[IC] Ragtag: Steampunk treasure hunting.

[NorthernGR]

The city-state of Riviqin was sitting above the clouds, with the help of its balloons and propellers. It has stayed aloft for centuries, being having addition to addition added onto it as needed. Holding a few million inhabitants. Unlike many of the other floating cities that dotted the skies the government of Riviqin allowed all races entrance. Making the city a hub for trading.

_________________________________

“And you say you can….. Fly?” Maithien asked with an amused look on his face. He was interviewing potential crew members at the moment. He had run across a few interesting ones. But so far this man had taken the cake. “Yes sir!” He said with a smirk. “But uhm… Just not very high..” The man corrected. “Then how high exactly.” Maithien was looking at the man’s chart. He hadn’t had a job in three years, and Maithien hadn’t even heard of whatever race he claimed himself to be.. He just looked like a human. “Well uhm…. You see I’m flying as high as I can right now..” At this Maithien quirked an eyebrow. Before looking down to the man’s feet to see them planted solidly on the ground. “Your flying? Right now?” The man quickly replied. “Yes sir..” ‘This man seems slightly crazy.’ He thought to himself. “That is truly amazing, but I am sad to say that we have no need of your specific skills sir.. “ The man slumped his shoulders and walked away, leaving Maithien to look over some of the other applicants chart’s again.. ‘Meet all sorts of folks in this city. ‘

Behind Maithien, his ship “The Compass” lay nestled in it’s spot on the dock. With a large banner hanging from some of the rigging reading “Welcome Treasure Hunters!” for all to see. If that didn’t get peoples attention then Maithien was pretty sure he was better off not sailing with them. The port master had complained at first, something about breaching the dock’s rules, but after handing him a sack of coins the need to take the banner down disappeared. The dock was a fairly new addition to the old city. Replacing another one a few blocks east that had been deemed a danger to public safety. Thus they created the Umpalias Docks. Paint still fresh and floorboards untouched by the feet of sailors until now. Maithien just needed to wait for his crew to come.

Other than the flying man Maithien had just sent away. There were a few other applicants that had shown up already. Some of them were denied, but most accepted. The only reason he denied the earlier applicants was because, well.. They were just so boring.. A few of them were lower tier Aristocrats, Maithien assumed they were looking to boost their status with whatever money they would get from the treasure. How boring was that? No interest in the adventure whatsoever… Well he supposed that everyone would be in this for at least a tiny bit.. But still!

Maithien checked his watch. It was already half past noon! What was taking everybody so long? ‘I will fly this thing all by myself if I have to...’

[Korigon]

Katewyn sauntered down the dock with ease. She was wearing her fur trenchcoat over a lovely Dirndl. Really, it was quite useless wear. She couldn't run or move properly if needed, but luckily this was just a cruise. Until they reached wherever they were going, she wasn't going to do much hunting.

She stole a gaze at the dockworkers. This was obviously a new area in the city - Instead of the usual bustling around, and selling of prizes, it was quiet compared to the older docks in Riviqin. The dockworkers were some canine sort of breed. They were furry and had dog-like jaws. Quite awful creatures. "At least," she hoped, "I won't have to endure those wretched things." It was possible, yes, but that would only lead to fighting. . . . .

There was a single man near the ship she was going to board. The Compass, it was called. An ugly banner stood attached to, a bright contrast of colors.

"Dear Mr. Maithien, I presume?" She said, striding toward him. At least the captain was human! "This is quite a lovely ship you have, and when will we depart?"

[Deth_Glitch]

Dariq was below deck, making sure that the cargo was held down fast in the hold, the cannons, what few there were, were held still by the ropes surrounding them, so as not to shift the weight of the ship suddenly, possibly costing someone their life. He then grabbed a biscuit from the food stocks and took a bite out of it while checking the ropes again with his other hand, to satisfy himself.

"As soon as we 'ave the crew, m'ladyness-ship" Said Dariq emerging from below decks. "Why we don't 'ire a cannie ol' crew, master Garret, ask the dockmaster fer 'is best advice on 'oo ta pick and away we gann off" he said to Garret. "Ships rigged and yard, just waiting fer a skilled crew ta man 'er and set 'er off to the four winds Sir." Dariq continued before acknowledging the lady again. "Names Dariq, I'm Master Garrets first mate. Ya need anything, I'm yer man. So dont go 'bouts asking m'lord any questions he don't need asking, ya hear?".

Meanwhile Dariq went around the deck tugging on ropes and pushing against the masts, making sure the ship was indeed rigged and yard and, more importantly, was safe and secure fro his master and friend, Garret.

[Dark Angel]

Aria walked down the docks, not in much of a hurry. She could that the boat was still there, and she knew she was in the right place due to the rather bright banner that hung across the dock. They must have completely refurnished the place, because she never remembered the docks being this clean. Then again, these docks were new, so they should be clean, but never underestimate the power of the filth the sailors brought back.

Aria glanced over at one of the sailors and inwardly grimaced. He was huge, but it looked like that didn't do him any good if his looks had anything to say about him. It wasn't that he was ugly, Aria would never judge someone because of their looks, or she tried not to. But the man was in horrible condition, With a pasty, almost grey skin, a scowl that sported a row full of crooked yellow teeth, save for his front two, which were missing. He had bruises on his arms and over his eye, and his lip was puffy and crusted with dry blood. His hair came out in tufts, as if some had been ripped out. Aria sent him a sympathetic smile as she passed, only to receive a snarl in return. Humans weren't received well here, nor anywhere Aria had been so far.

Aria grinned as she stepped towards the figures on the end of the dock, standing by a rather large boat. "'Ey there. Mr. Mathien, right? Nice ship." She gave a whistle before looking over at the other two at the dock. One was an elf in his older years, sporting a long beard. The other was a girl who seemed to be the same age as Aria herself, but she didn't entirely trust her judgement, looks could be deceiving. "'Ello. Oh, my name's Aria. Nice to meet you all!" She grinned warmly as she put her hands on her hips, fingers brushing against the hilt of her sword.

[NorthernGR]

"Why we don't 'ire a cannie ol' crew, master Garret, ask the dockmaster fer 'is best advice on 'oo ta pick and away we gann off" Ahh, so Dariq was finished with his inspection of the ship. 'Good, good. I could use his help choosing the crew.' He thought to himself cheerily. Though Dariq's constant insistence to use a regular crew was starting to grow a bit tiresome. "You already know why we won't be doing that Maelvon, because I have answered this same question more times than I can count." Maithien said, turning towards Dariq and giving off a small smirk. "Things will be so much more fun this way, just trust me!"

Maithien was pulled away from his ever so brief talk with Dariq when he heard a rather loud noise come from behind him. 'What in blazes was that!?' He thought, whirling around from fright to see... Oh... A girl, young one at that.. She had whistled, now she was greeting him, and there was another woman beside her.. 'I'll just act like that didn't happen' How had he not noticed either of them? "Oh, Hello, nice to meet you. Both of you.. What were your names again? You'll have to forgive me, I was in my own world there for a moment." This lot seemed interesting enough, at least they seemed armed. That was interesting at the least, not as interesting as the flying man, but interesting.

[StarCatcher]

Anisa hurried down the dock towards the ship she was supposed to be boarding, struggling to carry her singular leather suitcase along with her. She was quite hesitant about boarding the ship, but it was a new opportunity for her, and she was sure it would benefit her. The appearance of the dockworkers made her grimace a little, anything dog- like made her slightly uncomfortable.

She took a deep breath and paused, looking at the group of people standing at the end of the dock- so these were her crew- mates. She studied them for a moment, looking over two girls, and then paused, looking at an elf, and bit her lip. Again, another breed of creature that made her uncomfortable- but it was nothing she couldn't get over, it was just a left over fear from her childhood, nothing serious.

She finally strolled up to the group, and looked at them quietly, studying their faces once more. She took a deep breath- realizing that she was going to have to speak and introduce herself to these people. After a moment of hesitation, she opened her mouth,"I-I'm Anisa Burton. Am I late?"

[Darkwolfsoul010]

Ren walked through crowds that gathered in her way along the docks. She looked around for the time, and had to lean over some sort of dwarf to glance at his wristwatch. She was very late! Speeding up Rena tried her best to look graceful as she sped walked down boardwalks and towards the meeting place. Just before she reached the small group, she stopped to adjust her appearance. With her gloved hand she adjusted her whiskers, fluffing them out a bit and making sure they were symmetrical. She also combed through her light tan fur and fluffed out her ears a bit. Catching her breath, Rena tugged at the bottom of her black blouse, and looked over her breeches (an uncommon article choice for the upstanding Caxerion females.) Her hand reached down and grabbed the hilt of a thin sword that was strapped to her waist, she didn't intend on pulling it out, but it was a nervous habit of hers.

Sighing, Rena gulped and took a step forward. Slung over one shoulder was a small backpack, and in her left hand was a lyre made from wood and a turtle shell, with thin strings reaching from it like a harp. She stepped to the group, letting out a soft smile before bowing (also unusual for females of her race, who usually curtsied). "Hello! I hope I'm not too behind. Pleasure to meet you." She stood straight again and smiled politely, adjusting the backpack over her shoulder.

[Korigon]

"I'm afraid I didn't understand a word you just said, sir." Katewyn was addressing the man attired as some sort of pirate. "Is it a variant of English? It sounds quite odd to my ears." Then she turned to Aria and Maithien. "My name is Katewyn, professional hunter and tracker. . . There isn't a beast on this world that can escape me." She added proudly. While this was not actually 100% true, she had assisted in a hunt of every known creature, so she felt she had earned the title.

She slowly studied the people set before her. The girl who had just spoken, Aria, seemed nice enough. She was some sort of swordsman, though Katewyn couldn't be sure. Her clothing was interesting. Bright pants and colors, and some sort of corset, though it looked like half of it had been removed. Still, who was Katewyn to judge? Long ginger hair adorned her head, and her smile was bright and warm.

She ignored studying the captain as two other figures came around to the dock. The first girl looked quite young, probably a young adult. She was carrying a large suitcase, and when she spoke, Katewyn could simply not hear her. Her attention flitted to the next person, and then the smile she had been wearing on her face quickly vanished, replaced by a frown. Here was one of those animal creatures. It had been to good to hope for none of them on the ship, but still. . . Ignoring the animal, she turned back to the captain.

[Deth_Glitch]

"'Cause it's english!" He replied promptly. "Are we ta be a crew of women, not that I see much grounds to complain look on at the women themselves" He said looking the new arrivals over and lingering where a man should not "But its nae good crewin' a ship with lasses, 'tis a mans jobs and sailors say they are ta be bad luck on the true winds" He said to Garret as he took off the rubbish hat he had bought off a sailor, the hat itself was oddly shaped and uncomfortable, and threw it out over the edge of the ship. "Anywho, is there gannin' be seperate lodgings fer lads and lasses? We do 'ave a fore an' an aft lodgin' space but the fore lodging space is meant fer da dying and the captured, 'tis a more secure room but I wouldnae want to stay there." He said in his soft voice, regardless of the strong accent, he was an elf but he was brought up by men and lived around scum. He grew up speaking as they did but there was no hiding the elf in his voice, with some lessons on pronunciation he had no doubt he could speak like the toffs up on high, but he cared not, so long as he had Garret, wages and a nice bed.

[The book of bad juju]

Elani looked at herself in the cracked stained window behind the small church, and tried to hide her ears under the hair. Nope, no good. It was too short to really work as an interspecies buffer, and no matter what she tried, they both kept poking out from under the haircut. She turned, adjusting the leather man-sized duffel bag half full with stuff she'd stolen from her home in the dead of night. The time meant little to her, elves didn't sleep if they could possibly avoid it, but her mother had been out manning the shop at the time, and she didn't want the neighbours to know. Or her mother, even though she had the sneaking suspicion she'd known about this whole thing. The crossbow over the mantlepiece, a family heirloom now safetly tucked away in a pocket, had been fitted with a new drawstring, and oiled. Elani tucked a few dangling strands of hair back, grinned at herself in the coloured reflection, and walked away. The sun was rising, and a beam of orange light sneaked across the skies and struck her in the face.

Four hours later, she wandered down by the new docks. The term was a misnomer, she knew. Most docks weren't thirty thousand feet above sea level, or so ...clean as this one was. Why was there a small gaggle of women clustered around that banner? Elani turned the corner, and stared. That was definitely a sight not seen on many docks. So much ostrogen in one place could be dangerous at sea, couldn't they? She was sure she read that somewhere. What were they even gathering about, anyway? "Welcome Treasure hunters?" It was pointed to the docks, and not at the ship itself, so it wasn't a returning party. All the girls had bags around shoulders and under arms, mere purses compared to Elani's leather parachute. A treasure expedition? It was one way to leave the city. This little chance gathering might be just what she was looking for.

She sidled up to one girl in the back, a short blonde with a worried look on her. As she approached, she said something to the dogpile (Catpile?) of waiting onlookers. "...m i late?" Elani reached out a hand and tugged at her grey sleeve, in a way she hoped wouldn't alarm her too much. "Excuse me? Missus? Could i be so bold as to ask what might be going on here?"

[NorthernGR]

Good, good! More people were starting to show up now. Though they were all female so far, curious. "It is hard to be late when there was no set time to show up." Maithien smiled. "Good to meet you both." A Caxerion and another Human, they could be useful he supposed. Oh, and that other lady was a tracker! Wonderful. 'Things are coming along nicely.' Maithien thought happily. He began walking to one of the crates he had sitting on the ship, grabbing a stack of papers from on top of it and walking back. "Oh hush Dariq. We both know your accent makes things hard to understand at times." Maithien turned his head towards his first mate. "And as long as they aren't lodging with you I feel there won't be many complaints." He laughed.

"Right, if you want to sail with us you'll need to sign these.." Maithien held out the stack of papers for the group of women to grab from. "They're some legal documents, mostly just say if you die it isn't our fault, plus a few other things."

[StarCatcher]

Anissa didn't quite understand the elf man, but figured it wasn't a big deal. She panicked a bit, being handed the paperwork, she could read, but not very well. She found a pen in the pocket of her dress, ano bit her lip, trying to scan over the paperwork real quick, but gave up halfway through and just signed on the line. She had so many questions about the journey she was going to embark on, but verbalizing any of them seemed wrong to her. She finished signing the papers and handed them back to the man who seemed to be in charge,"Here you go, sir, I'm so thankful that you've invited me." She said timidly.

She grasped her suitcase tightly. She was anxious to go off and start a new adventure, she looked around at the people around her and started smiling a little. A new start was what she had needed, and she was getting it. She was optimistic about the future, hunting for treasure, but kept in mind that things could go wrong.

[Dark Angel]

Aria laughed, sending him a playful glare. "Thanks gramps, but I don't think it matters much whether we're girls or flying bears, as long as the job gets done. It doesn't matter where I sleep, I've slept worse and smaller places." Grinning, she turned to the girl who had spoken. "Well that sure is something, Miss Katewyn. remind me not to cross you." Two others joined their group, one was obviously of a feline race, and one was a human girl with chestnut hair.

"Nice ta meet you. 'm Aria. I'm one of the best people with a sword you'll meet around here, and I can steal anything, as well as pick locks." Aria turned back as Garret began passing out papers. She took one and hesitated slightly, smile falling from her face. She couldn't read. She could recognize some words, but everything on the page might as well be runes. Quickly signing so as not to seem stupid for not being able to read, she quickly turned the paper back to him. She had never been so glad she could write her name. Hearing a voice, Aria turned. Another girl had joined them, lugging a large leather pack and trying to get one of the others, Anissa's, attention.

"Ey there. Judging from the pack I'm guessing you're looking for the treasure hunting ship?" Aria sent the girl a grin. It didn't bother her that the girl was elven, or that the others were of different races. She honestly disliked it when people judged others because of race, and understood how it felt.

[Mokley]

Apricots! Oh, Simnia would never eat another apricot again. She would smell of apricots for months. People would begin to know her by her stench, they would call her Apricot, and she would become a cruel and hateful old dwarf and burn the apricot fields to extinction.

The facts were these: In a brilliant touch of dwarven insight, while governing the boxcars of a moving supply train, Simnia had pried open a crate of apricots and had dumped the pretentious little fruits out of the boxcar door. She had watched them sail like yellow stones over the edge of the rail bridge and into the ravine far below. Thus satisfied, she had squished herself into the apricot-less crate and had pulled the lid down on top. Only after she had sealed herself inside did she realize that a reeking stench of apricots was sealed in with her. Eventually the train had stopped, and she felt the bump and sway of her crate being picked up and transported, and then the weightless sway of the net that drew her higher and higher toward the floating city of Riviqin. She couldn't see any of this, of course, because she was stuck in a crate, but Simnia had watched it happen to hundreds of crates before her. From this moment she would be free of slavers and shackles. She would, for the first time in her life, have the chance to live.

Simnia waited, silent and patient inside her crate, until everything had stopped moving and the noises of people had faded into the distance. When she thought the coast was clear, she shuffled around inside the box until she got a good foothold, and pushed with all her might. With a sudden CRACK the crate splintered and toppled apart entirely, leaving the dwarf sitting surprised and sooty and stinking like apricots, with nowhere to hide and no clue where she was.

It seemed, after some observation, that her escape crate had been delivered to the supply dock of an outbound ship, which she inferred by the fact that she was now sitting on a dock and there was a ship being loaded in front of her. There was a curious brilliant banner strung up on it, but seeing as she couldn't read she paid it no attention, and she instead crawled to her feet and sniffed her sooty dress with a puckered face. Apricots! But she'd barely had time to register the fact that she was free before she noticed there was some commotion nearby. Human commotion. Excited commotion, laced with more than a bit of confusion, as like strangers about to embark on a vacation into the unknown. The very thought of the word embark sent a pleasant chill through Simnia's veins. Away! Freedom! She could enlist onto a ship and would never be found again!

She puffed her chest, lifted her chin, and strode up to the group as if she had been free all along, never a slave at all but one of them, a Free Dwarf, an aristocrat, perhaps, who had fallen into some soot and apricot juice on her way -- and she looked proud and brave, though inside she shook like a leaf, certain that all that awaited her were chains, anywhere she turned. As long as she didn't act like a slave they couldn't call her one, right?

She paused at the sight of one of those ratty cat-people people that always made her sneeze, and she crept around the other side of the group -- the grizzled tall elf (she had to look twice at his ears, because indeed she'd never seen an elf like that), the blonde and the redhead (who both seemed to be pleasant if improper young ladies), and a chestnut-haired young woman who was almost as small as Simnia herself, which she took to be an encouraging sign. Surely, a human as short as this could understand at least a modicum of the dwarven dilemma.

There was a second elf -- much fairer to look at than the first -- leaning over the littlest lady and asking questions that the poor shy girl was apparently too frightened to answer. Full of pity for Anisa, Simnia made her way over to rescue her from undesired attention, and she waved a hand over her head to gain Elani's attention. Simnia was always more comfortable with elves before humans, and she thought she was a good judge of character with this one. She saw a trustworthy soul, and one that might not be quick to send her back to the stocks.

"I'm of your opinion, friend," she said gently to Elani, forcing a more polite voice than the one she usually used at the trainyard. "It's a curious mix, clamoring for those papers. I'm sorry to ask a favor, but can you read by chance? I'd like to know what that banner and those papers say, out of curiosity. I thought I heard someone say sailing off."

[StarCatcher]

Anisa felts quite awful for brushing off the elven girl. It was going to take a lot of courage for her to date to speak to anyone- it just wasn't in her nature, and she didn't have proper communication skills, to make matters worse. Looking at her feet, she quietly shuffled over to the two, and bit her lip, looking at them. She fidgeted with the bottom of her dress as she struggled to get up the urge to speak.

What did you even say to someone who you had completely ignored? And neither of these elves seemed to be aware as to what was going on. She knew it would be proper to inform them- but it wasn't exactly her strong suit to go up to people and start speaking to them. She finally opened her mouth,"'Ello there." Her voice was barely audible, and she realized she would have to speak up,"I'm Anisa, and this is a treasure hunting expedition." She said a little louder, and then looked down and bit her lip. She hoped that it would make up for her awful insolent behavior, but figured that she would have to start a conversation- another terrifying prospect for the young woman.

[Darkwolfsoul010]

Ren looked at Aria with a warm smile. Her ears perked forward at the top of her head and her hand travelled down to the thin sword on her hip. "A sword fighter aye? Me too! I'd love to duel you sometime, we could trade tips from our teachings. I'm an entertainer and a cook aswell, I can play just about any instrument!" Holding up her lyre, Rena grinned proudly, puffing out her chest and flashing her fangs at the nice girl who talked to her. She was always terrible at making friends, but smiling and being pleasant seemed to be the best bet!

Grabbing the stack of papers, Ren gave them a glance. Flipping through she tried to pick out key words that stuck out. She had seen forms like this before, claiming that the person in charge had no responsibility if any injuries were to occur. Or worse. Ren shrugged her shoulders, she could take care of herself. With a flick of her tail, and her wrist, she signed the papers and handed them back to the captain. "There you are, sir!" She mumbled as he collected forms, idly looking about at the ship in front of her.

[Darkwolfsoul010]

Ren looked at Aria with a warm smile. Her ears perked forward at the top of her head and her hand travelled down to the thin sword on her hip. "A sword fighter aye? Me too! I'd love to duel you sometime, we could trade tips from our teachings. I'm an entertainer and a cook aswell, I can play just about any instrument!" Holding up her lyre, Rena grinned proudly, puffing out her chest and flashing her fangs at the nice girl who talked to her. She was always terrible at making friends, but smiling and being pleasant seemed to be the best bet!

Grabbing the stack of papers, Ren gave them a glance. Flipping through she tried to pick out key words that stuck out. She had seen forms like this before, claiming that the person in charge had no responsibility if any injuries were to occur. Or worse. Ren shrugged her shoulders, she could take care of herself. With a flick of her tail, and her wrist, she signed the papers and handed them back to the captain. "There you are, sir!" She mumbled as he collected forms, idly looking about at the ship in front of her.

[NorthernGR]

Everything was going smoothly so far it seemed.. Papers were being signed, though it seemed some of the women didn't even bother to read what they said.. Perhaps for the best. 'Signatures all seem be to be in order.' He thought, looking over the documents that had been handed back to him. More and more people were starting to show up. Still all female! 'May have to keep an eye on Dariq this trip.' He chuckled. The issue of lodging would surely be interesting though. Maithien had his own quarters on the ship, but he wasn't sure where Dariq and any other of the male gender would sleep. He seemed against the idea of sleeping in the medical room. But Maithien wasn't too keen on forcing the women to sleep there. 'Bah, I'm sure I will think of something.' Still waiting for all of the forms to be signed, Maithien decided to speak. "I recognize that with such an odd situation as this, there are bound to be some questions." Crossing his arms and smiling, he continued. "So ask away I suppose."

[Deth_Glitch]

"Aye, how many moor crew befur' we can leav'?" Asked Daliq as he headed back below decks, Maithien had not yet seen the rest of the ship, only where he was to be lodging, so Daliq knew where he was planning on sleeping, the ship would be out riding the four winds, all of them cold. So Daliq was going to sleep in the engine control room, it was large and already had a makeshift bed from whom ever was in-charge of the ships engines before him. So Daliq was going to be sleeping in the only room (Other then the captains cabins) with 'central heating' albeit the heat was just that which was radiating off of the steam pipes and the engines themselves but, it was still bound to be warmer then the main lodgings, it also meant he could keep an eye on the engines and make sure no one was snooping around trying to stop their trip. Not that anyone would have any reason too...

Daliq didn't stop at the control room, he continued in to the actual maintenance shafts themselves, which would be a lot hotter then the control room and not fit for sleeping in, and gave all the pipes another look over, checking that the few that were original and hadn't yet been replaced, where sturdy and looking strong. Satisfied thus, he headed back to the control room and started up the engines, making sure to keep the rotor shafts separated from the engine blocks, so as not the start their trip early.

[Dark Angel]

Aria returned Ren's smile. "That seems like a great idea. I could teach you some things about thievery, but only if you tell me more about what you can play. Sorry, don't think I caught your name, but I think we'll get along well." She beamed. It was always good to have someone you could trust, especially if they could fight well. Another girl came, a dwarf this time. She wasn't very much shorter than Aria, but still shorter. One of the things she hated was her height, and when people pointed it out.

Turning her attention back to Garret. "I 'ave a question. Where do you think we're gon' be heading, if you don't mind me asking?" They hadn't said exactly to which locations they would be traveling, and she felt she should ask, even if he didn't know himself. It didn't honestly matter to her. She savored every moment of freedom she had, and didn't waste any opportunity. Not since that time. Shaking her head, she went back to looking at the ship. It was the biggest ship she had ever actually been close to, all the others having been traveling ships, or ... those types of ships. She shuddered before shaking her head and grinning.

"Other than that, I hope we all get along, since we're going to have to be able to trust each other. This seems like a pretty nice crew to have." Her grin could have split her face in half. She meant it, these people all seemed like trust worthy, albeit a little strange, though she wasn't one to judge, she probably looked like a fool!