Shralestan Sunset - RPLOG
Participants
Date
2/7/477
Log
The airship from Shralesta has been readied, and LongTech Industries' security-personel is hard at work making sure everyone once more hands in their weapons for safekeeping.
Meanwhile, Lady Longtail is directing the staff in the mess-hall, setting up various foods and games for the evening, before she heads up the deck to ensure the proceedings there go as plan as well...
"Flora would like each of you to stay on deck for a moment after handing off your weapons, for we are about to watch the sun set over the Shralestan side of this grand sea one last time. There may be later times that LongTech Industries allows beings to join on a trip to Shralesta, but it will be some time before that happens, and for now, it is not a top priority. Our business here is concluded, and as such, we set our eyes back to the fine nation of Sweetwater, where we shall arrive safely within a day or two."
Prepared, by now, of this formality, Saviante trots to the gangplank with a bright smile. In one hand a near ever-present piece of desert fruit, in the other, a tightly wrapped bundle of her weapons. A bundle much smaller than when they arrived, the large potion of the mass gone to the market, traded for various supplies and sundries (and more than one shiny bauble). Dropping the pack of pointy things at the feet of the security sailor, the tall plantgirl takes a large bite of her fruit as she bounds up toward the deck, more than eager to return to cooler climates.
Lina stretches as she puts her weaponry into a bag for everyone to feel 10 times safer, her assortment of blades and things don't need to be kept on deck, they might fall off and hurt someone. "Oh the sunset? That sounds awesome, how much longer till it happens I can't wait!" the excited lion says, her pent up excitement is coming out in new ways as she dances about. "I'd be happy to stay on deck Flora." she adds before looking around at those present, making sure they didn't leave anyone behhind.
Cassidy hands over her bag of weaponry without fuss, this time, knowing full well that she's far from disarmed. With a polite smile, she shuffles up onto the deck, hands folded behind her back and still garbed in her light white robes.
Brutus tap tap taps his way aboard the ship, looking dapper and only a little overheated, carrying only his cane and a white handkerchief that he uses to dab at his brow. "Hurry up, Hartford!" he calls, "We can't be late!" The broad skunk hardly gives the security team a glance as he swaggers up the gang plank. He had done quite well here in Shralesta, after all.
"Coming Mister Brutus!" gasps Hartford as he struggles under the weight of half a dozen large cases, a steamer trunk, and a number of smaller parcels hung from his large antlers. He staggers to the security line and looks out sheepishly from behind his enormous load. "Sorry, fellas" he says in his slow, deep voice, "I can't exactly reach any of my things. Am I alright to board?" It doesn't look like the big guy is going to be able to keep all that stuff balanced for too much longer.
A small smile, a flick of the tails as Flora looks out over the deck, silently enjoying the desert-winds and rumbling softly as she looks towards the horizon.
The security-guards blink a little, before two of them take off a part of the load, and carry it on board. "That should help. Hand over any weapons you may have, and you can board," the cat by the gangplank rumbles, while his compagnons collect the rest of the weapons and carry them aboard.
"Within only a few minutes, the sun shall set over the horizon, and we shall chase it back to our home of Sweetwater... If you have any unfinished business here, let Flora know right now, and you can still leave the ship, but if you do, you need to arrange your own transport back... If not, we shall leave soon."
With a final crunch, the last of the fruit dissapears from the plants hand as she slowly shifts across the deck. Not really moving around, but her constant shifting and shuffling pushing her position into various directions that no respectable person would consider standing. Being told to stay in one place, while understandable, is contrary to her nature, which in and of itself is contrary to her implied nature.
Her gaze meandering like her feet, the plant woman awaits the evening with rapt, albeit hyperactive, attention.
Lina grins. "No unfinished business here, we did a good job I think! I hope that Flora got everything she wanted here." she says as she flicks her tail about, looking the edge over but not approaching it before she finds someplace out of everyones way to stand and be ready for the sunset. This should be a fun trip back!
Cassidy find her own little place on the deck, yawning softly as she stares off towards the horizon line. She was eager to be back home, as nice as the vacation was. One of her hands slides into a fold on her robe and pulls up a flask, which is brought to her mouth for a sip before it's tucked away again
Brutus breathes deeply of the harbor air, coughs a bit at the fish smell of the wharf, ignores it and proceeds to pontificate. "Ah! Truly it is a fine thing to enjoy nature in all its beauty!" he orates, seeming to assume that he has an adoring crowd listening, "Nature is as lovely here as it is in our fine homeland!" He dabs his scented kerchief to his nose, doing his best to block out the less than sublime scents of the ocean front.
"Thanks, fellas," Hartford says in relief as the beings on security detail take away a substantial part of his burden. The big deer unhooks his massive halberd from his back and hands it carefully to one of the beings at the table. "Be careful with that," he says, a bit of worry showing on his broad face, "It's House issue and I get in trouble if it is scratched or anything." Then the stag gathers up his prodigious load and staggers up the gangplank before carefully setting aside Brutus's luggage and looking out over the bay. "It is awful pretty, Mister Brutus," he says encouragingly as he listens to his friend and employer expound on the sunset. He seems to have forgotten a few of the parcels hanging from his antlers.
"It is," Flora rumbles as the sky turns red with the sun hanging low in the sky, even as the final ods and trinkets are brought aboard. "once we are done on deck, each of you can join us in the mess-hall, and there will be games, and food, and things to do, yes," Flora rumbles with a smile, while the gangplank is being removed, and the sun slowly disappears under the horizon.
"As Flora said, there are foods and drinks in the mess-hall, or one can turn in in their respective bunks, if you prefer, yes. We shall be leaving shortly."
With a light bow and surprisingly cheerful demeanor, Saviante waits a few moments to make sure everyone is on board, then slowly makes her way to the mess-hall, eager to do something to keep her mind off the amount of space that is about to be between them and the land she is oh so fond of.
Lina reserves her ooohs and ahhs for when the show is at its peak, she does however enjoy the beatiful display over a foreign land. Something about that sounds like a good story, maybe she should try writting something! The feline entertainsi this idea as she watches, flicking her tail too and fro.
Cassidy watches quietly, smiling faintly as the sun sets. Once she feels that the show is over, she turns to make her own way into the mess hall, eager for a drink, and perhaps a light snack, before getting her sleep.
Brutus continues to pontificate, but his brilliant speech on the beauty of the sunset is interrupted by the loud gurgling of Hartford's stomach.
"Sorry Mister Brutus," he deer says, his ears flapping back in embarrassment, "But somethin' to eat does sound awful nice."
A soft rumble, a tailflick and a gentle smile, while Flora watches everyone slink down into the messhall, where various foods of Shralestan origin have been stalled out. "Oh! Lady Lina. Flora has arranged for some recipes, so we can have food like this at home too, yes. Flora's even arranged for a few spices to be taken with, for that authentic, Shralestan taste," she murrs with a smirk, watching how Brutus is going to respond to this, before flicking her tails again. "We're offering various games as well, ranging from those you know to a few shralestan ones, although, like on the first trip, we have not been able to purchase any extra, due to our short stay," the she-cat explains, before gesturing at the various games, ranging from darts to chess and anything in between.
Savi backs herself slowly into a nice comfortable corner seat. With thoughts towards both food and games, she decides to watch for a time yet, to assess how things are going to go. Forever slow to act, she continues to smile brightly as the others make their way into the mess hall.
Lina nods. "Okay Flora, I'll be happy to learn to cook different foods for you, I assume I'll be starting with chicken?" she says with a tease, beacause to her this is a no brainer. Spiced chicken, sounds delicious. "And I love games!"
Cassidy shuffles about, fixing herself a plate of meats and a glass of wine to go with it before she withdraws out of the way to observe the various games being played, deciding on if she'll want to join in on any of them.
Brutus looks over the spicy Shralestan foods with a look akin to despair. "Well," he huffs, "I'm sure this is all very fine. Very fine indeed." The poor nobleman looks like he might weep openly if he can't find something that won't singe his delicate, discerning palate.
Hartford eagerly picks at the buffet of Shralestan treats, piling his plate high with some of his favorites that he had found on this trip. Looking up to see Brutus's distress, the soft-hearted stag carefully stacks a plate high with sweet fruits and some milder treats. "Here Mister Brutus!" he says, brandishing the plate, "Here's some things you might like!"
Another smile, and Flora quickly gestures at the various foods, rumbling softly. "Most of this isn't chicken, actually," the she-cat explains, before taking her own modest stack of food, tails swaying behind her as she watches various beings play darts, another duo playing chess, and several other games being played. Of course, soon enough, the airship is lifted out of the water, shaking lightly in the process.
"Ladies and gentlemen... We are officially on our way. Please enjoy the flight, and try and make the best of your time. We arrive in a little under two days," she announces, her voice sounding throughout the ship, before she goes back to her food, and watching the games.
At the sudden movement of the ship, Saviantes nature burns through and she can no longer keep up her cheerful outer shell. Growing slightly paler green, she tries to crunch down in her seat and casps a weary glance at the gathered group. "I... I hate this part..." she says softly, with no real target indicated.
Lina fixes herself a plate of any meats she can find along with the spiciest thing she can find, daring her tongue and testing her body for this lovely rare chance food. She is surprised that most of it isn't chicken, Flora was expanding her tastes? She'd get to cook a much wider variety of things. As the games take on Lina doensn't feel good enough at throwing things to partake of darts, but she does watch chess with unrivaled confusion. Why don't they use their magics and guns instead of walking across the board?"
Cassidy tilts to the side, trying to keep her grip on her food as the ship starts moving. After taking a moment to realign herself, she turns her own attentions back to the games being played.
Brutus takes the tray of food from his friend gravely, surprised once again by the deer's thoughtfulness. "Thank you, Hartford," he says, though it seems to take some real thought to make the words pass his lips. Remembering that Hartford was not just 'the help' could be difficult sometimes, but he was glad for his friend.
Hartford smiles after Brutus as his employer finds a spot to enjoy his meal. The deer then continues to sample from the smorgasbord that Flora had presented, wandering slowly around the table until his eye is caught by a game of darts in one corner. Taking one more bite of some kind of spicy meat, the big stag strolls over. "You folks mind if I join?" he asks.
A tailflick, a rumble, and a smile as Flora digs into her own food, watching all the various games, before turning to Saviante with a gentle smile. "It will only take a moment, yes... And it'll save us a lot of time sailing, yes yes," she notes with a rumble, before taking a big bite out of a fruit, smiling lightly towards Lina.
"That is called chess, yes. Flora was explained how it works when Flora still lived in Shralesta, yes. Flora can teach it to Lady Lina later," she murrs with a smirk.
Meanwhile, the large being playing darts smiles at Hartford and offers him the bolts they've been using. "No magic. Hit the fields. Colored fields are worth double what the rim says. Center is worth fifty points, and the ring around it, twenty-five. Go for the highest score with three bolts."
With a polite nod to her host, Savi looks to the floor and focuses on the description of the game. Waiting for that moment to pass, she begins to trace the lines in the floor milimeter by milimeter in order to keep her mind focus on anything but the height involved with this more efficient means of travel.
Lina doesn't seem to comprehend the importance of what the pieces do but she nods to Flora, maybe it was fun and nonsensical, like pretending. She leaves it be after watching for a while and approaches Flora to watch darts. "Yes I'd love to." she says before seeing how their throws would turn up, tempted to see if she threw it if she would hit the board.
Cassidy watches the dart-playing with a faint smile, slowly finishing off what remains of her food. "Most interesting. I may have to partake later... We shall see, yes!"
Brutus savors the sweets and fruits Hartford has provided, encouraging him at his game with a hearty chuckle and frirndly applause as the Deer takes his turn. "If you'll be around after my repast, I'll show you a true challenge, friend!" he exclaims. Despite the rough patches and the cuisine--why does a place so hot eat food that makes them even hotter?--it had been a wonderful journey. Cliffside probably wouldn't be half so kind, but he feels pretty sanguine about Thera'Dor, as least.
Hartford takes the three darts and aims carefully, his tongue sticking out the side of his mouth. Then the big stag carefully lobs the darts one at a time, managing to score a total of 65 points! Not bad for a ham fisted manor decoration on his first try! "How was that?" he asks, turning to face the other players.
A smile, a clap, and Hartford's score is added to the board, and it appears he's currently in second place. "Flora should add. There will be a little comemorative place for whoever scores highest in each game. Save for chess, which is too hard to organize like that without making an actual tournament, yes," the she-cat rumbles with a small smile, before looking towards a few of the different games. There's a thing where you have to throw balls at little wooden block-pyramids, and there's a game where you have to roll a wooden ball against cones to knock them over... All sorts of fun things to do.
Cassidy sets her plate down and steps forward towards the dart players and smiles, holding a hand up. "Pass me a few darts, please? I will join. It could be fun, and I would not mind a diversion to pass the time."
Ooh! Getting to show off AND prizes? Brutus swaps soul gems with a deft motion. Time to show them what the man who single-handedly sunk an Isharan pirate ship (it was just grazing the deck with a shot, but don't interrupt his delusions of grandeur!)
Leaning on his cane to help him up, he waddles over to the throwing line. "Might I have a go, then?"
Hartford takes another shot at the dartboard, beating his original score significantly! "Ha!" he cries "80 points!" The big stag does his signature, 'Lucky Buck Dance' before thanking the being running the game and wandering over to another. That one with the heavy ball looked easy enough.
Soon enough, Hartford's original score is erased, and his new score is placed at the top of the board, before the being hands both cassidy and Brutus their own darts. "Of course, Sir, Madam. As you wish. Same rules. No magic, center fifty, ring twenty-five, colored squares double the points of that number. Whenever you're ready.
The game with the ball does look easy enough, and it comes complete with two rails to keep the ball from rolling away too much, although still alloing a total miss... All the stag needs to do is throw the ball and knock over as many pins as he can... And there are a lot of pins.
Cassidy takes her darts and turns to face the board. With a practiced hand, she throws one dart after an other until all three have been embedded in the target. "Not bad." Ninety five. "Only one bulls-eye though. Disappointing," she says with a feigned huff of defeat.
Brutus hits near Cass's bullseyes, but not quite...and the third toss lands in double-20, for a net of 90, just 5 behind the Fennec. He snaps his fingers in frustration--should've had that! Nonetheless, it's all in good fun, and he moves over to the wood-pyramid game--none of his fellow Gifted were giving it a go, and he could at least set a high bar for them to have to overcome...
A soft rumble leaves Flora's muzzle, and Cassidy and Brutus quickly wind up at the top of the list, right above Hartford, while the beings collect their darts and continue practice. Another being is meanwhile explaining the pyramid-game with a smile. "You get three throws. Knock over all the blocks. Top block is one point, blocks below that are two points, and the bottom row is three points... Knock them all over, and we'll put them back upright for your remaining throws. At most, you can get forty-two points," the cat explains with a smile, gesturing at the blocks. "No magic, as per usual."
Shaking off her , lets say not--not-panic, Saviante moves herself from her seat. Finally adjusted to the flight, the towering soldier moves to the block game, having heard most of the rules. "I'm not much for aim.. but I'm willng to try. The pointy dart game seemed a bit dangerous." With a soft little smile, she drops to one knee to steady any upcoming throws.
Lina lights up at the prospect of throwing balls at blocks for points, much better than throwing darts at a board for points. She flicks her tail and steps in line behind those participating, ready to take it up next.
Cassidy smiles softly at the score chart. At least it put her ahead, and that was enough for her for now. Turning to watch the block-game, she opts not to participate in this one, only to observe.
Brutus frowns a bit as he only manages to make 19 points on his throws. What happened to the golden hand-eye coordination that saved Sweetwater? Ah, well, it's probably the altitude, and the motion of the ship, and such exertion on a full stomach, too many factors against him. He lumbers over to the bowling area, watching Hartford's turn with mild interest.
Hartford slumps a little as he hears Brutus and Cassidy's scores. He thought he had done so well! "Guess they have the advantage with bein' noble and gifted an' all," he consoles himself as he looks over this new game. "I just throw the ball and knock over the little things down there?" he asks, hefting the heavy little ball. "I can do that!" he says and rolls the ball hard down the track, sending the pins flying! It looks like he has managed to knock over about two thirds of them!
A smile adorns Flora's muzzle, and the feline by the block-pyramid setup soon sets everything upright again, before offering the balls to Saviante and Lina with a smile. "Go ahead, try it out! Try and get a good score!"
Meanwhile, the rabbit by the bowling-alley counts the pins that Hartford knocked over, and quickly scribblees his name at the top of the board,with 83 pins. "Anyone else?" she offers with a smirk, using a little earth-magic to set all the pins up straight again.
Savi takes up the ball and looks at it for a moment as if she doesn't quite understand, the with an awkard motion, lets the ball fly towards the stacked pile of blocks. Despite the odd mannerism, repeated again on the second throw, by the time the armored Fern takes the the ball for the third time, only the bottom row is left. With yet another uneasy jerking motion, Saviante deftly flips the ball perfectly. Directly through the center of the porthole.
Mouth opened slightly, she silently moves back to her chair in the corner, crosses her hands in her lap, and stiffles a desperate need to laugh, while somehow continuing to look apologetic.
Lina collects her balls with a grin, and just throws them when it is her turn, no use waiting. She manages to knock the top three off with her first throw, and a grin of excitement crosses her face, confidence! When she throws her second ball shes loses it, as she throws it and it is handed back to her by her feline game assistant with some hesitation, to which she appologizes. Sheh then throws once more, and manages to barely knock the bottom left block over. She dances with excitement.
Cassidy raises her brow, chuckling softly as she observes the players. "Very good, yes," she says, giving a gentle clap with her gloved hands.
Brutus politely applauds Hartford's go--this seems easy enough! Once the pins come back up, he takes the heavy ball in hand from the gamesbeing and stands up stiffly, approaching the line with a waddling marching and hurling the ball at the pins!
Hartford looks around, hoping that none of his gifted companions decide to show him up, certain that they could should they choose to. He did like the look of his name on the top of that chart, though. "Shoulda worn my lucky hat," he says to himself, reaching up and plucking a bag from his antlers and watching as Brutus steps up to try his hand.
Brutus' throw is true enough, and he eventually knocks over 68 pins, which are quickly recorded on the board.
Meanwhile, the cat stares a little blankly at saviante, who just threw one of his balls out of the porthole, before... Well, Lina hits him in the face with another one, causing him to cuss momentarily. "Anyone else, or should we call it a day here?" he calls out, looking to hartford in particular.
Cassidy folds her hands behind her back once more and shakes her head. "I believe I am going to retire for the evening, yes. Sleeping is a good way to pass the time on voyages. I stayed up all night just before, so I could sleep plenty. Thank you for the entertainment, and I will see you when I wake." She turns and starts off towards her sleeping arrangement.
Brutus scowls--beaten again! Were all his days shirking drill exercises and playing parlor games for naught? Hmph. Well, judging by one of the cries of alarm at the other stalls (which causes him to inadvertantly fluff his tail in shock!), he'd managed it better than someone else. Still...all this fun had worked up quite an appetite in him!
"Hartford, dear lad, how about a...desert dessert before we retire for the night?" he says, chuckling at his own wordplay. "You simply must show me what you picked out before."
Hartford catches the crier's look and shrugs, idly tossing three balls at the stacked blocks managing to decimate one stack with his first throw and knock a couple blocks from the second stack, placing him right below Brutus on the leader board.
Hartford turns immediately at the sound of Brutus's call with a huge grin. "Of course, Mister Brutus!" he says, leading the skunk to the buffet and beginning to make a strange concoction of shaved ice and fruits and sauces, "You will love this!" The stag glances back to the bowling board and sees his name at the top and his broad grin brightens even more!
The night continues, and eventually, each of the games is wrapped up. "Prizes can be collected at the end of the trip, and will be consisting of a small sum of money and a small trinket, but that is for later, yes. Tomorrow, we will have breakfast together, yes. We will arrive in sweetwater late in the afternoon, since we picked upa few more powerful air mages, yes."
