2nd Day of Resplendent Earth, RY 768
Midday

During the journey to An-Teng, the season of Water has long since passed, warming up toward the season of Earth. By now, though, the Alliance has reached the last, long stretch of sea travel before their destination, so see very little of the season's gradual effect on land.

They do pleasantly notice that the weather is becoming more temperate. The rains when they come are rarely icy or heavy, and many crewmen are now donning lighter jackets for work on the main deck. What few storms they recently passed have been minor, tempered by the presence of Cinna (whose red hair serves as a talisman against storm mothers) and sheer good luck. The Alliance ships make good time across the waves with the aid of Jadira's sorcery, Hirdu's cord of winds, Marlena's natural swiftness and Akihiro's youthful eagerness, as the season most sacred to his kind reaches its peak.

When it comes time to rendezvous with the Hammerhead, the ships are about a week away from reaching the south mainland, where they will navigate the tropical waters of the Dragon Mouth Bay toward An-Teng. Kareth and Darel are asked to communicate coordinates through Wind-Carried Words, as the rendezvous is timed to take place on the ocean, rather than ashore.

The Spring Dryad, Black Marlena, Akihiro and Hirdu's Ambition simultaneously drop their respective spells, charms and other talismans for speed, and shorten the sails (should they have sails; Akihiro, as a living island, simply slows his swimming) until they reach a dead stop. The Hammerhead's arrival should be from the west, and the captains and officers of the Alliance are invited to cross over to the Dryad to meet Treon, Darel, and their new companion Hera together.

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OOC: My bad, it's actually Earth that follows Water, not Wood as I had said in the previous thread. It's fixed now. :)

Also, the invitation to gather all together on the Dryad is just a suggestion, as it'd make it a lot easier than shouting across ship decks, but you could choose to stay on your ships if you want. So long as some of you are there to meet the Hammerhead folks, it's fine.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:02, Wed 28 Oct 2009.

Kareth strode across the deck towards Lasuri.  His time at and performing the physical labor of his crafting had left him slightly more sure of foot on deck.  His long, greasy black hair whipped in the breeze.  Normally, people would notice his black cloak behaving similarly but it seemed as though an object in one of the pockets weighed it down.  As he approached the captain, he unceremoniously reached into the cloak and pulled out a large, egg-shaped object.  "They should be here shortly," the engineer says, relaying the last message he had received from the hammer head.  "By the way, it's finished."  He hands the cache egg over to the captain.  No pomp or dramatic unveiling.  With that, the engineer walks over to the cabin and leans against it, waiting for the Treon, Darel, and the rest of the Hammerhead to board.

The first those present on the waiting ships see is the sail of the Hammerhead breaking the horizon, although soon the whole ship becomes visible.  She's closing on the fleet at a good clip.  The sails are not billowing in a manner appropriate for the prevailing wind, explaining the good time the ship had made coming down here--magic.

On board, Treon stands at the wheel.  "Well, will you look at that," he remarks as he takes in the full majesty of the Cobalt Alliance fleet.  "Have you ever seen anything like that?" he points to the Akihiro.

Soon though, the Hammerhead has dropped anchor too, with the rest of the fleet.  Boats are put into the water, and Treon, Darel, Hera, Aranita, the Libram and Tethia are brought over to the Dryad.

"Permission to come aboard, Captain," he shouted up.

May of the Jokun and Nymphs that made up the crew of Akihiro were on the surface of the Spirit-Ship, watching over the proceedings, the Jokun with almost ceremonial quiet intensity, while the Nymphs paid less apparently attention, many of them diving into the waves below, attending to Akihiro, or simply enjoying the waves, though a number of them simply sat down and watched, both the elementals capable of extreme patience.  Kiana, however, was not at her ship, but was instead aboard the Dryad.

The past few months had bee a time of great growth for the young Captain, and her time with Lasuri and Zeru had been very well spent.  Her grace in combat had increased almost exponentially, and her mannerisms had both softened and opened up a great deal.  Gone was the incredibly silent, shy girl, and in her place was a confident young woman, with a warm, if somewhat reserved, smile.  Her healthy black hair shined in the sun, and the recently repaired red dress fit her toned, and somewhat tanned young body almost uniformly.  Normally she would have been beset by at least five Jokun body guards, but Kiana had made it clear that she was perfectly safe aboard the Dryad, and though reluctant, they trusted their Captain.

So Kiana waited, having never met the crew of the Hammerhead (to her knowledge) and was certainly happy to correct the error.  They were simply another part of the Cobalt Alliance, and for that reason alone Kiana knew she would be meeting fast friends.

Zeru left the Marlena with promises to behave and to return shortly. He crossed over to the Dryad without pomp, without circumstance, just another man existing aboard a ship. Coral however would have none of that. She wanted attention, and so upon catching sight of Kiana, Coral made her move. Silently, gracefully the cat pawed at the bottom of the pocket of Zeru's coat. She undid the latch and fell quietly to the ground. Carefully maneuvering amongst the legs of the captains Coral finally found herself at Kiana's feet. "Mau!" Came the pitiable cry for attention. Everyone within earshot could understand this one, not only Zeru. It said. "I would like to be picked up and petted please"

Zeru of course followed the cat to the other captains. "Sorry about that, she can't help but ask to be petted."

Black Reed is the one to answer Treon when he points out Akihiro for the first time. "I've never seen, but I have heard of such beings before. The 'living islands' are native to the Wavecrest Isles, there are even some villages in the area that trained them to harry pirates from Coral." The dark-skinned ex-pirate may well be speaking out of experience, but he certainly doesn't confirm that out loud.

"Though the very fact the Alliance has one, tame and following along, is something that is definitely uncommon," Tethia adds, as the group leaving to board the Dryad parts from Reed and the rest of the crew. The three months hasn't changed her over much; she is as cool and indifferent as ever, at least on the outside. The pain of losing Kossuth would have faded some by then, but still she has spent more time alone than with anyone.

The other ex-pirates manning the Hammerhead are definitely different, though, if one knows to notice. It shows in their discipline and patience, the confidence and surety with which they follow Treon's commands. They are definitely more Treon's men, and the Alliance's, than they were when they were captured following their former captain's death at Lasuri's hands.

Aranita is surprised to be included along with the Terrestrials meeting on the Dryad, but is quietly thankful; Tethia is much too standoffish, and the Dryad looks like it has more women aboard. "How amazing... are these what sailing ships are like further east?" she asks of the artifact warship. The young woman from Nkiru remains close, but not too close, to Treon as the boat rows toward its destination, her face showing an intense curiosity for the vessels that make up the Alliance fleet.

Smiling towards the engineer, Lasuri actually bows, accepting the cache egg humbly and gratefully. "Mister Kareth, as always you've gone above and beyond expectations and the call of duty. Believe me, you've done a great service to this weary Captain... I was getting pretty tired to listen to the Chalice's incessant prattling. This should shut it up nicely. Do speak up when you spot an occasion for me to make it up to you, my friend." Lasuri salutes Kareth then, before returning his attention towards Treon and the crew of the Hammerhead, visibly happy to see them well - along with a few new faces, as well.

"Permission granted, Captain - you and yours are always more than welcome aboard." Turning towards the crew of the Dryad - who sadly look very much thinned out in numbers, as Treon and Darel would certainly notice - Lasuri lets out a shout to call them to attention. "We've got company, people - friends we havent't seen in a long time. Prepare the ship the receive them and help them hoist themselves on board immediately."

The crew busies itself with getting everyone on board, helping out the visitors from the Hammerhead to climb on the deck of the Alliance's flagship. Helping with the procedures, Lasuri smiles warmly at the sight of their allies, reaching a hand for Treon to shake.

"It's very nice to see you and yours back, Captain - and in one piece after having completed your objectives, no less. You've all been missed."