Check in on Dixby and Malakae.

"Such unruly noise," Malakae murmurs beneath her breath. She stands with arms crossed, leaning back against the center mast. As cold as her words may be, she looks as radiant as always, with long hair like locks of gold, similar to that of the jewellery she adorns herself with, or the scaled tail which protrudes from a hole cut through her qipao dress. Though her horns don't create as much of an intimidating visage as Mistress Dajy or Vyzia, she stands with a natural majesty even those who find her words cruel can't fully deny.

Closer still is Dixby, who approaches you before you do her. Goggles conceal her eyes, and her hair is tied back behind her head. "I think Malakae is feeling more blue than gold today," she says, craning her neck up to meet your gaze.

You kneel down to speak. "Grumpier than usual? What about?" you ask.

"Well she was mumbling about all that noise Niki and Bek were making, but I think she's just feeling lonely."

"Lonely?"

"Even I get that way sometimes. And she's a lot more social than me."

You chuckle. "I didn't know you got lonely, Dix. I thought you were a hermit."

"I am. But there's no point in making funny potions if I have nobody to test them on."

"That sounds a lot less heart-warming."

She smiles, but glances away. Upon readjusting her goggles, a hint of pink shines in her cheeks. "There's a reason I moved. For too long, I locked myself away. It's no wonder the people of Brumberg had all sorts of weird rumours about me. But Malakae is used to a life of royal-level nobility. I'm sure she went to fancy parties every other day. She's probably never even done her own laundry. Now she's out on a ship in the middle of the sea, stuck with her thoughts of how her own father was killing to end her life."

"... Wow. I didn't expect you to be thinking about all this, Dix."

"I guess I don't talk too much. Or maybe from down here, I can see things others miss."

"Like--"

"Like up skirts. Yes, I know."

The two of you share a laugh together. Then you sink farther, and sit down upon the deck in front of her. "It's sweet to hear that you care."

"Well, she's also still angry at me, so unfortunately I can't do anything to help."

"Are you saying you regret pranking her?"

"Oh no. Not at all. I'd do it again."

"Is it because you're cruel, or because you know that she secretly enjoyed it?"

She smiles wide and shrugs.

"All right." You pull yourself back up to stand. "Let's go talk to her."

Both you and Dixby make your way across the deck and over to the pouting dragoness. She appears off in her own world--her own thoughts, unknown to you, though by your Kitty Sense you can tell that she's contemplative. Many thoughts are busying her mind. As for her demeanour, she's irritable most of the time, so that isn't troubling. Though if she were already a fish out of water, being away from her estate for so long, now she looks like a fish on fire. Even the rocking of the boat seems to cause her minor difficulty. Vyzia is a red dragon, which of course are known for being wild, feral, and impossible to control, and while gold dragons share the latter trait, they're known more for being refined and civilized, and even occasionally worshipped one way or another.

You stop in front of her, and as calmly as you can, speak up with a welcoming smile upon your face. "Do you need anything, Malakae? I just want to make sure you're comfortable here. I know you expressed interest in coming, but this journey isn't easy for anyone. My legs can't wait to be on solid ground again, that's for sure."

She looks to her nails. "Hmm. That's understandable. Dragons are for more resilient than humans after all." Then as the boat sways even farther to the left, she stumbles slightly, but catches herself in time.

"I'm glad you came though."

Her golden eyes flicker up. "Is that right?" But then she notices Dixby nearby and huffs.

Dix pulls her goggles up to her forehead. "Are you actually angry at me? I just want--"

"No. I don't get angry." She waves her hand dismissively. "And I don't need anything. I'm plenty comfortable. Do you know who you're speaking with right now? My name is Malakae Vrae--" But she stops herself, and clenches her teeth. "You already know who I am."

"I'm glad to know you're not upset with her," you explain. "Because she's the one who wanted me to check in on you."

"... Really?"

"Yeah. And I want you to be happy here as well. So why don't we pass the time by having a chat? Tell me. What do you think about where we're heading?"

She taps her cheek and ponders. "It isn't a place I've heard of before, though if we're to face more ancient beings, we best be ready. These women of fire and ice sound to me like the sort who'd have pact-holders. You know, like Gwynevere. I wonder how many, and how far they reach."

"I never considered that," Dixby admits.

You look Malakae over as the gnome's earlier words echo in your mind. You already know of the dragon's struggles. You were there. She abandoned her family, and in a sense, her own nobility, though the other two amongst you who did that as well handled it far better. It's who Malakae is down to her core, however, and she can't so easily abandon her identity. But you also believe her when she says she isn't angry with Dixby. Though her own sensitive ego won't allow herself to admit it, Malakae is a freak, and not only loves being punished for being a brat, but is almost as much of an exhibitionist as Eva. She's just even more in the closet about it.

Perhaps all this time along at sea has left her with her thoughts too much. Or it's because this is the farthest she's even been from home.

"Malakae," you say.

She looks over. "What is it?"

"Can you meet me in the galley? It's getting chilly out here, and I'd love to share a glass of wine where it's warmer."

"Hmm. That sounds acceptable to me. While I doubt you have the sort of wine I'm used to drinking, I'll have some with you."

"Sounds good to me. I'll see you in a few."

And as she leaves, you once again kneel down to speak with Dixby. "I think I got a plan that might help a few people at once. Thanks for approaching me about this. Either this will cheer her up, or it'll be pure chaos. I'm not sure. But remember, she's not mad at you. She just finds excused to not speak her mind."

"I get it. I've done that before too," Dixby responds. "I'm gonna go work on some potions that'll hopefully help with the heat or cold."

"See you later, Dix."