It was very quiet. So quiet than one could even hear the faint roar of the asteroids smashing into each other somewhere deeper in the nebula that was surrounding the ship. Three people sitting in the ship's somewhat cramped but functional cockpit were holdning their breath. None of them dared to move except for the pilot, who was trying to keep the ship pointing at something in front of it.
After a moment of tense silence, a large, black object appeared in the dusty, yellow mist. It's regular, tube-like shape was somewhat terrifying in this brown lighting. As the ship was getting closer to the dark object, pilot's moves were getting more and more fainter.
Albatross, this is Damrstadt's control... - A sudden loud voice from the comms almost caused Trevor to get a heart attack. Damn it, you... - His brain has already prepared a solid dose of curses. Shhh! I'm trying to dock this thing! - Flora was visibly annoyed by the sudden interruption. ...your papers are all gut and you're free to dock. - a metalic click marked the comm channel's closing.
Flora took a deep breath and focued on fitting her Spatial's huge wings into Darmstadt's docking bay. It's entrance gate was definetly not designed for such ships. The black shape started to open, revealing a quite large hangar. It was already filled with various dark-green ships. Some of them bearing a red hammer and a pickaxe. Flora sighed.
Mind your tongue here, we don't need any trouble with those folks... As long as they ain't goin' to start any arguments and such stuff, sure, no problem, princess. - Trevor chuckled. Princess. She hated when he was calling her like that.
Flora took a deep breath and ignored Trevor's provocation. It wasn't the best time nor place to start an argument. She looked around and noticed a large, empty landing point made for something definetly like her ship.
Albatross, this is Darmstadt's control. Your assigned landing point is that empty square on your left. Just don't scratch the walls, danke. Control out.
The Albatross clumsily turned around above the landing pad and started to descend slowly. A noticeable shake coupled with a loud snort marked the ship's touchdown. Trevor chuckled again.
Woah! I made it! - Flora leaned back on the pilot's seat and smiled. As always, princess. Don't cross the line... Mhmpfhm... - Sherman looked around, still confused after he was violently awaken by the ship's landing. - Whhh... Where...? Alright folks. - Flora stood up and headed towards the hatch. - I'll go out and ask around for our guide. Meanwhile, you should ckeck our ship and equimpent. I don't want to end up down there without something important. - a faint hiss filled the ship's interior as the hacth opened. - See you later!
Trevor looked around the ship and sighed. He had to check all these things. Again. His annoyance suddenly got even greater as a loud snore filled the ship.
Flora jumped down on the landing pad before the ladder even started to expand. She looked around, slightly intimidated by the fact that everyone around was speaking rheinland language. Nevertheless, she looked around again and started to walk towards something that was resembling an entrance to a bar. And suddenly, she noticed a lone familiar face in the crowd.
Chyoko was already waiting for Gaian in the bar, keeping her bottle of Rheinbier closer. "Flora was it? Oh yeah that melon girl in Manchester" she seems to be thinking, well it's funny how does she look like when she's thinking. She grabs her glass and drinks some of her Rheinbier, then suddenly someone get her attention, strange girl at the entrance. "There she is... Girl with non-green melons only, but with beautiful green eyes". Chyo smirks slightly and waves to her, inviting her to come closer and take a seat next to lonely Kusarian in the bar.
"Konnichiwa Gaian-chan or do you prefer Flora-chan?"
Oh well, she doesn't know which name suits her better.
"Vodka, Gin, Rheinbier, Rum, Whiskey, Ale, Tea, Wurst, eggs. I bet you are hungry and thirsty, aren't you after a long trip?"
She asked her silently, again unsure what's Gaian's favorite meal or drink. "Oh yeah, I should visit them more often" she sighs silently and looks up at Flora.
Flora noticed Chyoko waving to her. She waved back and started to make her way through the crowd.
I'm sorry, sorry...! Excuse me... - She noticed that her bretonian accent caused some not-so-friendly looks at her. - Sweet. - She mutered to herself and continued to push towards the Kusarian.
Flora finaly made her way to Chyoko and took a seat near her.
Hey! - She smiled. - Uhm... Flora-chan will be way better.
She looked at Chyo. It's not a common occasion to meet such a person. She was wondering: why would she even leave Kusari if she could just join Farmer's Alliance? Well, after that little bretonian that came back from Alliance's ranks to protect Her once again she shouldn't be really suprised, but still...
Well, yeah, it was quite a long one. I'll take a cup of tea. Also... - Flora stopped for a moment and began to wonder. - What's wurst?
Chyoko smiles kindly, watching Gaian-chan coming closer to her. She winks and pats place next to her.
"Here, here is your place, Flora-chan!"
She gives her another wink and thinks how to explain "WURST"
"Well Flora-chan... Wurst is... Hmmmm"
She seems to be thinking again and her comic face appears again.
"Well, let me show you!! And believe me, it's great with a huge bottle of beer!"
Chyoko giggles and leaves to the counter for a while, but few minutes later she bring large bottle of beer and ... Sausage on the plate with ketchup. Then she points at sausage and chuckles
Flora smiled slightly when Chyoko started to wonder.
Okay... - She wasn't exactly sure how to react on Chyo's sudden disappearance, so she just stayed there and observed what she was doing. She noticed her coming back with a bottle of beer and something on a plate.
A sausage. A simple sausage with ketchup. Flora started to giggle, and then laugh, as she became aware of how silly this whole situation was.
Oh my, my... - She giggled again. - I admit that I've expected something more... fanciful. Anyway, it's time find out how good it is, right? - She grabbed a knife and a fork. - Okay, where should I start... Oh, silly me..- She took the bottle of beer and looked closely at it. The beer was black and didn't looked very inviting, nevertheless she took a large sip. Her eyes became larger as she slowly gulped. She put down the bottle and coughed slightly.
Chyoko cant help herself, but bursts out laughing loudly, watching Flora's eyes. "Yeah, she is funny with these eyes!" Laughing turned into silent giggling.
"Well Flora-chan, I was expecting a bit different reaction. But you surprised me kindly, excuse my..."
She giggles again and looks at beer and sausage.
"Laugh. I hope you will like it, otherwise I can bring something more, Gaianish?"
Flora blinked few times and shook her head. She wasn't used to drinking anything stronger.
I think that I'll stick to wine for now... - She once again grabbed a knife and a fork and sliced a bit of the sausage. - Hm... Mmmm... Nice. Very nice. No need for anything more Gaianish. I'm not sure what do you mean by that though. - She took another bit. - Anyway, I don't want to be rude, but I'd like to get straight to the business. I have some very impatient folks back there on my ship.
She giggled after remembering how hard it was to get them onboard. At least throwing few vague things about drachens made them a tad bit less resistant.
We're pretty much prepared to get there, land, do some sightseeing, take samples and get them back, but we don't really know how exactly we should do this. Especially consirdering Tholey.
"Okay Flora-Chan, I can help you. Tholey won't be a problem, problem is your sightseeing, because if you remember I already mentioned atmospheric problems. Pressure is just too big for human bodies and only possible place to land and leave ship is one mountain. I can show you plans if you want."
There's no need to break our necks trying to land in the mountains. We've took some suits that'll allow us to walk around and do stuff... At least that's what Trevor said. Also, our ship should be able to land there without much trouble.
She stopped for a moment.
Yes, of course, I do. I'm actually very curious what do you have there.
Chyo looks towards the entrance where appears a woman with long red hair, reaching her bottom, jeans and long red shirt. She smiles and towards them.
"Okay. Your tourist guide is here. Apfel Lady."
Chyo says and bows slightly as Lady aproached them.
"Guten Tag, you must be that sweet Gaian looking for Drachen, I am Ilse but everyone calls me The Apfel Lady. Chyo informed me already and if you've got right suits then I see no problem. Drachen are usualy in mountains however, so sooner or later you will get there. We can depart in few hours."
