Ludvic, we have two days, as stated by our captain. I suggest Ellion and yourself receive an escort for the time being. You have been made targets.
As they were leaving the bar Fraejia said, "We've definitely garnered attention, I saw someone giving us far to much attention at that aquatic bar. Who ever it was they were in an enviro suit and made a call when we left. We should keep our eyes open for trouble now."
"Well, damn. Whoever is after us has eyes all over then. Seems like we're gonna have to institute a rule against splitting up, don't want the soft and fragile menfolk to get squished while we're not around." She says that last part in such an Opal-esque monotone that it's impossible to tell if she's being sarcastic or just has that little faith in her male companions' ability to defend themselves. The world may never know.
"If we're stuck here, might be worth figuring out who's after us and if we can snuff 'em out. I'm pretty apt at information gathering, I'll see what I can find."
I do not believe searching out a fight would be necessary. Although I also wish to find these people. Captain, you mentioned the first one was an agent of Thrune? What is that? She doesn't seem to pick up on Razza's change in tone, taking her entirely at face value.
Nice to meet you, er... I'll call you Vrulsh, if that's fine. He said, reaching out his hand.
He whistled. Sounds official, I trust you're pretty damn good at your job.
He scratched at his beard. Part of a whole, eh? Like a puzzle piece?
"You can call me Vrulsh if you like, even it is a bit... unusual. We arynths build our names during our lives, each additional name representing a title or accomplishment. Qeetan was the name my parents gave me, Chavorgam was my mother and Cholxarim my father, thus my second name, Chachol, traces my origins. I was given the name Shaaldanarth because of my gifts, a fact that only helped me to enter in the ranks of the Vrulsh, my profession... this way, calling me Vrulsh would be the same to call another as Pilot, Engineer... Captain. In Haruultha a stranger would call me Vrulsh Qeetan. Among the Vrulsh I'd be called Shaaldanarth and among family and friends, Qeetan'Chachol or just Qeetan."
Qeetan then stands up. "I'm sorry if I am not able to help any further in this question, even if I wish, if it is allowed, to further my knowledge in the matter of the tablet... I'm after all a Vrulsh, a deep delver in Haruultha and seeker of knowledge. My work here in Chelliax is no more of interest for the Vrulsh and thus I must leave, even if my former employer disagrees."
He pauses once more, changing his attention to the Captain. "Would you allow me to follow along with you, at least until we leave Chelliax? I'll pay for any expenses that you might have with my presence."
"Tik'klik..."
The golem follows the conversations, but doesn't contribute much.
"I see no reason he can't come along personaly. I think it would be a great help having some one of his skills on board. If it matters at all I vote he comes along. He seemed to be well learned. Any possible with his studies was welcome.
Razza shrugs. "Dunno if my vote means anything, but he's been here five minutes and he's already been more useful than any of us, to be honest. Not like this ship is overflowing in manpower."
Opal listens to Qeetan's breakdowm of his name relatively passively.
We are certainly lacking in manpower. Tell me, would you be able to adequately defend yourself from one of the individuals who seems to be tracking us?
Forgive me if I seem too occupied with todays worse events. I think about how it could have ended, and it leaves me uncomfortable.
"yeah, I'm afraid we still have another day left here." He said. "You can just taste the wealthy condescension in the air out there, can't you? Like the Scythe is a weed in their perfect little garden."
"Someone was giving you guys a look?" He said, then sized up the group. "Well, you do have this aloof ice-queen thing going on there. A lot of people find that attractive, right, Tik?
He looks over the 'menfolk'. Did you two seriously get your asses kicked by one man?" He asked. "And a Chellish man, too? What'd he do, slap you with his handkerchief?
"Thrune is the reigning b#+#~, er... monarch. She's an open ally of Devil-kind, and intent on securing more power and immortality."
"The Qeetan will suffice, right. People call me captain all the time, though." He pat Qeetan on the shoulder. "You'll fit in here just fine."
"You're absolutely right, Tik." Mercer said with a sleight grin. "Thanks for the input."
"Ass kicked is such a strong word. Their was alot of flailing, missing, I think we were insulting one another. I hit him with a magic missile and he booked it. It was obvious that he didn't want money. He made no attempt to steal from us. Instead he simply attacked us. What ever it's about I don't trust it. I already have one guy I pissed off. I like to know who is after my head thank you very much. Now on the next topic, Qeetan I assume you need fresh salt water for your room? I can help install a tank or something if you will be needing any. I was thinking of setting up tank in my own room for some experiments with some aquatic undead. Is their a place we could get a good influx of clean water for you?
Ludvic, we have two days, as stated by our captain. I suggest Ellion and yourself receive an escort for the time being. You have been made targets.
Ellion was used to having a retinue, though this was a bit of a different structure. "Whatever they want from us, they ought to ask. It is so rude simply going about and taking things." The elf smirked after his chime, for he knew Opal was probably right. Though I'm not so sure it's just us - maybe our crew as a whole.
The new creature's description of life was fascinating, but ponderous; there were too many unknowns. If Queetan would accompany them though, he would have plenty of time to ask him aboard the ship. And the environment would be much more controlled. I have experiments to do.
"I suppose," Ellion replied to the addition of the crew member - at least temporarily. He was none too eager to deal with him before arriving back on the ship proper. "I have some shopping to do yet. Perhaps a security detail wouldn't be bad."
Yes, let's see what our amphibious friend can do...
Though he saw what the angle the captain came from, he rolled his eyes internally. "Soon after I offered him the chance to surrender, he fled. My ass is in fine shape - it does not need to be kicked."
Ludvic's idea for experiments interested the scientist. He turned to the visitor. "I can prepare whatever ratio of solute to solvent you like. How salty would you like the mixture?"
"Tik'Klik!"
Fraejia glared slightly at the captain and said, "I am not an aloof and frigid ice queen and you know it." She looked a bit sheepish and said, "I just look like one."
"Well, I'm a Vrulsh, so my combat skills, if is that the nature of your question, is not my specialty, even though I'm trained in personal defense and sharpshooting. When forced into combat, we Vrulsh usually relay on the Grasts, arynths properly trained in combat." Qeetan pauses before continuing. "Once more I'm reminded the great disparity among female and male among other species, for we arynths are equal among both genders... there is no male profession or female profession, thus we do not find it insulting to be less physical capable than a female if her profession demands it."
He then changes his attention to Ludvic and Ellion. "A water tank, be it of salty water or not, is not entirely necessary. We arynths even though are water born species, share our descendants also among the surface races thus we are well adapted to the dry world... Once outside the water, my skin produces a this layer of oil that keeps my skin safe from dehydration, even if a bit more susceptible to fire... A water talk is surely a pleasant way for us to sleep, even if not entirely necessary, since it always speed our regenerative properties."
Once again, the 'tik' sounds capture the arynth attention and he directs himself to the wood man. "Tik'klik... once more I must apologize myself for our previous meeting. Now, I'd like to make you a proposition: I have skills that might be able to help me communicate with you... if that is anything you'd like."
"Tik'Klik?"
The golum responds, sounding slightly confused.
Once again, the 'tik' sounds capture the arynth attention and he directs himself to the wood man. "Tik'klik... once more I must apologize myself for our previous meeting. Now, I'd like to make you a proposition: I have skills that might be able to help me communicate with you... if that is anything you'd like."
"It is something I'd be interested in at any rate." One less mystery with that thing would be welcome.
Do we even want to try and find out who's spying on us? I mean, it could be some powerful house or something that we wouldn't even be able to do anything about.
"Well, it's nice to have you aboard, Vrulsh Qeetan, we'll be traveiling all across the galaxy, and drinkin' all of their ale. He said. ... What did you do to Tik?
"Whelp, it's getting late. I think I'm going to retire for the night. Seeya blokes." He said, retreating to his cabin.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"Tik'Klik!"
The golum waves a hand at Qeetan. "Tik Ik Ik Kikt Ikt Tik Tik Ik Ik Ilk Ilk! Kilk Ilk Tik Klik Ik Ik Lik Likt!" It sounds mildly annoyed and indignant.
Fraejia knelt down in gront of Tik'Klik and said, "I take it you don't want him messing with you right?" She gave him a moment to reply and said, "It seems we should work on learning your language then Tik'Klik. Why don't you and I go work on that for a bit." She stood and offered the little golem her hand to go find someplace private if he wished to help her learn.
Do we even want to try and find out who's spying on us? I mean, it could be some powerful house or something that we wouldn't even be able to do anything about.
Neve I feel we already know who is following us. It is House Thrune, who are evidently in charge of Cheliax. This tablet is important to them.
"Well, I'm gonna get working on a aquarium. If we ever get any aquatic undead I'm going to need something to hold them in. Toolkit, foll-" Ludvic caught himself before he finished his sentence. "If you need me I will be working inside of my room. I've had enough excitement for today. If any one wishes to talk to me we can do it there."
"Aww. He looks so sad without his bony buddy." Razza makes a mental note to let Ludvic have the next corpse she creates.
"Eh, probably for the best we don't jump to conclusions on that Opal. If Thrune herself was after us we'd probably already be dead."
Not Thrune herself. But she has intermediaries. I myself am quite far from tired, and would like to return to the Scarlet Theatre if anyone would like to join me.
"Eh, probably for the best we don't jump to conclusions on that Opal. If Thrune herself was after us we'd probably already be dead."
"I suspect Razza is correct: There is little House Thune could not accomplish in its home system with the power it wields, so if they wanted the tablet, they would now possess it. Perhaps an incompetent lackey was sent? Perhaps it was not them at all. Either way, I imagine our presence on the surface would be met with more "visitors" before too long."
Ellion gave his platinum hair a tug. And now we have one of their dwellers among us, alien as he might be.
This place freaks me out, but I don't think you should be going out alone Opal. We should stick together.
"Yeah, I'll come with. Would be good to take the edge off a bit."