Closed Bathing in the Blue (Atoll)

A fishing trip turns stormy

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Built into the cliffs overlooking the Suvan Sea, Riverfall resides on the edge of grasslands of Cyphrus where the Bluevein River plunges off the plain and cascades down to the inland sea below. Home of the Akalak, Riverfall is a self-supporting city populated by devoted warriors. [Riverfall Codex]

Bathing in the Blue (Atoll)

Postby Jaye on June 11th, 2014, 8:21 am

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7th of Summer

As Jaye wandered through the tortuously hot streets she wiped the sweat from her brow. If there was any day to be invited out onto the ocean today was the perfect day. Remembering the cool breeze that crept over the surface of the water Jaye shivered with euphoric delight.

A spear dragged along the ground, jerking as it ran over cobbles and stones in her path. A gentle thunking noise followed her trail. Made from a heavy weight wood and metal the long spear was difficult for Jaye to lift and throw but she had been assured by the shop keeper that purchasing the more expensive heavy model would prove useful in building her muscles and aim. Naive in the ways of merchants Jaye had readily believed his claim and gave the money effortlessly.

Her job in Endrykas had primarily oriented around her ability to become a horse a skill both unique and effective in the Sea. However, since coming to Riverfall she had quickly witnessed the usefulness of her human form and needed a method of protection even in her vulnerable form.

The sailor Atoll had invited her sailing. She had agreed despite herself. The sigh of him made her blush unconsciously and everything he said, no matter how obtuse made her giggle. She felt equal parts clumsy and stupid around him, a feeling she had agonized over the last few days. She had wanted to mention it to Natalia but every time she moved to speak, something else puttered past her lips.

As she approached the busy dock and made her way through the bustling rainbow of Akalak men and other species her heart began to race. The Sextant, his Casinor, was docked in the same place he had dropped her at in the Spring so she was able to spot it with relative ease.

"Hey!" She called, waving through the crowd to draw the Svefras attention to herself. The dock wobbled under her feet making her stumble like a clumbsy fawn toward the boat. Her white silk dress shuffled quietly against her legs as she stumbled. Frayed at the edges with age and wear amongst the grass it was getting much better treatment since arriving in Riverfall. Though it looked worn Jaye was of the opinion it had never looked better.

Her hair was tied in the most elaborate knot she could make at the side of her neck. A symbol of status among the Drykas, long beautifully knotted hair was considered a type of jewelry. Secretly, she hoped for a compliment as she boarded the swaying boat with trepidation, feet wobbling beneath her.

Her last ride had been harried with the tension and adrenaline of drowning. With a new perspective and most importantly, a choice in the matter, she sincerely did not want to get on the boat. Though her fingers and limbs proved useful in her human form, she felt vulnerable and small on the grand vastness of the sea. However, as much as she didn't want to get on the Casinor her pride prevented her from voicing her concerns.

The deck of the ship was glistening with water from being recently mopped and the mast billowed under the gods breathes. The ocean opened up from the pier vast, flat and rolling like the Sea of Grass. It would have been like going home if it weren't for the blinding reflection of Syna on the surface and the rocking beneath her feet.

"So...this is where you spend most of your life?" She queried running her fingers over the edge of the ship and peering uneasily over the rim. "Why? There is no one here...Do you not get bored?" She couldn't imagine not living amongst a community, though Riverfall was not the community she desired so badly to be a part of, she would take it over complete solitude.

Jaye rested the end of her spear on the deck of the ship, "Where should I put this where a roll of the ship wont send it straight into US?" Setting it down where she was instructed Jaye stood in the middle of the ship, shaky legs holding her up. "So. You tried riding, I will try sailing. What do I do?" She offered up both her hands to him, a symbolic gesture of her willingness to follow his guidance.

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Bathing in the Blue (Atoll)

Postby Atoll Northwind on June 16th, 2014, 8:51 pm

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Like a beached whale, Atoll sat with the Sextant at the docks. He hadn’t patched up his poor baby since his original run in with the net ruiner. It was neglect, plain and simple. Laviku sink him for a fool he couldn’t even wonder why he hadn’t. Atoll knew why, he’d been too busy playing land-dweller to pay attention. The Svefra was lucky he hadn’t done any hard sailing or he’d be in trouble trying to patch it. As it was he’d was spending the better part of his day cleaning up the Sextant. His sails were newly hung, the deck cleaned, and he was finishing with the rigging. Giving his current piece a few more tugs, careful not to untie the knot, he tightened up some of the loose lines. Gotta get someone to fix this up for me, can’t have them coming out if I can’t fix ‘em.He thought then stepped back. He glanced inland and made a mental note to go buy something new to clean his deck with besides his shirt. Which he hung over the till before sliding down the steps into his cabin to look for his ship tools.

They were exactly where’d he’d left them stacked on a chair that he’d nailed to the floor. He didn’t bother lugging it up top, just carefully pulled out each paper until he found the one he needed. It was a basic plan for a casinor, one he’d help his son build when he got around to making a son, but it had precisely what he was looking for. Little notes marked the side where’d he’d put in his own modifications. Notes for a harpoon gun, some new oils, and some sandpaper that he’d never bought. The Svefra scratched his head for a moment then carefully put the plans away and jogged back up the steps.

On deck he leaned over the hull and peered at the marks. There weren’t chunks missing but it could use a filler of some kind and good sanding. Atoll groaned realizing he’d have to put on some shoes and walk the back to the little market. These thoughts did not last long when he heard a recognizable voice call out. It was a reminiscent of the shouts for help of one net-ruining naked woman.

He turned in time to see her dress and knotted hair boarding the Sextant. Atoll chuckled at her boldness and clumsy approach to steadying herself. He didn’t speak, just watched her with a smirk. In two quick strides he swept up her spear, and reached to give her arm a squeeze in greeting.
“Bold ya are. Could’ve been out then ya’d be waitin’ awhile.” Atoll’s voice faded as he went below deck again, letting Jaye’s spear fall to the ground before jumping back up. “Won’t be stabbing anyone from down there. But we ain’t doin’ nothin’ yet, Jaye lass. Sit for a chime, gotta get my baby ready.”

“And ‘course I live here. All my life is with Laviku, the pods…”
He searched for the word while he pulled in the anchor, grunting as he spoke, “most of times with us. I got sick an’ they left me for a tick.” Pretty long damned tick. Atoll grumped mentally. “But ya can’t be bored on sea. Always ships to run down, things to get, gotta sail and keep my baby swimmin’. ‘Course, when ya can’t do nothin’ there’s always a good party and drink.”

Finished with the anchor Atoll moved to cast off the lines except the bow spring. Then he took a moment to consider the wind and check how bad the traffic was. Luck was on their side and there was not too many ships docked near the casinor. He made his way over to the tiller, still speaking to Jaye, “Where do ya think I’d live? And what about ya? Livin’ on land all day, wacha gonna do on land that ya can’t get better at sea?” The Svefra unlocked the till, aware the boom would swing he called out a warning, “Watch your head!”

He turned it starboard side, ever so slowly the waves and breezy winds pushed the Sextant out at an angle from the dock. When it looked smooth he felt the bow hit the dock and cursed. He locked the tiller and jumped up to undo the bow spring line. Finished, he jogged back to the tiller then turned it portside, keeping a free eye on the boom. Waiting for the casinor to finish turning about he glanced at Jaye again, a wide smile on but his gaze held mischief.

“Tell me, Jaye. How ya at fishin’ when ya ain’t stuck in a net?”
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Bathing in the Blue (Atoll)

Postby Jaye on June 27th, 2014, 8:11 am

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7th of Summer

OOCI am really sorry for the delay >_<

She was surprised with the briskness with which he tugged the spear from her hand but relaxed her grip upon its shaft none the less, allowing him to remove it. As his hand reached out, squeezing her forearm gently, her arm and face flushed red as she felt pleasant tingles cascade from his calloused hands. She had been innocently touched by boys, or more specifically Asher, but never had their touch elicited the uncontrollable physical responses his did.

“Bold ya are. Could’ve been out then ya’d be waitin’ awhile.” He murmured as he slid below deck much to Jayes relief. She had been scouring the decks for days looking for the familiar lilt of the Sextant and his sun dappled cheeks. She knew his routine, or lack thereof, far better than she dared admit and as he broke the horizon the the stairs she let the statement remain unanswered hoping it would whisk from his thoughts as quickly as the wind buffeted his sail.

“Won’t be stabbing anyone from down there. But we ain’t doin’ nothin’ yet, Jaye lass. Sit for a chime, gotta get my baby ready.” She wasn't sure what feeling clammed her heart at his words. Though it felt similar to the jealousy she felt when she saw a Drykas and their Strider, the same deep throb dipped in sadness, she couldn't fathom why she would feel so deeply about the word...baby...Perhaps it was the affection with which it was said, since she hardly understood the connotation of the phrase. Perhaps she unconsciously recognized its meaning. Either way she couldn't help the obvious emotions that flitted over her nubile face, whether their origins where known by her or Atoll, their presence was as obvious as the swell of a storm in the distance.

“And ‘course I live here. All my life is with Laviku, the pods…” She took a seat as directed, bringing her knees to her chin as she watched his arms bulge with effort. The anchor moved upward as he spoke between grunts making Jaye raise an eyebrow. She had deep respect for manual labour, as both a Drykas and a horse Kelvic, and thought little more than a hero was more noble. Her mind wandered, daydreaming and dancing through the wavering heat that wandered over her shoulders threateningly.

His legs tightened around her girth as she spread her legs. Swallowing the ground with each stride her long equine legs gathered speed beneath his easy guidance. Typically, her daydreams maneuvered their way into vast and unlikely tales of Mages and warfare but her mind wandered of its own accord leaving her slightly troubled as she broke through the reverie. How could so little action, so little excitement, amuse her so? Why when she daydreamed of him did she loiter over such minor details as the suns position across his face or the strength of his legs around her?

“most of times with us. I got sick an’ they left me for a tick. But ya can’t be bored on sea. Always ships to run down, things to get, gotta sail and keep my baby swimmin. Course, when ya can’t do nothin’ there’s always a good party and drink.” His thick accent still left her blinking blankly at times but she had gathered the gist of the reply and nodded slowly.

"Seems silly that there should always be so much to do when travelin'. Our pavilion is always on the move and we hardly need so much preparation and maintenance." Naive enough to believe her falsehood she thought back to her home with a pang of loneliness. She hadn't been trusted with much of the maintenance required of moving. Her lack of focus left most tasks half finished or rushed and more than once knots or tarps had fallen apart due to her lack luster diligence.

“Where do ya think I’d live? And what about ya? Livin’ on land all day, wacha gonna do on land that ya can’t get better at sea?” The question made Jaye pause for a moment, How do I answer such a question? The land holds everything, I hardly know what I could get at sea AT ALL. I could hardly gallop across the plains of the waves, and there would be no one with which to speak to or be near. The sea might be what he calls home, but it holds nothing of import that I can fathom... It was too difficult a feeling and belief to verbalize so the Kelvic remained mute watching the boat drift effortlessly away from the dock, the last vestiges of her world.

“Watch your head!” The beam narrowly missed Jaye's head as she spun to see what it was he was warning her of. Fortunately her father had demanded obedience before understanding, it was the basis of survival on the plains, and even as she turned she had dropped to the floor. The reaction was overly dramatic as the beam passed over her several feet from her vulnerable head.

As she turned to glance at him from her place of prostration his wide smile left tore one from her own mouth. Glancing back down she eased herself up, balancing carefully with her hands as the boat rocked beneath her ill equipped legs.

“Tell me, Jaye. How ya at fishin’ when ya ain’t stuck in a net?”

"About as good as your land legs," She replied mockingly, resisting the urge to punctuate the statement by sticking out her tongue.

Finally standing erect she toddled over to Atoll and away from the threatening beam. How hard can it be? You throw a net into the water and pull it up. Perhaps I can even catch a couple with the spear... growing more confident as she imagined herself stretched out over the railing spearing fish after fish with ease.

"If you will fetch me my spear kind sir, I will gladly show you my skill." Even as she uttered the last word her childish impetuousness lingered the daydream so fresh in her mind she couldn't fathom failure.

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