Part 29: I heard that Zeiss has stairs...that MOVE. MOVING! STAIRS!

-Dancing With The Wind-







Mirano: We MUST make sure those ducks are all in a row before the Imperial traders start arriving.
Simon: Y-Yes, ma'am! We've already spoken to the head of the Central Factory! All we need now is a contract to move the orbments.
Mirano: I declare, this non-aggression pact is a perfect match! Once the ink is dry, the markets will rise like the clouds of Aidios Herself! We'd be well served to have as many orbments on hand before that happens.
Simon: W-We should at least have the amount we would need on hand, ma'am. Anything further will be up to more negotiation.



Passenger: Okay, so, Zeiss? You know, the place we're headed to now? Doesn't even HAVE a mayor! Instead, the head of the Central Factory fulfills the mayoral duties for the city and region. Perfect system for an industrial city like that, if you ask me.
Just don't ask about their safety record.



Hardt: After all, we're signing a non-aggression pact with the same country that we fought for three months of bloody slaughter just a decade ago. I hope it will finally melt the ice a little between our two nations.



Crew Mem. Alex: Until a little while ago, he was playing some very...um, bright tunes on his lute. He even forced me into a duet with him! It takes all kinds, I guess...including pushy kinds. The observation lounge is usually pretty popular, but...For some reason, our passengers feel less inclined to sit here today. It's...because of that passenger, isn't it?



Look--gaze upon this magnificent azure sky! Ah, but there is nothing better to drink to!
Well, the weather is great and the sky is pretty, but...We're, um...almost to Zeiss, Olivier. Should you really be drinking?
Oh, come now. Don't say that.
Somewhere beneath this brilliant sky is my beloved Joshua. The pain he must be feeling on his solitary journey...
Such thoughts DRIVE a man to drink, you see.
Excuse me, but that is entirely and exclusively my line.
*sigh* At least things never get TOO serious with you around. I guess that's a good thing. Kinda. Maybe.
I shall take that as the highest praise!
I am relieved, however.
Huh?
The 'Black Fang'...I had wondered if the words of the Phantom Thief had shaken you.
I see I had no cause to be concerned, however. You have a will of iron, Estelle.
O-Oh...
Ah-haha...You were worried about me, Olivier? That's...kinda sweet.
Haha! Remember, I am a wandering bard and poet, ever in search of that pinnacle of human affection! Maidens in love shall find no greater ally than I!
Erm, um, well...!
Ah, please. I do not need a...'staffing' today. I promise, I was not teasing you. I actually find your relationship heartwarming. Those new clothes of yours, for example. You purchased them because you wish for Joshua to see you in them, yes?
You look excellent in them, I must say.
Th-Thanks...
What's with the embarrassing compliments all of a sudden? Besides, Schera got me these clothes as a present.
Joshua...Well, maybe he'd like them. A little...
...Hm.
Wh-What's with that look?
Heh...Forgive me. That was just...more than I expected.
Let us leave that topic behind for a while, then. Come, Estelle. I shall treat you to a 'legal' cocktail.
I guess it is a bit tempting, but we're nearly to Zeiss.
Try not to drink the whole bar yourself, Olivier, or you'll pass out and miss our stop.
Hah! Don't you worry. I only lose myself in drink when it is poured by a lovely lady.
You realize that's not something to brag about, right?
I think you're holding out on me, Olivier. Come on, make with the goods.
Oh, on that note, Estelle, would you like to read a certain book?
It's very interesting, although it is banned in Erebonia.
A banned...If you're trying to push smut on me, Olivier, I swear to Aidios...
Not at all. It's a pleasant novel set in the Calvard Republic. But, alas, our noble Imperial overlords have deemed it...'improper for our education.' So you cannot find it in the Empire's borders.
Oh, I...I see. The Empire's...kind of a hard place to live, huh...
I'd heard reports of its quality, and now I've finally had a chance to read it.
Everything I'd heard was true. It is most excellent reading.
Huh, neat. What kind of story is it?
See for yourself! I'm quite done with it, so go ahead and take it.
Really? Cool! Thanks!

Now, then...Zeiss! Ah, I cannot wait. I went straight to Elmo for the hot springs the last time I was here, so I did not see much of the region. I'm eager to see everything Zeiss has to offer.



Aldan: My one and only chance to get the picture will be when we're landing. Heheheh. Next is Zeiss, eh? I hope the workshop ship is in the harbor! If I'm lucky, the Arseille will be in port. Heheheh. I'm so excited that my camera hand is shaking.



Zosimov: This is the cargo room! It's dangerous down here, so watch yourself. The bridge is on the deck just above us. If you haven't seen it yet, you TOTALLY need to go look!



Captain Petrov: The skies are calm and we should be arriving on schedule. Please, relax and enjoy the voyage. If you're full of energy, feel free to have a look around the ship.
Nobody knows how to say 'Take a hike' with more courtesy than an airship captain.
Crew Mem. Roger: Helm, adjust course slightly. I think the stern of the ship is being dragged to the north slightly. Another sea breeze, huh? I can't let my attention waver when we're in the air over this area.
Crew Mem. Quint: Baaaa-doo-doo-doo-doooooot... ♪ Ah, affirmaatiiiiive... ♪ Changing course, doot-doo doo-doo-doooooot... ♪ Bum-du-du-du, doo-doot-doo, BAM-ba-ba-ba, bowwww-doot-dow... ♪



Passenger: I guess they wouldn't let a passenger ship near their airspace, though, would they? Heheh...I'm a total military nut, you know. My favorite tank is the original model of the Imperial Army's Reinford LP-III! It gets better mileage than its post-Hundred Days War successors.



Passenger: You're bothering the other passengers.
Don't tell me what to do, lady.
Young Boy: I heard that Zeiss has stairs...that MOVE. MOVING! STAIRS! I wanna ride them, I wanna ride them!
Young Girl: Who cares about moving stairs? I wanna see the hot springs! I heard it's like one huuuuge bath!



Taking a walk around the ship?
Haha! Yeah, pretty much.
Oh, yeah, Kloe, what do you do when you need to get back to Grancel? Do you get the Royal Guard to fly you there?
Haha, no, of course not! That would be a little obvious! I just use normal flights like everyone else.
I usually go back twice a year, once for New Year's and once for Grandmother's birthday.
So you're kinda used to passenger flight, huh.
Oh, but what does Sieg do, then? Does he fly along at his own pace to the capital?
Oh, well...
Sieg, come here!
Huh?





Scree?
Haha! Sorry, I'm just calling you for a moment.
W-Well, that was a surprise...So Sieg can follow the ship? Cool!
Scree! ♪
Sieg can fly level at speeds of up to 1800 selge per hour. Most airships cruise at around half that...So to Sieg, this isn't much faster than an evening stroll.
Oh, I see!
You really are better than the average falcon, aren't you, Sieg?
Screee! ♥
Sieg's speed is the reason he's so useful for contacting the Royal Guard. If for some reason I can't use powered communication, nothing in the country can carry a message faster than Sieg!
I thought so. I remember how fast you got in touch with Julia during that thing with the mayor!
Mmm, the wind feels so nice...
With the weather like this, Zeiss is going to be lovely.



Crew Mem. Nora: While it is currently slightly cloudy, you should be able to make out the coastline. Our ship is currently above the Kaldia Tunnel. We will be arriving in Zeiss on schedule.



Rutherford: I haven't had a chance to rest in a while. Been workin' all the time! Once I get home, I just want to kick back and relax for a while.



Passenger: Speaking of...That makes me think of that whole mess with Richard. Of course, last I heard he's still in the stockade at Leiston Fortress, under guard 24/7. I've heard they still haven't caught all the remnants of the old Intelligence Division. Most people don't seem to pay them much mind anymore, but them skulking around out there is a scary thought. Peace really is a fragile thing, eh?



Passenger: I'm impressed with Queen Alicia, bringing both the Empire and the Republic to the same table like that.
Other Passenger: I suppose the non-aggression pact is a good thing. My own feelings toward Erebonia are...complicated, to say the least. After all this time, though, it's for the best to reconcile.



Pretty much. I never rode airships much before now, so it's all kind of new to me still.
Ah, I gotcha. Yeah, full bracers do a lot of traveling, so airships are real handy. Heck, we probably use 'em even more than merchants and whatnot.
Yeah, I remember how Dad was always out on business. I wonder how he's doing...
Last I heard, he was made top general of the army, so I bet he's so busy it'd make our eyes spin. Heh. Just desserts for the man who always tried to take it as easy as he could.
It IS kinda hard to imagine Dad being busy, somehow...
I'm curious, though, Agate. You seem to respect Dad, more or less. So why do you always trash-talk him so much?
...It's not...talkin' trash, really.
'Sides, your old man's the one who's rude, y'know. Every time he sees me it's all 'Good work' or 'What a good kid,' treatin' me like some fresh-faced punk...
Yyyyeah...Dad does like to tease people...That's how he is to everyone, though, so I never paid attention to it much.
Y'know, you're kinda lucky, bein' a girl and all. If you were his son, you'd probably be in the middle of a huge rebellious phase right about now.
Uh, r-really?
A father is...sort of a wall for a son to overcome, y'see. Going up against a wall the size of Cassius? Yeah, that'd lead to one hell of a complex, I bet.
Uh. Well, I guess it's more of a guy thing, but...
Does that mean you've got a complex about my dad, then, Agate?
...
Oh, I'm sorry! Didn't mean to pry!
Ah, just leave it. You're just like your dad...Anyway. Zeiss is comin' up. We're gettin' off soon, so don't wander too far.

*BING BONG*