Reaching the drydock, there were several ships strapped to large orbs and cylinders, masts on the undersides. Some were leaving, others were arriving, but the most noticeable ships bear more armor along with a lot of different weapons. Mira saw this and tilted her head, but as soon as she saw the men in armor again, she backed behind Artison.

"Fear not," Artison chuckled, "I know a fair number of them, but Loretta well."

"Hey, Acleos!" Loretta shouted, "Your pants are getting eaten again!" And a large bull on the ship jumped to his feet and pulled his pants up. "At ease you lot." She turned back to Mira and Artison, "Some things just haven't changed since I joined our kingdom’s guard."

"You don't have to keep with it now, you know." Artison said, "My patents still happen so we get plenty of money.."

"No, I gotta stay," Loretta said, walking onto the ship, "What better way to look after you?"

Artison just rolled his eyes at that, "I'm not a puppy anymore."

Mira let out a slight giggle hearing them, and looked to the crew of the ship as they smiled along.

"Just keep giving her that tour, Arty." Loretta said, "I'll come find you later." Something else escaped her, but it was too soft to hear.

Artison gave a bow and nod, "Maybe I could show her the east side of town, and the botany gardens they have there." At that he bid his sister farewell and started to walk away with Mira.



Walking along the railings, Mira looked back to the ships that were taking off, one clearly being the one Loretta commanded, "How long has she been doing this for? Father gained his will over the tribe because of experience, and…fierceness. You both seem so young."

"She's been doing this since we were teenagers." Artison said, "She was why I could go to the Niv-Mizzet League and afford it."

Mira looked at him curiously over that, "A league? So you were separate for a long time?"

"Sort of?" Artison explained, "Like I said, She worked in the military to pay for my education at this private school, up here. Once I found out, I doubled my work and studies so I could make devices to protect her and her men when dealing with dangers to our kingdom."

"So, you would travel between there and the penthouse?" Mira tilted her head.

"Nope, I lived at the academy back then. It beats living where I grew up." Artison chuckled, but was surprised when Mira's expression seemed to sour. "Heheh, Eventually, I graduated and the money both of us made toward buying the penthouse up here."

"How could you say that about where you are from?" Mira said still on that subject, "It is a part of your history, and makes up who you are."

Artison looked at her for a moment puzzled, but then said, "That may be true, but t'would not make it any more pleasant."

"I am sure your parents would be appalled by your words." Mira said, and Artison fell silent. She watched him look around and scratch the back of his head. "Artison, when was the last time you have seen your parents?"

"I... I never knew them." Artison said, and Mira gasped, "Loretta rarely spoke of them too." He looked at her, "Ever since I could walk, tiz been just her and I looking out for one another."

Mira looked away from Artison after that, clearly regretting bringing up such a sensitive subject as she looked down.

"Hey, don't think too much on that now." Artison said, "Her and I are now really great, risen up from everything that tried to bring us down. I can show you some of that rise at the academy too."

Mira slowly looked at him again, and her smile returned, "Okay Artison, show me this academy then."

---

Part 4

Part 3: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/57513475/

Part 5: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/57693066/

Mira (C) Calypso-Dreams

Art, characters, and story  watcher12