"I think that moment has us all scared! I feared what I might have had to do had you not somehow wriggled free! Alright then, your turn to ask someone else truth or dare, Pete!"
Aye, 'Lexis that it wus, that it wus. Guess since ye brought it up, this game 'ere, lemme ask ye, A-lexis. Truth or Dare?"
"Well, I don't have my sea legs back quite yet, so I'll say, 'truth' for this round."
"What in the Nine Hells is all the racket about? Don't you people ever sleep?"
A bit crankier than usual Gregor asks, walking up to the rest of the group.
"Well hello to you too! We were staying up playing truth or dare. You should join in!"
Pete nods a greeting to Gregor, and thinks for a moment how to phrase the question, without embarrassing Alexis too badly, and yet trying to satisfy his curiosity. She was indeed an alluring woman, and not just because of her physical beauty. She had grace, wits, and a core of mithril that ran all the way to the core of her soul. That is what he treasured about her most of all. His eyes widened as maybe the quest to find the sky metal had already been completed, and he was looking at the fruits of that quest, smiling at him and waiting for a reply.
To buy some time and give him time to think on this revelation, he said the first thing that popped into his head, ”If’n ye was stuck ‘ere in Arcadia, ‘n had but one member o’ th’ crew ta be marooned wit’ who would it be, n’ why?”
"I might stay around for bit. Hey Elorin, you might want to stick around too with Pete asking Alexis questions like that...if you are to protect the princess, that is."
Gregor pulls out a pipe and fills it with some the "pipeweed" that was found earlier and takes a few puffs, listening to the others play their game.
”If’n ye was stuck ‘ere in Arcadia, ‘n had but one member o’ th’ crew ta be marooned wit’ who would it be, n’ why?”
"Oh wow, good question!"
Alexis thinks to herself looking at each person in turn.
Abbas? Healing would be helpful, but he lacks stealth and is lacking in many survival skills I suspect. Not too certain about his combat skills. I'd have to train him in ship-handling though he seem to have a good aptitude for it.
Biter? Well, I guess I would finally learn goblin, although given his wild abandon, it would be a challenge keeping him alive long enough to build a vessel.
Burnsten? Hmm... no. Much too impetuous and chauvinistic, and he'd complain constantly about messing his clothes while ship-building.
Elorin? His woodlore would be very helpful, but he always acts so strangely around me. I'd have to train him on how to handle a small ship, but he doesn't seem to have much of a talent for such work.
Gregor? Woodwise and can heal. Not much of a conversationalist, but he is quite wise. Main problem is I doubt he'd actually want to sail back to Avistan and I'm not sure how he'd hold up in melee.
Pete? Stealthy, good knowledge of engineering, actually a better sailor than me. Only problem is I don't know how well he can handle himself in a fight yet.
Ravarath? Stealthy, perceptive, not prone to taking risks either. Even without healing probably the best chance for physical safety. Best sailor in the group. I'd have to do any ship design and fine work myself, but he could certainly handle the heavy lifting.
Realizing that everyone is looking at her and holding her breath, she smiles nervously and waves her hand, "Sorry, I never was very good at this game!"
After thinking a bit longer, she summons the courage to meet your gazes and says, "While all of you each bring many different skills and abilities that are helpful to our real mission, the way I see it, Pete's scenario requires different criteria. It's one part survival, and one part 'sail back to Avistan to assemble a new expedition'. In terms of simply survival both hunting and self-defense are important. In terms of escape, that would demand an aptitude for sailing and assisting me with ship-building."
"Keeping that in mind, let me be clear that I don't consider simply staying here forever without furthering my goals for founding a new colony to be an acceptable option. Even if it took until I learned the secrets of teleportation, I would eventually return home to raise a new expedition."
"With that said, my top three choices would be Elorin for his wilderness lore, Pete for his skill at engineering, and Ravarath for his prowess in defense. All three of you are stealthy enough to hunt or evade danger. Elorin would have the edge in survival skill, while Pete would have the edge in terms of building a ship. However, I think that Ravarath's defensive prowess, sailing aptitude, and physical strength would ultimately ensure the best chance of success."
With that, Alexis breathes a sigh of relief before levitating a neglected bottle of wine over from the banquet table. As she pours herself a small glass, she assays everyone before her. "I don't want anyone to feel excluded, so I'll amend the game to be Truth, Dare, or Pass. If you choose to pass, then the person who just answered the truth or satisfied the dare may ask someone else instead."
Happy to see that Gregor has joined everyone and is relaxing, she says, "Gregor, truth, dare, or pass?"
"I'm too damned old and my bones ache too much to try any dares, so I guess truth it is." Gregor says taking another puff off of his pipe.
Rath listens to Alexis logic, imagines the perambulations her mind must have gone through to reach that decision, and looks vexed. "Dammit, Rajkumari! Wanted you to pick me because I am cutest!" He bursts out laughing.
"Dammit, Rajkumari! Wanted you to pick me because I am cutest!"
"Ey, Rath, Jes between us, I t'ink she did, she jes took th' long way!"
"Oh um... I..."
Sensing that there might have been a hidden joke that she overlooked in her seriousness, yet still unsure what it might have been, she comments, "Well, I did include Elorin in my guesswork, but looks really didn't have anything to do with it..."
Fearing that she is somehow inserting her foot into her mouth, she pours a bit more wine into her glass and is grateful that Gregor's reply comes swiftly.
"I'm too damned old and my bones ache too much to try any dares, so I guess truth it is."
"Truth it is then. Hmm..." she gazes at the wizened druid thoughtfully, her left forefinger alongside her jaw as she sips on what appears to be fruity rosé.
The man is a loner and generally doesn't seem to care for how established civilizations are run, what if...
"Alright, I have it!" she announces. "Suppose a hypothetical situation in which you are the leader of this expedition and cannot simply pass the role on to someone else. What sort of government would you seek to establish and why?"
Oh my gosh, if we were back at the academy, Alissariel would be clobbering me with a feather pillow for asking an academic question like that...
Alexis sits very still and proper, holding her glass in her lap with both hands.
Rath listens to Alexis logic, imagines the perambulations her mind must have gone through to reach that decision, and looks vexed. "Dammit, Rajkumari! Wanted you to pick me because I am cutest!" He bursts out laughing.
Pete lets out a guffaw, "Ey, Rath, Jes between us, I t'ink she did, she jes took th' long way!"
"Well that certainly would be a hypothetical situation wouldn't it."
You actually see a small grin cross the face of the usually perpetually grumpy druid
"You see, I'm too fond of any sort of government, but in this hypothetical situation where I have to pick one...it would have to be either a meritocracy, like the Nirmathi have, or failing that something akin to what the Andorans have going."
Gregor strokes his grey beard in thought for a moment, "That answer the question properly enough for you, Alexis?"
Gregor leans over toward Alexis and whispers:
The old druid turns and looks at Burnsten with a steely gaze, "How about it Burnsten? What will it be truth or dare? I'm not nearly as patient as the young lady, I'm not offering any passes."
The princess brightens at Gregor's prompt and insightful answer. "Ah a democratic republic, that's a clever loophole to get out of the role of chief executive!"
She winks but seems well pleased by the answer. "I'll admit, I too find the allure of a meritocracy appealing. Surmounting traditional societal bonds by proving one's competence seems quite... natural doesn't it?"
Alexis raises her glass to Gregor. "Good answer."
When the druid leans towards her to whisper, she leans her tapered left ear closer to hear him better. After listening to what he has to say, a look of relief lights Alexis' face.
Gregor nods in appreciation for Alexis's response. "Quite natural indeed, survival of the fittest. Seems to work pretty well amongst the animals."
Alexis nods knowingly.
Gregor grins,
Alexis nods politely and replies:
She tips her head to the side and gives a faint smile, although Gregor notices her eyes aren't quite in it.
Gregor's expresion briefly changes to one understanding and sadness,
Alexis purses her lips at Gregor's response and lays her hand gently upon his arm.
She looks down at her glass and shakes her head a bit.
The princess gives Gregor's hand a compassionate squeeze before she leans back against the stern castle and joins in urging Burnsten to make up his mind.
Rath watches the incomprehensible conversation between Alexis and Gregor, understanding nothing other than the play of emotions. He politely waits for their conversation to finish before addressing the unease he sensed from Alexis early on...
social gaffe - Rath
He's been diligently studying a small Aquan Primer this afternoon and hopes he can convey his meaning to her. Thankfully Aquan in similar to Vudrani in it's round, vowel-heavy tones. It is delightfully not like Taldane which Rath personally feels is like talking through a mouthful of nails...
Pete feels a wave of sleepiness coming over him, and hearing the melodic voice of Alexis, talking in the tongues he did not understand, along with the fragrant smell of Gregor's pipeweed, has the effect of lulling him to a pleasant state. He starts to nod off, with a rare look of contentment on his face.
"Well this game is intresting never had the need to play it back home and might make things more simple I got a question for each and one of you" as he gazes the group and gives a smirk "Let's see how honest everyone can be, what bring you here to this voyage? I do mean your personal objective not an overall lie to save your skins" as he then rubs his chib with his left hand "Sorry for the way I worded that meade must still be running high in me"
Were are mi manners this drinking habit is not really mine, but I choose truth Gregor ask me anything"
"...Wanted you to pick me because I am cutest!"
Pete lets out a guffaw, "Ey, Rath... I t'ink she did, she jes took th' long way!"
"Well, I did include Elorin in my guesswork, but looks really didn't have anything to do with it..."
Rath leans over to Pete (before he dozes off)...
Biter has watched all or these exchanges through Meade-clouded red eyes, slurrngly commenting only frequently. All of a sudden, he hops up, a dangerous sway nearly taking him back to the deck. He staggers a few steps away and stops, and only Rath is prepared for what comes next.
He sets down his stein, then crouches into his warlord stance, feet braces wide. Then you see him open the internal floodgates which contain his battle rage, and his overactive adrenal glands release their contents into his body. Muscles and tendons flex and snap, his entire body quivers in place, and all the while his eyes are shut tight. For nearly thirty seconds you watch this display, and you begin to wonder if the little warrior has lost his senses. Just when you think he might lose control and become violent. His tiny frame shudders once finally, and he collapses down to his knees, ragged breaths coming quickly. Palms down on the deck for support. When his eyes open, they are much clearer, and as he walks over to where Rath calmly rests, his steps are definitely surer. As he leans on the monk as one might a book-case, he mutters, "Biter using want to play, too."
"Biter using want to play, too."
Gregor's eyes sharpen, looking at Burnsten, then asks a decidedly unfriendly, direct question. "Truth, ok. What does Harrowlayne hope to gain by having you join our ranks?"
"Biter using want to play, too."
Rath looks to Biter, mock disappointment registering on his face. "You were in game, already... just not gotten around to truth/daring you yet. Waiting for you to be REALLY drunk first." Poking the little warrior, he adds with a chuckle, "Spoilsport!"
"Truth, ok. What does Harrowlayne hope to gain by having you join our ranks?"
"I only know I'm here as a representative, I keep a small diary of sorts of our adventures and of course I keep information of you and the rest of our companions here" he nods to Gregor "Remember me of the bluntness I'm used back at my ulfen lands" he smiles at him "Honest and straight questions, no damn innuendo or subtle way to say or ask something" a sumber look hold him as he still says this looking at Alexis momentarely and then back to Gregor "Well is this answer to your satisfaction Gregor?"
Gregor looks around at the rest of the group, then nods in Burnsten's direction. "That'll do."
Rath spies the recumbent dwarf dozing in his chair - a chair with rather thin legs. An evil gleam twinkles briefly in his eye. He shifts position, under the pretext of grabbing his wineglass, and his foot lashes out like a cobra, delivering two precise strikes to the weakest part of the chair leg...
With a decisive sound of splintering, Pete's chair becomes an unbalanced three-legged stool. He topples over backwards, unceremoniously dumped on the deck. Rath takes a long sip from his unspilt drink.
Pete finally dozes off, and soon his snores start permeating the conversation of the others. His dreams are filled with strange and bizarre images, including one of a beautiful bat winged woman, blowing him kisses. She waves him to her and just as he is about to reach her…
CRASH! Pete falls to the ground in a tangled heap of broken chair pieces and manages to crash right on top of the chair, completely destroying it.
He looks up and shoots a glare at the offending piece of furniture. Then he turns a glare to the others,
Rath's look of innocence does not fool Pete in the slightest. He looks down at the remains of the chair, and smiles, "Aye, ye 'as a wicked streak in ye, I like that!"
Rath smiles and hands the dwarf a full tankard of ale, after sniffing it to make sure it hasn't been doctored by Biter. "Take my chair to replace hm... defective one. I get another." Rath happily pulls up another chair next to Pete. "So what do dwarves dream of, Pete? You looked very happy there a moment ago." You see that Rath almost regrets disturbing whatever dreams he may have been having... almost.
Alexis is unable to conceal her grin behind the wine glass she holding in front of her face. "That reminds me of something actually..."
She leans forward and says, "A few months ago, Alissariel talked some others into accompanying her on an adventure she turned up. Well, the night before we were to set out, we were relaxing in a tavern listening to an attractive bard playing a tune for the crowd yet spending a great deal of time flirting with us."
"Well, she thought it would be funny to spike my drink so that I would become more liberal in my disposition. However, she didn't know that I had already been warned that she was planning to do so. Anyway, she returns with drinks enough for our two traveling companions and ourselves and I knew I needed to make a distraction."
She grins slyly and says, "Sooo, I used telekinetics to knock out the legs of the table behind us where a trio of local boys had been oogling us. When my sister jumped up to see what had happened and why she had ale suds on her back, I switched the drinks."
The princess smiles, well-pleased, and resumes kicking her legs back and forth like she was earlier.
Pete bellows in laughter on hearing the story, Aye, 'Lexis I knew ye 'ad it in ye! Seems like ye 'n ye sister is peas in a pod! Wit' them looks like that, so fair 'n innocent, ye'd make a great prankster! I kin see where Ravvie 'ere gits it from!" He chuckles heartily, and takes a deep draw from the tankard, knowing this night will soon end, but determined to draw it out as long as possible.
Rath is delighted, yet again, as more of Alexis' mischievous nature is revealed. He remarks to Pete, "Hm... seems like whole ship is filled with gremlin-type peoples - causing mischiefs!" He gives Alexis a small salute with his glass. "Maybe should lock my panty drawer before rascals have chance to get in there!"
Rath is delighted, yet again, as more of Alexis' mischievous nature is revealed. He remarks to Pete, "Hm... seems like whole ship is filled with gremlin-type peoples - causing mischiefs!" He gives Alexis a small salute with his glass. "Maybe should lock my panty drawer before rascals have chance to get in there!"
Aye, 'tis a good t'ing dwarves dinna wear th' panties o' which 'Lexis 'n others," He waves at Biter and Burnsten, "seem so fond of, he he."
"Some panties are just worth chasing Pete" as he looks at Alexis "Just sometimes there out of reach, but there is nothing wrong with looking at the menu" giggles for a moment "I wonder what kind of things Pete likes to follow then" as he looks at the group "I got the biggest snake here if yer intrested' as he pet's Tracant and winks at Pete.
"Truth or dare Pete!?"
Alexis laughes even as she winces, "Peeeete! Oh noooo!"
"Like I says a'fore, I ain't gots nuttin' ta hide, so make it be Truth, Burnsten."