Then, as they came off the mostly-empty bridge…

“Most Honorable Elder Sister always spoke of wishing to give you a tour of our Nave herself, ever since she was granted the title of Marchioness,” Halimede broke the silence between them, “but responsibilities keep piling on like bricks… for a house no one expects to be built. Her shoulders are rather heavy with these recent trespasses of the Oceanites.”

“A kind gesture, but times are indeed a touch busy for such pleasantry.” A pinch of wistfulness leaked into Pluto’s tone. “It has been some time since I’ve visited my own home port, so I understand. We are made to order for these affairs.”

Few houses flanked the wet pavement. Candles were lit within for some, while old bulbs shone behind the windows of other, slightly better-built homes.

There were the taverns by which sailors sang old shanties, their voices nearly matching the percussive song of the grumbling storm; some ladies in capelettes shrouding their pinched corsets and off the shoulder blouses held umbrellas, waiting by the alleys, chatting up men in overcoats before some departed, often with one of said men; while some wives sold umbrellas, meals, fishes freshly caught earlier in the morn…

“The Europan mainland, the Jupiter World… I have only heard tales of its grandeur.” Halimede’s eyes met one of the gawking men before she forced it down on the pavement before her. “I cannot even begin to imagine the kind of island it is.”

Some of the women bowed their heads as the two distinguished personages wove past them.

“It’s far off, for now.” Pluto glanced at the natives and their homes as they crossed. The road itself was relatively open, despite it connecting directly with the harbor. “Perhaps you will see it someday on your travels, but I do not wish to be bogged down with reminiscence quite yet.”

“Soon, I pray. When they deem me fit for navy training at Black Pearl, I’d get to make the long journey to the heartlands.”

“As if you haven’t practically been there already. Or has Lady Neptune been teaching you in the Academy’s stead? You seem to live in exceptional circumstance.”

“Oh no, of course not.” Halimede shook her head, eyes slightly wide. “Lady Neptune’s aforementioned busyness does not include such luxury. Master Adams, however, has by some Divine intervention afforded us some time.” Until recently…

“Simply a more exceptional circumstance, nothing major, truly.” He gave Halimede a humored look. “Perhaps he is fed up with the Crown, and seeks to establish his own Academy?”

“…He did mention the idea, but God above his vaunted High Heavens doesn’t appear to grace him with enough time, nor blessings; he is burdened with one project after another. Even if unrelated to Marionettes, he’d commit himself to Tempest Harbor and the many docked ships, our naval installations, or anything in relation to Planetariums… He cannot help but keep minding his business with the mines, even if Lady Neptune advises him otherwise. The Cult of the Deep…” she looked away to some child running past her, holding a folded newspaper towards an injured sailor, “is being employed more than ever as a result—they are rather bizarrely perceptive when it comes to Planetaria.”

He chuckled. “I can hardly complain, the man’s preoccupation sustains my career, to some extent. Do you take particular exception to the Cult’s involvement?”

“Our faith aside, I find their beliefs reprehensible; to say they stand in opposition to the security of our Empire is nothing short of an understatement.” She felt her brows come together. “They worship the Horrors of the Deep… the very same enemies we are tasked with fending off time and time again, the very same ones your crew had fought to be rid of.”

“Simply inquiring, Lady Halimede. I cannot afford an opinion beyond the assessment that the Cult may simply not understand the Horrors in… quite the same intimate sense we do.”

“…Right. Apologies.” She inhaled sharply. “This is a local affair—that much is fair.” Then exhaled deeply. “Some of their ilk are concentrated in one Kestrel Cave now, just beyond our Barrier. The rest, to my understanding, run a few places here to promote themselves.”

“As expected, they are a religious sort.” Pluto matched her exhale. “Do they see a number of converts?”

“Yes, a small number, but a steadily growing one. They believe there is one particularly salty Goddess… the Goddess of the Deep, they call her… Hence, the Cult of the Deep.”

“I wasn’t aware you used saltiness as a metric. Still, you are right to be concerned, if not for their beliefs then for the potential unrest such a shift in demeanor could bring. Do you watch them closely?”

“Not as much as I wish to.” Halimede shook her head slightly. “I have a veritable stack of books I must get through per Master Adams’ reading assignment as of late, then there’s swordplay lessons, dance lessons and lastly, weaving lessons…” Not to mention attending to Most Honorable Elder Sister’s tasks, teaching Naiad, Coggia, and…

“Almost seems as if the Nave is better dubbed the Isle of Preoccupation. Sadly, I have no suggestion to offer for surveillance. I am, merely, a surgeon. How goes your needlework?”

“Master Adams describes this as the frontier of humanity, a new locus from which… Ah.” Needlework. Her gaze sank. “I loathe the thing,” her gait slowed, “but I cannot rid myself of the image of that person sewing a dress…”

She stopped. “Just who was that person?” She then turned to him. “Say, good doctor, what advice do you share with young Understudies to retrieve their memories?”

“Conventionally? None, unfortunately.” He stopped beside her. “There is no standard practice, unless your conviction is such to pray your memories into returning. However,” Pluto dragged the last syllable, “when it does occur? Hunt it as though nothing else matters—like a frenzied hound.”

He jabbed a finger toward Halimede. “They are slippery things. They will come, eventually, but do not forget this: they are slippery.”

“Oh.” Her eyes, though a tad vacant looking, held a hint of melancholy as it fell—body jerking back as he pointed at her—lips curling down ever so slightly. “I see. A shame.”

She faced the road ahead of them, staring at the sight of water pelting paved stones as the others seemed so much more lively than she ever could be. “So no distractions may be permitted…” A sigh was carried by the howling winds. “How inconvenient.”

“Such as it is.” He nodded, solemn. “If your present state is any indication, however, I doubt you will have much trouble in the moment when it does arise.”

“…I pray it does soon, Lord Pluto.” She spoke faster than she’d intended, giving a curt nod before facing forward. “I did not know of this… ‘slippery’ fact, either… Thank you.”

Her gait then resumed.

As did his following a simple nod.

“Do warships have good libraries?” she asked. “I fear I may find myself bored with my imaginations alone.”

“Hrm, depends on the warship. The larger ones may, though you will likely have little trouble finding yourself aboard one.”

“Hm. What about the ship you’ve been assigned to, then?”

“Unless you are an avid fan of the history and implementation of a coincidence rangefinder, paltry.” He sighed. So many nights lost in boredom for something more germaine to my interests…

“I do not mind history, but that sounds mortifyingly dull. This reminds me, however… How does the ship treat you? Well, I hope?”

“A bit of a… rustic appeal; it's hardly glamorous. The crew are steady, particularly for a rear line vessel.” He hummed briefly. “I caught a few of them in the crowds a good few meters back.”

“Re…” Rear line. “Really?” The Neptune Marionette blinked, jaw hanging slack. “I did not think a Viscount of your repute would be assigned prison time.”

“Mn? No no, not prison. The vessel is old, to be sure, but ‘tis not such a contrast.” Pluto waved a dismissive hand. “And for a penal crew like you believe, they are rather friendly.”

“Hm, is that so?”

But the man could tell how most of his words were going through one ear and out the other.

“It is. If you are to see combat, however, you should be well away from such things. Vessels like mine are best reserved for more mundane tasks, and they do so admirably.”

“I see—”

Lightning flashed overhead, a crooked streak of light coming and going through the transparent umbrellas they held, then its crackling thunder followed with a boom.

Some of his crew in the distance, as well as a few of the residents in their periphery, yelped from how close this felt!

Sure enough however, Halimede’s mind was poised towards the tallest tower… even as nature lashed and roared.

Well, Most Honorable Elder Sister, we have the answer you’d so fervently wished for. All you require now is my report.

***

As soon as they’d reached the city proper, Pluto found an ornate blue and black carriage awaiting them as the street expanded into an intersection. Small houses continued to fill their peripheral vision, but with street lamps and a plethora of stores along the cobblestones. Before he could study the sight though, Halimede had boarded the vehicle and he followed suit.

The ride itself was harrowing.

The road wasn’t the best when it came to being leveled; far from it, but he hadn’t had a proper carriage trip in so long, it was worth it enough for the nostalgia. Just… it’d have been ideal if the rocking of the entire thing was minimized.

Mercifully, the trip to the heart of the Nave wasn’t long.

The one lengthy tower extending from the one grand cathedral had a clock pointing its smaller arm at 10. Few mansions sat in its vicinity, their spires joining the assembly of heavenward blades. Perhaps said cathedral was where the name “Nave” had initially started from.

As he and Halimede stepped out—opening their transparent umbrellas thanks to the storm still shrieking—he found some more umbrellas awaiting them. Mostly servantry, but there was one curious, unexpected figure.

“It appears her Ladyship has made it.” Halimede gestured to said figure. “Though I do believe she was asked to wait inside.”

The servants and maids bowed as the departing passengers touched down to the pavement.

“Welcome to Neptune Nave, Lord Pluto,” they said in near-perfect unison, as if reciting from a script. “Welcome back, Lady Halimede.”

Pluto nodded to them.

The aforementioned Lady who was clad… in a swallowtail suit gave a courteous bow, pressing a palm to her heart.

Wasn’t she awfully dressed like a gentleman now? He gave a muted smile.

“Good morning, Lord Pluto.” The gentlemanly Lady held a faint smile. “It has been long, terribly so.”

“Good morning to you too, Lady Charon.” He did his level best from letting the swimming sensation crease his features. “It truly has been some time… though, you seem awfully willing to confront the rain. What for?”

Surely the aftermath of the bumpy ride would soon pass… Hearing her deep voice after so long had at least helped hasten the process.

“Do I need a reason to see the Flagship of my Planetary Class, Lord Pluto? It has almost been a decade.”

“I suppose not, but the door is mere meters away.”

“A little over a few.”

“Well, let us not tarry here.” Halimede walked, the servants clearing their way to the interior. “Let us head inside.”

As Pluto was being led in. He could see layers of cerulean on the palace—no cathedral structure… What were these, cobalt? Lapis lazuli? …Kyanite? It was a complex dance of compositional mixture.

Adams was behind this, wasn’t he?

These couldn’t be Planetariums. Who could justify such exorbitant costs for mere adornments?

…A defense system.

He did remember something similar to this back home around the Jovian Capital.

So they’d built layers of Planetariums on the walls here as well…

It made for a good decoration as its side job.

He could almost peek at the nave from here, but Halimede had guided them to an alternate entrance from the left, leading them beside said nave. There came an ornate hallway with bright gold flooring, bulbs lighting the place from their flanks, as some of the other servants hurried along from one end to another.

Thankfully, the umbrellas could be dropped now and Pluto handed his off.

“Then perhaps my eyes have faded with age, Lady Charon,” he said teasingly. “Dare I guess you are here on business as well?”

He glanced up at the ceiling for a time, unsure of what exactly to comment. The man, Adams, truly does value the Nave, doesn’t he?

A couple of maids had accepted the umbrellas from Pluto, then from Halimede and finally, Charon, before separating from the entourage.

The well-suited Lady seemed to ponder over his words. “I came to port for repairs some time ago; my Astro Gear was an unfortunate mess; and I had to deliver some of the recruits to the closest manufacturer available.”

Halimede gave a nod. “Unfortunately for Lady Charon, things are jammed like gunk in a pipe as of the moment. We cannot yet commission a ferry through which she may proceed to her next destination… even if her AG is nearly repaired.”

“I see.” The Viscount lightly touched his chin, eyeing the ceiling again. “Quite the troubled tally you have collected… Do you require assistance in the matter? I am here to examine a prospect, and my Vice Surgeon has much of the routine work covered at port.”

Charon nodded. “Our assistance may go a long way, Lord Pluto, for the Oceanites are making a concerted effort to lock the Nave—”

“Ahem.” Halimede held a balled fist over her lips. “Lady Neptune believes everything is in order. Though it’d certainly help if the Oceanites are severed from the peripheral isles of the Nave.”

“I see. You need hands-on work, not clerical assistance.” He stroked his chin slowly. “I suppose my time with the Fifth has been rather… stifling, as charming as the lot are.”

He dragged a finger down his chin, finally ceasing to fiddle with the thing entirely. His expression grew tense, a break from the relaxed posture he had adopted otherwise. “I will see to my charge, then assist. Where do you wish for me to report?”

Almost immediately, the air seemed to still for the servantry, as well as Halimede whose gaze widened ever so slightly.

She stopped, as did the rest.

“I…It is too soon to embark upon a battlefield; you are our distinguished guest, Lord Pluto,” the Neptune Marionette spoke more hastily than intended. “It really is no great matter that you must make your presence known on the waves, choppy as they are now.”

Charon felt her brows crease slightly. “You are being besieged as we speak. How is any of this in order? How is any of this a trifle? That ship was tugged and escorted with an NCG Task Force only because it had a coterie of Marionettes alongside Lord Pluto.”

Pluto raised a brow at Charon’s shifting expression.

Halimede faced Charon, brows coming together. “You say this even as the Marchioness, Most Honorable Blue Diamond, reigns over us?”

“To force the fabled Blue Diamond to sortie at all for these… piscine savages would sully her honor more, would it not? You have requested Young Mars’ assistance. May as well have the Pluto Class join the fray.”

“…Pardon?” His tense expression broke for one of complete bafflement. “Lady Charon, you’re awfully blunt for your given career, but this is… yes, yes I am joining the fray; no question. If nothing else, then for the grand reunion you appear to be sneaking under my nose!”

He practically scoffed, the sudden update of information a veritable overload for the Elder Marionette. How long had it been since he’d sortied with that brash Mars…? “However, I wasn’t lying about my charge; my schedule remains.”

The Neptune Marionette’s expression grew… complicated—and perhaps melancholic in some way—but her vacant eyes were still just that, vacant, only faltering to their feet. “You will meet Most Honorable Elder Sister soon, Lord Pluto. You will require her authority here, or Master Adams’, to join if you wish.”

Some of the maids and footmen glanced over one another, hints of nervousness flickering over their postures and expressions.

One of the maids bowed their heads before speaking, “The Baron should’ve arrived by now per Ms. Zoe’s instructions. The meeting room is nearly prepared, my Lady.”

“Very well.” Halimede sighed. “Let me see if the meeting with the Most Honorable Blue Diamond may be hastened while you speak to your charge.” She glanced at the white-haired Lady as her frown grew deeper. Talk about ruining the plan…

“Where is Young Mars?” Charon asked. “I’d like to speak with her before she sets off. Never a patient one, that girl.”

Halimede inhaled sharply. “Having her Astro Gear repaired on Saint Virgin as we speak.”

“I wish we could speak more,” the well-suited Marionette turned to Pluto, “but let us part for the time being, Lord Pluto. As always, I wish you success in your endeavors.”

“Then perhaps we will meet again. I have continued for this long, haven’t I?” Pluto regarded the girl with a polite smile and bow, pressing a palm to his heart. “I wish you luck in yours.”

Charon returned his bow, then turned to leave.

“I should have known today was going to be elaborate,” he muttered, watching her leave before looking at the maids. “I actually got to set foot outside of the medical bay… Now is the time to meet, I suppose.”

Halimede squeezed her eyes shut, as if to will away the slight scowl marring her porcelain visage. “We apologize for the rocky reception, Lord Pluto. If only things were as stable as they typically are.”

She took a moment to gather herself before resuming her pace. “Let us proceed to that meeting room, then.”

He nodded and followed.

Still… He sighed. Today is beginning to be... bothersome. Did they have to keep so many secrets due to my age and reputation?