4/Out there....beyond the sea, somewhere, waiting for me....

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**Thunderous Challenge (3) has posed:**
The ship was wondrous, made of golden-hued wooden planks, with billowing, pure white sails, with the figurehead of a roaring lionhorse on the bow and the word "Simhata" in old realm characters on the stern. A tall, handsome man in a tricorne hat and ostentatious reinforced buff jacket captains the vessel, a few crew members visible on the deck but none of them actually working the rigging of the ship.

**Soaring Mistral (8) has posed:**
A fine day on the seas. Probably hours from any nearby port.... via any conventional methods, that is. And yet... all is not ENTIRELY peaceful as it should be.

    Unless the ship's lookout is eying the SKIES though, they'll never see this tiny bit of trouble coming. SOMETHING's approaching from way, way up... hundreds of feet up. Hard to say what, but it's closing in fast from the port side, towards the bow.

    A decently dressed young woman, held aloft by trembling wings that only periodically flap with any force, is on descent for the deck! Not carrying anything. Clearly not armed. Rather...

    As she nears, anyone with good eyesight would see the desperation and exertion clear across her face. There's barely ANY power in her wings as she nears the deck for final approach, spreads them wide... and tries to airbrake for a landing with a powerful downstroke. It's not the best job ever and doesn't kill ALL her momentum...

    So the result is... quite a clamor. The startled (and pained) Airfolk yelps on impact with the luxurious decking, skid-bouncing a good dozen feet before ending up rolled up into a feathery ball on her knees, leaning against the mast and whimpering.

    Well.

    That was a thing.

**Thunderous Challenge (3) has posed:**
Thunderous Challenge just happens to look up just in time to witness the winged girl tumble into the base of the mainmast and his perfect eyebrows raise in wonder, and he approaches the woman, taking in her appearance, his shadow obscuring the sunlight on her for a moment. He speaks Forest Tongue with the ease of a native speaker. "You're.....interesting. Are you hurt?" The crew members start to gather around and marvel, but he looks to them and barks a couple orders in Riverspeak and they snap into action, bringing fresh water and a down pillow for the winged woman to rest on.

**Soaring Mistral (8) has posed:**
A shadow falls over her... and the young woman groans, rubbing her legs and where her wings join with her body. They're fitted neatly through some slits in her tunic. It's clearly custom tailored with them in mind.

    Bleary-eyed she looks up and around, over a shoulder... straight into Thunderous Challenge's face.

    Briefly, FEAR flashes in her eyes. Fear and panic. Maybe a little bit of awe!

    "Sore. just some bruises. Hopefully." She answers back in equally easygoing Forest Tongue, one of the dialects from areas bordering the Summer Mountains.

    "Are.. are you the captain? I'm sorry, I'm sorry. There was nowhere else to land!" Her whole body flows into the motion of a deep bow in apology. Although that might also be to hide her face and her confounded emotions.

    Crashing into someone's ship.

    How EMBARASSING.

    Yet the calls for water and a PILLOW... get her rising up again. "Wh... what...?"

**Thunderous Challenge (3) has posed:**
Thunderous Challenge nods and smiles charmingly to Mistral as a large pillow, more a cushion really, was brought up for her as well as some fresh water. "I'm called Thunder. This is my ship, the Simhata. You are welcome, and I offer you my hospitality. These are my men, they will see to your needs." He nods, and one older gentleman with a doctor's kit stands by, waiting to see if Mistral wishes to be evaluated.

**Soaring Mistral (8) has posed:**
WHY IS THERE A GUY SMILING DOWN AT HER?! Ratehr suddenly Mistral sprouts a grin in response. A little sheepish. A little worried. What's she done to earn such a kind reception? And people are surrounding her! "Wh-what? I... but..." Oh she's flustered alright. Her arms jitter before she claps both hands together and flops her tush on the pillow, looking around with eyes full of wonder.

    "Erm..." Well, perhaps to the medic's relief, Mistral takes a moment to check her limbs. She stretches out her arms and legs... and even one wing, then the other. "Thank you, thank you, there's no need for that," she squeaks at the seeming ship's doctor.

    "I'm called... Soaring Mistral! You have no idea how embarassing this is... who knew the sea was so HUGE?!" Her shoulders scrunch up. "My wings are too cramped up to fly anymore. Gotta rest them... for a bit."

**Thunderous Challenge (3) has posed:**
Thunderous Challenge nods. "Take as much time as you need. Once you've rested enough, you can take my quarters if you'd like." He motions welcomingly to the door to the Captain's Cabin. "You are safe. You will not be harmed. You have my word as a Yennin. On all my fathers' honor." He smiles kindly.

**Soaring Mistral (8) has posed:**
It's not easy being the center of attention! Rather embarassing, in fact. Having so many eyes on her at once without any warning or preparation out in the boonies, on a ship... is a lot of pressure for her! Hence the shy, jittery smile.

    But she can't help but ask questions now. "... ALL...?" There's more than ONe father? She's clearly never heard of Yennin before.

    In an attempt to clear her head from this rush of welcoming - and even being offered the most luxurious quarters around in a psan of perhaps thirty seconds - she shakes it back and forth to clear it. Is she dreaming?

    "Are you this welcoming with every... unexpected guest... Captain Thunder?"

**Thunderous Challenge (3) has posed:**
Thunderous Challenge looks to her and shrugs with a grin. "I have a good feeling about you, Mistral. Rest assured, if you were unwelcome, you would know it. The Simhata and I are...very close." He motions to his men, and they disperse, going back to whatever they were doing before. "Try and look at things from my perspective. A beautiful woman falls out of the sky, in my proverbial lap. You may be a gift from the gods. I don't know, I don't pretend to know their will." He chuckles.

**Soaring Mistral (8) has posed:**
"..." Although she's quiet for a few seconds, Mistral's poor at hiding the 'o' of shock her mouth forms. Thankfully, the others dispersing gives her a chance to catch her breath. yet again she hangs her head with shame... but just briefly. Just long enough to inhale. Then blush a bit.

    "You have a way with words." She exclaims a few moments raising, raising her head. "But you have my gratitude. I'd expected much more trouble over this. That almost anything would be better than drowning though..."

**Thunderous Challenge (3) has posed:**
"I can imagine. I can't drown, fortunately." He grins. "As for my fathers....yes, I have ten of them." He shrugs, as if that's nothing odd.

**Soaring Mistral (8) has posed:**
"p-... pardon...?" No matter HOW she thinks about this one... well. her state of puzzlement isn't going away. Eyes full of curiosity flicker across Thunderous Challenge's whole form. Nope. She's not gonna figure this one out just by looking him over.

    "H-how does that work?" Incredulous. That's the expression she's starting to form while mulling that one over in her head. Along with 'cannot drown.'

    Freaky.

**Thunderous Challenge (3) has posed:**
Thunderous Challenge glances to her, winks, and opens the collar of his jacket, revealing the gillslits along his collarbones. "As for my fathers...well, there's some special magic in Volivat that lets us take the best attributes of up to ten fathers and make one baby in a mother. I don't know the specifics of it, but it makes for very confusing genealogies." He says as he buttons his collar back up.

**Soaring Mistral (8) has posed:**
HE HAS GILLS. Blue eyes open wide... and then Mistral clamps her mouth shut. "... Ahahaha..." This mysterious explanation has piqued her interest, but she's still looking pretty exhausted. Her wings droop and as she shifts... one of her hands whips around to suddenly seize at where it meets her back and start rubbing. "ow ow."

    Wince.

    But she still works on keeping up the conversation. "That must be very confusing for the mother! U-um.. well. Thank you for this, Captain Thunder. I'll find some way to repay your kindness."

**Thunderous Challenge (3) has posed:**
Thunderous Challenge smiles kindly. "You owe me nothing. Simply help another at some point in the future when you have the ability to, that is all I ask." He looks a little concerned at her pain, and he moves closer, lifting her up and cradling her in his arms like she was nothing, his muscles now evident as they press against the silk of his jacket. "I'll help you to my quarters. You need proper rest." He speaks a command in old realm, and the door to the captain's cabin unlatches and swings open as he carries her inside.

**Soaring Mistral (8) has posed:**
"Wah!" being suddenly scooped up is quite a shock! Though she is indeed much lighter than Thunderous Challenge... THIS is enough to trigger more embarassment from her!

    "Sorry for troubling you so much." Is all she can manage. Yet another apology. But she doesn't resist at all. Getting out of the hot southeast sun is such a relief! Once she's inside she gets back to rubbing her wing joints again while peering curiously at Thunderous, still blushing a little.

    "Ah... I should ask. Where is this ship headed? I've only seen a few, but the others had a lot more people!"

**Thunderous Challenge (3) has posed:**
Thunderous Challenge smiles. "We're carrying cargo back to Volivat, from Champoor." He takes a seat on a comfortable looking chair and opens a clay pot stuffed with salted, smoked fish packed in oil. He offers her one as he munches on one himself.

**Soaring Mistral (8) has posed:**
"A-ah. Never been there before... my map doesn't cover it! Far too small of a map. Didn't tell me how big the sea really was." Mistral complains to herself, bunching her shoulders up.

    But she grabs the offered fish in a hurry. After examining it carefully, as if she's never seen such food before... she starts scarfing it down in a hurry!

**Thunderous Challenge (3) has posed:**
Thunderous Challenge chuckles softly, and slides the whole clay pot over to her. "When was the last time you ate, Mistral?" He looks to her and raises an eyebrow.

**Soaring Mistral (8) has posed:**
"U-um... when I left shore! The sun's moved a lot since then. A few hours?" MIstral gets out after scarfing down a good amount of the offered food. She can't help but siiiiiiiiigh happily, leaning back and looking towards the ceiling. "It's like a queen's repast after that flight!"

**Thunderous Challenge (3) has posed:**
He nods. "I can imagine it takes a lot of energy to fly...that's why I prefer a good ship as my preferred mode of transportation.....though....hmm....what do you plan to do? What is your destination?" He looks to her, curious.

**Soaring Mistral (8) has posed:**
"A-ah... well. I had heard about a city of sorcerors that sounded like it would be worth looking into, but now I'll settle for dry land. I'm... I'm a traveler, really. Don't have anywhere to go..." At this exclamation, Mistral's shoulders sag.

**Thunderous Challenge (3) has posed:**
He purses his lips and looks at her. "How would you like a spot on the Simhata? You have a very unique ability, and a scout that can fly would be a great asset."

**Soaring Mistral (8) has posed:**
BOGGLE. Briefly, Mistral's eyes go wide. The room... did the room just get a little bit breezy? For just one moment there's a few hints of wind that has just no explanation. And it corresponds with the amazed look on MIstral's face.

    "So generous, so welcoming... not a person on this boat's so much as given me a funny look! What kind of grand land do yo hail from, where humans are so friendly to the other races?"

**Thunderous Challenge (3) has posed:**
Thunderous Challenge smiles. "From Volivat, kingdom of the Yennin, the Children of Ten Fathers."

**Soaring Mistral (8) has posed:**
"That doesn't tell me much about it!" Mistral splutters childishly. 'Come on!' her gaze all but says, begging for more information. "... just ten fathers though... that must make things really tough on the women." Apparently, thinking about that topic has her cringing a little.

    "Well. Tell me more about yourself and what you do on this ship, please!"

**Thunderous Challenge (3) has posed:**
Thunderous Challenge nods. "I'm the captain. This ship, the Simhata, is able to fold up into a box that I can easily carry. My crew doesn't actually operate the ship, it sails itself. We are merchants, and the crew is here to protect our cargo, and load and unload it." He takes a deep breath. "And, from time to time, we take more...adventurous, dangerous projects..."

**Soaring Mistral (8) has posed:**
"A-a ship that sails itself?! That sounds like a wonders out of old stories! Stories from... how many centuries, thousands of years ago?" Mistral GAPES at this revelation, awed. "... Maybe I could help out beyond just flying, then. Don't know much about merchantry I'm afraid... but I'm not bad at cooking, sewing, and..."

    She brings both hands together, right palm hovering over the left with several inches of space between them.

    Wisps of air gather and swirl rather visibly, tiny flickers of Air Essence churning in the little maelstrom. It's a brief, slight breeze that's quickly over and done with though!

**Thunderous Challenge (3) has posed:**
Thunderous Challenge blinks. "Oh my..." And he smiles. "I'm glad you crashed on my deck. You are welcome to stay as long as you wish, and to come and go as you wish."

**Soaring Mistral (8) has posed:**
Mistral's hands dart apart just as quickly as she'd brought them together, the tiny bit of wind vanishing. "Well. I wasn't expecting to be treated like a queen!" The young woman declares, voice warm enough to thaw the frozen north from sheer gratitude.

    "... I really don't have any way to answer in kind..."

**Thunderous Challenge (3) has posed:**
Thunder dips his head to her in respect. "Why would you not expect to be treated as is proper? Why don't we start at the beginning...why don't you tell me your story, and I'll tell you mine?"

**Soaring Mistral (8) has posed:**
At that question, Mistral flinches pretty fiercely. Seems she's just too young to be good at hiding her feelings!

    "My story? ... My hometown's... in the mountains. I'm bound to secrecy against revealing exactly where... because my kind, the People of the Air... normally aren't treated so nicely by others. The first of us were bred, the tales say. Bred by the Exalted whom are now persecuted as Anathema. Most of the time when we venture away from home, we're mistaken for Wyld mutants, feared as Anathema spawn... any number of things! None of them good. So... there aren't a lot of us left. And we RARELY leave home. ... A lot of the times, those who do... don't return. Me, though... I've no intention of returning. I'd rather see the rest of the world. Try things I've never tried before! ... some things happened. I don't want to go back. Don't worry. I didn't commit any crimes."

    Her shoulders bunch up and so does her face, with flickers of regret.

    But she shakes her head a moment later! "...Not sure if I like all the things I'm running into. Or how much of it I've seen! Haven't had much fun yet! ... But today I learned that a man can have ten fathers and not end up with five and a half heads."

    This is clearly very important.

**Thunderous Challenge (3) has posed:**
Thunderous Challenge chuckles, and takes a deep breath. "You have nothing to fear from myself or my crew." He lets the rest of the breath out and takes in another deep breath.
     "I was born, as I said, in the city of Volivat, which as the tales say, was built during the First Age...my ancestors found what appeared to be ruined towers, but when they entered, the city drained out. It is well below sea level, and apparently it was flooded because of some plague or something. At any rate, I grew up with ten fathers, and they all taught me a bit. One of my fathers was a warrior, another a scholar, another a Guild merchant, et cetera. My father who is a merchant taught me how to sail and lead men, and by the time I was sixteen I had my own command."
     He takes another breath. "I can completely understand your trepidations and initial mistrust, but the only way I can think to assure you is..." He thinks a moment, and then his caste mark appears on his forehead. "As you can see, you are among friends."

**Soaring Mistral (8) has posed:**
The young airfolk's listening politely from her seat, apart from the occasional fidget as the boat rocks on the waves. Her eyes are alight with the kind of fierce intensity seen only in those with a keen eye for learning and attention to detail.

    But...

    The moment THAT LIGHT appears... Mistral's face goes white. "Wha... what... that mark... the Sun's mark...?!" Her voice goes full high-pitched squeaky!

    "I-I h-ha-had no idea...!"

**Thunderous Challenge (3) has posed:**
 The Yennin captain smiles kindly as his caste mark fades away. "Most people don't. My crew knows. And now you do. I saw the wings, and for a moment had a memory from long ago, and I thought that maybe you were...one of us."
     There is a knock on the door, in a specific series, and Thunder calls. "Come in!" A crew member with a floppy chef hat enters with two covered dishes and a bottle of wine and sets the table for them, setting a covered dish in front of each of them, as well as a loaf of bread and a wheel of cheese between them. Wine glasses are set up and filled, and Thunder nods and smiles to the ship's cook and the man returns the smile and exits the cabin.
     "Would you join me for a proper meal?" He motions to the spread before them.

**Soaring Mistral (8) has posed:**
NOW real excitement fills Mistral. She's undoubtedly close to bursting here! The biggest smile ever spreads across her face as REAL FOOD is brought in. Real food and drink!

    So she bows her own head deeply. A bit too hurriedly to be called graceful, but NOBODY can manage real poise in these circumstances!

    "... Having only known me for a scant few minutes... undeterred by my being strange... and treating me like a queen compared to others... not only that, but you're one of the Sun's Chosen... by some strange twist of fate? I-I'd be honored to join you in wh-whatever endeavor you ask! My thanks, Captain Thunder!"

**Thunderous Challenge (3) has posed:**
 He smiles and lifts the lid on his own tray, and steam and the smell of lobster with roasted potatoes and a dressing made of seaweed and cornbread and several kinds of mollusks fills the air. She would find an identical tray in front of her. He slices off a hunk of bread and cheese, and looks to her.
     "Do you have any specific needs, dietary or otherwise? As a member of my crew, you are entitled to an equal share in all profits, as well as room and board, both on ship and in our harbor. When you are done eating, you can review the contract and sign if you wish."
     And the handsome Yennin begins to eat, breaking the lobster shell with the metal cracking tools provided.

**Soaring Mistral (8) has posed:**
"U-umh?" The situation is simply BEYOND CONTROL at this point. Poor Mistral has no idea what to say. What to do. That's a Solar over there! ... but he's acting pretty normal about everything. uncertain what to do... she seems to settle on 'mind her manners' and settles the tray down smoothly, ready to eat.

    But the manner of FOOD that's under it - the seaweed that is - has her staring a little.

    "What... what IS it...? Smells nice.." Smells nice, but LOOKS WEIRD, she might be wanting to say. Judging by the way she pokes at the shell a moment later!

    But she sees what the Yennin does.

    And settles on just munching on a hunk of bread herself while peering at what Yennin's doing with the shell!

    "Ordinary food should be fine! ... Bread. Meat? I try to avoid anything too heavy too often! ... y-you're very keen on having me serve with the crew. May I ask why you decided so quickly...?"

**Thunderous Challenge (3) has posed:**
 He opens up the tail of the lobster and dunks the tail meat in a small tub of melted butter that was on his tray. "Because I was in need one time, and someone helped me. This is how I know to help you. And because I like you. Something about you....feels right."
     He picks up a spoon and begins eating the dressing, making pleasurable eating sounds. "Mmmmm...."

**Soaring Mistral (8) has posed:**
Well THAT kind of comment sends a blush soaring up Mistral's cheeks! So much that she splutters on the bread and tries to hide that fact by swallowing rather forcefully. ... Then mimics Thunderous' efforts to crack open her own lobster and start eating.

    "I-if you say so, it's probably true... though I don't know what that could possibly be." She answers modestly, before finally getting into the lobster's flesh herself!

**Thunderous Challenge (3) has posed:**
 He stifles a chuckle, now munching on a seasoned, roasted potato. He finishes the potato and takes a sip of wine. "How is your meal? Is it to your satisfaction?"

**Soaring Mistral (8) has posed:**
"Mmhm!" Soaring Mistral's so pleased she can't speak! Well it might be because she's got her mouth full, eyes closed, pure delight shining on her face!

**Thunderous Challenge (3) has posed:**
 He finishes his meal and watches as she finishes hers, being polite and nibbling on a bit of bread or cheese here and there.

**Soaring Mistral (8) has posed:**
It doesn't take long for Mistral to eat. She... perhaps overdoes it with the lobster and the cheese! They're not typical parts of her diet. It leaves her feeling stuffed. Satiated. Quite satisfied. A long, relieved sigh escapes her lips after she's done. "Delicious! I'll have to learn how to cook that one!" The young woman wistfully declares!

**Thunderous Challenge (3) has posed:**
 He nods and stands, putting the cover back on his tray and stomping his foot one time on the floor. The cook enters again, and clears off the table. "I'll....give you my cabin for the night." He yawns. "It wouldn't be proper for us to sleep together, and it wouldn't do for you to sleep with the rest of the crew, either. These are good men, but they are sailors, and they've been out at sea for a while, if you get my meaning. I'll have one of the mates bring you in a washbasin, while I set up a hammock with the rest of the men in the regular berthing."

**Soaring Mistral (8) has posed:**
'Sleep together' brings that BRILLIANT BLUSH back to Mistral's face again. How did that topic even ARISE? "Y-you're right, of course! But... but I couldn't take your quarters..."

**Thunderous Challenge (3) has posed:**
 He smiles kindly. "I insist, at least until the boys can cobble together private quarters for you on-ship. I told you you have my hospitality, and I meant it." He slowly backs out of the cabin after a crew member brings in a steaming washbasin of fresh water, a small chunk of lye soap, and a washrag for Mistral to clean herself up with. "Good night, Lady Mistral." He bows with a flourish.

**Soaring Mistral (8) has posed:**
Being presented such an amazing thing after a day like this has Mistral STAMMERING a few things. But she ends up jsut returning the bow, hiding her flustered face!

    Time to get cleaned up.

    "Y-you are far too kind, Captain!"