A Magic Touch

"What are you-"

"Shh! I need to focus..."

Ketsueki remained silent, curious as to what the doll was up to. Both girls stared, speechless as this seemingly piece of paper suddenly displayed the ocean they were on, each wave of water in the map in sync with the actual current. Sans opened her mouth, watching as this map began to expand and grow large, HUGE in fact, expanding to encompass the grand ship and seemingly floating directly above the ocean sea. Nobody stopped in her tracks and even her men took notice and paused, all eyes were on this larger then life map now settled between them and the dock.

The law man had his back turned to the ship by then, his feet still on land when one of his men stared behind him. "What, what in blazes has you cross eyes for?" The Law man snarled at the black clad man, whose eyes went wide behind the ancient dragon blood face shield.

"S-sir, the ship!"

"Wha-what the devil!?" He shouted, shocked as he spun around to find... nothing. The ship had vanished, just disappeared. "Where did it go?"

"It just... went poof, sir. Blink of an eye, it was there and then it had gone."

"There isn't enough wind in the current for them to sail that fast, find them!"

Nobody stood still along her men, watching the scene unfold at the docks. She spun around to find the Witch, arms struggling to remain in an enchanting position as her eyes were sealed shut, left entirely under to focus all of her attention onto her spell.

"Whatever she is doing, keep it up. Ms. Harper, Word to be Passed. Full Sail." She delivered the last to a older woman who looked smartly from a small group of sailors shifting the cargo from the ship's Longboat.

"Aye Captain!" The gruff bark in return had a hint of a smile to it. The Bosun brought a weather stained but well maintained whistle to her lips, and piped for quick attention, followed by the first few notes of the Tocatta and Fugue in D Minor. A few excited whoops were heard across the ship as the crew moved rapidly, throwing open hatches and pulling out long strips of cloth.

In a matter of minutes, the ship began to move along the current on its way to their destination, leaving the man of the church in utter confusion and his men in disarray back on the dock, as they tried desperately to figure out how a momentary hole had seemed to just open up next to the dock for a moment, before the water had rushed in quickly to fill the gap.

It had been more than enough time to a point where all the girls could see was fog, rather too thick for comfort. Sans felt uncomfortable, feeling distant from home in a figurative and literal meaning as her trees were now further away from her than ever. Feeling its pain as the blight continued to spread wasn't of help, but encouraged her what she was doing was the right thing. Ketsueki breathed in deep, getting a good whiff of the salt in the air and feeling the breeze pass along her hair. Not everyday does an Oni go for a cruise, despite having her connections that is. Cargo they've shipped left and right, but never a time where she herself was the cargo.

She exhaled as soon as the sound of footsteps approached her from behind. The activity on the deck paid her no mind, but these steps were coming towards her directly, and she tensed with the sound of their rapidity and agitation.

"So, mind explaining to me what kind of spell your witch friend crafted for us? Can she hold out for any longer, she isn't looking too well."

Ketsueki looked back to see Xitlaly gritting her teeth, body beginning to visibly shake under her concentration.

"Xitlaly? Xitlaly!"

Both girls ran towards her, with Sans leaning to her side and Nobody standing behind Ketsueki.

"Are you alright? C'mon doc, you can let go now, we're good."

"You are hurting, I advise you to stop in your spell. Please, we are free from their sight, correct?" Sans glanced at Nobody who blinked before catching on.

"Yea, yea we left them far behind."

"Are... you... s-sure?" Xitlaly stuttered, almost as if she were holding in her breath from the sound of it. A slight crack was heard, when Ketsueki noticed a small chip on her forearm. The noise repeated itself but louder, and she witness a vein erupt from the small gap before chipping further away at her skin.

"Oh my god, yea let go already, you're scaring us!"

Xitlaly gasped, breaking her hand seal and falling forward into Sans' arms, who proceeded to rub her back and head whispering comforting words. Nobody had nothing to say as Ketsueki stayed on her knees to be eye level with the two.

"She is not well, she needs rest. May we perhaps use a bed you can lend us?" Sans asked, looking up at Cassie. Her two tails wagged around, the third around her neck twitching as if she was in thought. Now would be a bad time to mention beds, there was only one in her private quarters aboard ship. But... well, why not?

"Yea, just... into the ship, I'll lead the way."

Sans nodded, sliding an arm under her friend's legs before scooping her up in her arms. Cassie held the door open for them, and silently they followed along as she led the way into the ship. It was darker inside, with candles displayed among the walls next to windows. There was a nice looking carpet on the wooden floor boards, disguising the audible creek noises they would hear out on deck. True to her word, Nobody stopped as they reached two nice looking double doors before spinning around and staring at the Oni.

"Sorry toots, but this part here is private eyes only. Nothing personal but you'll have to wait out here. C'mon greeny."

Kets nodded, she had questions of course, but didn't have the urge to speak her mind then. Plenty was already occupying her mind, and making a fuss wouldn't do any favors. She took a moment to look around, seeing the nice decorations in the room around her. Plenty of paintings against the walls, with a table holding a compass nearby. Well, for a pirate ship it had some class even the glass on the windows were colored. Neat. Compared with the hubbub and military precision that had happened on deck, it was an interesting change. Seems Nobody liked a bit of pleasure with her business.

"Lay her down there."

Sans did so, dropping Xitlaly gently onto the queen sized bed in the Captain's cabin. Checking her head, she focused to read her energy levels within. Small, but still there definitely. She just may need time to recuperate.

"Many thanks, Ms. Nobody. She just needs rest, how long until we arrive?"

"By tonight for sure. If that enormous map was accurate. I'll have the navigator double check, but I've got a feeling it won't be off much. If you don't mind, we can leave her alone to it then. "

"Right, thank you."

Sans looked back, seeing her friend so still and comfortable in bed. Silently, she would rather stay by her side but... she knew only rest was all she needed. That or umm... well...

"So, is she breathing?" Ketsueki asked as the two girls stepped back out.

"Well, perhaps not exactly so to speak-"

"You know what I mean! Is she okay?"

Sans smiled at how frantic Ketsueki seemed. "Tired really. Exhaustion is her condition, but I promise you she will be well within a few hours."

Ketsueki nodded, sighing as she walked over to the window staring outside. Being in a boat was a bit rocky to walk around in, but she could thank the gods not to be the kind to get sea sick. Sans stayed close, wielding a generous smile and a look of faith to her nervous friend.

"You know, for an Oni you seem certainly attached to a girl you only just met yesterday."

"Fuck off, I just worry about the love doc for her fans that's all. Besides she... well, she's nice to be with."

"And certainly pretty as well I admit. Beautiful in fact, I imagine that detail has crossed your horn before." Sans smirked.

"Well, it may have once or twice, yea." Ketsueki giggled before turning to meet her Dryad friend. "You mind if I ask how you're coming to all this? I mean, doing this for a forest, no friends or family or anything?"

"The woods are my family, my comfort and sense of belonging. I understand you may have choice words for me, but I do not regret my choice in life. People are most unkind to me, they have before and they do still, despite my actions saying otherwise."

"Doesn't that bother you? I mean we're kind of doing this... and no one else really cares. The whole blight thing... it's like only affecting us. Like it's our problem and not theirs. Doesn't that strike you as weird?"

"Care to share a little?" Both girls jumped as Nobody spoke up behind them, seemingly messing around with a compass. "I know we agreed on you three being hush hush low profile, but if I have the church folk on my ass that's just going to be annoying and I don't think keeping your friend around is an option is it?"

They just stared back before shaking their heads.

"Thought that. Well, just to be clear I'll be dropping you three off nearby, not at port soooo, hope you can swim."

"What? Wait, that's not part of the deal." Ketsueki started, following behind Nobody as she began walking out.

"No, the deal sweetheart is that you need passage to Hia Muy. Soon as we see Hia Muy, that's it. Out of respect of Nomino, that's as far as you get, capiche?" She stared down the Oni, eyes locked on. Neither were dropping their guards. Sans ran by and tugged her friend by the arm away before nodding along.

"We'll take the offer, as long as your word is your bond."

"Good answer. Now, if you'll excuse me." She adjusted her kerchief before stepping out of the room.

"What the hell?" Ketsueki moved her hand away before confronting Sans.

"We need her assistance right her and right now, and being above waters we have to do things her way for now. So perhaps just... relax for now and let this one go."

"I... ughhh, fine! But don't do that shit with me in front of people again, got that? I speak for myself, I don't need anyone to stand for me!" She shouted, storming out of the room right after.

Sans sighed, looking back at the double doors where Xitlaly now resides.

"I do hope for your sake that things get better when you come to."