Landing Between the Arms of the Creators - RPLOG
Participants
Date
20/6/477
Log
A soft rumble and a tailflick leaves Flora's muzzle as she makes a round of the ship, moving above-deck and smiling faintly. Anyone near to her could see the shralestan harbor in the distance, and the sun rising across the eastern horizon, illuminating the city and surrounding desert with a warming, red glow.
Already, the High Lady is wearing her good outfit, the wraps slung around her body in a light-weight dress, keeping her protected from the elements. In fact, several members of LongTech security apear to be wearing similar clothing right now.
Down in the mess-hall, the offered breakfast consists of solely Shralestan food, with various desert-fruits, folded-up flatbread filled with meat, a steady supply of spiced meat and various sweet pastries making up the contents of the buffet. LongTech employees stand at the ready to fulfill requests, but it doesn't appear the more homely food is an option at the moment.
Meanwhile, four of the selected beings have chosen their spot each, with a young-looking wolf-fellow and his lifebond enjoying the sights, an elderly newt trying his hand at the food, and a poor, female rabbit having found a spot at the stern of the ship, leaning over the edge and, well... She seems more than a little airsick.
After spending much of thr first leg of the journey in solitude after the events at the dock, Brutus seems to be himself once more. Which, of course, means he can be found in the mess hall with a heaping plate of fresh fruits, sumptuous pastries, and even a plate laden with exotic meats. He seems in good humor today, trying to engage the old Newt in a bit of sophistry.
"Everything is sa part of the whole and the whole is the sum of its parts, is it not? So...even these dishes alone can give one insight into the soul of a foreign land...Take Sweetwater--a pleasant, prosperous place, ots menus replete with fare as sweet as the land's name...makes you wonder what those damned Cliffsiders must eat, eh?" he chuckles. It's hard to tell whether the Newt Bob's his head out of agreement or simply age, though the lecture ends as the rotund Skunk begins to nibble delicately on his pile of sweetened fruits.
Cassidy shuffles up onto the deck dressed in a light blue and white dress, providing a stark contrast to her dark fur and carrying her plate of breakfast food. She didn't mind the spicy meat, given her fondness of it in the first place, though she'd much rather enjoy the open air and sky with her breakfast. Picking a spot near the edge of the deck, she quietly enjoys her meal while gazing blankly off towards the horizon.
Sitting calmly, albeit with a patrial look of stress across her face, Saviante eyes the desert fruit for a few moments before standing and moving back to the table and scooping up numerous pieces. Cradleing them in her arm, she calmly drops them into her satchel as she reaches her seat and begins to gather her things. She enjoyed the ride, mostly, but is more than ready to depart. Long periods in the sky (and inside an enclosed ship) is not her usual environment. With her fruit laden pack gathered, she bounds up the steps to the upper deck two at a time, in a display of energy not yet shown by the Fern in the entire trip.
Once on deck, she stops long enough to bow politely to the Lady in charge, before settling into her selected position that kept her safe and secure for ost of the voyage here. As she sits it dawns on her that overlapping plats and chainmail may not be the best outfit for a 'diplomatic' mission and hurridly rubs her furred cloak across the surface of her battle worn armor, in vain hopes of polishing it into a more presentable manner.
Hartford sits at a spot near Brutus, keeping an eye out for potential assassins. He can't think of any way or any reason that assassins would be up here, but he feels like it is an appropriate guard thing to do. He thoughtfully munches on a strange pocket made of bread and stuffed with meats and vegetables. "These Shralestans sure know their food, huh?" he says, by way of conversation, "Don't know about that spicy stuff, but these pocket things are pretty good, don't you think Mister Brutus?" He does his best to listen to his boss/friend pontificate on the virtues of food and culture, but he is a little distracted by his food.
Asher stands at the prow of the boat, nibbling on what must be his third. . . alright. . . fifth helping of spiced meats in the delicious pocket bread. He is happily bouncing and waving as he sees the foreign city on the horizon. "Look! Look!" he calls to Hartford and Brutus, whom he has spent the entire trip near, "Is that it?"
"If I may... Sir Blackback, I believe?" the newt begins, with a light cough every now and then. "I would appreciate it if you would show some respect for my birth-country, sir... As for what I ate when I grew up," he mumbles, coughing and zoning out for a moment... "Apple-pie, pork... Various baked goods. If you want a 'simple' meal, you'd have to look to the hard-working beings of Thera'Dor," he notes, before taking a bite of his pile of spicy meat, working it down without a care in the world, so far.
Meanwhile, one of the LongTech employees, a graceful-clanned leopardess, smiles towards Asher and nods faintly. "That, sir, would be Shralesta. Our destination, and where we'll spend the better part of the coming week."
From the deck, the sights are even more magnificent, with churches scattered all over, rising above the rest of the desert city-state.
Cassidy smiles faintly as she gazes out over Shralesta in the distance, working away at the meat on her plate. "It's been a while," she murmurs to herself. "Wonder if I'll see them there."
Savi sits with growing anticipation, eagerly awaiting the landing. Eying the sights that she can see from her vantage, she continues to polish her armor as much as she can in the time she has left before touchdown.
Hartford chuckles at the old newt's comment. "I believe in a good chunk of bread, some cheese and a bit of fruit, myself," he says, though his actions belay his words. It is not often that the guard gets to try anything so exotic as this. "Have you packed up all of your things, Mister Brutus?" the big deer asks, "I will carry them for you again. Don't want you to throw out your back again like you did on the way to the docks!"
Asher can barely contain himself! He's never been outside of Sweetwater before! "Have you been there before, Miss?" he asks the leopardess, "Any suggestions for what I should see first?" The little canine watches raptly through the porthole as they approach the glowing city.
And then, the harbor comes into vision. Flanked by two large stone arms, quite literally, the harbor is watched over by a giant stone head, resembling none other than the highest of Creator Saints, Erick.
The newt nods and grins faintly towards Hardford. "A good breakfast doesn't need to be fancy. As I said, the Thera'Dorans. Their breakfast is plain, but it gets them through the day, even while they work during the harsh winters," he notes, smirking faintly.
Meanwhile, the "I have not, no... Hoever, I have definitely heard the tales."
As if on cue, Flora's voice suddenly projects through the entire ship, sounding... Somewhat excited, but tempered. "To all those aboard this fine vessel. As we are now nearing the harbor of Shralesta, Flora would like your attention for a moment. First of all, a simple warning. If ANY being has reservations about the creators, keep them to yourself. You can behave like such in Sweetwater, but Flora wouldn't advise it in Shralesta. Furthermore, merchants are known to overprice their wares, so haggling is a good idea, yes. If any problems arise, the church is your go-to, since the Church governs this fine city-state. Finally, Flora implores you all to enjoy your stay, once we disembark."
Momentarily, the voice dies down, before the feline continues on. "If one looks out to portside, the harbor should be clearly visible, yes. The tales say that the Creator Saint Erick, highest of the Creator Saints, watches over the harbor, ensuring that every being that enters Shralesta is a good being, before he welcomes them in his arms, which, if everthing goes according to plan, should happen in about one hour, perhaps two."
Lina startles as Flora makes a ship-wide announcement, and the feline up and readies to have a lovely taste of Sharlesta in her mouth before visiting the area herself. She feels a bit underdressed in her casual outfit for such a place however, and considers th longtech uniform over it, not at all thinking of any heat, Fashion is fashion, and work clothes have an apperaance too! She rushes her way through a meal in excitement.
Cassidy listens to the speech for a moment before moving off below decks again to begin getting her things ready. She pulls her cloak around her shoulders, but leaves the hood down and hangs her mask from her belt. Bags are shoulders and gloves are pulled on, a flower is produced and tucked behind her ear and a breath is taken. At last, she deems herself presentable and makes her way back towards the deck, to be ready. She was eager to get her feet on the ground again.
Continuing to sit patiently, Savi watches the crew with great glee, the joy of final touchdown running through her veins. Deciding it will be easiest to wait untill everyone is in front, she casually finishes up her light polishing job and simply passes the time until everyone has disembarked that will.
Hartford, seeing that his master is occupied with his pontificating and his food, not necessarily in that order, sighs and hurries off to see that all of their things are packed and ready to go. Lord Blackback could be hard to take care of sometimes, but the big deer obviously cares about his lordly employer.
Asher jumps a bit as Flora begins her announcement, nearly dropping the last of his meal! Saving the last savory bit, he pops it in his mouth and chews happily. "I guess I had better get ready! Huh?" he says to the leopard woman before trotting off to collect his satchel and straighten his outfit. The little corgi patters over to where Brutus is still talking about food, certain that the big skunk would know good places to seek lodging in the city. He trusted the nobleman's good taste.
Brutus's smile flickers as the Newt chastises him. Of course he gets on an airship filled with Sweetwaterites and sits next to Cliffsider. He offers a weak chuckle in return to the Newt, turning away to roll his eyes and stick another bite in his mouth. It appears to be one of those spicy meats he had meant to test on his own time, and propriety and pain come in combat again as he searches for a way to dispose of it without making a scene. Desperately, he lunges for Hartford's abrasive drink and chugs, forcing it down his throat worth a pained gasp!
A small smile adorns the newt's face as he continues eating, his stuff already set down besides him, while the leopardess continues her own work, nodding to Asher. The newt smirks towards Brutus as the nobleman, belatedly, shows his nervosity. "Relax, sir. I'm quite used to it at this age... Besides, I'd say you should focus on picking out some less spiced food... Spiced food is quite common in Shralesta, I hear!" he jokes with another hacking cough, before leaning back and waiting for the ship to enter its descent.
Soon enough, the ship does indeed start to lower, and those on the deck get the best view of the absolutely massive head of the Creator Saint that was visible before, while the two large arms pass by on either side, while the ship suddenly breaks water and everything shifts just lightly in the direction of the bow.
A good thirty minutes more pass, and soon enough, the airship has reached the waterfront of the desert-city, although not before Flora makes her final announcment.
"Good beings of firmament. Remember that you are here representing Sweetwater. Flora implores you to treat the local beings with respect, and Flora suggests asking a LongTech employee about lodging, if required. They have been informed about places to stay. Flora, Matthews and Brutus will be staying at our own lodgings, yes, since we are here on business."
And with that, the gangplank is lowered, and the beings are allowed to go off-board.
Hartford staggers up on deck, laden with Brutus's luggage, his own rucksack balanced carefully between his antlers. "Ready Mister Brutus!" he gasps from beneath his load, praying that wherever they are staying it is not too far from the docks.
Asher gazes around in wonder at the docks. It's like a whole new world! The clothes are different, the statues are different, he can't wait to get out there and explore! Right after lunch, probably.
Lina goes to grab all of her things, stretching after the long flight she feels invigorated and ready to go, a whole new city and new customs, she would have to be extra enthusiastic when she dealt with folks here! But she wouldn't bad mouth the creators so that was fine. She decided tha once everything was ready she would follow FLora, who she approaches and says "Hey! Are you excited too? It looks really nice, I bete it will be fun too!"
Cassidy glances over towards Flora, ears flicking. "Am I to be staying with you, since I am largely here on your business, as well, or shall I seek lodging elsewhere?" Not that she was terribly concerned. She figures she has enough social standing and money to get lodging at just about wherever she wishes.
Barely able to restrain herself, Savi is halfway down the gangplank before she remembers to turn around and go reclaim her weapons. Being rather overloaded in that regards, her worries of being last off the ship are needless as, by the time the weapons are recovered and properly stored, the maority of the group has already departed. With a smile on her face, the plant pulls a piece of fruit out of her pack and takes a large bite, letting the juice glisten in the sun as she finally steps down onto solid ground. Taking only the time to bend to one knee and run her fingers through the sand, Saviante begins what is to be a fascinating adventure.
"We have an extra room at LongTech's lodging, if miss Cassidy wants to take it, yes," the she-cat rumbles with a friendly smile, before looking out over the city. "It's been a long time since Flora last was here... Flora boarded a ship there," she mumbles, pointing at a particular spot of the harbor, before looking into the city. "We shall be staying... There," she mumbles, pointing at a particular direction, though the building she's indicating is not particularly clear as she moves down the gangplank herself.
