Lasuri busies himself giving last-minute orders and recommendations before he heads over to Moray's ship. Trying to make certain everything is as it should is almost a surefire way to get something wrong or over-commit and get surprised - so instead, Lasuri's directions give plenty of leeway to the crew of the Dryad. The Captain obviously trusts the instincts and judgment of his crew implicitly, and thus doesn't need to guide them more than necessary. In a pinch, he trusts that the hardy crew will pull through.

When Jadira addresses him, the Captain puts his hands on the first mate's arms, then shakes his head. "You know I'd like you along, Jadira. We've been partners for so long, it's an instinctive response. But well... Like you implied, there's more in there than you and me. So it looks like we'll need to divide the responsibilities again. But hey, if I have to leave the Dryad and its people to anyone, you're at the top of the trusted list." The Captain smiles, then plants a short kiss on the armswoman's forehead. "Take care of people here. I'll take care of people over at the Testament." Lasuri nods one more time, then turns to face Zeru when he steps in, walking towards his fellow Captain with a quick pace.

"We're going to the Last Will and Testament to see what Darktide and his allies are proposing. They say they want to help destroying the Chalice... It'd be nice if it was genuine. Hopefully that's what we'll find out."

"Since we all have a say in what course the Alliance will be taking next, I convinced Darktide to hold the precepts of parlay and allow the members of the Alliance to step in. Anyone willing to come is encouraged to do so. Every voice in our group counts, and I didn't want to be deciding something this important on my own. The path we forge and the future we build are our own."

"So. Will you be coming along and representing the Marlena, Mister Zeru?"

"That's what I'm here to discuss Captain. I trust you implicitly, and if you asked I would stand by your side in a heartbeat, but for the moment something has been bugging me, I can't put my finger on it, but it has. I feel that I would do more good waiting behind with Lady Jadira on this trip Captain."

He almost laughs, "I guess it's my own indecision that has me here." He shakes his head. "What would you have me do?"

Lasuri nods as Zeru speaks, raising his head slightly when his fellow Captain asks his question. For a moment, the Sea Drake seems to ponder carefully, raising a gloved hand to rub the scruffy growth of stubble on his cheek while he thinks.

"Well... Listen. What's important to me in this whole thing is for people to do what they think is best. If you think you can do more good staying behind, then I won't challenge that, Mister Zeru. Often, one has to listen to their gut feelings - they end up telling the truth more than people think. If you trust me and your companions to speak in your name, then you can stay behind. We'll meet back once this thing is over with."

The Captain pats Zeru on the arm, then nods to him. "Follow your instincts. I'll leave things outside to you and Miss Thornbloom. Keep you ear to the ground, and watch out backs."

"Are we leaving now?", Tageru says, and stands up from the deck. "If it's so, then I am ready."
This message was last edited by the player at 10:25, Sat 21 Nov 2009.

"Very well," Darel said. "I will walk there. Kathelane and Zorodeanès will remain immaterial near the Testament in case we need an emergency liftoff... And Tulaandr..." He did not finish his phrase as the sesselja swam through his skin to rest in his stomach, where he would intercept drugs or poisons...

"As I said I trust you implicitly Captain, I'll help Lady Jadira hold the fort." He says with a small grin. "I'll keep my eyes open, although to be honest Melusine's ears are a hundred times more effective than my eyes."

Zeru bows towards Jadira. "You're the lead on this side Lady Jadira, just shout and I'll relay. And if you need anything, don't hesitate to shout." Zeru waits for a response before he turns around and hops back aboard the Marlena.

"I've left the choices aboard Moray's ship up to Captain Lasuri and the rest. We'll be acting as backup to Lady Jadira and the rest of the Dryad and rear guard, so keep on your toes." He tells his crew.

Do not worry, Gentle Akihiro.  There is much more for both of us to see of this world.  This situation simply needs a little diplomacy.  These people are enemies of the Lintha, the worshipers of the foul artifact that infected your father ad terrorized the Jokun and Nymphs.  We are simply trying to determine if the enemy of our enemy is our friend.

Kiana waited, patiently, to join Lasuri with the negotiation team.  She considered taking either some Jokun or some Nymphs with her, but decided it was best not to show a sign of force or paranoia.  She was sure between all of the exalts that were going to the Testament, they would be well taken care of.

Time - Late evening

By the time Lasuri and the other Alliance members accompanying him are prepared to head to the Last Will and Testament, the last vestiges of sunlight are already slipping away beneath the horizon. The darkening sky is still incredibly clear, the Western constellations glittering around a small sliver of rising moon. Below that heavenly expanse, the ships of the Alliance and Skullstone remain floating in the same unmoving formation, while Akihiro lurks uncomplainingly below.

Cray and Rowe return to help in rowing the small, uncomfortably vulnerable boat headed toward Moray's flagship. In the gloom of late evening, the Alliance delegation can see the glow of lantern lights bobbing on the deck of the Testament, lighting their way. The slap of the oars, the creak of wooden boards and the whistling of the breeze are all they hear as they float along toward their unlikely potential allies.

Jadira, Zeru, Treon and Hirdu remain with the Dryad, Marlena, Hammerhead and Ambition respectively, they and their crews prepared to react should hostile activity erupt on board the Skullstone ships.

---

OOC: Darel, Kareth, Kiana, Lasuri and Tageru, move to 'Chapter 3, Phase 1 - On the Fate of the Chalice' when I open that thread.
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:24, Mon 30 Nov 2009.

Time - Night

About an hour passes by before a Wind-Carried Words message is sent from Darel to Kareth, and relayed on to Zeru and Hirdu, indicating that the Hammerhead, Marlena and Ambition should prepare to depart.

As for Akihiro, Kiana would be wise to inform him to remain submerged with the elemental crew until they have left the Skullstone vessels' visual range. She can feel the young island ship's mixed curiosity and irritation at having to stay out of the way for so long, though. But also his happiness that she and the other Alliance members that went to see Moray are still safe.

While Darel returns to the Hammerhead, presumably to let Treon know what he has seen and heard, Lasuri, Kiana, Kareth and Tageru return to the Spring Dryad with their new ally, Silver Shell. Revealed to them as a Zenith Caste Solar, she is now at their mercy, for better or for worse, at least until she can bring them to her An-Teng contacts. Tageru returns immediately to his quarters, apparently worn out or simply wanting time to himself.

Marlena makes sure to consult the Dryad's spirit, and lets Zeru, Cinna, Melusine and the rest know the situation: once the fleet is docked in the City of the Steel Lotus a week from now, Shell will introduce the Alliance to artifact experts she knows in the City. They will be looking at the Chalice personally and determining if, and how, it can be destroyed. After that, Shell and the Alliance are supposed to bring the Chalice and meet with Captain Darktide again. Supposedly, Skullstone wants the Chalice destroyed as much as the Alliance does, so the Captain of the Testament has suggested -- no, insisted -- that his liege, the Silver Prince, also be consulted of any plans for the demon artifact.

As per Shell's request, as well as Lasuri's own desire not to deceive his crew, her Solar nature is revealed to everyone in the Alliance, from ordinary sailor to elemental to Terrestrial. Along with the uneasy deal arranged with Skullstone concerning the Chalice, that revelation occupies thoughts and conversation throughout the rest of the night.

---

OOC: Back on track. Tageru is now NPC status as well. I'll leave this thread open a bit longer in case people have more to discuss, but will be opening the new thread very soon. 'Chapter 3, Phase 2 - City of the Steel Lotus' will begin a week ahead in game time (9th Day of Resplendent Earth).

And warn Akihiro she did, the moment she was off the Testament and onto the small boat that carried her and the other members of the Alliance back to their flagship.

I can sense your apprehension, my friend, but please be patient a little longer.  The negotiations have gone as well as they could, and there will be no loss of life on either of our accounts this day.  However, I wouldn't give you away as they leave, as that would make your extended submersion all for naught.

That being the case, Kiana was visibly happier to be back on the Dryad.  She had not particularly enjoyed that little excursion.  Captain Darktide was a fairly confused gentleman, in terms of how he approached the conversation, and Bittersea had been almost hostile, if only passive-aggressively.

Kiana did go out of her way, however, to find those who she had commanded before on the Dryad, whom she easily considered friends, and have her old 'honor guard' be sure to welcome Silver Shell kindly, and to make her feel welcome.  The woman was beautiful and kind, so that would no doubt happen naturally, but Kiana couldn't help but like and trust the Solar, and so felt she could make sure that they did not fear her, despite her 'Anathema' status.

Darel made a comprehensive report of the meeting to Treon and Tethia, including his impressions on Shell. "She looks... wholesome enough compared to Darktide or Blackfalcon. Not that they looked like baby-eating skull-helmed brooding servants of the dead themselves. But I don't know what to think of her. It could be a cultivated impression used to lure us into complacency, who knows what the Solar 'Anathema' can do..."

He shrugged. "However, she put herself into a delicate position by confirming her status as Anathema, in order to make the first step, so to speak. I will honor that trust as long as she does ours."
This message was last edited by the player at 23:34, Mon 30 Nov 2009.

As Darel returns, Treon greets him.  "Welcome back, Darel.  Thank you for being our representative on the Testament," he says, before he listens to the report.  Treon's face darkens at numerous points during the report, most notably at the mention of the Silver Prince wanting a more direct meeting concerning the chalice, but also at the mention that Shell, a self-confirmed Anathema would be travelling with them.  Whilst he hadn't been terribly devout, that had still been his faith for many years.  He was mindful too, of Hera, though.  "I suppose we can show her that courtesy, yes," he agrees with Darel.

"I only hope we manage to keep her in ignorance of the Libram, at least for the moment.  Thank you though, for being there," he says once more.

He then turns to the crew.  "It seems we're still sailing on for An-Teng though, so make your preparations to be underway once more.  Balio, Tonsar, would you be so good as to row over to the Dryad to pick up Aranita?"

Kareth had spent the last part of the meeting in silence, largely do to him not having anything constructive to say.  He interacted little with Silver Shell on the journey back to the Dryad.  He did however, corner her attention briefly on deck after she had settled in.  In a not so round about way, the engineer was voiced his concerns to the Zenith that her friends might be corruptible by the chalice.  "Madam Shell.  About these friends to whom you are taking us, how is it that they are able to safely deal with dangerous artifacts.  Surely such a profession would lend itself to a quick demise if these were mortals with no assistance.  How can we be certain that the power of the Chalice won't corrupt them.  As you said, it was made of one of the Demon Princes themselves."

After receiving his answer, Kareth finds Lasuri and Jadira.  "I don't know how well that meeting went.  Given my... unique... powers among our crew, I might be needing to seek out some new tricks.  Is there anything you feel might be strategically useful?"

Hammerhead

The crew of the Hammerhead mill about on board, some of them listening more closely to the report than others. Some make warding signs and mumble prayers against the double whammy of Anathema AND Skullstone, though all of them agree that Silver Shell is very beautiful to look at, and doesn't look like someone who'd curse them.

At Treon's command to fetch Aranita, Tonsar nods promptly, "Aye sir." He's never been much of a complainer, one of Treon's most dependable men. Balio grumbles about having to pick up the girl, but otherwise complies promptly, the two of them stepping into a rowboat lowered down by their comrades. [Private to Cathak Garel Treon: Later when you're docked and all, you might be interested in engaging Shell in conversation at some point, since you're pretty much the only character in the team that has decent Socialize. ;) you may be able to tell more about her than the others, is all I mean!]

Spring Dryad

Silver Shell smiles at the crew members she has just been introduced to, and bows formally in greeting. Not everyone is sure how to react to her being an Anathema, though everyone shows her courtesy at least. They haven't survived this long as Lasuri's crewmen without learning at least some manners and etiquette.

"Captain Lasuri, Captain Kiana, Mister Kareth and all you fine crewmembers of the Cobalt Alliance, thank you for accepting me aboard. Your trust means a great deal to me, and I hope that my contacts and aid will be of use to you. Other than my current occupation as negotiator I am also a competent healer, and I can hold my own in combat. Therefore if you have need of my aid you need but ask."

Again Shell bows to all gathered, a gesture of respect for her hosts. Among those on deck is Aranita, who watches the blond with a wide-eyed, awe-struck expression. When the opportunity comes to speak, she hesitantly steps forward. "M-my lady Shell, I... I am most humbled to meet you. My name is Aranita. My people, the people of Nkiru, we do not fear the Chosen of the Sun. To have the presence of one so blessed... it... it is an honor I never thought I would experience."

Shell may have said something to her, but Kareth's inquiry is important enough that she replies to him immediately. "Mister Kareth, my colleagues are a pair Chosen of the Sun and Moon have handled such artifacts for years. Among other things they have the means with which to starve an Artifact of Essence to power it, in order to study it in a safer environment. I admit it is no guarantee; Horus and Iyadali are, after all, my colleagues and not yours. However... I have another important reason for choosing them. I cannot say exactly why until we meet them, but I beseech you to be patient until then."

When Kareth stalks away, she finally turns to Aranita, who smiles back shyly. "Please, Aranita, do not treat me like royalty. No matter how I have been Chosen, I am still a human just as you are. I have simply been given the means with which to combat supernatural threats to Creation. That has become my life's work."

"I see, my lady," Aranita says, though not quite convinced by treating Shell as 'normal'. "And... t-thank you for speaking with me." At this point, Balio and Tonsar have arrived, and she looks back hesitantly at Shell, then Kiana, before returning with them to the Hammerhead.

Jadira looks immensely relieved that her comrades, and Lasuri in particular, have returned safely. After reuniting with them, the Wood Aspect makes sure to introduce herself personally to Shell. "Hello, Silver Shell. My name is Jadira Thornbloom; I am both first mate and armswoman on the Spring Dryad II. We will do our best to make sure your stay with us is hospitable. Yasmin," she turns to one of the two women left in her gunnery crew, "can you show Miss Shell to one of the empty officers' quarters?"

"Of course, ma'am," comes the prompt answer. Yasmin is a wiry woman with short, curly black hair. She steps away from her post at the catapults to introduce herself to Silver Shell, and bring her to where she can rest for the night. Assuming no one else has words for her, that is!

Then Jadira fields Kareth's question, a thoughtful and somewhat puzzled look spreading over her freckle-dusted face. "I believe you mean tricks besides your unique proclivities, then?" After all, Jadira would not know how to advise about arts she has never practiced, and very likely couldn't have. "Honestly, beyond continuing to develop what you now know, I'm not sure what to suggest... I mean, now that Kiana has her own vessel, we could always use more sharp eyes and ears, and those experienced dealing with the supernatural. You could develop more focused knowledge about particular types of beings or artifacts that we have dealt with, or even improve your combat skill. There's many ways you can help us with security without necessarily being an investigator."

[Private to Isole Kareth: Apologies if I misunderstood your question! Assuming I didn't, though... I remember there was that Craft one you had suggested for speeding up craft time with a group of assistants. Maybe you could get an Occult charm that interacts with spirits. You could get a specialty in Lore or Occult maybe. You could get another combat charm. (Or maybe Terrestrial Reinforcement for Melee or Archery. Either would help the crew in combat situations.) Or you could get an Extra Favored merit to reflect your additional duties. Maybe Favored in Investigation, or Awareness. But that's up to you, it's certainly not required.]

After Darktide had left her vision, whether through their own movement or his, Kiana would tell Akihiro that it was okay to surface.  It would take him a little time, of course, and in that time Kiana found herself sitting near the bow of the ship, hands on her arms as she looked out into the horizon.  It was an unusually sullen posture for the Captain, especially since she had spent the last three months with her new crew, and with Lasuri and Zeru as well, both men who seemed to hold perpetual grins.  They had rubbed off on her, of course, and she was happier for the change in her personal demeanor.

Still, with heavy thoughts on her mind, Kiana sat there, waiting for her ship to surface while thoughts of what Moray said lingered in her mind.  Given the time, she would ask him further about the Silver Prince, and how, exactly, the dead happily served him.  Though she had no love for necromancy, or even thought of such things, she could not quell the hope that lingered in her chest as she thought of her father, and what such things could mean for his spirit...which, for all she knew, remained within his chestplate, which held a great spot of honor within her quarters within Akihiro.

"Make yourself comfortable, Miss Shell." Lasuri utters, nodding sharply when Jadira orders her sent to her quarters. "We've still got a lot to learn about each other... But as long as you're with us, you're our guest, and my ship is your home. Do let me know if there's anything you need or I can help you with." With that last statement, the Captain lets Silver Shell go to her assigned quarters, and turns his attention to the conversation between Kareth and Jadira.

"Jadira's right, Mister Kareth. I thought you'd do well for that job because of the way you think - you have a tendency to analyze situations thoroughly, and you always try to account for worst case scenario. You have a decent dose of paranoia in your thought process, perhaps... And well, it takes some to do that sort of work. I should know, when me and Jadira were out romping through the world like a bunch of crazed youths away from home, I was the one doing that job for our group."

"Long story short... I proposed this position to you because I like the way you think and approach things. I'm sure you'll pick up skills of the trade along the way... But I think the foundation's there. So don't sweat it too much, okay? And let me know if there's anything you need that'd make your life easier, or if you need people in particular positions to help you out with the skills you think you'd have use for." The Captain claps the engineer on the shoulder then, a gesture both of friendship and trust.

Lasuri then turns his attention towards Jadira, and nods to her with a warm smile. He puts a hand on her shoulder for a moment, letting the touch linger before addressing her. "How are the preparations for heading to An-Teng, Miss Thornbloom? If we're all set, we might want to move on. Better not to linger too long in open waters like this, especially so close to the Lintha homeland with their vendetta hanging above our heads."

"Believe me, Las, I couldn't agree more." Jadira spares a glance for the Skullstone ships, still floating in the distance, though it's obvious they are making their own preparations to depart. "We should be ready to go at any time, once everyone is settled back in their own vessels."

She looks at Kiana sitting morosely alone, curious what could be on the young woman's mind, but their own separate duties as Captain and First Mate will preoccupy their time for now.

I'll make sure to spend more time with her later. Especially once we get to the City of the Steel Lotus. That quiet promise reassures Jadira, for now, as she signals over to Donnegal at the helm -- delegation is part of leadership! -- then moves to an empty part of the deck near the mast to begin her spell preparations to rouse the winds.

Fortunately, she'd long ago learned how to alter the spell shaping to allow the wind to persist even if she leaves the deck. Both she and Lasuri deserve another good night's rest, now that the Chalice is safely Elsewhere. "By the way Kareth, Kiana, we both appreciate all you've done for us so far. Thanks a lot. And go get some sleep, too."
This message was last edited by the player at 13:31, Thu 03 Dec 2009.

Akihiro

Akihiro rises at Kiana's bidding, almost too eagerly. The Spring Dryad sways back and forth as he quickly breaks the surface, causing a small amount of alarm to the sailors. Fortunately, they're not unused to the presence of the young island, and quickly regain both their footing and their nerves.

What troubles you, Kiana? You seem sad. That's almost the very first thing he asks. Having realized the folly in rising too quickly, Akihiro edges gently toward the Dryad, so carefully it seems almost comical, until Kiana can step onto his head with a short leap. A pair of jokun stand by as well, and a pair of nymphs in the water, to ensure she'll be pulled in if she falls.

Unfortunately the matter of Kiana's father, and the nature of his spirit are not necessarily things Akihiro would be an expert on. Still, his presence offers both the security of friendship and of a cozy place to rest. Kiana's quarters in the island ship are kept in the driest part of the interior, as the nymphs are more than content to be drenched, and the jokun are far from picky as long as they have swords and gems to polish.

Alliance Fleet

The Skullstone ships eventually do set sail, perhaps too impatient to wait for the Alliance to set off first. After all, Moray only has two vessels to coordinate, while the Cobalt Alliance has five. More than one sailor lets out a breath of relief seeing those black sails headed away to the north.

A uniform speed and heading are finalized between the five Alliance ships, relayed via direct spirit communication or Wind Carried Words. Jadira completes her wind spell, and the Spring Dryad crew leads the way on the final leg of the journey to An-Teng, this time carrying the beautiful yet still enigmatic Silver Shell with them.

---

OOC: Again, go to 'Chapter 3, Phase 2 - City of the Steel Lotus' once it's open. This thread will close by the weekend.

"Thank you Balio, Tonsar.  Welcome back, Aranita," he says as they arrive back and are safely aboard.  He then starts to shout out the nessessary orders to get the ship ready for sailing.  Once that is underway, he turns his attention back to Aranita.

"How was your stay aboard the Dryad?" he enquires politely.  "And did you meet our new vistor?"

Hammerhead

Aranita's face lights up when Treon mentions her visit to the Dryad, despite the fact she must be quite tired by this time of night. "Hello again, Captain Fireb... I mean... Treon." She belatedly remembers he preferred her not to use the title. "I truly enjoyed spending time aboard the Spring Dryad II. It is a beautiful and fascinating vessel, and the people are very kind. Captain Kiana who rides the island ship was very nice to me as well. She showed us through the mouth of Akihiro, and I felt... claustrophobic. But he is a gentle giant."

"I've seen so many wonderful things since accompanying you. And some frightening things as well," Aranita adds hesitantly. She hasn't forgotten the twisted appearance of Louis, the black water near the Chasm, the tales of deep sea horrors that the crew of the Hammerhead told her to scare her. She'd heard enough about the Lintha and how Melusine lost her eyesight to know the other Alliance members have seen much hardship as well. "But mostly wonderment."

"Lady Silver Shell was a surprise to me. The people of Nkiru think kindly of the Sun and his Chosen, something that we have often had to hide, for the Realm calls them Anathema. Yet Shell openly admitted to being Sunchosen to everyone! I... I have always wanted to meet one up close. We know first hand what good the Solar Exalted can do, for Iay Selak-Amun has protected us from the Western Wyld for many years, and we have kept alive the worship of Vesperna for generations... oh... but... a-anyway," she continues, realizing she's rambling and Treon might not care to know about such things, "Shell is as good and kind-hearted a person as I would have imagined, and I hope you will think the same when you speak to her, too." When speaking of Silver Shell, Aranita seems truly awe-struck.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:04, Fri 04 Dec 2009.

"She certainly is... fascinating," Darel said, having overheard Aranita's comments on Shell. "But while I have a good first impression of her, especially in contrast to this asshole Darktide - Oops, forgive the language - we have to remember that she is a being of immense power with her own aims."

He headed for his cabin. "I am tempted to call forth more... aids," he told Treon before leaving. "If you do not mind."

"I know, I was there when we visited Akihiro," Treon says with a grin for her enthusiasm making her forget that.  "I'm glad that you were well recieved by the rest of the Alliance though.  It is a brave thing Shell did yes," Even if she is Anathema, a demon.  Maybe.  "I will ask her about it, perhaps."

"But that is a good point, she is most definitely a being of power," he nods to Darel.  Before he frowns.  How many demons does one man need? "More?" he questions.  "You already have four," he says, his voice betraying a little distaste even at the idea of four.  "And we're travelling to An-Teng, a civilised port with many Exalted.  I'm not sure so many demons moving around is a good idea."
[Private to Darel Arwan: It's not a final no, but it will take a lot of talking.]

Darel shrugged. "They might not be needed in An-Teng, and I agree that too many such creatures might attract attention there, but once we return to meet the Skullstone fleet or when we face the Lintha again... We might want some additional muscle to bring to bear... We shall rediscuss this matter later, I will not press the issue for now. Perhaps new circumstances will warrant a few more summonings. Have a nice day, Captain."

With that, he left the deck and returned to his cabin.

Kareth simply nodded to the Captain and First Mate as he was dismissed.  He had work that needed to be attended to and he needed to be rested for it.