Compasses, of course. The idea made so much sense that Rivin imagined, for a moment, that the height was fucking with his ability to think clearly. Momentarily concluding that it was more likely the fear than the height itself.
Of course, he had never held a compass, or seen one outside of illustrations in books.
"Would it be acceptable for me to see the cockpit?" Learning as much as he could about the world as soon as could be managed seemed the wisest course of action. Recognizing that his knowledge was almost purely theoretical had been an important step in making a plan. Reducing the lacking as rapidly as possible was the only way he would survive, for, while his survival had been not only assured but insisted upon in his life thus far, it was not guaranteed from the moment he'd stepped onto the ship.
A thousand questions sprang instantly into his mind; of the names of all the parts of the ship, of their functions, of how to steer, navigate by the stars, ascend and descend, adjust the speed. Everything that could be known of an airship. His logical mind rose up to quell the tide before any of it could spill from his mouth. It was exceedingly unlikely that he would find himself in need of knowledge of an airship without someone around at that time to teach him. Even if he asked all the questions, if the Commander and his servant were both to collapse in death suddenly, it was in great doubt whether any of the information he would acquire with such questions would save him.
At that moment, as they were turning to head to the interior of the small ship, a wind spirit, larger than any of the friendly little sprites whipping themselves through the sky, swooped down and wrapped around Angevin, ruffling his hair and uniform. The move surprised Rivin enough that he jumped back, though he knew the spirit wasn't like to do harm, it was still quite large and his instincts were too well-honed not to react.
Of course, he had never held a compass, or seen one outside of illustrations in books.
"Would it be acceptable for me to see the cockpit?" Learning as much as he could about the world as soon as could be managed seemed the wisest course of action. Recognizing that his knowledge was almost purely theoretical had been an important step in making a plan. Reducing the lacking as rapidly as possible was the only way he would survive, for, while his survival had been not only assured but insisted upon in his life thus far, it was not guaranteed from the moment he'd stepped onto the ship.
A thousand questions sprang instantly into his mind; of the names of all the parts of the ship, of their functions, of how to steer, navigate by the stars, ascend and descend, adjust the speed. Everything that could be known of an airship. His logical mind rose up to quell the tide before any of it could spill from his mouth. It was exceedingly unlikely that he would find himself in need of knowledge of an airship without someone around at that time to teach him. Even if he asked all the questions, if the Commander and his servant were both to collapse in death suddenly, it was in great doubt whether any of the information he would acquire with such questions would save him.
At that moment, as they were turning to head to the interior of the small ship, a wind spirit, larger than any of the friendly little sprites whipping themselves through the sky, swooped down and wrapped around Angevin, ruffling his hair and uniform. The move surprised Rivin enough that he jumped back, though he knew the spirit wasn't like to do harm, it was still quite large and his instincts were too well-honed not to react.
