Open [The Docks] A Long Walk

[Shai]

Timestamp: 19th of Spring 515 AV

The evening sun lazed on the Western horizon threatening the hills. Shai wandered down the docks in a lazy fashion. A number had eyed her ready to shoo her off but the widow’s nimble step was never quite in the way like expected. Most of the ships had already dealt with their cargo earlier in the day and the sailors were stumbling between taverns or safe in their wives’ beds.

Shai paused her stroll near an empty berth to watch one of the last ships’ crews unload its burden. It could be that their captain was particularly strict or they had come to port late, the spider had no way of knowing. Generally her eyes followed the wares but tonight they were for the sails and rigging. A floppy wide-brimmed, navy hat covered her head from the worst of Syna’s attentions. Alabaster skin and eye’s more suited to night than day meant protection was a necessity. Dressed far nicer than anyone dared in Sunberth, her cream blouse and dark breeches gave her ample movement while maintaining a sense of wealth she’d never revealed in her previous home.

Surf lapped against the sturdy foundations of the dock and Shai started to hum to herself. The men were all but done it seemed, and not a one had touched the riggings that fascinated her so. Each of the ships she had passed in her walk had guards, or at least sailors actively on watch and so she hadn’t approached. This had been her last hope to see how the ropes and canvas worked together.

Slightly crestfallen the Symenestra began internally running through excuses to get on board a vessel for a closer look. Shai tilted her hips to send her gaze over the bay, it wouldn’t do to look too interested. Being Symenestra was enough of a crime for many humans, no need to give them anything more illicit to accuse her of.

As solid alibi began to form, her thoughts were shattered by a telepathic interruption. Shai, there is an anomaly. Chell described ever-so-vaguely. The Irylid lay between her shoulder blades, a crystalline gem affixed to silver necklace chain. The only thing odd about him to regular person was that Shai chose to wear her necklace backwards.

Reed sandals creaked as the spider twisted on her feet, away from the open sea and back towards the gradually clearing dock.

[Anouk]

The tide gifted Anouk with memories of her home, her family. The sound bought a faint smile to the Konti's lips as she slipped through the dispersing crowd of the docks. Syna's golden light made her feel drowsy, but comfortably so, as if Anouk had drank three or four pints of cider and wanted to do nothing more than to curl up and take a nap. But she had urged herself to stay awake though, and instead had left her student quarters to explore Zeltiva.

She had been in the city since the turn of the season, but Anouk still felt that there were many pockets of Zeltiva that were waiting for her to explore. And of course, there were endless other people for her to meet. The prospect of exploration and introduction excited the Konti; so far she had only really socialised with other students at the University, and she was keen to expand her social circle.

She wore a pair of white lace gloves, and Anouk tugged at them every so often as she strolled along the docks. The dainty accessories served as no real purpose, other than to keep Anouk's head clear of the desires and wants from the people around her. It was all too easy to bump into random men and women in the city - or rather, be bumped into. That had been the biggest culture shock for the Konti since she had arrived in Zeltiva; how people pushed and shoved their way impatiently through a busy street. Had they no patience? Anouk had never been so late to an appointment before that she had resulted in pushing others out of her way. The mere thought made her feel uncomfortable and harried.

It had thus pleased Anouk when she noticed how quiet the docks were. The day's trading had almost all ceased, and the Konti passed only one ship that was still being unloaded. She had greeted the crew with a gentle smile and wave of her hand, and they'd replied with sheepish grins and embarrassed mutters.

Finally, Anouk could see the end of the dock, and the sea that lay beyond it. She paused momentarily, her aquamarine gaze drinking in the scene before her in a way typical of an artist. If only she had her canvas and paints with her right now; but unfortunately this was not the case, and so memory would have to serve for the time being.

A wistful sigh escaped from behind Anouk's lips, and she jolted herself out of her daydream and into the present day, the here-and-now. Someone else was at the bottom of the dock and only now the Konti realised that the figure was another real being rather than part of a painting.

A fine opportunity to meet someone, she decided with a minute nod of her head. As she approached the other woman - I must ask where that hat's from - Anouk noticed the great many differences between herself and this stranger. Dark hair, a willowy frame, almost grey skin... Slowly the entire image formed in front of Anouk's eyes and she realised that this woman was one of the Spider People, a Symenestra.

A little flurry of anxiety, but also excitement, fluttered in Anouk's chest. Symenestra were mysterious, deadly and generally despised by the human populace. But if this woman was as free to wander the city as she was, Anouk assumed she must be -- what, tamed? Not quite as deadly as the rest of people?

"It's gorgeous, isn't it?" The inviting question was out in the open before Anouk had truly realised it. But nevertheless she gestured out to the sea and gave the Symenestra a brief, somewhat nervous, smile.

oocHope you don't mind me jumping in

[Jaiden]

Down the pier a clatter arose along with jovial mirth, and an oath. Though visibility was no easy thing for anyone not within close proximity of Crystella's Delight with dusk fast approaching, dark silhouettes could be seen moving spryly about the deck, cutlasses basking in whatever dying rays remained whilst they wove intricate patterns. The considerably taller outline did a fancy maneuver that left his opponent exposed, curved steel came to rest along his neck.

"What's that now? Eight kelp beers on the tab?" Jaiden said, with a laugh before removing the sword and returning it to residence at his sashed waist.

"More's the pity. We best get going lest the Cap gets wind o' this and has us keel hauled for tomfoolery," said Yanos with grave concern that might have been just a touch dramatic.

"Bah! I'll believe that right after you confess how terribly concerned you are with our running wager over that Laviku cursed swill. "

They both had a good chuckle, strolled up the gangway and shared a friendly embrace that ended abruptly with Jaiden cuffing the man's shoulder. "She'll make a decent law abiding landlubber out of you yet, like as not," Jaiden called after the departing figure who laughed and cursed something unintelligible but equally humorous.

The tranquil space of time after led the sailor invariably to self-reflection. With only the gentle lapping of water against piling, the occasional squawk of sea bird, and the familiar noises of men hoisting cargo by winch to distract the mind. It was only then that he noticed two other rather extraneous looking women among the thinning seafarer crowd.

The first thing he noticed was the wide-brimmed hat that adorned the one. Not a great mystery as to its purpose after taking stock of her fair skin. Not that the other, taller, lady had cause to brag. She looked to own just enough hue to differentiate herself from the never ending supply of ghosts haunting about Zeltiva. Hair nearly just as pale framed a bonny face. One thing was sure, both were easy on the eyes, if a little exotic.

Jaiden sauntered down the dock like he owned the place. Giving fair berth to the ladies in their perusal of dock life at its finest. He mimed an outrageous parody of a stretch upon reaching wharf's end. "Good eve," he said casually upon their inspection, offering a tip of his imaginary hat to the pair. "Quite the tableau, wouldn't you say?" he said with an expansive gesture to the setting sun and smear of pastels. He didn't ever recall actually using the term, 'tableau' in his life. It was something he had overheard a bard say once in Syliras and he deemed it an important enough word to use in his present company.

The tall sailor offered no further insight into the grand atmosphere. Seemingly satisfied with keeping to his own thoughts for now. The eddy of salt tinged air stirred his hair and shadows elongated. Recent events flashed through his mind then. The voyage and more importantly what had happened on it. What secrets could never be told to another living soul lest the tale be recounted and swiftly on its heels, damnation would follow. A shadow that had nothing to do with fading light fell over him and he clenched his jaw in anger. Only a momentary flicker before he relaxed and his features smoothed once more. He let out a low curse at not having lit his pipe upon leaving. But that was a trivial concern indeed with all the other dilemmas swirling about him.

[Ricky Maze]

He hadn't really been too keen to watch the pier he'd been next two but he could hear well enough to know the sound of people had started about, yet the call of the job demanded he remained focus on his trade and let the others be. That's right. On a pier next to the gathering group Ricky sat at the edge and played things out normally, for all he knew the people he heard to his right were just ordinary folk. Tourists more like but he wouldn't assume such a thing yet, still he couldn't help the fact his curiosity got the better distraction of him. Thus while he slowly reeled his fishing line in the man glanced over to see just who these people were, at first it had only been two lovely ladies that had taken to enjoy the view of the tides. He didn't exactly expect to have spent his later day out here, but sometimes it had been required of him depending on the amount of fish he'd hauled in.

The joys of being a fisherman. Yet it made the return home all the more sweeter when that time finally came, and although he had a pretty good haul of fish in the basket next to him, he still figured a few more couldn't hurt to bring home tonight. After all he had something to entertain him now, since the ever confident sailor boy strode along to greet the two of them. A silent scoff came out when he listened to what he said, his eyes nearly rolled to the Ukalas above as he gave a slight grin of amusement. Really? Ye're gonna go d'ere lad? He figured it was just a sailor doing what they do best, chasing skirts with hopes to have company warming their bed later. Still he decided to keep a close ear to them as the end of the line came in view, the hook rather lonely save for the droplet of water that clung to it.

Damn... He sighed as he looked over at the basket which appeared a quarter of the way filled, it definitely looked better than yesterday when he hadn't really found any of the good fishing spots to hit. Today had been better though considering he brought in a few baskets, this one was just the personal "take home and stock" kind of thing he had in mind. It generally paid off when you did something like that, especially with the freaky kind of weather the city can get hit with. Last season had just been bad in general, and while it gave reason to pause this season he somehow felt things were already getting better. Wonder what d'em t'ree 're up t', and hopefully de shyke bag ain't harrassin' 'em. He peered to his right once more to check up on them, before he finally flicked his arm around once more to launch the hook and lure into a soar, until it finally dipped back into the waters once more for him to attempt another snag.

[Lucian Hill]

The raven was still cautious of Zeltiva. The city was much, much safer than Sunberth had been, and that was terrifying in its own right. There was no threat of thugs in the main streets, though he had seen that East Street was the closest to 'home' as he would find in the city of scholars. Despite being wary, he still found some comfort in the safety of Zeltiva and the safety of Shai. It was with this thought that he decided to go looking for his bondmate - a woman who seemed to enjoy the city much more than he did. Perhaps it reminded her of her home, a place which he knew little about but now desired to learn.

He had to do little thinking to realize the direction she was, and he was quick to find himself at the docks. The evening sun seemed to pour light on his surroundings like honey, dripping into the streets but missing the tiny crevices where shadow made its home. The raven could see Shai, along with a number of other people, though he chose to ignore them as he strode over in his clunky boots and old clothing. He did not appear to belong with the widow, but to those that knew them there was no doubt he did. Lucian gave no warning to Shai that he was approaching - he knew she could feel him near enough that he wouldn't surprise her. Chell lay between her shoulder blades, the familiar still triggering the edginess that he felt around magic.

"Hey." Still he paid little attention to the other people around him, but he knew the others would notice him as well. It was a funny sight, as the paleness of his skin almost seemed to rival Shai's. He was like a pale ghost, the black of his worn shirt making it seem even more so. His voice was quiet, and after a series of ticks, he wordlessly observed those around him.

Another girl stood near Shai, her face holding an echo of nervousness. A man, too, had seemed to arrive just before the raven had, but beyond that he did not give much of an impression on Lucian until he eyed the cutlass strapped to his belt. The raven surmised that a greeting was needed for the other two, something he was not used to doing in Sunberth. He turned his head to face both of them, offering either a simple 'Hello'.

"It's getting to be dark." The last phrase was meant for Shai, despite the fact that he knew she had traversed much darker streets and dangerous places at night. This still didn't stop him from worrying.

[Shai]

By anomaly, I assume you mean Konti? Shai asked the sarcasm thick in her internal voice. The familiar chose to keep his peace. A gentle smile rippled across her pearly lips as her attention turned to the woman of White Isle. A number of the pale kinswomen had met with this Symenestra over the years each a varying degree of dangerous. “The sea is beautiful, but the ships are fascinating. I wonder how they work.” Shai replied, ever curious. Before she could expand upon the thought though, they were joined by sailor.

To the spider’s embarrassment, she had no idea what a ‘tableau’ was. The man had motioned to the scenery and so she had to make an assumption. As she nodded, about to comment a commotion broke out on the gangplank. One of the sailors unloading cargo dropped a crate and stumbled. The wood splintered as it hit the dock and out sprang a rabbit. To call the creature a rabbit was a vast understatement, since the creature was at least the size of a full grown tomcat, but that failed to diminish its speed at all. The saving grace was the creature fled down the docks towards the dead end. By this time of the evening it was mostly clear except for a fisherman.

Far disconnected from the going-ons, Shai had felt Lucian approach. His presence was always a comfort to her, the distance generally a minor form of distress. It all may have been tied to the way their bond worked, but the Symenestra had little knowledge of Kelvics and so nothing to base her theories upon.

Beyond them the laborer who had dropped the rabbit was regaining his stance. Already a man with a voice for authority was shouting at him. The thief’s assumption was that the authority figure was the ship’s quartermaster or his assistant. Both men jogged down the gangplank. The sailor bolted after the rabbit and towards the fisherman. The weary overseer muttered under his breath, “Worst luck ‘Ah ever seen, that boy. Ken’t keep ‘im.”

Behind the muttering man, Shai’s advantageously trained eyes caught sight of something else. Another crate was threatening to tumble off the edge of the loading deck. If the first crate’s contents were any indicator, the small gathering would be in for critter screams if it hit the water. “Watch out!” She pointed with her hold hand rather than a finger.

The quartermaster turned but was reacting to slow, he’d never make it in time.

[Anouk]

Anouk considered the Spider woman's comment about ships. "Yes, I suppose they are a piece of art in their own right." She murmured softly, keeping to the Konti tradition of completely avoiding any form of confrontation. To the artist, ships were unfamiliar, something completely unexplored, even the one that had bought her to Zeltiva from the White Isle.

The appearance of the first male ended Anouk's further consideration of ships and sailors. He seemed... confidently charismatic. But that was no bad thing; Anouk appreciated any offering of new company and conversation. She welcomed his comment with a grin and enthusiastic nod. Perhaps he was another artist? The possibility sparked a new wave of excitement through her belly.

But the Konti was cut short of agreeing with this newcomer by an upheaval occurring further up the deck. She glanced from the sea to the direction of the noises just in time to see the furry behind of an impressively sized rabbit scampering up the gangway. Her initial concern was for the animal; if it stumbled off the desk, Anouk didn't know how well a rabbit would survive in the sea.

Could they swim well? The tide was out, the waves not too aggressive, but still.

The Symenestra shouted something -- Anouk recognised the words watch out just in time for her to catch a second box tumbling off the same ship. Anouk gasped with horror as she heard the recognisable flat sound of the box landing in the sea.

[Jaiden]

So lost in thought, Jaiden was only vaguely aware of a fisherman plying his trade off to the side and another person in their midst. He unscrewed the cap and took a liberal swig from a silvery flask he had procured from jerkin pocket. "Petch. That's the stuff," he said with a grit of teeth and contented sigh upon feeling the potent liquid course down his throat and warm his belly.

He favored the lanky pale fellow with a broad smile, and feeling generous today, offered him a sip from the container he held, extending it in his general direction. He supposed the guy was either brother or lover to the floppy-hatted woman by their close proximity and familiarity. It had not escaped his attention how the Konti woman bubbled enthusiastically in response to his greeting earlier. His stare was heaviest on her and when their eyes had chance to meet, he even winked playfully once between an ebb in conversation.

The sailor's flirtatious actions were abruptly interrupted by a disturbance down the pier. There appeared to be some manner of funny business afoot. A single bunny fled down toward them, evading the grasping hands of a deckhand whilst a clearly frustrated quartermaster was at wit's end. Jaiden roared with laughter at this 'tableau', slapping his knee and wiping a few trace tears from his eyes.

When the rabbit was within easy reach, Jaiden's long gait carried him quickly to the long-eared menace and he scooped up the trouble maker, offering it a grin before cradling it in his arms and petting the fluffy creature. Just when the sheepish deckhand was reaching for the hare, the Symenestran lady cried, "Watch out!" Heads swiveled in unison to spy a cargo crate taking a dip in the harbor.

Jaiden chuckled and transferred the rabbit to the man's care whose fault it was that it was freed in the first place. "Look on the bright side, mate. Cony stew is a delicasy here in Zeltiva," he quipped trying unsuccessfully to hide his mirth.

"Very funny," said the flinty-eyed quartermaster who looked anything but amused. He cursed his crewmen for imbeciles and hurried back down the dock to the cargo disaster, deckhand, and bunny in tow.

[Ricky Maze]

Ricky felt himself naturally smile when he heard the two ladies talk of the sea and how interesting the ships were, the vessels were the prime example of fine Zeltivan craft after all, and so he couldn't help the fact he prided himself with that thought. Women were always curious about everything though, almost dangerously so when it came to specific subjects. Yet what they were wondering about were completely healthy by the sound of it, as any woman can be a sailor just as well as a man. Kenabelle Wright served as a perfect example to that. Yet the appearance of another boy had caught Ricky off guard for a chime, is statement of the obvious made him further aware of just how dark it had nearly gotten. Indeed it had turned late it seems, but with the group about gathering for a small social event, it seemed that things were just about to get interesting... and then the commotion truly began.

First one of the laborers unloading the cargo lost one to the docks, the sailor that joined them quick to laugh his ass off before he decided to seize it for return. Ricky on the other hand found nothing funny about it, in truth he nearly cringed because of the fact it wasn't just food. It was a living creature of an impressive size no less, a rabbit that big wasn't something so very much found out in their rugged terrain. No. He felt sympathetic for the creature, but he also felt protective over its loss as well. Food wasn't something to kid around with in this city, especially after the previous season when the winter froze their bay and their stock dwindled quickly. No sir, ain't no jokin' matter at all. He continued to muse silently as he gave in and reeled the line once more, he figured what with all this commotion about there wouldn't be any more catches, at least not very likely since they seemed to be an active bunch.

Nevertheless just as one cargo appeared to be lost another one had to topple as well, the sound of a "watch out" as it had been called out more than just alarming to hear. Ricky's eyes had immediately shot from the horizon to the area of impact, where the water looked most disturbed as the damned crate took a plunge down below. That crossed the line. Shyke! De damn supplies! His concern brought cause to react and without thinking Ricky dropped his rod on the planks beside him, his shoes immediately kicked off with the toes pressed against the heels, as he went into a straight dive into the water below to feel the surge of cold splash against his face. Now while the warmth of the season had soaked the air the water didn't follow the same behavior, while it certainly hadn't been ice cold the sensation had been enough to bring shivers out of the fisherman as he became submerged under the softly rolling waves. How long had he not done this? Gone swimming after it'd finally warmed up again?

He didn't have an answer honestly, it had become a question in relation to why he hadn't done it sooner, because now that he had he felt more in his natural element than just a moment ago. Water surrounded him and he started to love every second of it, but now wasn't the time to just go about meditating on the change of environment, now had to be the time to save whatever imported stock had fallen over before it plummeted below the surface and sunk down to the seafloor. With a curve of his body and slow release on his breath he felt the tension in his lungs ease, though their restraint still begged for release as they sought fresh new air. Now that he'd gone far enough below the crate he only needed to lift it up for someone else to grab, because Laviku only knows how much weight the damn thing already bore before it hit the water. That and lifting things and swimming never went well together, it hardly led anywhere when nothing could support such extra weight. Finally his ascension began as he started to kick his way up to the surface, air traveled out his nose as he propped his hands above his head, so that they would push the crate back up while he rose back to the surface.

Though it wouldn't do any good to just try and push it up there only to find nobody wasn't ready to get a handle of it yet, therefore while he still propelled himself up with his legs he moved closer to the box's edge, his arms placed underneath it as he felt the water begin to rush off the front of his face. Air. Sweet delicious air. Now that the whole ordeal seemed out of the way, it had been high time this had been returned to the captain that had imported it to begin with. After a few spews to clear the water out of his mouth, Ricky concentrated on alternating his kicks to keep himself afloat, his arms craned to where he would attempt to lift the crate as high as he possibly could for another to grab. "Now would be a good time t' take hold o' it!" He encouraged with a grunt as he felt his upper body dip underneath the surface, his face nearly became submerged once more as he put in the extra effort to keep over it.

[Lucian Hill]

Lucian stepped backwards at the commotion, surprise moving him away from the small group he had suddenly found himself in the middle of. He ignored the other pieces of conversation until Shai yelled something that he didn't quite catch, and it was all too soon before a man jumped into the water to retrieve the crate full of things that certainly did not belong in the water. The sound the animals, rabbits presumably if there was any indication from the first runaway, scraped against his ears. He was, however, close enough to see the man that had grabbed the crate of soaking bunnies and was holding it up, carefully treading water. Lucian recognized him as a fisherman he had passed on his way towards Shai but didn't pay much attention to. However, Lucian ran forwards to help grab the crate out of his arms before the man drowned - unfortunately for the skinny boy, it was too heavy.

"Petch...can someone help me get this crate?" He was partially dangling off of the dock, holding onto the crate as well as he could but not strong enough to lift it out of the water. His current distress would be easily felt by Shai, who also knew the own limits to his strength. Petch, even Shai could carry more than he could, but that was by favor of her Widow blood that allowed such a thing. His skinny arms strained against the weight of the crate now, and he was envious of the fact that fisherman had been able to lift it as easily as he swam. "I'm not strong enough to lift it onto the dock."

He was not sure why he had instinctively helped, except for the fact that he disliked seeing people — or animals — in pain. He made a mental note to ask the fisherman for swimming lessons. That would certainly be useful in the port city. A second note was made to get an aerial view of the city, the thought bursting into his head out of nowhere, as if drowning animals were excellent to jog the memory. Petching rabbits.