The crash of water, the smell of the sea, that familiarity surrounded them as the crew began to bring The Darkmaiden's Dance to Faqu.

Faqu sits in the mouth between the sister archipelagos, Aifla and Belka, not even good enough to be a front tooth… but it's island is a decent-sized one near the front of the maw.  It's not the best stop for any… but Faqu sees plenty of ships that pass it by.

Faqu's harbor is large for a town of its size - a long wharf spreads out with piers extending off of it like a wide smile of ungainly, misshapen teeth.  The low buildings that lie beyond it are simple, sturdy little things of wood and stone.  Faqu's island is dotted with irregular stone hills, lumpy and ugly, but they provide shelter for the wooden buildings clustered near the docks.  Some sort of fluttering is visible at the edges, unclear at this distance…

Smoke rises up out of a handful of stacks, and shrubs cling to the tops and sides of hills.  At the far left (west) side of the wharf, one large windmill turns in the air.  At its side, a small strip of land and trees that looks like an orchard.

Beyond the city, a more thick forest creeps up from beyond the hills.

Surprisingly, an edge of frost clings to the trees.  The air is a little chill, even for the open water.  This time of year, the docks are empty of everything but a half-dozen fishing boats… with the exception of two other ships.

The first is a small shipping and traveling vessel, not unlike her own.  The other is wider, a broad ship with strange colored sails, deep red offset with yellows.  It's furnished with unfamiliar designs and markings - it reminds her of something similar to a South Vicquet ship.

Interestingly both look ragged, weather-run as if they had a rough bout of storms and wind while out on the water...

Well, that was just the state of the town.  It spoke nothing of why Rosa was there.  For Rosa, and The Darkmaiden's Dance, Faqu was near her monastery.  Faqu, also, was in a decent position for her ship to take off towards cities like Doghelm or to head east… if she so chose.

The town’s a common travel point, just a little off from a shipping route that sees a fair few supplies through it.  Winter was still leaving the south, and she hadn't heard anything about kind of weather was out there…
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:30, Fri 03 Feb 2023.

In reply to Atlas Blue GM (msg # 1):

Light had been up early prepping the storeroom to add more supplies once they landed, sweeping out his own 'shrine' (the galley) before ensuring all his utensils, serving and cooking ware was clean and in the correct places.

Upon finishing that, he checked the deck was clean, and everything secured and out of the way for easy egress before the ship landed at Faqu, then climbed to the crow's nest for another sweep of the great blue to see if they were there yet.

While he could let the dial rings on his forehead shift by themselves on his forehead to move the lenses into place inside his replacement eye, he often would still use his left hand to physically change them himself, if only to remember the setting placements in case one day they didn't or got stuck.

He switched the lenses so that the Red was dominant, giving him extra focus, and then activated the telescopic option that let him zoom in as he sighted what could only be Faqu.

'LAND HOOOOOOO!' he called out to Rosanhi, before he took in the view of the port, the hills, and the still somewhat frost covered forest nearby.

He'd put on a thick bandana that he wore to conceal his cybernetic eye once they docked so as not to alarm the locals, but now was considering grabbing a cloak or something to help with the cold.

As they drew closer, he let his eye drift over the ships at dock, the surrounding area and forest, looking for something that was clearly missing.

'Where are all the people?'

A sad memory of his own tragedy tugged at his mind. He hoped that what had happened to him at Hammerhead on Sunstreaker Isle hadn't occurred here too.

Rosa gives Light Vessel a wave, then jumps up on the railing and gets out her telescope to spy the land and to see how precise their course is. She smiles to herself as she sees that they're dead on course for Faqu.

She calls for quarter-sail as they approach the island, then takes the helm and slowly steers The Darkmaiden's Dance into Faqu harbour. She gets the crew to drop the sails as they get near the docks, then steers the ship to a slow stop beside one of the wharves. She calls out for the anchor to be dropped and for the ship to be tied off tight to the wharf.

She looks around when Light asks where all the people are. "It's early and fricking cold," she says rubbing her arms. "They've either gone fishing, or they're all still in bed and keeping warm." She looks at the other ships in dock. It seems not everyone has gone fishing. She then gets out her telescope again and has a closer look at the ship with the oddly-coloured sails and wonders where it's from.

Rosa heads back into her cabin and changes out of her sea-clothes and into something a little more flashy. She chooses one her white silken shirts with puffy sleeves, puts on a leather corset, and then a bolero jacket over it because it's cold, then she squeezes into a pair of leather trousers (shocking for a women!), and puts on one of her nicer pairs of boots. She puts on her belt with it's various pouches and pockets, sticks her two pistols in it and then straps her cutlass to her side. Finally she chooses one her broad-rimmed hats and adds a feather to it for a final flourish.

Back on deck, she asks Light, "How are we doing for supplies? See if you can find some fresh fruit. Peaches maybe? You know I love peaches. And get one of the crew to fill up the water barrels. We barely had enough for my bath last time. I'm off to see if I can find us some cargo." She walks  down the gangplank and heads off into town.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:50, Sat 23 Oct 2021.

In reply to Rosanhi the Red (msg # 3):

Light perks up at the mention of peaches and smiles in his usual gentle manner at the comment about bath water barrels.
'Could do with a good resupply of all manner of food.' he replied. His list mostly had note of things he needed for his special dishes, with a few additions made as per comments from the crew about longings for some meal they remembered having a few ports prior.

He got two of the crew he trusted with such tasks to help him get the empty water barrels off ship and ready to fill or trade with the locals.

He wondered if it was just the cold that was the reason for not seeing anyone around, but the reason given by the Red seemed to tally up, so he got his two helpers to supervise more off-loading while he walked off to secure a wagon to help him gather supplies in town while the Red lead the way into Faqu proper.

He had his handy cooking utensils on him including his trusty chef's knife, and switched his eye's lense to yellow, before once again checking the eye was covered by his bandana.

Light's work on the storeroom was well appreciated to his own eyes.  Nothing like a clean place to cook... but he was busy.  It was from the crow's nest that he spies their target... Faqu.

From there, it was quick action.  Rosa's crew got to work at her call - and The Darkmaiden's Dance came in towards the dock.

Armed with flashy clothes and a mission, their arrival at Faqu began.

...
The docks of Faqu were large, but there was few people around.  As they take in the area, the ragged ship looks to have a small crew milling about.  They are checking on the status of the sails and have apparently unloaded a small pile of probably-empty containers of stores - barrels, crates, and other things marked food.

The other ship was surprisingly barren of activity.  If there was anyone on that ship, they were below decks.

The town, however, was more active.  It was hard to see because of the rocky hills, but at this distance there was the murmur of people and brief movement from between the buildings.  It doesn't seem unusual... and with the cold air, the wind-breaking cluster of hills looks damn inviting.

There, among the hills, is the town proper... and the market Light seeks.

Faqu was a large town, but it sprawled through the rocky hills of the island for shelter.  By the hills, pieces of flat wood or rippling strips of canvas and wood act as additional windbreaks for the weather.  Wood-and-stone structures were set against the hills, sometimes carved a little into the sides.

This wasn't a surprise to the seafaring duo...

What was more of a surprise is the group of figures with maroon robes milling about in the town.  There was a small argument in front of the smith between two of them, while another half a dozen were moving here and about, apparently being something between solicitors and pests.

An old woman, chewing on pieces of an orange she was slowly pulling out of the rind, was eyeing Light and Rosa as they arrive.  A second look showed she was seated out front of a large stall of fruits and vegetables, the edge of a large market...

Rosa stops by the ship with the ragged sails to have a chat with the crew there. Putting on a nice smile, and with a little swagger of her hips, she calls out, "Ahoy there!" (Gah! Who says ahoy there?) "It looks like you ran into a bit of trouble there. Where were you coming from?" She looks over a the other ship. "Looks like they were in the same storm, but what happened to all their crew?"

...

Rosa slows down to a saunter when she sees the argument going on. She wanders over to the old woman. She picks up an orange and idly examines it, but it's obvious her attention is mostly on the argument. "Nice looking oranges. I'll take a bag or two if they're good." She peels it and starts eating it before asking, "So what's going on over there?"

In reply to Rosanhi the Red (msg # 6):

Light gets the two crew members helping him to watch the cart in case of thieves while he talks with the old woman who seems in charge of the fruit stand.

Naturally, Rosanhi has already engaged her in chit chat, so he hangs back and looks about.

The maroon robed types catch his attention too, but he tries to avoid making his interest too noticeable.

"Yah!  We hit a storm, were adrift for a'week out there!"  The sailor spoke without looking, then nearly drops his load when he catches sight of the flamboyantly dressed woman.  He stabilizes the box with some effort, and during this a grizzled man was making his way back up the harbor.

"Ah, your ship?  Where you out from?"  The older man spoke up loudly.  Clearly hoping for the same as her... some news.

...

Light doesn't recognize them, nor does Rosa.  The outfits look very... regional, the kind of thing probably seen only on a handful of places out there.  Doesn't at all explain what they are doing out here!

The old woman glances at Rosa for just half a second, then looks back out onto the streets.  "Busybodies!  Old priests.  Them 'High Light' folks from out west from what they say.  Weirdest thin' I seen all month."

Her eyes move back to Rosa.  "Lot of early folks, just starting your travels then?  M'oranges are good, almost a eight bit for a bag I'd say."

The robed figures number about a half a dozen, though only half of them were nearby.  The others were scattered up and down the street from the looks of it... talking to people, asking some sort of questions.  Soliciting for their religion from the sounds of it.  The cluster of the three though were being rebuffed for whatever they were asking, and begin to move aside to confer quietly with each other.

[The offer is fair enough for oranges in this season - 'High Light' doesn't sound familiar to them.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:29, Fri 29 Oct 2021.

Rosa smiles at the sailor struggling with his cargo, but she doesn't offer to help. She turns to the old man, and says, "We came up from the south. Our last port of call was the Coven of the Four Winds. We had fine weather and a good tail wind. I pray to the Lord of the Sea and the Lady of the sky that our luck persists as we head north."

***

Rosa finishes her orange, then wipes her hand on a lace handkerchief that she pulls out from her sleeve. She looks over at Light Vessel and asks, "High Light? Have you heard of them?" She turns back to the old woman and says, "I've never heard of them. What are they all about? Are they some sort of religious cult?"

His leathery face cracks in a brief smile. "Yeh.  The Sea and Sky protect us.  Heading north?  We were supposed to swing to Doghelm, but things got ugly on the way.  Things are still cold this season - storms like this shouldn't..."  He paused, then shrugged.  "Well, just be careful."

***

"I have."  The old lady gives Rosanhi a stern eyeball, tapping the place the orange was taken from.  "Are ye getting two bags?"  Is she smirking a bit?  "They are a popular sort up north.  North and west, actually... you familiar with Zamgree?"

In reply to Rosanhi the Red (msg # 9):

Light was still inspecting some of the other fruits and vegetables on display but at the mention of the name 'High Light' his ears pricked up, if only because Light happened to be his first name. Once it turned out to be some religious order or -as the Red phrased it- Cult, his attention to it started to wane a little.

At least on the surface. He didn't know the High Light's opinion of the cyborgs, whether anyone other than he, Rosanhi and the Crew even knew of them here in Faqu, or the threat they potentially posed. It made him self-conscious once more, checking again to see if his cyborg eye was still covered, along with his temple. He'd lucked out that he had gotten away without any further modification (as far as he could tell) south of his eye.

'Limes, Lemons...' he said to himself as he began checking what else was available here.

Rosa nods as the old sea-dog talks, but she raises an eyebrow when he trails off. "Storms like this shouldn't … hmm?" She chuckles, then says, "Of course we'll be careful. Not even sure if we're heading that way. It all depends on where our cargo takes us. Do you know of anybody who needs a ship? Not for grain or cheap shit like that, but something a bit more … luxurious. Hmm?" She gives a bit of a nod, a bit of a wink.

***

She nods at the old lady. "Yes, thank you. Two bags of oranges, and some limes and lemons too," she adds, taking her cue from Light. She shakes her head. "Zamgree? No, can't say I've heard of it. Is it full of busybody old priests? Sounds like hell!" She says, laughing loudly.

The old man shrugs.  "Not sure.  We were out early ourselves - had a fella who wanted out of Strilhome and honestly, we were stuck down there for stuff fer Wintermere.  If you are in anything special, well, I'm sure you'd handle that more than me.  But yeah, there's some hauling and 'special stuff' down in Wintermere, but I imagine that's more merc related."

---

Lemons seem to be in, and it is the season for them.  Light fidgets with his covering, it seems to be fine.  It does give him a bit of a glance from random passerbys.  Those maroon figures don't seem to notice him... and they (the cloaked figures) are the most suspicious lot on the street for sure.

The old lady nods, moving down to pull aside a piece of wood, letting the aides grab the cargo.  "Once I got coin, go ahead and grab, boys."  Presuming that its paid for, the old lady laughs.  "Hah!  Yes, it's that and more, for sure.  A strange lot out there, lived in that part for a few years.  The libraries them hold held were something else, when they still let others in to look."  Her wrinkled face turns slowly, a frown forming.  "It's certainly a lot of busybody priests out here, but nothing's to do but put up and wait it out."

Rosa shakes her head. "Nah, we're heading north, not south. How about you? are you continuing north?" And she doesn't want anything to do with mercenaries or war. She thanks the old man and moves on.

***

Rosa lets Light pay the old woman for the fruit and whatever else he thinks they need. Her interest picks up at the mention of books. "Libraries? Why did they close them to outsiders?" She says to Light, "Maybe we should go over and have a chat with them?"

The sea-man nods, moving back to his ship.  "Yeh, good luck to you."

---

The old woman smirks.  "You'll have to ask them, I guess.  But they are only... vaguely a clergy.  They're more about... libraries and lore.  Stuff besides books, even.  Most of their cash goes to stuff like that, they don't 'do' churches.  Despite these characters."  She eyeballs the maroon cloaked figures, then looks over at Rosa and Light.

Rosa thanks the old woman, then slowly, casually, heads on over to the maroon-cloaked figures.

"Greetings sirs. My name is Rosanhi Della Rosa," she says, giving her usual fake name. "I hear you are bibliophiles. I too am a collector of literary works. Perhaps we could arrange some sort of trade? I only have a few works with me, but I have access to much more." She only brought a couple of books from the coven for her to read on her journey – one history that's full of lies, one travelogue of dubious reliability, and three romance novels that she'll probably read first.

In reply to Rosanhi the Red (msg # 16):

Light's one visible eye goes from the various fruits and vegetables that were being exchanged for what money he had been assigned for the crew's stores and Rosa laying down her alias while confronting the maroon robed High Light bunch.

He began busying himself with loading bags on the cart that the crew members had brought along, all while being careful to position himself so that he could still be facing the interactions.

If he had positioned himself so only his back showed, or it made him look like he didn't want attention on his face/head/other eye, it might be too obvious that he had something to hide. By appearing a bit more "open" he hoped it would provide the sort of camouflage that equated to 'eh, just some guy' and allow him to blend in more.

Before leaving though it struck him that he forgot himself.
'Oh, where are my manners?' he said to the woman fruit vendor.

'My name is Light, Light Vessel. I hail from a beautiful little village called Hammerhead, with white sandy beaches and cool clear water sparkling in the sun.' he says reaching a hand out in greeting to the fruiterer.

He raises his one visible eyebrow in indication that he awaits her own introduction in response.