For one typically so study and sure-footed, the way the rocking of the waves swept her balance away came as all-too-concerning surprise. Clutching at the old wooden railing of the ship, Nhaji pulled herself from her hunched-over position to stand straight. Shielding her eyes from the glare of the mid-day sun, she squinted off at the horizon. Still a few suns’ travel.

“Just gettin’ my.. Urgh… Balance…”

If her slurred words didn’t give away the lie, the quick gesture to wipe the last of the muck from her lips did her in. The grizzled old Sea Wolf next to her delivered a clap to her back that threatened to send the last of her lunch back into the ocean, though soon settled the hand on her shoulder.

“Aye, sure. There ain’t no shame in a bitta’ seasickness. Common fer’ people making these long journeys, especially when it’s their first time.” Following the woman’s gaze out into the horizon, the old man scrunched his eyes in turn. “Forgive an old sailors curiosity. What’s an Eorzean ‘venturer got fer’ business in Kugane of all places? Locked up tighter than the Admiral’s brig, those folks.”

Nhaji took in a slow breath, The hand at her forehead slipped backward, scratching her fingers back through her hair before dropping by her side. She spared the man a short glance, searching for some intent behind his question… And at last shrugging. There’d be no harm in a bit of exposition.

“Just usin’ it as a stopping point. I can go from there ta’ the coast of Yanxia, and from there t’ the Steppe. One more gods-damned boat trip, then it’s dry land…”

The old sailor’s grin lowered then, a low edge growing across the corners of his brow. “Best shore up yer’ sea legs then, lass. If ye’ mean to head through the Ruby Sea, ye’ll be in fer’ a rougher trip than this. Between Imperial vessels and the Confederate’s Ruby Tithe, those waters’re far from calm.”

- - - - -

Joy. Rougher waters. The very thought of it had her tail, always active and animated, to fall limp against the deck of the ship. “Hells.” Was all she said back, lowering her gaze from the horizon to the waters below. 

The thrum of the airships motors had long gone quiet, giving way to the softer sound of the waves lapping against the hull. Nhaji sat back, perched against the edge of a large, circular window rail, gazing off into the golden sunset.

The ship still rocked, swaying gently to the tune of the waves it rested within, but she felt no discomfort. Between long journeys and longer moons spend in the air or at sea, she’d more than gotten used to the movement beneath her feet. Hells, she could even drink through it now. 

“Nhaji.”

The call cut through the silence, tickling over the crack in her horn and lifting her attention away from the window. Her attention, not her eyes. “Aye? Any news?”

“The others have returned from their scouting missions. With their findings, we hould have information enough to consider making a move.”