Tempest hire a new hand [Flashback, Sable]

[Kvar Driftweaver]

Season of Autumn, Day 46, 504 AV The Northern Suvan Sea, East of the Cavindau Fishing Grounds Noon, A sunny day, with clouds on the horizon. At the center of a small gathering of vessels, the proud Current’s favour rocked gently atop the ocean, attached to another Palivar. Frenzied trading, banter and laughter was in the air, as people swapped stories and bustled too and fro. This ship was the only real remnant of the Driftweaver pod left that was seen in the Suvan these days, and there were more myths about that ship than were healthy, most of them exaggerated drinking songs, but a few held true, it made for good chatter either way. The very fact it was light blue, and blended in to the ocean was enough to raise a few eyebrows, what did they have to hide? Though Svefra themselves just shrugged and didn’t take the rumours too seriously, any other ships coming across the Current’s favour were immediately suspicious. Driftweavers were an odd sort, by the definition of their family’s inherent talents they joined other pods, hired out to make the journey smoother, faster, or for less than legal enterprises safer. In part this was due to the wanderlust that each and every one of Kvar’s kin felt, even for a Svefra their lust for travel was noticeable, and so they were keen to be moved great distances at will. At the highest speeds the biggest hindrance to a boat, is the drag of a boat on the ocean, at their most basic his family had the talent to reduce this greatly for short periods, getting through tough storms or to a destination quickly. At the most skilled, they commanded things such as mist to slip by unnoticed, creating the appearance of weather as they needed it, the possibilities were endless, but more importantly with training to hone instinct they knew their limits. These words were being exchanged by the elders amongst the other noise, as they were haggling over the price of Kvar’s services. The young Kvar however had already made his way towards the boat he was to call home for a few seasons. Standing on the small string of gangplanks, which made up a walkway between the fleet, Kvar was taking the measure of a tempest ship, looking for its name, at just sixteen he was ripe and ready for adventure. Out of nowhere Taran’s hand clasped the top of his shoulder, and Kvar turned to face him, nodding happily to his brother. Both of them were well built, they’d had a good life, eaten well, had plenty of lively experiences growing up, and what more could a young Svefra have wanted? “'Var don’t you go off having too many adventures without me, you hear?” His older brother ruffled the teenager’s jet black hair, long golden locks surely contrasting to Kvar’s darker hair color, so much so they both often had more flamboyant people making jokes about their parents surely being different. “I'll keep a weather eye out for big sister, she can't be too far out of our way. Make sure dad doesn't drive you too mad, he'll have no one to order around now!” Kvar locked arms with his brother, wrist to hand, and wrist to hand. One solid hug later, the brothers parted ways. A happy grin was on the younger brother’s face, as he made his first steps over the gang plank and onto the new Palivar. Kvar looked fresh faced enough, deep blue eyes drinking in all his new surroundings, and shaking hands or greeting any new faces that came his way. Wearing tanned clothes, with his long hair braded in two or three places, there was just enough of beard on his chin to begin to call it a beard, but not more than that yet. OOC : Left the naming to you! I've set the date to be just after she turns 12. Written to this

[Sable Baggywrinkle]

“Did you see that?” a voice as quiet and arresting as that ephemeral moment nestled in the curl of a toppling wave inquired of the young lady clearly mesmerized by the visiting ship’s unique paint-job. Guilt furrowed between the girl’s eyebrows as she snapped her gaze back. “See what?” “Sable, how will you learn if you don’t look around?” “I don’t know how I learn,” she responded absently. “But did you see the way the water turned back on the ship and hit it? The wake should have hit us, but instead it stopped them.” The old man shook his head, giving the young Svefra a pat her sun-bleached curls before turning his attention to something more productive. Clearly, the girl didn’t need him pointing out things she noticed for herself. Jaw ajar, the little scamp watched him expertly weave through the excited throng. But why and how had the water reversed directions? It had swelled and smacked into the ship just like any natural wave, but it most certainly was not! And just who manned the…the…Sable frowned as the view to the ship was obscured by experienced teens helping to get the vessels set up for boarding. Well, she could always find out later and scurried off to find something fun to do. Maybe throwing little kids overboard…yes, sounded about right. The Tempests had halted their fishing operation immediately upon receiving word from the Driftweavers. The dangers of a limping vessel demanded utmost attention and care, so the pod scrambled to have the necessary supplies and equipment on hand for their arrival. And, of course, as the obligatory inspections were made, those not involved in the work enticed their visitors with libations. The main Palivar, The Grey Dawn, which housed the precocious little Sable as well as the Lia who engaged in haggling the trade deal at the moment, took out all the stops to welcome the Driftweavers. It had been years since they’d encountered one another. Having just tipped a little toddler over the railing and into the safe fins of a pair of dolphin Tavans, Sable peered through the corner of her eye at the latest newcomer strolling by behind her. A lad that hadn’t yet needed to shave but was still physically a man; he’d be fun to play with. The thought came from nowhere, and she certainly didn’t analyze its origin in the way his scrutiny scoured the ship closely compared to the other visitors, or the searching glances tossed at Tempest members. Frankly, he looked like he was about to settle in, but Sable just took the message off the top and ran with it. A new playmate. Peering around a crate, necessarily a large one to hide the lanky child behind it, Sable waited until he passed along before scampering out and creeping after. He’d do it soon enough, betray why the water had behaved unnaturally around his ship. It wasn’t long before her antics, while easily overlooked by adults, attracted a gaggle of kids. With little thought, she informed them of the mission and deployed them to various positions. Most of them rushed to the side and stared fruitlessly at the depths between the two Palivars. Still, having retained only a few of the older kids in curiosity, they diligently took to the nooks and crannies that only those with the free time of children would know.

[Kvar Driftweaver]

Watching the back and forth of waves behaving as they were, some of his pod were probably playing games, seeing who could out do the other. The older members would scold them for it, half heartedly of course given the fun it used to cause. When their back was turned it was a mischief he often used to get up to himself, all part of learning your limits! Kvar was walking to the bow of the grey dawn, for the closer he was to the water on the journeys ahead, the more use he could be. Picking out a comfortable spot at the very front would make him more valuable to everyone. When he wasn’t using his trade, he’d be pulling his weight with everyone else. Exploring this new home was fascinating, that one ship was all he'd known most of his life since he was little. Pulling his weight, this was his big chance, to be a man, his own man. Already he was excited about what he’d be able to call his own stories. Hoping over the ship’s winch with a small, agile jump, Kvar landed back on the deck, testing its weight and build. The deck seemed solid, by the noise his steps made he could tell it was going to make a good home, though the different sound of its wood would take some getting used to. Someone next to him waggled a finger and smiled, and the newcomer nodded returning the grin. He’d behave, but knowing his new home was a good one was a welcome thought. Eyeing a discarded, half finished bottle of wine, Kvar looked about to see if anyone minded, and took a swig of it. Obviously discarded, nobody could need it right now, and without his father or the pod to look over his shoulder, what could the harm be? Nobody seemed to mind, and the wine helped settle his excitement. Grimacing at the sharp taste, he put it back down just as quickly, one swig was enough. Besides if nobody took note, he could probably have a second swig later! He wasn’t the only one celebrating the meeting of the pods. Usually when Svefra met pods they hadn’t seen for awhile there was a party, and today was no different! Passing the foremost part of the sail, the young Svefra thought he heard the patter of tiny feet somewhere behind him, and grinned broadly. Stopping suddenly he turned around, as if to be looking in the opposite direction, and happy to play the game. After glancing about, he turned back around, made a few more steps and did the again same, a mock face of seriousness crossing his features... This back and forth continued until, reaching the very forward most point of the bow, the sixteen year old span around sharply and shouted "BOO", waving his hands about very mysteriously indeed.

[Sable Baggywrinkle]

The Grey Dawn’s crew greeted young Kvar with varying degrees of welcome mischief, that spunky twinkle lighting each and every blue eye. Only the very young were free to pay him any more mind than lopsided grins and finger wiggles, those of able body had their hands full making preparations. The young…well, most notably, there was the small gaggle following the youth and not giving any direct contact at all. They followed him along the excellently maintained ship, slinking, skulking, and skittering with surprising stealth considering the sparse amounts of clutter on deck. Well, most of them exhibited stealth skills. Sable tried as best she could, tip-toeing and moving only when absolutely sure Kvar was distracted. It took a while for her to catch up to her friends and the youth, but when he stopped for that swig of wine, of which no one minded, the girl skittered up to join the group. Of course, the Driftweaver was off again, and apparently wizened to the little flock he’d gathered. Most of the little Tempests melted into the woodwork, experienced enough to easily read Kvar’s body language before he whirled around. Sable, though, stuck out like a sore thumb. When first he peered into the distance over the heads of his stalkers, Sable, with a flowing skirt of eel-green and a bright pink scarf wrapped round her torso, was caught in a perfect imitation of a landing sea-gull, and then a waddling morbidly obese walrus, and then a lumbering polar bear. Ironically enough, when he finally confronted them, she was the only one not in sight. But amidst the looks of disconcerted guilt and shocked bafflement staring at that darkly handsome face, warily eyeing his upraised hands, a small giggle started. It sounded like the first chuckles of wash against the bow in the chill of the fiery dawn but quickly grew to the full roar of a palivar slicing through a tumultuous sea. He looked like a bit of plant stuck to coral as the surf washed its tentacles this way and that. One enterprising, hidden child had an offensive against this show of humor. A thick, extended shower of water appeared from behind a pair of men examining a stack of lumber and dumped right on Kvar. Sable eyed the success of her attack from between her uncle’s legs…until he stepped away and took the planks with him. The men had been picking out the type of wood most suitable for the Driftweaver vessel and they had clearly reached a decision. Gawking at Kvar, hoping he didn’t spot her brief appearance, she darted back behind him. Only a deep pail remained in the locale the attack had come from. The other kids scattered, knowing full well that Sable was taking an active approach to witnessing an unnatural manipulation of salt water. Hopefully the unpleasant sensation of being soaked through his clothing would stimulate him to show his secrets.