Blackfridayrule

The Tree of Astra (LadyAnnaLee and Blackfridayrule)

Ridahne figured that Darin would want to see Harai. It's what she would want to do if someone were tracking her; Ridahne liked to know her enemies personally and see their faces. But even more so when it was a complicated case of figuring out what to do with someone who was just a pawn in a bigger game. Ridahne had gathered Harai was a small fish and no one of great import to the Red Hand. In a way, she pitied him. What lies had he been told to coerce him into the life he was now part of?

Ridahne led Darin to the holding room. The Taja at the door belonged to Hanasa-Sol, and the majority of her Taja had once belonged to Khaltira. Ridahne wasn't sure she liked that idea, but Taja were hard to come by and took a long time to train, so it only made sense to keep a few of the good ones. Ridahne was keenly aware, though, that she was the person who killed their Sol. Not just a Sol, their Sol. She was surprised by how willing they were to follow her direction and how little animosity they felt towards her. Perhaps word had gone around about the full story of Khaltira's death, and perhaps these men had seen some of the same things in their Sol that had alarmed Ridahne.

They found Harai looking exhausted and still stained with sweat, though the rope around his neck was kept slack so that the man could easily sit on the floor. Ridahne guessed he'd even been fed to some degree. The room was still hot and dark, though it was no longer the unbearable inferno it had been when Ridahne had broken Harai. Ridahne let Darin do the talking, though she stood tall as an imposing figure looming above where Darin knelt, a grim reminder that Darin was not alone, and she was not defenseless should Harai decide to try anything. Occasionally, as they spoke together, Ridahne would circle behind Harai like a cat deciding how and when to pounce on wounded prey. Ridahne did not need to speak to be a heavy presence in the room.

When Harai accused Darin of only benefiting the upper crust of society and knowing nothing of hardship, Ridahne actually barked a laugh. She couldn't help it. Clearly, he did not know Darin. Nor did he know herself. Despite Ridahne's rich black and yellow outfit, complete with a Taja's sash and a new uri pin that showed her new sigil, Ridahne had spent the majority of her life in poverty, scraping by for a living for her and her family. This man could not be more wrong about both of them.

They left, though Ridahne lingered behind Darin for just a moment to stare down Harai as a reminder to not get too comfortable in dealing with them. Her eyes echoed her first words to the man that she'd spoken in the marketplace. I am the ghost in the sands. I am the shadow behind every door. I am the chill of a moonless night. I am the blade, and I am death.

Back in the palace, Darin requested a meeting with the Sota-Sol, and Ridahne promised she'd make it happen. She led Darin to a small room with cushions on the floor around a low table and asked her to wait there. Not long after Ridahne left, a young girl who couldn't have been older than sixteen, though by human standards looked to be about twelve, came in bearing a silver tray with four small silver cups filled with a chilled milky tea that was both sweet and spicy with heavy cinnamon flavors. She set the tray down and stole a glance at Darin, nearly choked in surprise when she saw her green eyes and knew at once who she was serving tea for, and gave a quick bow. "This drink is a custom of our people during meetings such as this. M-meetings are best conducted with tea..." she felt like she needed to explain, realizing that this revered person was not of Azurei and did not know its ways. "B-but I can bring you anything else you wish," she remembered she was supposed to say.

__

Ridahne knew where to find the Sota-Sol at this hour. She made her way to the woman's personal quarters and her way was barred by three Taja bearing spears, though each of them also carried a sword. This was expected, they were only doing their job. "The Sota-Sol is not taking visitors..." the man looked Ridahne up and down and added, "Taja Torzinei."
"Astra-Sol seeks a meeting with the Sota-Sol of Azurei. It is not a casual visit she seeks. Tell her Astra-Sol awaits her, and that she asks that she bring only one Taja, as Astra-Sol will also have only one."

One of the Taja broke away to go inside the rooms they were guarding, and a few moments later the Sota-Sol herself emerged, dismissing all but one of the Taja. When Ridahne did not bow to her, she quirked an eyebrow and asked, "You do not bow before your Sota-Sol?"
"With all respect, Sota-Sol, I do not belong to any Sol anymore, not after I was cast away."
The Sota-Sol actually smiled a little. "But you do now, Taja Torzinei. Don't you?"
Ridahne realized with a shock she was right. But she sensed the informality in Amaiera-Sol's tone and allowed herself a little candor. "I...suppose I do. But it's different..."
"I'm certain it is." Ridahne had always known Amaiera-Sol to be aloof and proud, commanding respect from all around her without needing to ask. But since they'd spoken privately in the gardens the night before, she'd been almost...grandmotherly to her, at least in private. It was as if Amaiera-Sol regretted the way she'd handled things in the past and sought to mend the damage she'd done. It made Ridahne respect her even more, though she still had a lot of other feelings towards the woman that would need time to work through.

"Thank you for taking the time to speak with us," Ridahne said as she led her and her Taja to the room where Darin was waiting. Amaiera-Sol noted she said "us" and not "her", meaning Darin. Indeed, when it came to official matters, Ridahne did not consider Darin a separate entity, but they were a bonded pair. Quite literally in Ridahne's case as Seed-Chained. "There is a matter that Darin would like to discuss with you."
"You call your Sol by her name only?" There was not condescension in her tone, but perhaps some level of surprise.
"Always," came Ridahne's firm reply. She'd use Darin's title when speaking to others when required during formal interactions, but never outside of that. "I might belong to my Sol, but I will never again be owned. I will never again be a tool in the hand of another. I am Ridahne. And I serve because I choose to." She kept he voice low, but her tone was adamant and some of her usual fire showed through even her quietly spoken words.
Amaiera-Sol thought on this for a moment, then slowly nodded. "This is as it should be," she agreed. "Privately, I am unused to your methods. You buck tradition in many ways, Taja Torzinei. But I am beginning to see more clearly each time I speak with you that you are indeed doing Azurei proud. Your Sol is fortunate to have you."
Ridahne nearly choked and bit her lip hard to keep from suddenly bursting into tears. She WOULD NOT lose composure in a moment like this, but she was sure that Amaiera-Sol could not have known just what those words would mean to Ridahne. She held her head a little higher after that.

Ridahne opened the door to the room Darin was waiting in and waited until Amaiera-Sol and her Taja were seated before taking a cushion herself beside Darin.
"Greetings, Astra-Sol. Your Taja informs me you wish to speak with me about something. Azurei is pleased to offer service to Astra-Sol. How may I help you?" Amaiera-Sol spoke with high dignity, but as someone speaking to an equal. She considered Darin to be a Sota-Sol herself, just of a different province, and spoke to her as if she were speaking to a human queen or king.

The Unknown Land

The three nations of the continent Tassaren have largely coexisted in peace for as long as anyone can remember. Together, they have collectively charted out all the varying small islands and the open sea beyond to such a degree that nobody thought there was anything more to discover within any reasonable range. Until one day, when a crew of lost seamen spied a land in the distance they did not recognize. The three nations decided with much excitement that this land should be explored, and they would each send their best to do it. Each nation chose their delegate differently, however, in the end three emissaries were chosen, along with a support team of sailors, healers, and laborers to help facilitate the exploration.

The three delegates discover that this land was once inhabited, yet only the ruins of this slightly more advanced society remain. That, and a powerful artifact that is a living source of magic.

___

That's sort of my basic idea of a premise. I figure each of us would create a nation and perhaps a race if we wished. You can decide if your people have magic ability or not at the start of the game, however, any existing magic should be basic and probably elemental in nature, with the idea being that if your character/people do not have magic, your character will be bestowed magical abilities by the artifact, or if they have it, it will be enhanced/boosted/expanded. I figure we can start with that and see where things take us from there. We can discuss specifics of technology level or 'setting vibe' we want for the world as we plan this out, too.

Some guidelines:

--No more than a total of three players. Any more than that gets chaotic.
--If you're interested, please have some level of long term commitment. I see too many 3 player rp's collapse because one person ghosts right as things are getting good.
--Please post with some reasonable frequency. I don't expect posts every day, but once every week or two is ideal.
--Keep things pretty Pg-13. No gratuitous sex and junk like that.
--A discord channel might be nice, but if it's not your thing, that's fine and we can keep OOC discussion here on the forum.

Anyone interested?

The Tree of Astra (LadyAnnaLee and Blackfridayrule)

That was me a couple months ago. I was in a funk creatively and had trouble getting into character or knowing what to write. Take your time friend. Sometimes after it’s been a while I’ll post something very basic just to get my creative juices flowing and hope that sparks more later. And there’s always the option of starting interesting drama 😈 hehehe.

Good luck mate, you got this!

The Tree of Astra (LadyAnnaLee and Blackfridayrule)

Of course! No worries fam

The Tree of Astra (LadyAnnaLee and Blackfridayrule)

Ridahne took in a breath as if to answer, but it came out between her lips in a whoosh of air. Martin son of Gregory by Alice. Martin Aliceson. Well, that seemed to confirm her suspicions at least, and Ridahne did feel some peace in bringing all this up for good reason. She'd feel sick if she put ideas in Darin's head that weren't true. But evidently they appeared to be. And whether Darin knew her too well, or if she'd also harbored some secret suspicion, she seemed to guess that Ridahe had learned something of her father relating to the Red Hand.

"Yeah," she said in another sigh. "The prisoner crumbled. Took no time at all and he sang like a bird. I promised it would be worthwhile for him to cooperate, and I think he felt real enough fear that motivated him, too. It's always tricky getting information that way, it's sometimes hard to tell if someone is fabricating information to appear helpful and compliant, or if they're telling the truth. But we tend to gain a good sense for that over the years, and I think at the very least, he believed everything he said. How true those things were is another matter, but he told me what he thought was the truth, at least. He mentioned he'd been recruited by a Siren woman, and she'd been recruited by a Martin Aliceson. I pressed him about Martin, though he didn't have a lot to say. According to him, he's either a founder of the Red Hand or was recruited by the founder. Either way, he appears to be high in the ranks. The prisoner believes that the Red Hand exists because they think one person should not carry the weight of the Seed and eventually, the Tree alone. They believe many people should have control over it, but mark my words when I say 'control'. I mean it. I know those types, and it's control indeed they want. Who knows what other motives they have, but this one's a pretty small fish, so they wouldn't tell him."

Ridahne fiddled with the beaded hem of her black uri. "I can question him further if you like. You could also, if you wanted. I've still got him. I gave instructions for him to be treated decently enough until we decide what to do with him, but it didn't feel right slaying him after making promises that he wouldn't regret cooperating. But that is, tactically speaking, the best and safest thing to do. Slay him and have done with it, lest he do some greater damage once we leave. I just didn't feel right about it without consulting you first." She still looked distraught and burdened, though she knew that she'd done the right thing in divulging all this information to Darin. It still didn't feel good though.

The Tree of Astra (LadyAnnaLee and Blackfridayrule)

Iari wheezed in a slow, mirthful cackle, her carven face brightening noticeably. "Child, I haven't been called "Miss" in a few centuries. Ha!" she slapped her thigh with one knobby hand. Darin was no child, but this elf was easily older than any of the Sols, and most creatures that walked the earth were children to her. Iari laboriously rose, leaning heavily on a smooth, use-polished staff of dark wood. Ajoran offered his arm to her and she took it. "Come, child, I'll show you."

The ancient elf guided Darin around the kitchen, more often pointing and telling her where to find something rather than grab it herself. She was not as mobile as she once had been. She taught Darin how to make the fried bread and watched with interest as Darin made her own version with the soft spiced apples and made mental notes about what other fruits or nuts might go well in the fry bread for later.

The end result was delicious. The fry bread exterior had a delicate crisp on the outside and the inside was pillowy soft with the added satisfying gooeyness of the cooked apples. Each one was rolled in cinnamon sugar. Ajoran ate his first one so fast he was already halfway through the second one when Darin asked his opinion. He laughed a little and almost choked on some inhaled sugar, which made him laugh harder. "These are incredible," he said. "Best keep these away from the Sols, they'll want them year round," he joked.

Ajoran's face darkened when Darin asked how long Ridahne would be occupied. He didn't answer right away, and from the contorted lines on his tattooed brow, it was clear he was wrestling with how to answer. Taja did not often speak of their business to non-taja, with the exception of some eija. It wasn't always a rule, and it wasn't always to protect some kind of state secret. More often, it was a kindness to the listener. Azurei had a reputation for training some of the toughest warriors, but that came at a cost. Ajoran looked into Darin's eyes as if measuring her, then away again. He supposed that if this was going to be his sister by marriage, he owed her honesty.

"She'll give it some time, for sure...how much time depends on how cooperative he is...and how heat tolerant he is, too. We learned a long time ago how heat can break even the strongest man in time. Even when his mind is strong, his body will waver and soon will take his mind down with it. The Azurei have perfected the technique of...Baking." He used the literal word, for he wasn't sure what else to call it. "If you want information out of someone, you stick them in a very small room with no windows and only a small vent in the roof. You stoke some coals and let them burn until the room gets unbearably hot. You can imagine that in a place like this, that's not hard to achieve. You wait until all they can think about is thirst and the want of a cool breeze, and you send in an interrogator, fresh from the outdoors. They do not need a weapon. They bring water. Questions answered to satisfaction are rewarded with water. A lack of cooperation or lies, and the interrogator will simply leave and let them bake further until they're ready to comply. In Azurei, we do not beat our prisoners. We find ways to make them uncomfortable enough that they have no choice but to submit. It's an ugly business. It's why she did not want to take you with her. That kind of grim work is her burden to bear for you and is the work required of her station. Ridahne guards not only your body, but your heart, too. Fiercely. We--the eija and taja--do secretly heavy deeds of sweat and blood so that others may never know of them. Normally I would not even speak of this to you so as not to burden you with it, but considering both your station and your place in the family now, you're owed the full answer."

Ajoran stood. "But we can see if she's finished, and where we might find her. Come, bring the fry bread, it will be a welcome treat I guarantee it." Ajoran walked around the halls for a bit, eventually flagging down any other palace servant to ask if they'd seen Ridahne. One said that she'd seen Ridahne go into the baths and so she laid out fresh clothes for her, but had not seen her since. That had been an hour ago. Ajoran thought that information over, then said, "Let's check the roof. The gardens had once been a place of thought and contemplation for her, but it's a troubled place of death, now. A reminder of her past. I'd bet she's on the roof if she hasn't come to find us."

Sure enough, she was. Dressed in black and gold silk, Ridahne stood out against the clay tiles as she sat with her knees drawn up to her chest and her eyes fixed on the sea. Hearing them approach, she turned, and as her eyes fell on Darin, she gave a smile that looked like it had been shot through with an arrow before it reached full bloom; a pained expression. She was happy to see them both, but seeing them made the thoughts churning inside her come uncomfortably to the surface. "Ah, there you are," she said, trying to be cheerful. "Had a good time in the market, I hope?" She caught sight of the fry bread. "And Iari let you into her kitchen, too, I see. What delicacy did you concoct?"
"Apple fry bread...Darin told me of pie and made this to sort of replicate it, they're still warm."
Ridahne took one and ate it, and it seemed to bring a little mirth back to her face. "The apple is just like I pictured it would be from your description, these are incredible Darin." But it was obvious something was eating at Ridahne and she could waste no time in getting it out. She stood and took Ajoran's hands in hers, pulling him close for a kiss. "Ajoran, I love you very much..."
"But you need a moment alone with Darin, don't you?"
Ridahne touched her forehead to his briefly, as if stealing some of his courage or resolve, then pulled away. "Yes, I do."
Ajoran nodded his understanding, though he bent down to pluck another fry bread from the cloth lined basket. "Alright, but I'm taking this with me...Thank you, Darin, it's been a pleasure to have your company today." Ajoran bowed, but playfully, as if emulating a human nobleman wishing a noblelady good night, and slipped through the window and back inside.

Ridahne sat back down like she weighed a thousand pounds, but she wasted no time. "Darin, there's something I feel I ought to tell you, but I don't want to. I don't want to tell you because I'm afraid of being the bearer of bad news, or complicated news or..." she threw up her hands. "I don't know. Seems like you've generally had a nice day and I don't want to ruin it," she said softly. "And the part of me that wants to protect you says I shouldn't say anything at all. But whether it's because you ought to know, or because I am still Seed-Chained and therefore there is a bond laid on me quite different from the bond of guardianship, or because it's eating me up inside and I need to tell someone I trust, I don't know, but I've decided I don't really have the choice not to tell you. I just have to."

It was a long, long time before she spoke again. Where to begin? How could she tell Darin her suspicions without jumping to conclusions? She was quiet for so long that it seemed she'd dropped the thought altogether and begun a new conversation. "I know you don't like talking about it much, but please, tell me about your father, Darin. Who is he?"

The Tree of Astra (LadyAnnaLee and Blackfridayrule)

Ajoran smiled easily. "You won't mess it up, it's not like if you forget a word or stumble over a part that it's ruined. It's just a ceremony, after all. The ceremony is nice, and it's a way to commemorate our union for sure and to share that moment with the community, but it's not really what binds us together. And anyway, I'll help you. I'll teach it to you while you make this...pie. I am very excited to try it." Ajoran had a relaxed nature when he wasn't facing some kind of threat or was on duty, though when he was, he was sharp, rigid, and highly focused. That was one of the reasons he'd been put forth as a candidate for a taja. But at the moment, it would have been hard for a passerby to believe that this man was an off-duty taja, who often could be identified just from their mannerisms whether they wore the symbols of their office or not.

Ajoran led Darin into the palace through a side entrance, not the main one, and led her down a few halls to the kitchen, which smelled comfortingly of woodsmoke and curry. A few cooks were about the place, each of them receiving barked orders from an absolutely ancient elf woman seated in a chair against one out-of-the-way corner. Her hair was white, though the salt-and-pepper ends suggested it once had been a more customary Azurei black. She was one of the few elves that had deeply carved wrinkles in her brown skin. She caught sight of Ajoran and made a shooing motion with a knobby hand. "Ohhh no, not you again, begone, I have no dainties for you to bring your woman." She spoke bluntly, but there was a warm sparkle in her dark eyes that betrayed her tone.
Ajoran smiled. "Nice to see you too, Iari, as always. But I'm not here for your pastries today. I'd like you to meet someone. Darin, this is Iari, she runs this place. Iari, I'd like you to meet Darin, the Seed Bearer of Astra."
Iari's heavy brows lifted at once. "Ri'atal..." she said softly, almost to herself. "I'm honored to meet you, young one. What brings you to my kitchen, Darin?"

--

For a long moment, Ridahne's face did not change from the stoic, blank expression she held as she listened to her prisoner's panic. She let the silence sit between them like a knife at his throat, looming, threatening, and then a slow and decidedly unkind smile began to touch the corners of her lips. She leaned in close. "Eija-alihn," she corrected softly, voice riddled with implication. Not every outsider knew what the eija-alihn were, or how they differed from a standard eija, but she guessed Harai had spent much time in Azurei and knew the ways of her people well enough to know the meaning of the term.

"I do believe you've told me everything useful that you know. At this point, the only reasonable thing left for me to do is slay you, like any good farmer would slay an animal that has gone mad." Ridahne let an ounce of her own derision surface there. "You and the rest of the Red Hand are like birds that have eaten too many poison berries and can no longer determine which way is up. There is much you do not know or understand, and you seek to meddle in forces you cannot begin to comprehend. I ought to slay you out of pity. I'd like to, personally. I could, too. I could cut off your head and walk out this door and no one would question me. But if I am to be the executioner, I will not also be the judge." Ridahne filled the cup with the last of the water from the pitcher and helped him drink it. "You have been cooperative so far. That will benefit you."

Ridahne opened the door and the diffuse light of cloudy day poured into the dim room like a rush of water. With it came cooler air that even Ridahne was grateful for. She turned to the two men guarding the door. "Douse the brazier. Keep his hands bound but there is no need as of yet to string him up as before. Give him all the water he asks for, and make sure he is fed. But do not release him until further notice."
The two taja nodded curtly. "Yes, Astra-Taja."

Ridahne blinked. Did they mean her? Yes, that made sense...if Darin was Astra-Sol, then that did make her Astra-Taja. She said nothing more to them, but she knew that their sharp, trained eyes would see how she beamed with pride at that thought, even though she tried to hide it. But as she walked away and made her way back towards the palace, her heart sank. She'd learned so many troubling things, and they all weighed upon her heart like anchors. But how was she supposed to tell Darin about her suspicions about this Martin fellow? Perhaps she wouldn't need to speculate, perhaps the mention of him would be enough. She didn't know, and couldn't bear the thought of ruining what had been an otherwise fun day.

Ridahne needed time to think, so she first went to the bathhouse for a long soak. Smelling of juniper, she found dry clothes laid out for her. These were of similar cut to the ones she'd been wearing: a loose uri and a cropped, tight fitting top that seemed to wrap around her and spill loosely over one shoulder. These, however, were black and gold silk. Clean, dry, and dressed, Ridahne stole through the halls until she found her usual way up onto the roof, where she sat for a long time and tried to think of what she'd say to Darin, and what to actually do with the prisoner.

The Tree of Astra (LadyAnnaLee and Blackfridayrule)

I swear I haven’t abandoned you. I’ve generally been feeling a lack of creativity and motivation to do projects and things so I’ve struggled with getting inspired for my next post. But I’m still here I promise!

The Tree of Astra (LadyAnnaLee and Blackfridayrule)

Happy new year!! Here’s to hoping things get better this year!

(Also I promise I’ll post soon it’s been a chaotic time with holidays, travel nightmares, and extreme weather stuff. We had a fire here in Colorado that I was watching burn from work, but I’m good and so is work thankfully)

In Dark Seas We Sail

Pieter spoke and the room filled with a salty odor that made Rohaan instantly thirsty. For a split second, he tried to place the source of such a drastic scent change, but he stopped as one of his other senses burst into focus. Rohaan was a creature born of magic and with magic running through his very blood. Unlike Berlin or Uban, who were humans who carried a form of unpredictable arcane energy called free magic, the magic in Rohaan had been passed down to him through hundreds of years of ancestors. It was a part of him. And like any other creature born of magic, he had the ability to sense it. So as he watched Pieter swear an oath of safety and revenge to him, his expression changed rapidly. His nose wrinkled from the salt smell, which mixed with a distinct hot metal scent that only he was aware of. And then a look like he'd eaten something with a strange texture as he began to feel the change in the air. His mouth opened a little as he stared up at Pieter. As far as he knew, Pieter was not capable of magic like Berlin or Hana. Had that changed? He knew Pieter was a priest but he really did not have any real idea of what a priest was. Vokurians did not have them. He needed to ask him sometime. But he neither saw nor felt anything more.

Regardless of where the sudden influx of magical energy came from, Rohaan did feel a sense of security after Pieter left him. He was still in a turbulent mood, and still had old fears to wrestle with. But like listening to a storm from inside a sturdy house, they felt just one step further away. Oaths of safety and vengeance had been given both in blood and in magic (apparently) and Rohaan felt at least somewhat satisfied with that. He found a nearby bottle of rum and took a swig, flinching a little as rum was usually given to him diluted. But he liked the way the burn made his mouth feel full of fire, like a dragon. There was some comfort in that. The boy wiped his face clear of any remaining streaks of tears and took in a shaky breath. He was older now, and he would not be taken by surprise in the middle of the night, not again. This time, he'd come for them instead. Rohaan took one more drink of the rum, set it aside, and grabbed the potatoes.

He appeared on deck only a few minutes after Pieter, once again wearing his adult form. Though he was not thinking specifically about it, the fact that the Barizian slavers had only taken children, not adults, subconsciously played into his decision to hold the modified form in front of the strangers. Berlin met him and held out his hands for the pot of mashed potatoes. He spoke in Vokurian.

"You sorted, Lad?"
Rohaan's upper lip twitched. His anger towards Berlin had yet to cool completely.
"You don't have to make small talk with them. But I don't want to see any fangs at the table, ya year?"
Rohaan did not speak. This was familiar grounds for both of them.
Berlin nodded softly. "Right. See Uban about a mug of wine. It will do you some good." This was a peace offering; Rohaan was rarely ever given undiluted wine. But if he could stay sober, the alcohol might help to unwind him a bit. Privately, the quasi-father in Berlin wanted to use his magic to take away the boy's fears and anxieties, but he knew that would only serve in the short-term. If he was going to get through this, he'd have to wrestle with it the hard way. Berlin took the pot of potatoes and set them on the makeshift table he'd cobbled up out of some planks and barrels.

---

Uban listened with his full attention, though he did not expect Hana's answer. He'd assumed it was some other elemental rune like water, or wind, or cold, or something like that. But he didn't even know there were runes for goats at all. He couldn't help a laugh. "Goats!?" There was no mocking in his incredulity, only wonder and a bright amusement. "You can...connect to goats? Connect--what does that mean, like speak to them? You should absolutely try that on Rohaan sometime. Goats! I didn't know they had runes for goats. Did you know I used to raise them? Pigs and sheep, too, but a lot of goats." His eyes were beginning to bleed back to their usual green. "How do you learn all this stuff, anyway? Is this all from school?"

Uban was so focused on her answer that he didn't hear Rohaan come up beside him, and when he finally became aware of him he flinched a little in surprise. When had he gotten there? The shifter held out a tin mug like a sullen beggar. "Oh, hey. Wondered if you'd join us. Uh, oh, right!" He fumbled for the cask of wine and filled the mug. "Go easy on that, ain't no water in it."

Rohaan took a sip; it was pretty good. His eyes shifted to Hana and he frowned as if thinking something over. Then a moment later he looked her directly and resolutely in the eyes and said, "My name is Rohaan." All this nonsense with the strangers made him realize how much he actually liked having her around, so it was time to offer up his second name for her use. "In my culture you give your second name to friends." To drive home the point, he restated, "My name is Rohaan." Drawn to the table by the aroma of food like a siren song, he did not wait for any kind of reply and took a makeshift seat.

Berlin watched as everyone gathered around the food. He made a gesture to Uban to go around and fill the mugs again, though he noted that the man seemed unusually hesitant to remove himself from the conversation he'd been having. Wistful, almost. He and Hana had been discussing magic, if his ear wasn't mistaken. And a thought dawned on him suddenly. He wasn't yet sure of it, but he gave both Hana and Uban's faces a closer study. Hmm... But those thoughts were forgotten when he got a closer look at Pieter. He and Rohaan had been below decks for a while, no doubt talking about events topside. Had the boy said something worrisome? No...Pieter had seen the worst of Rohaan already and had rarely ever flinched. There were scarier things in these waters than a shifter boy, after all. No, something else had the man nervous. Berlin made eye contact with his first mate as he sat down, quirking one eyebrow slightly. Should I be worried?