Voyage to eternity [Mei's secondary magic training]

The sea's seemed calm as the ever present smell of the ocean wafted over Mei. This place, it was so peaceful, the ports within Hargeon made for an easy way to arrive at the docks, the boat that her master had acquired for her, while not that massive was sturdy and well made, and could fit a few people on board comfortably. The atmosphere filled the air and her mind with the dew of success, the hope of an everlasting knowledge coming to her, that her master was correct and this is the place that Mei would find what she truly was, or what the secrets to her life were. She had known little of her past really, it was all clouded by the horrible actions taken against her, by her former masters tendencies against her, but the destruction that penetrated deep within her heart and against the recesses in her mind, it lingered. Being forced to work day in and day out for someone who you know cares not for you, for violence against those who she knew as her parents, those who she had made friendships with, and finally learning that foul magic from her former master. It had all led her to be shy, but recently, Aiyana, Mao, and a few others made her feel more welcome even if they didn't realize it, opened up her heart and allowed her to feel a little bit of warmth once again.

It's the reason she cast aside her old ways, the violence that had set into her heart, that wasn't who she was, that was just a poison, a poison that drove all her to commit acts against nature, against herself, and against her new found friends. She knew all too well now that corruption left untreated became the root of all evils and ill for people in the world. It was the seeds of despair that floated above the surface and made her yearn to slash it all down. She felt an unnatural desire to make things right with the world, to make those who were a estranged to it return to the shadow where they came, to possibly bring some light about the world for those who had yet to make use of potential, to let them blossom into the future, and not be blotted out and stunted by the harshness of unnatural beings realities.

Standing there looking at the boat Mei began to wonder if her new master, known as savior was really that much of one, or if he was just using her. She didn't wish to think it, but something told her deep down that this little adventure wouldn't have her just discover the truth about herself, but possibly about her master, and even more so her place within the world. One could only hope to be so lucky as to discover their place within the world, and their purpose should they have one.

Sighing as she looked upon the docks and boat once more, she pondered if the guest she had invited would show up or not... She didn't know if they would or not, and honestly she couldn't force them too, but the journey out to the sea of devils as they called it, well Mei didn't wish to venture alone, not when she knew a few people who could help her, after all no one should have to venture alone in the world, even if it is to try and find themselves, that's what friends are for, in the first place and it's one of the reasons relationships are even formed.

Laughing a bit to herself Mei spoke out loud, not really being conscious of it till she had finished speaking.

"Eh, who am I kidding she'd be crazy to show up here, I mean the sea of devil's not the nicest place right? Oh well if she here soon guess I'd better set sail, don't want it to get too dark..."

It was a curious venture that she’d been invited to, far different from the variety…well that she’d somehow ended up on prior. Trying to figure out some proved a trial in of itself, one the woman found she could no longer trust since that blasted party when the girl shattered Mao’s faith in her crystalline memory. Then again, if it could be believed, she’d taken on a job to wrangle a chicken back into its specialized coop not once, but twice so…as long as that held true the world was full of odd things to do. However this journey Mei requested she join – asked really – piqued Mao’s interest. She hadn’t gained the full details of it, something about “finding herself” so to speak and “understanding her place in the world.” How literal or figurative the claims were remained to be seen, but the oddly tailed woman wanted to be there for her friend.

Friend…

It felt so alien to think that about anybody given that she only had one…well…two. Supposedly. Beyond a few instances however the crystal user couldn’t remember the girl Aiyana beyond a name and face though, their interactions very little in the questionable memory banks. It frightened her on some level though to wonder how many other “friends” in the world she made and forgot all this time, people who might be waiting somewhere sparing the occasional thought to ponder over her well-being and when they might next see her. Was anybody waiting? Was that egotistical and presumptuous of her to entertain the thought? The notion someone might be waiting…it brought a warmth that she enjoyed that quickly soured into sadness because she honestly didn’t know.

’Surely people aren’t like lacrima: we cannot be erased to suit one’s pleasures and whims.’ Try as she might though Mao couldn’t convince herself otherwise.

She’d agreed to this little (or big, whatever may come of it) adventure for a multitude of reasons, the primary one being there for Mei. Ever since her change in magic and teachers the woman ceased being the very shy girl she could barely remember from the maid job, and less worrisome as with the slavers mission. At the same time, even though the “Sea of Devils” hardly sounded like a place to go on a little trip it meant being in a harder to reach place. Call it silly, call it ludicrous, but it comforted Mao on some level. Sitting out on the open seas didn’t bring her any sense of pleasure: it just meant people couldn’t reach her so easily. If the memory…issue was caused by an outside source she couldn’t help hoping it wouldn’t hit somewhere so remote and ever-changing such as a ship. ’I guess I’m more selfish than I thought,’ she mentally jeered.

Spying the aforementioned friend ahead, Mao almost spoke up if not for Mei beating her to the punch – albeit with her back to the Sabertooth mage. ”Well I never claimed to be sane,” she spoke in her usual, calm tone, ”but I’d still like to come along if I’m allowed. It stinks I can’t bring Nocshanks along too since then it’d be all my friends together, but at least we have each other…and I have my extra comfy travel pillow too.”

Mei jumped a little bit as she heard Mao's voice, the shock of the woman hearing the words that Mei had spoken, driving her to a little bit of clumsiness. To flop already showed just how nervous Mei truly was. This entire trip, the journey to an unknown place, well it filled Mei with a sense of dread especially since the words of her master didn't ring much knowledge within them, only the mystery of what was to come. Was it going to be the place where she found herself or the place where the grave found her first, only time could fully tell...

"If you are referring to your tail, I am sure it is a comfy pillow. Welcome aboard the USS try and not sink into the ocean, we offer no refunds for any failed trips, or ice burgs that may get in the way."

Sending a wink in Mao's direction Mei turned around and threw out her hands to grace the boats surface. It was a fine vessel that her master had acquired, but it left her feeling a little bit empty, it was after all meant for one purpose delivering her to the destination, that Mei frankly knew nothing about. Was it going to be the an easy sai, or was it going to be hell, Mei didn't know and as her spine shivered with the thoughts of the negativity, she tried to put on a good face yet at the same time warn Mao before they departed.

"Well I hope you are a bit insane, we won't be returning for a long while, this boat is designed to magically take us where we need to go, but my master did inform me a bit of how to drive it just in case. Still we won't be returning for I don't know how long, or possibly not at all, do you still want to go? I mean I don't want to pressure you, I could ask another if you don't feel up to it, but I just have a feeling they would have been a little too eager to go and gotten into more trouble than a cautious person like yourself...

Uh no offense mind you, just, Mao you tend to air more on the side of caution rather than bravado, and I don't think we will want bravado on this journey, that's for sure."

No she hadn’t been referring to her tail, Mao raising an eyebrow as if confused by the statement. Sure her tail could offer extra comfort, but she preferred the thing more as a second blanket or along that sort. ’Oh well, so she’s a bit weird.’ If one couldn’t accept the weirder sides of their friends then…well they needed a bit of self-reflection, maybe a swift slap. She really did hope they didn’t have to deal with any icebergs because she lacked a whistle and didn’t think there was a door large enough to float on alongside her tail. ’I suppose I could just use it to paddle in case of emergency.’

To be fair Mao wasn’t entirely sure how she felt about sailing. When the woman received the invitation the ability to be sort of secluded out on the open seas sounded promising and perfect for her conundrum, but now…staring at the expansive water…it left a sort of “trapped” sensation as well. She’d be cooped up on the vessel with limited space, and quite honestly she’d never sailed – that she could recall – so what if sea sickness was an issue? She might not be a slayer, but that didn’t mean it couldn’t happen.

’I suppose I’ll find out regardless.’ After all, being here now it struck her as silly to back out this close. So what if she got a little queasy? She’d just find a cure. Snapping back to attention she listened and chuckled slightly, ”Sorry if I’m not terribly exciting, but I’m glad it might be of use to you. It’d be rather rude to back out now, as if my coming here was little more than a bad prank or joke.” Okay so she wasn’t exciting…maybe that was a bit of a bad thing, but if she could at least prevent stupid injuries from occurring then it was worth it.

”Shall we then?”

"Yes, let us board now and figure out exactly where we are going."

With that Mei turned to board the boat with a good speed, though she shivered a little bit at the thought of what might come, she was also excited to try and solve the mystery that surrounded her. The only reason that Mei thought about inviting Mao aside from the companionship on the voyage, was because she felt like she was similar to her, Mao didn't know much about her history either, and so it was a little journey of the minds both stuck in the same situation, which meant that the empathy and understanding could really help, that and Mao had a cool head, and Mei figured that more than once she would probably be pushed to the edge during this trip.

The boat was of fairly simple design, nothing too aesthetically pleasing, but that was fine, it seemed well reinforced, the various pieces treated between the steel and the wood, honestly Mei couldn't comment much on it, because her knowledge of ships was so limited, she was afraid that this thing wouldn't last very long, especially if she did anything stupid like throw out lava on it. Maybe Savior had calculated for it, or maybe he didn't and just wanted to watch the boat and Mei's world burn. Nah that couldn't be the truth, he was far too good to her for that to ever happen, also Mei couldn't get burned physically, so she would be fine.

Pulling out a small chart that Savior had left for her upon a table in the middle of the deck, Mei unfolded it with great vigor and started to look at the pre-planned routes this ship would take.

"Alright so the ship is planning to take us to Reece's Island, and then it will a day later automatically set sail for snickers island and... why are these names so stupid. Seriously who names an island this anyway... oh well we are going to set out soon so, I guess we should look for a mini-bar or something and try and relax while we head straight towards the depths of hell, and try to come back! Though how dangerous could Reece's island really be... right?"