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Watching the Docks
As soon as the Sailmistress was out
of sight, Nerissa went to work, inspecting the hull...the damage
to him was not horrible, but is was worth noting -- damage could
accumulate over long voyages if left unchecked. She then went
about setting right what little bits she could while keeping watch
and making note of what repairs would have to fall to others more
skilled in them...tough places she dared not try to get at.
She went on deck once she was done inspecting the hull and stood
for a second, observing the milling masses around ships nearby...comforted
by the gentle rocking here. She didn't trip over her own feet
on a ship...never...she never became sick here either. She thought
back to when she tripped on the docks -- she had felt high and
almost alive for a second before her stomach had lurched and her
steps faltered -- ...she shook her head in remembrance of that
feeling...so strange and mixed. Like strange liquors and dishes
of some countries...nice at first and then...
She chose not to think of it any longer and focus on her task
at hand...she had been given the job of keeping watch and minding
that no one come onboard without fetching Akasi and bringing the
seeker of passage to Sidana's cabin. There was no one who might
be seeking passage quite yet...but without a doubt they would
come -- the ships of the Atha'an Miere were legendary for their
speed and Nerissa noted that the Twilight Moon was certainly deserving
of the praise in legend...it had, after all, made the voyage in
very good time. She studied, from the corner of one eye, a man
on the docks nearby who seemed to be sizing up the ship and noted
his appearance...so fair...like the Amayar, only taller. She puzzeled
at him and corrected her posture to be more dignified yet not
overstepping rank in a graceful segue so as not to make it obvious
should the observer cast him eyes upon her. He finally walked
away and she sighed...she wondered if he would be back so she
could study him some more -- strange and unattractive to her as
he was, he held himself oddly for a mainlander...
She turned her eyes to look at Akasi as she tended to the sails
and immersed herself in the duties of Windfinder with passion.
She hoped in her heart that she would be there one day...
Nerissa sighed and turned her eyes back to the milling crowds
of the port...those who would seek passage, those who would trade,
the hoodlums, the crewman and deckhands, passengers hauling their
possesions off the docks at the end of their voyage at sea, and
the ever present people who came near to the Twilight Moon just
to study or stare...
Nerissa patiently posed and waited for them all...some might be
back to board in a while while others looked ready to leave at
a minute's notice. She smiled to herself...always something new
in this life...always something interesting.
The sun beat down on her back through the light material of the
blouse and she wished that she didn't have to wear it...but comforted
herself that she only had to wear it a short while...
She held herself in anticipation as someone came near as though
pondering boarding...she waited for a moment...yes, she wanted
a definite answer before bothering Akasi or Zahneel...
OOC: *yawns and runs off to take cold shower*
Nerissa din'Canace
Crewman on the Twilight Moon
Edited by: Nerissa din Canace at: 9/30/01 7:30:48 pm
Akasi sighed as she got to her duties. Nothing was different. She had to do all the same things, except now she had more of those same things. On the upside she did have more of the authority that she wanted even if for now it lacked the respect she wanted with it. Not that they didn't respect her, just not as a windfinder even though for all intent and purposes she was one. One afternoon had been enough to discover that. She was not a superior, she was an equal to many and some of them felt they had to check with the Sailmistress just to make sure. And, she admitted to herself, had she been in there position she probably would have done the same as she was still their equal as much as she hated it.
She enjoyed being a windfinder more at sea where her special skills were needed. Where she could feel the sea breeze blowing in her face and the boat rocking beneath her feet...where she could channel. And that was not the most pleasant of thoughts. She loved to channel, to bathe in the ectasy it provided, but she was still afraid of it. That was why Sidana had been raised and she had not. As long as she was afraid she didn't have complete control.
Suddenly, out of no where, a wave of loneliness swept over her and she fought the urge to cry. She knew she had no friends. No real ones anyway and it was to the fault of no one but herself. She had been cold and distant and that never attracted possible friends. But she had her reasons...if only Meyadt were here she could bear it all...
Akasi and her older sister, Meyadt, were crouched behind a huge crate on the deck of the Water Dancer (sorry I'm not very original with names). They were waiting and their mother would be furious had she known what was going on. They had put a nest of scorpions (and no, they're aren't a poisonous kind) they had acquired on shore the day before in the crewmen's quarters. They sat restlessly.
"Meyadt, nothing's happening," whined a young Akasi, "the scorpions must not have been disturbed. We must have put them in the wrong place."
"Shh, don't say that so loud. Someone'll hear you. And don't worry. They just haven't all waken up yet. Be patient."
As if on queue someone screamed and before they could blink there were crewman and a few deckhands running around trying to shake off the little parasites. Akasi and Meyadt were rolling over in a fit of laughter. And then suddenly a shadow fell over them. It was the Windfinder staring down at them sternly. The two girls struggled to their feet still fighting off the last of their laughing attacks.
"Just what do you think is so funny?!" she demanded of them
"Mother..." Meyadt winced as soon as she began "I mean, Windfinder, please we were just..." she begain to explain.
Akasi could not help but smile at the memory. She needed to stop brooding her she realized. It was keeping her from enjoying the tasks onerous though they could be. And then the day and recent events didn't seem quite so bad.
Hours later she was mending the sails and enjoying it. Nerissa was watching as multitudes of people passed by and Akasi was keeping half an eye on her. She reprimanded herself for doing so because if she had been in Nerissa's position she would have been furious with someone not trusting her, not even giving her a chance to make a mistake. But Akasi couldn't help it. She noticed the person approaching the ship and was about to "welcome" him, but then hesitated. No, she would wait to see how Nerissa would handle it.
Akasi
Long-lost Sister of Meyadt
Rival of Sidana
Apprentice Windfinder
IC: Marcus approached the ship easily through the crowd. He was a large man who moved more easily, his form slipping through the crowd as easily as he would generally slip through the small passes in the woods without leaving a trail. Moving through the docks was harder, but many moved out of his way and he passed with little notice through the crowd. Soon he could see the ship and he turned to approach it. It was sleek and he moved at a slow walk as he broke through the crowd and looked it over. He could see several tanned men and women moving along it's length or working on keeping it going. He moved forward easily, his face having a light smile to show he meant to be friends as he approached them. The pack over his back and his boots said that he had traveled far and as he moved to the ship he thought he was giving the impression that he wished to sail with them. As he approached he pulled out a small bag and moved to stand a few feet from the plank that lead to the ship.
"Good day," he called out as he waited for someone to come and talk to him.
Marcus Reanderlon
Master Spy of the Light
Nerissa din'Canace
Crewman on the Twilight Moon
OOC: I hope I'm doing this right *tries to catch breath* someone
pulled a fire alarm while i was writing this so I hope I'm not
too disjointed
That time came sooner than she had expected it. Nerissa came out of no where. "Akasi," she called, "the Sailmistress requires your presence." Akasi smiled at the crewman and nodded acknowledgement. "Lead the way and stop tugging at your blouse."
She usually hated this sort of thing. Following someone to a place you knew how to get to seemed a waste of time, but this time she didn't mind as she enjoyed Nerissa's company.
"So how did I do?" she asked suddenly
"Was I that inconspicuous?" Nerissa nodded, "Well,
you did great accept next time I think you're better off summoning
both Sailmistress and Windfinder so that they are presented as
united front. That will usually throw off the guest and give us
the upper hand and also so that he doesn't have to wait before
the bargaining can begin. Sometimes getting right down to the
matter throws them off too. But I'm sure the Sailmistress has
it all in hand and is using this time to her advantage."
And Nerissa nodded again seeming to soak in every word.
They had arrived fairly quickly and knocked. When she received consent from within she swung the door open and walked inside with Nerissa at her heel. She wondered if she should send the girl out to do some chore or such thing. But then thought better of it. Zhaneel would sent her away if she did not want her present, but Akasi thought Nerissa would learn a lot from watching this. So would Akasi herself she reminded herself. She had only participated in this kind of bargain once...twice she corrected herself, but she had plenty of experience dealing. What Aethan Miere had not? And she knew what she had to do. She'd say little. For the most part she was supposed to inform Zhaneel of any weakness she saw. And then another thought occurred to her. Nerissa was not the only one being tested today.
Zhaneel smiled as she came in and gestured for her to sit down next to her across from their potential customer. And the battle, for that's what it was, began.
Akasi din Kalin
Windfinder...er I mean Apprentice Windfinder
Sidana's rival
Edited by: Kasienda at: 10/2/01 7:25:01 pm
"Go fetch Akasi, for she will be the windfinder in this bargain." She said this trying to keep to custom without giving away that Akasi was not truly their windfinder. When Nerissa turned closing the door behind her Zhaneel turned to face the customer. She had hoped that Akasi would have been here from the start but what was done could not be undone. "This is my ship Twilight Moon, he has arrived just today. He will be departing within the week and should you chose to board him you will be given a room with a window, a bed and a washbasin." The tall man nodded in acceptance and Zhaneel smiled hoping this meant she had the upper hand as he had not objected to the room. But one should never count their chickens before they are hatched.
Suddenly there was a knock at the door and Zhaneel stood once again as she issued Akasi to enter. She smiled and gestured to a chair which would keep the man having to look at each as they spoke and not both at once. This would give the non-speaker time to see any weaknesses.
Taking her seat again Zhaneel introduced Akasi. "This is Windfinder Akasi representing Windfinder Sidana of the Wind Dancers. I am Zhaneel, Sailmistress to the Twilight Moon of the Wind Dancer Clan. If it is passage you seek then there is the gift of passage which must be discussed." Zhaneel looked directly into the dark man's eyes waiting for his introduction and his proposition for the gift of passage.
Zhaneel
Sailmistress to the Twilight Moon
Not sure if I'm doin this right but I'm tired, its late and I
still have soooooo much work to do :P
" If it is passage you seek then there is the gift of passage which must be discussed." Zhaneel said and then it was his turn to make a move. "Let us talk then Sailmistress, of sailings and ports, and the Gift of Passage." With that formal gretting he pulled out a bag and retrieved a single golden ring with with small, but perfectly cut diamond set in it. Sliding it across the table he watched to see Zhaneel's reaction, having decided that the other women may someday have power, but for now she would bow before the others wishes.
Marcus Reanderlon
Master Spy of the Light
Suddenly Cabroci blinked, and saw the spy come on deck, obviously happy with having reached an agreement. Cabroci nodded to himself, and swiftly dove into a small alley, running to the local blacksmith. The blacksmith, the father of Cabroci's best friend, had taken him in, and Cabroci had to tell him he was leaving again. And get his stuff.
"Delthor...I have to leave again. By ship. Can I take care of my horse...I'll pay you, of course." Cabroci got out his purse, and grabbed two gold pieces. "I'll watch your horse Cabroci. It was good to see you again...oh..and if you ever see Zbynek again, tell him we love him and miss him, and that he has to visit us sometimes." Cabroci nodded. "I will. Thanks for the hospitality. May the Light shine on you and the Hand of the Creator shelter you." With that, Cabroci grabbed his saddlebags, and was out the door again, swiftly running through the crowds. He could not leave this spy out of his sight for too long. As he reached the ship again, he let out a small sigh of relief. The spy was still there, and looking quite....satisfied, would be best to call it.
With an amused smile, Cabroci stopped in front of the ship,
calling out with a voice radiating amusement: "Hello the
ship."
Cabroci Ramzael
OOC: So the post sucked...I'm a bit sick. ANYWAY...Cabroci is
a tall, blond guy, with blue eyes. He smiles a LOT. and I mean
A LOT. He moves lightly, and very agile for someone his size.
He's not broad in the shoulders, just average, I guess. He wears
a one/two handed katana on his back, a really good sword. He never
wears armor, and is now wearing leather pants, a white shirt and
a brown cloak. Well..that's it..
'Honor to serve'
Warder
Brother to Cabroci Ramzael
When the piper plays his tune, it's just you, your sword, and
courage.
Nerissa din'Canace
Crewman on the Twilight Moon
OOC: *giggles to self* it's a fine post sickness is understandable too...your char's physical description reminds me of my IRL boyfriend's Freelander (he's tall, blonde, blue eyes, katana too)...sort of appropriate that I started pulling chars I know from my stores to describe those on the pier originally (I only had him and a few wolfkin that I could use other than Atha'an Miere so he was the easy target )...falling together quite well! *smiles at Zahneel* Hmm...now it's your turn
Edited by: Nerissa din Canace at: 10/4/01 1:04:52 pm
IC:Zhaneel smiled inwardly at the gorgeous ring that was placed on the table before her. She would not show how quickly she was ready to accept this offer. The man must be fairly desperate to leave Falme for he did not want to go an extremely far distance and this ring would more than cover the cost. Cautiously she picked it up and examined the sparkling diamond set in the center of the golder circle. She imagined it sitting on her finger and nearly blushed at having thought such things. Setting it down she steepled her fingers and peered into the dark man's eyes.
"I am prepared to accept this gift, but should you require to travel further than you have mentioned than we will need to re-discuss the gift." The man nodded and a gleam in his eyes told her that he had expected such an anwer. Frowning she looked to Akasi. "Do you have any objections to accepting this gift Windfinder Akasi." She added the title almost out of spite at having let this man get exactly where he wanted and as he expected. Akasi nodded and Zhaneel could see the frustration in her eyes as well. The offer was a good one, but it was dissapointing to finish a bargain so quickly. "It is settled. The bargain has been made." And with that she dismissed him and sat back in her chair.
Akasi stayed where she was waiting for Zhaneel to say something. Zhaneel sighed and explained the situation. "Of course you know that a bargain usually takes longer, and as well it is usually made where we make an extravegant request and they respond with a reduculous offer. It then evens out usually to our advantage before the bargain is made." Akasi nodded. She had learned this of course in her training. Standing to dismiss Akasi and to check on the crew she was interupted by a knock at the door. "Come in." She said frowning in consternation.
The door opened to admit a tall hadsome man with soft blonde hair. He stood taller than her (she's only 5'2'') but he was very hadsome. She smiled as she gestured to a chair oposite her and motioned for Akasi to take her seat again.
"Good day sir. I am Zhaneel, Sailmistress to the Twilight Moon, of the Wind Dancer Clan. This is Akasi, she is Windfinder today for the Twilight Moon. If it is passage which you seek then there is the gift of passage which much be discussed." The words came out methodically from many times of use. The man was smiling, which made her smile, it seemed as if the smile was a permanent feature on his face. Tucking her long dark hair behind her ear she waited for his response, trying to compose herself and wipe away her ridiculous smile.
Zhaneel
Sailmistress to Twilight Moon
OOC: sorry that I added a bit about where you were going but I
had to have a reason for accepting so quickly oh and hello Cabrocci,
nice to see ya This trip is deffinately gonna be causing some
trouble hehehe sounds like fun *enjoys a bit of mayhem*
Nerissa din'Canace
Crewman on the Twilight Moon
OOC: I know it drifts completely off topic in pursuit of my
own char development and the passage of time, but I didn't have
much else to do...can you blame me
btw...for everyone involved in this, my char is 5' 9'' and thin
but very well endowed (I blame the Kadin, it's his fault) for
a 17 year old. Black hair, brown eyes, habit of studying people
and if you bring up the topic of Seanchan she gets upset. (have
fun playing with the Crewman's mind) She also has a bright red
tattoo on her right upper arm of twisted ropes.
*giggles wildly* things will get very interesting
Edited by: Nerissa din Canace at: 10/4/01 3:47:03 pm
Turning to look at the sea he frowned and wondered what this would mean. He was not worried about the man, fighting the Seanchan had tought Marcus enough that he was not worried about his ability to survive an encounter with most men. And those who showed themselves to skilled in hand to hand were still easily removed with his bow. If the man meant him trouble though while he was in the middle of the sea on a boat would make things difficult. Letting his frown fall away he turned back and cought a small glimpse of Narissa as she turned quickly away. He seemed not to notice but considered the action in his mind as he let his gaze skip across the crowded dock. He did not know enough about the Sea Folk that he wanted to tempt fate with Narissa, at least not yet. Not with other things left unsaid in his past, although she would probably be a wealth of information if he could get her to talk. Tales talked of the Sea Folk women, but most tales of that sort tended to be almost the exact opposite of what happened so he doubted in the time he had that anything would even have a chance to happen, which for all intents was fine with him. Glancing back at the cabin where the other man now bartered his mind began to flow through the possibilites. It was said that the Sea Folk could only deny Aes Sedai passage which meant the man would come. Thinking over all those he had met so far he was sure of only one thing, being part of the Eye let him fall into strange positions.
Marcus Reanderlon
Master Spy of the Light
"Yes...I am here to discuss the Gift of Passage."
He shot a winning smile at the captain. "But first. How fast
is he, and where are you sailing?" He slowly stepped back
so that he could watch them both at the same time, eliminating
their advantage as much as he could.
Cabroci
OOC: It's short, I know...
'Honor to serve'
Warder
Brother to Cabroci Ramzael
When the piper plays his tune, it's just you, your sword, and
courage.
He too, was seeking the gift of passage. He had a disarming smile, which could be bad as it would tend to put them off guard. Of course since she, and probably Zhaneel too, were aware of it it wouldn't be AS effective. Akasi took an almost instant dislike to him. She had seen the way he had glanced at her before dismissing her completely. She may not be a Windfinder, but for all intents and purposes she was the windfinder and had the authority Sidana would have were she present. He thought she was unimportant did he? Well, she was going to prove what being a windfinder was all about.
She leaned back pretending disinterest as if she'd rather be anywhere but where she was all the while taking mental notes of everything from mannerisms to everything word he said. She needed more experience at this sort of thing. She should have realized that his dismissing her was the best thing that could have happened. If he underestimated her or the power of her position then she had the advantage, but it was best not to assume he had done so.
Akasi didn't answer the question not wanting to draw any attention to herself. Not yet. Later she would have to become more involved, but for now she had to find out as much as possible in a very short period of time. After Zahneel explained that the Twilight Moon was a raker and plenty fast heading south with obvious pride in her voice. Akasi settled trying to make her anticipation of a real bargain appear to be boredom. She wasn't sure how well it was working.
Akasi
Apprentice Windfinder
Sorry so short, but I'm going to bed now.
Edited by: Cyriel Ramzael at: 10/6/01 3:44:31 am
IC: Zhaneel scowled at the three gold coins on the table but smiled inwardly at the beginning of a real bargain. Looking up at Cabroci she steepled her fingers and licked her lips calmly before speaking.
"Unfortunately what you consider to be satisfactory would very well not get you out of this port." She took a deep breath before continuing. "As I told you before this is a raker, one of the fastest, it is well built and well guided for speed." She tried not to glance at Akasi so as not to remind him that he was being well observed. "Despite its speed it may take up to 8 days to reach even Ebou Dar. That being on bad conditions. For an 8 day journey we will require at least 50 gold pieces." His smile vanished before he realized she was putting an extreme to his extreme. She leaned back in her chair and wodered if she had missed anything important in his manerisms then dimissed the thought knowing those were Akasi's worries for the moment.
The discussion continued back and forth as the two continued to through rediculous sums at each other. Akasi continued to sit in the background observing the two. She seemed to be ignoring the conversation and her face suggested that she had better places to go. The two bargainers were so deep in conversation anyhow that Zhaneel was sure Cabroci and completely forgetten the young woman was even there. Zhaneel tried to keep the bargain heated so that he would stay focussed on her so Akasi could find his weeknesses and they could get more out of the bargain.
Zhaneel liked this man already, he was good at bargaining and wasn't giving up quickly, and he hadn't started with an extremely good offer.....she nearly scowled remembering the last man's offer but quickly brought her thoughts back to the present, this bargain, now, that's what was important.
Zhaneel
Sailmistress to the Twilight Moon
OOC: Sorry it wasn't very good, but I kinda left it near the
end of the bargain and that way you can keep it going or just
finish it, doesnt' matter, oh and Akasi, if you wanna jump in
here go for it!!!
When he had left the room, he grinned to himself, and flipping
a coin in the air, he went to the deck, to smell the air of the
sea. Looking out over the ocean, he smiled. He had missed this.
Cabroci
'Honor to serve'
Warder
Brother to Cabroci Ramzael
When the piper plays his tune, it's just you, your sword, and
courage.
"This was deffinately a more interesting bargain. The 20 gold marks which we recieved is a little more than I had hoped and therefore exactly as expected." Smiling Zhaneel dismissed Akasi with a pleased look on her face.
She pushed the gold coins around in her hand thinking of the passage ahead. They had only to wait for Jio and Sidana to return. She hoped they had done as well as she had today. Slowly she found her mind drifting to their new passangers. The tall dark man seemed well enough, but for some reason he frightened her. Perhaps it was the seriousness in which he kept their conversation. Perhaps it was the way he seemed to be searching for something or someone. In any case she believed he would be a good passenger and he had deffinately given a generous gift. Her mind then wandered to the fair man who always seemed to be smiling. For some reason she had always found the fair shore-bound intriguing.
Standing Zhaneel straightened her long silky hair and headed for the door.
Once on deck she noticed that all the crewmen were busy about their chores and that Nerissa was still keeping a lookout for any other prospective passengers. Cabroci was standing off to one side smiling to himself. She caught his eye and he motioned for her to come over. Smiling back Zhaneel swayed in the Athan an Miere fashion to his side.
"I do hope that you will enjoy your stay on Twilight Moon." Zhaneel had noticed that Cabroci had been glancing nochalantly at the tall dark man near the stern of the boat. "I do not wish to pry, but do you somehow know this man?" She gestured to him with one hand and was surprised at Cabroci's fleeting confused look.
Zhaneel
Just wasting time
He smiled out to the sea, and she looked with him. Suddenly
she asked. "Why do you honor our custom by calling ships
he? I know that this is not the custom among the shorebound."
Cabroci grinned. "Cause I know something of the Sea folk.
I grew up there." He pointed to Falme. "Lots of contact
with the Sea Folk. However secretive you may be. And so I honor
your customs. It doesn't hurt me, and it makes you feel better."
Cabroci's smile said that that was the most important thing in
the world.
CAbroci
*looks around for el*
'Honor to serve'
Warder
Brother to Cabroci Ramzael
When the piper plays his tune, it's just you, your sword, and
courage.
Nerissa din'Canace
Crewman on the Twilight Moon
Edited by: Nerissa din Canace at: 10/8/01 10:18:23 pm
Shrugging the thought out of her mind Zhaneel stood and brushed imaginary crinkles out of her silk and cleared her throat. Just then she noticed Nerissa looking at her and Cabroci. "We'll continue this later." She said smiling at Cabroci. She winked and smiled showing off her dimples as she swayed over to Nerissa.
"I suppose we ought to look into some of those damages you have found." She could feel Cabroci's eyes on her back as she walked away with Nerissa. She supposed she had perhaps been a little rude. She decided she would have to make it up to him later. It would never do to have a rogue on the ship whom she was not compatable with. Turning her thoughts back to Nerissa she stepped lightly towards the ladder to the docks.
Zhaneel
Sailmistress to Twilight Moon
Nerissa din'Canace
Crewman on the Twilight Moon
(sorry so short and so pointless...hope I haven't taken liberties
with your char!)
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