“I thought that Captain Kobayashi needed reinforcement squads in Palaugrim in three weeks’ time?”  Leon asked in confusion once the door to their Wyervia had closed.  It certainly wasn’t high class living in the cargo Wyervia.  Two wooden benches lined the sides of the wall, too wide to be comfortable seats.  Stacks of boxes were already strapped into place though there was an empty area in the middle for her group to sit.  A stack of blankets and coats were also piled there.  Apparently heating wasn’t a big thing on this Wyervia.<br/><br/>“That’s right.”  Adair confirmed, escorting Lethe to the back of the Wyervia to speak with the pilot.<br/><br/>“Good afternoon, Captain Lethe, Vice Captain Adair.  I’ll be your pilot today.  We’re headed for the Southeastern Dock of Palaugrim with an ETA of two hours.  I believe that the Knights there--" the pilot paused as he got a new message.  "Apologies, I've just gotten a new message from the other pilot directing me to follow it."<br/><br/><span style="color: silver">"Master Guilford’s pilot, right?”</span>Lethe confirmed, receiving a head nod in response.  She shrugged, wondering what the other Seraph was up to but only said aloud,<span style="color: silver">“Very well then, pilot, let’s go on a joy ride.”</span><br/><br/>She and Adair returned to another inquiry: “I thought that Master Guilford said this expedition was only two weeks at most?”<br/><br/><span style="color: Silver"> “Did he now?”</span>Her mischievous smile back in full force.<span style="color: Silver">“Huh.. we’ll have to remember to correct him of that misconception.”</span>Her attention seemed more engaged in the stack of blankets than their conversation.  She pointed to one and Adair obligingly picked it up, handed it to her, and picked up one for himself.  He escorted her to a free place on the cargo bench.<br/><br/>“What misconception?”  YunQiao asked in trepidation, not quite brave enough to scold his Captain when she had that look on her face.<br/><br/>Valiar finally spoke up:  “Deimos and Grisia are very persuasive at getting what they want.”  He turned a look to his smirking captain and shook his head, “Having both of them ask was probably overkill.”  The cleric only received a snooty “hmph!” in response.<br/><br/>“So... how long are we staying?”<br/><br/><span style="color: Silver"> “Three weeks!”</span>Lethe finally revealed triumphantly, swinging her blanket around her like a cape.<span style="color: Silver"> “Though, I think we can swing that into... four...?”</span>She turned to look at her provisions manager who only shook a hand in a “maybe” gesture.<br/><br/>“That’s adding an entire week--that’s doubling Master Guilford’s time frame!”  YunQiao gaped in disbelief.  Sometimes, it was<span style="font-style: italic">really</span>hard to believe that the now grinning white-haired nymph in front of him, wrapped in a blanket cocoon no less!, was the exalted White Seraph.  Weren’t Seraphs supposed to be<span style="font-style: italic">dignified</span>?  He’d never seen Master Guilford appear so ridiculous as his Captain occasionally acted (like now).  "The High Council is expecting us back in two weeks at most!  We'll be--so far beyond late!"<br/><br/><span style="color: Silver">“Tch! A lady is never tardy!”</span>Lethe protested scornfully, ignoring the now howling Seraphim.  Lethe hated being late, loved being early, and got disgruntled when someone showed up to her squad meetings before her without her being informed first.  (Seraphim and Valiar used to waylay the eager beavers of their squad from showing up to a meeting too early for fear Lethe would just camp out at the meeting spots the night before to ensure her promptness.)<span style="color: Silver"> “Now grab your blanket before I take it.”</span>Lethe commanded, prompting her squad to finally shuffle forward for their covers.<br/><br/>The squad started to zone out, each keeping themselves busy for the flight.  Valiar started humming under his breath, an oldie song he and Marielle were often found dancing in the kitchen to.  Seraphim soon joined in and one by one the squad was sucked in, each starting a new song when the next ended.  Even YunQiao was coaxed in with a huff and roll of his eyes, his tenor joining in for a rendition of “"通化.”<br/><br/>Lethe smiled at the scene in front of her, leaning her head on Adair’s shoulder as they rocked with the movement of the Wyervia.  They were going to be okay.  Her squad was the best Knight squad in the Immaculate and she’d keep them safe.<br/><br/><div style="text-align: center;">~~~~~~~~</div><br/><br/>Lethe rubbed at her eyes sleepily; the Wyervia’s movements had lulled her into sleep (for once, nightmare free) and she now had no idea where in Palaugrim they were.  Unfortunately, the Wyervia’s door was about to open and with it, her duty to maintain the image of a Seraph.  Her squad marched into the deserted docks.  Definitely not the Southeastern docks then.  She turned to salute the pilot and watched silently as both Wyervias took off.  The contentment from earlier had vanished.<br/><br/>Gil’s words only left her confused; why would he worry about the decoys the High Council had set?  It had seemed a bit excessive, but overly cautious was better than not cautious enough.  Still, she just smiled and nodded at Gil’s explanation.<span style="color: Silver"> “I’m sure they’ll understand your prudence.”</span><br/><br/>Her gaze turned to the service path as well, realizing a small issue.<span style="color: Silver"> “Adair, Seraphim, do you two know the route?”</span>They had already planned and scoped out the path from the Southeastern Docks to Rayitas and then Rasova.  However, she had no idea where she was and she doubted her tanks knew how to get to Jenault.  Seraphim’s sheepish smile had her pressing her forehead against her clasped hands in frustration. Men planned and Providence laughed.<span style="color: silver">“Okay then. Alfrei can take the spot in front of Hyuga.  I’ll take his spot.  Leon, you’re with Cricket.”</span><br/><br/>The group reassembled itself into the ordered formation and then headed out with Alfrei directing.  Cricket and Leon slipped into the trees on the left of the path, vanishing in short order.<br/><br/>It was a pleasant trip, all things considered.  Since they were on a “safe route,” she took the time to enjoy the scenery.  Palaugrim had a wildness to it that Gless and Lindela lacked and it was refreshing to not feel so tied down.  Everywhere in the Immaculate’s lands, she felt eyes on her, as if they knew how close she was to falling.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">The cadet stared at her with wide eyes, even as she healed his friend, even as he held his palm to her for her to take.  Those wide eyes bore into her, accusing her for standing so close to Sin while masquerading as a Pristine Knight.</span><br/><br/>It had only gotten worse in the past five days, after everyone had seen the manifestation of Sin in her guise.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic"><span style="color: red">Hello~ It might be worthwhile to play with you!</span></span><br/><br/>She firmly shook her head, white hair flying everywhere.  None of those thoughts here!  She wasn’t in Gless or Lindela anymore.  Those chains weren’t holding her down anymore, at least not now.  She turned a bright smile to the brunette beside her<span style="color: Silver"> “Knight Hyuga, if I recall correctly, you were the one who discovered that the ‘crystallized Sin’ was actually a plant?  The missive had mentioned that after releasing the Sin in it, it was free to absorb holy light instead.  Did you have any theories on how we might be able to release the taint in a less volatile manner and replace it with holy light?  Or perhaps something else like smoke or water?”</span><br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic"><span style="color: red">Tee hee. Trying to escape? Like I’ll let you.</span></span>