"You see how it goes?" He says in mock exasperation, smiling at the guests as he does so. "Believe me, the reputation the 'Sea Drake' has managed to garner has happened despite me. And despite my crew and fellow Alliance members too, it seems." He smiles warmly at Jadira and Treon, and then shakes his head softly.

"As for that story... It's age, you see? We start to lose details when that happens, and we forget specifics. Blame time, not me!"

Darel laughed at the Captain's comments. "You mentioned an Alliance. I gather it is the name of your flottilla, is it not? Forgive my curiosity, but I have a vested interest for what happens in the West, as any good patriot does, and you seem to be a force to be reckoned with."

"Oh right... See, miss Thornbloom is right in saying that I wasn't always thrust into the leader's shoes. I even forget to introduce ourselves properly." He shakes his head, the waves his hand towards the cobalt flag the ship flies.

"We're members of the Cobalt Alliance - the few, but the proud. We're basically a neutral entity within the confines of the Western waters. We've got a treaty with Coral, so we can trade, but we're claiming a neutral stance in all matters. We're basically a place where those that don't feel they belong anywhere else can come and make a place for themselves. At least, that's the basic philosophy behind it all."

He turns towards Tethia then, then lifts an eyebrow playfully. "I told you you're far from the only one that asked this question, see? You'd think I'd have a ready-made answer by now, but it always ends up coming out all seat-of-the-pants." He turns his attention back to the visitors, and smiles.

"Least it's honest, if it's not the best speech you'll ever hear."

Chuckling at Lasuri's words and modest style, Amonth smiles. Taking in the group of ships and the interactions of the crew they seem both interesting and formidable.
"We have quarters in the city. If it is convenient you can join us this evening? In the mean time I will gladly take your offer of a chance to look around."
Moving forward along the gangplank he stops for a moment before actually stepping onto the deck and reaches out to touch the railing for a moment, then steps forward eagarly.

Tethia snorts at Lasuri's comment, a sound that could be interpreted as amused or sardonic. She gives the three visitors a sideways glance. "The Alliance is benign but rather insidious," she deadpans. "They may very well convert you too."

Meanwhile, Amonth steps up onto the deck of the Dryad. It's not a terribly large ship, dwarfed by the largest of merchantmen and triremes, but it is superior in both armament and luxury. Of particular interest on the outside are the formidable front-mounted cannon (with a three-yard barrel of white jade and alchemical steel), the telescoping mast (currently folded back in a compact, storage position in its dorsal compartment), the raised bridge and quarterdeck behind the mast, and the pair of paddlewheels mounted on either side of the stern.

Though not immediately obvious at a casual glance, Amonth's crafter instinct notices something wrong with the paddlewheels. A closer glance down at them makes him absolutely certain that they are broken to the point of non-function, though they still appear whole. Likely the problem is something that would require some close, hands-on work to diagnose.

---

OOC: I'll let Jadira and/or Lasuri write a tour of the interior if they want.

"Evening sounds perfect, at least to me," Jadira replies warmly to Amonth, a striking contrast to Tethia's acerbity. "We're going to be here for a while longer, so all our 'chores' can wait till tomorrow."

"Come on... I'll start showing you around inside." She beckons Darel and Kiana to come as well, if they wish.

The brunette starts by ascending to the bridge and showing them the navigation room and pilot station, where the esoteric panels and controls for the paddlewheel drive are found. Then she leads them downstairs from the interior of the bridge, showing them the comfortably furnished officers' meeting and dining room, and strolling along the half-circle hallway beneath the quarterdeck where the officers' cabins are found.

Below deck is probably the most 'ordinary' the Dryad gets, as far as naval standards are concerned. Jadira takes the visitors through the galley, crew's quarters, the sick bay and the armory (though she does not let them inside, explaining that the lock is Essence sealed and requires her to expend energy to reset.) The lowermost deck is, not surprisingly, reserved for the storage of cargo.

Finally she brings them up through the stairway opening up to the main deck. "And here's where I work." Grinning, she indicating the ballistae, catapults and cannon. "I'm the head of the gunnery crew--on top of my other duties."

(OOC: Hope that wasn't too much at once. Figured we shouldn't dwell too long here.)
This message was last edited by the player at 16:58, Tue 16 Dec 2008.

"My, how lucky you are," Darel said, "I know a few people who would be delighted to work on such beauties... though I'm more of a theoretician myself."

"I'm a little bit of both," Jadira admits, smiling at Darel. "I am a sorceress by training. I wasn't always handling heavy machinery, or roughing it out with sailors." There's a touch of wistfulness in her green eyes, then, but she shrugs it off.

"Anyway, I suppose I've monopolized your time enough. If we're going to dine, I definitely need to freshen up." She chuckles wryly to lighten the mood, brushing a lock of hair back from her freckled face. "You know how it is, at sea. Even more of a pain when you're a woman..."

The armswoman starts to head toward the quarterdeck, turning back at the foot of the stairs. "We'll meet up again soon. Unless there's something else?"

"She's more delighted than she wishes to admit to play with her pow-pows." He adds playfully, at Darel's attention. "But seriously, I think we do consider ourselves lucky to even have the Dryad at all. She's been with us for years, and she's taken us through the best and worst of our lives. That's not something you can take for granted, for sure."

He pats the railing of the boat fondly, for a moment looking around as if gazing at a treasured friend. "Well, enough with all the sappy stuff. Jadira's right, we should probably prepare for that dinner, unless you need anything else from us before then." He smiles, gazing at the assembled people one by one.

"I look forward to the meal later, Darel," he says in farewell to the Dragonblood and his odd crew.  He was curious about them, but sure it would become clear in time.

"If I might have a quick word with you, Lady Thornbloom," Treon says, as the Wood Aspect turns back to face those on the deck before she goes downstairs to prepare herself for going out about the city.

"About the supplies for the Hammerhead, amongst other things."

Jadira tweaks Lasuri's ear when he comes near. "I'll 'pow-pow' you," she says mischievously, and grins to herself as if she'd said some sort of incredibly amusing joke. (Not that anyone ELSE can figure out what's so funny.)

The mirth dies down a bit when Treon addresses her, though her eyes still sparkle when she smiles at the Fire Aspect.

"Oh? Sure, we can speak a bit. I'm not in that much of a hurry. What do you think the Hammerhead will need in terms of supplies? Or if you prefer, we can go together to the market the next day."

[Private to Cathak Garel Treon: We won't necessarily play out the market part, at this point, but Jadira's offering anyway. :)]

"Mm."  Was all that Kiana said at the conclusion of the tour.  It was a nice ship, by all means, but being of the Earth, Kiana had a natural dislike for boats.  After all, boats belonged on water, and water was the last place an Earth Aspect was apt to go--which was exactly why Kiana was here.

With the tour over, however, that left Kiana with little to do.  The dinner was yet a ways off, and with this ship not belonging to her mother, that left her little tirade earlier all for naught.  She learned a long time ago that it was better to be seen than heard, especially when one sought to learn.  However, she couldn't just hang around the ship and eavesdrop, now could she?

That being the case, Kiana began to walk back toward their assigned sleeping quarters in the city, and once there, she would begin to meditate and, after that, begin to practice her forms.  Mastery of an Immaculate Martial Art was not easy, after all, and it was not from natural talent alone that she had acquired the ancient form of combat.  Especially not the modified version that she knew.

"I have a fair idea about what is needed," he says, a list penned briefly in a functional hand (no prizes for scroll work here) offered to Jadira.  "I was wondering more about how such things will be paid for, and what is to be done with the contents of the Hammerhead's holds."

"I'd also like to ask your advice on a more sensitive matter," he continues on.
[Private to Jadira Thornbloom: I know that that stuff has been sorted OOC, and so please don't feel an elaborate post is needed to answer the supplies stuff.  I just want to establish IC that Treon cares about such things.]

Jadira watches Kiana leaving the ship, a little disappointed she hadn't been able to speak a word to her directly. Then she accepts the list from Treon and scans it briefly. "This should be manageable enough. Cobalt's coffers are actually doing well at the moment, if I do say so myself."

"You and the other officers will be getting a cut of what we will sell of the spoils." She talks in a low voice, particularly as she reaches the word 'spoils'. "It should take care of most of your basic needs, but if you find yourself needing more I will be able to back you up to a talent--in annual income, anyway. More reasonably it'd be closer to 4 or 5 shekels..." She goes on, specifying an amount that would (OOC) give Treon an amount equivalent to Resources 2 for general purchases, above and beyond what he already owns himself. The 'extra' Jadira would cover equals Resources 3.

"If you ever do need the extra money, let me or Lasuri know what you are needing it for beforehand, since it would be going on the Alliance's tab, not yours."

That taken care of, the brunette tilts her head and gazes at Treon with concern. "What else is on your mind?"
This message was last edited by the player at 02:57, Mon 22 Dec 2008.

Darel returned to the inn, preparing himself for the dinner.

[OOC: did we convene on an hour?]

Treon nodded in response to the information about the financial aspects of it all, considering the amounts she mentioned and comparing that to his own funds, as well as what would be needed. "That sounds reasonable," he agreed with a smile.

"One of my new crew-members, Hobnail, is afflicted with quite horrible nightmares, by all accounts and has been for years.  That doesn't seem natural to me, and I was wondering if you had any experience of dreams or what might cause them like that...," he concludes.

"Good," Jadira replies promptly to Treon, then pauses to consider his next question. A look of confusion furrows her brow. "I have heard of sorcery which may affect a dreamer. Or perhaps some fae or vengeful spirit..."

The Wood Aspect seems ambivalent about coming up with a specific cause, though, until she says tentatively, "It... could be a ghost haunting. If you can afford a small supply of ghost flower tea, enough for once a week over a season, that would allow Hobnail to communicate with the ghost that troubles him." By now Jadira has gained confidence in her theory, and nods more assertively. "If he is watched and kept comfortable on the nights he takes doses, he should be able to resolve the conflict he has with this spirit."

"If you like I can think on it further. Maybe even conduct some research while we are here."

Tethia, seeing that the focus has long since shifted from her, exits quietly below deck. As her wounds were the most serious of all the Cobalt members, she takes what rest she can whenever she can.

On the other hand, the Water Aspect also dislikes the idea of being considered too slothful or weak. Pride and curiosity both may very well make her pique her interest enough to attend this dinner meeting. But if no one invites her she will assume it to be best that she keep to herself.

The Exalts have a couple of hours to spare to freshen up or take care of other business before convening at the Ocean Mist Inn.

---

OOC: Finish up conversations here, then post in "Chapter 2, Phase 1 Intermission - Ocean Mist Inn". However, if I see no significant interest in the dinner scene by the beginning of January, then we'll just fast forward through the entirety and continue from here.
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:33, Tue 23 Dec 2008.

"I would appreciate that, yes," he says with a nod at the mention of further research.  "Though were it a ghost, wouldn't that be be visible, at least to those who can see spirits?" he says, after a moments thought.  "Perhaps I will have to speak with Tageru.  The Immaculate training covers such things, does it not?"  He doesn't seem entirely pleased about having to talk with the fierce faced Dragonblood, but he didn't think the man was malicious, just perhaps a little bit direct.  "If that doesn't work, there is the ghost flower tea to consider."

"It would be visible to spirit-sight," Jadira confirms, "if my theory holds some truth to it. But don't worry. I will take some time during the shore leave to look into the possibilities, whether it is a haunting or... something more." She actually appears quite thrilled at the idea of exploring the libraries of the city, so Treon is at least assured it is far from a chore for her.

"If there is nothing else though, I should excuse myself to prepare." An armswoman she may be, but even Jadira is not without her vanities. With that in mind, she inclines her head apologetically and continues her way to the quarterdeck cabins.

The remaining members of the Cobalt Alliance part ways, whether to join the dinner at the Inn, explore the city, or simply rest.

The general consensus is that the Alliance vessels and the Helkar's Folly will remain in Seahaven for a week's time. Until then, their respective crewmembers are free to do as they wish: heal their wounds, train their skills, stock up on supplies or conduct research as needed.

---

OOC: If you wish, summarize here what your character does until the 19th of Ascending Water. This is the last call for accomplishing anything in Seahaven. (The Ocean Mist Inn thread will remain open for those participating in the dinner on the evening of the 12th.)
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:58, Sun 04 Jan 2009.

After the dinner, Jadira spends the next day to trade goods so she may distribute the crew's salary. She replenishes ammunition and food stores as needed, enough to last the Dryad should they travel all the way to Coral or An-Teng by sea. It isn't the best fare, of course, but rations rarely are. She does manage to secure fruits as well, both fresh and dried, to be distributed evenly so that scurvy is kept at bay.

The only large purchase she hopes to make are for steelsilk sails, inspired perhaps by those the First Captain Buruku had on his custom warship. For that purpose she will attempt to trade the second essence capacitor found on the Marlena. She knows that the capacitor would power most implosion bows and is even rarer in the West than the sails themselves.

The rest of Jadira's week goes into study. With the presence of the Realm in Seahaven, she expects that a great deal of knowledge will be restricted, but at the very least she reads up on Western lore concerning nightmares, hauntings and possessions, as she promised Treon she would do. Another priority on her mind is spell research, though in this case she avoids Dynastic-funded libraries completely, limiting her search to caches of scrolls and books kept by local thaumaturges and priestesses.

Fortunately, she has sorcery and talent on her side, using both to alter her appearance during her research excursions. To others she appears as an Outcaste thaumaturge born in the West, traveling the islands to broaden her occult knowledge and learn from the practices of cultures beside her own. With this disguise she hopes to evade any suspicion about the topics she studies.

After ensuring that Tethia's belongings were transfered over to the Dryad, and making sure all of previous captain's were stored in the holds, Treon had spent the rest of the day getting to know Wavecrest itself.  He'd also gone out with Jadira to shop for the supplies for the Hammerhead, mostly to re-familiarize himself with such tasks, especially when approached from the civilian point of view.

He had also taken the time to compose a letter, entrusting it to a ship that was sailing back to the Realm, although it might take a few weeks to get there.  It might also just be burned when it reached the intended recipient, but he had to have some hope.  It mentioned, in vague detail, his exploits over the preceding few weeks, including joining the Cobalt Alliance and the capture of the Hammerhead, although it omitted mention of the manse that had been found and gave no names for the other members of the Alliance.  It was signed with his bare name, devoid of any claim to a House.

Once that detail had been taken care of, he had resumed his explorations of the city, mostly keeping to the districts his own crew were restricted to, although he made it known to them that if they wished items that could only be found further afield, he would be willing to arrange delivery of such items.

Jadira purchase of the steelsilk sails goes through, though not without having to pay extra beyond the capacitor from her pocket. Fortunately it's not much in terms of leaving a dent in her funds, but it goes to show just how unwilling Westerners are to part with their unique craft.

Afterwards, during her study sessions, she finds that her relatively simple disguise is efficient enough to evade casual scrutiny. She isn't quite as sure it works with the Dynasts she passes, and she has to deal a couple times with Immaculates who attempt to 'bring her back into the fold' or visiting Dynasts who look at her with anywhere from curiosity to disgust for her 'slumming'.

To the natives the disguise is pretty much flawless, though, and she is able to study as long and as much as she wishes. She discovers from her research that the ghost flower tea is definitely a bad idea, and would more likely kill than help. What plagues Hobnail is a true haunting, invariably tied to something personal in his past. Jadira comes out of her studies with the knowledge to bind and exorcise the ghost as needed, but first she and Hobnail will have to speak personally and get to the heart of what he is hiding.

As for spells, she is able to gain knowledge about two new Terrestrial Circle spells, but she cannot use them until she takes the time to meditate upon and practice what she has read and learned.

Treon's time in Seahaven is not quite so involved, but no less fruitful, as he tends to the needs of the Hammerhead and his crew. His letter leaves the shores of Wavecrest on the 15th of Ascending Water.

Fortunately for him, the ex-corsairs don't ask for much, though they do grouse and complain plenty (mostly out of earshot of the guards) about the poor treatment they get in the city. The worst Treon has to face is urging the men not to indulge too much in wine and spirits, and keeping their tempers cooled.

By the time the end of their stay draws near, Black Reed and the others look more than willing to be on their way. So is Tethia, who has healed considerably during the week of shore leave. She splits her time between staying aboard the Dryad and crossing over to the Hammerhead, continuing to observe in her quiet yet intensely focused fashion the progress Treon has made with winning the trust of the men.

There is little for her to be disappointed at -- though she still keeps her opinion to herself. For now.

---

OOC: Thread is now closed!
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:21, Thu 08 Jan 2009.