[Virgil's on a ship.  So is everyone else.  After things had calmed down as they 
veered away from Port Rio, Filis gets some rest.  The rest of the people are 
gathered in the Captain's cabin.  It's got nice furnishings and all, and a few 
eccentricities like a swordfish on the wall!]
[But overall, it's a nice cushy cabin with a nice desk and the captain's table.  
Navigation charts line the walls where they aren't in cases.  There's also a 
bookshelf with a good selection in it.]
[But you're here to discuss a book you already have.  And with that, the 
interlude shall commence...now!]
* Virgil has his sack, and is steadily taking things out of it with one hand and 
carefully placing them at location by location, so as to be reasonably 
aesthetically pleasing... or at least manageable. "Now that that's over, maybe 
you'd like to hear what I found in the library, hmmm?"
* Naiya stands, in her slightly damp brown-and-grey Zaxon clothing. She's pretty 
much focused on Virgil.
* Naiya nods, slowly. There's a weary enthusiasm to her voice. "I would love 
to."
* Shan is there! She's wearing her robe and has her arms folded in her sleeves. 
"I should like to hear it as well."
* Enzo is taking a quick breather.  "Sure, why not."
* Virgil holds the book open in his other hand. He adjusts his glasses and reads 
from the pages, interpreting in his own words. "First and foremost, this is a 
mix of both fact and fiction. It combines theories that both have sound backing 
and very little evidence. Still, some of the conclusions drawn are very 
interesting."
* Naiya frowns, and holds a hand to her chest for a moment, then lets her hand 
drop.
* Shan takes a seat on the bed and gestures for Virgil to continue.
* Enzo leans against the wall, keeping one eye/ear open for sights/sounds of 
ship going crazy.
* Virgil takes out his crystal ball and carefully puts it on its stand. 
Continuing, "Now, I'll try to keep things clear from truth and rumor, but of 
course it's difficult to distinguish sometimes. Now, you know how magic is 
everywhere, right? I certainly do. One of the ideas for this being so, and the 
reason for much of the natural phenomena, is that this is residual magic from a 
bygone era."
* Naiya nods, almost to herself.
<Virgil> Theories on *why* this is are abound, from Aquainis to an ancient war 
to other ancient tribes.  There is also the idea that the magic is simply 
'natural' and the current state its in right now just happens to have such 
occurrences.
* Enzo starts looking bored.
<Naiya> Theories, now.
* Virgil moves more stuff around. "This is where things get interesting. One of 
the theories regards the storms around Chu-Lin, in particular. That of a 
'Creator' making the storms long ago, either as a display of power, a 
punishment, or any number of other reasons. You can see evidence of such deity 
worship around the world from derelict temples and artifacts from such an era 
that may have existed, and a pantheon to go with it."
<Virgil> Or at least, that's how the theory goes.
<Naiya> ...
* Naiya goes back to her default state. Worried.
<Virgil> None of these temples have been successfully unearthed, granted, so 
evidence of such a civilization is still a mystery to us.  But, you should 
probably know, that most rumors are based in at least a miniscule amount of 
truth.  So to completely discount it would be foolish.  Again, on the storm, 
there are those who say it's completely artificial.  Since there is little 
evidence either way on that topic...
<Virgil> Neither side has developed a strong argument for themselves.
<Shan> I find it unlikely that this is the result of a past civilization.
<Shan> At the very least, it would have to be someone using their relics.  If 
not something different entirely.  But speculations aside, what else have you 
got?
* Naiya shakes her head. "I don't know about the storms, but I do know about the 
derelict artifacts. It did state, however, that it was a mix of fact and 
fiction."
* Virgil adjusts his glasses and continues. "Furthermore, there's a bit more 
information by an obscure author named 'Leon von Halesin'. Personally, I haven't 
had experience with his work before. And, really, he's not terribly important to 
the information gathered, but I'd like to see some of his work none-the-less."
* Virgil snaps the book closed. "So, any questions?"
* Shan frowns. "That hardly seems very helpful."
* Naiya blinks at the briefness of it. "That's all?"
<Virgil> I have personally had first-hand experience regarding artifacts, and 
there are still things that I can't explain, even with magical aid.  Considering 
you didn't give me any direction in what to look for, I think that's pretty 
useful.
* Naiya nods, slowly. "A direction...? Anything about keys? Or locks?"
<Virgil> I mean, that's just a paraphrase.  I can look up some quick info, but 
I'm not sure what you're looking for.
<Virgil> Keys and locks?  Mmm, let's see...
* Virgil flips through the book.
* Shan ponders. "Where are these ruins located?
<Virgil> Nothing about keys that I remember, and I'm not finding anything in 
here about them either.  Mmmm...
<Virgil> Could you be more specific, Shan?
* Naiya nods again, as if she expected such an answer. She sighs.
* Virgil gives a weak smile. "Sorry Naiya."
* Shan shakes her head. "Not in particular." She points to a map. "Give me a 
general idea of where these ruins are found on here. And, are they all on land, 
or are some submerged?"
* Naiya frowns at Shan's request, and adopts a thoughtful expression.
<Naiya> I know where one is, myself.
<Naiya> But that's all, I'm afraid.
<Shan> Where?
<Naiya> Deep inside Istin.
* Virgil thinks and reads. "Temples devoted to the Creator you mean? Those 
haven't been found, but generally... they're around the Zaxon and Chu-Lin 
coasts." He points to emphasize his point. "While most of them would be 
submerged, sandbars, small islands, and even some tidal surges may bring them to 
the mainlands."
<Virgil> Supposedly, they deal with Aquainis.  But as most in higher learning 
discount Aquainis on sheer principal, that link isn't drawn commonly.
* Shan shakes her head. "Hmm, that can't be right, then... Unless the artifacts 
were moved."
<Naiya> Artifacts?
* Shan nods. "What does the book have to say about those?"
* Virgil raises an eyebrow. "What about artifacts being moved?"
* Shan nods.
* Naiya frowns. "Shan, we were originally drew together to search for something, 
that you were interested in. If I may ask... what do you know, and what are you 
seeking?"
<Shan> Specifically, does it give any account?
<Shan> To be honest, I'm not entirely sure myself.
* Enzo quietly ducks out to return to taking care of the ship's affairs.
<Virgil> You seem pretty sure, for not being sure.
<Shan> Well, you're wrong. I'm merely trying to find a pattern. And failing.
<Virgil> A pattern of what?  In regards to what?
<Shan> With these artifacts. Didn't I mention that already?
* Naiya frowns. "What kind of artifact?"
<Virgil> No, you didn't.
* Virgil rubs the arch of his nose, adjusts his glasses, and starts flipping 
pages.
* Naiya raises a hand to her chest, holding it there.
<Shan> And while we're at it, who is this Aquainis you keep mentioning?
<Virgil> But, mmm, nothing really about artifacts.
* Virgil blinks and just kind of looks at Shan. "You don't know that legend of 
Aquainis?"
<Shan> I can't say that I do.
* Naiya listens, silently.
<Virgil> Geeze, well...  I can't remember the specifics, but...  Aquainis was, 
supposedly, an ancient civilization very closely tied to water.  Legends vary on 
whether it was either a separate landmass or built on the water itself.
<Virgil> If Aquainis exists or existed, rumors say it should have been where the 
Sea of Serenity is right now.
* Virgil points at the map to emphasize his point. "That's how it got its name, 
actually. The earth was 'Calmer' after the civilization sunk into the sea."
<Virgil> A few other think that it instead existed more in the direction of the 
Azure Sea, over here.
* Shan cups her chin. "Hmm. If this is calm, it's hard to imagine what their 
society could have been like."
<Virgil> I wouldn't take that too literally, myself.
* Naiya hmms. "We're not too far away from either spot."
* Shan nods. "Probably not."
<Virgil> But that's a general rundown of Aquainis.  I can get more information 
on it, of course...  And I will remind you that books aren't always 100% fact.  
As nice as that'd be, there are a lot of inconsistencies, especially regarding 
ancient history.
* Naiya hmms, again, then makes up her mind about something. "Shan, the 
artifacts you are looking for... do you know what they look like?"
<Shan> Not an idea.
<Virgil> So, anything else?
* Naiya nods. "While we are on the subject... I am seeking a set of artifacts 
myself."
* Virgil takes out his starchart and unscrolls it, fastening it to the wall.
* Virgil chuckles. "You too, huh?"
* Shan shakes her head. "Nothing comes to mind at the moment... I suppose the 
next step is to investigate more on this Creator."
* Naiya nods, and slowly pulls something out a key from under her shirt, which 
is attached to the necklace she's wearing. It's a red key, the non-key end 
looking like an odd jigsaw puzzle piece. "There are more of these."
* Shan glances at it. "What is it?"
<Naiya> A key.
* Naiya looks fairly nervous, even more than the usual frown/sad look.
<Shan> ... I can see that. What is it for?
<Virgil> Mmm.  If you like, I could try looking into its past.  But if it's 
personal, you wouldn't want that.
<Naiya> It unlocks a lock, at an ancient site deep within Istin. I'd rather not 
say more than that, at this point. Suffice to say, it matters to me dearly to 
find the rest of them.
* Naiya frowns slightly. "How far back can you see?"
* Shan shrugs. "Suit yourself."
* Virgil thinks for a long while. "My guess? Maybe a good eight hundred years on 
the conservative side, probably more. It's not a talent I use commonly, but it 
is definitely an ability I enjoy."
* Naiya looks more relieved the moment she tucks the key back away. "... I may 
take you up on that later, when we're in a more stable situation."
* Shan raises an eyebrow.
* Naiya changes subjects. "Do you need any help organizing the room?"
<Virgil> Unfortunately, it doesn't work on everything.  A particular set of 
artifacts my family found had such an ability.  We sold them before I could get 
any serious study in...  Oh, of course.  If you don't mind, that is.
<Shan> I'd recommend we use this room for storage.
* Naiya looks around. "I would love to update my maps with the notes on the maps 
here, as well."
* Virgil nods. "Be my guest. I'll probably end up sleeping here with my books. 
That shouldn't be a surprise to any of you."
* Naiya frowns. "There won't be enough room to use this as storage by the time 
Virgil is done here."
<Shan> Well... We can use it for storage, or we can spend some time arguing 
about whose room this is going to be.
<Naiya> And... if you don't mind, I would like to share this room? I'd feel more 
comfortable sharing a room with another Zaxon.
* Virgil smiles a little. "I don't." He takes out another set of books and 
starts sorting them, glancing at the titles the cabin already had.
<Virgil> Oh, I never had a chance to read this one...
* Naiya smiles faintly. "I have a small interest in maps and books myself. Thank 
you, Virgil."
* Shan shrugs and lies back on the bed. "Or you could ignore me for a while. But 
that won't work forever."
* Naiya laughs softly at Shan. "What's there to argue about? It's already 
decided, and you didn't have to lift a finger."
<Virgil> Really, I don't see what there is to argue about.
* Shan sits up. "You decided it. I did not. This is a nice room. I should like 
it for myself. I'm sure Nasira and Enzo might as well."
* Naiya makes a 'shoo' motion at Shan. "Leave me and Virgil to our books and 
maps and toys."
<Shan> Feel free to bring them out on deck.
<Virgil> I admit it is a nice room.  However, I do believe that since we're 
willing to share it, and that I'm keeping my books here, *and* that I'll be 
spending about 80% of the time at sea in here making the necessary arrangements 
for when we land, it's not too much for me to sleep with my work.
<Shan> There is plenty of room below decks for you to put your books. The crews 
cabins also accommodate for sharing.  And you're hardly the only person on this 
ship who has much to do.
<Virgil> I'm the only person who requires a quiet writing space and a desk, for 
one.  You think the next port will take kindly to a ship that doesn't have the 
proper paperwork filled out?
<Shan> Enzo can do that quite easily.
<Virgil> I doubt Enzo knows how to forge documents.
* Naiya ignores Shan, 'hmm'ing and looking over the maps on the walls, tracing 
coastlines and sea routes with her finger.
<Shan> I can help him, then.
<Virgil> And you don't know the proper protocols and procedures.  Heck, have you 
even BEEN on a ship before the one you took to get to Malta?  Do you know what 
kind of work goes into making these ventures profitable?
<Shan> I know a thing or two about it, yes.
* Virgil shakes his head and goes about putting things away.
* Shan lays back on the bed again and sighs. "Does Fiona teach you Zaxon to make 
enemies out of everybody you meet?"
* Virgil chuckles. "Why do you assume Fiona teaches me anything?"
<Virgil> I'm not making an enemy out of you.  I am trying to safeguard my 
belongings, and be more productive.
* Naiya shakes her head. "Fiona teaches nothing of the sort."
<Shan> Just natural talent, then?
<Shan> Because I've yet to see a Zaxon who doesn't.
<Virgil> Let's just say you're pompous attitude has been getting on my nerves.
<Naiya> Does your Emperor teach you to be pushy?
<Shan> As has your air of self-importance.
<Naiya> ...
<Naiya> ... I am sorry for my previous comment, Shan. But! Shan, Virgil. Please. 
This is a silly thing to bicker about.
<Shan> I don't believe it is.
<Shan> You've decided to take the room on your own. That is not fair to anyone 
else who might like it.
* Virgil eyes Shan. "I agree completely. There's no reason to argue over this. 
Shan, if you would like to get the others to try and decide who will have the 
room, feel free. But right now there are two of us here, and you seem to think 
you have a say over both of us."
<Shan> I do. You are both Zaxon. Naturally you side with each other.
* Shan nods to Naiya. "You even said so yourself."
* Naiya shakes her head. "This is not a committee or a council. I can't think of 
any way to say this nicely.... but, it's first claim. If you want to bring the 
other into this, there will just be a bigger disagreement about who will get 
it."
<Shan> Very well. I claim it first.
<Virgil> Too late.  We already claimed it earlier.
<Shan> You never said such.
* Naiya shakes her head. "We already did."
<Naiya> You've said it yourself. The other rooms are perfectly adequate, so why 
don't you use one of them?
<Shan> Because it would not be a good public appearance for an Imperial Minister 
of Chu-Lin to emerge from a crewman's quarters while a commoner set himself in 
the captain's cabin.
<Naiya> On a stolen ship?
<Virgil> Public appearance from who, may I ask?
<Shan> Anyone who might recognize me. And as long as they don't know it's 
stolen, it hardly matters.
<Virgil> I got news for you.  If you've never been outside of Chu-Lin before, 
nobody's going to recognize you.
<Shan> I have more news for you. I have not been out of Chu-Lin, but we get 
travellers.
<Shan> Holding the rank that I do, I am quite certain more than a few people 
would recognize me.
* Naiya rolls her eyes.
* Virgil chuckles. "I don't."
<Virgil> So let me get this straight.
<Virgil> You're saying you should get this room for the sole purpose of public 
appearances.
<Shan> Quite.
<Virgil> Of which you'll be out on the deck for most of the day when it won't 
mean anything *anyways*.
<Shan> Indeed.
<Virgil> While you're saying that I, given that I have placed a vested interest 
in the room, will be staying here well into the night to make sure everything is 
well set-up, and am willing to share the room with someone else, should stay 
below decks for the slightest even most remote chance we encounter ships on the 
seas that *might* recognize you coming out of a cabin.
<Shan> Hence my suggestion, we ought to use this room for storage.
* Virgil slings up a hammock for himself. "Leave the desk and chair alone, and 
the maps easily accessible and visible along with the books, and I have no 
arguments. I'm sure you remember my room from the griffon, I don't mind sleeping 
in a hammock or at a chair."
<Virgil> Now, if you don't mind, I have to find out how much the captain left 
with the ship.
* Naiya sits down, and closes her eyes. She does seem tired, now that she's 
sitting down. "Shan, just let it lie. It'll cause more troubles and 
disagreements than we have already, and I know you know that we don't want 
anymore of those than we need. And a chair is enough for-" *yawn* "...me."
* Virgil starts shuffling through the desk drawers, picking out documentation 
after documentation, glancing over them.
* Shan nods to Virgil. Then she looks at Naiya. "If Fiona came aboard and asked 
to have the Captain's cabin, would you send her below decks?"
<Naiya> No, but you're not Fiona.
<Shan> I realize you have the freedom to go where you want and do as you please, 
but I do not.  The pride and dignity of my nation rests on my shoulders, and I 
swear I will defend that as furiously as you would if I insulted your goddess."
* Naiya laughs. "My freedom comes with a price. And all things considered, the 
more I'm up here, the less I'm near Nasira."
<Shan> Indeed. And the more you argue with me, the less likely I am to save you 
the next time she does something.
<Naiya> You'll have to uproot me and Virgil to make your efforts worth it, and 
I, for one, am not moving from this chair.
<Naiya> As far as me and Nasira... please do not interfere.
<Shan> I don't have to. You're no match for her.
* Naiya closes her eyes, and laughs again. "You assume I seek to defeat her."
* Shan shakes her head. "No. I assume you're no match for her. You can't beat 
her in combat, and with your attitude you'll never be able to make amends. To 
put it bluntly, if left to your own devices, you're already dead."
* Naiya grins widely, and looks at Shan, her sad eyes bright again with 
something. "You say that like I don't know that."
* Naiya's gaze softens. "I appreciate your concern... but it is misplaced."
* Shan stares at Naiya. "Maybe so. But were it not for me, you might well be at 
the bottom of the ocean right now. Think about that."
* Naiya closes her eyes, and settles back in the chair. "I'm going to try and 
get some rest before we get to shore."
[The session! It ends!]