From the low deck of the small ship, Xuya had a poor view of the port of Wanshi. Where she was she couldn't see the rows of trim houses, made of wood and rice paper. Nor the elegant tea houses and massage parlors, glistening with jade and enameled wood, serving sake and reading poetry. She couldn't even see the fine manor homes of the richer nobles or the fortified compounds of the Samurai and their training areas. Hidden were the rich merchant houses, full of gold and jewels, the whine shops famed through Minkai, hidden was the castle of the Lord of Wanshi himself, a strong fortress of green tile and white walls.
No, all she could see were busy docks, bustling wharves and rows of warehouses and storage place.s The place she saw had none of the refinement or elegance that Wanshi was famous for. Just the rough, commercial area of the city.
Behind her the bald, brown skinned captain stirred and said, "My lady, we are ready to set out. Wind and tide are with us. You still intend to to go Kwanlai?" he asks, as a final check, with the voice of a man unused to dealing with the rich and powerful. That tone of fear edged with the barest hint of disdain.
"My travel plans have not changed, captain. I'll be heading into Kwanlai. If you and your men are ready, then I suggest we set sail. The sooner I get there, the better."
Xuya left the captain to his work and turned her gaze over to the docks. It was probably for the best that the finer things she had become accustomed to were well out of view. It made it easier to leave it all behind for the confines of a ship at sea and who even knew what to expect in terms of amenities once she reached her destination. She couldn't get the image of tall cities with nests on top out of her head though she was certain she was wrong in her thinking. No one she'd talked to mentioned nests.
Out of habit she double checked her bag to ensure she had everything she'd need for her business. Fine clothes and money. Check and check. Xuya was getting restless and they hadn't even started moving yet. She paced about as if trying to compensate as the sailors went about their work preparing the ship for the open water. Though she was in simple traveling garb the style and quality of it certainly made her stand out compared to nearly everyone else on the docks. She felt it acted as a visual reminder as to who was in charge around here. The captain would probably like to disagree, but the person paying the coin was always the one in charge.
The captain turns away and barks orders to his small crew. They leap into action with the skill and alacrity that show a well-trained, experienced crew.
They trimmed the sails, brought up the anchor, untied the small ship from the dock. Xuya could feel the ship heel under her feet, giving the kitsune her first tiny taste of sea travel. The sloshing sound of water slapping the hull grew louder and the sails snapped int he stiff breeze. More shouts from sailor to sailor, but all seemed well.
As Xuya passed the small cabin in her pacing, she heard a voice say, "Xuya, agent of the Lord of Wanshi." the voice is low, strong and not unpleasant in the slightest.
Looking Xuya can only see a tall, shadowy figure standing in the otherwise empty cabin, the cabin she would be spending this trip traveling in. No lamps or candles are lit and the window seems oddly dimmed or dulled.
The initial lurch of the ship had caused her to skip a step in her pacing and Xuya nearly toppled as the sea took over the motions of the ship. She'd never been on a boat before and lacked the sea legs she'd heard sailors talk about in the past. She'd have to tread carefully aboard the ship in the most literal sense. Her pacing slowed as she practiced walking on a moving vessel but she paused curiously in front of her cabin when the low voice reached her ears.
"Yes? May I help you?" she asked, stepping into the cabin and taking a look around.
Xuya blinked her eyes as she adjusted to the dim light. She was going to have a strong word with the captain if he'd allowed another to share a cabin with her.
The figure chuckles and says, "You can indeed, agent of Wanshi."
Even with her skills Xuya can see little of the figure but it seems to be humanoid. "I am an agent of the Lord Enganoka."
While the Lord Wanshi had no 'official' allies in his struggle to secure the realm of Minkai, he had realms and kingdoms he worked with, fought besides, intrigued with. Enganoka was none of those. It was a inscrutable realm, mostly famous for it's use of magic and study of the subtle arcane. Its aged lord had, so far, taken little part int he struggles and wars.
"I have come to wonder if we could come to sort of arrangement. Your mission to Kwanli has intrigued my master."
Xuya leaned against the wall beside the door with one leg crossed over the other. She tried to look casual despite this intrusion in her own cabin though her eyes clearly conveyed her irritation. On the other hand his words tickled up some interest from her. Perhaps this conversation could open up new avenues for Wanshi or at the very least give her some clue to what Enganoka's interests were and where their loyalty lies.
"Alright you've got my attention, Agent of Enganoka. I'll hear you out. But first, I am curious how you and your master came to know about what I'm doing in Kwanlai."
The figure laughs again, "My Lord has many servants, some more subtle then others."
His pauses as the ship rolls suddenly in a bigger swell. Xuya feels her balance shift and her stomach churn, but the figure seems unbothered by the movement, and remains still.
"Just assume we know everything, and it'll be close to the mark. For example, my Lord is very interested in your trip to Kwanlai. Do you know the land's history?"
"Do you know the City of Whistling Swords? It was the old capital when the area was a province of Lung Wa. The tengu ignore it, and it is an overgrown ruin now, but it still holds many secrets and treasures. Chief among them, at least for my master, is the Blade of Blood."
The figure stops, as if listening, then goes on, "It is...worthy of study, by my master. If you could retrieve it, he would greatly be in your debt. So much so as to perhaps aid your master in his struggle for the Minkai throne?" he offers, lightly.
Xuya would have to take the opportunity to ferret out some of these servants herself when she returned and in the meantime get word to the Lord that he had a few moles. She hated that there were people working for another master right under her nose. It was disconcerting that he knew so much while she knew so little and even worse was that she was stumbling about with the waves while this shadowy figure got to remain upright. It was hardly good for her image.
"I don't know much of Kwanlai or its people beyond what little of heard from word of mouth."
As the figure continued explaining his master's proposition, Xuya's mind thought over the possibilities. If Enganoka was seeking outside help to retrieve something it could mean the city didn't have enough of its own resources to fetch it themselves. If that was the case Wanshi could use it's own resources to keep leveraging support from Enganoka. There was always a chance this was a trap meant to block Wanshi's efforts to gain support from outside in order to ensure no one could challenge whatever mysterious plots Enganoka was working on. Or maybe it was a test to prove that Wanshi was a strong, worthy ally. No matter the reason for this proposition Xuya wasn't about to let go of this chance to learn more about the inscrutable Enganoka.
"I'll look into this Blade of Blood for your master, but if you want to claim it for your own you know we'll need something more concrete than a flippant offer of support. If not, I'm sure the Tengu will be pleased to archive a relic of their history themselves."
"The Tengu?" the voice says sarcastically, "They have no mind or patience for study. Why do you think they ignore a empire under their feet?"
The voice pauses at Xuya's demand, "Earning the friendship of a fellow Lord is not enough for the master of Wanshi?" the figure says idly, 'Perhaps he, or his servants, are over-bold and grasping."
The figure moves then slightly, 'Very well. If you retrieve the Blade from its hiding place, we will come to you and make an offer. Until then, you have no obligation upon you. Consider this offer well. I believe you'd rather have our friendship, then our wrath."
Then the figure, shrouded in dim light, vanishes. It doesn't move or dart away. One second it is there the next it is gone. The ship heels again slightly and Xuya hears the captain coming up behind her.
'Everything all right, Xuya-san?" he asks respectfully. 'We are heading out of the harbor, all is well."
Xuya held her position on the matter by remaining silent. They were the ones who came to her with the task so she would get to lay forward some of her own terms in the name of Wanshi. The way she saw it, this was setting her up to kill two birds with one stone. Go to Kwanlai and gain the support of the Tengu and Enganoka all in one trip. Hopefully she'd be able to find some information about this city and the blade when she docked in Kwanlai.
"I look forward to our next meeting then."
She was only a touch surprised when the shadowy figure snapped from existence. It had seemed a little off from the start and Enganoka was well known for its arcane prowess. Maybe she'd take some time off to study there when this political maelstrom settled down.
"Everything's fine here, Captain. Merely settling into my quarters."
Once she was on her own again she swept the room for any presence of magical auras. If she was lucky that figure would have left a residual aura behind that'd tell her at least the school used. Hopefully that would be the only one. The last thing she needed was to discover she'd been bugged with scrying devices.
Xuya sweeps the small cabin room, searching intensely. All she finds is a faint aura of conjuration magic, which fades even as she observes it. A short while later she concludes there is nothing else, at least that she is skilled enough to detect.
The next two days are routine. The ship makes good time over the waves, with a healthy wind behind her. The captain and crew have made this run dozens of time, transporting sake to the tengu, which have a growing taste for the alcoholic rice liquor.
The crew become more comfortable around the ninja, taking her in stride. She even finds herself picking up some bits of nautical jargon from the sailors, jibs and capstans, stern and port. Her sealegs even come in a bit, although they tell her the sea is quite calm this time of year.
On that second night she is fast asleep when she is awoken by a fist hammering on her small cabin door. "Xuya-san, please wake!" she hears a voice shouting desperately, "Please save us, we are under attack!"
Life aboard a ship wasn't quite as bad as Xuya had initially imagined it would be. The sailors were a pleasant source of company and there were less rats than she had expected from the stories she'd heard of life on the sea. The salty air seemed to dry out her skin, but she had to admit her hair had never looked better. Not that she was going to be singing on with the navy anytime soon, she still preferred her feet on solid ground.
The steady creaking of the ship as it rolled over the waves was the sound she fell asleep to on that second night but the banging sound of a panicked sailor knocking on her door was what woke her with a jerk. Reflex had her grasping for her weapon before she'd even fully understood what was happening. Once she was up she covered the few strides it too to get to the door and wrenched it open. She stuck her head outside and took a look around.
"Attack from what?"
The stench hit her first. A putrid, festering smell dirfted ont he dark, sea air.
Xuya fights through it though, and keeps her head up and stomach solid. The deck is still, very still. The sea seems to have come to a dead calm.
Int he dim gloom she can hear men yelling and screaming for help. After getting her bearings she sees...something crawling across the deck, and the crew running from it.
A grotesque mass of rotting blubber and rancid flesh piles up hideously upon itself, opening a vast maw filled with teeth. The horrible odor rolls off of the ooze, and men lie sick and vomiting on the deck, heedless as it devious them. Xuya can see the remains of one man, already horribly torn to shreds.
The smell alone was almost enough to make her want to go back into her room and close the door. Her stomach turned in knots as she fought down the urge to heave up every meal she'd eaten in the last year. At least she wasn't also contending with the roll of the ocean under her.
"Yuck, what is that thing?"
The scene playing out on deck was something right out of a horror story. Everywhere she looked men were losing their lunches while that festering mass moved about at will. It was the only prompt she needed to step into action. These were not her men, but they were the men she needed to get across the sea. She began the motions and chants of spell casting, hoping the deck was damp enough to stand a little heat.
Movement: Xuya will either hold her ground where she is in the doorway or move into range for the spell if she's too far. She'll try to stay near crates, barrels, pillars or anything else that could provide cover in a pinch. She is not currently trying to gain cover, she just wants to be near it. If she's too far for the spell even after a movement she will just hold the charge until she can get close enough.
Spell: scorching ray
Cast Time: standard action
Range: 40 ft.
Save: none
Xuya moves forward, standing next to a pile of fishing nets and gaffs. It stands nearly waist high and would provide some cover, if she needs it. She is 30 (nearly the whole ship) feet away from the bulbous, hideous creature.
Men are scattered between her, easy prey for the monster. It is slobbering over a helpless sailor, when Xuya's spell hits the creature.
The blazing hot beam of light blasts the ooze squarely, adding a new note of burning fat to the smells int he air. The ooze shakes and twists in Xuya's direction, as smoke curls off of it. It seems very much alive but wounded.
The creature moves toward Xuya, rippling over the deck, pads of fat and grease sliding in grotesque fashion. One sailor, braver then the rest starts to hit it with a broad belaying pin but it does no apparent damage.
Xuya watches in a state of disgust that sends the bile in her stomach bubbling as the creature changes its path to aim towards her. Its motions were almost as bad as that smell still assaulting her senses. Rather than keep risking scorching the boat now that she had a good hit on the creature she switched to a more controllable and predictable spell.
The missiles hit the ooze hard, blowing off chunks of rotting, putrid blubber. The smell rises even more, wafting from the open wounds of the creature. Despite the pile of damage though, it is still very active, slithering forward, toward Xuya.
Reaching her, it rears up, a a huge mouth of jagged teeth revealing itself. It pushes forward, trying to slam the ninja.
It misses, smashing into the pile of nets and gaffs instead, sending them flying across the deck.
It lets out a burbling roar, and flecks of fat and slobber fly out of the gaping maw. The captain runs up, waving a burning torch. He pokes the thing with a pointed gaff. It doesn't do much damage that Xuya can see.
Movement was slow and dangerous as she picked over the debris and carefully avoided leaving the creature an opening to attack her. She didn't have many options open to her but if she stepped backwards she'd essentially be pinned against a wall and a gross place. She opted to try to move around the creature although it did leave her in close quarters with the thing still. Even with this disadvantage, Xuya tries to stay on the offensive.
Xuya moves with a nimble, supple grace that shows off years of ninja training. Effortlessly she slips around the burbling ooze, sliding past the torch wielding captain.
Xuya blasts the creature again, shredding the upper layers of greasy fat and lard. Lumps fly off, landing in the water as well as spraying her with a fine film of smelly goop. The ninja's hair is a mat of fetid gloop.
The ooze turns, surprisingly quickly given it's shape, ignores the still jabbing captain and tries to slam Xuya again.
it misses the nimble ninja again, but it also moves to close the gap.
With her plan panning out Xuya takes advantage of the extra room to put a bit more space between her and the ooze. Every motion she made was a reminder of the slick coating of slime that seemed to cover every inch of her. At least she'd been lucky so far and none of that goop was her own blood.
Xuya makes her way back, giving ground to the lumbering ooze. It's 'face', at least where the slavering maw is, follows her hungrily, still drooling spit and rot.
Xuya suddenly blasts it with a stream of blazing fire, which lights up the dark night. The blubbery mass starts to steam and bubble as the flames cook it alive. It roars once, twice but then cuts off as it starts to simply break down into rafts of fat and grease, burning and melting.
After a bit the crew start to shakily get the ship in order, check on each other and pray to their gods.
The captain comes over, torch forgotten in his hand. He leans on the rail and says, 'Thank you, Xuya-san. I lost two sailors to that ..thing. If it hadn't been for you, we would all be taken." He straightens a bit and adds, "If there is anything we can do, I will do it. We are in your debt." he bows lows, with obvious signs he does it rarely.
"Oh, that is just disgusting."
Xuya stood and watched the ooze seem to fry on the deck. The smell was enough to make her eyes water and her head spin but her stomach seemed to be cooperating just a little longer. She stumbled a few steps over towards the nearest crate or barrel and sat with an exhausted sigh. Spellcasting was energy consuming at the best of times let alone in the middle of the night.
"Thank you, Captain. For now, how about you just send a basin of water to my room so I can get a little washed up before I retire."
When her heart rate went down to something more appropriate, and a little less adrenaline fueled, she stood back up and took a look around the deck as the men gathered themselves. She nearly gave the Captain a pat on the back but a look at her slimy hand made her think better of it. Instead she just started back towards her room with the intent of getting cleaned up. And maybe emptying her stomach.
The mariner simply nods at Xuya's request then goes to his men.
A short while later a bucket of briny but clean seawater is brought to Xuya so she can clean up.
The rest of the night in uneventful but when Xuya comes on deck she see s little sign of last night's struggle. The decks are scrubbed clean, with no sign of the blubber or fat of the ooze. The scent is gone, washed away by wind, sun and vigorous scrubbing. Only a few small singe parts show where Xuya blasted the creature with fire.
The crew stand at the bow, two small canvas wrapped bundles at the rail. Inside, Xuya knows, are the butchered remains of the crew that were killed the previous night. Seeing Xuya come up the captain raises his bowed head and says, 'Would...would you say a few words, Xuya-san? It would mean a great deal." The other men nod in quiet assent.
It was a joy to scrub the goo of herself and she gave her clothes a good washing as well. With luck they'd be dry by morning but the damp sea air would probably see to it that they'd remain a bit soggy but that was better than slimy. She laid everything out before returning to bed to catch the last bit of her sleep.
Morning proved her concerns true. Her clothes still clung to some of the water and held a chill. She had others packed away but none of them seemed appropriate for the day to day life of a ship. Better to just dry them out by walking around deck with the sea breeze and sun to help out. She didn't look quite as dignified as she would have liked though she wasn't sure anyone else on bored would really care.
Stepping on to deck was a bit odd for Xuya. Very little of the fight remained besides the burn marks on deck which she sincerely hoped no one would be charging her for. Hopefully the Captain's gratefulness wouldn't be marred by the damage to his ship. Her eyes moved to the crew gathered around what could only be the remains of their fallen comrades. She wished she hadn't come on deck just yet. As soon as the Captain saw her he asked her to say some words, words she didn't particularly have for two crewmen she barely knew.
"Of course, Captain. Men."
Xuya hastened her step towards the little gathering and bowed her head.
"My deepest sympathy to you at this time of sorrow. They will be in the sea's care now and what better care could we ever ask for them? Now I pray for your comfort in the days ahead. My the sea take these men and keep them in her tender care and love for all eternity."
Xuya gave herself a bit of an internal pat on the back. She'd heard someone say something like that at a funeral once before. Hopefully it had translated well when she said it. All it took was a few altered words to tailor it for a seafaring lot rather than a bunch of stuck up Pharasmins.
the men nod at Xuya's words, then silently push the small bundles overboard.They sink instantly below the waves, obviously weighted something heavy to prevent floating or bobbing on the sea's surface.
The rest of the voyage passes in calm, subdued quiet. The sailors don't sing as often, or talk in their usual rowdy fashion. The captain is more taciturn then ever, although he treats Xuya with plenty of respect.
Finally though it comes to an end. One bright morning, with a strong, hard wind blowing them on, they can see the low, tree covered shore. as they come closer, the captain carefully watching the sails, more details emerge.
A city is there, sprawling along the ocean's edge. It must be Hisuikarasu, the capital of the emerging merchant kingdom of Kwanlai. The city soon resolves into a wide variety of houses, interspersed with many trees (some of which are elegantly incorporated into the buildings). But Xuya sees no tree houses or quaint huts in trees.
There are large stone buildings, sure and strong. High rickety towers, barely balanced over winding streets, and squat brick buildings. Everything is brightly colored though, with thick enameled paints in every color under the sun.
It is a bright, pretty, active city. Even out to sea Xuya can see figures walking along docks, moving cargo, talking in large groups or even swimming in the gentle surf.
'Where shall we tie up, Xuya-san?" the captain asks respectfully.
As the city spread out across the horizon in front of them Xuya realized just how much she missed the luxuries and stationary ground of civilization. From a distance it appeared to be a thriving city with architecture that incorporated more natural elements in their buildings. There didn't appear to be any nests which was both a relief and a bit of a disappointment for her. On one hand, she did not want to have to stay in a nest but on the other it surely would have been an exotic sight to see.
"At the cleanest, least crowded dock you see."
She was excited to get back on land and begin her work but that didn't mean she was lowering her standards.
The captain nods and barks orders to his crew. They take the ship in among the maze of docks and wharves of the busy city. Xuya sees ships from all over Tian Xia, galleys of grain from Bachuan, slik streaming caravels from Hwangott, the rickety looking catamarans from the Minata islands and even ships from Minkai.
They tie up as a good, solid looking dock. As the crew tie up, a trio of tengu, wearing green uniforms comes up and whistles loudly. "Greetings, merchants. What are you carrying and how long do you intend to stay in Hisuikarasu?" the voice is polite but clipped. Xuya sees they are armed with long rapiers.
"I'm merely a passenger. No cargo beyond my own belongings and no merchandise to sell. I'm here to open up new trade opportunities and build connections here for my employer and you know how these sorts of things go. I assure you I will depart as soon as my business here comes to a close. Are there certain customs or procedures visitors must follow when docking on your shores?"
Xuya offered a formal bow to the Tengu. She took the opportunity to examine their feet. She'd never actually seen a Tengu before and her determination to not openly gawk or stare was quickly diminishing. As she rose her eyes looked over their weapons and uniforms.
Xuya doesn't recognize the green uniforms, but the only emblem they bear are two tengu crossing swords, the sigil of Kwanli.
The leader squints up at Xuya, his dark beady eyes unreadable, 'You fly the flag of Wanshi. You are a merchant here to seek trade?" he says, sound slightly suspicious. Usually someone building trade networks brings goods, if only to show off merchandise.
"You are refugees, from the war in Minkai?" he says, also doubtful. Xuya is well dressed for a refugee, yet rich people also flee nations in times of war.
"Not a merchant and certainly not a refugee. A representative. I'm here to negotiate agreements before my employer commits to anything."
Xuya wasn't about to spill exactly what she was doing here to a few dock workers but she wasn't going to lie either. All they needed to know were the basic facts of her business. She really was only here to negotiate an agreement even if she was downplaying the scale of her purpose.
The tengu turn to each other and start to argue. Despite being the 'leader' tengu seems to be a fractious group. They whistle, chirp and burble at each other for awhile, apparently getting quite heated, with wild gestures and stamping of scaled, taloned feet.
When the lead tengu turns back though, his feathers are calm and voice steady. "Please come with us to the Custom House. A higher official can perhaps help you?" he injects a note of pleading in his voice.
Xuya's mouth twitched at the corner as if about to pull down into a frown but she quickly replaced it with an ingratiating smile. She'd hoped to simply come in rather unnoticed to avoid all these paperwork hassles. Bureaucracy wasn't something she enjoyed.
"Of course I'll be happy to oblige your request. Is there anything I should know about traveling to Kwanlai to make this a smoother process in the future?"
The tengu takes her question seriously and asks, 'I hope we have not offended. We take hospitality very seriously in Kwanlai, doubly so with such a valuable partner as the lord of Wanshi. Just, uncertainty causes mistakes. Please come with us."
Xuya is led through the busy dockyards. The acitivty seesm frantic, with wheelbarrows, carts, wagons and laden beings everywhere, loading and unloading ships. Goods range from wine and spices to timber and stone. Xuya sees beings of every race from graceful Asaimaars to foul-looking wayangs, all engaged in some business or another.
The Custom house is a brightly colored green building, curved and shaped around two mangroves trees. the trees obviously pre-dated the structure and were kept in mind during the building.
Inside she meets a tengu seated behind a desk, covered with papers. He is pitch black, with thick glossy feathers. His uniform is the same as her escorts except on his emblem, there is a purple stripe under the dueling tengu.
He bows his head formally, "Excuse the presumption, My lady." he says, his Common very good if high-pitched. 'My guards were merely following orders. We mean no offence and cast no dispersion on you or your business."
He stands and adds, 'May I please have your name and business in our city? We welcome all, but we do wish to remain informed."
Xuya eyed up the streets curiously as they passed. It seemed trade really was flourishing here and they obviously had many imports and exports coming and going. It was a good sign. She'd hoped that things were doing as well as she'd heard and that this trip hadn't been a waste.
Government buildings had always seemed a bit stuffy to her but this one was a little less suffocating in her mind. The inclusion of the trees was a nice touch.
"No need for apologies. I understand the need to protect your own interests. I am Xuya Lin and as I've explained to these fine, and rather diligent, guards I'm here to negotiate agreements and create connections here for my employer. He has an interest in Kwanlai's booming trade industry."
She kept her explanation simple. Xuya did hate giving away everything to just anyone no matter how official their title may be. Until she'd done her research about who exactly the best person to get in contact with would be to discuss politics she was going to stay as tight lipped as possible.
The official eyes her with obvious curiosity, his dark bright eyes shining.
"And your employer is...? Are your interests political or economic? I can point you in the proper directions, if you desire. I hope that this accommodation may prove valuable?"
It was a neat trap. By being hospitable, he was gaining crucial information on Xuya's goals and desires. The official was clever, too clever.
"I find that the line between economics and politics is so blurred its hard to tell one from the other half the time. Seems to be whoever has a firm foot in economics has a firm foot in politics as well. Perhaps you could point me in the right direction to the nearest inn? That sort of accommodation would be the most valuable at this moment. A ship is hardly the place to sleep in comfort."
Perhaps if she talked enough Xuya could avoid mentioning exactly who her employer was. Not that it was a sin to come here on behalf of the Lord of Wanshi, but it would likely give away her business rather quickly. She hated snooping officials.
The tengu lets out a low whistle and then shrugs his thing shoulders. 'Very well. One of the better ones, specializing in human visitors is the Coin and Purse. It is a few blocks farther along this street. Bright white, you cannot miss it, Xuya-san." He stands and bows, "Please, enjoy your stay, in the name of Clan Crewkarr."
Xuya rose and gave a gracious bow in return. She liked it when things went her way. She took a special note of the clan name and committed it to memory to research on later. It'd be good to keep track of the major players in the city.
"Thank you for making the time to see me. I will remember your clans hospitality."
Without waiting Xuya headed back for the door to take her leave. At least now she didn't have to ask around for a decent place to stay.
The street is still busy, although she notes the streets off the docks are often lined with fruit trees. Oranges, apples, pears all of these and more provide shade to the many pedestrians int he city. The city seems very well-laid out and organized, not what she expected from the fractious tengu.
She finds the Coin and Purse easily, and it appears to be a suitable dwelling place. Large, with wide porches and balconies for the varied rooms. A variety of beings of all races are going in and out of the wide white doors.
As she walks down the road Xuya keeps her eye on the people as they go about their business. She keeps an eye out for the behaviors and mannerisms of the locals. It would hardly do to offer a handshake when it was customary to bow to someone you just met, or to clear your plate of food when leaving a bite or two was more acceptable. A serious faux pas could cripple her efforts her if done in front of the wrong people. She just liked to be prepared.
When she finds her way to the inn she gives it a once over. It was certainly a fine enough place and even better if she found herself in a room with a balcony. She strolls in and finds someone on staff.
"Good day. I'll be needing a room, please. One with a balcony."
Xuya notes a mix of customs and manners here. This hotel, this city is a melting pot from all over Tian Xia (and a few from farther, if Xuya is correct). but she notices that the tengu seem to encourage debate and discussion even between varying ranks. This is unheard of in Minaki where the hierarchy of command is something to respect utterly, even to death.
Xuya speaks to a elegant, brown tengu behind a large desk. He nods once to her, whistling softly, 'Of course, Lady-san." he turns to a ledger and then looks up, eyes beady.
'We would be honored if you took the Orange Room. Third Floor with a view of the ocean. May I have your name, please?" the tengu picks up a quill.
"Xuya Lin."
While she was checking in Xuya took the time to glance around what she could see from the entrance of the inn. She'd probably spend the evening in the common areas after settling in. It would give her an opportunity to grab a drink and perhaps ask a few questions about the city before she set to work.
And maybe ask about that old sword as well. Perhaps there was a story to it the locals knew or something. More often then not myths and legends held a grain of truth to them.
'Excellent, Xuya-san." the tengu says, inking the name. He whistles high-pitched a young tengu, not much more then a boy (fledling?)comes up, feathers shimmering.
"Bakka here,w ills how you to y our room." the clerk says, 'Will the Lady require anything else? A warm bath, perhaps? Or writing materials sent to the room? A refreshing lunch? We have fresh fruit in today." The sell is smooth and practiced.
Looking aroudn Xuya can see, through a set of latticed doors, the wide common room. It is elegant, made of white tables and chairs, set in pleasing circles. It leads out, naturally, into a wide patio, studded with flowering bushes and fruit trees. A small pond and waterfall complete the perfect scene.
This is a fancy place.
"A bath would be lovely, thank you."
It really would be. She hadn't felt really clean since the incident with the ooze and it'd be good to get a good soak in. Besides if the look of the place was any indicator she'd want to freshen up before making any introductions. Staying in a place like this she hoped some of the clientele would perhaps know something of the important political and economic players around here.
She followed the young tengu eager to be able to enjoy the comforts of a proper bedroom again.
'Very well. Enjoy your stay, Xuya-san." the tengu says politely. Bakka leads Xuya to her room, up two flights of fine wooden stairs, gleaming with varnish.
The room is luxurious, complete with skylights, two fine beds, a balcony with a breath-taking view of the ocean and filled with live plants, many of them flowering. The sweet scent fills the space, which is sub-divided with paper screens allowing the room to have many configurations.
As she settles in, a group of tengu arrive, setting up a hot bath for her in a small stone-flagged side room. The metal bathtub is soon filled with piping hot water, scented with many oils. Bowing low, the tengu leave the room.
Xuya throws her things down on the second bed and strolls towards the window to peek outside. It was a gorgeous room and simply reminded her how much she loved the finer things in life. She was dreading the day she'd have to get back into a ship's cabin and give it all up even for a short time.
Once the bath was brought up she wasted no time climbing in. She did her best thinking while soaking in a tub although today these thoughts primarily focused on how much she disliked living in a ship cabin. She stayed in there until the water started to cool and even then she was reluctant to get out. She toweled off and went to her bag to find a fresh set of clothes. They were probably a little fancier than needed but she hadn't had a chance to dress up in what felt like forever.
Once cleaned, dried, dressed, and brushed she made her way out of her room and headed back the way she came looking for the common areas where she could get a drink and a bite to eat. She keeps her ears open and tries to catch any bits of conversation as she passes. Perhaps there's some local gossip worth hearing.
Assuming she makes it to her destination uninterrupted she seats herself somewhere more central in the room or nearish to a larger group of patrons to continue her eavesdropping.
The common room is fairly empty, with most merchants and travelers about their business in the city. Xuya does spot a group of human merchants sitting and talking loudly over sake.
Sitting close tot hem, she can overheard with problems. As soon as she sits though, a young tengu appears bowing, 'Lady want food?" he says, the common understandable but very high pitched and fast. "Fruit? Rice?"
"Just some fruit to start and some wine."
Xuya truly hoped the tengu had not just suggested fruit on rice. That sounded terrible. it did remind her she still had to check out the local cuisine so she could order or avoid certain foods as necessary without being rude.
"And I don't suppose you know if there's a library about?"