[ Hayate settled happily, as if to allow Shiro the best stroking he could give.

Good as Riza was in keeping a poker face at work, she was less guarded when off-duty and out of her uniform. So there was no hiding the shift in her expression: from mild surprise, to full-on question. She heard Shiro's voice and the humor in it, but her eyes were searching for any trace of jest in his. ]

A "star ship"?

[ Their civilization had barely taken to the skies, and this man wanted the stars? She had her fair share of people reaching for things seemingly beyond their reach. Knowing they had achieved despite impossible odds was the the man thing that stopped her from dismissing the question entirely. And of course, she was curious.

So humor it is. ]

There are many things alchemy can do, but going further beyond the skies is still unheard of. Why would you want such a vessel?