Adventure in the North 2 The Arrival - RPLOG

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Participants

Date

24/9/477

Log



This voyage is better than a day and a half underway and it has been smooth sailing so far! Most of those who struggled with air sickness have gotten their 'sea legs' and the passenger's lounge is bustling with activity as traditional Thera'Doran food is served and all sorts of games and entertainments are available.

In one part of the room, an enthusiastic Snowmark puma is teaching a folk dance of some kind, elsewhere an ermine in LongTech employee garb is showing off some odd little dolls. Almost a full quarter of the room is taken up by an odd game involving throwing a wooden bat at carefully arranged stacks of blocks. Heinrich, the polar bear has even set up a small table and is challenging all comers to an arm wrestling contest! And of course, there is all sorts of food available!

Brutus is, quite unsurprisingly, still at the table, a banquet of Thera'Doran delicacies spread before him. Between genteel bites and paced chewing, he is trying to engage Anton in discussion of local politics and pick his brain. "Well now, dissent is the price of freedom, and everyplace has its factions. But the Creators, in their wisdom, blessed us with the ability to disagree and yet work together and move forward. What seems to trouble you, then?"

Hartford is intently slurping on his soup, clattering his spoon and chatting eagerly with the pair of Corgis. "...and to this day, you can still see her old bloomers on that big tree in the courtyard!" he announces a bit too loud, drawing laughter from the pair, a weary glance from Brutus, and stares from some other occupants.

Samira seems to have coped quite well with the airship trip, although for the moment she's holed up in the interior of the ship. She had tried sitting on the airship's deck and staring down at the snow-capped peaks, but even with her luxurious coat of fur she felt as if she might end up a solid block of ice! A bowl of stewed vegetables rests neatly on her lap as she reclines in one of the seats, far enough from the ruckus to be able to eat in peace but close enough to see what's going on.

Happy to have an excuse to stretch her legs, Natska mills about in the passenger's lounge, taking in the sights of the little in-flight event. She is arm-in-arm with Cassidy, and her tail is slowly swishing back and forth as she looks from one cluster of people to another, having trouble deciding which is the most interesting. Eventually she gives Cass' arm a little pat, then starts moving towards the Snowmark puma playing the game with the stick.

Technetium coughs lightly into the crook of her arm, clearing her throat from various dust particles and other floating things that had collected there. She had been doing quite well throughout the trip, although had nearly gotten yelled at for being a bit curious about various things to do with the ship itself. In terms of dress, things seem to have still changed little, excluding the cloak thickness has increased significantly, and the shirt and pants seem more padded. She sits quietly away from the brunt of the action, watching and waiting for things to happen.

Cassidy smiles a little as she gives Natska's arm a little squeeze. "So! What do you think? Is this the first time you've taken such a long trip on an airship? It can get a little... Claustrophobic, yeah?" She was wearing her usual slacks and dress shirt, but in lieu of her tailcoat was a thick, black leather longcoat trimmed with maneback fur. "Hmm. I wonder what looks fun," she ponders quietly before reaching out to help herself to some of the food.

"I'm not sure what you mean, Lord Blackback," Anton says, sipping serenely at some kind of hot beverage, "I only warn you that the council here is not like the King's advisors or the church council in Shralesta." The reindeer smiles at the abundant skunk. "They will not be impressed with long speeches," he says, "Or clever rhetoric. And it will not be a private setting. Just be ready for a rowdy, loud meeting."

Asher chuckles at Hartford's story, leaning back and enjoying the feeling of being full to the brim with rich, hearty Thera'Doran cuisine. His brother Tobin, on the other hand, is laughing like he has never heard anything so funny in his life. The bigger canine seems to have been availing himself rather freely of the wet bar. "Wha- wha- What happened to the gardner after?" he wheezes between great, stupid guffaws.

The puma with his game perks up as Natska and Cassidy come near. "Hello lovely ladies!" he says with a grin, "You will try Erik's game?" He waves a flat wooden bat toward where five wooden cylinders are set up lying in a pattern inside a painted white square. "Rules are very simple!" he says, "You only throw the bat at the Gorodki and try to knock them from the square! Easy!"

A look of worry crosses Brutus's chubby face. Rhetoric and long-winded species were his specialty! "So...this is some sort of public forum?" he asks, a hint of disdain at the notion of direct democracy. "But you spoke of how hard it is to keep a single Snowmark in line--so what lines are they...ah...out of?" he asks, a wheedling grin creasing his chubby cheeks.

Hartford looks dumbfounded for a moment. "The gardener? Oh, no, those belong to Missus Blackback!" he's barely able to say before cracking up once again and giving Tobin a hearty thump on the back with his great big paw!

"That seems easy enough," Natska replies, "I'll give it a try, Erik!" She rubs her gloved fingers together for a moment as she steps away from Cassidy. "And there was that trip to Cliffside last month, Cass, but I don't think it was quite this long. And I never even rode in an airship before we met! It's been a fun adventure, and we're only at the start!"

Samira finishes her bowl and, curious at how the other members of the trip are doing, starts to plod over to where Cassidy and Natska stand together. The petite skunkette tries to avoid disturbing though, standing off to the side as she patiently watches them engage in... some kind of game? It certainly seems to be, although she somewhat doubts that she'll have much skill in it. While Natska plays she offers Cassidy a friendly wave.

A soft rumble leaves Flora's muzzle as the feline makes her way through the hall and towards Brutus and Anton with a flick of her ears, a soft purr rolling from her lips.

Soon enough, she's taken a seat at the table as well, silently watching the two for the time being, although she's listened in to the ongoing conversation beforehand, of course.

Cassidy chuckles softly and nods at Flora, following her over. "I'll play, too! - As soon as I finish this," she says, digging into her food with gusto. "I'm glad you've been having fun, though, Natska! I'm glad I was able to help bring some more adventure into your life! I like airships. I kind of wish I had one of my own!"

"Yes, Lord Blackback," Anton says with amusement, "All meetings of the council are public, and the public are known to chime in very often." The reindeer thinks a moment then continues. "The floor is yours as long as you can hold it," he explains, "You have to hold the council's attention either by being especially interesting, or by force of will. If you get the ear of the loudest council members, you will find it easier to keep the floor, though you are better off saying what needs saying quickly, then allowing the council to work things out themselves."

Tobin's loud guffaws carry all around the hold, the glasses on the table rattling as he pounds it in his bouts of ongoing hilarity. Even Asher seems to be having trouble retaining his composure as he watches his brother.

Erik hands the light wooden bat to Natska. "Be just a little careful," he says, "Is usually game for out of doors."

"Hmm," the rotund Skunk ponders, sipping at his lager. Mmm, nice, dark, ice-cold and malty...with a bit of sweetness to it. These fellows knew how to brew. He nearly drops his mug, though, as Hartford and Tobin bang on the table and each other, and lays a hand on Hartford's shoulder, hissing "you're causing a scene!" into his flopping ear. The Buck looks hurt at the scolding, and Brutus stammers. "I'm sorry, Hartford, but it was loud, and everyone was staring at--" Brutus stops dead in his tracks, then turns to Anton. "Everyone has a voice, and the louder voices are better heard? ... Is it against protocol to bring in a...er...mouthpiece to help you plead your case?

Samira flicks her ears lightly as she awaits a reply, but sadly it looks like she's far too preocupied at the moment. Shrugging and turning to leave, she hurries over to the table where Flora and Brutus are sat, finding no chairs to sit at and so deciding to stand nearby, tail flicking lightly. "How have you been?" she calls to Flora, sidling over to stand next to the feline.

Natska's ear flicks, attention momentarily stolen by the outburst; she giggles and shakes her head, then accepts the wooden bat, tests its weight, and flips it in her hand a couple of times to get a feel for how it will fly. "Of course, dearest," she tells Cassidy, grinning widely at the fennec. "I love doing things like this with you! It's a lot of fun." She turns to the square then, lines up her toss, and - carefully - throws the baton. "Hello, Samira! Are you enjoying the trip?"

A small nod, a slight smile on Flora's lips. "Flora would suggest making the points clear, concise, and detailing the advantages of our suggestion. And remember, friend Brutus. We are here to make a suggestion, not to insist upon implementing our ideas by force... And if possible, Flora would like to look into setting up a LongTech Industries Outlet within Thera'Dor as well... Flora could imagine it to be exceptionally useful to know exactly how cold it is, after all."

Cassidy quickly gobbles down the rest of her food and sets her dish aside, wiping her lips with a thumb. "Alright! After you, then," she says to Natska as she takes up a position behind the jaguar to give the game a try after she has finished with it.

Anton grins at Brutus. "You begin to see, I think," the stately reindeer says, sipping at his drink. "Anyone is free to speak at a council meeting," he continues, "Local or foreign, noble or common, for as long as they can hold the floor." Meanwhile, Hartford and Tobin have reduced their loud laughter to small snorts and sniggers of merriment. After a moment, the two of them come to some agreement and rise to go join in the line of contestants facing off with Heinrich, leaving an open spot for Samira to sit beside Brutus.

Natska's throw is apparently TOO careful as it strikes too lightly to do more than break appart the careful arrangement of rounded blocks. "Is okay!" Erik says with a smile, lining up the blocks again into their pattern, "You can always try again! Now it is the Lady fox's turn!" He hands the bat off the Cassidy. Cassidy's throw is more successful than Natska's managing to send three of the five pins rolling out of the square. "Excellent!" Erik cheers, handing the bat over to Natska and rearranging the pins, "One more round! The most Gorodki knocked aside after two rounds is winner!"

A wide grin suffuses Brutus's fat face at Anton's approval. Yes! No need to be too surprised, though--the Blackbacks are born politicians! He turns to Flora, the smile still pasted on. "With all due respect, my lady Longtail, I defer to Anton's advice on persuading Thera'Dorans," he replies with the prickly propriety. "But if we can look as one unit and speak with one voice, I feel we may be better heard." His piece being said to the boss, he turns to Hartford. "I do apologize for before...let me make it up to you. How would you like to help me with business?" His voice suggests that he knows exactly how Hartford would like it, and he's not wrong. "...R-really, Mister Brutus? Oh, I can't believe it! I'd love to!" he cries happily, wrapping Brutus in a hug that would be bone-cracking if the skunk wasn't so squishy. But...I'm not good at talking smart..."

Natska cheers at Cassidy's throw and claps her hands, then accepts the baton from Erik for the second round. "Nice job, Cass, I think you have it won." She lines up her throw, then gives the baton a flick towards the pins, tail swishing. "Sounds like they are having some excitement over there too, huh?"

Samira hmmphs quietly to herself. Even Flora is too busy with speak of politics and speeches to chat with her! Leaning away from the table the skunkette grabs a small snack to sustain herself with as she wanders further around the table, her gaze on the curious little game she spotted earlier. It seems that both the current players are done, so she heads over to the puma running the event and speaks up. "Would it be okay if I have a go, sir?"

A small rumble, a slight nod. "Flora was... Basing her advice upon that of Sir Anton, of course," the feline notes, before smiling towards the Thera'Dorian. Her tails sway gently behind her. "But if Flora's input on this matter is not appreciated?" the feline notes with a raise of her eyebrow, suggesting that confirming the question is a non-option for Brutus."

"Now then... Sir Anton, are there any other things we would need to account for in our preparations?"

Cassidy gives a warm smile to Samira and a polite nod. "Ah, hello there. How're you enjoying the trip miss Samira?" She asks as she takes up the bat again. "You're doing just -fine- Natska! And yes, lots of fun games about today, it seems... Good! I like seeing people having fun. Makes me happy," she says as she takes another throw.