Mikh'a took to the saddle even as Fury turned his head as if the bird were going to nip at him. There were no ears, he'd have to go for the tail. Instead though he took up a steady pace when Mikh'a climbed atop him and followed his own master's lead, leaving their passenger to himself for the time being. Normally the boy would have been stubborn and walked but now was not the time to have petty arguments with a Chocobo. He was quiet the whole of the ride... Erik was right. There was naught but fear and determination in his eyes as they trudged through the snow toward their intended destination. There was so much to think about, so much to do, and so many variables not to focus on.
Don't focus on worry that Raimy's need to focus on unimportant detail could ruin the entire mission. That he, Mikh'a, would fail Erik and have them caught again in Ishgard. Don't focus on what might be happening to Siha, Sieghart, and Cliodnha, on what he'd left behind at the house that might have been incriminating, or on the fact that he still had the satchel of Jin's clothes from his dive off the bridge. Don't wonder what Osric and A'laric will find in Limsa... Don't wonder where Alexei and Setras and Zachary were going to go when they found their squad in danger of being eradicated and the doors of their headquarters in the goblet locked. Don't wonder where Titor had gone. Don't worry after Montblanc...
Don't focus on the two most terrifying words Kahn'a could say to him before parting ways to Ul'dah to do what he needed to do. for Erik. Don't worry. Every time someone said that they ended up hurt nearly beyond repair, and he just knew this time was going to be no different than the last. At least he hadn't said 'I'll be fine.' Last time someone had said that they'd died.
He looked over his shoulder and scented the air again. Now he knew it for sure, this time he was positive. They were being followed though the force was by no means hostile. In fact it was more likely their pursuing body would fall asleep sooner than it would. It made his lips twitch though he bit back the smile and looked down as Erik pulled Fury around to a stop. He knew his queue, they were close enough to their destination that he could smell them as well. The cold made their scents stand out more, it was like some frozen invitation to find them on the wind, and he eased his tiny frame off of the saddle so that Erik could take his place.
Are you ready for our performance?
He took in a deep breath of cold air, but then nodded. "As ready as I'll ever be." Mikh'a agreed. He gave Fury a hesitant look, then reached up to take hold of the reins while half expecting a beak to nip at his gloved fingers. Nothing, even the Chocobo was taking a stalwart view to their mission and when he was certain Erik was secure he nodded and trudged forward through the snow the rest of the way to the Observatory. He cast only sideways glances at the guards they passed when they stepped in to the outpost, ignoring their scrutinizing gazes as they turned their heads to follow the strangers passing through their midst. Adventurers were common enough in this part that they were given the grudging pass they needed to continue on to the stables. Mikh'a stopped long enough to let Erik off of Fury at the door to their destination before trudging onward and tying the bird to a stable post. He knew what to do, he knew how to knot the knots in such a way that when called for Fury would be able to free himself to join them. He was a captain's ride, capable of sitting still long enough for them to do the task at hand, and Mikh'a left him where he was with little worry that he'd try to run away.
Rejoining “Ulrichâ€, Mikh'a spared him a cursory glance before pushing the door open to allow him inside first. Following after he took in a deep breath of warm air, disguising his need to take stock of all the scents therein. It smelled like spices and leather for the most part and he was grateful for the heat. They were met again with a scrutinizing gaze from each person directly in range though as soon as a dark haired Elezen stepped forward they seemed to go back to their business. Mikh'a lifted his head to size the man up and was given the same courtesy in return. “And to what do we owe the pleasure of adventurers on our doorstep?†There was a curl of the man's lip and clear disdain in the inflection in his voice. Ishgard may have been considering the opening of its doors to Eorzea but not everyone shared the sentiment of outsiders in their ranks.
“We are not adventurers.†Mikh'a said simply, keeping his head high though he would not make eye contact. It was a quirk of his he'd yet to break, though it played well in to the role he'd been given to play. “My master has need of your equipment, we request only a small portion of your time.â€
“Absolutely not.â€
He was prepared for this answer, he wasn't so naive to think that they'd just outright let him and Erik do what they needed to do. Ishgard was full of mistrust of outsiders, even here on the outskirts. He wished A'ahdra were there, however. He knew the old man she curried favor with was of some importance to the people, else-wise she wouldn't have had the pull she'd had to leave and warn him of his impending death by lance. Mikh'a's tail twitched and he stood up as straight as he could then as if to try to make his height more intimidating. ( Of course when you aren't even five feet tall it fails miserably. How do Lalafel do it? He would need to study Anzio. ) “No is not an answer we can take, ser. I implore you,†he offered his hands out both in proof that he came in peace as well as if to convey a humble gesture. “Our needs are not only for the good of ourselves, but of Ishgard as well. You see my master here, Ser Ulrich.†he gestured. “The cloak he wears hides scars--†he held his hand up to stop the Elezen from interrupting him. His heart was pounding, he'd rehearsed his story only in his head and it was so hard to keep a straight face. “I'm sure you know there had at one point been an attempt to colonize in Dravania by certain peoples from Sharlayan but dispersed southward to these lands upon invasion rumors through Garlemald.â€
He had general knowledge of historical events, his time with the Red Wings had prompted him to do more research in to Eorzea and her history. He had to be cautious of what details he delved in to, he knew, lest he say something that he could not give answer to. Still, he took  a breath and continued. “Ser Ulrich stayed behind initially, though as Ishgard knows the Dravanians are not always the friendliest creatures.†This was not necessarily true, he didn't know much about them personally but he did know Ragnar enjoyed spending time in Dravania. ( He didn't know WHAT Ragnar did while he was there, just that he'd liked the time he'd spent wandering the area. ) “However, my master has unearthed information regarding the Wyrmking of the Horde.†He may have been privy to some information that even Erik was not, though it was highly doubtful give his captain having his hands in just about everything, and rightfully so given their job to Ul'dah and Eorzea herself. Mikh'a's source of information came from his sister and her fondly coined “old manâ€.
He waited then and watched the Elezen's face. There was a long pause between the two of them and then the Elezen stepped forward with narrowed eyes on the boy who held fast to his position. “And what information is this?â€
Mikh'a shook his head. “My master does not speak, barely even to me. I have told you what I can. I know little more than this, though the matter is pressing enough that if the information is not researched in full as swiftly as possible and the unthinkable comes to pass it may well be on our heads – yours, mine, and Ser Ulrich's – that we did not divulge the facts swiftly.†He held his breath then and watched the proprietor of the tower. When it looked as if his attempts were still not solid he moved on to further say, “Of course should the information we have prove valuable it would need to be someone hailing from Ishgard to take it to the Holy See... I'm sure that person would curry good favor in their honor... unless of course that information is lost forever.â€
There it was, the proper ego stroking. The Elezen's face twitched before he stepped aside then with an arm held out to present the way to Mikh'a and Erik. “Of course.†he agreed quietly. “It would be a shame if valuable information regarding our personal war were to be lost. I will gladly oversee your findings for Ser Ulrich.â€
“I will report them to you promptly.†Mikh'a said, then looked up to Erik again with a nod to lead forward. For now they had access, though he knew they'd need to work swiftly before suspicions arose again when it was later discovered they weren't actually working on such a high task.
