As the vessel approached Windward Island, small waves of a beautiful cyan brushed gently against the ship. The ship itself was nothing spectacular, being somewhat spartan in appearance. Two-decks tall, with one large sail placed in the center, and a slightly smaller sail toward the bow. Larger than several of the other vessels gathered at the bay of Windward Island, perhaps, but it did not have the look of a divers ship. No, this was the ship of the merchant Reballo Windchaser, though some would better describe him as a conman. Selling everything from purported hair-loss cures found in an old trunk at the depths of the Sea of Ancients, to the axe of an ancient and terrible pirate-lord, said to bestow martial prowess upon the owner. Reballo himself was a curious man - often wearing brightly coloured garments in an effort to attract attention to himself, almost as if he is taking inspiration from a peacock. Likely in his 40s, though he would always tell you he's ten years younger, he has a short and stubbly beard of deep black accompanied by similarly shaggy hair. The first thing any would notice about him, however, is his particularly large gut. Business has being going well for Reballo, evidently.

Standing at the helm of the ship, Evander began the process of carefully guiding the ship towards the port of Windward Island, if it could be called a port. Despite the uncomfortable heat from the sun, which he had not gotten acclimatized to despite his regular trips through the region as Reballo's helmsman, he often found the task of sailing a ship to be a comfortable one around the shallow and calm seas. The only problem was this continuing heat - which had only been slightly alleviated by his clothing choice of a simple grey shirt and loose-fitting black trousers.

His relaxation was soon ruined, however, by a loud thunder from the skies around Gullspire Rock.

"Pfaaah!" yelled Reballo from the bow of the ship, visibly concerned by the storm. "Ev', hurry us inta' port!". For being a merchant, and living in a world with rising oceans, it sure was a shame that Reballo Windchaser hated being at sea. Terrified of Leviathans below, or being swallowed by a wave, Reballo was an entirely different creature on the deck of a ship to when he was on land, happily entertaining and commanding large crowds of awed onlookers.

Evander didn't bother replying, he'd heard many panicked commands from the man before. Instead, he turned his attention to the storm itself as the ship sailed calmly towards port. It was unusually localized, Evander thought. Not that he knew especially much about storms anyway. Returning his thoughts to the task at hand, Evander couldn't help but smirk at the memory from when had been caught in a storm only a month prior.

"Remember the storm off Picaroon Pal-", Evander amusedly shouted over to Reballo, before being quickly interrupted. "Don't remind me about Picaroon Palms!".



It didn't take Evander long to guide the ship into the bay, dropping anchor safely. Reballo had already hopped off the ship onto the wooden platform by the port-side of the ship. The other two members of the crew, assistants to Reballo, had already started to transport product from the ship to the harbor itself, but Reballo had not waited for his crew to set up a display of goods. Finding an empty spot in the small but bustling harbor, he had already gathered a crowd of natives to the island listening intently to his stories of bravado and mystery behind the various items he was peddling. He'd opted to twist a story of luck behind some of the more expensive products, assuming the islanders would be no doubt fearful of the powerful storm over Gullspire Rock.

Evander didn't bother to stop and listen after disembarking from the ship. He'd heard it all before, and besides, he was more interested in discovering the reason behind the large crowds and higher-than-usual number of docked vessels. Something to do with the storm, he reckoned, with more than a few of the new arrivals looking like divers. He wasn't aware of any contract, but then again, he'd been at sea - and been performing the same job for near two years now. He was a diver, yes, and an official member of the guild, but he hadn't gone on an expedition for almost four years. Instead, his skill as a helmsman had drawn the attention of several merchants, who would often keep an eye on the guild to headhunt potential recruits for security, sailing, or diving for the artifacts to be sold. For Evander, it was secure and, most importantly, honest work. He was just lucky not many outside the Frozen Sea knew of his family's history.

Making his way through the crowds of arrivals and islanders alike, Evander spotted the small, and clearly overfilled harbor tavern, 'The Sunken Shepherd'. By this point, it was clear many other arrivals had already found and made their way to the tavern. He'd be lucky to get a seat, let alone service at the bar. Nonetheless, no doubt if he wanted to find out why so many had assembled on this peaceful island, the tavern would be the place to go.

Interestingly, as Evander drew nearer the tavern, he spotted a small table sitting under a pavilion with none but a sole figure. Cloaked, and surrounded by an air of mystery, he knew he'd found his answer. Approaching, he lifted an arm to perform a gentle wave and gain the attention of the figure before pulling out a chair to sit.

"Would I be right to say you're a fellow traveler?", he asked before deciding not to wait for an answer, sitting himself down across from the individual. "Never seen the harbor so busy."

Solia had managed to busy herself for a while simply observing the docks. An instinct deep within beckoned for her to abandon her seat and offer help to those few ships struggling to dock. Doubtless a strong arm to hold down ropes would have gone a long way, but in her hesitation, others much closer and likely less-prone to causing panic, stepped forth.

‘So pleasantly curious, these people,’ Solia thought as she watched them come together. On Maelstrom, the residents had relied mostly on the angels for such tasks, but here and many of the places she’d been over the weeks, these displays of comradery had become common. Together, they did not need help.

That thought, while at first inspiring, echoed deep within her.

She was nearly embarrassed when the stranger’s approach caught her off-guard. Solia lacked the faculties to jolt, or yelp, but if she had lungs, she imagined she would have gasped.

It was a man sat with her. He was, to her approximation, average of age amongst the other divers present, but with a broadness indicative of those borne of the harsh, northern seas. To her he radiated experience, and yet he posed her a question.

Solia turned to him and smiled, happy to help.

“Not this harbor, no.” Solia spoke with him as she did with everyone, be they man, woman or child. She was gentle, measured, and considered each word. “And by the size of the dock, and the enthusiasm of the local populace, I assume all of them would agree with you. Many of us have come in response to Windward Island’s request for help. Is that not what brings you here?”

Terhikki listened in as her 'partner' spoke. She tilted her head and made a 'whoa' sound of genuine interest in Marina's utterings, as if she earnestly enjoyed listening to others regall people with their experiences. Even if Marina was vague and abrupt, it was still information about the woman that Terhikki hadn't had yet.

"Awesome! I was right to pick you, I could tell you've seen a lot!" She grinned at Marina, before her smug demeanor resumed and she looked to Marlowe herself.

And by 'looked to Marlowe', she leapt to her feet and lifted a leg to rest on her chair, presenting herself in a dominant position as she shut her eyes and struck a, what was in her mind, rather elegant pose of 'I'm sticking my thumb up to get your attention looking at me because it's my turn to talk and tell my story'.

"Terhikki Vepsalainen is a Snow Hare. I'm sure you've heard of us- the best divers of the Frozen Sea. I've been in the water for four years, and I've been breaking ice for three. I'm the best ice breaker there is, and a mighty good swimmer to boot. Second only to my own teacher." Her eyes opened as she began her story. "The Frozen Sea is full of awesome stuff down in the waters, and I've explored a lot of territory...Not all of it, but I've hunted and scavenged those waters with my tribe for long enough to be familiar with it all. There are amazing ruins down under the ice, and I hope to see more of them in all the other seas."

She then pumped a fist heroically- er, what she thought was heroically at least.

"And that's why I'm here- to explore the seven seas, to make new memories, to build up awesome stories and collect cool things! That way when I return home, I can teach the Snow Hares all about the outside world and show them that the world outside the ice shelf..."

She made smug smile, as if finding this 'ending' to her tale pretty awesome.

"...Is as cool as the world beneath it."

She then sat back down and let out a sigh of 'I'm relaxing now'.

"Eh. Never seen one of the Leviathans though. Snow Hares avoid its nest; too dangerous to go near it, we wouldn't risk our people going there. Maybe one day I'll get a look at it."

She finally seemed to be drying up, at last.

Looking over his newfound conversation partner as she spoke, he found that she was curiously concealed by the shade and her robes. Hiding? Maybe. Though her soft and gentle tone didn't exactly strike him as one belonging to an infamous rogue or pirate. Then again - perhaps that is all part of the ruse. His thoughts nearly ran away from him, until she spoke of a request for help made by the villagers of the island.

Running a hand casually through his long and messy brown hair, he leaned against the back of the chair upon which he sat, folding his arms across his chest. "Huh. I never thought this place would be sending out for help. It always seemed so peaceful."

Once again finding himself at risk of having his thoughts occupy his mind, as he thought of the numerous occasions on which he had earlier visited Windward Island alongside his merchant crew, he returned his focus to the question put to him. "No. I'm a helmsman on a merchant-ship.", he jerked a thumb over his shoulder toward the direction of the docks before folding his arms once more. "I've been doing that for a few years now. Stuck with this one crew for the last, I'm not sure, two years or so? The merchant's a fella' named Reballo, he's probably down there with a massive crowd... he knows how to draw them in, I'll give him that." He shuffled in his chair to get a view of the docks below as he spoke, looking out for Reballo. Sure enough, he spotted the stocky fellow luring in more potential customers. His eyes could not help but gaze upward, however, fixing on the abnormally large storm. No doubt it had something to do with this request for help.

As he returned his attention to Solia, turning to face her once more, he caught a slight commotion further inside the tavern which seemed to involve a small group gathered around a table. One of the loudest he saw was instantly recognizable as a fellow from the frozen sea. Tattoos, spartan attire, and a clearly overconfident and brash nature. What could possibly have given it away? He couldn't make out quite what was being said, nor who she was speaking to, but not two seconds after spotting the commotion, Evander did recognise Chief Talu walk by him towards the group. He couldn't remember speaking to the Chief himself, but he was aware of dealings the stern man had previously had with Reballo.

"Is that why you're here, then? To help this small island?", he asked as he looked towards Solia once more.

Solia followed the flick of Evander’s eyes, to the boisterous table not further in, and found herself smiling again. These too were children, older than the ones at the docks hoisted on their parents shoulders, but clearly no less excitable.

She lingered still, perhaps too long, on the Imperial girl. The group had clearly gathered to her. Unsurprising, few though they were, the Imperials that had visited Maelstrom Spire garnered no shortage of company. She wondered if, as with then, these children had come to her in hopes of currying favor with the Empire. If so, she wished them luck. It had not worked for her home, but it may for Windward Island.

Another question from Evander drew her back. This one she could answer just as readily.

“Certainly. These people are troubled, it would appear direly so. It is nice to see such a volume of volunteers, I can only hope it will be enough.”

She thought again of the children at their table, bragging their names and lineage and hopes for glory. It troubled her in no small measure that they too planned on making their way to Gullspire. Whatever awaited them there, she doubted it would be handled easily.

“If this forwardness is inappropriate, please forgive me,” she said, pulling her attention back to Evander. “But if you have come here so that your captain may trade, perhaps you might consider lending your own hand to this expedition. You seem experienced, capable. Windward Island could doubtlessly utilize your talents.”

She remembered then that, as often as she’d seen selfless acts among people, it was fair to expect payment for work done.

“If the reward troubles you, you should know I have no intentions of collecting on it myself. I’d gladly donate my share, should there be one, and any artifacts the chief has so generously allowed the divers to keep, in exchange for your time.”

Terhikki made a snort of derision. Before Marlowe could even leave the impulsive girl stood straight up and turned to stare at Talu.

"Oi, grandpa. You ain't my chief- and I'm here to help you with your problem. Don't lecture me on who I do and do not want in my crew. Eclipse? Curse? Pff, sounds like a challenge to me. If he's cursed and has no sign then I welcome him aboard even more because... if I don't, nobody will. And that sounds like Hell- a hell of being alone and locked up here on this hot little ball of sand you call home."

She lifted her chin somewhat defiantly at the chief. She knew there was bad news about those folks with no sign. The moon swallowing the sun just wasn't supposed to happen. There was a natural order to things, and Terhikki herself understood that she fell within that natural order. But deep inside her, she felt something resonate with Marlowe despite having just met him. Cursed? She didn't know much about it, but she could tell one thing for certain... and it's exactly what she said; if she didn't fight for him, nobody else would. It's the same reason she approached Marina- she could tell that Marina would be hard pressed to find friends if Terhikki hadn't walked up and said 'hello' to her first. The airs she carried just wouldn't cut it for a small crew, but Terhikki couldn't stand to leave people alone. Not Marina, and now not Marlowe. In the end, it'd be a crew of misfits if she had her way but she wasn't about to bend on her convictions.

She pointed at herself with her thumb as she spoke up again.

"He says he's the son of a heroine and a diver- that's enough for me. the sea's in his blood, and he has passion in his eyes. I'll fight for anyone who wants to plant their feet on a boat and leave home- It'd be hypocritical of me not to after all, 'cos that's what I did. I want him on my crew. Make him my problem, not yours. Wash your hands of this curse and let me shoulder it for you since you don't seem to want it. I welcome any challenge."

As she finished speaking, she turned her head slightly and narrowed her eyes back outside the tavern- someone was watching them and she felt something off about it. Something unnatural. Her eyes fell on Solia, but she dismissed it for now and returned her focus to Talu.

"So what's it gonna be, Grandpa? Gonna dismiss my feelings just as easily as his?"

She hoped this worked, if not she'd be real embarassed. And in front of her new, overly flirtatious, friend, too. She hoped she wouldn't have to swallow her words here.

A small laugh escaped his lips as Solia questioned whether he disapproved of her request, "I wouldn't worry, I'm from the frozen sea. We built a way of life around the idea of being forward." He waited a second before continuing, considering her praise. "I can steer a ship well enough. Which, I suppose could come in useful if you lot are determined to investigate that storm."

He considered her next words carefully, however, for they revealed much about the person he was speaking with. Selfless, caring, and somewhat uncertain. She couldn't possibly be a diver, he thought, she was far too well-meaning. The divers he had encountered were so often in it only for themselves, at the end of the day. Concerned only with their drive and hope for personal glory and wealth. Then again, he was a diver too, though he hadn't taken a contract in years. Evander had never found himself particularly bothered by the promises of wealth and artifacts that accompanied each one. Above all else, he sought honest work.

Evander sat forward somewhat, intrigued. Resting a hand on the underside of the seat, he shuffled his chair closer to the table without standing. He studied the figure opposite him from this new angle, having become particularly interested in the mystery that surrounded her. Why was she not with the divers? Where had she come from? Was she really so generous? For what did she require bandages? Many such thoughts whizzed through his mind, though he felt that bombarding her with so many questions would not be appreciated.

"I'm Evander, by the way, and I don't really consider Reballo a captain so much as a..." He quietened the words that followed, though remarked something along the lines of instead considering him to be a conman. Changing the subject, he leaned against the back of his chair.

"That's awfully generous of you, though. Not many would be so... selfless." He wagged his finger toward her gently, holding a slight smirk as he continued, "I'm going to wager you're not a diver."

Evander couldn't help but lean forward once again and fold his arms atop the table, visibly displaying his interest at the answer which would follow. "But if I'm right, and you're not a diver, then what? It's not often you'll find do-gooders roaming the seas these days."

Solia had spent her life under scrutinous eyes—the eyes of Maelstrom’s people, the eyes of her siblings. The eyes of her father. She had weathered them proudly for decades, preened under the compliment of inspection. And yet now, and for weeks past, the eyes of strangers unsettled her. Stone was not given to quaking easily, though, and even for the disquiet within she endured Evander’s prying with utter stillness. Let him see, then. Let him know.

If indeed he had, and did, he said nothing of it. His reaction was entirely inscrutable to her, and though she was not yet fully accustomed to analyzing the full range of people's emotions, she was quite sure he was simply...tough to read. What he did offer brought her no less discomfort though—the truth. Her warm smile, having survived those tenser moments, withered then.
“You are right, it is not often. And what a terrible thing,” she said softly. Her stalwart softness returned. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Evander. My name is Solia.”

Content though she was that he had not gleaned her true nature, she did not offer her hand as she knew was customary in friendly greetings. She knew well enough to temper herself and not crush another’s hand, but others had remarked before how distinct the angel’s flesh felt. Not quite stone, yet far from flesh. Wholey unnatural.

“Indeed, I doubt the waves will be gentle with us. Though from what I’ve been told, you from the Frozen Sea are no strangers to harshness.”

A moment, if that, passed before she realized that perhaps she had conveyed that wrongly.

“Pardon. What I mean…” she stumbled, slightly. “Is that I’m sure you’ll have endured worse weather in your time. Might we have an agreement?”

Having become conscious of his staring, Evander lifted his arms from the table and took something of a more casual position, resting them against his lap. There was something different about her, of that much he was sure, though he couldn't quite get a proper look and dared not to continue invading the poor girls privacy.

"Aye, a pleasure, Solia."

He was barely able to conceal his muffled laugh as she stumbled over her choice of words, though he found no issue with her original statement. It was true - the Frozen Sea was home to harsh waters and even harsher lands. Naturally, it created a hardened people that had acquired a reputation for being stony and rugged, matching the landscape in which they were raised. "I understood what you meant, and you've heard right. It's a harsh place, though I like to think you'll find that those from the region can be quite hospitable." He bowed his head ever-so-slightly as he concluded his remarks, with a gentle smile.

Evander did not have to think much of her offer. In truth, he'd been considering his current role as helmsman for some months now, never quite being comfortable sailing the ship of a merchant taking advantage of the more gullible in society. While he had tried to comfort himself with the fact that he merely sailed the ship, it was equally true that he could have found another job sailing the ship of a simple cargo-transport long ago. Deep down, however, Evander knew he sought something more than to live a mundane life. Perhaps it was why he had remained with Reballo for so long, as they were frequently weathering rough oceans in pursuit of rarer artifacts to be sold. To guide others through tough conditions in pursuit of a nobler goal, then, was the opportunity he had been waiting for.

Nodding his head firmly, he extended his hand toward Solia in a customary handshake to seal the deal, "We have an agreement, partner."

Father had a word for this—for when things went wrong. He’d muttered it in the workshop, almost every day, he’d whispered it in indignation when he’d chiseled an unintended flaw into his creations. He’d shouted it once, to her knowledge, when he stubbed his toe.

Damn.

Solia heavily considered doing nothing. Then she considered smiling again, and hoping that would suffice, but even she knew such an odd gesture would only facilitate further intrigue. In a game of social constructs, she was woefully outmatched, and intended or not, Evander had cornered her with a masterstroke.

She nodded, and shook his hand gently. “Partner.”

Throughout their conversation she hadn’t considered that it might have been construed as rude for her to have kept her head bowed away from him. It didn’t matter now, though, because as soon as their hands met she raised it.

Evander had hard eyes. Fantasy of the north had led her to expect blue, or white, or some thin color that could pierce the look of another. Instead they were earthen, and no less for it. Rather than pierce, they might have just as easily crushed, and buried. Solia felt for an instant like she was looking into the eyes of an enemy, that their battle could be won right here, right now, in a clash of gazes. Quickly, she realized better than that, but once again that nervous, inner shudder rocked through her.

She didn't know what he might learn from this contact. Simpler men had assumed her grip clammy and cold and dismissed it there, but those with keener senses knew flesh when they felt it, and when they didn't. It seemed a fair bet Evander would fall into the latter category.

She tried to plead with her eyes what she couldn’t speak aloud.

Remaining dead silent throughout the exchange, Marea quickly shuffled after Marlowe. Watching the young boy wipe away tears from behind, the girl's normally gentle hands clenched into tight fists. I know I should say something to Father but...What can I say that will convince him? If this passes by, I don't think he'll ever try again...

Picking up the pace to catch up with him, the blue-haired girl grabbed Marlowe's shoulder and forced him to turn and face her. Her usual calm remained save for her eyes, which shone with a burning determination.

"Marlowe, I am not going to let you stay in this cage any longer. We are getting on that boat. Curse or otherwise. Those people were willing to accept you, so we'll find a way to meet back up and go to that island."

Releasing him, Marea took a long inhale before turning and looking towards the not-so-distant shoreline. No turning back now.

"I refuse to stay quiet when he causes such suffering."

Evander had known something was off about Solia - but he would be lying to say he was not taken aback by the handshake. Her touch was cold and stiff, as if the warmth of life had been removed from her. He did what he could to mask his surprise at the touch of her hand, but his eyebrows raised immediately. Yet he did not jerk his hand back, for while her hand felt almost entirely alien, he did not feel a reason to be alarmed. No, this was someone who had offered him all promise of their own reward to have him help a small and insignificant island in the Southern Sea.

He held the handshake for a few seconds longer than might have been customary, matching the sensation of her touch to the appearance of her face, now that he had gotten a proper look.

She appeared... frozen. As if her face was locked permanently to one position. Yet while everything about her seemed eerily lifeless and unnatural, her eyes of a brilliant blue were entirely human. Gazing into the eyes of one another, in total silence, he could see her nerves. He was witnessing her humanity - despite all indications that she was something else entirely, something inhuman.

Evander parted his lips only a small way, intending to speak but finding himself unable to summon the power of his own voice. After a few seconds more of the disconcerting silence, he found the words he needed. "What are y-.."

"You--" thundered a powerful voice from behind Evander, visbily startling him as his shoulders jumped in surprise while his head spun to meet the man who had approached them. Quickly recognising the man as Chief Talu, it took Evander longer than he would have liked to compose himself as he remained fixed on the question of what exactly Solia was.

"Oh, I-..I've-.. I did, though yes, he has the harpoon."

Solia and Evander had been interrupted, and while Evander wanted to, at the very least, reassure her that he was still comfortable to work alongside her, he had become acutely aware from her reaction that her story was not one she was happy to share with the entire village. Not yet, anyway. Thus, Evander took the route of conveying this message through his conversation with Chief Talu.

"This is my new partner", he interjected before Solia had a chance to respond to the question put by Chief Talu. "We were both planning on investigating, as a matter of fact."

Terhikki stared back at Talu, unflinching and unspeaking. She maintained her silence until Talu, and Marlowe and Marea, had left. She then fell back into her seat and ran a hand through her hair, fixing it up now that it was dry. She stared down at the table and took the time to properly tie it up, braiding it back into a tribal ponytail. When she finally finished, she looked down at the contract before her and silently signed an 'X' for a signature, before pushing it across to Marina.

"Violet, could you sign my name for me?" She didn't seem all too pleased, given the circumstances, but she was dropping it for now. Her eyes were hard and ice-like. Piercing and powerful. She shut her eyes for a few seconds, and when she opened them that aggression was subdued and she just sighed. Not resignation, but consternation.

"Eh. I'm not giving up. I believe in him, he had such...strong feelings in his eyes." She crosses her arms over her chest and leans back, staring up at the ceiling. "At least we seem to get along, eh?" She flashed Marina a smile, rebounding from her bad feelings in a seemingly quick manner. She then turned her head and gazed out of the tavern and back towards the harbor.

"I got a weird vibe a few moments ago, but it passed now and I can't pinpoint it anymore." She said vaguely. "Something weird. Idunno, never felt it before." She hummed a bit. "Eh, nevermind it." she dismissed the feeling with a wave of the hand. "Let's focus on the job, yeah? You have a boat already or do I need to work my excellent social skills to find us a ride?"

She finally fell back to her usual cocky grin.