< Talks In The Dark | Ex Pulplogs | Lizardine Diplomacy >
ST The day after the attack by the former crew dawns bright and clean, the river's muddy waters running swiftly from rain last night. The attacking barge has been mostly repaired by Xar's magics leaving only a few scorch marks on the hull and the crew. Carmine has bandaged and healed the wound where Corve got himself shot with a tree.
Corve maintains that he did not 'get shot.' He 'was attacked unexpectedly.' Of course, even he laughs at that.
ST The two newly-hired outcastes talk privately on the deck of their ship, taking a few hours to relax while the mortal crew finishes repairs. The two men Corve had locked below with the slaves in their barge are very quiet, hoping not to rouse any of the still-drugged slaves.
Carmine does her best to deal with the scorch marks on the crew
Corve stands on deck, smoking a cigarette and looking at the water float by. He knows they'll have to leave soon, Carmine and he. He wants to take the two outcaste mercenaries with them, just to make it that much harder on Falling Blackness. With a puff, he lets smoke linger out of his mouth, his elbows leaning on the side of the ship.
ST Corve's reflection stares back at him, then smiles at him with pointy teeth and darts away.
Corve blinks. "What the fu..?" He turns around, catching a sailor in midstep. "Any weird stories about ghosts or spirits in this part of the river?"
ST The sailor nods. "Oyeh, lots. Nothin much to worry bout really."
Carmine "...what?" Carmine looks up from the man she's treating.
Corve looks at Carmine and shakes his head. "I think our one-eyed buddy is spying on us."
Carmine frowns about her.
Carmine "What did you see anyway?" she leans down to keep on bandaging the man, now she applied a salve for his burns
Corve "Myself. And then I smiled at me with fangs, and darted off."
Carmine "...Oh."
Corve "It might've been a combination of my reflection with a piranaha or something... but I'm much more inclined to believe it was something specifically looking at me, all things considering."
Myrrh steps on deck cleaning his goggles with a small grey cloth, having missed most of the excitement above deck while he slept he feels he can probably answer this question atleast. "It was either a minor elemental or maybe a fairfolk...what did it's teeth look like?"
Corve shrugs. "Piranaha's, as far as I could tell. They were all pointy."
Myrrh "Hm. Well if it's a fairfolk we're either near one of their little fortresses or it's just feeding off the locals...
Xar`Rex flies back to the boat, and lands a bit heavily on the deck, depositing several large and tasty looking animals before him. He stretches, and stoically refrains from wincing although he rubs a paw over a few patches that are sadly devoid of scales and looking quite raw.
Corve looks at Xar a tad worriedly. "You alright, big guy? Hey love, maybe you should take a look at Xar's wound... he got hit pretty bad last night, too."
ST The archer responsible was polite enough to offer her Charms to Xar, reducing the splinter-filled holes in his hide with rough, raw patches of ouch, though she couldn't heal the wounds completely
Myrrh glances overboard looking for more killing piranah men.
Xar`Rex "I will heal." he says gruffly. "I brought food."
Carmine "Xar?" She finishes with the man, walking over to him "Let me have a look at those..."
Corve nods at the Dragon King. He doesn't want to step on Xar's toes. If the Dragon wants to heal alone, then he's entitled to it. "Excellent, thank you Xar."
ST Myrrh's muddy reflection seems to be just a reflection. No sight of piranah teeth.
Myrrh "Hm." He shrugs and heads back to the others. "So how far until our next stop?"
ST Despite the easy leisure of today, it is the last day which Carmine and Corve can afford to spend with their friends. If they wish to make it to Great Forks on time, they will have to leave at nightfall. Earlier, if they wish to arrive before the appointed time.
Xar`Rex looks down at Carmine and shrugs a little, "The Silver woman got the splinters out already."
Carmine presses her hands up to the wounds "I can still make them heal faster." she says, as she gentley presses at the area around the wound, checking on the woman's work.
ST The answer to Myrrh's question, of course, depends on where they wish to stop next.
ST A former, now current again, crewman tells Myrrh it will be three days to the Plantation, but there are some small villages along the banks after the next day. Beyond the Plantation he knows of a few larger towns, but mostly nothing until the end of the navigable river at Forest End, where Rivers lives.
ST Reaching Forest End will take six days from here.
Carmine weaves her essence into Xar's flesh, ensuring he'll heal faster, then leans up and kisses his cheek "Thank you for looking after Corve." she whispers into his ear.
Xar`Rex closes his eyes as he feels the healing glow of Carmine's hands. "Thank you, Carmine." He smiles, "Of course." he whispers back, "You must watch out for him on your trip. I worry for his safety against our enemy."
Corve sighs and continues smoking, leaning against the edge of the ship with a grimace. He's not looking forward to the next few days.
ST The rest of the day passes without further incident until it comes time for Corve and Carmine to leave, taking the slave barge down river to Great Forks. Unloading the personal effects of Myrrh and Xar doesn't take long, nor does preparing the barge to carry a skeleton crew, Corve, Carmine and the two outcastes. It will take them almost all the time left before the duel to arrive in Great Forks, but they can make it.
ST Myrrh and Xar will continue with the second barge and most of the mortals up river towards Forest End where they hope to convince Manosque Rivers to teach them Sorcery. Hopefully taking the burned, combat-scarred boat with them will prevent Corve from doing too much explaining in Great Forks.
Xar`Rex watches the others' boat grow smaller as it goes into the distance. "Do you think they will be okay?"
Myrrh "I suppose that depends on if Carmine can keep him from worrying over her...but i'm sure they'll be fine. They have the two Outcaste with them after all."
Xar`Rex snorts, it is Carmine that should worry.
Myrrh "Still...i'm worried this isn't some sort of trap."
Corve sits on the boat silently, looking back towards his two friends that gon the opposite direction. It doesn't feel right- seperating from them. Not when so much is at stake.
Carmine sits next to him, watching the boat receed too. She hoped the pair would be okay ... but they were only learning sorcery...
Xar`Rex "Of course it is. I do not understand why he agreed to go."
Myrrh "Neither do I...I think he wants to prove to this mummy character that he isn't afraid of him. Or maybe just revenge from being cut up so badly."
ST Haste is the keyword for Carmine and Corve. Without pause they take their stolen slave barge down river toward the great city of Great Forks. They are warned by both the outcastes and the crew that taking the river route to Great Forks means passing by the citadel of the Walker in Darkness where it lays on the edge of the Yellow River.
ST Passing the citadel is more challenging then even the well-experienced crew thought it would be, but with the help of the outcastes and the Solars they make it through without anyone joining the undead. For several miles afterwards the barge is trailed by river-dwelling forms but nothing serious arises. Eventually the ship makes port at Great Forks.
ST Tomorrow will be the date Falling Darkness specified in his message to Corve. Tomorrow they will meet somewhere in the city and fight to prove who's manlier, the Abyssal or the Solar.
ST At the dock they find none of the officiousness of Chiascuro. Corve simply signs the ship in at the dock register, provides (stolen) proof of ownership and the number of passengers and type of cargo.
Jasmine Nights strides along the docks, inspecting the incoming shipments, followed by a small pack of servants, none of which are as beautiful as she, but all of whom are quite good-looking. She sends a few off every once in a while, to take care of business on an incoming ship, and some to supervise the loading of a fine looking barge.
Carmine jumps down on to the dockside, for the moment ignoring the pretty woman and her entourage, instead looking around the city again.
Corve stands on the docks near 'his' boat, waiting for the inspector, or whatever it is that he's waiting for, to come around and let them into the city.
ST Corve waits, but sees no one headed in his direction except Jasmine. Carmine gets a good view of the city. From the docks there are three massive gates leading into the city, protected behind its alabaster walls. It shines light a bright gem in the sun, clean and white. Some of the high towers she can see have painted domes in bright colors. Onion-topped towers and long skinny spires poke into the sky from inside the walls
Jasmine Nights and a few burly bodyguard types approach Corve, "This is an unscheduled shipment - you will need a permit to trade in Great Forks, and you'll need to file schedules and shipment logs."
Corve nods in understanding. He expected as much. "Mind telling me how I can go about doing that, so as to not cause anyone any inconvenience?"
Jasmine Nights gestures and a pretty, scantily clad girl slinks over with a stack of parchments. "I have the permits here. What cargo do you carry?"
Corve "Slaves," he says bluntly. It's no secret that Great Forks is not Nexus, and that slaves are legal.
Current steps off the barge looking around at the city before turning his attention to Jasmine and her servants...you really can get everything in Great Forks!
Jasmine Nights "Excellent we could use more. I can take them off your hands if they're decent quality."
Corve is reluctant to sell them, but they will most likely die if they don't receive the adequate drugs. "That'd be acceptable. You can take a look at them yourself and decide."
Jasmine Nights "Is there anything you're looking for here? Our markets are of course some of the best in this Direction, so long as you don't get into trouble." she glances up at him through her lashes, "You won't be getting into any trouble, will you?"
Corve smiles at Jasmine and gives her a shrug. "Not unless other people are looking for trouble with us... can't control what other people do, after all, you know?"
Jasmine Nights "Actually, that's exactly what I do." she grins.
ST The scantily clad girl carrying Jasmine's papers looks the Dragon-Blood up and down and gives him a smile and a hair-flip.
Carmine slips an arm around corve as she sees this.
Corve smiles and wraps his own arm around Carmine, kissing the top of her head.
Current smiles at the paper girl then glances at Corve and Carmine questioningly.
Jasmine Nights lifts a brow at Carmine, "I take it this is your wife?"
Corve smiles at Jasmine. "Not yet."
Jasmine Nights "Well, we have Priests for that, in the holy quarter. Is there anything else I can help you with?"
Corve tilts his head and then shrugs. "Well, after you inspect our cargo and we finalize, it'd be nice for you to point us to somewhere where we can get some lodging."
Jasmine Nights "Safe or cheap? I have both." she looks Carmine up and down, "And you might want to cover those up." she gestures to the golden bracers and collar. "Unless you want to advertise what you are."
Jasmine Nights tilts her head to one side, "You too, of course. I heard about your arrival days before you got here. You should be more careful."
Carmine shrugs a little. It's never really been a problem for her before.
Corve smiles at Jasmine. "Oh? Where'd you hear about us?"
Jasmine Nights "Your little show at the Citadel attracted a little attention."
Jasmine Nights "Which is, of course, why I came here personally to meet you."
Corve "Ah. Couldn't be helped- not our fault; we were just passing through, you understand."
Jasmine Nights "I have heard that one before." she smirks. "Just understand, that sort of thing isn't allowed here in my city."
Jasmine Nights "If you wish to get into a bar brawl or some such, be sure not to cause property damage."
Corve "Then I hope you take the necessary precautions to make sure we're not attacked. Just because it isn't allowed, doesn't mean we don't have a right to defend ourselves- does it?"
Jasmine Nights "That depends on what you mean by defending yourself. If you find yourself with a grudge against someone, sign up to fight them in the arena. I might even give you good odds."
Corve "Oh, I don't hold grudges. People hold grudges against me. It's not my fault- can't be liked by everyone."
Jasmine Nights "Either way. Don't go around bringing the Wyld Hunt down on Great Forks either. They don't tip well."
Corve "Wouldn't dream of it. I can't stand their uppity ways."
Jasmine Nights gestures and a servant offers them clothing that looks as if it would cover their goldy bits up. "Consider this a gift. I hope you will enjoy your stay." she turns and walks off.
Jasmine Nights 's servants enter the barge to take care of business, permits, and slaves
ST Having finished business at the docks, Corve, Carmine and Current go with Jasmine to the lodgings she so graciously decided to recommend to the Solars and their companions. The crew will be staying on the ship for the most part and Silver has volunteered to keep watch on them to make sure nothing goes wrong. Leaving the other three to explore Great Forks and prepare for...tomorrow!!!!
Corve bites his knuckle for a moment, after they've finished settling in, and then looks over to Carmine. Finally, he wanders over and takes her elbow... "Can we talk for a minute," he says, looking around to make sure Current isn't around.
Current glances at his employers for a moment as they run off and then shrugs and heads back to the ship to secure his things.
Carmine "Yes?" she looks at him curiously
Corve scratches his chin. "Hmm. When I thought about it, I thought I was going to be a hell of a lot more delicate when I said this... but... I'd rather get it out sooner, rather than too late..." he rambles, stopping and looking at her in silence. It's endearing, really. He's kind of nervous.
Carmine looks at him sort of blankly and curiously.
Corve doesn't quite blurt it out clumsily- he does have some pride- but it comes out rather... blunt. "I don't know what's going to happen tomorrow, and my parents raised me old fashioned.... so... do you want to get married? Tonight. Before the fight." He raises a brow, his hands in his pockets... 'cause they're sweaty.
Carmine still looks at him sort of blankly and curiously. Why was he so nervous? What was he all worked up about?
Corve stares back just as blankly. This is, after all, generally the moment in which the other person says one of two words.
Corve tilts his head after a while and sighs. "Right. Bad idea then. Nevermind."
Carmine "...What?" she wraps her arms aorund him. "I don't ... understand what you're asking me. I'm sorry."
Corve raises both brows. Huh. That's interesting. "Well... a lot of people have different views about it- most prgatimatical views aren't too appealing. But when two people get married it's because they're in love... and they want to spend the rest of their lives together. That's what I was taught, anyway."
Carmine looks at Corve and nods, still trying to work out what this all meant.
Corve shakes his head. "Nevermind. I shouldn't have brought it up... it's... I didn't realize that you wouldn't really get it right away... I should've gone about it a different way."
Carmine "Sorry Corve." she leans her head on his shoulder.
Corve shakes his head. "It's alright. My fault. Sometimes I think too fast, and act before I see all the angles... it's just... eh," he bites his lower lip. "Usually when someone asks another to marry them, they give them a gift. Most of the time it's a ring, but... sometimes it's something else."
Carmine nods, and gently kisses him "I'm not mad at you ... just confused ... please don't be so worried."
Corve smiles. "I just wish I'd thought it through. Anyway..." he says, reaching into his pocket. "While we were in Yu Shan, I went walking... and... I wasn't really looking for it, but when I saw it I thought you might like it. I didn't know when to give to you, but now's as good a time as any. When a person says yes to getting married, then the two people are engaged... so, if you say yes... this would be your
Corve *engagement... err... necklace. If not, it's still yours... always was." He pulls the necklace out and holds it out for her.
Corve "It's the symbol of Mars, the Maiden of Battles... I thought it appropriate."
Carmine "It's ... beautiful." she stares at the small red symbol, entranced.
Corve smiles a little, unclasping the chain and wrapping it around her neck, clasping it again.
Carmine "Thank you Corve ... thank you so much ... I will think on your question ... and ... answer when I understand it."
Corve smiles a little and leans over, kissing her. "I'll be here," hopefully.
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