Tylluan listens to what's being said while he swivels his head to take in the onlookers. These people are not happy. I suppose having a brawl break out in their midst would account for it. However, I don't want to see this behavior continue since I went to the trouble of putting a halt to it.

He clicks his beak thoughtfully, before speaking up. "Perhaps it would be best if you and your... comrades... returned to your vessel for now, to let tempers cool." Tylluan leans forward and tilts his head sideways to regard Rosa. "That would be acceptable, yes?"

Rosa gives the priests a long, hard look before giving Tylluan a nod, and saying, "Yes, letting tempers cool would be a good idea." She then lets out a hearty laugh. "And all this over a silly little trinket. What is it, by the way?" She looks expectantly at the priest who had it last and smiles at him.

Tylluan chose the perfect time to step in - silence fell around him as the slow approach stopped.  Townsfolk were stalling their anger, and the priests undoubtedly ready to go.

Including their leader.  The priest-leader was glancing at Tylluan... but right now, he had bigger concerns.  Including, apparently, Rosa.  He directs a look in her direction as she talks to the other cleric.  That man, apparently not getting it, started to speak up. "Well-"  He let out a sharp YELP as one of the monks beside him reaches out and pinches him, hard.


The pincher shoots the leader a look, moving up to him and leaning in.  Whatever was whispered was brief... their leader glances to Rosa one last time, then looks over to Tylluan.  "Yes.  We don't know what happened.  But we have supplies, and repairs tod o.  We'll go.  Now."  He glanced over at the rest of his(?) group of priests, and they flocked towards the docks, walking their restrained companion with them...

Dolph glares at them as they leave, finally speaking up.  "What was with them?"  He spares a glance to Light and nods to Hugh.  The latter man looked recovered, and was watching the silent crowd apprehensively.

Light can see the old woman, Farisha, come back up from behind the table, face pale and her expression dark.

Tylluan blinks his large, golden eyes as he watches the priests. As the one leans in to whisper to their leader, he swivels his head slightly, using the keen hearing his people developed for hunting in the darkness to listen to what he was saying. Now I wonder why this fellow is being so secretive.

PERCEPTION ROLL: Hearing Perception: 17-
15

Rosa lets out a little sigh; she doesn't think she'll get anything more out of these priests, at least not when they are going around in a mass. Maybe she could isolate one of the weaker ones, like a lone gazelle at a watering hole? She smiles at the priest who was pinched, then turns to the leader and says, "Of course, don't let us keep you. Have a nice day, good sirs." She doffs her hat and curtsies. It might seem a little exaggerated, but that's only because it is.

She wanders off and browses the stores, but she keeps a subtle eye on the priests. She feels the trinket burning a hole in her boot, and  wonders how long it will take the priest to realise it's missing. She looks around for a good place to keep an eye on them. At game of cards perhaps, or maybe just back at the ship? If the shops are dull she might as well just head back there.

The group was departing.  Rosa gets a last look from some of them, particularly their leader, but they are heading out... quickly.  A couple of the townsfolk are walking after them, at a good distance.  Just keeping an eye out, it look slike.  The rest, though, are slowly getting back into their daily routines.  Farisha, glances over at Light, then to Hugh and Dolph.  "You need anything?"  She said tersely, tension on her face as she shuffled around under her awning.  Muttering under her breath, she says over to Light.  "They mentioned repairs.  Might be their ship isn't seaworthy yet."

Scoping out an area, the best shot to watch them was at the top of one of the odd stone 'mounds' that line the area the village is in.  Besides that, the edge of town gate... or the harbour itself.  Direct line of sight out there isn't easy - the same shelter from the wind the village benefits from is also what's preventing her from getting a good look.

But there are a handful of buildings that look to have high tops, or have construction extending up their mounds.  A building that looks like a layered tavern, one place she guesses must be the city hall, and a squatter building that looks like some kind of residence.  None of them were adjacent to the market, but a short walk would take her to any of them.

Tylluan files away what he's heard for later consideration and dismisses the priests from his immediate thoughts as they retreat toward their ship. He swivels his head about, watching the townspeople return to their businesses. Well, I suppose that is that. What an odd incident. I have more important things to consider though.

Since no other options have presented themselves, Tylluan approaches Rosa, matching her stride with his strutting gait. "You are a ship captain, yes?" he begins without preamble. "I am interested in purchasing transport on your vessel, if it is worthy enough to afford me a comfortable and pleasant journey."
This message was last updated by the player at 06:19, Tue 14 Dec 2021.

Rosa glances around as if she is admiring the scenery. The tavern looks like the best spot to keep an eye on the priests, but then she starts wondering what those odd stone mounds are. The best place to find out about that sort of thing would be ... the tavern! That settles it. She heads off towards the tavern, but not before catching the eye of Light and indicating to him where she is heading.

As she saunters towards the tavern she is joined by Tylluan. She is somewhat surprised by his request, but she quickly smiles and says, "Aye, I am the captain, and I doubt you'll find a more comfortable and pleasant ship than the Darkmaiden, at least not on this side of the Aifla Archipeligo. We can offer you a private cabin ... or maybe the crow's nest?" She laughs. "Your choice. We also have the best cook on the Seven Seas, my friend Light Vessel over there." She gives him a wave. "Of course such luxuries do not come cheaply. No, not cheap at all. But first, where do you want to go, and if it's not too impertinent to ask, why can't you just fly there?"

Tylluan let's out an amused trill. "Oh, a cabin most definitely. The sun, you know. I prefer night over day, since my people are well-suited to it." A private cabin and excellent food certainly sound like my preferred method of travel. This is sounding better and better.

He shifts his shoulders in an approximation of a shrug. "Coin is not an issue for me. Comfort and convenience are. As for a destination; well... I had originally planned to go to Doghelm, but that unfortunate storm pushed the ship off course. The captain of the Tempest decided to make landfall here." At the mention of him flying to his destination, Tylluan lets out another trill of amusement. "Fly that distance? I am not an albatross or petrel, who spend days and weeks on the wing. Oh, no. The forests and hills of Strilholm are what I am suited for." He'll continue accompanying Rosa into the tavern.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:42, Wed 15 Dec 2021.

Rosa laughs when Tylluan trills. "We usually heave to at night, but it would be good to have somebody awake to keep an eye on things."

She resists rubbing her hands together. "Well, if your coin is good we can set sail for Doghelm on tomorrow morning's tide. If the wind is right it won't take us too many days to get there. I'll introduce you to Light Vessel and you can discuss what you like to eat with him." She pauses for but a moment, then asks, "If you don't mind me asking, why are you heading for Doghelm?"

"Well, I'll leave the operation of the vessel to you and your crew. I'm sure you know best. I don't mind lending a talon, since it's my safety that's involved." Tylluan strides through the tavern doorway, barely hesitating to let his eyes adjust to the interior. "As for my reasons for going to Doghelm, they are my own. But in this circumstance, I see no reason to be secretive. I heard it might be of some interest. Strilholm was ever so boring. I thought a change of scenery was in order."

He looks around, taking in the interior, the people, and a possible place where he can stand without being too close to other people. "As for my dietary requirements; I prefer meat and fruit. I also enjoy biscuits, if they are flavorful enough."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:24, Thu 16 Dec 2021.

Light frowns at the one pinching the cleric (?) who was apparently about to spill something. He pretends not to really notice the one doing the pinching is the same one who went pale at the sight of Light.

Yet he notes his features, listens in case another mentions his/their names, in case it becomes useful in the future.

When Farisha asks if there was anything else, he smiles again as he asks her more questions.
'Well my crew would probably like more than healthy fruit and vegetables for their voyaging if it can be helped, so if you can recommend any good butcher stalls or baking suppliers, that would be great. Alcohol too, for liquid courage or to soothe any broken hearts.'

He would have to thank Farisha even if she didn't have any recommendations, as even the stuff already on the cart would make a good start.

The alcohol would bring a grin to the broad shouldered Dolph's normally stoic expression, especially once the more slightly built Hugh started mixing various alcoholic concoctions for 'medicinal use'.

Light notes Rosa signaling him that she would be going to the tavern, while he returned a wordless cue of his own by holding up his list to show he and his thick as thieves shipmates still had some more shopping to do.

As they approach the layered tavern, Rosa looks up and wonders if there is a good balcony up there where they can sit and drink and keep an eye on the harbour. "Let's see if we can find a perch up there," she says as they head inside.

When they enter she also takes a moment to look around. "Hmm, well, I've been in worse." She orders a rum for herself, and asks Tylluan when he wants to drink, curious to see how he literally handles his drink. They then head up to a balcony with views of the harbour, if possible.

Continuing the conversation, she says, "Urg, I hate dried biscuits, but Light makes a nice honey and oat biscuit. We mostly eat seafood though. We fish, and I dive for clams and octopods."

"Well, a change of scenery is a good enough reason to travel as any. I've never heard Doghelm described as interesting before. Smelly and full of fleas, yes' interesting, not so much."

[OOC: What has she heard about Doghelm?]

Light takes the time to make sure he'll recognize him.  That was suspicious, and everything about this was suspicious.

Farisha looks thoughtful, her stormy mood slowly disappearing at Light's questions.  "Yes!  For your ship crew, see Steph's.  He's the big 'un down that way.  Good food for this timea year too."  She leaned out to point, then settled back to look back to him.  "Dev's alcohol is shit but cheap.  Take your time to go over to Welk's."  She grins a little, pointing up to the area where the tavern was.  "If you want to go somewhere, I'll help your boys get the rest of what you need together.  I think I'll close up t'day.  They can help me close up."

In reply to Atlas Blue GM (msg # 38):

'Can't thank you kindly enough, Farisha.' says Light with a broad smile as he nods to Dolph and Hugh to give her a hand. He helps pitch in too, to lead by example if nothing else.

A litle toil to keep the body moving and exercise the muscles he didn't get to use much while in the galley also helped keep the memories of Hammerhead at bay... The bad ones anyway.

As soon as they were ready, he'd go check out Steph's, and then planned to at least look in at Dev's before seeing what good booze was at Welk's.

Finishing up with Farisha allowed him more small talk.  "Steph's" was a decent alcohol place, a one-story little joint that had a number of seats.  It wasn't far from ther market... and likely served the same people.  Dev's wasn't far from his, and a couple of old drunks paid him a once-over before returning to conversation.

For a better brew, he went to Welk's.

Welk's was further up the streets, a set of stairs that went down a few feet, into a sub-basement of another building.  Inside, a large lamp was swinging.  There wasn't much more than a bar, with a pair of smallish figures (four and a half feet).  The ceiling was only six foot up, with beams, and it would take some hunkering for the burly man.

'Welk'... presumably, was a black-and-white earthfoot who was talking to a customer, seated and armored nearby.

The conversation stops as they both look up at Light.  Welk's eyebrow slowly goes up as he takes in the large man.

(welk)
https://i.pinimg.com/564x/14/0...1329c24f24155ee0.jpg
(customer)
https://i.pinimg.com/564x/9b/e...5f8f1a6ddb405e8c.jpg

In reply to Atlas Blue GM (msg # 40):

[ooc]Does the small place have outdoor seating and a serving window for it's bigger customers? Also... Badger Badger Badger Badger Doggo Doggo! [/ooc]

Unfortunately, Welks doesn't seem to have direct outdoor service.  It's almost a literal hole-in-the-ground.  However, the ceiling was high for its occupants... and it's people over six feet that would have the biggest problems.

The bar is a little low.  Seating is done via a long bench, but there is a larger bench on its far left side (to Light), that is more sizable.  He could probably fit there, if he wanted to sit.

Welk's customer takes another drink, still watching Light with interest.

Welk was looking Light over with a more discerning eye... but his expression doesn't change in any way that Light can see.  He reaches out with a paw and hits his bar a little on the side, over by the larger benchside.

"Over here'll fit you.  You a big fella, aren't you."  His voice was rough, trying to bury an accent and failing.

In reply to Atlas Blue GM (msg # 42):

'I guess I am a bit bigger than my fellow villagers. Thank you, my name is Light Vessel.' he said, walking in a crouch, mindful not to step on anyone's feet or bump things over as he sat down where the badger had offered.

He smiled and nodded to the dog warrior too.
'Farisha recommended this place, so here I am. I'm looking for alcohol for provisioning a ship. Some for cooking, most for preventing scurvy or passing the time if we do a long journey.'

The canine halfling blinks as he watches Light, taking another drink.  Welk watches Light Vessel settle down, giving a low 'hm' at Farisha's name.  "Ah, I get ya.  Yes, we have some of that.  'Passing the time'... well, it'll be good stuff, but I imagine you'll know it well enough when you have it."

Welk kneels down by the bar, reaching down, and pulls out a simple set of bound planks... a drink menu Light can move through.

"I'll bring you out back to pick it up.  I imagine you'll want more than a bottle of the stuff, I take it?"

The canine halfling speaks up.  "Oh?  You are on a ship are you?  Is this about all that noise, earlier?"

In reply to Atlas Blue GM (msg # 44):

Light accepts the menu gratefully and then nods to the canine creature.
'Kind of. The High Light cleric types seemed to be under the influence of something or other, I think it affected some of us too.' he says tapping his head on the fleshy side so as not to make any telltale cyborg parts noise.

'Seems to be under control now though... Mr...?' he said trying to see if the doggo was going to offer his name, seeing as Light had already offered his in earshot of all present in the small people public.

He begins noting some of the drinks he thinks the lads might like, including cider, rum, whiskey and the like where available, esp if any are familiar to him and his crew.

"High Light?"  The canine perked his head up slightly.  "Oh.  Moft."  He reaches up with a gloved (smaller) hand, the halfling shaking Light's when offered.  "Light Vessel is a... strange name, is it not?"

There is a fair mix here, closer to finer stuff.  He, guests, the captain, the lads, especially on fine occasions.  He can probably get the rest of what he needs from the other places he hit up along the way.  The groceries, at least, should be handled...

In reply to Atlas Blue GM (msg # 46):

Light hadn't given his name much thought prior to Moft's comment. He had other people laugh a little, which he often found a bit rude, but for the first time he started to think about it more.

He couldn't recall anyone in his family having the last name Vessel, come to think of it.

Vaka was his actual family name, and somewhere along the line he had translated it as the Vessel name some other way, which he was currently struggling to recall exactly when.

A brief memory of someone standing over him as he lay on a cold metal table surfaced, a conversation between that someone and another, out of his sight...
'That's his name? Really?'
The person turned to face Light, and leaned down closer where Light, through a half open drowsy eyelid could only see the person's mouth and white top,
'It's almost like you were born to receive this gift, Light. Don't worry, you'll see what I mean when we're finished.'

A cruel grin snapped him out of the memory with a start, making him try to straighten, making him hit his head on the ceiling of Welk's establishment.

He had found his left hand about to touch the side of his head the dials were on, and turned the gesture into one of him adjusting his head covering.

His smile returned and he laughed a merry laugh.
'Hahaha... Yes, I guess it is an uncommon name even in my village. I changed it to sound a bit more worldly.'

Welk started when Light straightened, and even Moft was on his feet.  Eyeballing Light warily, Moft peered up at him.  "You... right up there?"  Welk set down his glass and coughed once.  Moft seemed to settle back on his heels a little... though he didn't sit down.

Welk speaks up as he sets aside the glasses.  "This... town used to be bigger.  Founded by someone from Piquo, from what I hear.  The island's big enough, but it's hardier than it looks."

Welk's eyes look up to Light.  "...So."  he pauses for a moment.  "These High Lights were looking for you?  Or something else?"

In reply to Atlas Blue GM (msg # 48):

'Not unless I was on sale in one of Faqu's stores.' was his reply, hoping that was an honest enough answer.
'They seemed more interested in bargain hunting or something.' Light didn't think they were hunting him at the time, but that could all change if they learned of his changes.

He rubbed his head.

'Sorry if I alarmed anyone, I remembered something unpleasant, and it kind of gets to me every time I do.' He looked a little embarrassed and quickly inspected where his head had hit the ceiling in case he had damaged it noticeably.

Had he made a metal on wood noise as he did so? He hoped not. No it was the back of his head that struck the ceiling... he could tell because it hurt a little.