"I laid in a supply of fruit last time I bought supplies, but I'm sure Tomo would love a banana, thanks, Flynn-san" When the banana is procured, he uses prestidigitation to chill a piece before handing it to the monkey. He chuckles and half-smiles when the skin of his hand turns pale yellow around the banana... shakes his head slightly. "Gotta learn how to suppress that when I don't need it."
"I'd trade with you if I could, Jiro," Adular says still frowning at his draconic claws. "Damn, I hope Sandara is an understanding woman."
"It's very odd, Adular... we all seem to have gotten useful things, except you.. you're not exactly a toe to toe kind of fighter, and yet you got claws... perhaps the gods are mischievous? Or perhaps all of this is some kind of divine joke on us all?" He looks up at the sky and sighs... grabs a handful of coins and tosses them over the side of the ship with a quick prayer to Hei Feng.
"Mayhap Sandara might enjoy your claws and find them... intriguing? If not, maybe you could trim them back a bit? I have heard of mandarin lords who would envy you those... "
"Some of them have a sense of humor, that's true," He sighed, "But I'm not laughing meself. Mandarin lords eh? I do like those fancy robes. Maybe I'll get one and see how it goes. I'll try to stay positive about it." He shakes his head, "But it's more than just the physical changes. I won't speak for the rest of you, but I feel ... energy. Like a storm lingering in the very air, not quite spent yet."
"I, too, follow Besmara, Adular. It is said she has a planar servant named Rusizi. In some stories, he is said to be a dragon turtle. Perhaps your claws come from him...and is a boon from Besmara herself."
Rain gave a quiet smile and returned to her charts. She felt the breeze against the leathery membranes of her newly acquired dragon wings. A strange sensation, she thought to herself.
"Aye, I've heard of him. Gift or no, I don't care for it. I may commune later and see what can be done."
Rain looked up from the parchment she was scribbling notes upon and set her gaze upon the discontented priest. She contemplated him, with deep turquoise eyes, and after a moment gave a nod to his meaning. May you not incur Besmara's ire.
Seijiro nods to Adular... "Aye, I can see your point, but who knows what good might come of you having them... for some reason the gods saw it as befitting you... there is that. Who can tell what fates await us and what we may or may not use or want in the fullness of time?"
Adular scratches his chin (And damn near cuts himself) at Jiro's words and perhaps that look in Rain's eyes "First, we don't know if they were given deliberately, let alone by the gods, though being a holy man, I will admit that's where my mind went to. Second, if this isn't Besmara's doing, all the more reason to undo it. Third, if it is hers? Well, then I shouldn't be able to remove it because I'd be using her own power to do so," He chuckles at that, "Be like spitting up against a rain storm. I'd still get wet."
"But I'll see if I can find a way to auger this and see if removing it will displease her. Assuming I can remove it at all." He adds, "I do appreciate the concern from ye. I thank ye for that."
"Have you tried, I don't know, retracting them? Like cats do? I know this is all new, but maybe they can be pulled in somehow?" Seijiro shrugs... "When this first happened, my skin went through some weird color changes... now it's not so random and I have to think about it to make it work properly... perhaps now that some time has passed, perhaps you have some control over the claws?"
"Have you tried, I don't know, retracting them? Like cats do? I know this is all new, but maybe they can be pulled in somehow?"
"Been trying. With practice I might be able to use my hands normally, but the damn things don't appear to retract or recede."
"Still; when something rubs me the wrong way I figure the best thing for it is to step back and commend our Fate to the gods. I don’t rightly know why this happened, but I guess fretting about it won’t matter. Whether we like it or not, this is the hand we’ve been dealt.”
With talk of gods and Flynn's review of Fate's plan, Rain wondered why such physical alterations would set some to discontent. Aye, she had not expected to grow dragon wings come the new day ... but they had sprouted from her back and were now a part of her. She did not see them as fell things, for she never had wings before, yet if she could fly, why would the gods have granted her such a boon if it were not to some advantage. Her back still quivered from the pain of the wings where they had bored through her skin. Yet, she did not wish to tear them from her own back. These curious boons, each varied upon the officers, were a sign and one that should not detract from the course that had been set before them.
Turning her gaze onto Variel, she quietly asked her Captain mate, "Shall we drop anchor for a time or do you wish me to return to the Wheel and set the Lady onward toward Quent?"
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With the information from Rain answering Horatio it sounded like nothing was amiss with their location. The ship was sound (well mostly outside of some added water and a hole in the sails), the crew healthy and the officers empowered. Really there was only 1 answer to Rain that Variel could think of. Let us press on to Quent unless a sail on the horizon strikes our fancy.
Adular had gone to his shrine, and then returned moving to the edge of a ship with fewer people.
There were sounds akin to a shrill old woman insulting someone repeatedly, and also an odd bubbling.
Eventually, Adular rejoined the officers, and informed them, "I've spoken with one who knows the taste of Besmara's magics. Me contact, a charming a lass as you'll ever see, took time to lay some fine poetry on me... but she also assures me Besmara is not behind this. Whether it be fate or chance, design or accident, arcane or powered by another divine, she didn't say, but it's not Besmara's doing or will."
"There's power in each one of us, and I don't know the source, but I can remove the symptoms with a remove curse. Whether it is truly a curse that the spell should work on it, or merely a mercy by an Amused Pirate Queen, I don't know.But if any of you want your obvious changes undone, I can remove it."
Rain heard Variel's reply and then waited to hear if any of her companions would partake of a leisurely jaunt before heading onto Quent.
"Aye, aye, Captain."
When Adular rejoined them and imparted his revelation, then asked if any would see their alteration removed, Rain politely replied, "I thank you for the offer, Adular, but I shall keep my wings and see what they have in store for me."
Ana looks with her faceted emerald eyes and says after contemplating for a while. One thing I have learned in my long life is that life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. When we resist them, it only causes sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally in the direction they are meant to go. In short, the supple tree bends and survives the storm, the unyielding tree fights and breaks.
When Adular rejoined them and imparted his revelation, then asked if any would see their alteration removed, Rain politely replied, "I thank you for the offer, Adular, but I shall keep my wings and see what they have in store for me."
"Aye, if I had wings and the power to fly at whim, I'd be less likely to part with them too," He admits, "Good news for the Captain too, I'm thinking. I believe he likes you in backless dresses."
Ana looks with her faceted emerald eyes and says after contemplating for a while. One thing I have learned in my long life is that life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. When we resist them, it only causes sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally in the direction they are meant to go. In short, the supple tree bends and survives the storm, the unyielding tree fights and breaks.
"Teeth to the wind, and let none master me but Besmara is my thinking, Ana. Our faiths are different I think. Mine preaches defiance, yours acceptance. To each their own, eh? I hope the changes serve you well."
Ana smiles and says Happiness is a state of defiance my friend. When one is happy it is in defiance of the horrors that life can offer. To be strong and adapt to life's challenges and find the joy in all things. As you say however, to each their own.
Ana smiles and says Happiness is a state of defiance my friend. When one is happy it is in defiance of the horrors that life can offer. To be strong and adapt to life's challenges and find the joy in all things. As you say however, to each their own.
Adular chuckles at something And why should I endure being turned into a horror against my will if my goddess doesn't bid it? Ah, but leave off, Adular. The woman is strong in her faith, and has her own views, respect it and don't turn this into an excuse to hear yourself talk you vainglorious twit
He tips his hat to her, and looks over at the others, "Anyone else know their preference now that they've a choice in the matter? I don't know how long removing a curse will work. It maybe that over time it'll be more and more a part of you so if you want it done, best done in the next day or so."
Rain readied herself at the Wheel, repositioning her body and carefully furling her leathery wings so she would not be effected by the sea winds and alike pressing and pushing upon spread wings as they sailed.
"Thanks for the offer, Adu', but I think I'll keep this gift... It make take a bit of effort to use it well, still it'd seem ungrateful to return it whence it came. I will, instead, try to develop its usefulness and learn to channel it effectively."
Still awake and not his shift for such, he heads up to the helm and sits by Rain, cooperatively grooming and being groomed by Tomo, and watching the winged pilot effortlessly guiding the ship through sea and wind.
"The wings seem to suit you well, Rain-san... even furled as they are, they make you look like a tennyo... an angel."
Horatio looks from his place by the gunwale, watching the others for a while as they talk.
When he hears Adular, he studies the priest for a while before lighting a smoke.
”Look, you think I like this?” he says to him as he takes in a deep inhale.
”Right now it’s fine for people like Variel and the Pilot-Major to have those powers; they don’t care, why should they? Elves mate for life, eh?” he says as he blows out a long stream from the side of his mouth.
”As for Dhaavan, I’m not even sure how the lad can be more appealing to the ladies; but it’s clear that he can and now he is.”
”Jiro-san’s not doing so hot, but then again, it’s not like he’s meeting any lasses around here from Minkai, and his best chance to stay alive to get back to his ladies is likely taking every power that comes his way, no matter how it may hurt,” he says as he takes another drag.
”Seems to me that you’re thinking what I am – that no self-respecting lady, or even the kind of lady who'd travel with us – would find either of us appealing looking the way we do.”
”Well, that’s fair. But who knows? Maybe you should go talk to your lass first? See what she thinks?” he says referencing Sandara, hoping to cheer the dour priest up by encouraging him to at least talk with his woman before feeling overwhelmed.
”Hey – believe me; I hear you. Since I've sailed with this crew I’ve busted my balls trying to get somebody to notice me, but no matter what I do... Well, the way I figure it it’s just not going to happen. And hell, it hurts.”
He holds up his hand and flexes the gloved fist.
”I tell you this; I miss feeling the touch of a woman, the taste of her lips, and just the warmth of her next to me when I wake up in the night and feel her pressed against me,” he says, almost to himself, his eyes flicking over to Anna for a moment, then he shakes his head and looks at Adular.
”But here’s something to chew over; the same hash I chewed over myself when this happened – we two are part of a team; and when we’re part of a team, the team comes first. The stuff we got makes us freakish, sure; but in the end if we don’t take every bonus we can then when things start to go down then we’re not as powerful as the others.”
”That means that we let them down in a fight.”
”That means that they could die, and then we could die; and that can’t happen,” he says as he tips the ash off the side of the gunwale.
He sighs a little then tries a different tack.
”Look, if I had my way the only bonus that Milani or those dragon monsters – or whatever – would have given me is a pretty lady to live my life with, and maybe my own ship or a more powerful pistol and a good pair of sea boots,” he says with a dry smile.
He sighs a little and throws the butt of the cheroot over the side of the ship.
”The thing is – this is what we got. Take it from me; I know it’s not what you want, I understand that. But you got this stuff for a reason; trust the gods and see how it plays out?” he says, his eyes on the priest.
”If you’re still resolved on your course, I can’t change your mind, I guess. But at least try talking it over with your girl below. Who knows? Maybe she won’t mind them so much,” he adds, trying to cheer Adular up.
"The wings seem to suit you well, Rain-san... even furled as they are, they make you look like a tennyo... an angel."
Rain gave a soft, self-conscience laugh at the kind comparison.
"I am far from angel, my friend, yet I thank you for drawing a likeness. It will take a little time to grow accustomed to their presence, but there must be a purpose and reason for these gifts we have been given. How goes your work at tempering the colour flux of your skin?"
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Variel politely declines Adular's offer. Whie it is interesting to hear that this is not Besmara's will working upon us I still find it too strange and unusual to pass on the powers bestowed upon me. It is good to know that the side effects can be removed though.
Variel hears the acclaim that Rain's wings are providing her and can't help but wonder to himself, Are those dragon wings or they of a succubus? I never paid much attention in my studies in identifying creatures. I don't think I should mention it to Rain right now but if they are a succubus' swings then maybe she inherited some of their more mischievous ways as well.
If it seems that all are ready to proceed and with Rain at the wheel Variel will head below and work on Dhaavan's shield cloak to upgrade it to magical.
Ana speaks up and says For what it's worth...you both actually look more interesting to me now. Before, well to be honest, there are hundreds of pirates in the Shackles that looks just like you both. Perhaps not exactly but enough to as make little difference. Should you wish to remove the blessing that has been given to you that is as it should be...no one should be required to bear something they hate. I only say that at least from a woman's perspective, not all women mind you, just this one...I like the new Seijiro, Flynn and Adular. You are unique and interesting as such. Again though, this is only one womans opinion. Dhaavan I expect will come across issues on occasion with his looks. It is difficult to be subtle with such beauty, it draws the eye of those around and so doing may make missions where stealth is in order more difficult.
”Right now it’s fine for people like Variel and the Pilot-Major to have those powers; they don’t care, why should they? Elves mate for life, eh?” he says as he blows out a long stream from the side of his mouth.
"Actually, most elves I've met ...well, nevermind. Let's just say most of them aren't like eagles. I've seen marriages and matches set up before hand for a century and then off they go." Adular says, "Not to smear their fine reputation, me mother being one and all"
”As for Dhaavan, I’m not even sure how the lad can be more appealing to the ladies; but it’s clear that he can and now he is.”
"And he's going to scare some of the less secure lads as well." Adular chuckles.
”Jiro-san’s not doing so hot, but then again, it’s not like he’s meeting any lasses around here from Minkai, and his best chance to stay alive to get back to his ladies is likely taking every power that comes his way, no matter how it may hurt,” he says as he takes another drag.”Seems to me that you’re thinking what I am – that no self-respecting lady, or even the kind of lady who'd travel with us – would find either of us appealing looking the way we do.”
"Careful mate, that sounds a bit like you're talking down on the ladies here, and I wouldn't try to get on their bad side there if I were you," he chuckles.
”I tell you this; I miss feeling the touch of a woman, the taste of her lips, and just the warmth of her next to me when I wake up in the night and feel her pressed against me,” he says, almost to himself, his eyes flicking over to Anna for a moment, then he shakes his head and looks at Adular.”But here’s something to chew over; the same hash I chewed over myself when this happened – we two are part of a team; and when we’re part of a team, the team comes first. The stuff we got makes us freakish, sure; but in the end if we don’t take every bonus we can then when things start to go down then we’re not as powerful as the others.”
”That means that we let them down in a fight.”
”That means that they could die, and then we could die; and that can’t happen,” he says as he tips the ash off the side of the gunwale.
After that, the chuckling stops, and Adular grows quite somber and serious,"Horatio, you mean well, but the more you talk there, the more I realize I definitely want to be rid of these things. Power at all costs, even if its to save friends? That leads to infernal pacts and sold souls eventually... and here's what is what. If the Crew ever feels I'm too weak a link to trouble with, that they can't count on me. well, they can ask me to go, and I will. No man, no crew, no captain, owns me flesh and blood, and I will not be sold for guilt's sake just because it sounds prettier than being sold for greed. It's still slavery of a sort. I'll pass on that every time. Now I've been overshadowed plenty of times. Others are better fighters, some have smoother tongues or are versed in lore I only heard of. That's not new, but I never let others dictate my own self worth, and I wont' start now. Do I dread not being able to hold Sandara's hand without cutting her raw? Aye, that's a part of it. But even if she were not here I would not take this 'gift'. I know not if it be bad luck, or just the fist link in a slave chain of the soul. You want me to do something for the crew? Aye I will, I'll decline these claws, and if, IF something fell is worming its way into the rest of ye, I'll make it me mission to free you from it."
He hears Ana's plea as well, and the refusal of the others.
He coughs "Let me settle the matter here and now though. If Besmara has a problem with it, she'll do what she wills on it."
He holds the claws up, "Besmara, you great beautiful goddess! Unless it displease thee, remove this curse from me now. Thank ye!"
And the claws crack and shatter like glass, the scales around the hands breaking away like barnacles being cleared.
He flexes his hands, which now look quite normal, "There, that's done then, but we gained more than physical changes. There's power in us now that I can't shed. I'll see where it leads, on me own terms."
Seijiro shrugs and blushes at the talk of ladies and the absurd idea that he might have ladies waiting for him at home. Though he pines for one he can relate to, he finds Flynn's talk as if any woman is better than none distressing. He sighs softly, looks around at the ladies on deck, ana, rain, and those of the crew, and he sighs again...while some are pretty, none have ever expressed an interest in him, ... and none were tessa. And none were kitsune either... it seemed hopeless.
Ana speaks up and says ... Dhaavan I expect will come across issues on occasion with his looks. It is difficult to be subtle with such beauty, it draws the eye of those around and so doing may make missions where stealth is in order more difficult.
Hearing mention of his name, Daavan turns around admiting You are right, I think I might stand out a bit... even more that I did once I took on out race, but... Dhaavan says, staring still at a reflective glass, I don't know I mean this might be a pretty good new look for me he says, turning and flashing Ana a truely devastating smile,
Approaching Adular, upon mention of being asked to leave, he says Some things don't feel right, mate. That's you. But I do feel a spark of power in you, easy enough to see. So as long as you use that power to keep our mates alive I don't see us parting ways unless you decide to go. Dhaavan says with a smile. Especially since you'd be tryin ta take Sandara with you. I'll not be loosing you both of ya since if adular fails to keep us alive, we'd be dead, in which case he would be without us };)
"dhaavan's right, adu...we'd not see you go just because you lack claws you never asked for or wanted. You're our mate, and that's it."
"You're half mischief and half practicality, First Mate Dhaavan. Thank ye," Adular says, "Though with your looks being what they are...I might ask you not to linger around Sandara too much. My chances of pulling her away might not be as good as you think."
Then he adds, "Besides, she loves it here from what I can tell. She might stay even if you weren't so pretty and I asked her. Too soon to say."
"Ah, Jiro," He slaps an arm around the Kitsune if the deft fellow will let him, "I weren't trying to make it sound like a threat to leave or anything and I apologize. I just meant that if I ever were a hindrince to the crew I'd understand if they wanted me off. Since I don't think I'll ever be a hindrance, It was an easy comment to make. As for all this talk of women," the half elf considers, "I can see it embarrasses you a little. But we'll be going to a temple of the Savored Sting, now contrary to their advertising, 'tis not 'love' they're taking your tithe money in exchange for, so if you feel romantic, it's not for you, but I might suggest visting them anyway. Those ladies, and lads, can tell you a lot on how to woo the lady you do fancy when you find her. And it would be all private like a confessional if you want. I'd chip in for the consultation. Not saying you'd need it, just that it might speed things up if that's what you want. Some lass is going to snatch you up quick you bet. You're a good one. The ladies take the bad boys for the eve, but its the good men they stand by for life."
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You all go about your tasks as Rain takes the wheel and steers you expertly to Quent. You arrive right as dusk is beginning to fall and steer yourself next to the Outer Watchtower that is built upon a series of massive boulders half a mile from the docks. When you get there a man calls down from the tower and asks your business. When you tell him he nods and gives you a dock number to take your ship to.
The town of Quent comes closer into view as you approach and you are in awe of the picturesque bay that comes into view. Soaring cliffs rise on either side of the bay. Unlike Port Peril which has an almost frenzyish quality to it, Quent is known to sailors throughout the Shackles as the most welcoming and liveliest of ports without the constant threat of danger and general disrepair of Port Peril. The city itself is tastefully if simply made of whitewashed stone buildings that seem hewn from the cliffs themselves in some cases. Up on the cliffs on one side is a beautiful castle of white stone perched high above the city. You suspect this is Tessa's home, if not then it is definitely a place of some importance.
Once you arrive at the docks you see a strange sight. There appear to be several people with musical instruments and two young girls holding baskets and wearing pink dresses. As you dock they begin to sing a soft and beautiful song.
Here comes my Rain again
Falling on my head like a memory
Falling on my head like a new emotion
I want to walk in the open wind
I want to talk like lovers do
I want to dive into your ocean
Rain can I stand with you?
With that the girls walk forward and stand to either side of where the gangplank goes and wait there. The members of the band bow and then move back off towards the town.
Ana smiles and says Ah but my dear Dhaavan, though you have the beauty of a nymph...you apparently have the depth of one as well. She laughs and winks at you to take the sting from her words and letting you know she is jesting.
Securing the Lady into dock, Rain moved from her position by the Wheel and went to stand by the rail with the others. She soon felt Neko's presence by her side.
Rain watched the congregation of musicians and the two little girls on the docks of Quent. The song which was prettily sung seemed somehow directed at her, but she chuckled inwardly and pushed the fanciful thought away.
She waited until it was her turn to walk the gangplank and then did so, her wings unfurled and lifting slightly with the light sea breeze. Neko looked up at them from behind Rain, still curious of her mistress' new appendages.
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As Rain comes down the gangplank the little girls pull a cream colored note embossed with a golden seal that you immediately recognize as Captain Jerrells. Opening the note, it says
As you walk the girls begin to drop pink rose petals in your path. They continue to do so wherever you go until their baskets are empty.
While dressed with a nice hat, Adular isn't dressed quite as finely as he was for dinner with their hostess. Assuring Sandara he'd behave himself, and he really was just fine despite the oddness that had occured recently, he went out on the deck as they closed with the Docks.
The song made him raise a brow and looked to Rain and the other actions after have him asking, "Is it just me imagination, or are you popular here?"
At Adular's question, Rain turned and answered in low voice, "I know none but Tessa Fairwind, here. Tis' strange, indeed."
Rain then politely accepted the sealed letter from the awaiting child and was surprised by the singular attention of the mysterious Captain Pierce Jerrell.
Breaking the official seal, she opened the parchment and discreetly read the contents within -- A distinctive flush coloured her cheeks at the revelations contained within.
Did he call me Sea Switch? Have I earned this moniker since the night in the alehouse? He would fight for me...Fight Variel?
He had ended his missive with words of love and she blushed anew. If Variel saw this note, he would not be happy, or so she believed. Yet, she could not/would not hide it from her betrothed.
It was then, amid her many solitary thoughts, that roses began to fall at her feet as the note had stated...and Rain could not help but laugh softly aloud at the gesture. The sweet girls would not allow her to pass anywhere without another pink petal before her.
The man is not subtle.
Horatio pauses at the ship and makes final instructions to the passengers below. During the entire trip no one had seemed very interested or concerned with their presence, and he suspected that was a good thing.
Arriving at the harbor he turns to Amen-set, who is now carrying his musket over her shoulder and her kitbag on her back.
During the trip when she had observed the changes of the crew her easy attitude of sisterly friendship with Rain had somehow evolved into an almost quasi-worship when she sees the silver wings spread from her shoulders. Now she treats Rain with a now regal dignity rather than the casual familiarity that she had seen. She possesses the same level of respect for Horatio, but it is colored with a growing level of awe when she observes the dragon scales on his forearms and hands. Finally, she shows the others a new level of respect, though it is more muted at the presence of less “draconic manifestations” which are evident on the others.
As Horatio notices the petals on the ground in front of Rain he glances at the rose petals thoughtfully, pressing his gloved hand over the hilt of his dagger, rubbing across the symbol of Milani on the pommel.
He considers his attempts to visit the captain who had met them at the tavern and sighs, then takes out a smoke.
Glancing around at the city he takes a deep breath and smiles at what he sees and then turns to Variel.
”So I think I’ll go take a look at the house on the hill. Meantime, I reckon I’ll meet you back later this afternoon,” he says, then turns and heads up to the house on the hill.
Pausing in his walk he turns and glances back at Amen-set, as if waiting for her.
Amen-set glances at the others and nods politely. Then she folds her hands over her breast and bows low to Rain as Horatio watches her with a cocked eyebrow. When she catches up to him, he turns on his heel and heads up to visit the house.
While Dhaavan observer the singers with a casual amusement, enjoying the melody, and starts humming along with them, Jack frees himself from Dhaavan's skin and looks around. He flit over to rain when he sees the note, moving to patch on her shoulder, although he will be waved away and return with little effort.
[dice=Fort Save vs Stunning Beauty]1d20+8
Ana smiles and says Ah but my dear Dhaavan, though you have the beauty of a nymph...you apparently have the depth of one as well. She laughs and winks at you to take the sting from her words and letting you know she is jesting.
Dhaavan clutches his chest, Oh! You round me coz. Barbs cut into my very soul like a knife. had it been a turn of phrase had see adular for a remove disease, since he resisted the fire damage that burn was so sick it must be highly contagious!
Dhaavan still keeps to his routine, sleeping much of the day, and taking night-shift on deck, working when he wishes.
Jack flits about constantly, observing the crew's disposition, and what happenings are taking place, gathering information, and taking notes and requests from the crew as to what they need and want, being generally sociable, and teasing the new crewmen until they get aclimated to having a talking thrush ever-present on the ship.
As Horatio ponders his next plan, he turns a glance to Rain, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully.
Moving toward her, he speaks quietly so that none of the possible on-lookers who may have lingered for the song might overhear.
"Oye, Pilot-Major, was it me or where those lads singing for you, not the "rain" from the skies?" he says in almost rhetorical tone, a frown on his face.
"If those lads were singing for you then someone must have got the word that we'd be coming here pretty fast, because the way I see it, there's no faster Pilot around, especially with those magical charts, which means whoever did the job must have used magic; and that's not always cheap," he adds, his face now looking as if he's bored and just making chit-chat, in case others are watching him from the pier and trying to gauge his intentions.
He suddenly notices the letter in her hand and figures it may be from her grandfather, but after comments made about Harrigan's Cabin Girl, he now wonders if someone else may be tracking them besides her grandfather...
At this point he intentionally looks up at the sky, as if the letter doesn't matter to him, and tilts his head, speaking so that the others can hear, too; though not obviously.
"Seems to me we didn't advertise our next port of call; we made that decision on the ship. Someone knew we were heading to Quent first, and not to Bag Island, or even back to The Rock. Not only that, but someone knew how to set up a little party for us before we got here..."
He spits a stream of tobacco juice over the side, a frown on his face but his eyes neutral.
"Gauging where our ship went and sending magical messages with plans to intercept us with this little shindig means the lads here got the message in advance; likely with magic and setting this party up, and using magical messages over distances - that kind of services aren't cheap. Point is - someone with plenty of money is paying too much attention to our business. I'd like to know who, and how many people, because it may be more than just your Grandfather, it could be Harrigan, too - or even this Lady Tessa. After all, who says she can't also fancy ladies as well as lads?" he adds, but his tone is serious and it is clear he is now honestly wondering if Tessa may be interested in Rain as more than a contemporary, but a possible lover, too "But no matter who it is, or how many lads are doing it, I'd like to figure out a way to block it, if we can..."
Then he says in a louder voice.
"Well, where do we go from here? and waits for the others to comment.
Jack flits about constantly, observing the crew's disposition, and what happenings are taking place, gathering information, and taking notes and requests from the crew as to what they need and want, being generally sociable, and teasing the new crewmen until they get aclimated to having a talking thrush ever-present on the ship.
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Variel's smile from arriving in port faded quickly as he heard and understood the words tot he song. It was bad enough that someone knew that they were heading this way. Another thing entirely that someone would hire 2 girls to sing and throw rose petals at Rain's passing. If Variel ever found out who the individual was that did this there would be quite teh exchange of words and possibly blows. Should Variel find out that the individual knew that Rain was engaged then the need for words would disappear instantly. As it was Variel bit his tongue and waited to learn more before he would approach Rain on the matter. Perhaps it was a long lost admirer that did not understand the situation. If so then Variel would show restraint and explain that Rain was off limits before trying to take the person's head off.
Needless to say that Variel's demeanor was one of strictly business after that. what he had hoped might be a nice relaxing visit was now nothing more than doing what was necessary. There were some purchases he needed to make and the inquiry as well that Tessa told them about.
Looking around for Dhaavan, Variel strode up to him still pissed at the situation but speaks loud enough for Horatio to hear since Horatio was wondering what was next. I want to see if we can find this contact tonight and arrange a meeting first thing in the morning. The sooner we leave this place the better off I will be.
Adular notices that Rain isn't telling about the note's details, but figures its her business until she says otherwise. Flynn whispers to her, and while he doesn't hear it all, Adular can guess why the man is worried. Seems like we either have a chatty cathy on the crew, or we're being spied on with magic. I'm going to treat it like the latter, because going around given the evil eye to every crewman will just tear us apart.
"It's a nice enough island," Adular admits and looks amused as the little girls meticulously go at it with the rose petals
Rain shooed the nosy thrush from her shoulder as soon as it tried to land. She retrieved two coins from the pouch around her waist and thanked the girls with the rose petals - giving each girl a gold coin for their troubles/efforts and sent them on their way. Rose petals were a rather fancy gesture/flattery and she appreciated the token but it had caused enough attention.
At Flynn's words by her ear, she simply smiled politely before excusing herself to move to Variel and have a private word to him. She had noted her betrothed's rigid body language as she watched him on her approach -- it would seem he had guessed the intent of the song and the endless, strewn rose petals. She drew her Elven love a little away from the others (and any locals close by) and spoke quietly, only for his ears.
"Do not be angered. I did not know this would be waiting for me when we arrived in Quent. The romantic overture was made by Captain Pierce Jerrell. It seems our mysterious acquaintance would see me by his side even though he apologises for making such overtures to a betrothed woman. Please do not go off and challenge him or something... He may also be an ally of Tessa Fairwind's and did fight alongside us in the alehouse." Rain looked at Variel, hoping to gauge his reaction to the news of her bold admirer.