[h1][color=734960][u]Tku[/u][/color][/h1][h3][i]A Voyage in the Night[/i][/h3]
[color=734960][i]Was this right?[/i][/color] popped into Tku’s mind, unable to keep away the intrusive thought as he looked up to the Tarlonesse ship. His voice felt so very small with the King and Queen and now he put himself through talking to the Tarlonese. Maybe a few months ago it would have felt normal, even excited to meet some Tarlonese again. But now?

He wasn’t deaf to the claims of the refugees through Bellville and the worksman quarters that he frequented for small acts of kindness that he could sneak into his day. What some claimed was beyond disturbing. It was very unlike the Tarlon he came to know, unlike the Tarlonese that he would call friends. But could same be said for… [color=734960][i]It is all murky. But right now, they can help the people I want to help. I can figure the rest out later.[/i][/color]

He gave a confident smile to Kaureerah before taking hold of the ladder the Tarlonese so graciously lowered for him. One step and then a leap of kinetic, he grabbed the banisters of the ship and gave a big smile to the crewman, [color=734960]“Oira!,”[/color] Tku gave a small snicker as he rolled his shoulder loose. [color=734960]“I have come with an offer on behalf of the people of Moatu Suva,”[/color] he spoke in his experienced Yasoi, his accent thick from having learned it only from those of Tarlon. He  gestured to the islands with some flair as he picked out the high ranking members, their uniforms were quite the fashionable giveaway, [color=734960]“King Kaleo and Queen Kanani have spoken well of you and I come to make a request to you,”[/color] Tku gave a small bow to them as he broke into discussion with Tarlonese captain. 

A dialogue was held and the outcome was inline with what Tku wanted. Tku has asked that when the battle begins to settle and the damaged Virangish go to collect their spoils, they simply sail to the wreck and apply some gentle pressure to them. The pirates would either be sinking or running by then, the Virangish would have very little reason to stay after such a battle. Of course more had to be given than the mere satisfaction of fucking with the Virangish. Tku could not say what was on the ship, nor he could let them on as the islanders have forbidden it. He can only make a promise that they will be given some of the things that can be found on the ship. It was a rough agreement as neither party truly knew what was on the ship but at least with this they had a chance.

Towards the end of the talks, working on the final details, Tku felt a worrying pull on his kites. He couldn’t make out much but it was enough to give him pause. He made a reason to excuse himself, and climbed back down to Kaureerah. 

Tku dropped from the top rung of the ladder, landing roughly on their small banana themed vessel. He tied his dreads once more, [color=734960]"It went alright,"[/color] Tku nodded at Kaureerah, [color=734960]"We'll be able to count on them when the time comes."[/color] their was not an outstanding amount of confidence in his voice but he didn't need it, instead his voice lingered and jumped to something else. 

[color=734960]"The real thing at hand is something may be happening with our friends at the wreck,"[/color] he tugged on the strings of his kite to double check, [color=734960]"Definitely something."[/color]

[color=deb887]"How bad is it?"[/color] the eeaiko inquired, glancing pensively across the water as she undid the ropes and cast off. [color=deb887]"I've... been told to avoid that wreck and I can only wonder why."[/color] In truth, she [i]knew[/i] and, unless there was some immense and sudden change of heart among the meerami who'd clustered there for reasons unknown, she imagined that an eeaiko showing up among them could be the worst possible thing for her friends and herself.

The small boat began to move across the darkened waves, bucking and yawing as it went, but it didn't yet accelerate or stray too far from the dread ship that Tku had emerged from. Kaureerah regarded him inquiringly, though whether it concerned her explicit or her implied question remained uncertain.

[color=734960]"Hard to say,"[/color] Tku went to check his things, making sure none had fallen out with all the rocking. [color=734960]"My little kites extend my range considerably but none of our friends are very good at communicating through them,"[/color] Tku let out a worried chuckle, [color=734960]"For all we know a fight has broken out with Virangish nearby."[/color] He grabbed an the oars and settled in to start rowing. 

[color=734960]"I know you have been asked not to enter the ship, which is why I'm not asking that, I'm asking you to help me get there,"[/color] he briefly tossed his head to the waters below and all the sea monsters scrambling about.

[color=deb887]"Then maybe we shouldn't be helping the Virangish,"[/color] she muttered, and it was, perhaps, among the first couple of times that anyone from the academy had seen her wear a peevish expression. She dipped her hand in the water, sullen and silent, and closed her eyes momentarily for focus. [color=deb887]"I've no wish to anger our welcoming hosts and honorable allies."[/color] She exhaled and the boat sped up. Her hand reached into the water and cupped it and she channeled her sonic magic through it. From her mouth came no sound for a good minute or so. [color=deb887]"I'll take you that far and..."[/color] She nibbled her bottom lip anxiously. [color=deb887]"You can sense through your kites. Are they being attacked?"[/color]

Tku turned his eyebrow up at Kaureerah, [color=734960]"I wouldn't say we are helping them,"[/color] he left it at that, leaving it open if she wanted to speak more. [color=734960]"I'm still new to using the kites this far, I'm no puppet master like Maura, nor an artifact master like Marz but I can sense trouble."[/color]

For a moment, she considered saying nothing, like she might've if Evander or some zeno had questioned her, but Tku had struck her as someone who maybe wanted to change things. [color=deb887]"They showed up here from their closest colony and held this place hostage."[/color] She shook her head tightly, feeling the threshers flee. [color=deb887]"Between us, the islanders, the Nikanese, the pirates, and... even the Tarlonese (if we had to) we had the forces to deal with them and the cover - those pirates - to do it without it coming back to these people."[/color] She scowled and sighed. [color=deb887]"Instead, the rich just keep kicking the little guy for half his lunch money and they get stronger while he gets weaker."[/color]

Tku's second answer seemed... evasive, and maybe she'd been wrong, so she fell silent. [color=deb887][i][b]Is[/b] there trouble!?[/i][/color] she thought, but did not press any further. [color=deb887]"Tku, those are my friends. Maura and I faced death, hand in hand, in Retan. If you know anything that could help keep them from getting hurt, you wouldn't hide it from me, right?"[/color] They were now approaching the giant wreck where it loomed above the low-lying atoll of Mehameha, soft waves thumping against its metal sides. Kaureerah reached out with her senses but the hulk was so vast that, even with it this clearly in view, whatever was happening inside remained beyond her. She knew that there were meerami and imagined they were at the wreck from the secrecy of it, but how many? How did the islanders know them or had they at least been told to expect visitors? Maura had gotten naught but a couple of words out and that state of half-knowing was almost worse than not knowing at all. 

Tiff was a good person. If their first encounter had been tense, they'd become something almost like... friends, since. It was hard, however, to overcome years of stories, education, and belief to the contrary. Meerami were dangerous. Her friends were there, likely with them and her presence would likely only make matters worse. It was that or the Virangish - and she'd gathered a good deal already about what [i]*they*[/i] were about.

[color=734960]"They did,"[/color] Tku agreed with Kaureerah on the Virangish role in all of this.

[color=734960]"The Islanders only wish for people to stay off the island, Kaureerah. The have allowed some of us to enter. The Virangish do not wish to follow the people's wishes, nor do we know if any other faction in these waters will,"[/color] Tku openly admitted. [color=734960]"But still, the king and queen trust the delegates Tarlon have sent from Tarlon, not the ones from Nikan(Who are also not the nicest). Nor can I say much about the pirates. If things go well, the Virangish might not gain anything than the 'righteous' feeling of defending some islanders."[/color]

He hesitated for a moment, he knew what she was saying but he did not feel they could wrangle everyone against the Virangish. Maybe it was the fear Ren had put in him weeks ago, maybe it is because he had little confidence in those around him to survive the onslaught that would take place. Maybe he wasn't willing to kill Raffie if it came down to choosing sides. [color=734960]"I cannot say Kaureerah. I'm no tethered, I am but an Obenjan trying to use what control I do have to help the people I came here with."[/color]

He paused again, [color=734960]"I know nothing Maura does not and the only thing I know to keep them safe is to have a binder at the ready and to keep you off the wreck. You ask of me for safety, and that is what I can tell you to keep you safe,"[/color] he does not say why, for he is bound by a promise to not share what he had been entrusted with. [color=734960]"You do not need to trust me, I don't ask for that either. I just ask that you believe I want them safe."[/color]

Kaureerah went silent and then they were there. She didn't know Tku and she hadn't earned his trust. The reverse wasn't untrue either. The boat went still in the shallows and it wasn't easy to  trust someone when they would not do the same back. [color=deb887][i]But aren't I holding put too?[/i][/color]

She nodded at him to disembark. [color=deb887]"I want them safe too,"[/color] she said simply, trying to conjure the sweet smile that normally came so easily to her. There was no erasing the bitter aftertaste of it, though.

Tku need not question her smile, she was loving and being asked to not enter the ship. He could not say if she had figured it out but was happy she wouldn’t rush headlong into a dangerous place. Hopefully he would need no force, and this was just his nerves pulling at him but in case it wasn’t, Tku drew from the very depths of the night sky and strengthened his being. [color=734960]"Be safe Kaureerah, I’ll keep and eye out for you with my kites”[/color]