Harlock's Palace - The Endless Orbit of Loneliness Deux

[freearcadia]

Who: Yor, Nikkolaus
When
What: Palace time
Content Warnings: same as the first.

In the same ruin-filled wasteland, Yor and Nikkolaus would find themselves some distance away from where the other group had landed, the darkness that momentarily blinded and tried to choke them them receding.

The featureless void is not so featureless now, as the dimmest of stars struggle to make themselves known, still and not twinkling as stars should - the spaceship Arcadia hovering, unmoving on the northernmost horizon.

The winds still howled, alternating between the blistering heat and arctic chill, carrying a faint melody in the air from the east and a vague shape surrounded by a localized sandstorm, and low groans from the west with what looks to be a withered tree in the distance.

The ground shakes as the Arcadia fires - debris and dust flying up as it attacked something too far away to see - hopefully no one got hurt.

Comments

[badsunrising]

[Nods]

If she's all right with it.

[freearcadia]

Of course! I'm sure you can easily pick me up.

[She held her arms out.]

[briarliar]

Th-that's not what I was worried about... but, yes, thank you!

[ but very gingerly picking up Mayo and looking to Nikkolaus if they can arrange a handoff where she can lift her up to wherever he's waiting up in the tree ]

[badsunrising]

[Making his way up the tree and then, once he's situated on a sturdy branch, extending his arms for Mayu]

[freearcadia]

[Mayu holds still as Yor held her up, and grasps for Nikkolaus' arms once she's able to reach, making a smooth transition]

[briarliar]

B-be careful, please, Mr. Nikkolaus!

[ Yor doesn't mean to fret so much but she does, and stands positioned underneath just in case she needs to catch someone. ]

[badsunrising]

I know what I'm doing.

[Holding Mayu carefully so she can play her ocarina]

You good?

[freearcadia]

Uh-huh, Thanks for helping me up.

[Mayu beams before she starts playing, the melody much clearer now, the vault walls around them starts falling away, crashing to the ground - they may vaguely hear a cowboy yelp in alarm from a little ways away.

The distant spaceship slowly starts to move]

[briarliar]

Oh! Sorry Mr. Harlock Jr.!

Please keep playing, Miss Mayu! I think it's working! A-and you're doing a very lovely job!

[badsunrising]

[Might be glancing in the direction of that yelp... But then the moving spaceship steals his attention]

[freearcadia]

[Franklin looks more nonplussed than harmed, as the Arcadia starts turning towards their direction - it seems oddly sluggish in it's flight as Mayu continues to play]

[briarliar]

It's coming around. That's good, isn't it?

[badsunrising]

Keep playing! It can hear you.

[freearcadia]

[She glances at the two to signal she heard them, still playing as the ship continues on its path, slowly descending.

Franklin gives the group a look as he hides behind one of the vault walls.]

[briarliar]

[ catches that hiding, but if Harlock is guiding the ship then they need some way to get to it. and she knows they wouldn't let any harm come to Mayu. ]

Just a little more. Although if you're tired, please rest. I think they've noticed us now...

[badsunrising]

[Attention is once more on Franklin and suspicious]

[freearcadia]

[Franklin mouths something to him, though it's hard to tell what he's saying, but given one of his hand was around his neck, where that cable was.

The ship slowly descends about about a hundred or so feet away, again giving the impression that it is oddly sluggish - almost exhausted.

Then, and only then does Mayu stop, gasping for air]

[briarliar]

You did wonderfully, Miss Mayu! Please rest a little.

[ reaching her arms out to let Nikkolaus know she can take her back down ]

[badsunrising]

[Gives a confused look at Franklin before turning back to Mayu]

Yeah, you did great. Now catch your breath so we can see about finding your father on that ship.

[Handing her down to Yor]

[freearcadia]

[The girl gave a tired smile as she's helped down]

Ah... Harlock - he doesn't want to replace daddy... but, he's also on Arcadia.

[briarliar]

[ cradling with the utmost care, giving Mayu a soft smile ]

I understand that feeling. We'll see if we can bring them to you as soon as we can.

[badsunrising]

[A bit confused by nods just the same]

[freearcadia]

[The engine shuts off, and there is a hiss as a ramp extends down as Mayu settles against Yor.

Cautiously, Franklin comes out of hiding]

There is where we'll be partin' ways, even if it looks like he's not fixing for a fight, I'm not riskin' getting another air dance if you get my meaning.

[He then glances away, towards the tree]

Ain't good to let the past get too mixed up in the present either.

[briarliar]

[ weh, holding Mayu makes Yor feel all kinds of feelings because she misses Anya so much, and she doesn't want to let go. but she also doesn't want to put her in any danger, especially if Harlock's palace was anything like the other two. ]

Thank you for helping us get here, Mr. Harlock Jr. We will continue on our own.

[ then looking at Nikkolaus like "what do we do with this small child we both want to keep safe" ]

...Mr. Nikkolaus?

[badsunrising]

[Gives Franklin an odd look but nods]

[Turns back to Yor and Mayu]

Normally, I'd say one of us should stay with her. But it sounds like she wants to find Harlock as well.