Colors and Cuddies (Lacerta, Delani)

[Brodon Windriver]

Brodon swallowed his tentative concerns with difficulty. It was true he had realized he had prejudices toward some races. During his conversation with Eleret and Delani just the night before, he had made attempts to come to terms with his attitude about Dhani. The first one he'd gotten to know had tried to kill him. It was only the snake man's inexperience that had foiled his attempt. That and the presence of a third party to complicate events.

But after that, he had become fast friends with the fellow. So much so that he gave instant trust to a female of the same race. His reward for that friendliness had been a knock on the head and the theft of much of his patron's caravan goods. So he'd come to develop what he felt was a sensible caution, short of rudeness, towards strangers of all races.

But in Ahnatep, his experiences with Eypharians was all bad. They treated him as beneath contempt. It was not until he performed a tremendous service for them that they gave what would have been considered common courtesy in Endrykas. It was partially due to his recent update on events among his own horseclans, and partially Eleret's subtle remark the night before, that caused him to reflect on his attitude. He had specifically mentioned Lacerta, saying that he hoped she wasn't like other Eypharians.

Eleret's natural smile had waned and her voice had dropped a measure of its warmth as she asked why he would think that. It stung him to realize she was right. He had apologized, acknowledging the fairness of her question, realizing he was being just like the snobs he was criticizing. It was largely due to this exchange that he decided to accompany Delani to meet Lacerta and get to know her.

There was also the prudent need to get himself, and even more so his hawk Arrow, used to being shipboard. He wanted to spend what time he could spare getting used to the feeling of being on a ship. It would not do for them to be many days at sea and be instructed to send a ship-to-ship message, only to have Arrow bolt for the mainland.

Now he was being subtly punished by fate. The deserved irony, of his host being basically a combination of both of the races he was uncomfortable with, not escaping him. 'It serves me right.' he told himself as he headed toward Lacerta's ship. Here he was, walking into an unfamiliar "lair" with a person who was not only Eypharian, but also, like a Dhani, an apparent shape shifter.

[Lacerta]

~|--|~ Lacerta smiled as Delani commented on her horns, finding it slightly amusing. "Honestly, I don't know what happens to my horns, or four inches of me during the evening. I take the body of one of my past lives, the most recent apparently being an Eypharian. It's also confusing of what happens to the other four arms...." She shrugged. The relation to an Antelope of the Sea confused her, as she'd never heard of them before, despite her years on the water. It was quite possible that she knew it under a different name though, so let the fact pass. The Dykas' explanation on investigating made sense to the Eth, but what she did next was slightly odd. She removed a glove and displayed a glowing mark on her hand. Lacerta stared at it, trying to remember where it was from, then realized it was a mark of Eyris. She'd seen a group called the 'Seekers' in Lhavit, and some of them had that. It seemed to have something to do with knowledge though. One fact that caught her attention though, was the man's name. Brodon. She'd been close, just off by a letter... "Of course.... come..." she answered Delani's question simply, before directing the pair onto her ship. It was simple, and small compared to some other sail boats, being only 30 feet long. It was a miniature compared to the Dusk or Dawn sisters. Once the two were on board, she leaned against a railing and proceeded to watch the female Drykas with curiosity. Still, another question rang in her mind, and she turned to Brodon. "I'm curious.... I know your friend is here to check out my ship, but why are you here?" Her eyes watched him intently, slightly lopsided, as the right was surrounded by a one rayed sun, and the other not. ~|--|~

[Delani Denusk]

"I am sure it is." she added offhandedly then followed her and Brodon aboard the ship, leaving the two of them to talk as she walked the vessel, her hand brushing across the rails and masts and rope as she focused her mind upon the lormar to summon Eyris' boon. Most of the images were of sailors leaning on the railing, or of some creature that happened to touch the deck that wasn't human. Anything that lived could Contribute.

"Tell me, Lacerta, did you purchase the ship or commission its construction?" She wondered if perhaps she could focus her thoughts to dig through the information for a specific piece, such as the original creator. Delani knew already that it only took a little concentration to use the Lykata, but she had difficulty in picking through the plethora of data. It came too jumbled to really be useful ninety percent of the time, and the other ten percent was usually just as useless. If she wanted, say, the previous whereabouts, it might show her who last relieved themselves on it. It could be quite confusing. As such, finding out where the Nikali leash came from was beyond her ability just yet.

Still, patience and practice would lead her to success.

[Brodon Windriver]

Brodon shied back a step. He felt the slight heat of an embarrassed blush, which only served to make him more embarrassed."Why are you here?" the horn-bearing woman had asked him. Her look was somewhat unsettling as she loomed over him.

'Did she already know my attitude? Did Eleret speak to her? Does she want me to leave?' Guilt and defensiveness swamped his response for a moment. He did not WANT to hold a grudge against this person for no other reason than the fact that she was, at least some of the time, an Eypharian. But how could he TELL her such a thing? In a flash of apprehensive insight, an escalating scenario of hurt feelings and angry responses seemed fated to ruin everything.

'I came to see if you are an arrogant, self-righteous snob like all other Eypharians I have ever met.' he imagined himself saying. 'I wanted to know if you are a thieving murderess like the other shape shifting females I have known.' the thought followed. He could almost feel the imagined slap in the face, the shame of being ordered off her ship, the look of disgust that would form on Delani's face, the things they would say after he'd gone...

Arrow saved him from himself. The hawk beaked him hard on his forearm and squawked loudly, disrupting the flow of foolishness crippling his mind. "I am being sorry. I am...be-...trying for...not having to speak...a lot?" he looked back and forth between the two of them, as if asking if he'd said that correctly. He tried to act as though he had only been embarrassed at having to speak his clumsy common. He did not feel this to be deceitful. He knew his intentions were good and felt that it would not be justice to be called out on poor attitudes that he was trying to shed.

"How is it for being...alive...uh...aliving? on a ship? I am trying for being...becoming natural to be feeling...the...floating...ness...of a boat...ship!" he corrected himself. "Oh, you were asking why..." he made as though he had been distracted and the question had only just registered. "Well, this is being mostly...uh...'why'. And also for 'Arrow' here." He gently rocked his forearm, bringing a cry and a stabilizing flutter of wings from his bird. "He is needing to be getting...natural feeling...also...for ships."

[Lacerta]

~|--|~ Brodon's answer slightly confused Lacerta, partially because of his lack of skill in Common. Well... it wasn't like it was his fault. The best she could get out of it was that they were trying to get the feeling of being on a ship. Trying to get their sea legs early? A curious idea, but the Eth guessed it might work. She nodded, accepting this answer easily, but commenting on the bird, apparently called 'Arrow'. "You know, I used to have a bird myself on here. A long... long time ago.." She drifted off into thought, having vague memories of Apus during her time in Lhavit. He'd been an excellent owl, though perhaps not as... well behaved as Arrow seemed to be. When Delani asked another question, the Ethaefal shifted her attention to that. "I had it commissioned... the bottom is a little deeper than usual to fit my extra height. Again, it was many many years ago...." She watched the Drykas move around the deck, brushing the mast and various other parts. Lacerta wasn't quite sure what the gnosis did, but it seemed like Delani was using it. "Umm... if you don't mind me intruding, what exactly are you doing?" She was curious in the least, wondering if there were any other questions she could answer. OOCIf you want, you can PM me about things Delani might find out...? ~|--|~

[Delani Denusk]

Not really paying much attention to the dialogue between her fellow Drykas and the Ethaefal, Delani continued her examination. Hearing that the boat had been commissioned, she hm'd and concentrated as she came to the wheel that steered the vessel. Her jade sights studied the delicate curves of the wood and the sleek grips. It was a charming little boat, but having been aboard the Dawn and Dusk, she could now understand why Matthias would rather just tow the quaint little vessel.

Closing her hand around one of the handles now, Delani closed her eyes and concentrated, focusing on the theme of 'commissioner'. But what she got back differed from the other gleanings she received. With brows raised, she murmured something under her breath and knelt, the scarred over left hand now reaching to turn the wheel slowly. The creak of the rudder in the water thrummed through the still and close-sailed vessel before settling back into place as she released the wheel.

Looking up when Lacerta spoke to her, Delani smiled and explained, "The lykata works by showing me bits of history about an object or area. Sometimes I can See who made it, sometimes who sent the materials and where they came from; other times I might get nothing more than what critter happened to shyke on the spot, heh. My Lady has marked me only once thusfar, and speaks little for she is a Watcher. She sees and hears and knows all, she of the name Eyris." Delani paused and took the wheel in hand again, her eyes half lidding in concentration as she called upon the gnosis once more.

"Take this, for example. Was the man who made this named Dylan? A curious wood...I do not know what it is. It does not grow in the Sea." Delani looked up to the woman now and asked, "This must have been made far from Cyphrus and the grasslands. It is alien but beautifully crafted from what I have seen so far. Your money has been well-spent; but Mr. Syka is accurate in his belief that it would not keep up with the Sisters." She nodded her head casually towards the twins already beginning to settle low into the water as supplies continued to be loaded.

[Brodon Windriver]

Brodon nearly sagged in relief. Lacerta had not appeared to detect his anxiety as anything more than his struggle with common. She even went so far as to make a bit of small talk regarding Arrow. Eleret was right, this woman had not jumped on the opportunity to belittle him. She certainly could have. But in fact, she seemed eager to set him at ease.

He looked around as the two women discussed Delani's mark. It had never occurred to him that someone would live on a floating vessel at sea. Certainly, a ship's crew would be housed during a voyage, but to make it your home...Still, it was not far different from the cramped, but cozy, environment of a caravan wagon, save for the smell and sounds of the sea, rather than the desert. Even the easy rocking of the waves mimicked the rocking of a wagon over uneven ground.

And what matter if it did not stay in the same place? Endrykas was not a stationary city, yet he had called it "home" for a long time. Actually, the snapping of sail canvas cut through the wash of droning waves to bring about a nostalgic reminder of tent canvas on the great Sea of Grass. It brought with it a sense of melancholy. 'Would Endrykas ever be his home again? Would his people find an honorable path again?'

He wondered what kind of culture this expedition would establish at Syka, assuming they survived. They were of such a varied nature, it would probably be like no culture before it. Even his own contribution would not be pure Drykas after his enjoyable stay with the Benshira, as evidenced by his current dress.

At a pause in the conversation, he asked Lacerta if she would mind if he put Arrow through some paces from the deck, having him fly from one indicated vessel to another. He told her he would need an identifying name for it, as he had used with Delani. He did not mention "tall head", but he could not completely strike the grin from his expression. He suggested "White Water House" as he avoided eye contact with Delani.

[Lacerta]

~|--|~ Lacerta listened to Delani's explanation with a nod. It was an interesting gnosis, sort of similar to her own, in retrospect. Both were used for learning and observing... though her's was slightly more physical. She grinned at the next statement, something dawning on her. When the Drykas had mentioned the antelope of the "Sea", she hadn't been talking about actual water. The Eth had been confused, trying to imagine some kind of deer-horned water dweller. Now she understood that Delani was speaking about the Sea of Grass, and area she had never visited, but had heard about. "I'm not sure what kind of wood it's made of- but it's sturdy, and used in most ships. Starry Sea is quite basic, and I got her quite cheap, considering what some boats reach." She glanced over to the Dawn and Dusk sisters as the Drykas did, answering that too. "It's mostly because this ship's a lot smaller, with only one sail, and tiny compared to their's. It's easy to sail one-person though." She shrugged, before listening to Brodon. The man spoke about flying his hawk between boats, and was wondering what words to use. At this, the Eth pursed her lips, thinking. "You mean you need a name for a ship?" She could only guess from his example, 'white water house'. "Uhhh wouldn't one word be simpler? Say... 'Vessel', or 'Boat'? Or do you want this ship in particular?" She wasn't quite sure what he wanted with his request, but was still willing to help anyways. She paused, considering something for a moment, and proposed a new idea, completely off topic. "Say... if you two wanted to get a feel for the ship, we could always take it on a short sail- a bell or two, away from the city and back. The wind's heading in the right direction anyways." She didn't mind either way, but it would be nice to take Starry Sea out one more time before their journey to Syka. ~|--|~

[Delani Denusk]

As she made her way back towards the others, she overheard Lacerta suggest something simpler to Brodon in regards to naming things and this, made the woman roll her eyes. "He is still overcomplicating it. To call it ship or boat or vessel could relate all shapes like it. If we were to cross others on the Suvan during our journey, he could get confused, that on the chance that he is flying at the time."

"Why not simply call it what it is? Starry Sea? Does he know the differences in the words?"

Dela turned her eyes onto Lacerta now and smiled. The thought of a short trip honestly sounded entertaining and would help her prepare her sea legs. "A fine idea, I should think. But we will need to keep it brief; I have other stops I must make before the day is done, other business to attend to 'fore we leave in the morn."

x

[Brodon Windriver]

"It is needing to being a thing...name...that he can...know is meaning this one." Brodon struggled to explain, as much to himself as to the two women. "But is making it..." his frustration evident as he struggled to find the word 'unique' in his limited common vocabulary. He finally spoke the Pavi equivalent to Denali, asking her what the common translation was.

"Unique!" he spouted when she answered. "It must being also unique for him to be knowing it means ONLY this one." He continued with the other limitation on his options. "And I am not knowing word for 'boat' or 'ship' in Nari speaking." He grinned a little sheepishly with this confession. "So I am having to be being good enough with 'Water House'. And it is being white colored, so..." he let the conclusion hang unspoken.

"Water House' is what I am calling all the boats," he said before launching into a series of whistles, chirps and clicks, some of them coinciding with gestures that seemed to indicate the surrounding vessel, while others clearly were directed at the white color scheme of much of the interior. Arrow responded with a keen focus, repeating the patterns back. Soon, Brodon was merely pointing at the color, or making a sweeping motion with his arm, and Arrow was responding to his satisfaction. He turned back to Lacerta.

"If we could be going...um...outside, still on the boat...I would being to show Arrow this being the same white...color of...the outside...of the boat." he grimaced at his clumsy explanation, but found no ridicule in the looks of the women. If anything, he thought they seemed to be sort of charmed by it. The lack of social pressure made his next comment smoother of speech, without his noticing. "And I would be happy for going with you out for a sail...ing. It would be a good thing for Arrow's not being worried when we DO leave."