Mako walks up nonchalantly to Mariner. He outstretches his hand. “Nice to meet you.”
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Andreas follows closely beside Mako.
He speaks curtly. “Captain Rook Andreas. I anticipate our departure.” He then stares at their new ship with wistful pride.
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Mariner steps forward to the edge of the dock, careful not to exit the water. He looks Dolphus up and down. “Something about you is familiar, but I don’t know.what.”
Up close Dolphus can take him in more clearly, he’s a tall and thin fellow. With a casual but still well composed posture. Strangely, his armour seemed to have but one true gap, the one from which his piercing blue eyes stared out at Dolphus.
Suddenly Mariner starts sniffing at the air. Taking deep breaths as if he smelled something unexpected.
This seems to distract him from Dolphus for a Second, “Well met” he extends his hand to meet Mako’s and shake it.
“Well, it would appear they’re behind you” he says keeping his voice carefully even, although there was a slight edge to it. He points at the 4 other members of the group.
Mariner also goes to shake his hand, but comes up short as he notices the blades on the ends of his arms. Thinking quickly he draws his sword in one fluid motion, moving it slowly as to show his non threatening intent. Mariners blade meets with Andreas’ blade limbs, he uses the sword to attempt to shake his “hand”
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Nico kept his head up and his back straight as the part was led to the docks, taking in the sights, sounds, and smells of this place. He was no stranger to harbors or the sea, but it was still interesting to him that it never smelled quite the same on any given day.
Nico approached the ship towards the rear and side of the group, his eyes tracing its lines. No figurehead, that he could see. That would need to be rectified. Maybe a portrait of his own beautiful face. He smiled wryly to himself.
His expression became again serious as the party began to introduce themselves to their … guide, maybe? The bearing of each member was an opportunity for Nico to learn.
Nico approached, then, his mouth a tight line.
“You mean to suggest that we are the only crew for this expedition?”
His tone of voice was too sharp. He grabbed the front lapel of his coat and gave it a sharp tug, martialling his face into a more sincere smile, though still slightly concerned. “What I mean to say is, a party of our size seems slightly … ah … inadequate, for such a vessel as this.”
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Andreas raises an eyebrow, slightly taken aback at the bizarre gesture. He matter-of-factly raises both blades for a moment, and goes to watch the ship. Gonna be stuck with this muttonhead for the next decade aren’t I
Andreas redirects his sharp gaze to Mariner. “Your friend in the bar – Tharwin – he told us there were hundreds.”
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It would be clearest to Mariner, as he would have been facing Dolphus, but his eyes widened and his throat visibly tightened for just a moment - enough of a danger sign to imply Mariner may have hit the nail on the head… Or close enough, at least.
Dolphus, meanwhile, waited for Mariner’s eyes to shift just enough to someone else before smoothing the feathers back down. This could be very bad… I’m stuck with him all voyage, and with that reputation…
…
Are you actually serious.
Okay, maybe I was getting worried for nothing then. Perhaps this horrible crime he committed was accidentally spilling a drink or something.
“Of letters.” Dolphus replied. “They made an excellent doorside fixture. This vessel, on such a scale, would require an exceptional force of hands to operate - I personally lack a complete set.” He gestured to the cape with his head. “And even the most able-bodied among us are not unimpaired in some visible fashion, save one or two.”
Dolphus looked back at the ship. “This nameless vessel might best be titled the Lost Cause if we go to sea this empty. I believe in divine providence, but…”
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“For an answer to that, you’ll need to wait till we’re on the ship. I’m not sure I understand how it works, but trust me it will not be an issue.” Mariner says, taking no offense to Nico’s initial uncouth attitude.
“Yes, hundreds of potential applicants, only 5 confirmed Sailors” Hethila cut in, her tone back to it’s usual clipped state.
“Bad luck to name our ship after an Enemy vessel” Mariner said returning his Gaze to Dolphus. He sheaths his sword once more, and after a moment, extends his hand for Dolphus to shake.
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Nico seemed genuinely unsure of himself, continuing to speak to the Mariner but with his eyes distracted, focused on the ship.
“As my associate here said.” He glanced at Dolphus. “This is a two-masted ship, which we lack crew for alone, let alone an oar deck. And what of things that can’t be operated with … I’m assuming you intend magic? A ship’s doctor? A gunner? A cook?” He smiled brightly then.
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(Prior to leaving)
Alexis shook Tharwin’s hand. “In exchange for the information about my past, I’ll be sure to keep them out of harm’s way.” She spoke softly with a shifting pitch of something between dread and excitement in her voice.
(Joined up with the group)
Alexis watched the interaction between the group with a great deal of Curiosity in her mind. Not Curiosity about the present conversation, Curiosity about what tharwin had told her. She was a Caelin, A Mage personally assigned to a ship’s crew, such an important role yet… Yet, she had heard nothing of it.
Alexis jolted out of her stupor the moment she noticed they had begun discussing names for their new vessel. The name had to be something fitting, unique, and Respectable; it had to bring dread into the hearts of all who were enemies of theirs, yet it must also have an elegant nature to it… Something that wouldn’t embarrass you when it was read aloud by someone of high standing.
“The Caelin’s hand.” She spoke barely above a whisper, slightly embarrassed by the fact that the name reflected, well it reflected herself in a way.
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How would the Swordmaster speak to me knowing the kerfuffle I’ve gotten myself into now? Dolphus thought as he listened to the naive nonsense that poured out of Mariner’s mouth. You have such a blind faith in something you have absolutely no understanding of… That isn’t blind faith - that’s ignorance.
The hesitation in Mariner’s maneuver cost him the handshake. The Gorov boy looked down at the extended hand, something of the coldness of the past rising up in his demeanor and his thoughts. Here was a weak and insignificant individual physically lower and mentally lower than himself. Incompetent, irrelevant, disposable.
And yet Dolphus was not a Gorov of the old breed. He was human.
“I suggest we have some faith in our new employer.” Dolphus replied, not taking his eyes off Mariner. “You have us at your word. I assume such courtesies as this can be completed after doubt in the efficacy of your crew and vessel have been resolved?”
The hand remained unmet. Dolphus gripped his cane even tighter, unsure if he was doing it to complete the act or if he was truly scared.
And yet this whisper - so quiet and so inconsequential, spoken practically behind Dolphus’ ear - seemed to ring as loud as a thousand iron bells. The moment he heard it he turned his head about, all vicious ice in his demeanor immediately shattering and melting away. It took him a couple seconds to piece together what the words must have been - Cave-In Land and Caring Man were the first to enter his mind - but it seemed more important to him that now, as the first words he would have spoken to her had to be that of affirmation and support.
He looked back at her for more than five seconds in complete silence before responding.
“The Caelin’s hand.”
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“As I said that is taken care of, I’m not sure how to explain it properly.” He sounds upbeat still.
“you have mages, in your group, should be no issue, I can smell the magic on them”
“What even is a Gunner”
“we’re on dry rations, any extra food you’ll have to cook yourself”
Mariner Stopped short, “A hand of a Hand…” He mused, “I suppose that’d be a… Finger, yes that’s the word.”
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Dolphus knew some amount of cooking from observing the servants in his father’s employ, but outside of thoroughly cooking meats and using copious amounts of seasoning, there was little in his repertoire that could satisfy his tastes. He didn’t even want to think about what dry rations tasted like.
But thankfully, he wouldn’t have to just now.
Dolphus slowly turned back with an expression of annoyance and some slight disgust spread across his features. I am going to kill you but ironically, Mariner. Sleep lightly and beware my ironic murdering of you.
“………Well,” Dolphus spoke after an uncomfortably long pause, “I suppose we should get on board The Caelin’s Hand and move ourselves out of the way so the, uhm… the Magic can happen.”
I hate that I used that word even in a joke. Even a Gorov should have standards.
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“Take the shore boat, I’ll meet you there” Mariner says indicating the boat to his rear. He then turns to Hethila with a grin. “I think I’ll be able to get there just fine.”
In the depths of the (Possibly) now named Caelin’s hand, a figure crouched behind a crate, hiding in the Storage bay. “What am I doing, what am I doing, what am I doing.”
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In a quick and deft motion, Dolphus flipped the cane in his hand, then slowly used the handle end to hook the shore boat and gently bring it closer to the dock. Once practically hugging the stone, Dolphus spun the cane back around and used it to cautiously descend into the boat.
I hate, I absolutely hate little boats like this. Dolphus grimaced as the small vessel wobbled under the sudden weight. Large boats have the decency to not scare the pants off me whenever I slightly step on them, and I prefer it that way.
Having descended and taken a seat at the bow, Dolphus only then realized such a boat had four oars and those oars were so wide apart it required eight arms to utilize. Well I’m not sure what I was thinking, since the boat would need to come back for more passengers… Unless we could fit them all in here?
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The boat, was quite large, big enough for 20 armoured adults to sit comfortably. There were 4 oars in total, each meant to be crewed by a seperate individual, as Dolphus entered, the boat slowly rocked less and less, until it seemed to sit almost still in the water, despite the regular ebb and flow.
Mariner looks up at Hethila, “Shall we take a walk?” He starts walking to the end of the pier, away from the group, to allow his conversation some privacy. “Is something the Matter? You seem quiet”
Hethila nods, “It’s nothing. Just that Dolphus fellow, treating me like some scum because I was born with wings” she shrugs. “If he thinks I’m strange wait till he gets to Securis, I swear that continent is another dimension almost”
Mariner notices a slight flutter through the air and reaches his hand out, something light landed in his palm, “Darling you’re shedding, clearly it’s not nothing. Do you need me to rough him up some? I can show him stuff that’d have him running back for his mother. Looooooong before we get to Securis.” He makes an odd clicking sound from behind his Visor.
“No, if anyone is to deal with this it has to be me. While I appreciate your… Chivalry in offering to intimidate a child. I can fight my own battles”
“He’s a child? I thought he was just small. Most people are to me” he shrugs
“most people aren’t seven feet tall Mariner, they’re not short they’re average.”
“ah but we’re going to Legion Territory where they are below average… Maybe he’s just a Small Legion citizen.”
“You are ridiculous” Hethila laughs, “Maybe I should let you swim to your little boat”
“Ship” Mariner mumbles, “It’s a ship”
ON THE CAELIN’S HAND
The hunter carefully stalked its prey. Any moment now, this foul intruder would show it’s head again, and when it did, the hunter would attack.
He’d been stalking this filth since it climbed over the Wale two hours ago now. Any second now, it’ll be time
Tharos sits crouched behind a crate in The Caelin’s Hand. He hears the sound of the hunter, drawing ever closer. He tries to quiet his breathing to avoid detection. What have I gotten myself into he thinks
I’d wager a spot of trouble, why did we do this? The soft voice sounds amused
It wasn’t my idea so don’t look at me the Hard voice sounds mostly annoyed
it wasn’t my idea either guys, so either there’s a third one of you, or none of us have control
If you could quiet down, I must needs be the voice of reason for our host. The soft voice thinks for a moment. I think our best shot is pretending we were hired
The hunter hops lithely onto a crate, There he is tensing up, the Hunter pounces and takes his prey down. Thrashing and screeching they fight, as the hunter goes for the throat.
Tharos looks over the crate at the commotion. What was that?
A vengeful Daemon, or a Sunblessed here to exact vengeance on us says the Hard voice
Or the ship has a cat the soft voice states
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Alexis glanced at Nico and Dolphus. Tharwin had given her the responsibility of looking over the two. His choice made sense seeing she was- Is A Caelin. It was pretty much in her job description. “Nico, Why don’t you join me and Dolphus on the ship, figured you’d want to check it out before we set off.” Frankly, she could care less if he knew the layout of the ship before they left, but it would make her job a whole lot easier if everyone she needed to watch over was in the same place for the time being.
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Andreas steps over the gunwale and descends into the body of the boat. Slightly dejected, he looks at the oars, and then to the blades stuck to his forearms.
This was his chance to win back his reputation. And yet, the feeling that life would never truly be the same as it was hangs around like dark clouds in the distance.
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Dolphus’ head snapped like a whip to face Alexis. The suggestion seemed natural, but it specifically targeted Nico as being the individual she wanted present. Unless she also wanted me and did not need to request my proceeding into the boat due to me already being here? Wait, maybe she needs him to row the boat back and forth. It’s not like I have two arms myself-
Oh. Okay.
Dolphus noticed the melancholy of the burly, possibly uncleanly man now sitting opposite him. Having Nico be the only one to row would be impossible with how far apart the oars were, and Mr. Rook Andreas seems like he’d do a much better job cutting the oars than moving them.
I need to help. Dolphus began to rise- what was he doing? This was the work of a servant, not of a Gorov; his father would be scolding him for even considering the notion. And yet she would need the help. He had to help. He had to.
And then he stopped, looked down, and saw the cape by his side. Nico would be rowing with two arms; he would need to slow considerably to have Dolphus keep up. No, Nico and the other one, Mako, they were the only ones equipped well enough to handle the blunt labor.
Dolphus slowly returned to his seat at the front of the boat, his face clearly displaying his dejection. He couldn’t help her now. Already his impairment had made him fail her, and they weren’t even on board.
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Mariner looks over, and immediately spotted the problem, “Ah right, hold on, I’ve got to do the thing” He walks back over to the boat, kicks the side and calls in a loud voice “Oarsman we have need of you”
appearing at each of the rowing benches suddenly, are 4 semi transparent figures. They are dressed in red and gold armour. On their heads are helmets with the tops swept back to resemble flames. These figures look at each other.
“Figures” one mutters “Even in the afterlife I can’t escape you three”
“Why’re you complaining?” Intones a second one “We’re the ones who have to stare at that face the whole time”
The four of them burst out laughing, and place hands on the Oars.
Mariner turns to Alexis and bows. “Your Crew Ma’am”
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Nico started momentarily, shifting his attention from the ship out on the water back to the party at hand. He stared blankly at Alexis, and then Dolphus and the sword-handed man (his name …?) After a moment, he seemed to register the predicament.
“Oh. Of course, mademoiselle.” He bowed, slightly, smiled, and began to take a practiced step into the boat, a step so well-balanced that it betrayed every modicum of comfort and experience in such a maneuver.
Comfort was gone. He stumbled, his foot landing hard in the bottom of the boat, hard enough to send the gunwale rocking disturbingly close to the water’s surface. He recomposed himself almost immediately, however, quickly bringing his second foot into the boat in a wide stance, one foot behind the other, arms out, one clutching his cane. He didn’t move until he had completely regained his balance.
“Ah. It seems my … capability is no longer needed.” He was staring at the ghostly sailors, but mostly out of resigned interest rather than shock.
What have you gotten yourself into, Markl?
He glances at the Mariner with as withering a look as possible - which was quite a possible thing, with years of practice. What a flirt.
“Yes, captain,” He faces Alexis again, lowering himself into a seat. He laughs a low laugh, not sarcastic or sardonic, but genuinely happy, a light jab. “Your orders?”
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