Thump, thump, thump.

She strode down the stairs with the volume of thunder, her head high and long plait flowing like a river in the breeze. In the middle of the walkway Veridian still sat, his back to the sun and the glory of his golden eyes resplendent for all to see. As she came up the height of the ship's edge, and then paused with one foot on the platform that eventually led to the two humans before her, Philomel took in a slow, weary breath.

And carefully, calculatingly, took in the measure of the men.

One was young, with dark eyes and a bald head. He stood with a certain amount of caution as she came up the ramp but no surprise. On his torso was wrapped a drakescale chaser piece. The other man, more middle aged than not, had grey streaks in black hair and even darker eyes than the other. He wore strange garments that Philomel had heard was called a 'suit'. Upon his pale face was a kinder look, but one filled with equal curiousity. They had followed a fox here, one with golden eyes, and been told ... Well, Philomel knew not what they had been told about her; her true nature and abilities.

Thus, she paused, lips pursed slightly, before she continued down the gangway, pausing only to run her fingers through Veridian's fur. She would appear to them, in all her battle finery, as a warrior. Young dragonscale breastplate that covered just beyond her underbust, matched by a titanium chainmail beneath that, covering to her hips. She wore a matching pauldron on her right shoulder as well as titanium gauntlets that shone in the sun. Across her back was a hefty scabbard for a good sized sword and around her waist was a myriad of fabrics holding various other weapons. This was all set off by the noise behind her, where from the grunts and rings of practise swordplay came, concocted up on the ship deck itself.

Veridian the fox let out a soft purr as he was cuddled, and then Philomel went on. She stopped before the men, just off the edge of the walkway and looked from one to the other again.

"Are you the ones Stare sent?" She asked, in a strong and purposeful voice. "If you are then you have come to fight. I am Philomel van der Aart, Matriarch and Captain of this ship. This is my companion, Veridian Ryuusan. He is more than a fox and I am more than a faun. I have fifteen years of battle and teaching behind me."

Resting a hand over a green hilt she paused.

"Let's start with your names, and how the Drys you know Stare ... And then I'll actually decide if your worth my time."