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[Shijara]

29th of Spring, 514 A.V.
Riverfall Docks
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If I was a irritating petcher, where would I be? C'mon, Bottle Breath, where are you? Shijara was near the water, her black eyes appearing still as they scanned over the multitude of boats that sat anchored at dock. There was one particular Svefra she needed to find. One that she never imagined she'd be looking for on her own will a week or so ago. Shjara could still remember the sound of his voice. The look in his eye when she insulted him. His grating laugh when he tested her patience. Kel. Kel Tempest.

Merchants and traders moved their wares. Fishermen cleaned their boats. It was a busy day, but otherwise peaceful. A day she should have been enjoying. And here she was, risking her happiness for this bastard. Briefly, the Chaktawe thought back to the night at Alements. He had left with some woman. Maybe the female had killed him. An amused smile played on Shijara's lip until her attention fell on what she was searching for.

The casinor was where she had first seen it. Please don't be drunk. The black haired woman had a feeling he would be. Or perhaps he wasn't home. Maybe off in a tavern harassing some other girl. A deep breath expelled from her lungs, and she approached the small ship. "Chopre!," Shijara put on the best smile she could, yelling in hopes he would show up. "You can stop crying. I'm back!"

Shijara found it easiest to deal with the male when she took everything with a grain of salt. She had made the mistake of trusting him. Not again. Or... maybe a little. She was going to ask for a ride, after all. Still, it didn't mean she couldn't tease him right back. After all, the male was oblivious to anyone actually disliking him. Might as well play his game.

"Jenkins!" Shi tried to see around the ship, wondering if she would see a little creature poking its head up. Maybe addressing the tavan would irritate Kel into showing his face. Or with her luck, he was probably passed out somewhere.

Shijara crossed her arms, her mid drift top blowing in the wind. She played with the rings on her fingers impatiently. A pit began forming in her stomach and she bit her lip nervously. Was she ready for the storm she was calling upon herself?

Her guardian, Sonnet spoke up, barely above a whisper, 'Is this wise?' The cougar sounded amused.

"No." Shijara muttered under her breath, fixing her hair and feigning excitement. Here's to acting.

[Kel Tempest]

The wind blew, tossing the Svefra’s black hair wildly as it hung upside down in the air. He brushed a few strands of stray hair out of his face, irritably. He could feel his muscles tighten and flex as he exerted his body. It was used to being pushed hard and even though he was almost 100% better from his injuries, it would have been wise to take it easy. But he was never one to be subdued by the complaints of his body.


His legs were tightly wrapped around two small spars that protruded from the top of the crow’s nest attached to the mast of his vessel, the Laviku’s Wrath. He hung upside down, dangling thirty-five feet above the deck of his ship untethered, completely unconcerned that if he released his hold on the wooden beams he would plummet to his death.


Kel tinkered with the pulley system at the top of the mast that connected the main sail to the wooden beam. Something had gotten caught in the rope and caused the metal contraption that moved the rope up and down to stop operating correctly. So the agile Svefra climbed the mast until he was at the small crow’s nest, enjoying the feeling of being so high above the land and sea, feeling the mast sway in the wind combined with the bobbing of the ocean below.


He paused for a moment and flexed his abdomen, jerking upwards, snatching a hold of the round edge of the crow’s nest with his hand and pulled himself upright. He pulled himself up so he was sitting on top of the rounded bowl shape, releasing his legs so they dangled freely, resting high above the air. He stared out across the ocean towards the horizon, feeling the call of the sea strongly in his veins.


What kept him from heeding that call? A pod? Bahh, he didn’t need them. He could do without a lia commanding him around like a petching lap dog. There was nothing keeping him from abandoning the Tempests just like he abandoned the Greytides. He had good reason for leaving his first pod. Failed leadership allowed for the death of his mentor and friend. He wasn’t about to get tied down by another leader who wouldn’t capable of leading. Who would die next because of her? Tydus? Jenkins?


Kel was dragged from his reveries as a familiar voice floated up from docks below him. He shook his head, clearing his thoughts before looking down towards the pier below. A black haired woman stood below. He listened closer, trying to hear what she was yelling but the wind ripped away her words before he could hear them. He faintly made out what sounded to be the name of his tavan.


A grin sprung to his face and his blue eyes flashed mischievously as he finally recognized her. The last time they spent extended amounts of time together he had faked his own death and she had become visibly distraught. A plan began to formulate in his mind as she seemed unaware of his current location.


Kel braced himself against the mast and stood upright. Without thinking, he inhaled deeply and leaped.


The Svefra plummeted through the air letting out a death curling scream rip through the air. He kept his feet pointed and flapped his arms madly in the air to keep his body in a relative straight line.


Kel hit the water, narrowly missing the side of his ship, in an explosion of water abruptly cutting off his blood curling scream, leaving nothing but silence in his wake.

Legend

Fratava

Kel's Common

Kel's Thoughts

PC/NPC

[Shijara]

Her body reacted before her mind could. The splitting scream growing closer by the second and the falling figure scared her, making Shijara gasp and jerk backwards. She laughed when he slapped into the water, a more nervous sound than one of mirth. Instantly, she realized what trick he had pulled on her. Must he always terrorize her? The answer was obvious. Yes.

Bastard. The water he had errupted had caused a mild splash to land on her front, mostly clutching to her shirt dampening it. She wiped away any of the liquid that landed on her stomach before putting her hands on her hips and waited for him to emerge. She was careful not to move to close to the edge. There was no guarantee that the petcher wouldn't pull her in and those were odds she refused to take.

Instead the woman braced herself, smirking at the water. Wouldn't it be lovely if he just didn't come back up? She stomped on the dock. Despite him being irritating, Shijara was not a spiteful woman and knew she didn't mean her thoughts. She still needed to strike a deal with him. It might be an impossible endeavor, but worth a shot. There was a good chance he could be bought. A bottle or two of ale, perhaps? A handful of shiny mizas?

"It's always a pleasure to hear that voice of yours." Shijara grinned, and then decided to strike, "I'm here to talk business, Chopre. Interested? " Shijara crossed her arms over her chest just in case the fabric had decided to cling to her curves, and raised a thin eyebrow.

[Kel Tempest]

The momentum of his jump forced him down through the water. He opened his eyes and waited for the bubbles to clear from his vision before angling his body horizontal with the sea bed beneath him and frog kicked through the water, propelling him forward. He felt his lungs straining as he swam under the hull of his ship and past the large wooden beams that supported the pier above the water. He slowly allowed his body to float to the surface.


His face slowly emerged from the water, behind Shijara, eyes breaking the surface of the salt water silently. He quietly grabbed the edges of the dock and pulled his face up and over, his chin hovering just over the wooden planks, eyes alight with mischief.


Kel inhaled and yelled loudly, “SHIJARA!” He chortled as he attempted to scare her yet again, shaking his head in amusement, never tiring of the game. He let his body drift leisurely in the chill water as he rested his chin on his arms, looking up at her. He grinned as he awaited her reaction.


"Well, well, well. Lookie who it tis'...business, aye? What’cha got in mind, eh? Yeh' know I ain't be acceptin' deals from just anyone now..."


He wiggled his eyebrows at her, a smirk hovering at the corners of his lips, masking his intrigue with his signature cocky persona as he waited to hear her offer. He was mildly surprised that she would come to him for anything at all. She must be really desperate to ask him of all people. He knew she knew him well enough by now that he wouldn’t agree to anything that didn’t benefit him.


The last thing he needed was her thinking he was interested in whatever she had to say. Luckily, feinting disinterest was one of his many talents. It took a special sort to make a person feel unimportant or belittled. But Kel had plenty of practice in that area and he looked forward to flaunting it.

Legend

Fratava

Kel's Common

Kel's Thoughts

PC/NPC

[Shijara]

Shihara took a deep inhale to practice saint patience. He was yelling. Again. Instead of jumping, she clenched her fists to control herself from jerking yet again. She turned to face him with a bright smile, "Oh, Chopre. You remembered my name. I'm flattered. I might have a little favor to ask. Very small, of course."

Shi lifted her fingers, using her forefinger and thumb to show to small amount. An innocent smile, pulled at her lips. She let her eyes flicker to Kel's boat. Svefra loved being the center of attention, didn't they? Shijara imagined Kel loving when he was... praised. "Beautiful. Very strong... vessel." Instantly, Shijara wanted to vomit. It sounded like she was making some sort of Svefran innuendo. Her cheeks instantly got red and she covered her face.

"Look," she grumbled, embarrassed now. Why did it have to be Kel? "I want a ride out of Riverfall. I'll pay you. What do you want?" Her last question was asked apprehensively, hoping he was so caught up in himself he would let her comment drop. She was already thinking of a thousand responses he could give her, mostly ones of him denying her passage.

A part of her wanted him to say no, honestly.

"I'm obviously not a Svefra. But I'll stay out of your hair, and I can clean... the floor or something too." The Chaktawe shrugged and waited for his answer. She needed to stop talking or else she had a feeling he would use her words against her, "I can't be stuck here forever."

Even if it meant being on the sea. Even if it meant being trapped with this man for significant periods of time. Even if it meant her demise. She had to fulfill a promise she made long ago.

[Kel Tempest]

The Svefra shifted and gripped the edges of the dock with his hands. He lowered his body slightly into the water before jerking himself up and over the wood so that his waist was even with the pier. Kel swung a leg up and over until he was out of the water and back on the dock. He stood directly in front of the Chaktawe and shook his head, water flying in every direction. Kel grinned as he sprayed water all over her.


As she squirmed, asking about a favor, he slid past her and easily stepped over the gap between his ship and the pier. He stood, dripping salt water all over the deck of his ship as he looked up at his mast, making sure the rope was still in the proper place in the pulley. At her comment about his strong vessel he turned back towards her and lifted his arms flexing, the tattoos dancing across his muscles. A huge grin crossed his face as he waggled his eyebrows at her suggestively.


“Well, well, well. I always knew yeh’ had teh’ hots fer’ meh’. Just surprised it took yeh’ so long to mention it.” His grin grew even wider as he watched her grow increasingly embarrassed. Though her request brought him to a halt and his smirk faltered for a moment as he processed what she said. But at the mention of payment, the grin came back. Kel stroked his chin in mock thoughtfulness.


“’N I thought yeh’ were just here fer’ my charmin’ presence…”


Thoughts flashed through his mind, objects of need popping into his thoughts, but he discarded those. He didn’t care about what he needed. He cared about what he wanted. And there were so many things…


At her comment about cleaning, the Svefra burst out laughing. He waggled a finger at her, smirking.


“Now, now, don’tcha worry. We’ll be findin’ plenty of work fer’ yeh’ to be doin…” He winked at her again and let her mind take that comment where it would. He enjoyed making her squirm. Kel wandered back towards the side of the ship where Shijara stood staring at him and sat down on the railing, one foot propped up on it. He rested one arm on his bent knee and looked up at her smirking.


“Hmm what to have…What. To. Haaaave…So many choices, ‘em I right? Hmm…” Kel pondered. Suddenly one of his desires came to him. His face lit up with anticipation as he finally decided on the price for her company.


“I like me some shiny rings.” He wiggled his fingers up at her shamelessly. “Yeh’ bring me some rings ‘n yeh’ got yer’self a spot ‘ere on me ship.” He arched an eyebrow at her, inquisitively.


“So what’da think, eh. We got ourselves a deal?”

[Shijara]

He was taking an awful long time to decide on what he wanted. In retrospect it was barely any time at all, but the way he grinned and the implications in his voice made her nervous. Please be reasonable. Please. Her eyes were level and she watched him carefully when he looked up. She straightened up when his eyes lit up. He had made a decision. It was all over his face.

You like... shiny rings? Shi blinked. That was it? A huge relief lightened her mood and she started smiling right back. So, he was a fan of trinkets and objects of... wealth? Decoration? That's it? Shijara knew very little about sea travel, but she expected to be throwing down a few dozen mizas plus extra. If he was willing to work out such a good deal... Maybe he had no idea how business worked. She looked at the dock, mentally calculating the costs. She didn't know much about jewelry, but she might have been able to save a little bit of coin if she played her cards right. She would need to make them attractive enough that he'd accept them, but still cheap enough to save.

Of course, there was always the little comment he had made about making her work. Her smile faded only slightly but she reached out to shake his hand, "I think that's reasonable, chopre he randi. Of course,..." Shijara quickly pulled back her hand before he could take it. She held it up in a loose fist, contemplating, "That really does depend on when and where we go."

Shi didn't want to agree just yet. Somehow this felt like a trap, but most things did with Kel. She always felt on edge in every one of their encounters, like at any minute the world could be turned upside down. Even though she tried her best to give people the benefit of the doubt, it was hard with the blue eyed devil. She had to even emphasized the 'we' so he would know what he was saying, for clarification.

Shijara waited to hear Kel's answer. Hopefully he had some sort of idea of what the plan was. Once she heard something agreeable, she'd make the deal. I hope I don't regret this.

[Kel Tempest]

She seemed relieved when he gave his demands for traveling with him. Kel’s sea blue eyes narrowed slightly as he watched her keenly. She was rarely one to give in without a fight and he half expected her to argue with his compensation. But instead, she quickly thrust out her hand to make the deal. He stared at it, mind churning as he tried to figure out what the catch was.


But just as quickly as the hand was offered, she pulled it back and his mood lightened. Ahh, there was the catch. She wasn’t quite done yet. He relaxed as he waited for her to speak whatever was on her mind. After she said her piece, he arched one eyebrow and looked up at her mockingly.


“Yeh’ danglin’ bait in me face and then snatch it back just be’fer makin’ a deal? Some be considerin’ that bad manners in teh’ business world.” Kel knew absolutely nothing about the business world; he just enjoyed throwing words around in an attempt to fluster those he talked to. He didn’t particularly need anything, nothing vital at any rate. He had his ship, ale and his trident.


He wasn’t very keen on bringing someone else along with him and Tydus in their travels. Especially a land dweller, it was like dragging a dead animal behind them in their wake. It did nothing but slow them down. But on the other hand, one could never know when a spare body could come in handy. Worst case scenario, he could make some extra mizas by selling her to the first slaver they came across. An exotic beauty was sure to rustle up a fair price.


Kel rubbed his jaw thoughtfully for a moment. Finally, after sitting in silence for an extended period, allowing her to grow more uncomfortable, he shifted.


“Welp, Ty and meself be headin’ to Kenash. We have a job to pick up some rum fer’ teh’ Alement and whatever else tickles our fancy.” He cracked his neck lazily as he spoke.


“We be shippin’ out on teh’ 32nd. If yehr’ comin’ yeh’ll be needin’ yehr’ own water.”


As entertaining as Shijara’s surprise visit was at the start, he began to grow bored of the conversation. Working out the details wasn’t his department; he didn’t have the patience for it. Either Shijara would be desperate enough to come with him regardless of the lack of details he gave her or she didn’t care enough to leave the city. Either way, he didn’t have anything to lose. Kel stood and stretched lazily before heading back towards his cabin. The Svefra looked back over his shoulder as he walked away and smirked at her.


“I’ll be wantin’ me rings in silver. Blue sapphire in one, single black band on teh’ other. Be ‘err at dawn.”


And without even waiting to see if she agreed to the terms, the arrogant Svefra disappeared inside his cabin, door slamming shut behind him, signaling the conversation was over.

[Shijara]

He was wanting to wrap up the conversation. Good. Shijara took in the details quickly, nodding as he continued to talk. What day is it? I will need to sell Oasis, and then I could use the money to stock up for the trip. I'll need water and food and... How much are rings?

Kel lost interest. While she was busy being responsible and a good potential guest, he disregarded her. Not that it was any skin off her back. She had what she wanted. An agreement. She was one step closer to fulfilling her promise, and of course, she had some level of healthy doubt. This is foolish. On my part.

'No. Is it?'

Shijara heard her guardian's voice and noted that the words were heavily laced with sarcasm, which did little to calm her nerves. She sighed, and snapped out of her thoughts when the slamming of a door surprised her. Ah, so Kel had run off. His absence left Shi alone with the gentle lapping of the waves and deep sense of impending doom.

[Gossamer]

XP AWARD!
Thanks for threading in Riverfall.

Character: Shijara
Experience: Observation +2, Socialization +2, Planning +2
Lore: Kel: Unusual Descents From Rigging


Character: Kel Tempest
Experience: Climbing +1, Diving +1, Socialization +1, Swimming +1, Negotiation +1, Planning +1
Lore: Climbing: Climbing Rigging



Additional Note: Kel, if you want acrobatics instead of climbing, let me know. I just felt the climbing fit better with your opening post. Also, I’m not sure Casinors have 35ft sails. That seems a little drastic for the small size of the craft.

Not much I can award you in lores. Sorry!