The Search Decoded (Closed)

And then she existed again.

They were still crammed in her gummi ship, but looking out the window showed that they were in a place very different. Sand everywhere, seemingly endless. The only sign of civilization was the town that stood before them. So this is the place where the sultan was? The place where they could start finding answers. Their journey had officially begun.

"That was an experience," Zyv mumbled.

Veara's green iris slowly flickered back to life as his body went limp in the chair leaning against Schwartz for a moment or two until he was able to pull himself up under his own power. Shaking his head trying to get his body back under control. Already he could feel the hot sun of the sun beating down upon him and he would have pat himself on the back had it not been for the sudden exhaustion he felt. "Well I got us here...apologies about not saying anything earlier." It was clear that the feat took some power out of him that being the first time he ever teleported multiple people plus a ship....and a bird.

In the future should he continue doing this he would have no problem, however currently he felt his head blaring on him and the desert sun wasn't helping his case. The boy quickly teleported himself out of the gummi ship simply adding to his headache as he leaned against the ship holding his head with one hand. Slowly with his free hand he had begun to loosen the scarf around his neck, soon the article of clothing fell to the ground. The sound of his hoodie unzipping could be heard and shortly after the blonde removed his hoodie exposing the mesh shirt he had on underneath. Tying the hoodie around his waist with its sleeves, he picked up the scarf and tied it around his neck so at least his upper chest wouldn't be exposed through the mesh shirt he wore. After fixing into desert apparel the boy simply put his head on the ship and put his arms up to his head trying to get rid of the roaring headache before they continued moving.

Aqua felt herself returning to existence. It took her a moment to get her bearings back in order, but she saw that they were still in the gummi ship.

Did he...transport the whole ship?

Granted, the ship itself wasn’t too large, but it was no doubt tasking on Veara. After his apology, she looked up to find him, however he has already teleported himself out by that point. She took in a breath before standing back up, barely keeping her balance.

Schwartz had come back into the realm of existence and had agreed that she always the feeling of teleportation. Veara, however, seemed to have been out of it the most and promptly teleported out. The petite assassin quickly made her out of the ship behind Zyvonia and was introduced to the barren dessert, that was Agrabah. Usually, one would feel extremely hot under all of the clothing the woman wore and how covered her face was, but she was actually pretty cooled. Her main focus, was Veara and when she saw him leaned against the ship, she went over to put a hand on his shoulder.

"Are you good?" She asked quietly, with concern lacing her voice. He looked like he was suffering from the worst headache ever, so Schwartz didn't dare try raising her voice at him.

Zienna felt a little dizzy after being teleported along with everyone, feeling a little sick as well. But after taking a deep breath, she recovered. She was the last one out as Nero already flew away to see what there was to see ahead of them.The succubus walked out and looked around for Veara, sensing that he wasn't at his best, but that was probably expected. He did, after all, teleport an entire ship loaded with people. It was a good thing Wolfram stayed behind or Veara would have burst a vein or two. Silently, she walked up to him and Schwartz, extending a wing over the blond to shield him from the sun.

"Is the shade enough for you, Veara?" she asked sweetly. Zienna would raise the wing higher to keep Schwartz in the shade as well, and should the others join them, she had another wing she could use to give them protection from the sun as well. The heat didn't bother her wings as much as it would have, so she was unfazed by the searing warmth of the sun above.

Everybody was out of the ship. It was hot. Sweltering. She noticed that V took his hoodie off and she followed suit. She pulled off her hoodie to reveal a grey tank top. Like V, she tied her hoodie around her waist. She kind of wished she had worn shorts or skirt (though a skirt wasn't exactly practical for fighting) instead of pants. While Zyv wasn't used to the heat, she often had hot summers back in her hometown and it wasn't unbearable to her. She noticed V seemed to be pretty worn out already. Perhaps teleporting them all took a bit out of him.

"I'm starting to think that this is just some elaborate date," Zyv told V when she saw Schwartz and Zienna around him. "Anyways, you should lead the way since you are probably the only one who knows where to go."

Veara's head rang as if someone was constantly ringing bells over and over within his head. As if his head himself we're currently the biggest bell upon the bells of notre dame. When he felt the hand upon his shoulder and a voice that was laced with concern he looked over to find Schwartz. His eyes when he looked down at her we're currently flickering between green and pure white orbs. Almost as if Veara eyes were currently a TV being switched constantly between two stations. Veara looking down at her gave her a small nod of his head with a small smile. Though when Zienna appeared above them using her wing as an umbrella looked up at both of them smiling. "Thanks...I'll be okay...takes more then that to knock me out." Veara spoke, however upon hearin Zyv's immediate comment made him honestly laugh hard and hurt his head hard. Shaking his head a little and looking over at them, he slapped his face once then twice. "Thanks for the umbrella I need that now let's go and get Pac to decide this map....he probably know we're here before we get there." Veara spoke at first happily and then solemnly. Putting on a tough face for the rest of them, yet still walking ahead of them he began to head into the town leading them towards the palace.

True he could have teleported them all again...but frankly the headache was already bad enough.

No need for more.

After leaving the gummi ship, Aqua immediately felt the beating sun. It was far more intense than anything she’s ever felt on the islands. Yet her attire did make the sun tolerable at the very least. She looked toward Veara, seeing him with Schwartz and Zienna. She sent a small smile toward him,knowing it wasn’t likely he saw it. Just this once, it seemed, perhaps life will turn out for the better for him. She knew she made the right choice, following them along. She needed to find the light within her, and experiences like this could only help.

Even then, after Zyv made her comment, Aqua couldn’t help but give a small laugh before catching up with the group and following along, a smile on her face.

Schwartz couldn't help but hiss underneath her breath when Zyvonia uttered that it seemed like Veara put together an elaborate date, rather than a serious search of treasure. However, she didn't let it get to her, because of the fact no one would be able to tell her state of emotions beneath all the clothing and hair. Though, Zienna was another thorn that seemed to prick at the assassin for some reason, but she couldn't put her finger on why. However, the gesture the demon woman did of raising her wing to shield her too merited some benefit of the doubt...

"Don't push yourself, kid. We can't have you dead on the floor when we barely started the journey... Zyv over there is right, though, we should get a move on." She said in agreement with the girl. Ducking under the wing to get a better view of the dessert town, Schwartz walked forward ahead of the group and crossed her arms. She turned to the rest of them and tilted her head slightly. "Well, kid, can you lead us?" The petite woman asked, with it making the most logical sense, as she knew for a fact none of them knew where they were and with him knowing the sultan of the place, he'd be the next best person to take point.

Zienna hummed a giggle at the pilot's little comment, and just could help but smirk and say, "I wouldn't mind dating brother Veara~" she said jokingly, but it held some truths as well. In fact, she wouldn't mind dating any of them here. They were all very gorgeous, and Schwartz was a little mysterious and would possibly murder her in her sleep, which boosted her chances despite not showing her face. She looked rather adorable to be honest, with her small frame and hidden features.

As they advanced, she kept the shade on all those who sought it out, simply being a friendly party member in this quest. She was impressed by the amount of sand, and how little there was outside of the big settlement. It's a great wonder how they could survive in such a harsh environment.

Zyv rummaged through he bag and pulled out a water bottle. It wasn't full, it only about half full. She remembered when she got this water bottle. She had bought it before she had left her hometown. She just never finished it and water doesn't really do bad, so she didn't get around to throwing it away.

"Hey, V, catch, " she said as she tossed the water bottle to him. "It's not much and it's kind of old, but it should help with the heat."

Veara while clapping his face looked up towards the town, the small village gate which was unguarded or at least it seemed to be, however you easily into the town by just looking ahead . Looking to his left he saw that Aqua was smiling at him though before he could do anything she had turned...perhaps she thought of something funny from the past or something and didn't want to be rude by laughing while facing his direction. He got somewhat of a mom speech from Schwartz...though it was kind of warranted considering he almost passed out on them and they hadn't even begun, yet.

When she asked if he could lead the boy puffed out his chest though he was thankful the mesh allowed his body to go unnoticed while beating one hand on it. Afterwards he put a hands on Schwartz shoulder rubbing it for a moment before speaking. "It would be an honor...that's the right word right...yup, Honor!" The boy spoke and walked into Agrabah, hot sun or not hot sun he knew his body would slowly begin to ignore the sun just like it had done last time. When he heard what Zienna had to say the boy quickly took a spit take despite having nothing in his mouth towards the side where no one was currently located. He laughed nervously having no idea what she was talking about, however he simply reaffirmed himself with the islanders belief and that was a simple one.

Veara was not dateable.

When he heard the Zyv ask him to catch Veara spun on his heel and grabbed what she had thrown which turned out be a water canteen. Looking up to her he smiled warmly at the girl and began to drink some of it not taking all of it and a sigh of relief came from the boy. "Thanks Zyv, that was a big help with the heat." Veara laugh lightly hooking the canteen on one of the side belts that hung off his belt and we're currently being covered by his hoodie. With that Veara licked his lips lightly and spun in the direction of the town. "To the palace." Veara spoke walking with a pep in his step and he licked his lips once more and then brought his left arm up and wiped away the small excess. Moving into the town the boy began to walk out of memory to where the palace was....which literally was almost straight road down actually.

Aqua listened on as Veara and the girls with him discussed dating, a discussion that seemed to fly over the poor boy's head. the bluenette gave a small giggle accompanied with a blush. She's never really thought about seriously dating anyone. She looked at Veara, but gave another small laugh. She wouldn't date him. He has his own life now, one built while she was away. Even before then, they've known each other for too long, they were friends and Aqua really didn't want to complicate that friendship any more than it already was.

Regardless, she really didn't have time for those sort of things anyway. She needed to be focused on the tasks ahead. She will enjoy friendships, but...she sighed. Who knows, perhaps love would be the right thing. This isn't really the thing to 'think' about, though. She needed her heart to guide her. If she needed to find the light within her, it would be her heart leading her to it.

As the group got closer to the city, Aqua looked around in amazement, "Incredible..."

She never was really able to see sights like this during her training. She had to admit, while it wasn't flashy, it had an atmosphere that still fascinated her. She drew in a breath, soon regretting it as the dry air made her sneeze.

"Ah, sorry," she said with a tinge of pink to her cheeks.

Luckily enough for Schwartz, her features weren't visible for her undying rage to be seen by all of them. She ignored Zienna's little comment about dating Veara, but was mostly relieved to a point when she referred to him as "brother." Either case, there wasn't much for her to say or do at that point in time, but that changed when the young man suddenly placed his hand on her shoulder (which was extremely cool despite the heat). For someone like him, he was rather adorable when it came to being... Clueless. With a roll of her eyes, she continued off with the group towards the town area. The petite assassin had to admit, however, the place was rather impressive when it came to it being a large living area among the seas of sand. The palace itself was also pretty impressive, as it were the biggest landmark of that entire area.

As they entered the area, Zienna couldn't help but chuckle with Veara's reaction to her little remark. There was no doubt that he didn't know the meaning of the things said, and got to wondering, what has he been doing in Destiny Island for all those years? Even little children knew at least some of the things the blond let fly over him. But the succubus guessed that was his own unique charm. If it could be called that. The succubus threw a little glance at the poncho-wearing woman and smiled. Yeah, it could be called that.

Turning her head to the source of an adorable sneeze, she saw Aqua lightly blushing in embarrassment. "Bless you~" she said to her sweetly with a gentle smirk that could have carried a hidden meaning. The succubus' gaze was soon refocused to the palace. It was a big one, she'd give it that, a real display of power and wealth. She guessed that was normal for anyone with the right funding. She hoped it was cool on the inside.

Zyv snickered when Veara finished drinking her water, suddenly thinking of something. "You know V, if you haven't had kissed a girl yet, then I just stole your first," she said with teasing smirk, poking fun at Schwartz, who she could tell could be easily aggravated. Not that she particularly disliked Schwartz or anything, she just found it very amusing to mess with her. She wondered how old she was. She was short, but V seemed to show an interest in her, though Zyv didn't know if it was one of simply friendship or something more. It was hard to say with V.

They arrived at the palace. Magnificent, though Zyv wasn't a fan of the design and general overall theme of it. Too many rounded edges. "So, do we knock or something?"

Veara looked back at Zyv and the face that she had given him when she mentioned the whole first kiss thing yet Veara couldn't help but just simply start laughing. Veara had lost track of all those little kisses and what not that he would always receive from the islanders and he always replies the same way. A simple 'you didn't need to do that' and a smile. He turned to look at Zyv his hands on the back of his head. "Hahahah, technically my first kiss was from the elder who brought me up!" Veara spoke and kind of sort of dropped the subject.

When they arrived at the door Veara breathed soundly and the moment after Zyv finished speaking he banged on the door loudly resonating loudly. Knowing that would get their attention. Eventually when they got someone to answer the door Veara spoke using his regular voice."Hi we're here to see Pac Iscor." He spoke to the one who approached still using a regular voice see no reason to use another one. Though inside his head his thoughts were currently running a mile a minute about this meeting.

Aqua followed along as the others made their way to the large palace. The bluenette couldn’t help but wonder who exactly this person really was. No doubt, with a building like this, this Pac Iscor must be of some real importance.

When the door opened and Veara mentioned he wanted to speak with Iscor, she stood tall. Aqua knew that the people with her were more than capable of holding themselves if something did go wrong here, but that didn’t mean she’ll stand idly by. She wanted them to know that know matter what may happen, she’ll be right there.

Schwartz could only blink at the man from beneath her hair, because the way how he thought was relative to that of a child. The assassin figured he was a bit of a brick wall when it came to more... elaborate jokes or phrases, but he was shown to be quite literal and possibly slow. With a heavy sigh and that feeling of a stab at an accomplishment from Zyvonia, the petite woman trudged along. Since Veara was clearly leader, there wasn't much for her to do except take a look at the architecture for any holes in it. Reason for this, could have been for a myriad of many reasons, but the most concrete was to see if the palace could be taken down easily and if so, where? Either way, she concluded to let their brick wall to the talking since he was the most familiar with the land.

Zienna shielded her lips to conceal a devious smile and muffle a soft giggle. She had to admit, Zyvonia had a good point, and was delighted to hear someone else had a healthy sense of teasing humor on that kind of topic. If Veara hadn't already answered her, the succubus would have spoken of that kiss she stole from the blond when she first met him on that night in Destiny Island.

The tip of her tongue traced her upper lip, remembering that moment, and maybe even regretting not getting the full taste when she could have. She huffed a sigh and simply trudged along until she was approached by one of the palace guards. He was young, possibly just gotten out of his teens. His skin was heavily tanned, as one would expect from a denizen of such a heated environment, and his eyes were a light black, treating the demoness a look into his strong nature. However, it would be difficult to see that trait with the way he was shaking as he got closer. Behind him, Zienna could see a few flustered individuals around the same age as the approaching guard. No doubt they wanted to be in his position. The thought brought a sultry smile to her lips, only making the guard even more nervous.

"U-uh, h-h-hello, ma'am..." he stuttered, composing himself in front of the group. Or at least trying to. "I've n-noticed that you looked a little p-parched." He took out his canteen, which was hanging by his side just a moment before, and offered it to the succubus.

"Why, thank you~" she said coyly, invoking a blush from the guard. As she took the canteen, she made sure her fingertips gently rubbed up against his hand. One could faintly make out the moment where the young guard almost choked as his heart jumped. Zienna drank from the canteen, letting a drop or two trail down from the corner of her lips to the underside of her chin. She could tell the guard had a hard time keeping it together as he watched her, and it only fueled her nature. Letting her lips part the container, she let out a satisfied huff before offering the canteen to the other girls, shaking it lightly to make the water hum. "Any of you want a drink?" she offered before turning back to the soldier with an alluring smirk.

"Thank you for the water."

The guard gulped and rubbed the back of his head. "You're welcome. Uh, you can k-keep the canteen. A-a little souvenir for your visit?"

Zienna chuckled lightly. "Thank you. I'll keep it safe."

The guard returned the chuckle with his own nervous one. "My name's--"

"Samir!" A deep voice called out to the guard, causing him to whip his head around to see his superior.

Samir sighed and turned to leave quickly. "I am sorry, but I have to leave. I hope to see you again?"

The succubus nodded and gave him a little wave. He was definitely going to see her again. Maybe not during the rest of the quest, but it was definitely on Zienna's to-do list.

The guard led the group to the throne room, a spacious and mostly empty room with a large throne at the end. A man sat there, with red hair and fiery eyes. He was leaning back, one leg up on the chair, with his elbow on the arm rest, looking like he was bored or very uninterested with the world around them. When he saw the group enter, his expression didn't really change much at all.

"Hello Veara, so nice of you to come visit," he said with a sly smirk. "What brings you and your little harem to Agrabah?"

Veara while being led was unsure of what exactly it would take this time for get Pac Iscor to agree though whatever it would take he was sure that it wouldn't be that great. Veara walked forward towards Pac the map given to him by Zyv earlier and he coughed into his hand for a second, still slightly intimidated by what would come from this meeting.

"They're my friends Pac, but more to the point of my reason here I have something that needs to be decoded, this map I'm not sure where it come from...but once again I figured that if anyone can do it. It could be the guy that got me this, ya know. I know it won't come cheap."

Veara spoke acting serious and talking in a serious tone. He couldn't make the same mistake of not taking Pac seriously. The hoops he had to go through to get the scarf were heavy enough. The last thing he needed was to make Pac annoyed with his antics and cause once again for the price to be escalated.

The interior of the palace was, simply put, beautiful. It differed greatly from the plain interior from the castle Aqua trained in. She looked around, amazed by the architecture that surrounded them. She looked briefly over to the guard that approached Zienna, and listened to their conversation. It was odd to say the least. The way he spoke, it was almost as if he were under some sort of spell. It was unsettling to the bluenette, of whom waved off the offer to share the water with a, “No thanks.”

When the group finally reached the throne room, Aqua was once again unsettled by this Pac Iscor mentioning a ‘harem.’ Yet she didn’t dwell on that too much. The conversation between Veara and Iscor was going to be far too important for her to not keep her indivisible attention.

It was quite interesting to see V suddenly seem so...serious. At least, serious for him. He was nervous and was being rather careful, and in the short time that Zyv spent with him, this was the first time he has been like this. Was this Pac Iscor guy really that scary? Or maybe it was something else. Either way, it was hard to tell and Zyv kept silent, letting V do all the talking. She didn't want to say anything that might make the situation worse.

The interactions between Zienna and the guard was interesting, to say the least. The way how she was dressed, revealing as it were, shouldn't have been all the rage towards the young man. Given the fact that she was able to manipulate his horny tendencies, it was clear she some sort of seductress. A tilt of her head had the woman guessing as to what she could possibly be. Succubus, vampire, some other form of vampire? It was clear that she was one of them, but it would need to be asked sooner rather than later. The perfect opportunity arose when Zienna offered her some water. "I'm okay, thank you. I have a question for you, though... What sort of species are you?" She asked with a straight tone. Schwartz wanted to get straight to the point, but figured she wasn't going to get a straight answer.

After that, however, they entered the palace area of the sultan, Pac Iscor. Immediately, she was faced with that damn word again "harem." Why did everyone had to use that term? It angered Schwartz greatly, but thankfully for her, all she had to do was just hide behind her hair. Nonetheless, she looked the red-head in front of him down, taking in his appearance and despite what she thought about him, understood that the man was fathoms more powerful than the lot of them. With the exception of Veara, of course, but she didn't voice that. Rather, the woman stayed quiet and watched as the conversation unfold. The petite assassin wasn't happy about the entire thing, but it was something she had to deal with.