While the rest of you continue to play, you hear Alexis splashing about in the ocean as she swims about in the moonlit waters humming softly. At one point, the sound of her swimming grows rather faint and fades from view, yet when Gregor peers off after her, he finds that she's swum all the way to the shore and is building a sandcastle with tall towers, flying buttresses, and gracefully curved, tiered curtain walls.
A few moments later...
About 3 minutes after that, Alexis comes walking out from the hallway on the port side of the sterncastle and retakes her prior seat. You notice that she's changed into her embroidered sea-blue nightgown with a jacket belted over it. A pair of fleece-lined slippers adorn on her tiny feet and it looks like her hair is still damp.
Alexis returns Pete's nod with a demure smile and says to everyone,
"The water is cool, but it's a lovely moon to swim by tonight!"
Abbas finally walks up to the table. Smiling the entire way.
"Mind if I join you? It seems with all the merrymaking I wont be getting any sleep before dawn prayers anyhow. I think I have over heard enough of your game from outside to understand the rules. So ask away.
Abbas takes a seat and begins to nurse a drink.
While he waits for Tracant to select 'truth' or 'dare', Rath wanders over to the rail to watch Alexis swim. Her distance from the boat is a little alarming. As her guard, it would take too long to reach her if something went wrong. Still, while he was inclined to follow her into the water, she probably wanted her space. A big part of the job, he was finding out, was staying out of her way.
So he sits by the rail, watching her casually, praying to Irori that nothing happened in the water or on the beach that he can't react to in time. It is a great relief to him when she begins to swim back to the boat.
You notice that she's changed into her embroidered sea-blue nightgown with a jacket belted over it. A pair of fleece-lined slippers adorn on her tiny feet and it looks like her hair is still damp.
Alexis returns Pete's nod with a demure smile and says to everyone,
"The water is cool, but it's a lovely moon to swim by tonight!"
Rath smiles shyly at her, not wanting to be intrusive, "Indeed. Rajkumari, would you like some mulled wine or water maybe?" He offers her goblets of both, "If you are cold and damp, mulled wine will warm you."
"We choose truthsss"
Rath looks levelly at the Linnorm. "You are not of same mind as Burnsten, I think, from what he says. Have own opinions. Also not limited to political cultures here - Ulfen, Elf, or otherwise. So, I am wondering what YOU think of Harrolayne?"
"Hmm, mulled wine sounds wonderful but I think I should stick with water for now..."
"Mind if I join you? It seems with all the merrymaking I wont be getting any sleep before dawn prayers anyhow. I think I have over heard enough of your game from outside to understand the rules. So ask away.
Alexis smiles when she sees that Brother Abbas has joined them. "Alright then, truth or dare?"
Biter (being the consumate Daredevil) is forming the word 'Dare' when the whole debacle with the bottle goes down. As that dare runs its course, the logic of Biter's predicament dawn on him, and wary eyes turn on Pete. No way i'm gonna kiss this greasy dwarf. The goblin blurts out, "TRUTH!"
Pete had been about to doze off again, when the goblin's word startled him awake. Momentarily forgetting what he was talking about, it tokk a few seconds to recall what exactly was going on. He turns to Biter and says, blearily, Aye, uhh, truth it be. Hmmm, that be a tough one, so lemme t'ink 'ere." He lapses into silence for a momentm, then remembers something about Rath and Biter traveling together. The picture of the kiss Alexis and Rath shared fresh in his memory, he smirks evilly, and asks, "So, what be the nastiest prank ye played on Rath 'ere?"
Rath perks up at the question, wondering if Biter will mention a prank Rath knew about OR some bit of devilry that Rath was blissfully unaware of...
"This is EXCELLENT question, Pete!"
Alexis draws her legs up beneath her and comments, "Now this should be quite the tale!"
"She'sss pretty and isss dangerousss also" as he stops for a moment, Burnsten nodding while he stops "She is a... predator?" seems somewhat confused trying to find a better word to explain.
He smiles for a moment and pet's Tracant "What he tries to tell you is that she will Study you, find your weakness or a good moment to strike, like a predator" looking intently at Ravarath.
Tracant approaches Ravarath "Like we sed... she isss predator" then closes to Alexisss a bit "Problemsss for you" as he looks again at Ravarath.
"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"
Shrugs his shoulders "Like I sed before Ravarath I keep a diary of everyones "skills" and... how could I say this" he suddenly looks at everyone "Simply sed no need to go around things I suppose, I'm keeping an eye on you guys to inform her of our activities and your abilities and capabilities in general, then again I'm also representing her in this matter like I also sed before whne I answered Gregor question" he approaches Ravarath and looks at Alexis "I don't know why she dislike you somewhat lady Alexis, tho she does desire for the success of this mission we are here to do, she wouldn't mind if something would cripple you also, let's just put it that way" puts a hand in Ravarath shoulder you are the best at keeping her safe, but I do gave my word to protect her also"[/b] smiles with a mischievous face "I only agreed to give her information she requested from me, yet never say I wouldn't give you information to you guys also or help you in your times of need"
"Problemsss for you"
After her remarks to Ravarath, Alexis raises an eyebrow at Burnsten's comments particularly when he places a hand on the monk's shoulder, "Well I suppose you shall have to be careful then, won't you?"
Rath regards Burnsten. With amusement he says, "Thank you for warning. I will attempt to die in non-treacherous and pleasant way. Another kiss from a Princess will about do it."
Rath turns his attention to the Linnorm, "Thanks. Appreciate your perspective. Please ask 'truth' or 'dare' to someone."
Rath looks briefly at Alexis, weighing Burnsten's 'cripple' comment. He rises and moves past Burnsten to the railing to consider the bobbing form of Harrolayne's ship.
Alexis looks up at Ravarath as her gaze follows his.
Rath moves closer to Alexis and leans over the rail as if to stretch his back and rest on his elbows. In fact, he is putting them close enough to whisper since his Aquan is so poor, he couldn't possibly convey his answers in anything other than Taldane.
He chuckles, "I guessed that warning was not for me. As for hand on me... thank you for concern. Means a lot. Don't know if all Ulfen or all summoners have different sense of 'personal space' but they do 'press', yes? While you were sleeping before... ah." He lets the thought trail off as if it is not worth mentioning.
Rath looks at her very earnestly and says in the measured tone he uses when trying to make a point in Taldane, "I think you seriously undrestimigate... er... underestimate your charms." He mimics exhaling smoke to lighten his last statement. "Think I forgot my name there for second. KNOW I definitely forgot your sister's name." Then the earnestness returns; he is clearly concerned. "I hope very much you don't regret finding out about spin-the-bottle... from me. I'm not charming Prince suitable for Princesses. I know."
After rolling her eyes a bit when Rath discloses the first part of what he had to say, she blushes a bit at the second. Leaning up against the rail beside him and gazing out at the open ocean to the northeast, she replies:
She sighs a bit and says, "Part of me was jealous of my sister though I supposed. While I'm glad that I didn't have to go thru everything that she has, I do envy how she's able to be so free with her emotions. I guess the thought that she had shared something with my best friend that I hadn't must have been bothering me deep down."
"As for our Oof-en 'friend', I was actually rather surprised you didn't drive his face into the deck. Not for his inept attempts at trying to both be a sycophant and to intimidate, but for laying hands upon you."
A look of realization seems to cross Alexis' face and she places a hand on his left shoulder and looks straight at him.
When Rath turns to look at her, a somewhat confused expression on her face, she purses her lips and nods slowly. Seemingly unaware that her whispering keep becoming louder, she continues:
When Rath shakes his head, she continues:
"You see, it is because the ambassador represent their sovereign and the sovereignty of their nation while in that land. If they were subject to the same laws as a commoner of the host country, it would essentially be the same as the king of the host country exerting dominance over the other kingdom. If such a dignitary were attacked or subjected to discipline by anyone other that their sovereign, it would be the same as an attack upon the king, queen or very nation. It could be considered an act of war."
As she reaches the end of her explanation, the still quite tipsy princess is speaking in a normal tone:
"Amongst royalty however, even a duke or count would not dare to lay hands upon the retainer or heir of a king or queen. In a hierarchy where all power is derived from a singular individual, attempting to assert dominance over them or humiliate them is the same as threatening the sovereign right of that nation. In such cases, it is only mercy that might spare the offender from chastisement, being stripped of their title, or even being slain on-the-spot if they were low enough in rank and the attitude of the offense severe enough."
"The reason why enlisted men are not to kill enemy kings or commanders and why kings will hold other kings prisoner in defeat rather than killing them is tangentially related, but that's a matter for another time. In any event, does that make a bit more sense?"
Rath turns to face her and responds, with something like wonder, "Had NO idea about hm royalty rules regarding ME, Rajkumari! Knew you were not to be touched. Didn't know it applies to me as well. I will try to follow rules. Please forgive my ignorance so far." He turns back to the rail and adds quietly:
Pete shakes the fogginess of the multiple drinks out of his head, and his hand strays to his pick, caressing it lovingly. He watches Alexis and Rath closely, and gives the druid a nod of acknowledgement.
Fully understanding the tone and meaning of Alexis's words, Gregor snuffs out his pipe, and begins to closely watch the Ulfen summoner for any signs of aggression.
"Truth or dare, Ravarath?"
Rath turns and hops up lightly backwards to sit on the rail hooking his heels beneath the rail for support, sitting in a modified lotus position, seemingly at ease. He smiles at the Linnorm, "I choose TRUTH this time. Ask your question."
"Do you not like us?" as he coils around in curiosity
"Had NO idea about hm royalty rules regarding ME, Rajkumari! Knew you were not to be touched. Didn't know it applies to me as well. I will try to follow rules. Please forgive my ignorance so far."
Seemingly off in her own world, the sleepy princess returns to looking out at the moonlit ocean and gently bonks Ravarath's arm with the side of her head. "Don't worry over it. There's really no good reason why you would have known unless perhaps you had taken a course related to international diplomacy, been specifically trained or briefed on the matter, or had come from such a family. It's my mistake really."
She folds her arms on the railing and rests her chin atop them sighing softly. "Miss Nell handled Elorin's briefing back in Cassomir. Mind you she was raised, specifically trained, and has spent well over 120 years tending to such matters. I'm not even certain my mother's grandmother had been born yet when Miss Nell first began serving as a member of Queen Telandia's court..."
"Mind you I'm not saying you can't joke around with others in sport, wrestle if it suits you, or things like that. It's not uncommon for diplomats to engage in games of sports, to hug or shake hands as etiquette allows, and so on. It's more a matter of others laying hands upon you in an authoritative, condescending, or unwelcome manner..."
When Rath switches to speaking in Aquan, she takes a deep breath as if the sound of it (even if clumsily pronounced) were the aroma of one's homeland after a long absence.
"First part - bouts me of you be 'best friend'. What to say? It is greatest happiness to me. VERY. Glad kisses don't change that."
She reaches up with her right hand and tries to put in around his opposite shoulder but can't quite reach across his broad back. Instead she simply pats him on the back in a friendly fashion and laughs slightly.
"Do you not like us?"
No one can see Alexis' eyes go wide and her bite her lower lip at the sudden reminder that she and Ravarath have an audience. She pats her friend twice on the back and stands up looking idly at the moon.
"I fear that between that bottle of wine and Biter's... 'bartending' talents that I have lost my sense of time and surroundings. I believe I shall retire for the evening so that you men can enjoy the rest of this lovely night without having to check yourselves on my account. Please excuse me, gentlemen..."
"Gregor, if you could ask Abbas his dare or question for me, I would be grateful..."
With that, Alexis gives a perfunctory curtsy and quickly hurries into the port hallway of the sterncastle closing both that doorway and the door to her cabin behind her as she goes.
"Oh...ok I guess. Brother Abbas, what shall it be a truth or a dare?"
"Alright then, truth or dare?"
"Truth."
"Alright then...Abbas, what would you be doing with your life if you hadn't chosen to follow the Dawnflower?"
"Do you not like us?" as he coils around in curiosity
Rath chuckles, "I am poor person to ask. I don't like most peoples; have very few friends. Also, I don't make up mind on like/dislike quickly. I watch people very long time before decide if I like them or not. I am Monk, we are patient."
"But you asked, so I will answer. Simple answer is I don't know you well enough yet to like OR hate you. So I continue to watch and see. Does that answer your question?"
Rath c0cks his head quizzically, "Tracant, why did you ask that question? Do you or your friend want to be liked?"
Rath forestalls any answer with a raised hand. "Excuse please, for a moment. Duty." Rath jumps down from the rail and heads to the cabins. He catfoots down to Alexis' room and knocks softly.
Abbas takes a few moments of deep thought before answering "I honestly have never thought of that. Its very likely that being born an orphan in the city of Katapesh, and not given to the church, I would have been made a slave and had no choice as to my fate. But If I would have had a choice other than serving the dawn flower I suppose I would have been a merchant of some kind, I have some natural skill in haggling so I would have probably had a good life.
Pete watches the departure of Lady Alexis and Rath with a wistful look in his eyes, knowing the night is passing along, and the party was coming to an end. Still Abbas's reply catches his eye. "So ye says ye'd be a merchant, certainly not a fancy profession, but a necessary one aneway. It certainly kin lead ta good life, yet methinks ye did alright fer yeself, Abbas."
Rath jumps down from the rail and heads to the cabins. He catfoots down to Alexis' room and knocks softly.
When the answer comes that it is him, Rath hears the door unlatch and it swings inwards although Alexis is across the room laying on her tummy on the bed, her arms folded around the pillow on which she's resting her golden head.
"You can come in. Is everything alright?"
"Was going to ask you same question, Rajkumari." He smiles and kneels near her head, his hands folded in his lap. "Is anything I can do for you? Get for you - before you hm retire? Water? Mulled wine? Warm milk?"
Alexis laughs lightly, "Warm milk sounds wonderful actually, but you don't need to be my butler you know."
"As for what's wrong..." she rolls her eyes and shakes her head a bit which only covers her face with her hair while she lying down. Sweeping it back out of her face, she pushes the pillow against the wall and sits up with her back against it.
"Well, I was just embarrassed a bit because I made myself look like a silly little girl in front of everyone. You know it's not as easy as you'd think earn respect when you're shorter than everyone you know except children and dwarves. Also, like you mentioned earlier, though I don't think you meant it that way, my sister and I do tend to stand out even amongst human women. Hence our lovely collection of corsets..."
She sighs, "Aaand I'm still not speaking like a proper lady should... Anyway, it just seemed like everything was getting too serious on my account and on top of feeling the fool for not being able to hold my drink, I didn't want to be the cause of any further dissent. Elorin already opted not to participate because of my suggestion and even though I meant it as fun, I think then men were taking offense at how silly I'd become playing that kid's game. Don't know why I thought it would be a good idea. Well, at least I got to act like a normal girl and not a princess for one night..."
"Are you alright? You've been sober thru all of this."
Alexis laughs lightly, "Warm milk sounds wonderful actually, but you don't need to be my butler you know."
"Rajkumari, I offer because I care... not about job."
"As for what's wrong..."
Rath shakes his head. "Don't think you looked like 'silly girl' or lost respect from anyone. In fact, think you made more friends than had before. Gregor, for one. Don't know language you were talking but I know emotions... ebb and flow of things. Saw his look at Burnsten after you talked about royalty rules. You did good, I think."
"though I don't think you meant it that way, my sister and I do tend to stand out even amongst human women. Hence our lovely collection of corsets..."
Rath looks bewildered for a moment then he gets it; she's talking about her figure. "Definitely didn't mean it like that. Meant hm... meant your goodness, uhm and nobility and... and soul. Those set you apart. Not... parts."
"Well, at least I got to act like a normal girl and not a princess for one night..."
"It was good to see you be regular woman. Think some others thought so too. Know, in your position, can't do that too often. Burden of being Rajkumari. But, in private with me if want, you can be that girl. I keep it secret. I keep many secrets." She realises that he is talking about more secrets than hers. "Also, please, next time you want to moonlight swim, I go with, please. Any hour. Not about your swimming. You swim better than me I think... It is about safety in water. OK?"
"Are you alright? You've been sober thru all of this."
He smiles ruefully, "I am fine. Wrung out emotionally - think that is phrase. Problem with not drinking? I can't blame Biter's Suicides for my choices. Everything I did tonight was my conscious choice."
"I will get your milk now." Rath gets up and heads out to the 'galley'. It takes him awhile to heat the milk and then, acting on a whim, he rummages through the stores to find some extra ingredients, determined to make her tea in the Vudrani style - mostly milk with a bit of tea for flavor, sugar, and cardamom. He returns to her room 15 minutes later to find the Princess asleep leaning against the bulkhead, her spellbook open across her lap.
He puts the tea down on what passes for a nightstand and gently closes and shelves her book. With care, so as not to wake her, he slides her from a sitting position to lying down. She mumbles a little something that makes him smile, rolls on her side, and wraps her arms around her pillow. Her golden hair flows freely across the pillow. Finally, he pulls her blankets up covering her exposed arm.
Rath glances around the room. Everything seems to be in order. Her magical light will no doubt extinguish itself. He is puzzled for a moment by how to lock her door after he leaves. He pulls out one of his omnipresent shurikens, lays it along the door's edge and sticks it into the latch itself. He quietly shuts her door and, from the outside, with patience, is able to finesse the latch into its locked position using the shuriken. Handy!
Rath returns to the deck to hear Tracant's answer...
Biter sits and thinks a long while, letting the others chat away; he barely even notices as the focus of his ruminations (Rath) leaves and returns. Finally, after what seems like an eternity Biter finally looks up with wide eyes, "Okay, got it! Letting Biter begin by saying Friend Rath is'ing the real prankster. But this one time Biter was'ing to convince Friend Rath he was'ing to become a were-wolf… for real."
Biter watches Rath warily return and admits, "This is notting something Friend Rath knows was'ing Biter, so… " and Biter adopts a defensive posture - which he holds for the remainder of his story.
"Was'ing to be one of first live tests Biter and Friend Rath were'ing to be teamed up for. Was'ing to look into some troubles in some iKar-Ter town in the Lost Coast, but really Pathfinders was'ing to check out rumors of old caves to hold lost treasure. Notting to find anything, but that'ing is notting the point. Withing no luck, Biter and Friend Rath was'ing about to leave town, but wanted to stop to have a drink at this local dive…. um… Feral Dog, thinking was the name. Biter's kind of place. Biter was'ing ordering drinkings when some local drunk - a real huge human… named Bear I think - began making aggressions at Biter. Naturally, the biting was'ing start. By the way, three against one is notting fair odds, even if'ing the one is a goblin. To shorten a long story, Friend Rath steps in and, in Rath fashion, was'ing to take them all down while Biter was'ing to sneak and drink. Biter was'ing to realize the big man bit him… on the leg. It was'ing nasty. Bite bleed and bleed… notting to heal. So Biter finds this hedge-doctor in town to fix his leg, and Friend Rath drinks his nasty medicine, but his'ing leg was'ing too bad to walk on for a day. On and on Friend Rath was'ing giving Biter hard time…" Biter adopts a voice you assume is supposed to sound like Ravarath, " 'If man who bite me was'ing some lycanthrope, Rath make Biter pay.' " Biter rolls his eyes. "So anyway, Notting able to travel, so Biter wasing take Rath back to Feral Dog for to sleep for the night. whenning we arrive, these three human girls is'ing totally checking Rath out. So Biter - being best wing-man ever - goes next to girls and begins to telling them how lucky Biter is to having such a friend to take care of Biter's sorry butt in a fight. Acts drunk and begins to tell the fake sob story of how Rath was'ing to come to make right the killing of his fiance. Now that Rath - being some exotic rich man - has'ign avenged her death, Rath canning to open his heart once more to love. All three was'ing to drink the story like honey-water. Rath was'ing to not get much sleep that night… neither did all three girls. No lies."
"Here is'ing kicker, though… halfway through night, while Biter dozes in common room of Feral Dog, Biter is'ing to hear screaming from Rath's room (well… a different, angry screaming), and Friend Rath comes running from room, bleeding from shoulder. All three girls is'ing to come running out chasing Rath, who takes flying jump from second story onto Biter's table and sprints out of tavern, dragging Biter behind him. To this day, Rath notting to tell Biter what the hells he did to make three girls go from lovin' to bitin' so fast. So Rath and Biter was'ingto leave town that night and make for the Academy."
Biter holds up his tiny fist, enumerating his points on his fingers, "So in one day, Friend Rath was bitten by big man, was'ing drinking strange 'medicine' from cheap doctor, and was'ing then bitten by one or three women in the bedroom." Biter barks out a laugh, "Friend Rath was'ing so paranoid… coulding only talk about how Rath just knew to have gotten something from rotten town. Just knew was'ing to become a werewolf or something." Biter sighs and shakes his head in exasperation, "ALL WAY BACK TO ACADEMY HE CONSTANTLY IS'ING SAYING THESE THINGS. So, Biter was'ing to have a little fun. For next five months, Biter was'ing to go out every full moon - after getting Friend Rath drunk - and steal some pig blood and tear a handful of fur from this great wolfskin rug in Academy entry. Sprinkle some blood… sprinkle some fur.. .sneaking back out." By this time, Biter's grin is eclpsing his face, and he is giggling every half-sentence, "Every time, Friend Rath come to waking Biter super early and freaking out! hahahaha! Friend Rath notting to want to tell anyone, but Friend Rath so freaked out!" He wipes a big tear from a crying red eye, "Biter finally take pity and find some lady to act like a doctor to 'cure' him." You can see Biter is enjoying reliving the experience, "Suching good times. Best prank Biter ever pull."
Pete stares at Biter, with a dumbfounded look on his face, if he had been drinking or smoking anything at that moment, the flask or pipe would have been dropped to the deck.
After a moment, Pete starts chuckling softly, but then his chuckles grow louder and louder, until he is laughing uproariously, gasping for breath. This goes on for several minutes, until finally he wipes his brow off, and says, "Aye, that be th' winner dere!"
Rath's eyes go wide as saucers and he gulps air like a fish. He is truly unsure whether to laugh or kill. "Biter! You... YOU... I... YOU..." He does the only thing left to him. He grabs two tankards of Biter's Suicide Cocktail and downs them both.
He wipes his mouth. "Ahhhh... that's better! NOW, what I said to bitey girls which made them bitey, kinda funny actually, was..." Rath's eyes glaze over and he topples onto the deck... OUT for a good 6 hours.
Pete sees Rath pass out, after trying to do something he thought was ill advised, to say the least. Aye, 'Lexis is goona git a chuckle outa dis. He waves Biter over and motions to pick up the unconsciuos monk, not caring about violating the diplomatic protocols.
"Aye, let's git 'im back ta 'is bed. 'N since we be th' one ta casue dis ta him, methinks we be takin' turns makin' sure nuttin' befalls 'Lexis."
Once he has put Rath up in his cabin, he escuses himself from the others and grabs his chair, moving it to in front of Alexis's cabin door, where soon he is snoring softly.
Elorin gets up early the next morning, it took many more hours of meditation than normal to clear his mind from the events of the previous night. He feel a bit better as he goes up onto deck that morning, various tankards and pieces of food strewn across the deck. That was a party he thinks to himself and the first grin in a while appears on his face.
Looking at the shore he yearns to get back on solid ground and so sits on a railing and watches the sun rise in solitude, only the soft snoring of Pete to make him aware of any others around...
A bleary-eyed Captain Theodremir nods at Elorin as he comes topside, then resumes nursing his steaming mug of strong tea whilst simultaneously rubbing his temples with his free hand.