"Eilikasys? Wasssgon'on?" Erric says into the darkness, bedhead already impressive. He half-falls out of the hammock, tries to gather himself, and sleepily follows her, for some reason completely trusting nothing bad will happen.
As soon as Erric's feet are on the floor, he feels Eilikasys clasp his hand and pull him toward the bow. Sleepily, he allows the gnome to guide him to her cabin. Her door is slightly ajar, low lamp light spilling into the short hallway between the two cabins. As they silently move into the light, the bard can see Eilikasys is dressed in a silk robe decorated with hand-painted flowers. Her long, white hair sways across her shoulders and back with each step.
Eilikasys pulls Erric into her cabin, guides him past her, and then closes the door behind them with a quiet snap. The cabin is very small, but cozy. The low bunk has an expensive blanket tossed across it, half made. On the small table is a bottle of wine and two glasses. The lamp hanging from the ceiling sways gently with the boat, causing shadows to dance back and forth. The gnome slides by the halfling and sits down on the bed nearest the table. She pats the space beside her. "Have a seat, Erric. Wine?"
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
(OOC: of course she picks the most naive member of the team!!)
"Sleepy wine, my favorite. Thank you. This is a nice room. But they didn't give you a hammock? Why not? Hammocks are amazing."
Erric follows her to the bed and, sitting down and accepting the wine, begins to wake up a bit. He doesn't immediately take a sip, and looks at her again, now that she is acting differently. He's heard and told stories about -- and also participated in -- confidence games, and so a tiny part of his brain gives her another look. (Insight: 14) Does he see anything interesting in the room?
"So, drink and some midnight conversation? I didn't bring an instrument, but I can create music from thin air, wanna see?"
A light, gentle melody from some stringed instruments softly fills the air around them from the minor illusion cantrip.
Jambiya thanks Gramps, "You're very kind to us, Master Gramps, thank you."
She then gets the hammock out and strings it, climbing and sleeping there, instead. It's all an adventure for her. She doesn't fall asleep right away though, she thinks a little about home and what her fathers would be doing right now, has a little private, therapeutic cry, then resolves to figure some stuff out. She fixes in her mind the image of this willowy tree woman that has been visiting her, and with that admittedly vague image in the forefront of her mind, she drifts off to sleep. Alas, her dreams are just that, tonight.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he). Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. Here's my D&D stuff. I love it so.
Erric doesn't see any reason to mistrust Eilikasys; she's being polite and doesn't appear to be trying to pull one over on him. He does notice, now that they're only a foot or so away from each other, and he's looking, that, while Eilikasys is older, her wrinkles are more becoming than distracting. Her lips are thin, but curved delicately. Her eyes have most likely lost some of their color, but they still sparkle. The skin of her neck and the bit of her chest peeking through the V of her robe is fairly smooth. A fleeting thought goes through his mind, I wonder if they can make someone look younger with magic these days.
The room is pretty much as I described it. It does have a porthole window on the wall opposite the door. Through it, he can see a bit of variation in the dark clouds like threads of moonlight have been sewn in haphazardly.
Eilikasys smiles at the halfling, raising her eyebrows at the magicked music. She takes a sip from her glass, her eyes never leaving him. "You're a very interesting individual," she says with a hint of a laugh. "Handsome and talented, too," she says more seriously. "I told you I might have a job for you later, but I'm wondering if you could do something for me now." She puts her glass back on the small table, and when she puts her hand on the bed, her fingers brush Erric's leg, and her robe slips off that arm's shoulder, exposing the smooth skin which had been beneath. "Would you like more wine?"
Erric tries to swallow and realizes his throat is very dry. He takes his first sip of wine without thinking of it. "What... What do you need?" He's finding it a little hard to move and his concentration slips a bit, and the music he's casting through minor illusion slips with a loud, discordant blast before finding the soft melody again.
Eilikasys reaches up and delicately pulls the neckline of her robe apart. The top slips down her arms and collects across her forearms and lap, revealing her drooping breasts and large, dark nipples. She frees one arm and reaches out to place her hand on the side of his head. "A little companionship," she almost purrs.
Erric's eyes widen, and more of his brain wakes up, but still not all the way. "Oh hey your robe slipped, let me help you with that," and he tries to move the robe back up to cover a shoulder.
He looks back up at her with a trusting, naive smile.
"That robe is really soft and nice. You've got such fine tastes! Also can I say you are being so friendly and welcoming, thank you so much. I would be happy to be one of your companions! You know, you would fit in so well with our group. Maldorn may seem grumpy but he's really smart. Anafrey parties a bit too hard but when she's sober she's so dependable. And Jambiya, well she's really strong but she's like a dream, such a delight! You know what, she might really love this vintage - should we see if she is also awake to join our party? If we invite Anafrey it would be gone in a flash."
His brain is in a fog, and he still hasn't even realized what's really happening here. But that small part of his brain is saying "what about that manic pixie dream goblin of yours" and credulously suggesting that this is a social gathering in need of more people is how that manifests.
Eilikasys allows Erric to "redress" her as she watches his face. Her head tilts a little, then she adjusts the neckline of her robe, fixing it just so. She pats him on the leg and smiles a tight smile as she stands. "Thank you, but I think I'm tired and should go to bed." She crosses to the door and opens it in an invitation for him to leave.
Erric watches her open the door, perplexed as to why the social outing has ended. Then he hears Maldorn fart luxuriously in his sleep, and his face turns.
"I... apologize profusely on behalf of my friend there. Manners! Even when you don't mean it. Are you sure you don't want to enjoy each other's company anymore? I suppose it is getting late and you must be cold wearing just that. Do you want to sleep in a comfy warm hammock? I couldn't recommend it more highly. We could trade, though I would miss out on a night in the hammock. Let me know if you want a swing in there! It's all yours. Thank you so so much for the wine, and I look forward to spending more time together on our voyage! You've been a delightful source of generosity and friendliness. See you tomorrow!"
As Erric is sliding by her, Eilikasys stops him with a hand on his arm, leans in and gives him a short kiss on the mouth. She then applies pressure to gently push him out the door and closes it behind him.
The following morning, as soon as the sun first starts lighting the eastern sky, the sailors are up and moving about, not even attempting to be quiet. Anafrey opens her eyes and finds a clear, beautiful sky, and a lovely, cool and salty wind caressing her face. The twins are singing a jaunty sea chanty duet. Both of them have thick, baritone voices. Bosun Grout, naked once again from the waist up (if you can really call someone with that much body hair naked), stands beside Lefty, who's still at the wheel, and surveys the area and the ship. Along with Toothless, Scrub is checking the rigging and getting ready for the day. The sky is clear and bright, and a cool and salty wind caresses the faces of those on deck. Below deck, Gramps is checking supplies and preparing breakfast.
Erric joins in helping on deck and singing with the twins. He's friendly and himself. He keeps looking for Eilikasys to come out of her room and remarks to anyone how nice and welcoming she is.
Jambiya will streeeetch and hop down out of the hammock, unhooking one end so Anafrey doesn't clothesline herself if she comes into the room. Then, attracted by the smells, she finds Gramps, and naturally falls into the routine of a kitchen, albeit smaller than the one she is used to.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he). Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. Here's my D&D stuff. I love it so.
Maldorn has no problem waking up with the sun. He refreshes himself in a bucket of clean water and re-dons his armor and gear slowly. Noticing breakfast is not quite ready on his way up, he tries to make himself as useful as possible, but understands the limitations the lack of boating experience may bring.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Partway through the voyage, Erric will approach Bosun Grout and ask him about Eilikasys. "So what do you think of her? She's been so friendly to me -- I assume she was the most amiable, convivial person on the ship when you brought her down from Waterdeep, right?"
He'll also press Ebokk about her with a smile, trying to hear more stories about her, how he met her, what he knows of her beyond that she buys interesting things. "What kind of music does she like? Who's she friendly with? When do you think she'll come out and regale us with stories about her fascinating life?"
He blows up another waterskin when no one's looking (sleight of hand: 18), as the water swallows up the features of the land left behind.
As the days go on, and the sea becomes monotonous, with the shore only sometimes coming in to view, Jambiya becomes quieter and more despondent. She brightens up immediately when anyone comes over, and throws herself into helping Gramps cook, easily falling in to a rhythm with the sailors as patrons. Everything she serves is just the right temperature, and just a little more flavorful, and her laughter and jesting are top notch. But during the long hours of monotony on board, she can be found staring shoreward, melancholy on her face.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he). Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. Here's my D&D stuff. I love it so.
Anafrey grows ever restless with nothing to do aboard the ship and no alcohol of her own supply. Her mood becomes tempestuous and she exercises aggressively, practicing her sword and shield forms and lifting heavy items. She glowers at even her own companions and makes no attempt to socialize. She does her best to keep an eye on Jambiya to make sure the young woman doesn't fall into the drink, but otherwise keeps to herself, often taking her meals to the prow of the ship to eat alone.
By now, Maldorn is halfway through his supply of tobacco. He packed extra before coming, knowing that this was going to be a long trip, but it would seem he has been smoking more frequently that he had planned. Being out in the water is too far from his comfort zone. He doesn't show it apart from the increased smoking frequency, though.
Partway through the voyage, Erric will approach Bosun Grout and ask him about Eilikasys. "So what do you think of her? She's been so friendly to me -- I assume she was the most amiable, convivial person on the ship when you brought her down from Waterdeep, right?"
Bosun Grout gives Erric a look of incredulousness. "The gnome? I can count on two hands the number of words she has said to me. Not that I am complaining," he says with a slight smile. "Females do not belong on ships. If she wants to stay in her cabin, that is fine with me."
He'll also press Ebokk about her with a smile, trying to hear more stories about her, how he met her, what he knows of her beyond that she buys interesting things. "What kind of music does she like? Who's she friendly with? When do you think she'll come out and regale us with stories about her fascinating life?"
Ebokk, on the other hand, has plenty of very nice things to say about Eilikasys. It is clear the dwarf has known the gnome a long time — all of his life, in fact. He tells Erric she had dealings with his father even before he was born. He admits she can seem shy and even ill-tempered, but that she is very helpful and thoughtful. He reiterates that she helped him find several clues about his father and then about the pirate Flindbar. He tells the bard he doesn't know what kind of music she likes. He says this with a bit of self-reflection, like it's the first time he's realized this. He says she has a lot of friends in Waterdeep, including Ebokk's mother. "She doesn't like boats, though," he admits. "That's why she stays in her cabin. I think she's afraid she might get ill and embarrass herself."
About midday on the ninth day, fulfilling Bosun Grout's prediction on the fifth beautiful day at sea, the ship pulls into port at Waterdeep.
Ebokk leaves the ship, explaining that he wishes to visit his mother and stay with her overnight before setting out tomorrow for the island.
The ship will set sail at six bells in the morning. After almost a tenday on the ship, the group knows that means 7:00.
Bosun Grout says to plan to spend a tenday on the sea traveling to the island and a tenday back. All essentials will be provided on the boat, but extras should be replenished while in port, and the group will need to make sure they have all the supplies they will need while on the island.
Bosun Grout and the four sailors plan to stay aboard the Nightshade while in port. If the party wishes to have free accommodations, they should plan to do the same.
Eilikasys is ready to disembark as soon as she can. She is seen giving Erric a kiss on the cheek before leaving the ship.
Erric:
Eilikasys pauses in front of Erric and looks at him with soft eyes and a slight smile. She places a hand to his cheek and says, "Don't forget to come see me in a few years." She then leans toward him and kisses his cheek before leaving the ship.
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"Eilikasys? Wasssgon'on?" Erric says into the darkness, bedhead already impressive. He half-falls out of the hammock, tries to gather himself, and sleepily follows her, for some reason completely trusting nothing bad will happen.
Erric:
As soon as Erric's feet are on the floor, he feels Eilikasys clasp his hand and pull him toward the bow. Sleepily, he allows the gnome to guide him to her cabin. Her door is slightly ajar, low lamp light spilling into the short hallway between the two cabins. As they silently move into the light, the bard can see Eilikasys is dressed in a silk robe decorated with hand-painted flowers. Her long, white hair sways across her shoulders and back with each step.
Eilikasys pulls Erric into her cabin, guides him past her, and then closes the door behind them with a quiet snap. The cabin is very small, but cozy. The low bunk has an expensive blanket tossed across it, half made. On the small table is a bottle of wine and two glasses. The lamp hanging from the ceiling sways gently with the boat, causing shadows to dance back and forth. The gnome slides by the halfling and sits down on the bed nearest the table. She pats the space beside her. "Have a seat, Erric. Wine?"
(OOC: of course she picks the most naive member of the team!!)
"Sleepy wine, my favorite. Thank you. This is a nice room. But they didn't give you a hammock? Why not? Hammocks are amazing."
Erric follows her to the bed and, sitting down and accepting the wine, begins to wake up a bit. He doesn't immediately take a sip, and looks at her again, now that she is acting differently. He's heard and told stories about -- and also participated in -- confidence games, and so a tiny part of his brain gives her another look. (Insight: 14) Does he see anything interesting in the room?
"So, drink and some midnight conversation? I didn't bring an instrument, but I can create music from thin air, wanna see?"
A light, gentle melody from some stringed instruments softly fills the air around them from the minor illusion cantrip.
Jambiya thanks Gramps, "You're very kind to us, Master Gramps, thank you."
She then gets the hammock out and strings it, climbing and sleeping there, instead. It's all an adventure for her. She doesn't fall asleep right away though, she thinks a little about home and what her fathers would be doing right now, has a little private, therapeutic cry, then resolves to figure some stuff out. She fixes in her mind the image of this willowy tree woman that has been visiting her, and with that admittedly vague image in the forefront of her mind, she drifts off to sleep. Alas, her dreams are just that, tonight.
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. Here's my D&D stuff. I love it so.
Campaign links for Game Log access because DDB has abandoned the forum dice roller, apparently.
Radiant Citadel by cbaer8 ~•~ Stormwreck Isle by Rforrest14 ~•~ Wildspace by Rhanloi ~•~ Rise of Tiamat by SteveThaiBinh ~•~ The Long Road currently by me
Erric:
Erric doesn't see any reason to mistrust Eilikasys; she's being polite and doesn't appear to be trying to pull one over on him. He does notice, now that they're only a foot or so away from each other, and he's looking, that, while Eilikasys is older, her wrinkles are more becoming than distracting. Her lips are thin, but curved delicately. Her eyes have most likely lost some of their color, but they still sparkle. The skin of her neck and the bit of her chest peeking through the V of her robe is fairly smooth. A fleeting thought goes through his mind, I wonder if they can make someone look younger with magic these days.
The room is pretty much as I described it. It does have a porthole window on the wall opposite the door. Through it, he can see a bit of variation in the dark clouds like threads of moonlight have been sewn in haphazardly.
Eilikasys smiles at the halfling, raising her eyebrows at the magicked music. She takes a sip from her glass, her eyes never leaving him. "You're a very interesting individual," she says with a hint of a laugh. "Handsome and talented, too," she says more seriously. "I told you I might have a job for you later, but I'm wondering if you could do something for me now." She puts her glass back on the small table, and when she puts her hand on the bed, her fingers brush Erric's leg, and her robe slips off that arm's shoulder, exposing the smooth skin which had been beneath. "Would you like more wine?"
Erric tries to swallow and realizes his throat is very dry. He takes his first sip of wine without thinking of it. "What... What do you need?" He's finding it a little hard to move and his concentration slips a bit, and the music he's casting through minor illusion slips with a loud, discordant blast before finding the soft melody again.
Erric:
Eilikasys reaches up and delicately pulls the neckline of her robe apart. The top slips down her arms and collects across her forearms and lap, revealing her drooping breasts and large, dark nipples. She frees one arm and reaches out to place her hand on the side of his head. "A little companionship," she almost purrs.
Erric's eyes widen, and more of his brain wakes up, but still not all the way. "Oh hey your robe slipped, let me help you with that," and he tries to move the robe back up to cover a shoulder.
He looks back up at her with a trusting, naive smile.
"That robe is really soft and nice. You've got such fine tastes! Also can I say you are being so friendly and welcoming, thank you so much. I would be happy to be one of your companions! You know, you would fit in so well with our group. Maldorn may seem grumpy but he's really smart. Anafrey parties a bit too hard but when she's sober she's so dependable. And Jambiya, well she's really strong but she's like a dream, such a delight! You know what, she might really love this vintage - should we see if she is also awake to join our party? If we invite Anafrey it would be gone in a flash."
His brain is in a fog, and he still hasn't even realized what's really happening here. But that small part of his brain is saying "what about that manic pixie dream goblin of yours" and credulously suggesting that this is a social gathering in need of more people is how that manifests.
Erric:
Eilikasys allows Erric to "redress" her as she watches his face. Her head tilts a little, then she adjusts the neckline of her robe, fixing it just so. She pats him on the leg and smiles a tight smile as she stands. "Thank you, but I think I'm tired and should go to bed." She crosses to the door and opens it in an invitation for him to leave.
Maldorn breaks wind in his sleep, and Sagitta hisses in disgust. The snake slithers a bit longer before also falling asleep.
Erric watches her open the door, perplexed as to why the social outing has ended. Then he hears Maldorn fart luxuriously in his sleep, and his face turns.
"I... apologize profusely on behalf of my friend there. Manners! Even when you don't mean it. Are you sure you don't want to enjoy each other's company anymore? I suppose it is getting late and you must be cold wearing just that. Do you want to sleep in a comfy warm hammock? I couldn't recommend it more highly. We could trade, though I would miss out on a night in the hammock. Let me know if you want a swing in there! It's all yours. Thank you so so much for the wine, and I look forward to spending more time together on our voyage! You've been a delightful source of generosity and friendliness. See you tomorrow!"
Erric:
As Erric is sliding by her, Eilikasys stops him with a hand on his arm, leans in and gives him a short kiss on the mouth. She then applies pressure to gently push him out the door and closes it behind him.
The following morning, as soon as the sun first starts lighting the eastern sky, the sailors are up and moving about, not even attempting to be quiet. Anafrey opens her eyes and finds a clear, beautiful sky, and a lovely, cool and salty wind caressing her face. The twins are singing a jaunty sea chanty duet. Both of them have thick, baritone voices. Bosun Grout, naked once again from the waist up (if you can really call someone with that much body hair naked), stands beside Lefty, who's still at the wheel, and surveys the area and the ship. Along with Toothless, Scrub is checking the rigging and getting ready for the day. The sky is clear and bright, and a cool and salty wind caresses the faces of those on deck. Below deck, Gramps is checking supplies and preparing breakfast.
Erric joins in helping on deck and singing with the twins. He's friendly and himself. He keeps looking for Eilikasys to come out of her room and remarks to anyone how nice and welcoming she is.
Jambiya will streeeetch and hop down out of the hammock, unhooking one end so Anafrey doesn't clothesline herself if she comes into the room. Then, attracted by the smells, she finds Gramps, and naturally falls into the routine of a kitchen, albeit smaller than the one she is used to.
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. Here's my D&D stuff. I love it so.
Campaign links for Game Log access because DDB has abandoned the forum dice roller, apparently.
Radiant Citadel by cbaer8 ~•~ Stormwreck Isle by Rforrest14 ~•~ Wildspace by Rhanloi ~•~ Rise of Tiamat by SteveThaiBinh ~•~ The Long Road currently by me
Maldorn has no problem waking up with the sun. He refreshes himself in a bucket of clean water and re-dons his armor and gear slowly. Noticing breakfast is not quite ready on his way up, he tries to make himself as useful as possible, but understands the limitations the lack of boating experience may bring.
Partway through the voyage, Erric will approach Bosun Grout and ask him about Eilikasys. "So what do you think of her? She's been so friendly to me -- I assume she was the most amiable, convivial person on the ship when you brought her down from Waterdeep, right?"
He'll also press Ebokk about her with a smile, trying to hear more stories about her, how he met her, what he knows of her beyond that she buys interesting things. "What kind of music does she like? Who's she friendly with? When do you think she'll come out and regale us with stories about her fascinating life?"
He blows up another waterskin when no one's looking (sleight of hand: 18), as the water swallows up the features of the land left behind.
As the days go on, and the sea becomes monotonous, with the shore only sometimes coming in to view, Jambiya becomes quieter and more despondent. She brightens up immediately when anyone comes over, and throws herself into helping Gramps cook, easily falling in to a rhythm with the sailors as patrons. Everything she serves is just the right temperature, and just a little more flavorful, and her laughter and jesting are top notch. But during the long hours of monotony on board, she can be found staring shoreward, melancholy on her face.
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. Here's my D&D stuff. I love it so.
Campaign links for Game Log access because DDB has abandoned the forum dice roller, apparently.
Radiant Citadel by cbaer8 ~•~ Stormwreck Isle by Rforrest14 ~•~ Wildspace by Rhanloi ~•~ Rise of Tiamat by SteveThaiBinh ~•~ The Long Road currently by me
Anafrey grows ever restless with nothing to do aboard the ship and no alcohol of her own supply. Her mood becomes tempestuous and she exercises aggressively, practicing her sword and shield forms and lifting heavy items. She glowers at even her own companions and makes no attempt to socialize. She does her best to keep an eye on Jambiya to make sure the young woman doesn't fall into the drink, but otherwise keeps to herself, often taking her meals to the prow of the ship to eat alone.
~♡~
By now, Maldorn is halfway through his supply of tobacco. He packed extra before coming, knowing that this was going to be a long trip, but it would seem he has been smoking more frequently that he had planned. Being out in the water is too far from his comfort zone. He doesn't show it apart from the increased smoking frequency, though.
Bosun Grout gives Erric a look of incredulousness. "The gnome? I can count on two hands the number of words she has said to me. Not that I am complaining," he says with a slight smile. "Females do not belong on ships. If she wants to stay in her cabin, that is fine with me."
Ebokk, on the other hand, has plenty of very nice things to say about Eilikasys. It is clear the dwarf has known the gnome a long time — all of his life, in fact. He tells Erric she had dealings with his father even before he was born. He admits she can seem shy and even ill-tempered, but that she is very helpful and thoughtful. He reiterates that she helped him find several clues about his father and then about the pirate Flindbar. He tells the bard he doesn't know what kind of music she likes. He says this with a bit of self-reflection, like it's the first time he's realized this. He says she has a lot of friends in Waterdeep, including Ebokk's mother. "She doesn't like boats, though," he admits. "That's why she stays in her cabin. I think she's afraid she might get ill and embarrass herself."
About midday on the ninth day, fulfilling Bosun Grout's prediction on the fifth beautiful day at sea, the ship pulls into port at Waterdeep.
Erric:
Eilikasys pauses in front of Erric and looks at him with soft eyes and a slight smile. She places a hand to his cheek and says, "Don't forget to come see me in a few years." She then leans toward him and kisses his cheek before leaving the ship.