Wedding Bells - IC Thread

[Sherwood]

While Moretta is keeping a watchful eye on the one group of pirates that have surrendered, her two Red Monks leap across the deck to the other ship to search for whatever it is that is making this sleep-mist. They are ignored by the few surviving crew of the pirate ship as they frantically dump water on the spreading fire in a desperate attempt to keep the ship from burning down to the waterline and sinking.

It takes a few hard-fought minutes to bring the fire under control and save both ships from being consumed by the flames. During this time, Moretta's two demons make their way back to her, with one of them carrying what looks like a large hearthstone the size of a soccer ball. It says, "M'lady, there are many valuables located in the ship, but this stone is the only thing that we have found that might be responsible for the mist." With that, it hands it over to you.

In order for Moretta to be able to figure out the way of controlling the mist, it will take a Int + Occult roll.

You are now in possession of the other ship and a total of ten pirates. Well done.

 

[Psychie]

Moretta turns her attention to the hearthstone, using her Occult knowledge to try and determine how to make the mist go away.

4 successes

 

[Sherwood]

It does not take Moretta long before you can figure out the mechanics of making the sleep-mist stop, and soon the sorcerous mist begins to fade away and let the sun shine in brightly once more.

Now that the mist has faded away, it becomes possible for you to be able to wake the members of the passengers and crew that had succumbed to the effects of the sleep spell. Once roused, those that had fallen asleep are groggy, and will suffer from minuses to all their rolls for some time until they can shake off the lingering effects of the hearthstone.

All resistance from the remaining pirates and crew of the other ship has evaporated, leaving them able to be pushed around easily, even by the still dazed members of your honor guard.

The fire damage done to the ship has been contained, leaving it still quite sea-worthy and able to join you on the remainder of your voyage to Abalone. It can either be towed behind the Waverunner or sailed on its own with the use of a prize crew. There are enough of your honor guard that know how to use a ship that you can do either one without putting either ship in danger from not enough crew.

 

[WlfSamurai]

“Well done, everyone,” Enathia says as she takes a walk around the Waverunner, checking crew for injuries. She returns to the group of Dynasts after finding little issue.

“…where’s Arissa!?” she asks, realizing she lost track of where the girl was in the chaos of the situation.

 

[Sherwood]

Looking about the ship, Arissa can be found up at the bow of the ship where she usually likes to sit, struggling to wake herself all the way. She appears to be unharmed, just very groggy like everyone else that had been affected by the mist. She manages to get to her feet, saying, "Did anyone manage to catch that rampaging yeddim that just ran me over? Wow. What happened? When did that ship show up?"

The sergeant of arms that is in charge of the honor guard comes up to the group of Exalts, saying, "Please forgive me, Noble Exalts, for my failure to keep you all safe. The men and I are all deeply shamed that you had to use your own arms to bring this encounter to a safe conclusion. I will fully understand if you wish to have me removed from my position." He stands up straight, ready to take any punishment given like the professional that he is.

 

[Psychie]

Moretta makes a dismissive motion of her hand, "Don't be so dramatic. That mist nearly knocked me out, and it looks like it floored Arissa, so if it can work on Exalted, it certainly do the same to you. It was just our good fortune that so many of us were able to resist the sleep magic and fight back, so I will hear no more talk of having you dismissed. You have served your House and family for a good many years, and it would be a waste of talent to remove you from your post. Now that part is settled, I will not hear of this again. Understood?"

 

[WlfSamurai]

Enathia folds her arms and nods at Moretta's sentiment to the Sergeant. "No, she's right. There was nothing you could have done any different. Just glad we were here to help. And that you and your men are okay."

She turns to Arissa. "Just take it slow. We're okay for now, so no use rushing and making yourself sick. Can we get you anything?"

 

[Sherwood]

With a stiff nod, the sergeant responds, "Understood, M'lady, and I thank you on behalf of your honor guard. I promise you that we will not fail in our duties again."

Under the watchful eye of the guards (that are, thankfully, recovering from the magic sleep quickly), the other vessel is searched for any sign of stragglers hiding onboard the pirate ship, but no one else is found. When asked about the identity of the captain, it is pointed out that he was the unfortunate soul that had a large hunk of his face sliced off by Kasumi early on in the fight and is no longer a wanted man thanks to her sharp blade. Capt. Domon of your own ship looks surprised. "He is, uh, was, a well-known bandit operating in the region, and had a substantial bounty on his head, one that you have certainly earned with your skill with a blade. You shouldn't have any difficulty in collecting from the Guild offices in Abalone when we get there. Fine work. Fine work indeed. Now, let me get this mess cleaned up. I do like to maintain a clean ship, and these bodies are bleeding all over the deck."

Three more days go by uneventfully, up until you hear a shout from the lookout in the Crow's Nest. "Cap'n! I spot another ship! It do look to be a Wavecrest patrol tri-marine warship, and they are flying the Wavecrest flag."

Domon pulls out a spyglass and looks through it at the distant vessel. "Aye. Good eye, Peter! I hazard a guess that they are out looking for our misbegotten pirate friend, trying to maintain the peace out in their waters. Let us be friendly to them; they may also wish to pull along next to us and inspect our ship. Fortunately for us, we have no contraband on the Waverunner, so there are no worries of that. We may also be able to turn over our prisoners to them and get that lot off of my ship."

Sure enough, through the use of semaphore signal flags, a message is sent over that the patrol ship wishes to inspect your ship. The patrol boat matches course and sends over a small launch with six people on board, four of them manning the oars while a pair of officers stand and watch as they pull up. A rope ladder is tossed down to them, and the two officers climb up and are met by Capt. Domon. The taller of the two is a strikingly beautiful woman with green tinted hair that is wearing a jade cutlass on her hip and a lightweight breastplate, also made of jade. She is greeted by Domon with a warm smile. "Ah, Serena! So good to see you once again. You are looking quite well."

Serena smiles back, saying, "Bayle, you old scoundrel!" She gives him a friendly punch to the shoulder before letting herself be pulled into a hug. "We were expecting a ship with some VIP's to be sailing through, but I had no idea that you would be giving them a ride on your fine ship."

Bayle laughs. "Aye. Allow me to introduce you to my passengers." He quickly introduces each of you to the woman from Wavecrest, and she offers up a respectful bow to you. "This dear lady is Capt. Serena Dax, one of Wavecrest's many fine officers, a good friend and a Child of Danaa'd."

The other captain nods in agreement with Bayle. "I do happen to have the good fortune to have been blessed by Danaa'd, an asset when spending so much time on the water." She looks over towards the other ship and says, "I was not expecting to see such a run-down ship escorting you. Were there no other ships suitable for you?"

"Ah, that is not one of the Realm's fine vessels, at least, it wasn't until the poor fools decided to try their luck robbing us. We were able to successfully fight off the pirates on board and seized their ship as the spoils of our trial. It would seem that we have run across quite a scoundrel, preying on helpless victims."

Serena says, "Well then. We owe you a word of thanks for dealing with such scum."

 

[Random Word]

As the eruption of violence subsides as suddenly as it arrived, Melati downs half a flask of what turns out to be some foreign spirit appropriated from the hip of a still slumbering off duty officer. Southern maybe? More than alcohol burns her throat, but the liquid courage does its job and she grasps the forgotten bow tightly in hand and climbs up onto deck. She can't be seen cowering by the mortals. The rumours would harry her for years, and dragons do not cower. She calls Kemuning back to her shoulder, wiping the blood gently from the spirit's mouth with a handkerchief while it coils around her neck for warmth. If the spirit notes the discomfort mixed with her gratitude, it doesn't acknowledge it.

The spirits of sleep give her a wide berth that night, and she can hardly fault them. The images of faceless men, the scent of burning flesh, and the screams of the dying are vivid enough waking; she has little and less desire to face them in her dreams, and doubtless the spirits are no more eager than she. It is no mean feat to drink the blood of Sextes Jylis into a dreamless slumber, but the ship is well stocked and she has all night. She gets an early start on it the next day, the better to be prepared for nightfall, and by the third day she's made a significant dent in the complement of libations on a Dynastic wedding ship. She's half way through a white jade masu of a fine rice wine from - she rolls it around briefly on her tongue - Pangu, if she's not mistaken, when the exquisite distraction comes aboard. The sailors were fit and fun to tease, but they were mortals, and one had to be careful dallying with mortals - if they weren't exceptional in some way, those rumours would also follow you for years. Torrid affairs with Outcastes, however, was the stuff songs were made of.

This being the first contact between the bridal party of the soon-to-be crown princess and a prominent Outcaste from her fief, this would be the time when a prudent diplomat would direct her essence to purge the intoxicants from her system and put the Realm's best foot forward. Balking at the prospect of being sober right now, she instead gives the captain a shamelessly appreciative look up and down, leaning back over the railing to get a slightly better view. "That is clearly one amongst the many assets Danaa'd blessed you with, Captain. I shall offer a heartfelt prayer of thanks to Danaa'd this evening for your good fortune - and mine," she says with a sensuous purr as she leans towards Serena to offer her hand, artfully stained lips brushing against the bounds of propriety, close enough to entice but not to breach the Captain's personal space. In her excitement she can feel the blossoms in her hair unfurling and filling the air around her with their intoxicating scent. It's almost enough to cover the smell of alcohol, but somehow she manages to make the 'I've downed the contents of a moderately well stocked wine cellar in the last three days'-look fun-loving and inviting instead of desperate and irresponsible, made all the more mysterious and enticing when held in juxtaposition with the mien of unimpeachable purity she's expertly cultivated over her years at the Academy. She could still remember that time the Domina herself had caught her drinking in one of the forbidden gardens and actually believed she was lost, and merely holding the bottles for a friend. Great night.

"V'Neef Melati. Yes, we were menaced by dreadful pirates. It was a frightful experience. You say you've fought them before, Captain?" she asks leadingly, making clear her admiration and gratitude for anyone willing to face down such danger - especially on her behalf.

 

[jaydude]

Three days ago...
If Kasumi had known that the first of the pirates she had killed was an infamous figure with a bounty on his head, she would have cut off his feet, rather than his face. It wasn't like she needed the silver; she just felt that the man should have been made example of - i.e. executed - more publicly.

As Melati drank and struggled through the next few days, Kasumi naturally tried to support her longtime friend as best as she could, in the hope of gently discouraging her from trying to solve all her problems with alcohol. When that failed, and the risk of Melati getting seen drinking was too high, she'd kindly lead Melati to her cabin, and tell the mortal crew that the Wood Aspect was engaged in private meditation.

Present day...
Kasumi gave a little smile at the touching reunion of Domon and Serena. When introduced to the other woman, she clasped her hands and bowed to her in a flawless formal greeting between equals.

"I am V'neef Kasumi, officer of the Merchant Fleet and another Child of Danaa'd. And speaking from my own experiences, I most certainly agree that to be blessed by Danaa'd is a stroke of good fortune." she said, her smile polite and respectful.

When she saw Melati offer her own greetings to Serena - and instantly guessed from doing so that her friend had fallen for the Captain - her expression warped into a mirthful, almost wicked grin. One that promised at least some degree of friendly teasing towards Melati over this, and one that she banished almost immediately in case anyone was looking; she had an image to convey on behalf of the Realm after all, and the responsibilities associated with that duty would increase twofold if she had to pick up Melati's slack.

Still, were Melati to look in her direction, Kasumi would flash her a knowing smirk. Good luck trying to bed her.

Spoiler: Kasumi Stats

Essence: 2
Personal Essence: 13/13
Peripheral Essence: 23/33
Anima: Dim

Committed Essence: 5 (Kirameku Namida)

Willpower: 7
Join Battle: 5 dice (5 successes for 5m through Breath and Essence Control)
Health Levels:
-0: [_]
-1: [_], [_], [_], [_], [_], [_], [_], [_]
-3: [_]
Incapacitated: [_]
Resolve 3, Guile 2

Attacks
Kirameku Namida (Withering Attack 13, Decisive Attack 10, Base Raw Damage 15, Overwhelming 5)

Actions
Rush: 7
Disengage: 7

Evasion 3, Parry 6
Soak/Hardness: 8/0 (Lamellar Armor, +5 Soak, -1 Mobility Penalty)

 

[WlfSamurai]

Enathia has always been a woman of her mission. Duty has always been her spouse and battle her eager lover. And yet, despite any desire to the contrary, Melati continued to be a distraction, at best. At worst, Enathia had spent hours thinking about her; only catching herself when she realized she wasn't paying attention to what she was doing.

And so, during this exchange between Captain Dax and Melati, an unwanted jealousy creeps up Enathia's spine into the base of her neck. She does her best to ignore it and adjusts her collar, trying not to reveal her feelings to those around her.

"Just glad we were here, Captain," Enathia hears herself say. "Could have been a lot worse. Are there attacks like that often in these waters?"

 

[Sherwood]

Capt. Dax raises up an eyebrow at Melati's drunken advances as she trades a look with Bayle Domon. She then says, "Uh, yes, thank you, Lady V'neef Melati, for your . . . warm . . . greeting. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance." Turning to look at the more sober members of the group, she gives a professional nod to Kasumi and Enathia, and a bow to Moretta. "Welcome and honored guests, I am glad to see that you have come through your harrowing encounter with these pirates. It is sadly a far too common occurrence that ships in our waters are being hunted and preyed upon, causing us much loss of life and income. One of the reasons that you have ships like my own out here, looking to turn the tides on the pirates."

Bayle looks concerned. "I had not heard, but the usual waters that I ply my passenger trade is to the east. How bad is it?"

She replies, "Bad enough. We suspect that it is not only the Lintha, but some privateers under pay from Skullstone. Tensions are rising between our nations, and the Silver Prince is not happy at the shift in the balance of power in the west as Wavecrest draws closer to finalizing our treaty with the Realm. The raids on our shipping has several patrol ships out on the hunt, and I am sorry that we were not in the neighborhood to lend a hand. But it seems that you had everything well in hand."

"It was a close one. The pirates had some hearthstone that made a sleep-inducing mist that had most of us knocked out, rendering us nearly helpless. If it were not for the skillful efforts of these Exalts, I fear that the Waverunner would have been another victim of the raiders."

At this point, Arissa steps up and asks, "Captain Dax, are you going to be escorting us to Abalone, or will you continue on your patrol?"

The other woman looks over at Arissa and says, "At my discretion, I can leave the patrol zone I have to do so. Wait, are you the Lady V'neef Arissa? Please let me be the first to welcome you to my homeland, Princess. Prince Rupert is a very lucky young man to have such a beauty as his betrothed. Of course we will join you on your way to Abalone. It wouldn't do for your arrival to be delayed by another encounter with such rabble as these pirates. Malcom! Send one of your Messengers ahead to the Admiralty informing them of our good fortune in coming across our new princess."

The other officer that came aboard with Serena and gives her a nod. "Of course, Captain. At once." He takes a few polite steps back and begins casting the spell Infallible Messenger and soon enough, a small spirit is summoned up in front of him. The sorcerer quickly relates a message and the sprite vanishes on its way. "Message sent, ma'am."

"Excellent. I would invite you over to the Dauntless to enjoy a tase of island hospitality, but she is not nearly as comfortable of a ride as the Waverunner. Even so, I will have to make some arrangements to provide you with a special wedding gift."

 

[Psychie]

Moretta smiles at the other Captain. "We are hardly all pampered princesses that need a soft cushion to sit on. If you'd like to play host to us, I am sure we would all be quite honored to join you on your fine ship for a drink to see your island hospitality first hand."

 

[WlfSamurai]

Enathia nods along with Moretta's comment. "Yes, and the change in ... uh, floating scenery would be a welcome one."

Despite what she is saying, Enathia can't help but notice the state Melati is in. Hell, it'd take a drunken horse not to notice her state, Enathia realizes. She's seen it many times before in comrades. Been it herself, as well. Whatever the cause, Melati was clearly projecting a cry for help. Enathia makes a mental note to—when it makes polite sense in the current situation—to escort Melati below decks and do what she could for the poor girl. Whatever has been going on in her head about this wood aspect V'Neef would have to wait.

Enathia reaches out as clandestinely as she can behind Melati and grabs a tuft of material to help steady her.

 

[jaydude]

Upon seeing Enathia move to support Melati, Kasumi did the same, subtly moving close to the Wood Aspect while at the same time saying to Serenna. "You needn't worry about me. I've captained one or two ships like the Dauntless in the past. I'm no stranger to such conditions."

Spoiler: Kasumi Stats

Essence: 2
Personal Essence: 13/13
Peripheral Essence: 23/33
Anima: Dim

Committed Essence: 5 (Kirameku Namida)

Willpower: 7
Join Battle: 5 dice (5 successes for 5m through Breath and Essence Control)
Health Levels:
-0: [_]
-1: [_], [_], [_], [_], [_], [_], [_], [_]
-3: [_]
Incapacitated: [_]
Resolve 3, Guile 2

Attacks
Kirameku Namida (Withering Attack 13, Decisive Attack 10, Base Raw Damage 15, Overwhelming 5)

Actions
Rush: 7
Disengage: 7

Evasion 3, Parry 6
Soak/Hardness: 8/0 (Lamellar Armor, +5 Soak, -1 Mobility Penalty)

 

[Random Word]

Melati's face is a studied mask of polite neutrality as she's bluntly rejected, but inwardly she seethes. Ugh. Typical outcaste. Of course this two-bit Threshold privateer doesn't know what she's passing up. Being straight is one thing, but if she thinks ignorance will save her after insulting a granddaughter of the Empress... Well, fuck her, too. This flower has thorns, and a mood fit to use them.

"Please, Auntie. The Captain has politely informed us her boat is currently in no fit state to host a princess. To simply invite ourselves aboard would be a terrible imposition [and so embarrassing for her!]. Permit her to present her no doubt impressive gift to the bride, then return swiftly to her duties. She clearly has a great deal of important work ahead of her, what with the unfortunate state of these waters [Your waters], and the Captain is right, our business in Abalone is pressing and cannot be delayed."

She turns dismissively and starts to walk away only to ruin the effect by losing her footing and nearly tumbling forward, rescued by a steadying hand from Enathia but not quickly enough to save the contents of her cup. She leans into Enathia gratefully, smiling up at her in thanks before giving the deck a suspicious glare. "I had thought this 'moving ground' nonsense mastered," she mutters darkly, "Is it just me, or is it moving more than usual today? I think it tripped me on purpose."

Melati fails to conceal the flicker of fear as Kasumi approaches, her eyes snapping for an involuntary instant to where the faceless man once stood, just to confirm what remains of him is still gone. Having regained her footing she pulls herself together and flashes Kasumi the wry smile that is a favourite refuge of the Dynast unlucky in love: whatever, they weren't good enough for me anyway -Denizens of the Realm are relieved to see it, for its alternative is often a terrible life-destroying fury - before turning quickly away to look out to sea, unable to hold her gaze.

She grips the ship's railing tightly as she carefully picks her way around the spilled drink to make her way towards the bottle, keeping a suspicious eye on the deck. The ship may have won this round, but she would be damned if she let it have the last laugh.

 

[Sherwood]

Serena watches Melati stumble away with a raised eyebrow. In a quiet voice, she asks, "Is she ok? Lady Melati seems a bit . . . out of it. Perhaps a bit too much of Capt. Domon's wine, if I don't miss my guess. Well then. I should be returning to my ship, so I can then make haste in escorting you back to Abalone. After all, it would not do for our new princess to arrive late for her own wedding." With that, she offers up a polite bow to the assembled Exalts before heading back towards the launch to make the trip back to the Dauntless.

 

[WlfSamurai]

Enathia looks on as Melati stumbles away, her deep red hair snapping in the wind. Half-hearing Serena’s question, she barely notices when she walks away.

I’ve been there, Melati, Enathia considers as she feels a weight in her heart. One she hasn’t felt in a long time. One she hasn’t seen a in a comrade in a long time.

Enathia feels something pulling her to Melati. Something within her. Her previous feelings for the woman have been suppressed by a new need to take care of her. To see her through. Like others under her command before. Her deep sense of honor to never leave a soldier behind spur her to action.

Enathia strides to Melati and takes her, gently, by the arm.

“Come,” she says in a calm, but assertive tone. She says nothing else as she begins whisking Melati below deck to her chambers. Before they disappear, she looks back and waves to Kasumi to come with. She’ll need all the help she can get.

 

[jaydude]

Giving Serena a polite bow, Kasumi turned around and followed Enathia and Melati.

 

[Random Word]

Melati snatches the bottle just as Enathia takes her by the wrist and begins pulling her below decks. "So forceful!" she protests indignantly, "Where are we... oh, but my flowers need light, and the surgeon muttered something about sea air and..." Melati catches the no-nonsense look in Enathia's eyes and falls silent. She knows that look. That's the, 'You're coming with me for your own protection' look. Bad things happen when you ignore that look. "You strike out with one foreign dignitary..." she mumbles.

 

[WlfSamurai]

Enathia half carries, half drags Melati to her cabin. She sits the V’Neef woman on her cot and removes the bottle from her hand. Then, Enathia sits at the small writing desk crammed in the corner, turning the chair to face Melati.

“Melati,” Enathia says, her face concerned. “What’s going on? What is this? Are you okay? I’m worried about you.”

 

[Random Word]

Melati sits on the bed, knees pulled to chest, looking down at her hair as she plays with it in her hands to avoid making eye contact, nervously coiling and uncoiling it around a finger or idly caressing one of the blossoms. "Oh, come now. She's one lowly ship's captain, not the fucking Despot of Gem - I'm certain they have better taste. No one is going to care, and did you see her?"

She moves to refill her cup, but Enathia's expression caught out of the corner of her eye causes her to falter, protesting half-heartedly, "What, you think the Dragons blessed me with this alcohol tolerance so I could not use it?" She attempts a mischievous smile but it too falters after a moment and collapses into a scowl, so instead she does her best impression of Sister Russet Chrysanthemum who had taught them scripture at preparatory school, "You wouldn't defy the manifest will of Sextes Jylis, would you?"

 

[jaydude]

Sitting down next to Melati and placing an arm around her shoulders, Kasumi gently shook her head.

"There's taking advantage of the gifts the dragons have provided, and then there's trying to get drunk in spite of them." she said softly. "Enathia's not the only one worried about you. You've been acting out of sorts ever since our encounter with those pirates. What's wrong?"

 

[Sherwood]

Psychie While Kasumi and Enathia are talking with Melati, what are you doing?

 

[Random Word]

"Is this what it's like? The Threshold? How do people live out here? It's... awful. I wanted an adventure. I didn't want... I didn't..." she seems to deflate, to collapse in on herself, a veneer giving way to permit tears to flow freely and she shakes in Kasumi's arms, "I can't stop seeing..." the image of the faceless man, burned indelibly into her memory, forces its way back to the surface. Blood pouring from shattered sockets, passed the gaping nasal cavity, over what was left of his ruined jaw, hanging at an obscene angle. "...every time I close my eyes. And the screams," she manages between sobs and deep heaving breaths, her mind summoning unbidden the sounds of men burning alive, the keening gurgle of the faceless man as blood filled his throat in the moments before he fell, "Whenever it's quiet. It just won't stop. Sleep is no respite. I just want oblivion until they're gone. Until we're off this cursed ship. Until I can forget."