The Consult (Seinshun)

Blue Tiran had traveled a long way to be here.

As the blue and black headed woman got out of the taxi van she looked around. Through her sister Neona, and her efforts on this project, Blue had been asked to come and see if she could not offer advice and help on how to get the city back off the ground. She knew that it had fallen a very long time ago, and now, the beings of Celestis, the Avians wanted it back up. The problem was, while magic could help, mana in a singular person could only go so far.

This thing needed to have hovering capabilities that were assisted by magic.

Much harder than it sounded. Luckily, Blue Tiran specialized in both the technological and the magical. Making her really, the perfect person for this job. She had not even told New Dawn. Just scheduled some days off for herself claiming a vacation was in order and left things to her assistants having worked day and night for the last week to get any major things done. Leaving the more minor and inconsequential things to the lessers.

Blue had no idea who she was here to meet. All she knew was that she was told to wait here until the consultant showed up. So Blue put her messenger bag, her tool belt, and her clothing bag down by her feet. Leaning carefully against the light pole nearby where the taxi dropped her off she waited. Her mind instantly snapping in all directions before melding easily with the nearest network.

She sighed. It was hard when she traveled, to do such things. Usually, she connected with the computer in her bag, and through that she could access things back home. But since she was on 'vacation' she didn't want to do that, and so she was happy to have reconnected. It made her feel jumpy and jittery when she didn't have anywhere to connect to.

Now all Blue could do was wait. She hoped this guy didn't take forever though, she was ready to get started.

Celestis had been incredibly busy after the Summer Solstice. The realignment had proved successful. Now it was time to start getting the rest of the city ready for lift off. The first task was to finish prepping the various motors and engines needed to maintain the city's altitude. Once the Civics Guild was satisfied Celestis could hover, then they would take a look at the initial thrusters. These archaic machines hadn't been used for millenia.

A call had gone around the world looking for volunteers to start cleaning out the debris. One of the initial thrusters had already been fully repaired so that the new recruits had a baseline to reference. Terra knew the other races always managed to come up with an extra screw or doohicky. Niara Tiran had been one of those volunteers. Fortunately for her, she had a pretty well rounded resume...and Corporate backing to boot. Seinshun stood waiting at the sentry outpost not too far from where the taxi dropped her off. His keen eyes caught the flash of the yellow cab, and he flapped the short distance.

"I apologize for the inconvenience, Ms. Tiran," he said regarding the cab. He gave her the Avian salute, crossing his arms over his chest so that the fingers splayed out like a shadow puppet eagle. "Our security is not that keen on having vehicles come up too close. My name is Seinshun, and I will be your liason with Celestis. May I help you with your bags?"

As they walked over to the outpost, Seinshun gave her a brief update since the Solstice. They went through the security checkpoint without incidence and boarded a motorized hot air balloon type craft. Jellico handed her a brooch with the Celestis emblem, a fist against the sun.

"This will be your credentials for the different parts of the City." He also handed her an earring of artisan crafted glass. "This will translate spoken Avian to English so long as you wear it. Everyone can speak English, but I cannot attest that your Avian colleagues will use it when you're around. It will not help with our written language though, but it is very similar to Elvish. A proper dictionary is waiting in your quarters. We will be stopping there first, and then I can show you any part of the city you would like to visit."

==It's going to be a few minutes before the balloon lands, so here's the Q&A time.==

A voice caught her attention.

Her blue eyes with the green starburst in the center looked up taking in the Avian man that had come to meet her. He seemed in good shape, blonde hair, and a ready smile. It was nice to be here, to be honest. Blue was not usually the kindest of people, but that didn't mean she couldn't be. She tended to be more.. just guarded. Once she got to know someone she could be very nice, she had a large heart.

Do not worry about it, it's fine. I can understand. she told the man. And please, call me Blue. Ms Tiran is too formal.

Blue was lovely in her own right. With her dark curls spilling over her shoulders and down her back to her waist. Natural, blue highlights moved through the curls, which was of course her namesake. Or her nick-name sake. Since the boys at work had given her the nickname as soon as she started working. That and for the fact that they got 'blue-balls' around her because she never went out with anyone no matter how many times they asked. She was not interested in dating the men at work.

She allowed him to help with her clothing bag, if he must, but she kept her tool belt and satchel with her. She didn't really trust anyone with her tools. Each one was precious, some things were built specifically by her for different things. Thus, she didn't want to take the chance that it might get destroyed. Not that she couldn't build another one, but she had enough on her plate as it was.

They boarded, of all things, a hot air balloon. Blue wasn't sure how safe she felt with fire over her head, with a gas tank attatched, and a tiny basket between her and the ground. But she assumed the guy that was driving the thing, knew a thing or two about balloon flying? She was handed a broach, which she pinned to her black tank top and then an earring that was going to help translate the Avian language for her. She tilted her head to the side and placed the earring within her ear. Good thing she had pierced ears.

Thanks, it's not a problem, I know a smidge of Avian, but, overall, I'm used to people thinking I don't understand what they're talking about. Though usually it's because of my female status and not linguistically. she grinned. Blue was confident. She knew a lot, she was very smart, and she really got annoyed when people didn't think so. But, when it came to inventing, and technological things, she was a genius.

Okay well, what exactly am I doing here? My sister, explained I was needed to help see if we could get Celestis back in the air. Which, is not a problem, but I always assuemed magic made it float, so ... I'm assuming there is some technological implements that need my care? she inquired.

Do not worry about it, it's fine. I can understand. she told the man. And please, call me Blue. Ms Tiran is too formal.

Seinshun nodded at the name change. He said nothing when he was only given one bag. It was a courtesy as he was no bellhop. Avians were still a very hospitable race.

Thanks, it's not a problem, I know a smidge of Avian, but, overall, I'm used to people thinking I don't understand what they're talking about. Though usually it's because of my female status and not linguistically. she grinned.

Seinshun was a tad impressed. Avian was a difficult language to learn as the speakers had different vocal chords similar to birds. Most people only were able to interpret the emotional inflections in the speech. "It's not that they will think less of you. It just gets rapid paced down there and the engineers talk even faster. They usually forget or don't have the time to translate. Most of them haven't worked with Others before, so they are set in certain ways. Gender roles not being one of them."

Okay well, what exactly am I doing here? My sister, explained I was needed to help see if we could get Celestis back in the air. Which, is not a problem, but I always assuemed magic made it float, so ... I'm assuming there is some technological implements that need my care? she inquired.

"Your supervisor Jellico will be able to go into further detail. What I am able to explain is that the city uses a large combination of both scientific and arcane means of propulsion. The key factors are electromagnetism and .... anti-mana. I'm sorry, but your tongue doesn't have a proper word for it. The best parallel I can come up with is what your science fiction would call 'anti-gravity.' Essentially it's magic applied to electromagnetics. There are also several engine arrays positioned for maintaining altitude with smaller ones and rudders to force a lateral movement.

The trick is going to be the initial take off. When Celestis first launched, the city was resting on solid ground. The history texts say the first Civics utilized a chemical fuel to provide the necessary lift. That will be problematic now because the city is afloat without a launch pad. Not to mention those engines have not been used for thousands of years. Salvaging them is the first task, then trying to see if they can be modified for a water based launch."

The balloon came to rest in the Southeast residential sector. It was a bit of a mix between both adobe-style and treehouse homes. The volunteers had been assigned to the adobe ones for now. Depending on how long each stayed, there was the possibility of selecting a more permanent dwelling. Seinshun escorted Blue to her apartment on the third floor.

"All the modern comforts you could want, Blue," he said as he opened the door. It looked like an economy suite but with more artistic furniture. The living space was extended with a balcony. There was no wall dividing the outside from the inside because that really didn't matter thirty-five thousand feet above the ground. Accordion panels of stained glass depicting Avians in flight were ensconced in the wall. A track could be seen where they would slide out. "Although it does lack in kitchen supplies. Avians don't require food, but the building supervisor can get whatever you would like."

So, in the end, she was not working with Seinshun. That was fine, she wasn't attatched to anyone here yet. Though she was glad for the earring. Who knew what people would say when her back was turned. People often forgot about things like the earring, not that she couldn't have uploaded a program into her mind for the whole process, but this was easier, and she didn't have to run anything on her own. Which meant more effort could be expended for the job she was here to do.

Electromagnetism and Anti-mana.

She pursed her lips, an interesting combination. She was not good at magic itself but that didn't mean she didn't have things to offer. Technologically, she was a genius, and she knew that she could help where the machinery and the electromagnetism would work. So, she was actually getting excited about the prospects of working on something new. A rarity in her job.

Initially, the city had rested on solid ground, which would make a much easier lift off than the fact that it rested in a lake at the moment. She thought about this problem while he continued to go on. Because he was right. It would need thrusters, and boosters, to get off a lake. Not just boosters. It would need some amazingly high class fuel, which was rare, and took a great deal of time to create.

Well, initially, I think, could you not build a platform underneath the island? I suppose that would take forever though, something of that size. Putting that asside, you would need something, massive. Large booster and thruster engines, firing at various times, programmed just right. They would have to be filled with amazing amounts of a lot of high burning fuel. The lake would probably go down several inches just by evaporation, because of it....

She was more musing out loud than actually talking to him, her eyes looking at some point over his shoulder before the blue and green hues while he finished.

Salvaging won't be difficult. What will be, is changing a fire thruster based engine, to something bigger and badder, to achieve better lift off. You're going off something soft, though liquid can technically form a solid at the right impact, we are not going into the water, but up. So, we can't count on that property. What we need, is something that can burn hot even over water. That is the real challenge we face.

They landed, and she looked around seeing the different style homes that flooded the streets of Celestis. It was an interesting mixture, but some how quite endearing. The avian male lead her to an Adobe place, that had all the amenities of any home, without the kitchen. She always ate junk food anyway, or Elven, but mostly junk food.

No problem, I forget to eat more often than not, but I'll call down when I'm feeling like I need sustenance. she joked. Then she turned to face the man that had brought her up here. When do I start the actual job? I just, don't do much down time, I'll probably work your people to death, do Avians need much sleep? she asked curiously, she didn't actually want to work anyone to death.

Well, initially, I think, could you not build a platform underneath the island? I suppose that would take forever though, something of that size. Putting that asside, you would need something, massive. Large booster and thruster engines, firing at various times, programmed just right. They would have to be filled with amazing amounts of a lot of high burning fuel. The lake would probably go down several inches just by evaporation, because of it....

Blue was already working on the problem. She listened to the rest before adding on.

Salvaging won't be difficult. What will be, is changing a fire thruster based engine, to something bigger and badder, to achieve better lift off. You're going off something soft, though liquid can technically form a solid at the right impact, we are not going into the water, but up. So, we can't count on that property. What we need, is something that can burn hot even over water. That is the real challenge we face.

That kind of physics was lost on the soldier. He was better at meteorology and using the weather patterns to his advantage for defending the city. Flares actually preferred fighting in the rain because aircraft pilots had difficulty with the visibility.

"I believe the Civics are considering a two stage take off. As I understand it, they plan to use turbines meant for elevating the city above foul weather patterns. Once Celestis clears the lake, the actual thrust generating ones will take over. They are hoping the surface tension of the water will serve as a platform. Like when an object falls from too high that the water no longer gives way."

*

[color=blue[No problem, I forget to eat more often than not, but I'll call down when I'm feeling like I need sustenance.[/color] she joked. Then she turned to face the man that had brought her up here. When do I start the actual job? I just, don't do much down time, I'll probably work your people to death, do Avians need much sleep?

"Your shift starts tomorrow. If you really are that eager to begin, I might be able to set up a tour today of the engines. I doubt you could work the Civics any harder, but Avians do sleep about as long as everyone else."

Seinshun left out the part about them needing to be in the sunlight for part of the day. Part of his duty as liason was to determine Blue's security risk potential. He didn't want to tell her how to take hostages.

"Or would you rather explore the surface today? Always something going on."

A two stage plan, she tilted her head and listened to what he had to say about the plan, and then nibbled on her lower lip.

The best course of action, of course, would be to attach thrusters to one side of the island. Move it off the lake and over land, then, lift off. How big is the island? Because, then your fear is, finding enough open space to do that, uninhabited space...

Inside, the home was nice enough, though Blue doubted she would spend much time here. John hadn't come with her, and she doubted that he was going to show up to make sure she got enough to eat and enough sleep. She didn't care much for either when she was really into a project, and then she would totally pig out when she got hungry enough to put her work down for a short time. The only reason she ate and slept like a normal person at New Dawn was because John brought her food and would hoist her over his shoulder to make her leave if she wasn't ready at the end of the day. The days of basically living at her lab, had passed. Sadly.

She thought about his offers. She could go inspect the engines, which she knew would only get her into trouble. Starting her work before she was supposed to and she wasn't sure if that was okay or not. So, maybe taking a look at the surface was better anyway, so she would know what was here and there. What there was about, and the lay out of the island for once she was underneath it.

Lets go check out this island of yours, Shun. I have never been here and likely never will again, so lets let curiosity take hold today. Work begins tomorrow. she grinned.

Leaving her suitcases where they were, she grabbed her satchel for her tools and hoisted it over her shoulder and across her chest. Afterall, you never knew when you might need a tool, or someone might need help and so she tried to carry something on her at all times.

The best course of action, of course, would be to attach thrusters to one side of the island. Move it off the lake and over land, then, lift off. How big is the island? Because, then your fear is, finding enough open space to do that, uninhabited space...

"Celestis is two thousand meters in diameter. We have been looking for several sites with the least amount of settlements." Seinshun paused for a moment. "Nothing suitable has met our requirements."

It wouldn't do to blast back into the sky only to destroy a town in the process.

Lets go check out this island of yours, Shun. I have never been here and likely never will again, so lets let curiosity take hold today. Work begins tomorrow.

{Shun? I haven't been called that in a very long time.}

The soldier had to put on his tour guide hat again. If only he learned politics, the stormcaller could have been called a Renaissance Avian. He bowed his head at the statement.

"There is a music performance in the plaza right outside in about an hour. This district also boasts a wide variety of art galleries and bazaars. The orrery and Raffiniti Gardens are but a five minute walk from here."

Seinshun stepped back so that Blue could leave first. He said nothing as she kept one of her bags with her. He doubted anything would break, but the warrior mage often liked to carry his swords with him as well.

"Or we can just wander."

A music performance wouldn't be bad, she supposed, but it wasn't really her thing. Blue was a 'doer' she was the kind of woman that was not capable of sitting still and waiting for time to pass her by. She was busy nearly every waking moment of the day and usually just passed out whenever she couldn't hold her eyes open anymore. Being half elf, she didn't need as much sleep as a human. The shopping sounded fun, she could pick up a few Celestis trinkets to take home to her family and what not. Then there were gardens, her elven nature perked up at this possibility. One of her favorite places in the world was a small botanical garden across a small river closer to where she lived.

Hmmm, well, I would like to see the bazaar, and the garden for sure. After that, we can just wonder around. I know that today will probably be the only day I'm actually going to be free and willing to wander.

Blue knew herself very well and she knew that there was no way once she started working she was going to be able to find time to actually sit back and relax. That just wasn't how she worked. Still, she was interested to see what Celestis had to offer. They set out, together, with her satchel on her hip, just incase. And it wasn't so much that she figured something would break down, just that she didn't feel like herself when she was without her tools and supplies.

So where to first? I don't mind, really, either. Is one on the way to the other?

Efficiency.

Afterall, again, this was probably to be her only day off. As they began to walk, Blue's eyes moved from side to side taking everything in. She could feel the tickle of the networks that mapped this place out allowing it's residents the hum of electricity and the access to the web. The sun shimmered down catching the black and blue locks in her hair which were pulled down for the day and probably wouldn't be down for the next several days.

So I don't know much about Avians. Would you care to tell me a little about yourself? I mean just general stuff, I'm not looking for exorbant details.. just.. you know.. I don't really know anything about the race as a whole, outside of the wings. she shrugged, she was ignorant of true facts, there was tons of stuff on the net and in rumor about them. But even still, she preferred to hear it from a true Avian.

Hmmm, well, I would like to see the bazaar, and the garden for sure. After that, we can just wonder around. I know that today will probably be the only day I'm actually going to be free and willing to wander.

Seinshun nodded. As long as she didn't try to blow up the city, it didn't matter what Blue decided to do.

So where to first? I don't mind, really, either. Is one on the way to the other?

"Actually, they are in opposite directions. The gardens are closer to the center while the bazaar is not too far off your balcony, which is probably closer." Seinshun nodded back to his wings. "I don't often walk there."

So I don't know much about Avians. Would you care to tell me a little about yourself? I mean just general stuff, I'm not looking for exorbant details.. just.. you know.. I don't really know anything about the race as a whole, outside of the wings.

{Well, she'll be bound to find out sooner or later.}

Seinshun ran a hand through his hair. "Um, another key feature is that we absorb energy from the sun. That's why our homes don't have kitchens. We have no real need for food so we cut out what we don't need. We tend to live minimally. Material goods weigh us down when we fly and Celestis changes locations...or it did...but we had been nomadic before. No sense in carrying too much around. But that also means we have no poverty, no bourgeoisie.

And yes, we have wings." Seinshun stretched his salt and pepper wings. "They are with us all our lives. Fortunately, Terra blessed us with the physiology to use them. We have a lightweight bone structure and a few other tricks up our sleeves."

Avian bodies looked like lean humans on the outside, but several of the internal organs were not as bulky. They still had a functioning digestive tract. Like birds, it was much shorter to allow for flight.

"Celestis runs by a guild system. The four guilds are the Flares, the Casters, the Messengers, and the Civics. As a battlemage, I'm both a Flare and a Caster. Messengers handle diplomacy, and you will be working with the Civics. The guildmasters make up the ruling council. One of the four becomes the Parun every five years. It rotates out with a new guildmaster being elected.

Now that I've bored you with the history lesson. What would you like to do?"

The stormcaller smirked. He was a soldier, not a talker. But there was no need for war now.

The garden and the bazaar were not close to one another. Which just about figured. But, she figured that whatever was closer, they could go to first. She didn't really mind, or care. She just wanted to get a little bit of the touristing before she got really into the work because she knew herself. There was no way she was going to come up for air once she got started properly.

The bazaar is fine for the first thing. We'll figure out the rest of the day. You don't have to babysit me all day either though, I mean, I'm sure you have other things to do too.

He explained about the Avians and Blue soaked up the knowledge with everything that she had. She was always interested. Always eager to absorb more knowledge over and over again. So she listened as he explained about the sunlight and how the Avians did not actually need to eat, because they were capable of getting everything that they could from the sun. They didn't even sleep, they just meditated somehow.

She had to admit it was nice to learn something new.

She got a bit lost when he started mentioning Flares, Casters, Messengers, and what not. She had a feeling that they all meant something but she had no idea what. She let it slide though, feeling as though it couldn't be that important afterall. Not that she undermined what they were, and who they were. More that she didn't feel that she needed to ask a million questions at the moment. She figured that she was going to figure it out as she went along.

So Civics are people without any powers, or not in the military? she asked him curiously.

They left the house, and she walked beside him. The weather was lovely, and she had to admit that she was enjoying it. She loved the way that they showed so much nature. How they made it a priority of sorts, it was such a great environment. She took the sites in as they walked through the city towards the bazaar that was close by. She was glad she had money in her pocket, and was eager to see what the Avians had to offer.

So... as a native. What do you do when you aren't showing your future Engineer around the city? she asked him curiously in effort to get to know her tour guide a little bit better.

The bazaar is fine for the first thing. We'll figure out the rest of the day. You don't have to babysit me all day either though, I mean, I'm sure you have other things to do too.

Not really. Seinshun's duty roster had been adjusted this week to welcome in the new consultants.

So Civics are people without any powers, or not in the military?

"They are the ones who provide a public service. Government officials, emergency services, physicians, but mostly the utility workers. Anyone who maintains our way of life."

As they left the dormitory, Seinshun stretched his wings. That particular building had been renovated for peoples not easily affected by claustrophobia. He liked the freedom the open air offered.

So... as a native. What do you do when you aren't showing your future Engineer around the city?

"Flying. There's nothing else like it." They passed a small sports practice field. It looked like one rugby players would use, but had a series of five hoops held up by poles instead of field goals. The poles were arranged so that the innermost was fifteen feet high with the others stepping down. Seinshun pointed it out to Blue. "I like to play that game. Its name loses something in translation, but it is like the human game of lacrosse. The objective is to score points by slinging a ball through the hoops. The higher the tier, the more points you score. Flying is not allowed to make it challenging, but we can use our wings to help with our jumps and to glide. We send our young to play it as a training exercise. It uses the same muscle groups used in flying and teaches them some maneuvers at a much younger age. I think there is a match tomorrow night."

Turning a corner, the duo came up to an ancient style marketplace. Open aired stalls with canvas roofs stretched as far as the eye could see. The ones closest to them belonged to glassblowers. Chandeliers and decorative crystal pieces lined their tables. Other patrons could be heard tuning musical instruments in the background. This particular section was devoted to the Arts. Clothing and accessories were deeper in the sea of winged salesmen and women.

Blue listened as he told her about the sports and flying. She could understand enjoying to fly if you had the ability to do so. Blue was always the kind of girl that was most comfortable with both feet firmly planted on the ground. She had never flown, and she would be most happy to never actually fly. She knew, that there were times in lives before the Enlightenment when people flew all over the world. But even still, she would prefer not to. If she could not travel by ground means, she found herself not really wishing to go. It didn't matter though, it wasn't as if she had the opportunity to fly anyway.

They passed a sports field and he explained how it worked. And how it trained the little ones so they would get used to learning how to use their bodies. Prepping for them to fly when they were ready. It was interesting. To see an entire community, culture, and race that did things similar but different.

So, when do the little ones learn how to fly? Is it.. forgive me.. is it like a bird, where the mother has to let them fly or fall.. or.. is it more of a class based system of teaching the child to fly?

Or maybe it was an innate skill.

She didn't know, but she had to admit, she was curious about everything so far. It was really an interesting thing to be here. As they hit the market she loved it. It was very old school. Open stalls, people calling their wares. She wanted to visit everyone and yet knew that wasn't really possible. The chandeliers were beautiful. She may have to pick one up before she went back to Librium. It would be beautiful in her apartment, not that she was there that often. But, she would be there often enough to enjoy it. Especially, with John in her life, constantly making her go home, and eat... and what not.

Is this open all the time? Or just on days like today?

She asked as they walked together down the main isle. She was interested in the glass chandeliers, but again, later. For now, she wanted to go deeper from within. She looked over at Shun.

It's somewhat hard to believe this whole island was once up in the sky... she mused as they walked through the stalls. Nothing had caught her eye yet, but she was certain things would.

So, when do the little ones learn how to fly? Is it.. forgive me.. is it like a bird, where the mother has to let them fly or fall.. or.. is it more of a class based system of teaching the child to fly?

"Most tend to learn on their own," Seinshun replied. "We learn how to walk first just like any pedal race typically around the age of two or three years. Through running and jumping, we figure out how to glide. Others step in then to train our upper bodies for sustained flight. At around six, an Avian should be able to get from sea level to the lowest cloud layer on his or her own. This is a rite of passage for my people. After completion, then more specialized maneuvers can be learned."

Blue was soaking everything in. That was a good sign for someone being trusted with a civilization's way of life (technologically speaking). If she could take in the culture so readily, then perhaps the repairs could be done on time.

Is this open all the time? Or just on days like today?

"This particular one is open every other day. But we are in one of the more remote areas of the city. Most of these vendors have full time shops in the Northeastern district and a greater selection than what they bring here."

It's somewhat hard to believe this whole island was once up in the sky...

A warm smile overtook the soldier's face. "Celestis was magnificent then. The air is much thinner and colder, but the view is awe inspiring. You could actually reach out and scoop a cloud with your hands. Watch the earth race by."

Seinshun grew momentarily solemn. "But Terra chose to Ground us much like how the Hebrew God tore down the Tower of Babel." The solemnity went back to a hint of hope. "However, She already had given us the gift of tongues so that we might become closer to everyone else. When we are successful in returning Celestis to the sky, you should most certainly return."

Little did he know Blue was not a big fan of heights.

"It just might free your soul, as ours will be."

Blue was intrigued by this race of people. It was not every day that you got to sit around and just asked questions. Whatever came to your mind. Those were the times that Blue enjoyed the most because she felt that she could really learn something. She also felt comfortable talking with Shun. He seemed to take her questions in stride and she appreciated that he wasn't taking any sort of offense. She didn't mean any, but there were times that asking the most blunt questions got the best and most informative answers.

That is amazing. I never would have thought that you could fly all the way to the clouds. How high can your people go?

She smiled. They were in the bazaar properly now and she loved the way that it was. It was busy. Sprawling with people and shops, people calling out their wares, and trying to sell whatever it was that they were selling. There was cloth, food, supplies. Jewelry, and all sorts of trinkets and emblems. She stopped at one stall and bought a pair of wings that were carved out of wood and put on a necklace. She had no idea who she would give it to but it was really neat looking and she figured that it might be her only chance to get one.

Do you remember being in the sky? she wondered curiously. Looking up at the sky she tried to imagine what it might have been like to see an island up there. It seemed so unnatural and she wondered who had decided to put it up there in the first place. She wondered if they hovered slightly off the ground if they would be just as happy but she doubted it. These people were like birds they wanted and needed to roost. Roosts were up high.

I am not sure I could handle the city if it was back in the air. I'm not very good with heights, and unlike you I don't have wings, and I can't fly should I stupidly walk off the edge of the thing. she laughed a little bit as they kept walking.

That is amazing. I never would have thought that you could fly all the way to the clouds. How high can your people go?

"From the surface, I could reach about thirty-three thousand feet without a transport. However, I also know how to use thermals and pressure fronts to my advantage," Seinshun explained. "It takes a long time to make the trip on my own. Celestis rarely ever ascended above forty thousand to my knowledge. Our physiology allows us to acclimate to high altitudes, but I don't know what our maximum is without pressure suits."

Some Avians had tried in the past. Perhaps that is where the humans derived the Icarus myth. They might have caught one or two trying to fly as close to the sun as they could. Unlike with Icarus, the Avians have a spiritual connection to the sun. Icarus flew out of folly. Seinshun's people would have done it out of reverence.

They walked around various display areas. Blue even bought a few things. Seinshun did not. Soldiers, even in peace time, didn't really have the room for such trinkets. Do you remember being in the sky?

"Yes. I was fourteen when the war ended." Seinshun said nothing of the personal horror of seeing his home list to the side and then drop. He had been a frontline defender when Terra caused the Enlightenment. The rest of the world spoke of quakes, fissures, fires, and floods. The Avians were perhaps the most helpless of them all as Celestis fell. They had only managed to survive as a species because they all had natural parachutes, even if they lacked the capacity to fly.

They only survived as a culture because of their minimalistic ways. Many of the passengers on the Titanic passed on because they went back for jewelry when they should have gone to the lifeboats. Houses and roosts could be rebuilt. Lives could not. That was one of the many lessons Terra taught them ten years ago.

I am not sure I could handle the city if it was back in the air. I'm not very good with heights, and unlike you I don't have wings, and I can't fly should I stupidly walk off the edge of the thing.

Seinshun was brought out of his dark ponderings at the last comment. "You can only walk off at certain sections. The outer rim is walled off, while the inner edge has railings. There are a few platforms that extend from the inner lip like fishing piers, which is where we usually take off from." He pointed to an enchanter's booth that a display case of brooches. "Diplomats from the other races were known to buy items such as those when Celestis was used as a neutral site. It is said the pin sprouts wings when you fall and lets you glide to the ground."

All magic had a limit. These items probably just slowed the faller long enough for a flyer or a pilot to retrieve him or her. There was no point in alarming the guest, however.

There was an enchanter's booth, and on it there were brooches. Apparently, if you fell this would slow you. She thought about whether she would need that or not. She didn't intend to go anywhere near the edge. But, to be safe, she shelled out some cash for one and put it on the lapel of her shirt. She figured that even if all the Avians made fun of her for such a thing she was only a half elf and a certain kind of drop could definatly kill her.

They walked through the bazaar for a while. She didn't find anything else that she thought she needed to have immediatly. He said it was open every other day, if something came to her mind then she could always come back. She doubted that she would considering actual work started tomorrow. That was important to her of course, she wanted to get her hands dirty and see if she could do whatever it took to make this city get back in the sky.

Lets go see those gardens of yours.

As they left the bazaar, her bag was wrapped around the strap to her messenger bag. It was filled with all the things that she had bought at the bazaar save for the clip on her lapel. They walked and she took in the sites of the city. Blue wasn't actually much of a talker, she just didn't want the man to think that he was being ignored or that she was being rude. And, curiosity always brought Blue out of her shell anyway. Still, as they walked she was quiet, and just absorbing the entire area.

It was such a neat place.

It was not hard to imagine this place up in the sky. Circling softly in the air as the people jumped off it's piers and flew down to Terra below. She could imagine how interetesting the trade would be. Because the Avians would not be capable of making everything, and neither would those on Terra. They would need established trade routes, but that wasn't anything Blue had to do with.

So... I wonder, how did Celestis fall? I am probably not really up to date on all my history. I spend most of my time in a lab. So... I don't get out much. I assume you want her back up, because that is where she is meant to be. Was it Enlightenment that brought her down?

Blue flitted among the booths, picking one of the feather fall brooches. She didn't do much more shopping. Looked like the elf-human hybrid had a few things in common with the Avian way of life. If that were true, then the soldier could possibly lower his guard around her. Blue seemed innocent enough.....but she was still an outsider.

Lets go see those gardens of yours.

"This way," Seinshun pointed towards the way they came in. For a race of talkers, he was rather quiet around Blue. Not just Blue. He was a protector when it came to fisticuffs. It was up to the Messengers to battle with tongues. At least Blue seemed content to imagine for the moment.

So... I wonder, how did Celestis fall? I am probably not really up to date on all my history. I spend most of my time in a lab. So... I don't get out much. I assume you want her back up, because that is where she is meant to be. Was it Enlightenment that brought her down?

"Indeed," Seinshun replied to her assumption. "And yes, Enlightenment did not spare us. The earth shook and destabilized the arcane version of the magnetic poles. Not for very long, but enough that the anti-mana system I mentioned earlier could no longer maintain Celestis' altitude. We were also under attack at the time and several of the turbines had failed in the onslaught. The remaining engines just barely kept us from impacting either bank. That's part of the reason why repairs have taken this long. Half of the engines sustained gunship damage while the others were mangled in the landing."

They rounded a corner and found themselves staring at the Avian equivalent of Central Park, but with trees the size of California redwoods. Spiral staircases grew out of the bases of some them of them and reached up to the boughs. Rope walkways connected the trunks. There were no fences around the grounds, nor were there any signs saying "Welcome" or "See You Soon." The gardens just were. And they were certainly massive.

As they headed for the garden, Seinshun told her about how the Enlightenment and a war had virtually grounded the skyborn city. She listened, hands shoved in her pockets as they walked. Blue was ever curious. Not to mention, she felt that learning about their history might help her fix the motors. Most might not understand why, why she would need to know anything about it to fix some mechanical pieces of equipment. But, it helped, because now at least she knew, how they had become damaged.

You were at war. But, with whom?

Blue was enamored by the garden. She was half elf, and of course, that meant she had a connection to nature. One that was innate. She might be more human than elf in the way that she lived her life and in the way that she worked. But, she was Elven too and there was a nature side to her. It was sated and happy by the amazingly sprawling garden that seemed to have no beginning or end. It was perfect, it was almost natural, and yet it was well kept and sculpted.

It's really quite a lovely garden. I like that it doesn't have walls. So many people try to put nature within their confines. There is no reason to think nature needs to conform to man, but the other way around, sometimes.

It was something her mother said often. That humans were tempting Terra by asking it to contain itself just where they saw fit not to develop. Still though, she noticed that some of the trees and the like here were twisted into stair cases and things. It was beautiful but it also wasn't natural. Which meant magic. Probably Elven, that or they had a massively talented Avian Natural Mage.

Do you have a mage here? That .. changes the forms of the trees like that? she asked curiously. She wasn't offended. While she might be half elf, she was not the kind that was overly pissy about nature. In fact, she had a black thumb, which was surprising. Her mother always teased her about it but Blue had killed just about every plant she had ever tried to grow before she decided not to try. No reason to suffer innocent plants with her terrible growing skills.

So, Shun. Tell me about yourself. You've told me a bit about the Avians, but what about you? You're very quiet, professional, and aloof. But, I'm curious what's behind the professional demeanor. If that means I have to get you drunk somehow, I will. she teased with a smile.

You were at war. But, with whom?

Seinshun looked her over. Blue didn't know what war had been going on ten years ago? She really must not get out much. He kept his professionalism, though. "With the humans. Even though we always declared ourselves to be neutral in the beginning of the Conflagration, Mankind was afraid we would use Celestis to launch an attack anywhere in the world. They struck first, and then we joined with the Children of Terra." He dropped the history lesson. That was the past and it would ruin the garden.

It's really quite a lovely garden. I like that it doesn't have walls. So many people try to put nature within their confines. There is no reason to think nature needs to conform to man, but the other way around, sometimes.

"Our roots to nature are quite strong, even at thirty thousand feet."

Do you have a mage here? That .. changes the forms of the trees like that?

The stormcaller looked at the construction. "Not as much as you would think. Are you familiar with the Japanese bonsai trees? They're the ones that are pruned to grow in spiral shapes. The gardens are more like that, although magic is used to retain the shape as the tree grows older."

So, Shun. Tell me about yourself. You've told me a bit about the Avians, but what about you? You're very quiet, professional, and aloof. But, I'm curious what's behind the professional demeanor. If that means I have to get you drunk somehow, I will. Blue smiled.

That caught him off guard. "There's not much to tell. My father is a Flare, a soldier, and my mother is in the Guild of Casters. I inherited both skillsets and was taken to the Stormcaller academy. Stormcallers are the equivalent to battlemages. I finished my training, joined the defense force, and then the Enlightenment happened a few years later. I mainly run protection details for shipments coming in to Celestis.

With the occascional liason duty on the side," he smirked back.

Oh, that war. Sorry, I just.. wasn't sure if there was another I didnt know about. However, I did not know that the humans attacked you first. Sounds like them though.

She had known nothing that good from humans. Most of the time they jumepd to conclusions and were the first to shirt and ask questions later. Often finding out that their rash actions were wrong to begin with. That wasn't fair to anyone. Especially, not to the millions of people that were killed because of ideas that were brought on by someone that wasn't going to do the dirty work anyway.

As they walked, she could only admire the beautiful gardens. The flowers, the trees, the bushes. Some were sculpted into things that she knew they didn't grow into naturally. And the others, were left to grow in their own way. She couldn't help but love the beauty of it all and wondered how much her mother would love to see all of this here.

He explained that the trees were not really grown by magic. That they were pruned that way and that the entire trees were then later kept the shape with magic as they got old, too old for pruning and she had a feeling that flying with giant scissors wasn't the best thing.

I need to bring my mother up here. She would really love it up here. She loves gardens like this. She would really appreciate the artwork. She's an elf you know, and this is really.. her thing. Blue laughed a little bit and shrugged. She had a black thumb, a really black one, and she was the joke of many elven communities because even though she was half elf, she found that she couldn't grow anything.

Blue's head tilted to the side a bit as he came out with information about himself. Her brow rose.

So, you get your last name because of the title that you are in your community here. You are a Stormcaller, so that is your given last name? Is that how it works for all the Avians? Or is that a title and not a name?

She was interested in him. Not in any romantic way but as a person that she might like to get to know. She figured that she would be seeing him a lot, and if he was liason while she was here, he might be the only person that she got to hold conversations with outside of Albert and her machines. Because yes, sometimes she did talk to her creations as she worked. Many people thought she was nuts, but she wasn't.

Here I am, asking tons of questions of you, and not having answered any of myself. Do you wish to know anything Shun?

Oh, that war. Sorry, I just.. wasn't sure if there was another I didnt know about. However, I did not know that the humans attacked you first. Sounds like them though.

Seinshun nodded. It was an honest mistake, and Blue was processing a lot of new information.

I need to bring my mother up here. She would really love it up here. She loves gardens like this. She would really appreciate the artwork. She's an elf you know, and this is really.. her thing. Blue laughed and shrugged.

"I'm sure we could arrange a visit for her." That wasn't exactly the battlemage's department. He was supposed to help her transition to life in the city, after all.

So, you get your last name because of the title that you are in your community here. You are a Stormcaller, so that is your given last name? Is that how it works for all the Avians? Or is that a title and not a name? she asked.

"Avians do not use surnames within the walls of Celestis. We find surface dwellers relate to us better when we do. So yes, my position is my surname if you will. Not unlike the origins of some of the English names. Smith, for example, was used by blacksmiths. Longfellow....after tall people." Seinshun shrugged. That was a random bit of linguist's knowledge he learned in school.

Here I am, asking tons of questions of you, and not having answered any of myself. Do you wish to know anything Shun?

Seinshun hadn't expected Blue to be so direct about it. He was supposed to be more of an observer of behavior. The Messengers would have already asked about her history. "Forgive me, but you don't carry yourself like most of the elves I know. I did read some of your background check. Your father is human. Were you raised in an elven settlement?"

Speaking of last names, hers was actually familiar. Seinshun looked Blue over again. "Do you have a sister with the Terran Guard?" He had taken Neona on a similar tour of Celestis several months ago. There was a family resemblance, with the exception of the blue eyes.

That would be very kind of you. Thank you.

As he began to explain how he ended up with his last name she couldn't help but smile. Afterall, it made sense that he wouldn't need surnames. She assumed that there probably weren't that many people within the walls of Celestis that were named Seinshun. But then, one would never know. The culture here was a great mystery to her, and she was getting interested in solving more and more of the mystery of the Avians.

Yes, I remember hearing that in school. About how surnames started. Though many changed, as people emmigrated to other areas of the world. Shucking off their old telltale names, and taking on a better more fitted name for the region they were in.

As they walked, and she goaded him a little bit he finally came out with a question for her. Shoving her hands in her pockets, a gesture she did often, she listened to his question. About, how she wasn't like most elves, how she was was different. She knew that. And so did he. He knew that her father was human, but he was curious where she was raised. Blue gave a small grin.

Right to the heart of the matter, Shun. I like it. You're right. I'm not distinctly Elven outside of my looks. I can't grow crap. Don't much want to anyway. I guess my human half is more dominant. I grew up in the outskirts of Elyria. With my brother and sister. They were both much more Elven than I. I think it kills my mother, that one of her daughters has nothing to do with fancy dresses and the like. I think she really wants a daughter that loves to garden, to wear dresses, to go drink tea, and marry and Elven man.. even though she didn't. Kind of contradictory.

She shrugged.

I was the kid that fixed all the broken stuff in the house. The one that took stuff apart to see how it worked, put it back together, or altered it to be way better than it was before. I was more social before. My brother died in the war. It changed a lot about my family.

She stopped talking for half a second. Intending to go on, but she was stopped when he asked a different question. Probably his way of not wanting to hear all her drama. She didn't blame him. No one wanted to hear all that business.

Ha, yeah. I take it you know my sister, Neona? Most people do. She said she put my name in for this job anyway. Said I was the best person for the job. She's a good sister. she admitted. They were starting to get closer again. There had been a lot of long years where Blue didn't talk to her sister, but now they were reconsciling, and finding ways to be sisters again.

Did you work with her, while she was here?

They continued the discussion of the origin of human surnames for a moment longer. Then they went to the personal questions.

Right to the heart of the matter, Shun. I like it. You're right. I'm not distinctly Elven outside of my looks. I can't grow crap. Don't much want to anyway. I guess my human half is more dominant. I grew up in the outskirts of Elyria. With my brother and sister. They were both much more Elven than I. I think it kills my mother, that one of her daughters has nothing to do with fancy dresses and the like. I think she really wants a daughter that loves to garden, to wear dresses, to go drink tea, and marry and Elven man.. even though she didn't. Kind of contradictory.

"Yes, well the Messengers are a bit more roundabout with their speech. I can't grow anything either, but I've never tried." Seinshun didn't say anything about marrying within the species. Avians tended not to look outside the city for mates. However, they were also on the brink of being endangered. That wasn't to say there weren't any mixed descent avians out there. Seinshun had met the Terran Guard named Angelo who had a human progenitor.

I was the kid that fixed all the broken stuff in the house. The one that took stuff apart to see how it worked, put it back together, or altered it to be way better than it was before. I was more social before. My brother died in the war. It changed a lot about my family.

"Sounds like you'll fit in well here. We have plenty of things to be rebuilt. I'm sorry for your loss." Seinshun hadn't lost any blood relatives during the Conflagration. That was only because his family was rather small. He had of course lost many brothers in arms in the few years he had fought in the war. To the Avians, the Conflagration was a hugely unnecessary war. Unfortunately, they still had to fight in it.

Ha, yeah. I take it you know my sister, Neona? Most people do. She said she put my name in for this job anyway. Said I was the best person for the job. She's a good sister. Did you work with her, while she was here?

"Only briefly," Seinshun stated. "I escorted her and a few other dignitaries into the city. We were asking for resource pledges from a few organizations. Your sister represented the Guard."

They came to a massive clearing big enough to hold a suburban park. "This is the central grotto. You can get to any part of the Gardens from here. There are species from all continents separated by these paths. We can just pick one and go."

Blue smiled. Don't worry about it. It was a long time ago. A lot of people lost their loved ones in the war. I probably wouldn't be who I am today if it wasn't for that.

It might have sounded harsh, but it was true. She wouldn't be the insanely gifted technopath that she was. Of course she was always made to be some sort of a genius when it came to those kinds of things. But, because of all the hard work she had put into her gift and using her thoughts and creativity, had made her a force to be reckoned with in the world of technopathy.

He told her that he had escorted her sister around the city with other dignitaries and Blue couldn't help but smile. She and her sister had a great deal of differences. They had been super close, they had always been a very tight knit family. But, after Nathan died, Neona had run away. When her parents couldn't handle both the kids leaving at the same time. .. Neona got tossed into the same feeling of abandonment that Blue had felt at the end. Which was bad for Neona but they were beginning to mend their relationship little by little and that was important to Blue. She did love her sister.

Ahaha, she's a go getter that one. Probably kept you on your toes.

That was one of the many things the two of them had in common. They were both extremely dedicated to their jobs. They got to what was apparently called the main grotto. He told her they could go in any direction that they wanted to. This was kind of the 'hub' of the garden. She saw the asian area, where the big bright blossoms were hanging heavily in one direction. She smiled.

Taking Shun's arm in her own, she lead him that direction. Because she wanted to go see the bright beautiful flowers. She wondered if her mother could grow these at home. They would certainly look good in her garden, that much was for sure.

Do you know how they get all these different kinds of flowers to grow in one park? she asked him curiously. Wondering if there was some sort of trick to it all.