Ava Sinclair clutched her new book, The Resonant Ecology Almanac, while waiting on her escort. Her royal purple skin and straight fuchsia markings were illuminated in the sunlight, contrasting against her dark green and grey dress. She adjusted a brown hair from her pink forehead jewel as she unlatched the edges of the book.
"I still can't believe the day is here, Soren!" she exclaimed.
She opened it, flipped through the pages, and shut it in excitement.
"Most, if not all of these, I'll see on the survey! I can't believe I won the raffle!"
Soren walked from behind her, shielding his face from the sunlight. His dark grey skin and the darker batches of dots that adorned him came into view of the public. He tugged at his airship uniform and readjusted the collar before addressing Ava.
"I'm sure your generous donation to the RRET played a hand in it," he sighed. "You had me get dressed to escort you to a gift shop?"
"Ecological center," she corrected, "And it's a necessary last minute purchase."
"Last minute purchase…," drifted Soren.
He walked forward a couple of steps and chuckled, hands in his pockets. Ava latched the book shut and followed after him.
"Soren, we're in public, slow down."
Ava skipped in front of him just in time. More Zeniths came into view as they walked the streets of Jurona. They nodded to Ava and Ava alone as their Nadir escorts trailed behind them, matching the same markings Soren had. Ava returned their nod and met the eyes of a Nadir servant. The servant deviated their glance immediately and faced the ground, continuing on their path.
"We're not even in Pilaza," muttered Soren. "There's nothing they can do to us while in Strohl."
"It isn't worth making trouble. You may not care about it, but I have to."
"You don't have to–"
"Not here. Let's just get back to The Sincerity, please."
Soren rolled his eyes and kept a half step behind Ava. They made their way towards the sky dock, at the center of the three districts of Strohl. Minutes later, they walked in the shade of her docked airship. The gilded letters reflecting the last of the morning light on the city streets below.
The Sincerity.
Ava and Soren approached another Nadir in an airship uniform. While directing other Nadir sky workers, Ava approached from behind and tapped his shoulder.
"Move those carefully–oh–Miss Sinclair. How was your morning excursion with your…escort?"
"It went fine, dad," smirked Soren. "She wanted to buy a gift from a gift shop."
Ava hung her head to hide her smile before addressing them.
"It went fine, Jules, thank you for asking. Are all the guests checked into their hotels??"
Jules flipped a paper on the clipboard and dragged the pen down to the last names.
"A Mister Ashton Saint Zedir…a Gio and Marianna Fairlight…and that's it. Everyone else finished their complimentary drink–then their parting drink–and left."
"Perhaps you should be a good host and see the last of them off, Miss Sinclair," yawned Soren.
"Soren, there are eyes on us. Mind how you talk to Ava here," scolded Jules. "But yes, that would be best. Gio and Marianna have been running us ragged with their breakfast requests."
Ava rolled her eyes and walked towards the lift up to the airship. She motioned for Soren and Jules to follow, then turned to navigate between the port runners. Once all three were on the lift, Soren closed the gate and hit the switch. They stepped into the well lit hallway and headed up a ramp towards the galley.
Upon their entrance, Ava spied Gio and Marianna at an ornate table finishing the last of their food. The reflection of their forehead jewels temporarily blinded Soren, who bumped the doorframe of the galley. Ava handed Soren her book and walked to her guest's table.
"Finally," Gio sighed, "They made the eggs right. How am I expected to work on an empty stomach dear?"
"Impossible, Miss Sinclair's staff certainly is–"
Marianne's eyes widened when seeing Ava sit down beside her.
"-certainly dedicated! They didn't stop until they made Gio's eggs just the way he liked them. The first batch…"
Marianne prattled on as Ava turned to see her head cook, Wilma, about to dispose of eggs identical to the ones on Gio's plate. Wilma looked up and shrugged her shoulders and raised the plate to Ava.
She quickly glanced between Marianne and Gio, and gave a quick nod.
Wilma set the plate down underneath the heater serving heater.
"-and finally this fourth batch had enough saka peppers to satiate him. So very persistent, your crew."
"Yes, yes…" trailed Ava. "I'm glad we could get that sorted for you."
Ava looked at Jules and Soren with a weary expression. Jules shrugged and sat down at a nearby table with Soren–who gave Ava a smug thumbs up.
"Oh and Ava," said Marianne, "I have to thank you again for helping us on such short notice. We were in such a bind–"
"-ah, yes–truly a bind," added Gio, "Imagine, our favorite airship having to make repairs at a time such as this. As if we would be caught dead taking our backup."
Gio looked around and leaned toward Ava.
"It doesn't even have a backup cocktail lounge."
Ava gave a polite nod, "A tragedy."
Gio checked his watch and exclaimed.
"Oh–this breakfast ran on too long. Marianne, come, we must get going now."
Gio grabbed Marianne's arm.
Marianne grabbed Ava's arm.
The train made their way out of the galley and out in front of the entrance, back into the sunlight. Ava's pet serpifeli sunbathed in front of the lift, its amber scales and verdant eyes locked onto Ava upon seeing her come from the airship. It chirped and trotted over in front of Ava.
"Oh–there you are Vae," smiled Ava.
When Ava went to pick her pet up, Vae rolled over and displayed her smooth stomach. Her elongated body made a line in front of Gio, Marianne, and Ava, demanding attention.
"Oh hello there you darling little thing!" Marianne squealed. "And Ava! I must thank you for taking the time to arrange this trip for us! Gio and I will make sure to repay your favor tenfold."
"Yes–tenfold. This elevator is taking far too long. The help should have been done with this by now," grumbled Gio.
The lift arrived. From the gate stepped a looming pitch black man, his trench coat covering the left half of his body. His amber body lines complimented the golden stud planted in the center of his forehead.
"Ah, Ashton!" exclaimed Gio, "How was your walk?"
"Just fine, Gio. Good morning Marianne, Ava."
Ava gave a polite nod. Ashton stepped out of the lift and walked around Vae. Gio and Marriane stepped over Vae on their way inside the lift.
"Thank you again for letting us use it for the return trip!" waved Marianne.
"Yes–indeed thank you," Gio coughed out. "Maybe too many saka peppers–safe travels, you 'prize winner', you!" said Gio, before hitting the lever on the elevator.
Ava exhaled but kept her shoulders raised. She turned towards Ashton and smiled.
"And you, Mister-Saint Zedir, how did you enjoy the flight?"
"Please, call me Ashton. And it was just fine. I wish it was under better circumstances that I joined you."
"You are doing what is necessary, Ashton. I will continue praying that you and your son make a full recovery."
"You honor me by allowing me space in your mind and on your magnificent airship. One day–like Gio–I will repay your kindness. If you will excuse me."
Ashton nodded his head as he stepped past Ava. She watched him step around Soren and Jules, and gave them both a nod. He turned the corner and bumped into Wilma, who spilled a plate onto the floor.
"Oh–Mister Saint-Zedir–pardon me, I'm so sorry–"
Ashton raised a hand in protest and stood up. He offered a hand to Wilma and assisted her from the floor. Vae took the opportunity to trot over to eat the eggs on the ground.
"By all means, Miss Wilma, this is far from your fault. Without my medicine I turn into a herrera in a ceramic shop. Please, accept my apology."
Wilma looked around at everyone else and stammered out a response.
"Oh–um–of course–please, it's no inconvenience!"
Ashton gave a bow to everyone on the entrance platform and strode into the hallway. Once again, he made sure to step around Vae before he disappeared. No one spoke until the echo of his footsteps could no longer be heard down the hallway.
"Lovely one, he is," nodded Wilma. "Sorry about the food, Ava. The Fairfields couldn't decide how many times they wanted to change their mind on their mornin' eggs. Eggs, Ava! The same they've had this entire trip. Insane, isn't it? Oh–hello dear."
Wilma planted a kiss on Jules' cheek before she turned to Soren and Ava.
"And you two? You haven't said good morning to me yet."
"Mom," sighed Soren, "We've been up for–"
"Don't care," Wilma interjected. "It isn't a good morning until you say it to me, now come here."
Ava and Soren bent down at the waist to hug Wilma, she hummed in delight as she stepped back toward Jules.
"Oh…you're going to miss each other so much."
Soren coughed and shook his head. Ava stifled a laugh while looking at Soren, and then Wima.
"Mom, what are you saying–"
"You two have been inseparable since her parents bought this airship! This is the longest you'll be without each other. I raised you both, I can tell–"
Jules cleared his throat. Wilma silently resigned.
"What she means is, you will be missed by all of us while we await your return. Terribly so. By the time you come back, the ship should be outfitted to resist the desert."
"That's perfect, Jules. Should be back in twenty segments--"
"Just say days," Soren groaned. "Why did The Department re-do the calendar? It makes no sense."
"Twenty segments," Ava repeated, "Because I support The Department and the work they do."
Soren shook his head and leaned against the railing of the entrance platform.
"Are you seeing this mom? She leaves the airship for more than a day and she's already too far gone."
Everyone shared a chuckle for a moment before Jules checked his watch. He cleared his throat and puffed out his chest–at least, as much as an old airship captain could muster. He straightened his hat and took a deep bow.
"Ava, would you like an escort to the DLF office?", he offered.
"Thank you, Jules. I would like that very much."
Vae immediately went to his side, brushing up against his pant leg with her narrow body. Ava relaxed her shoulders and smiled as she picked up Vae with her left arm. With the other she did a performative flourish as she took Jules's left arm with her right.
"Why can't I just do it?" asked Soren.
"Because he's the captain of the airship, you have chores to do, he knows when to shut up, he's your father–my, the list goes on and on," articulated Wilma.
Soren held his hands up in defeat. He opened the gate for the lift and shut it behind them once they were in. Jules hit the lever on the inside and began their descent back down to the street.
They walked for a couple of seconds once they had come from the elevator. Ava turned around to see The Sincerity one final time. From the balconies of the airship were the Nadir crew, they shouted their goodbyes with all that they had.
"Bye, Miss Sinclair!"
"We look forward to your return!"
"Don't get lost out there!"
Ava looked around on the street before giving a deep bow. They returned the gesture and resumed their duties aboard The Sincerity. She looked at Soren, leaning over the railing of the entrance platform. With two fingers he tapped his forehead and made a swooping motion. Ava repeated the gesture before turning around with Jules, starting her way towards the DLF building.
As Ava and Jules begin to stroll down the street of The Vince, she was able to see all types of people. Loaders, dockers, noblemen and women, DLF agents, DLF squads, and that's just what she recognized. Her eyes danced between all the figures in the crowd. Her gaze landed on a Pale Yervite woman running a shop front on freshly imported agave. She wore simple robes and sandals decorated with muted colors. Her desert bleached skin reflected the sun, and her bat-like ears subtly twitched as she turned towards her next customer.
Towering over the woman was what Ava identified to be a Dulim of the Peak. He wore virtually nothing, save for shorts. His ancestral tattoos were displayed over his entire body, as tall as it was.
As Ava kept walking she noticed several Nadir who had made eye contact with her bowed in reverence. She gave an exasperated nod to all of them, the density of their appearance only increasing as the door to the DLF office grew closer. Ava acknowledged all of them before opting to ignore them as Jules held the door open for her. Before walking in she stared at the large sign on the sign of the door written in a precise font:
Department of Lost and Found.
The first thing Ava noticed was how still the air was, and the second thing she noticed was the lack of everyone noticing her. She watched everyone walk about with paperwork, relics, and whatever beverage they needed to get them through the day in the narrow administrative section before Jules escorted her towards the center of the building. As they passed a second set of double doors the facility opened up into a circular grand hall with staircases, lifts, and hallways leading everywhere. Jules escorted her to the information desk where the attendant spoke, not making eye contact.
"Name and purpose of visit," he stated, reading the current day's newspaper.
Jules opened his mouth to answer, but Ava lifted her hand.
"Ava Sinclair and my escort Jules Falkner."
The attendant's eyes widened as he turned around, immediately recognizing her.
"Miss Sinclair! The prize winner - oh pardon me I didn't mean to be distracted! They didn't tell me you were coming in so early!"
"It's quite alright, I'm just eager to begin. This will be the furthest I've gone from home, you know."
"It's exciting, isn't it? Excuse me one moment - I'll get the Administration Coordinator right now!"
The attendant opened the door to his stand and promptly trotted over to a nearby official. From where she was standing Ava could see the attendant's enthusiasm as he waved his arms and pointed back to where Ava was. The man she presumed to be the Administration Coordinator straightened his tie, flattened his coat, and strode over to Ava. She smiled in anticipation as the man came over.
"Miss Sinclair, it is an honor to see you here! I don't know if you remember me but I'm-
"Administrative Coordinator Cooper, yes? We talked at the Conservationists Gala."
Ah, you do remember! We on behalf of the DLF appreciate your generous donation for your raffle entries!"
"I'm sure you do. Where do I go to claim my prize?"
"Right this way ma'am! The rest of your escort is already upstairs getting acquainted with one another."
Coordinator Cooper turned towards Jules, "And you are…?"
"Falkner. Jules Falkner, Miss Sinclair's escort until I see that she is in good hands."
"Oh then I believe your job is done, sir! I can take it from here-"
"Not yet. I said good hands. Yours haven't seen any sort of work in a while."
"I beg your pardon…?"
Ava turned and coughed to hide her smile. She put back on her professional face and addressed Cooper.
"Jules will accompany me for now, please don't take it personally. He's an old friend of the family and as such–you know–he won't let me hear the end of it if I send him back to the ship now."
She chuckled out the last part of her sentence before Coordinator Cooper spoke.
"Alright then, Jules-"
"Falkner."
Ava tugged Jules's sleeve and raised her eyebrows. Jules maintained his gaze at Cooper.
"Falkner," Coordinator Cooper sighed, "My office is right this way."
Cooper led them towards an upstairs office and as Ava climbed she could see the full floor open up. Agents upon agents talking, travelling, and inspecting at their desks in an organized cacophony. Coordinator Cooper stopped at his door - his name engraved in a gold plate above the doorframe. He stood on the opposite side with his hand on the doorknob and cleared his throat.
"On behalf of the Department of Lost and Found, it is my pleasure to introduce to you Head Rover Nathaniel Bosh, Ranger Chrissy Taniel, and Inspector Travlack.