This is the second of the two co-writes set aboard the ship, and we have quite the little cast of AIL'ers here.

I'd note that by this point, Fluffy Hamster and Prince Blahking have long moved from player characters to being NPC's to serve the story's sake. This is a long but interesting read, in my opinion.

 
The first thing to catch Jen's attention as she entered the captain's room was a small model gingersnap house in the middle of the room. As intricate and real as it looked, the part she found more surprising were the lifesigns she detected inside of the little house, which was little bigger than a toy house. She immediately spotted two familiar figures also in the room. Becky Joy was in the corner looking at cards of some kind, while Prince Blahking seemed busy reading a scroll.

Becky looked up, smiling. "Hey, I remember you and do you remember me? And you're Aleenie's friend, and isn't your name Aleenie's friend? Noo.. that's not right."

"I am called Jen. Greetings from the Morlencir Empire." Jen raised an eyebrow, then dipped into a curtsey. She was dressed in her battle armor for the meeting; plates of some futuristic metal adorned her muscular frame. She looked like a knight of the stars. Becky gasped and swooned.

"You are pretty!" Becky said. "Why's all space elves so pretty?! Can I know?"

"Another time," Prince Blahking injected, drawing an "awwww" from Becky, who really wanted to know! Just then, a rather large hamster with golden fur came out of the gingerbread house, sporting a pirate eyepatch and tiny swashbuckin' pants. Becky swooned again.

"Hi!" the hamster squeaked.

"Hello," replied Jen. She curtsied to the hamster who waved back.

Blahking stared into space for a moment before speaking. "I would imagine you'll be representing Aleena in the matter with the Chrono Dragon?"

"Your royal highness, I shall represent Queen Aleena on all matters," Jen said, facing the prince and presenting another curtsey.

"You're aw..." Blahking looked behind him as if he'd heard something, then back to Jen. "Aware of the danger of the mission?"

"It's very scary," Becky whispered.

"We know little about the mission," Jen acknowledged.

Fluffy Hamster stood on his hind legs. "Welcome to my world!"

"The Chrono Dragon," Blahking explained, "Is a being capable of, to some large degree, controlling time, in addition to having more typical abilities one might expect from a dragon of the legendary status. It's also highly intelligent, tied to time itself, and dying."

Catrina broke her silence here with a whimper. Cattaras put his arm around her. Becky's eyes went large as she turned to ask Catrina, "Do you know that big ole dragon?!"

Catrina smiled at Becky and tried to stiffen up. "Y-yes... I was with Dash when we first encountered Chrono. Rebecca and Moondream and I.. befriended it. Oh, I had meant to go back to visit before now!"

"How can the Morlencir help?" Jen asked.

"What one's Rebecca?!" Becky asked. "We'll have a Becky and Rebecca, and a Jen and... Let me think on that one."

Blahking ignored Becky, nodding sympathetically towards Catrina. "Well, we're off to visit it now. To be honest, though, none of us have any idea how to aid the dragon. It might require Morlenciric technology. It might require magic, or some combination of both. To be honest, we're desperate."

"We think elemental magic might help," Fluffy added.

"Like me!" Becky said in an overly excited voice. "Yay!"

Fluffy echoed the sentiment.

"Either way," Blahking said. "Elven technology should be of tremendous help in understanding the problem. There's also the possibility of the dragon being attacked while in a weakened condition."

"If there is a scientific solution, my people will find it," Jen smiled confidently. She clasped her hands together behind her back, slipping into an easy, but still military, posture.

"If there's a magic solution," Blahking said.

"Yadayadayada," Fluffy said. "We're gonna save it and fix time, we already knew that!"

Catrina had heard enough. She growled. "You speak of this as if it were just another campaign and all you were after was glory! Goddess! This is a living breathing being we're talking about and he may DIE! Don't you get that!"

"The crea...," Blahking caught himself. "Pardon me, I've been under a great deal of stress. The dragon's been a trusted ally of ours since your adventure. A protector to my people. I swear to you, we'll do everything in our power to extend it's life. But our priority here is time itself. This is no small mission, nor can it be overshadowed by the actions of the traitorous .... Kadlin."

"I am sorry, Catrina. Our people view death as a thing to be celebrated."

Catrina shook her head. "No.. no I'm sorry. This.. this is a mission, pure and simple. I shouldn't let my friendships get the better of me. It's just... " Her eyes moved from Cattaras then to Fahari, who nodded.

"It is just that you cannot shake the message of the Goddess, that there may be some plan of the Dark Ones involved in this."

Catrina nodded.

"What are the 'Dark Ones'?" Jen asked. The elves knew surprisingly little about the mythology of the world. There was always so much to learn.

Fahari turned to the elf, smiled and nodded. This was her bailiwick! "Tell me, Jen of the Morlencir Empire, what gods do you know?"

"What one's the god of ice cream?!" Becky asked. Fluffy shh'ed her.

"We're familiar with many religions from many different species," Jen stated.

"That is not my question." Fahari stepped closer to the elf, close enough to smirk as she picked up scents- but she dropped it almost at once. "I do not ask what you know here," she pointed at the elf's forehead, "but here." With that Fahari pointed to the girl's heart. "What gods do you- you yourself- know, deep in your heart, to be true?"

"There are no gods. Anyone who styles themselves a god always turn out to be merely a being of sometimes incredible, but purely mundane and quantifiable power."

Blahking commented, "A cynical view, to be sure."

"I apologize if my comment offended, Your Highness. It is not our way to speak of religion to outsiders." Jen curtsied.

"Not at all," Blahking said. "I appreciate a fresh viewpoint, actually."

Fluffy snored. "Wake me up when we get to the dragon again, zzzzzz."

"I'd say there are no atheists in foxholes, but Todd ain't here to take offense." Cattaras smirked.

Fahari simply smiled and nodded. "Perhaps that explains why your magic is so mundane as well. But no matter. To answer your question, here we are faced with a battle between the forces of Light- or gods- and the forces.. well we call them the Dark Ones for a reason, no?"

"I think they are evil!" Becky chimed in.

"They are," Fahari intoned seriously, "they represent the darkest forces within us all- given form and power by those who would worship their might. People like Kadlin, I'm afraid."

Becky frowned. "She used to be my friend!"

"She was," Blahking added. "An ally to us all once, but that time is past. Jen, Catrina, do you have cause to believe she might become tangled in the situation with the dragon?"

Catrina's tail flicked. 'It's a possibility that we should be on guard against, yes." Fahari followed that up by answering even though she was not asked. "If, indeed, the keystone of this entire crisis is the Dragon then the Dark Ones would be moving their forces to take advantage of events- much as we move to prevent them."

Blahking sighed. "As if this wasn't complicated enough."

"Is there anything you require of us, or myself, while we journey, your Highness?" Jen asked.

Fahari looked at Jen and gave a tailflick that made Catrina and Cattaras chuckle. Jen noticed and raised a brow slightly. She didn't know what this form of non-verbal communication meant, but she was sure the linguists back in the empire would be absolutely fascinated.

Jen turned as at that moment the door opened and a rather burly man strode in, followed by Coconuts. She could feel the man's gaze upon her as she suddenly turned the center of attention. He was tall and broad- a body obviously born to the fight- with a smile that showed he also loved the gentler arts. That smile, and the eyes that sparked in it, were framed with black hair that started at 'curly' and in some places seemed to verge on 'unruly mass.' But his bearing was one of a man of authority- even as he looked to the likes of Blahking and Fuzzy Hamster. "Aye gentlemen; ladies." He chuckled. "Aye.. good to have the sights improved around here- although I'm not familiar with you lass." He bent, taking Jen's hand and kissing it. "John Morgan, m'lady, Cap'n of this good ship and crew at yer service! And perhaps I might be blessed to know the name of such beauty as to be let upon my gaze?" Catrina's smirk grew even wider as she saw her brother stiffen a bit in reaction to Captain Morgan's manner. Caught in her trap, dear brother? She made a note to herself to have a private conversation with the elf- later.

The elf smiled, introducing herself with a curtsey. "My name is Jen. What a fascinating ship you have, sir."

Morgan laughed. "Aye, she's the finest from here to Aldara Bay and I'd match her crew against any blaggard any day!" He glanced over at Blahking and Fluffy- both waiting patiently for this to end- and chuckled, turning back to Jen. "Perhaps we can discuss ships later- over a pint'r two?"

"I'm sure we've plenty of time on the ride over," Blahking said, smiling knowingly. Becky's tummy rumbled.

"A captain's dinner would be most enjoyable," Jen replied, smiling.

"Does your grog still have the kick of an ornery mule, Captain?" Catrina purred- half wanting to know and half wanting to warn the less experienced Jen about the Captain's provender.

Morgan chuckled. "You'll be havin' no complaints, kitten. 'course you never complained that first night either."

Becky's tummy rumbled again. She rubbed it. Morgan laughed. "Speakin' of my provender- seems like someone's lookin' for a short meetin'- aren't ye, lass?"

"I forgot to eat a snack after early breakfast," Becky said, giggling. Being hungry was funny to her.

"Harr!" the captain laughed. "Can't be havin' ye go without, lass! You need to eat hearty so ye can be a comely as ..um.. any of these fine ladies on me boat!" Cattaras grinned at Morgan's verbal pivot- half wondering who he had the original complement aimed at and half wondering if he had intentions of "plundering" Becky's "booty."

"I wanna be a pirate!" Becky said, making an eyepatch out of ice over her eye and skipping around. "I'll hunt down treasure and booty and go 'arrghya!'"

It was Coconut's turn to chuckle as she came over and put a hand on Becky's shoulder. "Ye better take care pick'n the right ship and cap'n- else ye'll be surprised who's booty gets plundered. I know, been on that boat a few times meself." She looked a bit sad at that. Becky gasped, shocked. Totally shocked, but not really too shocked.

"Aye, Rebecca. None o' that talk now 'tis a happy time!" Morgan clapped her on the back- then gave her a more comforting squeeze that he thought no one could see.

"I hear we've been having rough waters," Blahking said to the captain. "I have a few theories on why I'd like to share with you, if the Captain's time permits."

"Aye," Morgan said, his face a mix of his usual jovial ness and deadly seriousness. "If'n this be anything like the last time we met the Dragon 'til be a storm worthy of song!"

Catrina smiled a bit more. "I hope we all get to sing that song someday, Cap'n. Except for Cattaras here- he can't carry a tune in a bucket with two handles!"

The big tiger looked hurt. "I can sing."

"You growl in tune- barely." Catrina retorted and her brother smiled back. "Like I said..."

Blahking looked.. well from the looks of things he was staring at nothing. "We'll have to get out alive before we can think about singing our own praises."

All three Felines gave the same tailflick- which Jen could see was different from the others. Catrina had the nerve- or lack of tact- to actually say something though. "You always were a wet blanket at the party, Blah."

"Of course, we trust you with the safety of the dragon," Blahking said. "This has to be our highest priority. Everything else is secondary. I'm truly sorry."

Becky looked up, confused. "I didn't hear anyone mention dragons?"

"Dragons, dear." Catrina purred, smiling at the memories. "Chrono has a son."

Fahari noddes at Blahking's words but not in total agreement. "I'm afraid that anything we encounter on the island will be for the dragon's safety, sirra." She glanced at the other felines there. "If I may, I can fill you in on some information you are not aware of?"

"Fine by me." Cattaras said while Catrina nodded and concentrated on Becky.

Fahari closed her eyes as she regathered those thoughts. The she opened them and told Blahking and the others about their joint vision, about the Goddess and the Bright Vixen, and about their warnings.

At first Blahking listened passively, but then he leaned back against the wall, crossing his arms. As she continued he smirked until she was done. His eyes looked totally glazed over. "And you expect me to believe this.. fairy tale?"

Fahari stopped giving her report and stared. "What do you..."

"I mean." Blahking went on, his manner causing Catinra to take notice. I mean he was an asshole but never this big of one! "You expect me to believe that the three of you- plus that rogue swordsman and that imbecilic bard, all had a vision?"

There was what Jen thought was a sharp intake of breath on the part of the felines and their tails snaked about wildly for a moment. Cattaras calmed down first but the two females stepped forward.

"You doubt the veracity of my faith, sirra?" Fahari said- in a tone that, if he knew better, would have made Blahking take a step back.

"Blockhead," Catrina growled, "you've said a lot of stupid things in your life but this... this..."

Becky pouted and chastised the prince. "It's very mean!'

Cattaras' paws were on both their shoulders. He looked at Blockhead- er Blahking and nodded. "With your leave I think we'd better go. Got a few things to discuss with these two." As he began to physically pull them out of the room Cattaras got Jen's attention and jerked his head toward the door, hoping she'd get the message.

She did and left with the felines. Becky looked at Blahking, glanced down at her feet, and shuffled out after them.

Back out in the hall- or whatever they called it on a boat- Cattaras shut the door behind him and then growled at the two feline women currently discussing ways to skin a prince.

"Has it occurred to either of you that Blahking's acting a little suspicious?"

Becky grabbed Cattaras's arms. "Suspicious?! Try scary!"

Fahari looked back at the door and then tried to relax her anger away. "I.. I did not see. Perhaps my rage blinded me."

Catrina was more on point. "What are you getting at?"

Cattaras nodded, happy to have the subject of murder off the table. "Listen, call it a case of 'once bitten twice shy' but..."

He didn't have to finish the thought as Catrina was even closer to the subject than he. "You think he's possessed or something?"

Fahari nodded thoughtfully. "More likely 'or something.' Something similar to your predicament- but with the correct guidance."

"I don't get it!" Becky said, eyes wide. She turned to Catrina. "You bit Blahking, or he bit you?! Can you really get 'possesed' from a bite?! Oh no!"

But it was Jen who answered Becky. "They mean they're sensitive to possession, because of what happened to Catrina, and thus, worried it might happen again. Possibly too worried."

Cattaras looked at Jen. "You sayin' we shouldn't worry about it?"

Fahari nodded again. "Perhaps she is right. This may be nothing more than the stress of trying to prevent World's End."

Catrina actually giggled. "No pressure there!"

"So I shouldn't bite people," Becky concluded. "Even as a metaphor."

"Yeah," Jen said. "I think jumping to possession might be a little extreme, but we should definitely keep an eye on the prince. For his own sake, of course."

Catrina reluctantly agreed. "After all, I know what it's like to have someone jump to conclusions about my loyalties."

The others kept silent about the fact that Blahking's doubts had come true- even if not in a way any had foreseen. It seemed better that way.

The ship shuddered roughly under them. It would be a very long and tiring ride, indeed.

There was a lot of ground covered there and I loved the mix of personalities and styles. That is one of the things that made AIL and make games like it so much fun. When it's done right and different styles can play off each other to be something more than a whole.

As of now, I am looking back on these pieces from about three and a half years later, and in some ways, it's amazing how time has flown by. But I guess that is the way it always is, isn't it? (That seems like a fitting observation for a mission where we're dealing with the Chrono dragon, too. Among other things.) We'll jump back into the action with these characters in a bit, but- not surprisingly- first we're going to check in with some other adventurers.

I love how the action skips around from one group to another. Like a novel!