Icy Destinations (Relaunch)

[Rayleonarde]

Double checking his equipment, Ray stood to shake the snow from his shoulders. He had slipped into a trance while praying, but the cold finally reached his bones. The raccoon blew into his gloved paws to warm them, stomping his heavy boots to return the feeling to his feet.

[Aldrea945]

Kikara led the party out, keeping close for fear of losing them in the gusts of snow and ice.  Wilco proved a special challenge with that white fur of his.  People rushed inside, looking for warmth.  It was a little enviable.  Kikara’s ship was warm, of course, but she was a long way off.

The buildings along the road towered over them, many rough and dilapidated.  The dark brick facades were a sad sight for such homes, once gingerbread covered and brightly coloured.  At least some southern cities still shown.

[Wilco Whiteheart]

Wilco, seeing Kikara move with the others, starts to move, following behind the others silently. He gazes at the other buildings, his mind wandering between memories and keeping track of his position. He smiles to himself and hums quietly, a song his father had taught him. the light tap of his staff every now and then gave away his position to Kikara, letting her know through said tap that he was following them, though at a short distance. To him, guard work had kicked in, and he was watching their backs, far enough away so that if he got into a tussle, the others wouldn't get hurt, yet close enough to quickly react to an ambush on them.

[Ara Av-Toa]

Pyro walked near Kikara in his thick winter clothing. He put his ears under his hat in the hope to prevent them from freezing. He never liked the cold. Unfortunately, there wasn't enough charge in the wand to use it as a heat source. His vision went to the buildings he had seen so often. It made him wonder if this really was his chance to escape this ice age.

[Michen_S]

The red panda finally managed to find the issue with the music box. He frowned and paused for a while, looking at the mechanism in question. It appeared one of the parts was rusted shut. That was weird. Something like that wasn't supposed to happen unless it hadn't been used for a really long time. Then why did the owner want it fixed? Either way, the rusted parts were rusted so badly the red panda wouldn't able to replace it without slightly damaging it further, with the added chance that something might break off whilst doing so. That was a risk he wasn't willing to take like that. Still frowning he carefully picked up the parts he took apart earlier and put them in the box one by one. He closed the lid, picked up the box and opened the door to the back room.

[Rayleonarde]

Ray again stomped his feet to regain feeling. Any more waiting, the raccoon figured, and he'd have to step inside. A dangerous gambit, given that he could miss his only chance to travel. He sighed, confining himself to either frostbite or at least cold-burns. Ray didn't blame Kikara. The city was large, and the streets covered in snow. And with the additional crewmembers, they might've stopped at other locations. Blowing into his paws, Ray started to simply pace on the landing.

[Aldrea945]

 The trek across to the docks was short enough to avoid frostbite, but long enough to numb the toes of Kikara's new crew.  She walked ahead of them, her size shielding them from the wind.  No need for misery.

Wind kicked ice crystals off drifts and into every nook and cranny of their clothing.  Shirts felt wet, pants sopping, and fur stiff as it melted in their body heat.  The sight of the ship - tucked between an ice freighter and a smaller skipper - was enough to make her tail flick.  They'd be able grab something hot to drink before they trek to Creya’s.

---

The snow tapped against the window, alighting on the sill.  Fire warmed the sitting room, crackling about while a female grey wolf worked on paperwork at the writing desk.  The room was tidy around her, cleaned to prep for the coming trip. 

The wolf, Creya, had been planning for months how this excursion would go. She'd called every favor in she could, paid for only the best.  Considering the stakes if anything went wrong… Creya shuddered.  There was a reason she was high security.  That was not power to brush off.

The door squeaked as a mouse, barely a foot tall, pushed a cart in with tarts and tea on it.  Creya smiled without looking away from her paperwork.

“Thank you, Miru. I was just wondering what you were cooking up,” she said. 

Miru trotted up the steps to place plates on her boss’s desk. “I didn't think you'd eaten enough, lately.  You're so worried.  Maybe you should take a break,” she said softly.

Creya shook her head and took a sip of her elderberry tea.  “Too much is riding on this, dear.  We've planned this for months.  To get this trip set up again… Deilori, I couldn't do it, darling.” She sighed. “This could be our last major trip.  We could pass the business on, take our little group to safety.  It's worth the trouble,” she said.

Deilori just sighed.  Creya would walk off a cliff and through a frozen lake to keep this moving. “Of course.  Shall I let our guard know to be packed for Kikara's arrival?”

Creya nodded and slid a stack of invoices into her filing cabinet. “Yes.  I want to move this along tonight.”

Deilori picked up her skirts and curtsied. “As you wish.”

[Ara Av-Toa]

Pyro crammed his feet in his boots. He hated the cold. The wet clothing made it only worse. Shivering, he looked at Kikara's ship. It was a beauty. He could see that even in the snow. The thought of a warm cabin gave him the strength to continue, though he was clearly struggling.

[Inb4Cloaker]

“Uno por uno, todos caemos~”

The feline had been sitting in his well lit room, idly looking out the window that separated him from the ceaseless winter wind outside. Victor had been in this place for a short period of time, and he was already restless; it was too calm. Thankfully, some energizing events were about to take place.

In his left paw was a newly formed and well maintained black powder charge. He gave it a glance and smirked, knowing the potential of such a small item. The feline had alluded to having heavier ordinance in his possession to the wolf who employed him, but he never really detailed the power of it. Mostly because he didn’t want to be scolded for carrying explosives around with him. In the back of his mind, the glare of that woman unnerved him more than being attacked.

Aside from the explosive, his machete that currently resided next to the door, and a small backpack by the bed, he was fully packed and ready to roll. It was just a waiting game now. With his vest and beret on, he was anticipating a summoning of some sort from his employer.

On the wall of his relatively bare room hung a single flag with crossed scimitars and a fire in the middle, the last reminder of his home and why he took the job. It was an easy task; protect the people, protect the goods, don’t die, get paid. Lazily, he leaned back in his chair and allowed himself a moment to gaze at it, almost unaware of the knock that echoed from the wooden doorway. Maybe now it was showtime?

Standing, the feline crept towards the door. It was probably the mouse again. Now, he didn’t really have a problem with her, and he tried to be friendly, but her size was just... humorous. It would probably help build relations if he didn’t crouch down like he was speaking to a child each time he interacted with her. With several deft movements, he unlocked his door and allowed it to swing open, exposing the being who attracted his attention.

“How can I be of assistance?” He said quickly, greeting the visitor and tucking the small black cartridge he held into its pouch of origin with a conspicuous manner.

[Rayleonarde]

As Kikara and her crew approached, there was no sign of Ray. It looked as though he had simply flown away, there were no boot prints leading away from his spot. As Kikara’s tail flicked a nearby snowdrift, however, the snowdrift started to rise with a muffled groan. It shook violently, casting thick, powdery snow away, revealing the warmly dressed raccoon. He explained how he had slipped into meditation, but quickly fell asleep after lighting the warming aparatus attached to his gear. “It works like,” he blathered, “like a small boiler, pushing heated water through small pipes that lined the suit. Each pipe connected to a tiny bladder located on my knees, elbows, and other joints. But enough about that, which is your vessel?”

[Wilco Whiteheart]

Wilco seemed unbothered by the snow and the cold, standing still and somewhat away from the group, his eyes gazing around, looking through the darkness, trying to spot any danger that might come to him or his... 'crewmates'. Seeing nothing, he sighs, letting out a puff of frosted mist, which hardens and drops into his palms, before he crushes it, and follows the crew slowly, being cautious.

[Michen_S]

The red panda decided it was time to close up shop. He had been busy for quite a while now, and honestly he didn't expect anyone to come by with this weather. He opened the door, and a cold breeze welcomed him outside. He shuddered as he stepped outside, leaving his warm working place behind. It seemed like it became colder everyday. The red panda locked the door behind him using his key and then walked off in the direction of his house. Thank goodness he was wearing a thick jacket and pants, else he'd be freezing. His tail still was, since it was sticking out, which was a bother. He really disliked his fur being shorter than most red pandas now, the cold could get him very easily like this. He crossed the street, thinking of his warm house waiting for him.

[Aldrea945]

The Taneris sat protected by the freighter at her side, swooped keel resting comfortably in her berth.  Her sails had been pulled in against the mast and sides of the hull to guard them against the wind, but it made her no less lovely. 

Kikara undid the door.  “In, in.  I don’t need ice statues for a crew,” she said.  The door swung open with a heavy creak, revealing the wood of the interior and copper piping.  And the warmth.  It rolled out around them like a soft hand, welcoming them in.

---

Deilori curtsied politely to her much bigger compatriot. She’d gotten very used to such size differences, so it bothered her little to look up at people who might think her lunch or a toy.

“My lady asks you join her in the sitting room with your bags ready, sir.  Dinner will be provided there,” she said, pointedly ignoring the item in his pocket.  Her nose knew the stench of incendiaries, being around so many sky-faring merchants.  Just a part of the job that the hired hands would carry them.

So long as she didn’t smell them while being cooked, they could do as they pleased.

[Ara Av-Toa]

Pyro did not hesitate a moment and jumped inside to wam up. He now took his hat off and sighed before turning around. He said, "I do not believe we were introduced properly. How about we get that sorted?"

[Wilco Whiteheart]

Wilco waited outside until everyone was in, staying in the cold and looking around, until he was satisfied, taking a place beside the door, not entering.