City of Cresthall

Sweet.

"Thanks, Karra." Crispy says as she pockets the money. She walks on to the boat and screams, "ARR! Ye scurvy scalawags! Batten down the hatches! You there, look alive! All hands, make sail! Set royals and stunsails!" She snorts in laughter and looks over the ship with a smile.

Karra just looks confused at Crispy's seadog lingo. "You okay? Speaking strange, hmm..."

"Haha," Crispy pats his head, setting down her things. "Just having some fun."

"Hmm, making sure not going insane from maybe something in nightmares." Karra says before readjusting his backpack and following the rest towards their destination ship.

Quote from Virst >>

"Did not think you all would be ready this soon. Are you all ready for departure?"

Yes, thank you says Hatt, as he spots the last party member turn the street corner and arrive at the docks.  Then he backs off - he has no desire to interact with the dragonborn at the moment, but neither does he want to board the ship.  Instead he lingers on the dockside, scuffing his boots and looking up at the massive galleon, trying to get a sense of the unfamiliar vessel.  I'm nervous, he admits to himself.  I don't want to leave the shore, the earth, where the fields and forests are.  Where She is, he thinks, and he murmurs a prayer. Of course, it's silliness; there is life and growth everywhere, including the sea, so She must be there too.  Nevertheless, he picks up a handful of dirt from the dirt path that runs next to the paved dockside walkway, and puts it in his pocket.  Feeling a little foolish, but also slightly better, he walks up onto the ship after Crispy, his eyes lingering on the dragonborn and on the other members of the party, some standing below, others making their way aboard.  Goddess, guide us in...  whatever it is we're doing, he prays.  And also look after my family, please, he adds.

"You're not going insane, today, Karra." Crispy reassures him, "You get nightmares, too?"

As Bennett walks up to board the ship he sees Ominak and nods to him. He hears Crispy's sea speak and chuckles.

Crispy checks her backpack for oranges. Whew. She has a couple.

”Sheesh, Hattinski, why do you always look so preoccupied?” she asks, partially serious.

Ashley boards the boat. Crispy's impersonation of a sailor fills her full of mirth and those paying close enough attention may notice a small twitch in the tips of her ears coinciding with her delight. hehehe; You sound like you have done this before Crispy. 

Well, that would be because of the Ominous Dark Presence, says Hatt, hoisting himself up to sit on the edge of a nearby lifeboat, so that he’s slightly higher than Crispy.  You know, the Ominous Dark Presence that swirls around us, whispering portents of long-dead terrors and cults of evil tyrants, infesting our nightmares as we sail away to our inevitable doom.

He holds her gaze for a moment, and then grins.  Or possibly I’m just hungry.  He looks meaningfully at the oranges in Crispy’s backpack and then at her, hopefully.

Crispy listens to Hatts words, freezing and giving him a strange stare, suddenly concerned about his sanity. After a long moment of just staring at him, “Orange..?” she offers, casually.

She looks at Ashley, and winks at her. “Nah, sweets, just something i’ve heard sailors say from time to time. Orange?”

Why thank you kindly, ma'am.  Hatt accepts the orange and happily begins to peel it.  And no, he adds, catching her look, I'm not going mad, even though we were almost murdered yesterday by actual evil cultists, which is equal parts scary and absurd in my view.  It's been a busy day-and-a-half since I met you guys.  He's got the peel off, and starts eating the orange now.  Between mouthfuls, he adds  And speaking of people who are suddenly very preoccupied, Miss Crispy, and here he grins at Ashley, I wish you both all the best in your relationship, and I'm glad that it's making you so happy.  

Crispy pats Hatt on the head. “What a nice thing to say! I should feed you oranges more often, Shorty.” She looks at the view and keeps talking. “It’s funny how people’s lives are different. I’m used to violence and murder. You get used to it.” she flashes him a quick wink. “You get almost numb. Soon you don’t feel physical pain..just..pain inside.” She trails off for a moment, then snaps out of it. “As for Ashley, yes, she makes me happy. I like her. She’s everything I would want to be. She is like a light in..my darkness. Im hoping that she feels the same and that she would want to stay with me, too. Everyone else..just..don’t stay. But thanks for the well wishes.” she smiles, looking at the ocean.

Ashley blushes at the string of compliments directed her way. Thank you, both of you. I've made my decision. I'm in this for the long haul. Both with the group, and With you. She directs the last part at Crispy as she excepts the orange. She leans in and whispers to Crispy Sooner or later, you will have to tell me your real name. 

"Gah!" Crispy startles, thinking Ashley wasn't close enough in earshot range. Talking to Hatt, and distracted with the oranges, she didn't realize she was right there, but then she realized Hatt was talking to BOTH of them. She smiles, "Here I was thinking I'M the sneaky one. Good thing I didn't say anything bad about you." She leans in after a moment of looking at her fondly. The way the sun hit her skin, her eyes, and her hair. She was already wishing they were alone again.

"My real name is Cora Perkins." she says, scooting closer to Ashley, leaning in to her. "Crispy is..but a nickname I acquired in the Academy when I was about 16."

Bennett walks around the ship, checking it out. His eye catches Crispy and Ashley being sweet on each other. He smiles and walks over with his arms behind his back, "Congratulations, you two! Wish you two the best." He looks around him, at the ocean, at his companions, and around the workers on the ship. "Looks like this will be our home for a couple weeks or so. Thoughts?"

“Thanks, Bennet.” She says as she looks at Ashley again. She is so beautiful. ”Orange?” she offered one to him. No scurvy for us scalawags.

I've never been sailing before, but the confined space is a little reminiscent of the barracks. I should be fine. As long as I have Cora to keep me steady if i never grow my sea legs. Ashley wraps her arm In Crispy's and pulls her close, beaming a smile. 

It’s quite possible Crispy turned a few shades red. Maybe. She looked at Ashley with amazement, and yearning. She accepted the arm wrap very willingly, and came so close she could smell her hair, and she leaned in and the tip of her nose caressed the tip of Ashley’s half-elven ear as she whispered, “Ok, seriously, am I dreaming? Are you for real? Because you are way too amazing. I dont ever wanna leave your side, and I love your sea legs.” she snorted in a chuckle at the last part, putting her hand on her thigh.