Chancel Gathering (C 2.4, E 2.4, H 2.4, L 2.8)

This starts the ball rolling. Javan and Jackdaw throw in, followed by Kestrel. Merlin and Mynah remain quiet, their silence a statement about "staying back", most likely. After all the other Talons have spoken, Zephyr looks to you, Helix, silently asking if you want her there.

What do you do?

I nod when each Talon, and to my slight surprise Canary, step forward or signal that they wish to join our expedition. I grin when Plover announces her declaration, proud of her enthusiasm. Those who hang back are not shamed. Their role is of equal importance. I trust both Merlin and Mynah to hold the fort while we're away...and to carry on our legacy if we do not return.

I note the silent question Zephyr gives. My eyebrow arches ever so slightly. They must have hit it off well. Good. That will help.

Plover's bold declaration after her whispered reassurances make me wonder if her true motivation lies more in protecting me...or in impressing her father. I suppose it makes no difference as long as I have her as a shield.

When I catch Zephyr's look, though, and the implicit question behind it, I feel myself freeze. It doesn't have to be weird, I remind myself. I want to tell her that she should make her own decisions, that she should decide if this journey is one she wants for herself or if this is the chance she's been looking for to fly free, but my body betrays me. I nod at her, subtly, my own sense of self-preservation making me ask her to come along.

The assenting voices encircle me like a whirlpool, sweeping my concerns away. Mynah and Merlin are unmistakably quiet. Have I misunderstood the purpose of this room? It is a place for religious declarations. Acceptance. Litch's law. It's not for challenge or debate, it seems these sentiments are drowned immediately.

If they don't listen to my voice, maybe hers will work. I stand and walk back through the sanctuary, the tapping of my footsteps on the venerated floor lost in the excited flurry of the Talons. I hurry to Aloe's bedside. If she is able, maybe she can talk some sense into her family.

I'm a bit dismayed that Syd departs the chancel. It would've been useful to have his expertise with us. But, I suppose that would have been too much to ask of him. He has already given so much aid, more than I would have asked of him. And he has his own path to follow, I suspect. I want to tell him myself that the Roost will remain a haven to him for as long as he wishes to use it, but that will have to wait.

I nod and give my volunteers a small smile. "Very good. I am proud of all of you. Those who wish to go and those who will remain behind. I know we don't have much time to plan for our journey, and I would like to depart tomorrow, so make your preparations." I continue to divvy up tasks, even to those who aren't joining, so that all have an equal share of preparing us for our voyage. Once everyone has their assignments, I stroll over to where Helix stands. "So," I mutter, "How are going to get the Merrimack? I don't think Lucky will let us simply borrow it."

I do step forward, at Helix's urging. Our hands still touch as I take a half-step. A glance back at Helix, then I call out loudly... [i]sea voice[i] if you will, "I'll pilot your ship. If you'll trust 'er to me."

I track Edmund departing the way I've seen rival gangs watch their enemies leaving the Belly - wary, relieved, halfway tempted to follow. I have to give him some respect for being willing to stand on his earlier words, but part of me wishes he were coming. Despite my personal proclivities, a Tower servant with all the necessary skills to save a life if we need it isn't worthless here. I wonder what it would take to convince him. Certainly more than the brief nod it took for Zephyr. Probably more than the sincere ask that got Canary on board.

There's something powerful in constructing this cadre around me - Plover, Zephyr, Canary. With Litch and Javan already promised to watch over my interaction with Lucky, I feel I can count them too.

I have survived for so long by quietly playing my role. Perhaps it's time I play a louder part, if I can keep the confidence to do so.

I give Canary a grateful look before Litch issues orders and approaches for answers.

"I don't expect that either," I agree. I try to play my tune confidently as I continue, "The Sipps don't own the Merrimack outright. They're indebted to the Vaulters for it." I don't name Wells specifically - it seems too fine a point. Lucky can share as much, or Litch will learn it on his own. "I don't know how deep the Talons coffers run, but I'm sure the Sipps would be amenable to having some debts coming due to them too."

Outside of the cacophonous chamber falls a melancholy silence, pierced now by the sounds of my brisk pace. I navigate the halls with haste, and soon find myself at the threshold of Shrike and Aloe's room. I take a few deep breaths to try to slow my heart rate before moving to Aloe's bedside.

The blankets I had smoothed out over her are russled slightly, a good sign that she has moved at least a little bit since Merlin and I left her. I take her small hand in mine and squeeze gently. I smile to myself knowing that her warmth has returned. I begin to push on her shoulder, firmly yet gently, hoping she will wake soon and pray - to whatever might be listening - that she will be receptive to what I have to say and willing to do something about it. "Miss Aloe, I'm sorry to wake you, but I need you now."

"Hello Miss Aloe," I speak to her in hushed tones, though even at that volume, in this stillness it is easy to hear. "I hate to wake you when you were resting, but I really need your input on a matter that involves you." I look toward the door, then back down to her. "Shrike and Litch are forming a team to take to the Abyss to find a true cure for your affliction. They say the Grey Wing is guiding them to something that will help you, but the way is perilous and some, if not all, of them will return changed."

I choke up again as I speak to her, fully aware of the weight of the information being put on Aloe's frail shoulders. "They plan to leave as soon as possible. I thought since this matter concerns you, you should have the opportunity to speak your voice - be it in blessing or dissent. Would you like me to take you to them?"

We have enough funds to live reasonably comfortable in the damp morass of our city. We're certainly better off than many. Though, I don't know that coin and barter will be enough to sway the Sippians to our cause. I gesture for Helix to walk with me away from the others before I ask, "Besides the name you are going to give Lucky, what else would he want. How else could we persuade him?" She seems to know the Sipp chief well. She certainly seemed like she was in a higher status position than I previously considered. "Did your vision show anything in that regard?"

"Thank you Miss Aloe. I'll stand with you no matter what you say, so be brave and make your feelings known." With that I reposition the blanket over her and scoop her into my arms. Though she is about Paisley's age, she feels so much more frail. We head back to the Chancel together.

Litch's questions seem heavy when I have already given him the best answer I can think of. Who isn't swayed by jingle in our world? Always chasing a better place to lay their head...or someone better to lay with.

I hesitate to offer it, considering how terribly it went with Wells, but when there's nothing more to give, there's always..."Me." I look away, jaw flinching a bit as I consider that Lucky might not want me any more than Wells does after everything. I look back at Litch. "It's nothing I saw in a vision, but he asked me to be his advisor. I declined. If he were still interested...it might sway him."

Syd re-enters the chancel, carrying a swaddled Aloe in his arms. Shrike gasps at the sight of her adopted child, while Jackdaw scowls and looks away, uncomfortable with the sight of the tiny girl.

My eyes harden resolutely when Helix admits that she thinks Lucky might still want her. It's possible, I allow. But she places a higher value on herself with him than is likely. And it's not going to happen on my frelling watch. I am starting to wonder whether Lucky Strike means more to Helix than merely a master to whom to serve out a sentence. Jingle may indeed have to suffice. Or we can take another crack at Plan A. I wonder if Lucky knows that the brothers in his gang are planning to cut the feet out from under him.

I'm about to mention that to Helix when Syd returns carrying Aloe. My eyes narrow. "What are you doing, Edmund?" I inquire, forgoing the alias.

I ignore the livid looks the Talons display. Instead, I walk close enough to Litch and Shrike so Aloe won't have to speak loudly for her words to reach them - lest her already weakened lungs act up. My steps have been steady and intentional for the entirety of the time Aloe has been in my arms.

My offense here seems clearly exhibited on Litch's face, so when I speak back to him I try to be a model a different approach for Aloe. Each word is calm and gentle, yet carries the weight of my seriousness. "This matter directly concerns her. She deserves her voice to be heard." As we come to a stop, not more than a couple of feet from Litch and Shrike, I prop Aloe up in my arms slightly allowing her to look straight at the men and women who have raised her and loved her.

I whisper to her, "Please Miss Aloe, speak your mind."

I watch Litch's eyes turn to stone, steely and steadfast, at my second suggestion. It makes me feel small and stupid and...safe? The mixture isn't something I'm familiar with and before I can suss it out, Edmund reappears with a husk of a child in his arms. I know who it must be even before he speaks her name and when her sunken eyes come to rest on me, I am frozen to my place. I couldn't run if I wanted to, and I want to. I can only imagine what the Whispers would be saying if they had their voices here, and I can only imagine what it will be like if this voyage fails and this child's voice joins the unholy chorus trapped between my temples.

I wonder if her acceptance of our journey will be enough to convince the Tower servant to join us. I take advantage of the distraction to slip away from the conversation with Litch and return to Canary's side. She may not be my best friend, but she is my oldest friend here, and somehow things feel safer near her. Maybe it's her gruff sea-worn way, maybe it's something that bonded us in the admittedly short and unimpressive time I spent on the water with her.