully. "Did you... ah... have a good... adventure? I see you made a friend, at least."

She makes a mental note that she really needs to ask about that wasp story sometime, but... probably not at this exact moment. She knows Marion well enough by now to know that Marion probably already has a gushing excited tale about the adventure he just had ready to go, and if she attempts to derail him by asking about the wasp adventure, he'd likely just attempt to tell both stories at the same time and make it even harder for the poor old woman (technically) to keep up.

Waving the sailor goodbye as he left, Marion kicked his feet as he sat down in one of the bunks in the room- while he did not really understand the concern that the other exuded, the elf also didn't pay it much mind.

"Yeah! It was quite good fun- oh, right, Everett, I think this one is yours!"
Reaching up to his head and guiding the paper dragon to go onto his palm, Marion lifted it for the two to see.

"How do you make them? It'd been wonderful company, and I like the way it talks too. Does it feed daily on paper? Are there any maintenance issues with the humidity and the salt? Magical constructs are much different from wildlife but, oh, it's always been incredibly interesting when you could design a little thing like this and have it come to life... I actually have theories about witcher pitchers originally being artificially modified- or made, but integrated themselves into the wild later- "

And in his usual fashion, the train of thoughts that spiled from his mouth quickly becomes derailed. But then again the little guy did not seem to have any urgency in getting a point across, more so simply enjoying being able to share whatever he thought interesting.

"- Of course, I don't have any solid proof on that matter, but maybe the consortium would! I've been reading their research journals- Dissertations on the Nature of Charon- which is really awesome, and it is mostly contributed by adventurers too!"

"Ah, yes." Everett extends his hand out for Scribbles the Book Wyrm to climb back over to him and up to his shoulder. "I had hoped it would have led you back to us, but maybe that's asking too much of it." He gives the little critter a skritches under its folded paper chin. 

"Doom! Doom and destruction befalls ye under the moonless sky!" 

"...Anyways," he continues, deciding that addressing the constructs ramblings isn't a very productive use of their time. "Scribbles is a Book Wyrm. They're little constructs that are made out of paper infused with arcane formulas. It took me a few attempts to get one to actually animate properly. The others...spontaneously combust. I try to feed it as often as I can, but there are books that I like to read more than once so I try not to feed it those. Admittedly I haven't curated what I feed it as well as I probably should."

Hells, he's not even sure he can name every book he's fed to it so far, especially since the creature is a bit of a rogue and will go on midnight binge-eating sessions while he sleeps if he isn't careful about tucking it into his spellbook at night. 

"Luckily because they're made of magic they're hardier than just regular paper, though you still have to be careful about them getting totally drenched or too close to an open flame."

Everett listens patiently as Marion goes off on a tangent about witcher pitchers. It's good to see that the young man is still so passionate about plants and hasn't gotten completely sidetracked by all the other new things he's experienced since venturing into the wider world of Charon. He hopes Marion never loses that spark. 

"From what I've heard, the Consortium does support quite a bit of adventurer research. With your specific skills and interests, you may want to consider joining yourself. I'm certain you could find many like-minded allies there."

He then glances at Beak. "It'd be a good connection to foster for other research topics as well." 

Leaning back against the wooden doorframe, he tucks his hand into his jacket pocket. "Have you two discussed what your plan is for Sol City? I can provide you with directions to wherever you want to go while you're there so you don't get lost or end up in the wrong place." 

Or more importantly, in a place with the wrong people. Marion and Beak don't seem like the types to start trouble themselves, but that doesn't mean that the guards won't pick a fight if they get the wrong idea about Miss Beak in particular. Her disguise might somewhat work in the Marsh Flats where people dress more spooky to begin with, but the radiant capitol is a completely different story. 

A small positive telepathic mood broadcast is the skeleton's only response for at least a few moments as she ponders Everett's words. It... feels like warmth mixed with weariness, like a wizened old woman's smile, even if her skull is as unmoving as ever.

"I've been so dreadfully alone for so long... fifty years, it's been, living like some sort of reclusive swamp witch as much as I know I probably look like one, because who would approach this old woman for company? Until someone finally did...." She reaches a hand over to give Marion a friendly pat on the shoulder. "... And that someone informed me that there's a festival going on in the capital, and that this would be what I needed to get out of this sad spell and... rejoin the world, as it were. So, that is my plan for once we arrive, at least."

Not that she doesn't catch the undertones in Everett's offer. Of course she has to content with being unwelcome in the wrong parts of town wherever she goes. And Everett seems to have proven himself trustworthy, even kind and supportive by now... if he can help, then she'd be a fool not to take his advice. "Of course, if you have any counsel on these research connections of yours, or on any other advice for a poor old woman's first time in the big city, I would be most thankful. Ehehe~"

"Oh, yes! We'd go to the festival, and I'll deliver my letters to the guild and the consortium and see where they'd lead me, and I'd ask about the winged forces as well! Cyran mentioned them to me, and it sounds like they do mostly field work- I probably don't qualify yet, you know, since they are expected to fight and that, but its good to learn about them beforehand- And then there's the shops, and the food, and I should visit the Aurum household as well while I'm there! Augustus- Helio's son, he's around the same age as me, or at least that's what mama says, that they received invitation to something like a baby party but dada dreaded the idea of going at all and used her as an excuse not to."

Marion thought as he spoke, kicking his feet as he counted off things from his mental list.

"I'd want to take up some odd jobs too while I'm there! There would be a bunch to do to put up a festival and keep it running, so I'm thinking it'd be nice to stay for a while, and as I do other stuff I would be able to earn abit to keep for later as well. Oh, if you have a map it would be great help!"

And of course as expected, he took it quite literally with the subtext flying over his head, which isn't a very high bar in the first place to be fair.

Everett nods. Marion certainly had quite the ambitious list. Some of the things he wants to accomplish are a bit ambitious, but so long as he doesn't get his hopes up too much things will probably turn out fine. Hearing that Marion has some friends - or family? it's a bit unclear - in Sol City is a much needed relief. It means they might have a place to hide Miss Beak should anything go wrong with their visit. 

On the thought of Miss Beak, he considers what advice he can give to her that will hopefully be of use. 

"I think your best bet of keeping a low profile is to leverage the festivities. You can say that your appearance is a costume and that you're some sort of fortune teller from the Marsh Flats." 

It's the best option he can think of to address Miss Beak's particular problem. So long as they don't go out of their way to get into trouble, it should work. 

"You will have to be especially careful of any guards and clerics, so I would advise avoiding visiting any temples or the more affluent districts while in the city." 

He opens his spellbook and pulls out a loose page which has a drawing of Sol City on it. He usually keeps it for his own reference, weary about the chance that he might forget how to get around the large city one day should his mind start messing with him again. For the time being though, Marion and Beak need it more than he does. He makes sure to go over his map of the captiol with the pair and point out the inns, taverns, and fair grounds. With any luck this will help keep them from getting into any immediate trouble when they part ways at the port. 

The next few days at sea go without any too crazy happening. Despite some storm clouds on the horizon, the ship never faces any severe weather and keeps sailing smoothly across the Luna Sea.

Beak and Marion are given free rein to read the books in Everett's personal collection so long as they agree to make sure the Scribbles doesn't eat every single piece of paper. The Book Wyrm happily hangs out with the pair and regales them with all sorts of odd, out-of-context quotes. 

Elleon keep half an eye on them when they're about deck, but more so just to make sure they don't get hurt while the crew is moving things around and doing their job. He does attempt to teach Marion how to tie a few knots which goes how it goes, but he puts in a good amount of effort to point out interesting things to the pair. One day he manages to show them a school a flying fish just as the ship passes through the school and sends them scattering, and one of the nights he gives them a brief lesson on navigating by the constellations. 

On the last dawn of the day of their expected arrival on Capitol Landing's coastline, Everett fetches both Miss Beak and Marion from their rooms so they can watch the island come into view and then the walled city itself. It's an impressive sight and nothing like what they're used to on the south side of the continent. Spiraling towers gives the city a striking skyline and there are dozens of ships actively arriving and departing from the massive port. A few seabirds caw from overhead as the crew scrambles to pull in the sails and slow the vessel's approach to the very crowded and busy docks. 

"Once we tie off it shouldn't take us too long to disembark afterwards. I went ahead and filled out some paperwork for you both in case any guards ask for them and I've set some solars aside for your port entry fees. The capitol is a lot stricter about who comes and goes from the city, but I have everything in order for you." 

"... Guards and clerics. Avoid the temples and the wealthy districts. ... Heh."

One can't help but notice a tinge of sadness in the skeleton's mental "voice." For anyone else... say, a lost child separated from their parents, or even Marion should something befall him, who are the first people one is always instructed to look for? Guards and clerics. When in doubt, find a guard; they'll protect you. The clerics will provide shelter. They're the forces of good in this world keeping an otherwise lawless city at bay, right?

It must be nice to still be able to believe that.

"... Fret not, Mister Everett. I'm used to the gutters at this point."

Oof. Well, so much for sparing her feelings with that one. Still, it's nothing personal, at least, nor is it anything to do with what her gracious host actually said. He's right, after all. Every word of that advice was both true and extremely helpful; without the warning, she might well have overestimated her welcome--even with the disguise and the cover of the festivities--and gotten herself in some avoidable trouble. Still, the situation itself takes its toll on her morale, as it so often does. It's not Everett's fault that the world is like this, of course. This is what she's been dealing with everywhere she's turned for decades, now. If anything is different about this time, it's Marion offering her the first real glimpse of hope for meaningful connections and happy memories since she came back like this. What's one more bucket of cold water to temper expectations, after having lived in an ocean of it?

Still... Everett's advice was to be careful, to avoid certain areas and certain factions, not the entire city. He didn't say that having a good time at the fair was not and never would be for her kind; in fact, the cover of the festivities makes it easier for her to blend in.  Just because she needs to be careful doesn't mean Marion's plan to pump some sunshine into the otherwise unending darkness of her existence has failed just yet.

Fifty years of pain and isolation won't be undone that easily, Beak thinks to herself, as she chews on Everett's words during the final days of the voyage. There will always be.... reminders. Taking a rare departure from the cabin in which she's spent most of the voyage, an uncharacteristic stroll above deck to watch the city come into view, she ponders. And yet....

"The people and the places you once knew are gone. That much is true. But I don't think your efforts were for nothing. When we don't try, we guarantee failure. When we try, we're fighting for a chance. Nothing is set in stone, no matter the odds. We have to pick our battles and weigh if we'd be content with outcomes should we choose not to fight. Even if the outcome is still not what you want, if you at least try then your frustration is more justified. At least, that's what I think."

... Hmm.

It's worth a try, she supposes.

Marion totally did not expect, or knew, there were so many complications about entering the capitol alone- but he guessed it made sense, after all, it is where the royalty lived, can't risk having bad people in there- especially with the festival going on and ruin everyone's cheer. But Beak was not one of those people! If everyone could see how the insides looks first rather than the outside, perhaps it would be a much better world to live in.

The ship remained steadily held by Everett for the rest of the journey, and Marion remained happily oblivious to that fact, spending his times on board pouring over the books that were offered- he reads extremely quickly, and soaks up everything that was presented to him like a sponge, from the impromptu lessons given by Elleon (he makes sure to gift him a fresh flower each day when he sees him) to making his way into the kitchens to see how the ship chef fillets a fish- and he helped where he was allowed to.

And time passed quickly like this, and Marion could understand Everett somewhat now- this whole place is like a home, with the crew like a family. That sort of pride and love when the other spoke about his ship, and when Marion stood on the prow and looked ahead into the sights before him- there is the same excitement of being finally there, but also some sadness, since he'd be leaving all this behind. Marion reminded himself, that it is only for a time- they'd meet again for sure.

"Beak- here!"
Spotting the other when she popped up above deck, Marion waved to her from his spot on the front of the ship, and the breaking dawn paints him the most brilliant shade of soft gold, like how it paints the sides of the city of stone and bricks, towers and spiels, and the water shimmered in the light.

"I can already see the port- oh, I'd want to grab breakfast on the docks, and then, well, let's see what the city have in store for us! Oh, can you hear the music? I can only catch snatches of it, and clapping- "

Waving his large ears around carefully like he is trying to pick up more of the distant sound, Marion seemed to have lost the trace as the ship moved, and looked to Everette.

"Thank you lots for, well, everything! We'd probably end up stuck alot of places if not for your help- maybe we can arrange a departing ride with your ship as well, if the dates lines up? I'll pay the fares next time! And don't try to convince me otherwise."

Everett feels a bit bad about what Beak said. He didn't mean to say that Beak shouldn't be welcomed in those spaces, just that those spaces wouldn't be safe for her yet. There's always a chance that that could change with time and after she has more of a reputation to leverage, but for now it's just too risky. He'd hate for her to be killed a second time and for Marion to lose a friend he managed to make all on his own. 

He doesn't bring it up again though. Part of him knows Beak understands her situation very well. She wouldn't have made it this far if she hadn't after all. 

Marion's excitement about arriving at their destination is infectious. Everett smiles as he watches the young man quirk his ears to try and catch the flitting notes from the strings of lutes and fiddles dancing on the wind. He's done all he can to prepare both him and Beak for their time in the city, but that doesn't make parting any more bittersweet. He hopes they have a good time and don't run into any trouble, but hoping is about all he can do now. He can't hover over them forever. 

"You're welcome. We'll stay in port for the next few days ourselves, the crew deserves a break." 

The crew would probably throw a mutiny if he didn't let them go party a bit before heading off on their next venture. It would be pretty embarrassing to lose his ship so quickly after getting and repairing it. 

He nods. "Just let me know if you do. You're both welcome back aboard my ship anytime." 

Whether Marion likes it or not, Everett gives the young man a soft pat on the head before escorting the pair off the ship and onto the docks. As promised, he hands over the paperwork he put together to the officials and pays the port taxes out of his own pocket. He makes a bit of a face at how the rate has increased for the festival, but he figured that would be the case.

When one of the guards starts giving Beak a narrowed look, Everett is quick to lay down the groundwork of explaining that she's in a costume and is a performer. When the guard still has a look of suspicion on his face, Everett drops the fact that he's a Knight of Duros which quickly changes the guard's tune. Using his newly acquired title like this isn't something he likes making a habit of, but Beak needs this chance. It wouldn't be fair to rob her of it. 

With everything in order and the pair allowed to enter the city, Everett bids them farewell and watches as they disappear into the throngs of people crowding the streets. They may have parted for now, but chances are they'll cross paths with one another in time.