That's two arms, two legs, two eyes, two ears, one nose, all present and accounted for. Maybe a bit of a tan?
Elysium
Thank goodness! You have you no idea how anxious I was when I heard these bandits were stone-cold killers who ate people for breakfast!
Isidro
And who told you THAT?
Elysium
Do you know how much courage I had to muster to come here and rescue you? Weedy's still back at town. I'll get in touch with her.
Isidro
......
Elysium
(Whisper) Whenever you're ready, I'll call her, and we can get out of here!
Isidro
I've tried, it's practically impossible. Besides, I don't plan on leaving for now.
Elysium
Why not? Don't tell me you actually joined up with these bandits like they say?
Elysium
(Whisper) Come on, out with it. Or do you really think there's a future out here with these backwater thugs?
Isidro
...I have no interest in becoming a pirate, Elysium.
Isidro
I'm staying because... I want to resume the alchemical research I ran from. This compass has Corazonix in it, maybe the last one.
Isidro
Besides... I promised them I would fix it. It's critical for their survival.
Elysium
So... you plan to stay with them?
Isidro
No. Once it's fixed, they'll leave the Salt Flat for the ocean.
Isidro
Then I'll stay behind and continue to hone my skills in both swordplay and alchemy.
Elysium pats Isidro on the shoulder. His friend seems to have changed.
Elysium
Sounds like you've had a lot to think about... Well, that's not such a bad thing.
Elysium
So what exactly did the girl outside want me to do here again?
Isidro
I needed an assistant as I repair the compass.
Elysium
Just like back in Rhodes Island, then. Let me know what you need.
Isidro
Mm-hm.
Isidro
I will.
Isidro stands before the transmutation table. The probe in his hand makes a sharp sound as it swipes through the air, an Arts energy field forming along the lines that it draws.
He carefully removes the outer casing of the compass and places it on the table. The viscous substance inside begins to liquify, creating waves in the direction of the energy flow.
Arts energy and Corazonix intertwine into a golden light illuminating the salt flat outside through the gaps in the workshop walls.
The sailors have never seen anything like it. They begin to gather one by one.
Peeping Sailor
What are they doing in there?
Curious Sailor
That kid from outside is doing his thing, that owl-kemmie or whatever... Never though it'd glow gold like that though.
Peeking Sailor
Lemmesee, lemmesee...
Isidro
......
Elysium
Not gonna lie, this is pretty sick. What's that in your hand?
Metal begins to flow in young Isidro's palm, glowing with fantastical colors in the darkness.
Passersby cannot help but gather around. The disdain in their words cannot disguise the fact that their eyes are glued to the light in the young boy's hand.
It has been so long since there was something so bright on these streets.
Shy Child
It's so pretty. Can I take a closer look?
Young Isidro
Suit yourself.
The boy waves his fingers, and the flowing metal turns into a fowlbeast that takes to the air before returning to his palm in the shape of a fin, then a musbeast, then a burdenbeast...
The metallic burdenbeast runs through the crowd, shiny and chrome, leaving behind stardust in the air.
Curious Passerby
Wow!
Scoffing Passerby
It's just—
Curious Passerby
Oh, shut up and watch.
Aloof Passerby
When was the last time I saw fireworks...
Aloof Passerby
I think it was a long, long time ago...
Shy Child
Fireworks? What are fireworks?
The child musters the courage to reach out and catch a burst of drifting starlight. She trembles at the warmth upon her fingertips.
Kind Passerby
Impressive, boy. It's not often that the people here have something to smile about.
The probe guides the Corazonix, drawing a river of stars in the air.
More and more sailors gather, pressing their faces to the window, the thirst, hunger and exhaustion on their faces temporarily replaced by awe and wonder.
Elysium
Now you're just showing off.
Elysium
Did you think I couldn't tell?
Isidro
......
Isidro
That was just a check of the alchemy equipment and compass. Now comes the next step: separating the rusted and denatured parts from the Corazonix.
Isidro
This is what I promised them... what I can do for them.
Didn't Teach tell you I had private business I needed to attend to?
Javier
In all my time by your side, you've never had 'private business' even once. Do you even have a life outside this fleet?
Juana
I never said I did.
Juana
So why were you looking for me?
Javier
...Would you give up the compass, if we found another way besides going out to sea?
Juana
I'm listening.
Javier
The mates who got back from Aarón said we'll be pardoned if we hand over the compass and the thief. That they'd let us live in town, or go wherever we want.
Juana
And you believe them?
Javier
I looked into it. The offer's real, at least.
Juana
When? And why wasn't I informed?
Javier
Didn't want to bother you while you were recuperating.
Juana
...And who asked you to be so protective of me?
Javier
How else would I treat the woman who raised me?
Juana
It feels like it was only yesterday. Now you're taller than I am.
Javier
When I was little, I used to pray to grow up faster, taller, and stronger, so that I could share your burden.
Javier
Guess my wish came true.
Juana
You'll always be that little boy to me, no matter how big you are.
Javier
But what about my thoughts? Will you still treat them as the ideas of a little boy?
Juana
......
Juana
No, Javi, I won't. I know it's a feeble concession, the kind that only an adult can make.
Juana
But I'd sooner die than surrender to them.
Juana
How many of the friends you grew up with have already died at their hands?
Javier
I'll never forget, Señora Juana...
Juana
My crew and I did everything for them, when times were hardest!
Juana
Cruz, myself, and our crew fought the Seaborn to protect them!
Juana
We spared what little rations we had, so they wouldn't have to feed on their own corpses!
Juana
And how did they repay us? By chasing us into the Salt Flat as soon as the Inquisition arrived!
Juana
That never would've happened to Cruz if they hadn't turned a blind eye!
Juana
I will never bow my head to those ingrates.
Juana
I love you, Javi, all of you, whether you believe it or not. Just as I loved all the mates who fought alongside me amidst the waves.
Juana
They're long gone, but I still see them in you all. The legacy of blood works in such mysterious ways.
Juana
That's why I can never forgive them... I hope you understand.
