Chapter 226: Clever Perhaps she was desperate. Perhaps she’d been searching for someone with Soul Sight for years and finding Finn felt like divine providence. Perhaps she simply recognized that she couldn’t make this journey alone, and her pragmatism overrode her caution. Or perhaps this was a test. Perhaps she suspected Finn of having ulterior motives and wanted to keep him close to observe him. Allies were easier to monitor than enemies who operated in the shadows... But at the end of the day, Finn knew all his deliberation was mostly for show. A performance of careful consideration that Vara would expect from someone in his position. Because the truth was, when he’d surprisingly learned of the Fog of No Return — something that he still felt was uncanny because of the manner in which he had learned of it — he knew he needed to be on this ship, heading toward it. This wasn’t Finn’s first time on the Tidebreaker, or even inside this cabin. His observations of the city had led him to this ship specifically. Had led him to begin watching Vara, studying her patterns, learning her secrets. On more than one occasion she had nearly sensed his presence — something that not even Paladins in the Shadow Temple had been able to achieve when his [Null Perception] was at full throttle. Though that was more related to the subpar quality of Paladins in Hoshin Bay, compared to the top of the line powerhouses he’d seen at the border city where the Incarnate resided. Finn didn’t know of the term Soul Sight beforehand. But he knew Vara was special. She had a strong soul. If she were in his own world and timeline, she would surely be an Ossuarist talent. She could naturally sense the divine, and sense oddities normal people could simply not. It was for this reason he knew she would need someone like her. Someone with Soul Sight. He’d known she would recognize what he was. He’d known she would make this offer. Everything he’d done was just for this moment. And now was the moment to accept it. Finn’s mind returned fully to the present. He ended his "deliberation" and spoke decisively, without beating about the bush. "Alright. So what would my role be? And how would my identity be explained to the crew?" He gestured vaguely toward the deck outside. "Slick Jones already knows who I am. But the rest of the crew won’t simply accept a newcomer joining the ship on a voyage, especially since I wouldn’t be a passenger but an actual crew member." His expression was serious as he explained his considerations like he’d fully accepted the fact that he was in this with Vara. "Dissonance at sea can’t be taken for granted. Mutinies have started over less." Vara’s face split into a grin at Finn’s decisiveness. "I knew you’d see reason." She stood and moved to her desk, pulling out a rolled map and spreading it across the surface. "Here’s how things will proceed." She began explaining the timeline, the preparations still needed for the ship, the cover story that would be fed to the regular crew. Finn would be introduced as a specialist navigator she’d recruited, someone with knowledge of obscure sea routes. His rapid promotion would be explained by this specialized expertise. The voyage would be framed as a long-range trading expedition, pushing the boundaries of known routes to establish new markets. Ambitious but not unheard of. The kind of venture that would appeal to sailors looking for glory and profit. Only the inner circle — Vara, Slick Jones, and now Finn — would know the true destination. It was cruel in a way. The crew members were heading into dangerous waters unlike they’d ever seen, yet they didn’t have the slightest idea. Finn didn’t think too deeply about that, though. Whether he had inserted himself into this crew or not, even if he’d never met Vara, she would’ve done the same nonetheless. So he simply focused on their plan. The preparations would take approximately two more weeks. In that time, Finn would continue working on the Tidebreaker, learning the ship, earning the crew’s acceptance through competence. As Vara continued laying out the details, Finn absorbed the information efficiently, already calculating how this fit into his larger plans. Two weeks gave him time to prepare properly. He would get to explain the situation to Thalia and Ailin, leaving them with a good conscience when he would finally depart on this voyage. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺 Finally, Vara rolled up the map. "We’ll depart on the new moon. The tides will be favorable, and the symbolism won’t hurt." She extended her hand. "Do we have an accord?" Finn stood and clasped her hand firmly. "We do." Her grip was strong, calloused from years of ship work. "Welcome aboard, Arros." Finn released her hand and turned toward the door, his mind already moving to the next steps of his plan. He had two weeks to solidify his position, to— "Wait." Vara’s voice stopped him just as his hand reached the door handle. He turned back. She was frowning slightly, as if remembering something she’d almost forgotten. "There will also be two additional crew members joining us. Two women." Finn kept his expression neutral, but something in his chest tightened. "One is an embodiment of knowledge," Vara continued, "blessed by the God of Secrets. Her expertise will be invaluable for interpreting what we find in the Fog." She paused. "The other is a swordswoman. The protector of the blessed. Her skills might also come in handy." As she spoke, Finn tried not to let anything show on his face. But internally, the image of two women was clear in his mind. Thalia and Ailin... The Mnemosyne. Was this Thalia’s way of doing what she wanted? Of forcing herself into his plans despite his protests? He’d told her to stay out of danger. He’d told her this journey was his alone. And she’d apparently taken that as a challenge rather than a directive. "When did you arrange this?" Finn asked carefully. Vara shrugged. "A few days ago. I’ve been assembling the crew slowly, piece by piece. These two approached me through an intermediary, offering their services." Her eyes narrowed slightly. "Why? Do you know them?" Finn shook his head smoothly. "No. I’m simply curious about who I’ll be working with." It was a lie, of course. And Finn suspected Vara knew it was a lie. But she didn’t press. "You’ll meet them soon enough," she said. "They’re staying somewhere in the Sprawl. I’ll arrange a full crew meeting once everyone is assembled." Finn nodded and turned back to the door. This time, Vara didn’t stop him. He stepped out onto the deck, the cool evening air washing over him. The sun had fully set now, and lanterns were being lit across the harbor. The Tidebreaker creaked gently beneath his feet, the ship settling into its nighttime rhythms. Finn stood there for a moment, hands in his pockets, staring out at the darkening water. So Thalia had made her move. She’d positioned herself and the Mnemosyne exactly where they’d be impossible to refuse without raising suspicion. Vara needed their expertise — or at least believed she did — and would make sure to keep them on the crew. Clever. Frustrating, but clever.