Open All Aboard!!

[Salara Kel'Halavath]

Listening closely and feeling slightly pleased with herself, she soon realizes that she still had a lot to learn with the insights Fallon considers about the crew. This discernment was like pealing an onion, every layer revealed a little more of what was or could be. The conjectures her mentor laid out were even more intriguing because already Salara would never have considered... How would one tell if someone has been dressed rather than dressing themselves anyway? Her brows lift and fall like the gulls’ flapping wings while her mouth drops into an O at least once. “So, the first mate and Captain are partners; perhaps in pleasure as well as business? Lengthy voyages in close confines and no fraternizing with the deck hands probably would lead to a short selection in bed partners. You believe the first mate is the…ahem, controlling partner? Pulling the strings behind the scene?” Destiny's Lass leans more toward starboard meeting a wave crashing against its side in a chill spray catching Salara full on. Gasping in shock, she joggles for balance hanging on to the rail more tightly. Rather than curse as cold wet trickled down the front of her blouse, hearing Fallon’s grumble chased away any irk at the splashing. Instead, she hid a smile as she wiped drops of sea from her face with a hunched shoulder. Freeing one hand she pins a few soggy strands behind her ears while looking back across the deck among their topics of conversation. “What if it is the helmswoman who dresses the captain and wants to be second in command? But second in command to whom? Then again, as navigator her ambition has already gotten her farther than all the other crew. Why not stop till she reaches the top and become captain herself? How likely would it be that if a woman and two men are involved, the woman is calling the shots and the men just don’t know it yet?" Head shaking she tries to work through growing confusion. "Good gods how many different angles could there be? Not forgetting that they may simply be Captain, First Mate, and Helmswoman and the very best of friends.” Musing aloud Salara concludes, “I understand why more information would be essential before drawing a conclusion. I also see why this depth of speculation should mostly be reserved for investigating crimes. Could you imagine? It would drive someone petchin' mad to always go through life suspecting without cause and trying to read between the lines of every situation that presents itself.” ‘Hypothetically Hell’, she thinks, already trapped by the desire to know more. She didn’t think she would be able to help herself now so thought carefully about what she could do before answering. “If time permitted, and it does for us by a far cry, I would begin by listening to rumors and perceptions. What does the crew say when they are comfortable enough to speak freely? How is it the same or different when they must watch their words? Are there underlying tones in the conversations held between the officers?” Hearing was one of her strong points and she’d already begun listening to how individual people spoke and enunciated. Listening for something specific would be easy and less noticeable than asking questions or being caught watching.

[Salara Kel'Halavath]

But Fallon had once said that it was important to be more than a few steps ahead. A short answer wasn't enough. So she leans back against the rail with the last of evening sun touching her face and wonders for a moment how such a beautiful day could be so warped. Eyes shut to the flapping sails above she continues, “I don’t think it would be good to begin pressing for information too soon. We are new comers here and untrusted. Perhaps in a few days, if we don’t learn what is needed through rumor and body language, I might pose the odd question into conversation to see where it leads. This might be the opportunity to ply liquor to loosen inhibitions and build a sense of comradeship. Innocent of culpability and easy to divert, there shouldn’t be any suspicion of snooping.” “The next I could see escalating to a ‘don’t get caught just in case’ effort. By this point we might have made closer acquaintances with some of the others. Shoot, by then even you might have made friends with yon slaver.” She grins at her joke pointing out the subject of their earlier considerations, then looks toward Fallon and soberly gets back to the lesson. “Ahem, well then, here’s where my small talent would come in as things become more sneaky. We might have better access to personal areas and have a better understanding of the layout. I could begin lurking to overhear or witness more private conversations. Being caught could turn out nothing but a slapped wrist to being thrown in the brig and dropped off at the next port.” Looking across the ship stem to stern, she lowers her voice even knowing someone with her good hearing would have had trouble listening in on their discussion. “Should need arise for something more invasive it becomes more personal and depending on the mood or transgression I don’t think anyone would take kindly to pick pocketing, bribery or B&E. I’d image the worst outcome could be a long walk on a short plank or a quicker end yet. If it came to that though, I'd prefer picking a time with a better escape plan than swimming the Suvan Sea." Looking from person to person Salara wondered who she'd approach first, "That skinny fellow near the cabins straightening the casting nets and fishing gear? Anyone who likes to fish can't be all bad. He's got those jacked up sailor's teeth but his smile makes his eyes shine. Other than the slaver, I think I'd have the most in common with him."

[K'irr Darkwater]

Salara Kel'halavath

Observation - 5XP
Socialisation - 5XP
Rhetoric - 1XP
Organisation - 1XP
Tactics - 2XP
Planning - 2XP
Acrobatics - 2XP
Investigation - 2XP
Interrogation - 1XP
Intelligence - 2XP
Stealth - 1XP

☉ Location: The Great Harbor
☉ Location: Syliras Main Gates
☉ Captain Barkholt: Captain of Destiny's Lass
☉ Destiny's Lass: Three-mast schooner bound for Zeltiva
☉ Riverfall: Not the ideal place for an independent female Kelvic
☉ Tactics: Devising a survival plan for Riverfall
☉ Acrobatics: Finding balance on a moving ship
☉ Intelligence: Gleaning basic information about a person's or object's characteristics through careful observation
☉ Investigation: Too many angles can create confusion
☉ Intelligence: Information can be gained through eavesdropping
☉ Intelligence: Fooling someone into false comfort with drink or camaraderie can loosen lips
☉ Stealth: Conferring in low tones to avoid detection
☉ Tactics: Identifying a target
☉ Location: North Suvan Sea

Fallon

Give me a nudge if you return.

Comments

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