A pirate doesn't care so much for blending in. It's said that they're devils and black sheep, they plunder and cheat. They extort and embezzle, they pilfer and loot. Down to the core, they're all something alike. Alanna wasn't raised as a pirate, though the last ten years as one has certainly instilled some of their values. She walked tall among the crowd, with a lighthearted step and a sparkle in her eye. It was her next big adventure. The only problem was, she didn't know what it was or where this road would lead her. And as she climbed the steps into the Cairn, the wind only tugged at her harder. Was it the gods pushing her this way? A low chuckle emerged as she waved off the notion.
Social niceties and the charm of her smile carried her well through her journey. Striking up a conversation wasn’t hard, and it seemed as if this group was more than happy to share what information they could. Each had their own reason for embarking on the long trek to the Cairn, though none seemed intriguing, or daring enough to warrant Alanna's company further.
As she claimed victory, finally reaching the plateau, she smiled. Her gaze wandered over the luxurious scenery, the towering mountains never ending in the backdrop. Throughout all of her adventures, all of the jobs she had taken, she had seen some extravagant landscapes and breathtaking views. But nothing could have prepared her for this. There were so many small details that reminded her of home. Yet it welcomed so many different walks of life. Her smile reflected the heart of a child, triumphant in their ability to walk, to wander, broadening their horizons with each step. Coming to realize the world is so much bigger than the oceans she had been tied to, and the spoils she would claim within this new world. Well, it was new for her, and the way she saw it, hers for the taking.
Alanna was dressed in her usual, with her hair pulled back for once. Her brown leather duster, caked in dirt and dry mud from the long trek, danced around her calf muscles as the wind trickled through the outpost. Her collar was popped up to shield her bare neck from a cool caress carried down from the mountain tops. The afternoon sun offered just enough warmth to allow her to sit, lazy and unburdened, by the unlit fire pit, just opposite of the dwarves. Her buttox was buried into the ground with her backside leaning against a sturdy log. Her feet were crossed at the ankles, and her legs extended out in front of her. Her eyelids remained closed. She was basking in the sun like a lizard in the desert, enjoying the dribble of conversation she could overhear, and the merry tune which filled the outpost and lifted spirits. She soaked in every bit of noise.
Alanna had been slumming in the encampment for 2 days now. She wasn't quite sure what was next for her, and the trek beyond was a perilous one to be traveled alone. She had come this way based on rumors and fairytale. Regardless if they were true or not, the Cairn provided much more than just trade and safe slumbers. It was an outpost indeed, and for those who knew where to look or how to listen, it provided information.
One eye opened as she heard the many footsteps making their way up the slope. Then the other opened to gander at the new arrivals, measuring every detail. There were a few that caught her attention this time around. Had the tides changed? She decided not to approach, and kept her distance for now. Further scrutiny may be necessary, and so she would just observe with a keen eye and open ears. Choosing her new travel companions was just as tedious as selecting new crewmates. It wasn’t a matter to be taken lightly, especially considering the rumors she heard, which brought her here in the first place.
Her eyes followed a tall, brutish figure walking towards the smith. She had recognized the colors he wore. Her thoughts lingered on him for a moment, curious why he was all by his lonesome, and here of all places. In an effort to not attract attention, Alanna peeled her gaze away from the Knight, returning it to other new arrivals.