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July 8th, 1622. Near The Star Crash.

<sub>After a day of mulling over his thoughts and what he had learned, Benedict decided to tell the priest he was off to find his family. He had been doing a lot of thinking, comparing Sine and Andy, and he found... well, he found more faults in Sine relating to him than anything else, and... after a bit of thought, he knew that if God loves everyone, he could love his own dad.

"I hope he's here." He had to leave Lila behind, packing up a knapsack of some breads, foods, some little trinkets (which included a piece of jewelry he got as a child), and a spare set of clothing. Benedict wore his comfortable pants, his white shirts that sported a nice looking brown leather vest, and a belt which held his six shooter. On top of his head was his favorite brown Stetson.

He stopped by to tell Caden that Lila would definitely enjoy the company of him. He would go to Sine, but after trying to get to know her, he felt it wasn't appropriate to tell her he was going to see his dad.

Benedict put his hands in his pockets, looking around the place, wondering exactly where he needed to look. Should he ask for The Star Man? Where would his ship be?</sub>

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Even as early as it was, there were still a great number of people milling about the docks. Mostly sailors and merchants, though there was a lot of regular people there, seeking out the best pickings of the wares from the available merchants. Hidden amongst them was the Star Man who was standing upon a crate and entertaining a small crowd of people as he pitched his charts.

He was good at it, he easily made transactions and divvied out change while never losing a beat, tossing illusions, jokes, and even the occasional swapped syllable story out as he leapt and pranced about.

"I travel a lot, there isn't a whole lot of placed I haven't seen yet, though I admit there are some places I may have seen, but was likely too drunk to remember." A light scatter of laughter as he went on without missing a beat. "You know, I never was able to grow up in a small town, but I've certainly visited some; I can say the nice part about them is that when you don't know what you are doing, someone else does." He went on casually, flipping his scope idly. "Then I paid a visit to Dula. Interesting place to say the least. I was walking down the street, minding my own business, suddenly wondering why my head was stricken with what felt like a draft. I reached up and lo and behold, some random lad had absconded with my favorite piece of head wear! Turning, I saw the bloke darting down the street with my hat! I very much liked that hat, so naturally I perused."

He flourished, many of the people listening with rapt attention as he went on with his tale. "I leapt upon the back of am moving carriage and allowed it to ferry me to the thief's side, but being the coward he was, he turned into an alley where tried to lose me, but using all my wits and grace, I simply waited for the lad to come out because the alley really didn't have enough room for two of us, what with the shrieking mob of women who had congregated back there for some kind of private meeting made things a mite trickier too." More laughter as the masked man held a pose of complete seriousness. "The man certainly came out a bit worse for wear, but my hat was okay, but this only reinforces my opinion on things. There are two sure signs of danger, my friends-and this is doubly true for you men- is a goat lowering it's head to butt, and a woman calling you by your full name." Even more laughter as he paused for a little bit to make some sales and point out some finer details on his charts.

At some point, a man would walk up and, with an almost annoyed looking expression, spoke commandingly. "You're absolutely insane, you know this?" He said, causing the Star Man to pause and look at him. "You've lost your mind, prancing about like a fool dressed up like that."

"I'm sorry sir, I'm afraid you are mistaken." The cape clad crusader replied. "I did not lose my mind. It got scared and ran away."

This caused a chorus of laughter to erupt as some men dragged the party crasher off and away from the festivities as The Star Man proceeded about his business.

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<sub>Benedict couldn't mistake the familiar voice of Cepheid. He'd look at the crowd of people gathering to watch the man as he did what seemed to be some stand up comedy. Benedict had to chuckle at his story, though. Well, the one good thing is that around here, there are people like The Star Man to not just find a way to cleverly hide their identity, but entertain people.

There is indeed a sore lack of entertainment around these areas, he had to admit. Benedict looked over quietly as that man decided to be a party pooper. Benedict put one of his hands in his pocket and slung his knapsack over his shoulder, walked up to the man, explaining quietly.

"In the Tarot card games, my good sir, 'The Fool" or "The Jester" is considered a trump card. Symbolically they are considered to have 'crazy wisdom' and the ability to tune in to the inner works of the world itself. So I guess in your case..." He paused, and then as the man was dragged off, he said one simple word as he adjusted the brim of his Stetson. "Checkmate."</sub>

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When Benedict made his appearance, The Star Man smoothly transitioned things to focus on his nephew. "I could not have put it any better way, good sir." He said, tipping his hat to him. "Every now and then, people like him step forward and just fail to grasp the genius that I am. After all, I'm so clever sometimes that I don't understand a single word I'm saying!" He body language emanated a cheeky grin from under the mask.

He tuned and took a couple steps up to his 'booth', which was really nothing more than a couple empty crates with a cloth over them. "You know, people ask me why I am the way I am. Honestly? I have no clue, but I tend to tell them that, if God really is watching us, the least we can do is be entertaining." He chuckled and turned to the crowd. "Ladies and gentleman, I thank you for your patronage and your company, however the time approaches that I must depart." Sounds of displeasure rang out. "Now, now, this shall not be the last time I visit this wonderful harbor." Using the cloth, he wrapped up the maps in a large parcel and held it under his arm. "After all, I intend to live forever! So far, so good!~"

Chuckling, the group of people began to disperse as The Star Man focused on securing the bundle. Once they were close enough to talk, he'd look to Ben. "I take it you've decided to accompany me? We will be coming back this way soon later on, to deliver a rather...special package to it's rightful owner." He was unaware of Julian and Ben's meeting, so he left it vague enough. "Are you prepared? We won't be able to turn around to fetch anything you may have forgotten."

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<sub>Benedict shrugged when he spoke up. Yeah, it is true. Some of the most eccentric people were really good at what they did. Why stop them? They weren't a menace to society anyway, but saying that out loud to the priests might warrant him a smack. That's one thing that annoyed him. He couldn't ask the important questions.

Benedict waited until the crowd started to clear and he looked over to The Star Man as he was approached and the kid smiled. Okay so he had to drop something off here, huh?

"I don't mind. As for what I got? Well this is all I have to bring. the playing cards, extra clothing, some food, some trinkets..." He mused. "Anyway let's go before you get chased by girls again." Yes, he was teasing you.</sub>

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"Girls, where?" The Star Man asked, behaving as though he was looking forward to being accosted by a hoard of rabid fangirls. He then chuckled and, shifting the parcel slightly, began walking towards his ship, allowing Ben to follow. "Ah, do you play well?" He asked as they walked, when Ben mentioned the cards. "I feel that our six day journey may be less arduous than I was expecting, then." He chuckled once more as they came up to the cabin ship.

"Well, come on up before someone sees, if someone recognizes you, you're in for quite the welcome home when you return." He jestured for Ben to go up first, and then nimbly followed up the ladder until they were both on the deck, where he then unlocked the door and allowed Ben to go inside. "I'll be there in a sec. I gotta untie the ship."

He'd set down the parcel and allow Ben to inspect the interior of the ship as he went to get the Super Arrow ready for take off.

The main room was decent enough. Well taken care off, the furniture was fastened down by metal bars bolted into the floor, and the decorations on the walls were bolted too. What kind of self respecting airship owner wouldn't bolt down most of their stuff?

After a few minutes, Ceph would return and close the door. "Ben, do me a favor and help me search the ship? I need to make sure no one has decided to hitch a ride. You check the lower levels and I'll search the cabins. Try not to step on Clicky, she likes to get underfoot."

And with that, he gestured towards the path to go into the lower levels as he turned to check the upper cabins.

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<sub>Benedict chuckled when Cepheid looked around for girls. Well it was a legitimate concern for him anyway! He'd shrug, not sure of how well he was at playing cards. he could play Tarot games, and the typical 52 deck of cards, though how well could depend on how good the typical players he faced off at the church were.

"As long as good weather and fortune are upon us, we should be fine." He smiled. Benedict would start climbing up the ship, entering it and then going inside. He'd look around, admiring the nicely furnished place. He figured they would have been bolted down but after a moment of looking around, the young boy jumped when Cepheid spoke up.

"Oh? Sure." He'd start walking, but then speak up out loud. "Wait, Clicky?" But Cepheid was gone. Benedict shrugged and then went to search, and even explore the bottom part of the ship, watching out for this 'Clicky.'</sub>

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Cepheid focused on searching his ship thoroughly, checking all of the places he had found stowaways before, and all the other possible hiding places as he heard Benedict go downstairs.


Below the main rooms, there lay a figure, her feathers of whitest white and hear beak as sharp as the most tempered sword. She lay in wait for any who dared trespass in her lair. There was only one who he ever let near her majestic figure unharmed, and she waited his return.

Footsteps, had he returned? Gracefully, she moved and looked around the corner. Who was this intruder! No one dared enter her domain without her permission! The infidel! He would PAY!

Charging from the shadows, she darted at the intruder with all intents to fend him off and protect not only her domain, but 'his'." Her feathered wings spread at her sides in her people's battle stance, she made her frontal assault, letting out a piercing battle cry.


"BAAAWKAWWWK!"[/i][/b]

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<sub>Benedict was wandering around, admiring the view, wondering about the place, what his job was, how Astronomy was like... He really would enjoy listening to any stories that Cepheid had, what he had to deal with... all that sort of thing.

Benedict's thoughts were mussed when he heard what seemed to be a very loud clucking sound. He'd whip around to see a... chicken? He just stood there as the bird made threatening gestures towards him and he was just... baffled at her.

"... The heck? Cepheid never mentioned a chicke-Ooh... Clicky. Ahaha." Ben put his hands on his hips, pulling out a bit of a sarcastic, teenager-ish attitude for a moment.</sub>

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Why was this foolish man not cowering before her fearsome presence!? WHY WAS HE NOT BOWING TO HER?

Furious, she began pecking at the man's boot clad ankles, vainly trying to get her message across that she was the boss here.


Cepheid heard Clicky from his place under his desk in the study, and then decided that Ben might need a little backup with his temperamental shipmate.

It was about the time that Clicky was attempting to wear a hole in Ben's boot that Cepheid made it into the lower levels, where the crazy hen immediately ceased her attack and ran at the Masked man joyously.

"I see you met Clicky." He chuckled, kneeling down and picking up the feather clad creature, who happily settled in his arms with a few contented clicks, shooting a glare at Ben.

"Don't take her personally, she doesn't take kindly to anyone, not even Andy." He chuckled. "It's safe to assume no one is down here. Clicky would have been throwing a fit the entire time if someone was down here, as this is the only way in. Help me double check the upstairs and we can go."


You got lucky this time, boy. But you had better lock your door at night.

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<sub>Benedict stared stupidly as the hen tried to tear at his leather boots, and he mulled that he was pretty happy that he wore those boots now, but that hide was expensive! Don't tear it, young hen! Benedict looked over to see that Cepheid had come down.

"I've... well, I've dealt with farm animals before, so I know how they usually are, especially since dealing with Lila, who's pretty skittish to begin with." He explained. "Did you adopt her on board?" Might as well ask. Ceph explained that the hen would have been throwing a fit of someone came down here.

No kidding, man. She was glaring at Ben. He then jammed his hands in his pockets and grinned.

"Sure thing." Ben'll make it his challenge to try and tame the wild feathered beast. If he tamed Lila... well he could tame a chicken. Maybe.</sub>

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"Kind of. I found that it was kind of tricky to purchase supplies when masked, so I decided to just buy a hen and nix the need to buy eggs. So I went to a farm about bought Clicky here as a chick about two years back." He explained, letting the bird in his arms lightly nibble at his hand. "She can be a bit haughty, but she's decent company. Even once she's unable to lay eggs, I plan on keeping her around." Clicky was his friend!

He walked up the stairs, chicken in arm, and closed the door behind Ben once they were both in the main room. He looked at Clicky for a moment. "Ben is our guest, okay? Be nice to him. Anyone else you can flush out, though, kay?" Clicky let out a couple clucks and he sat the bird down, two sauntered across the room and began doing...chicken things, which was mostly just idly walking around.

"We'll go ahead and take off. Clicky will find anyone who's hiding soon enough, forgive me if I keep the suit on, though." He chuckled and stepped into the control room to get the ship up and going, leaving Ben and Clicky together in the post main room.

The tiny white feathered fowl stood there, staring at Ben, as if she was wishing she had laser vision. Try it, bub.

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<sub>Benedict looked at Clicky as he explained why he had her. Oh yeah that did make sense. Might explain why Cepheid is as skinny as he is too, ahaha. He'd watch Cicky carefully.

"same with me and Lila. Even if she's too old to ride, I hope to have a small farm, maybe, settle down..." He paused. "She certainly is a spicy hen, I will admit. Reminds me of Lila." Ben chuckled. He's take one look at Clicky as she seemed to be threatening him with her eyes, he would turn around and follow Cepheid out.

"This is a very nice airship."</sub>

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Clicky happily mulled about the ship, clucking contentedly as she did so, eventually drifting over to a metal pan with some seed in it, which she began pecking at.

"Clicky's attitude it actually rather helpful. She makes tracking down intruders much simpler. she throws quite a fit, as I'm sure you've seen." He chuckled as he went to step into the back.

Clicky made another clucking sound of victory as Ben followed him out into the back, and he continued to talk to him as he got the engine going.

"Thanks. Cost me my entire life's savings, and her upkeep isn't too cheap either, but I'm glad I got her when I did. After my brother got 'popular', I needed a way to hide, and this ship let me do that." He smiled from under the mask as he untied the ship and the engine turned on with a burst of steam. Moving into to control room, he'd hit some switches and get the ship to lift out of the docks. "She's served me well, I don't look forward to the day something happens to her."

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<sub>Benedict looked over at Cepheid when he explained about Clicky. Aww. Well, at least she was helpful, even if she was a tough chicken to handle. At least towards anybody else. He sighed, suddenly missing Lila already.

"I can't say. Lila's also pretty fickle as well. She's pretty watchful to the church and whenever I'm sleeping out in the open." He explained. "She loves being pampered though. Caden adores her and she'll let him ride her."

This entire thing most have cost him a lot. Especially since it was a reasonably sized ship that housed Cepheid. He admired the furniture and then walked with Cepheid.

"I just have Lila, and even then I rescued her. I took a vow to poverty, which might have been a mistake because Lila will grow old before I do and I don't want to send her off." He sighed.</sub>