Upon Vestia: Chapter Thirty-Three

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"Hey man," James said to Kay, after waiting for a few seconds for the guy to pause his work, and realizing he wasn't going to. "How you holding up?"

~~
"It's my job to care about the books," Ethan said. He tried to look like he had no emotional investment in the state of the library, with moderate success. "Vestia pays me to keep them nice and safe and organized, which they aren't." He watched Esk curiously, "Who put you on janitor duty?"

"Yes, we do, don't we?" Skye said then chuckled softly "Maybe if we can find your mate, they will join us too?"

Tala nodded. "Perhaps so. It would be most satisfactory to have both my peoples united into one." She considered the people on Vestia to be her friends and family now, they'd survived too much together to be anything less than that.

"It would be interesting at any rate." Skye said with a smile. She wouldn't mind meeting other family of her friends here.

Tala started embroidering again. "I am certain you would all get along eventually. Good fortune to you and your sister, Skye."

"Good fortune to you too." Skye said gently before heading off for breakfast.

Jarral would, as the day drew to a close and repairs on the ship were nearly complete head over to Vestia to discuss matters with their captain. He wasn't overly enthusiastic about it, but he was seldom enthusiastic about anything. Eva came with him.

Since Starr was the captain by default if nothing else, she came to meet with Jerral and Eva.

Eva smiled to Starr. "You should be ready to go tomorrow, least as far as repairs go."

"you should leave." Jarral told Starr flatly.

"but before you go, I have a little request.... Or rather, an offer to make." Eva continued.

Jarral folded his hands

"A lot has changed in 10 years, I suggest you take Jarral with you." Eva told Starr. "He can answer your questions and keep an eye on your all for me."

"Am I to be a walking encylopedia now?" Jarral complained dully.

Eva laughed. "There's worse things to be."

Starr smiled at the news on the repairs. "We have plans to go pick up the kids and resupply as soon as we can." She said gently. "I am glad for all your help."

Eva nodded "just... get out of here okay?" Yes, she was deeply concerned their presence here was a bad sign.

"Do you really think the demons would come after us that much?" Starr asked, she had not been told about their 'abilities' yet.

Eva shook her head. "I don't know, I really don't. But it's better not to tempt fate."

Jarral shook his head. "I believe Fate is actively protecting these people." He mused.

Eva sighed. "figure of speech."

"I am aware." Jarral replied cooly.

"At this point I would not be surprised if we did have the protection of the Weaver and Fate. We have certainly survived many things together." Starr replied "Hopefully we remain on their good side." She really didn't want to be on any god's bad side, they had enough trouble with wanna-be gods as it was.

Jarral nodded. It was, he felt, better to have gods at best neutral toward you but failing that, benevolance was at least preferable to ill will.

"Keep him safe okay?" Eva gestured to Jarral.

Jarral shot her an indignant look. "I am quite capable of taking care of myself."

"yeah I know but... just humour your auntie Eva okay?"

"you are not my aunt." Jarral replied cooly.

Eva rolled her eyes.

"We will do our best." Starr said with a smile. She liked the bantering between the two of them.

Eva smiled "Good, thank you. Once my engineers have given the all clear i'll let you know. I'm not letting my brother leave without a goodbye."

Jarral sighed.

Starr smiled and glanced to Vestia's camera "Anything you want to add?" She asked curiously.

"I can't think of anything to add," Vestia said. "But yeah, we won't leave before you get to say goodbye, Eva. And we can find you a room somewhere, Jarral, there are lots of options."

Jarral nodded grimly. "very well."

Eva smiled at the camera. "Thank you. I'll see you all later." She looked to Jarral "Be nice."

"See you later," Vestia said. "Thank you for your help as well, my hull really appreciates it."

Eva nodded and headed out, leaving Jarral alone with Starr.

He tensed.

Starr looked to Jerral then to the camera again "Shall we find you a room?" She asked kindly

Jarral nodded, pulling his shadow cloak a little tighter around himself.

"Would you prefer to be near the rest of the crew, or farther away from them?" Vestia asked.

Jarral hesitated. He wasn't much used to getting a say in this sort of thing. "Does it matter?"

"If it matters to you, then yes, it matters." Starr replied with a smile. "We have enough rooms to pick and choose."

"That's the benefit of being on a giant cruiseship," Vestia said. "Lots of housing options."