“Toot toot!”

Waddling about the ship, I tend to carelessly bump into people since I’m as wide as I am tall, fortunately for all of you I’m like a weeble and I don’t fall down.

“I would very much like a drink, some ale, wine, women? Any Broads on the ship?”
“Ope, pardon me…WENCHES?” “That’s the correct term is it not?”
“Hiccup”!
Pulling out my flask, I take a lazy sip out of it, and mutter to myself as I look around the deck, noticeably confused by a few of the people on the ship. Some weird looking folks on this ship. Shrugging my shoulders, I’ll stumble and look for a place to get comfortable.

Wasting no time at all, Ember found his cabin, in which the crew had delightfully stowed his "day kit" in the foot locker (Which consisted of his deluxe makeup kit and silver mirror).

Gingerly, he locked the door, whipped out his wand, then practically danced his way out of his gown, leaving it suspended in the air like a disembodied dance partner. He had long ago discarded the use of dress making dummies, and just worked with magic straight up.

"We dont have time to go digging in the cargo hold darling--" he purred to himself "So, let's get you all gussied up for a meeting with 'her majesty.'"

From flicks of the wrist here and there, showers of light and sparkles, slight hissing and crackling sounds, and other odd occurrences followed, as the gown was skillfully transformed from what was clearly an avant-garde mermaid costume, into a sleek dress of fine black silks and gold embroidered trim, with a deep V neck, slit legs, long sleeves, and a pleated bodice.

Once again, the limber, and milky white skinned gentleman whirled about, and danced back into his clothing, making a wide flourish.

"I DO so love a well fitting ensemble!" he cooed, before extracting the makeup kit and mirror.

"We simply MUST look JUST right darling... -- Not too flashy now-- A little more demure..."

Makeup brushes, pastels, pencils, creams, and other unguents moved about as if they had minds of their own in the air about his head, as he looked this way and that in the hand mirror held out in front of him. A dark palette was chosen, with dusky cheeks, a subdued maroon lipstick, a tight fitting asymmetrical twisted braid held in an illusory hair-net of dark netting, combined with similarly illusory black pearl earrings and pendant to create a masterpiece of simple but refined elegance.

He made a kissing face at the mirror, and smiled.

"Simply beautiful darling-- As always. Knock em dead."

Standing up from the small chair near the bunk he had been sitting in for his toilette, he once more flicked his wand, and the supplies eerily sailed to his foot locker, and put themselves away neatly once more, before he strolled to the door, opened it, and headed for the ascending staircase.

Strolling up into the sun on deck, Ember flicked his wand downward and away from himself. An 'attached' illusion of a gold embroidered black silk parasol erupted and unfolded from the tip, which he then daintily laid over his left shoulder, before coolly and confidently, but also leisurely, strolled to the side of the ship where the affluent lady was, taking a perch bent over the railing in close proximity, but a discrete distance from her.

He looked out at the bright sky over the lovely blue ocean. Faint wisps of clouds clung to the horizon like lost sheep, while a subtle saline breath of wind fluttered at his face.

It was quite lovely.

After a few more moments, he addressed the lady.

"It is a beautiful day, is it not, highness?"

The ronin reminds a bitter past as he is looking on the cabin, the luxurious feeling. He decided not to proceed to get in the cabin.

If there is possible, he speak to crews early as possible about trading off the luxurious to someone else. The ticket was handed from a merchant, probably famous one and surely known by port crews.

He mentioned. A young girl. Student. Pointy ears.

When it settled. He didn't notice that it was meant for couple. It was a two ticket if the first mate notice it, the ronin only know it was a fancy passport slip and proceed quickly as soon as he handed it on first mate. He already left and join on other commoners to get a spot on the hammock, cover his head with a straw hat. Despite trying to have some rest from his escorting mission back then. His instinct still on presence for his belongs' sake.

Gulbahg notices the flamboyant wizard approaching Lady DeVespe, staring at their ludicrous attire and pompous gait. His dark eyes (the only feature of his face not completely obscured) narrow with suspicion and he steps to position himself slightly between the two, not wishing to intercede unnecessarily if this strange person is in fact just an acquaintance of the Lady. Gulbahg was hired naught but two days ago, and knows little about the company that the Lady keeps. His charge is to largely secure the lockbox that he has been entrusted with for this journey and he doesn't desire to probe any further into the Lady's affairs.

@Dark Cloud roleplayerguild.com/posts/5368548

The ticketmaster concisely counted the coins, before producing a standard ticket and handing it to the old sellsword, giving him a brief glance. "Safe travels," he spoke in a politely bureaucratic voice before looking back to whatever papers he was reading, dryly chuckling to himself about something on the pages.

@Grade roleplayerguild.com/posts/5368750

The noble lady's eyes narrowed initially at the man in the wheelchair, though perhaps given his physical 'status', her expression softened and she even offered him a light smile before nodding her head back in greeting. Despite the friendliness, there was something acutely anxious in her demeanor, like a polite greeting was all she could afford at the moment.

@wierdw @Frank roleplayerguild.com/posts/5369403

The noble lady turned to Ember, her brows furrowing slightly in uncertainty as she studied him. Noticeably, she became nervous, glancing to her one guard as the other stepped in between her and Ember.

"...Good day," she replied tentatively, an obvious undertone of suspicion in her voice. "I have no royal relations; you need not address me by such terms," she stated matter-of-factly, glancing at the guard at her side, the two exchanging a look of wariness.

@Remuri @Zim0cron roleplayerguild.com/posts/5369411

The quartermaster was not pleased at this development, as he took the ronin's ticket, grumbling to himself about last minute changes.

He soon found the elf girl that was mentioned, tapping on her shoulder briskly with a stern expression. "'Scuse me ma'am but one of the other travelers has offered their luxury suite ticket to you, pending your acceptance?" he asked in a humorless tone, trying his best to mask his clear annoyance for such erratic developments so close to departure. "It is a luxury suite ticket," the man emphasized the words with a certain disdain, "including two beds, deluxe accomodations, and full privacy. Do you accept this transfer of staying arrangements?" the man stared down at her impatiently, holding the ticket towards her.

Valen grunted gruffly what was the equivalent of his thanks to the ticketmaster, before ascending the thick wooden ramp that creaked and groaned beneath the heels of his well-worn boots which had definitely seen better days.

As he set foot upon the deck of the ship, the old sellsword sniffed the briny air and a smile crept to up the side of his lips for a moment remembering a memory from his youth. Yet his expression quickly hardened, reminiscence in his posture gone replaced by a rehearsed wall of apathy. Then with a careful glance he made his way along the deck to the cheerful lilt of the captains voice "Years been treating you kindly old friend?" 'friend' was a loose term in regards to their past but in times long gone he had worked in the port in his youth, and more times than one could count they had fought their share of tavern brawls.

But those times were long gone.

@spiral origin

Viviana was startled from her studies, the section on binding arcane energies to shape the very earth had pulled her far, far away from the ship. Her sudden jolt to awareness brought an embarrassed flush to her cheeks. "What? Oh...um sure? That is very kind of them," She placed her book on the bed beside her and took the ticket. "Could you give me their name? I would very much like to thank them personally," Her voice was even and quiet, some degree of effort being put in to be sure she was loud enough to be heard.

After receiving the kind gift, she placed her book back within the footlocker and closed it. She knew she could physically move it, but her lack of physical strength would make it much more a process than was needed. With a deep breath, she began rubbing her hands together. What was that spell again? She racked her brain in an effort to recall a class she had been in just over a year ago. Purple energies shrouded her hands as she made an upward pushing motion and spoke, "Lev-val-nium," and after a moment...the footlocker rose an inch off the floor. Viviana gave a little fist pump and began nudging the locker with her foot, pushing it toward her knew cabin. She would speak to her mysterious benefactor in a moment.

Some, more generous, part within her wanted to invite someone else to take the free bed. Afterall, she would not be needing it. The thought alone, however, of being in a secluded room with a stranger was...unsettling. Perhaps if she met another woman her age she would be more willing to make the offer.

This black-haired man on a wheelchair wanted to ask the noble lady what grieves her, but she seems in no mood to converse. Cool. That's totally fine. Not his business to pry. Doesn't matter.

No, he really wanted to know. Damn it. ඞ

He set his gaze at the open sea again. This day cannot pass fast enough. This ship has a looming uncomfortable vibe to it as it is (at least for him) and these silent sacks of sadness aren't really helping. No, he shouldn't be thinking like this, it's very selfish of him.

He reached in his pocket and lowered her mouth covering to take a bite at a coin, but suddenly his chair gets yanked into a turn by some huge drunken man. "Watch it,", he told with just a wee bit of spite. How dare anyone be so drunk at nine in the morning?
He tried to turn the brake lever but it was already turned, several test pulls confirmed his brakes seem to have snapped underneath. Not ideal.
He rested the lever for a while, and pulled on it again. A click sound. Now it's working.

Maybe this is a better view. The infinite vastness of sea began to bore him. He straightened his wheelchair perpendicular to the edge of the ship, now looking at the deck and the people on the deck, while he takes a bite out of a visibly silver coin. His face mask at this point covered only his chin and lower lip.
This small cloaked person in the middle of the deck, whose daggers he could sense even now. It bore a mischievous plan in him, to see if that person is actually a danger, or just... really into that sneaky rogue life or whatever. A silver needle peeked out from between this man's lips, and he was about to do something with it, until he suddenly turned his head down.

Bright purple. He could see it. He didn't know what the magic was for or who casted it, he can only see the hands that the magic enveloped, but unlike the noisy topless girl, this one might actually be dangerous. An unusual pair of hands, the left one seems to be lacking two... fingers?

The girl with the green pendant at the docks a moment ago.

He gripped his chair. What is the nature of this ship? Everyone in this ship seems to be armed. What is going on? Is this a trap?
He has to get off this ship fast... No. Calm down. Maybe it's all just a coincidence...
Even if it's not, his only exits are behind him and into the ocean, or through at least twenty armed people. Neither is ideal.

There's no use overthinking it. He went back to his original plan and fired the silver needle from his mouth towards the ovoid lump that this small cloaked person carried, just to see how they'd react.

The ronin leaned up from the hammock, didn't feel sleepy at all as his past memories went stuck since going in the cabin. He ready himself and carry his things.

He roamed and seen an elf and quartermaster talking. He then proceed pass by at far side, hearing the elf accepted the trade.

He went to the place where the serving food. Got the standard food that serve for the passengers and started to eat alone

If there's any sound, the ocean breeze and the hubub of the passengers had perfectly concealed it. But Verdant subtly shivered as the needle hit, going through the sackcloth to impact something solid within. Did the sack - or more accurately, the content - also shivered with her? Nearly impossible to tell by sight.

She plucked out the offending bit of metal, biting on the tip as she turned toward the source. It wasn't shot hard enough to injure unless it got into the eye, and she couldn't detect any manner of venom. A prank? Harassment? Didn't know, didn't care. The serpent was cross enough from the prospect of sailing already, that even minor offense could set her off.

Well, minor offense would've set her off even under normal circumstances. But still.

The man in the wheelchair didn't even tried hiding the fact that he'd shot her unprovoked. Motherfucker. Flicking the needle into the sea, Verdant huffed and turned back to survey the last of the boarding passengers. She's not forgiving him, no. In fact, the petty snake already decided to knock out and toss the asshole overboard at a later date. Until then, it's best not to be the only person that's witnessed quarelling with him.

He'd raise an eyebrow in surprise if he could, as he witnessed the cloaked fellow toss the needle into the sea. They actually noticed the needle hit their bag? They looked angry, yet there was no action or words directed at him. It does not make sense.

He placed the remaining half of the coin into his mouth and raised his face covering back on up to the bridge of his nose. He's calmed down with this brief distraction from the fact that nearly every person on this ship is a threat.

Ember straightened momentarily, but suppressed most of the movement.

There was definite commotion going on behind him. Instead, he gripped the "handle" of his parasol very tightly for a moment, then forced calm composure.

The man beside him clearly had not noticed much. Either he was more concerned that he would harm the lovely lady-- who by now had thoroughly betrayed her noble status despite her attestations contrary-- or he was not as attentive as he presented himself to be. Regardless, this meeting needed to be concluded quickly. He continued with his original plan of action, simply because a situation like this demanded it. Who knows what manner of trouble this young noble woman had gotten herself into. Despite the intensity of the looming situation behind him, he continued to administer his 'test' of the lady. Class heirarchy in circles of power are ALWAYS contentious; those at the top, want it to stay that way, while those on the middle rungs are ever eager to climb. The reactions they make to statements that threaten the status quo, were a fine, and usually quite harmless, way to easily winnow one from the other.

"Forgive me Madam-- It was my mistake; However, I feel that people of .. distinction.. should get to enjoy being treated like royalty every now and again-- wouldn't you agree?"

The twitch and further furrowing of the brow before the woman could properly respond told him all he needed to know. She was definitely a noble woman, 'attempting' (and quite badly-- this was clearly her first time) to be incognito as one of the lower classes. He did not know the particulars of her reasons for doing so; he had learned long ago not to try to find out. All the same, his .. 'Political Opinions', required him to assist the lady, even if she attempted to refuse. Discretion. That was the watch word. He was a "simple tailor", after all.

"All the same darling-- It is clear that you desire some privacy. While it might not seem like it, 'discretion' is a very important part of my business."

Ember risked losing track of the magic being employed behind him, and the tense situation brewing back there, to continue his "unawares" performance, and continue as he had initially planned. Gripping the handle of his wand tightly, he held out his other hand in front of him, and made a stern expression as he struggled with the complex magic required.

Water vapor and burned carbon from the air were gathered quickly, compressed, and forced to take on a new form--

Shhhh--- VVIIIIP--- POP

The resulting tiny slip of folded paper was uncomfortably warm from the expedited process, and a subtle hint of charred paper wafted from it. With a flourish, he gave it a sharp wave, then extended it gracefully to the lady's over-zealous attendant.

"-- Do give this to the lady, wont' you darling? -- It's just my card, dear."

The sharp eyed man radiated an aura of danger and warning which Ember conspicuously ignored. At this range, the man, however skilled, was simply not a match for him. He could have this man turned wrong-side out through his butt-hole before he could so much as draw his weapon-- but such displays were certainly *NOT* on his itinerary today. Instead, the return of the icy aura of danger, with a reprisal of "Dont give a fuck darling. Not scared of you." would suffice. Between those who have seen battle, such impressions were as clear as talking anyway.

The message was clearly received from what Ember could tell of his body language, as his stern demeanor crackled with 'dont test me bitch.', while he gruffly accepted the paper and examined it. The magic woven inside would not activate for him anyway, so he once again returned the "Don't care, not worried." poise.

The paper was impossibly smooth, and brilliant white. It was neatly folded in half, and emblazoned with a stylized image of a burning rectangle of charcoal, with flames coming from it, over the word "Ember". The steely eyes of the man darted to the side, taking in Ember's reactions to his reading the card. Once more "Don't care darling." was his response.

Inside the card, a standard solicitation for business was emblazoned in the same charring of the paper.

Smouldering Ember
Fashion, Finery, and Frivolity

Let this tiny ember ignite your passions!
Fashion, Finery, and Frivolity at your whim and fancy!
Garments and styles to suit every need, occasion or pleasure.
Male and Female fashion and accessories, with 'while you wait' alterations.

"It is our pleasure to attend to your every need. Discretion guaranteed."

--EMBER, Proprietor.

"I also do male attire, darling." cooed Ember to the man as he read the card.
The man sneered and sniffed in disdain at the barbed offer, as he handed the card to the noble woman.

She took the card irritably, and glanced inside.

To her astonishment, a momentary swirl of black appeared on the blank portion of the pamphlet.

"I dont know what manner of trouble you have gotten into my dear, and I won't inquire further.
However, it is quite clear you are hiding from something, or some-one. It is also clear this is
your first time at this darling. No merchant's daughter would dress this plainly, and your escort
is too attentive. Whatever your business may be, rest assured I am not a threat to you."

The lady boggled for a moment, as the swirl of black faded, and a new message momentarily appeared.

"I have decided to offer you my services on temporary retainer should you desire them darling."
"Should you choose to accept, or-- are just in the mood for a lovely dress-- Please come see me in my cabin."

--Ember

She sucked in an irritated breath as the 'ink' practically blew off the paper, leaving no traces it had ever been there.

Ember did not give her time to respond. With a short bow of a curtsy, he made plain his intent to depart.

"My lady." he intoned demurely, then turned and walked away confidently and leisurely, gripping the handle on his wand tightly. Should this insufferable tension escalate, he would be ready to prevent any mischief from heading this direction. It would certainly not reflect well on him, should his potential client suffer any mishap from the foolishness of other guests. Given the demeanor of the woman, it was entirely possible that agents of an unsavory nature were on board, and this was what he was picking up on.

@Dark Cloud roleplayerguild.com/topics/188315-los…

A confounded expression appeared on the captain's face, as he turned around, his eyes widening. "...Valen!? Is that really you, you salty dog!?" His half-open mouth widened into a beaming smile as he approached the sellsword and embraced him in a warm hug. "'Course it is! I'd recognize that drunken mug o' yours from a mile away!" he laughed, giving Valen a few unruly pats on the shoulder.

"There've been rough times for me alright..." he pulled up his sleeve, revealing a large scar across his shoulder. "Got that sucker fightin' pirates off the north coast. You should see the other guy though - but ya won't!" He gave a smiling wink, before turning to inspect the ship's nearby mast in preparation for departure.

"How 'bout you, my friend?" he soon turned back to Valen, now giving inspection to the sellsword. "Gotta say, ya look like you seen better days!..."

@Zim0cron roleplayerguild.com/topics/188315-los…

"Their name... their name..." the quartermaster furrowed his eyebrows, pulling out a sheet of parchment from his pockets and hastily scanning it for the name, lips busy with indistinct mutters. "...Ah here we are... looks like he just goes by... Na...na...shi. Nanashi. Right... he's the uh, foreign-looking fellow with the uh, hat..." his hands made a gesture above his head in the shape of a hat.

Putting the parchment away he looked to the girl's footlocker, blinking in surprise as it was lifted off the floor via the girl's magic. "Well then, looks like you won't be needing any help with that," he said with a hint of satisfaction and approval, before showing her to her cabin. "Enjoy your new accommodations, miss," he gave her a formal nod before marching off back to attending to his business.

Agitated as he was by the encounter with the wizard, Gulbahg was fairly confident now that they were just another eccentric, their wit and sense having degraded due to some combination of accumulated magic and wealth quite some time ago if Gulbahg had to guess. He kept his eye trained right at the back of the wizard's head until they had walked a fair distance away.

"If the Lady wants I can trail that fiend and see he's up to no mischief. Else I begs yer leave. I'm sure your own bodyguard will suffice out at sea, but you may send for me as needed. I'll be heading belowdecks soon with the ah... luggage" he whispered, putting an emphasis on the last word buy hissing it through his clenched teeth.

"Thank you very kindly," Viviana gave her politest smile and bowed. The room was so very nice, and it would give her some added privacy to practice her magic on the voyage. She wanted to be in tip top shape for any entrance exams, all of her spells would be incredibly well practiced, rehearsed to perfection. The thought gave her so much glee it exploded from her body in a hop.

First, however, she would need to go thank the man who gave her such privileges. "Na-na-shi, na-na-shi, nan-a-shi, na-nashi?" She practiced quietly to herself before confronting the man. For him to give her such a gift, only for her to butcher his name? It was unthinkable. An excruciating minute later, after she had said the name so many times it lost any sense of meaning, she set out.

Looking for the man took only a short amount of time, the description given by the quartermaster was not perfect, but the man himself was unique enough that it did not have to be. He seemed to be eating, the food itself was none too appealing, but that was unimportant. She was struck by how... battle ready he seemed. Sure the ship was not just for mages and the like, but what purpose did a man such as this have on the ship? For now, she tucked the question away and approached.

"Hi! Nanashi, is it? I am Viviana, you gifted me your cabin. I just wanted to thank you for your kindness," Despite her genuine intentions, that specter of awkwardness hung from her syllables. Her jilted speech was yet another flaw she so desperately wished to purge from herself.

@Zim0cron

The ronin turned his head on the young elf. He nodded to her as a his way for greeting a stranger and also a welcome of her thanks.

"Nanashi. Is my. common call by people so I keep it. I have no real name to keep. Since. I'm an exiled warrior from my land." The ronin said. "Young lady. Have you eaten. Already? Not quite food on the table but. I can treat you. You seems from far too. Because of your things. I'm not good. on those fancy. things. Perhaps. You can have it. Because. You seems. A student of something." He continued.

<Snipped quote by Zim0cron>

The ronin turned his head on the young elf. He nodded to her as a his way for greeting a stranger and also a welcome of her thanks.

"Nanashi. Is my. common call by people so I keep it. I have no real name to keep. Since. I'm an exiled warrior from my land." The ronin said. "Young lady. Have you eaten. Already? Not quite food on the table but. I can treat you. You seems from far too. Because of your things. I'm not good. on those fancy. things. Perhaps. You can have it. Because. You seems. A student of something." He continued.

Viviana seemed somewhat flustered by the man. The way he spoke was... Slightly strange, but honestly no more strange than her own speech in the grand scheme of things. And what was with him offering to treat her? Either way, to avoid being rude she took a seat one space away from the man.

"Oh, um, thank you for the offer but I am not very hungry. I think I will have a drink, if they have anything sweet," A welcoming smile sat on her face, but her body was closed off, crossing over itself in some attempt to guard her. The man seemed friendly enough, her actions were no intended slight toward him, it was just all people. All strangers made her uneasy. She was also lying, to an extent. She was getting hungry, having skipped an earlier meal, but the food she saw on Nanashi's plate was far from appetizing.

"And yes, very perceptive, I am going to study magic at...a well known academy. Im not sure what I want to study, but earth magic looks interesting" Viviana was augmenting her speech as she went along, hoping to be more understandable. She also hesitated to name her academy, this exiled warrior did not seem like the type to appreciate such information.

"Magic. Academy?" He seems doesn't know. It is literally an alien thing to him. "Sorry. Haven't heard of it." He said. "Say. A wavy image. I got dragged to. Is it magic? It was made by the shine people. They wanted me to escape. Before they hold my clan's soldiers." He continued.

<Snipped quote by Remuri>
She was getting hungry, having skipped an earlier meal, but the food she saw on Nanashi's plate was far from appetizing.

He read her body language. The food on table truly not appetizing. So he proceed to check something on his pouches that attach on his bag. He then give her it. It was carefully wrap and it contain with a homemade sweet bread. Made by the wife of the merchant who was helped by him.

"It's called sweetbread. Merchant wife said. Already done eating the first one. First tasting. You can have it." He said.

Slowly strolling through the scene of the unobserved commotion, he could find no further hints of it. That unnerved him.

Additionally, that gauche little man in the turban was doing his best to discretely follow him. How delicious. Was he going to ask for a suit? The thought brought a wicked smile to his lips, as he confidently strode down the stairs, flicked his wand, and vanished the parasol, before putting it away again.

Closing in on the door to his cabin, the man in the turban was still shadowing him from a discrete distance.

'Is he really going to waste time watching little old me?' he muttered to himself. 'Well.. Better give the man his money's worth. Assuming he likes to see a sexy tailor work that is, darling....'

Abruptly, he closed the door, then locked it.

Working without supplies was "Theoretically doable" but would require a LOT of time and effort. There was no shortage of moisture in the air, and it was quite stuffy down here in the dreary 'below decks.' While hardly 'ideal', much like he had done with the card, it would be sufficient to simulate cotton or linen. It would just take hours, or perhaps days to finish the project. Given so precious little time before that little dove would fly the coop when they landed at he next port, he knew she needed a better disguise than those provincial rags she had on. Unless she was aiming to suggest herself a school mistress, or a new advent to a convent, there was no way her cover fit the costume-- and neither of those bring retainers.

No, it would take something much nicer.

Ember popped his neck, then limbered up his arms, before once more extracting his wand, and setting to work...