The Nightrose Chronicles I: Broader Horizons

Growing in Strength and Confidence

 She woke up the next morning to Lailah nudging her shoulder, "Wake up, sweetheart," She groaned, making him laugh, "Come on kiddo. Don't you wanna see the airship docks?"

She got up slowly, rubbing her eyes, "Yeah."

"Come on then."

She got out of bed yawning, getting ready as he waited for her downstairs. At the entrance to the guest room a guard was waiting for them, "Miss Tessa Lykos?" He looked at Lailah. "And Mr. Lailah Frost? My name is Adrian. I am here to escort you both to the airship docks."

Even the size of the hallways to the airship dock were huge! Large columns lined the walls, strange looking knight statues guarding the hall between each one. The carpet was a lush red with a fringe of gold running along its sides, with a massive wooden door at the end guarded by two Lindblum officers. Though the hallway was long and felt like they were walking in place, they finally reached the end, the guards pulling the door open with large metal chains. "Whoa!" The dock was huge, over hundreds of ships lining the interior, the one in the center catching her eye; the Hilda Garde II. She grimaced at the remembrance of the huge clunky ship; the Hilda Garde III. As far as aesthetics went on that ship, she put it as two out of ten, ten being the best. At the end of the catwalk stood the oglop himself, Regent Cid, and Flight Master Zeboldt. The two were examining blueprints of the Hilda Garde and pointing to various sections.

"Good morning, <GWOK> Tessa, Lailah. <GWOK>," The regent said. The guard left with a bow as the two greeted them. "This is Flight Master Zeboldt. <GWOK> He built the Prima Vista Theater ship."

"Nice to meet you," Tessa smiled as she shook his hand.

"So you want to know more about airships, Tessa?" Zeboldt asked.

"Yep!"

"Then let's get started," She pulled out her notes from yesterday, carefully pocketing away the blueprints Lailah had acquired with his hacking skills and the trio went over the blueprints together. Tessa made a few suggestions from the design book, "May I see that notebook, Tessa?"

It gave her shivers to be that close to a potato bug but she tried her best to keep her cool, pretending he was a dog, as she showed him her designs. Zeboldt looked over her shoulder next and whistled in surprise, "It's crazy, but it just might work!"

"Where did you come up with these ideas!? The schematics you <GWOK> propose are very well made! <GWOK>" Cid said. "I think with your help <GWOK> we might just get our new airship finally up and <GWOK> running even better than before!" Cid said.

"Well... I did copy a few different styles though..." She frowned, suddenly feeling guilty.

"Doesn't everyone who learns something new? <GWOK>," Cid asked, "You need to have more <GWOK> self-confidence young lady! You're very <GWOK> brilliant and hard-working!"

She smile, "You really think so?"

"Yes! Now using metal instead of wood, more lightweight..." he talked to himself.

"Thanks."

"You're welcome, young lady! Ooh! If we used Zeboldt's outline, with this engine and weight," he pointed to her design, "The ship's integrity would be even stronger!"

The group talked until Zeboldt glanced up at the clock, "It's nearly time for the Hunt."

"Oh! And we haven't even had breakfast! <GWOK> We need to get going!" Cid hopped off to the dining room with Tessa and Lailah at his heels before the three made their way to the guest rooms.