18th of Pharast: The Harbor of Anessi & Her Emissaries
Welcome to the Merchant City
In the afternoon on the 18th of Pharast, they finally dock in the Harbor of Anessi: a port that goes around the circumference of the city of Anessi, situated on an eastern-facing island that sits just offshore from the main land mass of Portilla. The capital city of Anessi is a merchant's wet dream; it is chaotic but organized with many goods exchanging hands from all parts of the known world. Shady black-market deals as well as open aired auctions are commonplace, and merchants, pirates, and merchant pirates dock in Anessi's harbor looking for a neutral place to buy, sell, trade, or go underground.
Both ships lower their planks and prepare for some well-earned shore leave.
Captain Kamara stands at the gangplank and is approached by Alex who says, "What is the plan for our departure? We are eager to reach our destination."
The Captain looks at Alex and says, "I am going to see the President to get this mess straightened out. Our departure will happen as soon as my ship is repaired, I will take no other."
As they are discussing these plans, a man walks up the gangplank to meet them. He is a stout dwarf with light blonde hair and a well kempt short beard. He is well-dressed, wearing high-quality linens.
When he approaches, he holds out his hands to Kamara saying, "Miss Kamara, I am glad you've arrived; I was certainly hoping to see you here. You are a bit behind schedule," and he eyes the ship's condition with worry.
He sighs, turns to Alex and says, "Welcome to the City of Anessi. I am Werdico Grigon, the right-hand man to the President. He would like to see you and the rest of your group at his house. When you are ready to depart, please follow me."
Alex gathers the group together from the Duchess, and then meets up with Myne, Roth, and Tarian as they descended the gangplank from the Lady.
Shouldering their packs, they look to Werdico, who says, "Please follow me."
With Kamara and Werdico, they walk from the piers to the city proper, and it truly lives up to the name. The noise and bustle of the late afternoon is at its peak, and the group must take some effort to stay together as they make their way past stalls and open auctions.
Lo looks to Werdico to ask, "Why are we waiting on this ship, why not just take another? Can you say anything about Captain Kamara or her crew...or Captain Kamara and the President for that matter? We feel as if we're walking into a pirate's nation!"
Werdico gives Lo a look and says, "Do not pry into the President's personal matters."
Werdico continues to lead them through a maze of streets, but he seems to know where he is going. Soon he enters an open atrium, and they see a beautiful mansion with a clay tiled roof. Along with the mansion itself, there also seems to be huge expanses of gardens surrounding the house.
The President of Portilla
Werdico steps up to the ornate columnar front patio and knocks at the elaborate, windowed double doors. A young female cat-folk pokes her head out of the door, and when she sees Werdico she lets out a purr and opens the doors expansively. She has emerald green eyes, and is rather scantily-dressed in sheer silks, and golden jewelry adorning her arms and neck.
She smiles and says, "Mr. Grigon, our guests, and the missus is here too, mrow!"
She holds the door open, showing in the group and Kamara. Werdico bows and takes his leave, giving the group and Kamara a "good night" before departing. The cat-folk woman closes the door behind the group, and as they stand in the foyer they take in the lavishly decorated mansion. The lofty ceilings and open layout of the main floor allows the group to see much of the mansion in one eye sweep: there are gold decorations on columns, large motif paintings hanging on the walls, and freestanding sculptures of cherubic figures in little or no clothing.
She smiles at them and says, "Wait here a moment, I will see if he is ready to see you."
She saunters away into the mansion, and as soon as she is out of earshot Alex walks over to Lo and Tarian with a glare saying, "Don't even think about it."
The cat-folk returns, escorting an older, well-dressed half-elf gentleman that the group recognizes as he approaches.
Edward Felstadt gives them a smile and says, "Ah, Pathfinders. Our paths cross again."
Tarian bows and says, "It is good to see you. What brings you here?"
Edward says, "I had business with the President. Unfortunately, I cannot stay, I have other business to attend to."
He looks at the group, seeming to notice differences and says, "One is not here…"
Myne lowers her head and says, "She is not with us anymore."
Edward deflates slightly and says, "I'm sorry to hear that."
He turns to the cat-folk and says, "Rylia, a pleasure as always."
She blushes as he turns to the group and says, "May our paths cross again," and he takes his leave.
Rylia looks at the group and says, "The President will see you now, please follow me."
They follow Rylia through the mansion, her tail hypnotically swaying as she walks in front of them. They reach the back of the mansion, and exit through wide open windowed doors onto a patio with a pool. A warm breeze greets them, and they see potted plants around the patio, with an expansive garden visible further off. Something more visible is a thin but muscular man with tanned skin and bleach blonde hair lounging in a chair next to the pool. The other detail that makes the man 'visible' is the fact that his clean-shaven body is completely buck naked. Lo and Tarian had heard rumors about the President of Portilla before: the nobility of other nations did not affiliate themselves with him very often. He is eccentric, and the others consider him an embarrassment to himself and the class of leaders. Myne blushes furiously, and tries to avert her eyes in any direction other than the tanned figure.
Rylia clears her throat, gestures in the man's direction and says, "The President of Portilla, Coronal L. Griffith III."
Coronal gives a shining smile, stands, and with a warm and honeyed voice says, "Friends! Pathfinders! Welcome to my home!"
He approaches the group and begins forcibly shaking each of their hands.
He then notices Kamara standing with the group with her arms folded in front of her and gives her an even bigger smile saying, "Kamara my dear! You made it home!"
Without a word, she decks him across the face and says, "You lazy piece of shite! Your gang members attacked us! And where are your clothes?!"
Coronal recovers from the punch admirably, and says, "I'm terribly sorry my dear."
He pulls on a satin robe, but leaves the front open as Kamara continues angrily, "I had no passage, you didn't renew my contract!"
He gives her a blank look, and then dread spreads across his face as he says, "I need to go to my office!"
He gives a hurried look at the group as he begins to stride towards the patio doors and says, "I would like you all to join me for dinner, I need to pass on some things to you. My home is yours, don't hesitate to ask for anything. I have some…business to attend to at this moment!" and he briskly walks into the house with the satin robes billowing out around him and Kamara following in his wake.
Alex shouts to him, "Sir, you need to sheathe your sword!"
Myne gives him a confused look and says, "Alex, he isn't wearing a sword."
They are left in the peace and quiet by the pool, and are suddenly very self-conscious about their appearance and smell.
They each look to Rylia who smiles at them and says, "I will show you to the wash rooms where you can bathe and get a change of clothes. You will have a couple hours before you are called to dinner, so please make yourselves at home. Enjoy the pool, the gardens, or the library."
Alex arranges for a shave and a change of clothing, and the other men in the group ask for the same.
Myne looks desperately at Poppet and mouths a, "Help!"
Rylia gathers a group of servants to escort the group to the wash rooms to bathe. The men and women split into two groups to bathe and take advantage of the adjoining dressing rooms to select clothing appropriate for dinner.
Poppet & Myne: Girl Talk
In a private dressing room of Coronal's, Myne nervously sits on a chaise lounge in a fluffy towel as Poppet (also wrapped in a towel) browses the dresses and skirts available in the huge closet. Poppet amuses herself with the options, talking to herself about the fashions, trying to select something fitting for both her and Myne. It had been a long time since she had been exposed to these kinds of fabrics and styles, and she wanted to take her time with them.
Hesitantly, Myne speaks up from outside the closet, "Umm, how's it going in there? It looks like a forest of clothing."
Poppet pokes her head out of the closet and runs her gaze along Myne. Pursing her lips for a moment, she turns back into the closet, leaving a wave of blonde curls to twirl behind her.
"Fine!" she calls out from the racks of clothing, "Just trying to find... something..."
Myne scratches a scar on her shoulder and says, "Well how many options can there be? It's just clothing, right?"
Poppet spins out of the closet, eyes popping comically. "Just clothing?!" she parrots.
Dissolving into soft giggles, she continues, "Oh, you dear little thing. Just you wait!"
After a few more minutes of rummaging, Poppet returns to Myne with a stack of fabric draped over her arm.
"Put these on!" she tells Myne, laying the bundle in her arms before disappearing back into the closet for clothes of her own.
Myne examines the pile critically, and then at the opening to the closet where Poppet had disappeared into while saying, "What, all at once?"
She gives a sigh, knowing that she needs to attempt to be presentable at dinner, at the very least to not jeopardize their standing in the city, and picks up a small linen dress. She pulls it over her head and tries to adjust it before looking at herself in the mirror.
"There's more stuff on the floor…is this what I'm supposed to look like? How do you know about all this anyway, Poppet?"
Poppet pauses a moment before rounding the wall of the closet, leaning a hip against the frame. "I've walked many paths in my life," she says, not quite meeting Myne's eye.
She has a distant look as she continues, "Though, it has been quite some time since I've had to worry about what is the latest fashion. Silks and blood never make a good combination after all."
Myne grins and says, "Tough stain to get out? I take it you were not always part of the traveling performers then?"
Poppet's gaze moves along the floors, darkening under the weight of the memories rushing through her head.
She then wrinkles her nose and shakes her head, returning her gaze to Myne before laughing, "Oh…right. My past is one of those topics that never comes up. Ever the elusive witch in our band of merry travelers."
She smiles at Myne before ducking back into the closet.
She finally gives in while hidden within the folds of clothing, "To answer your question: No… I spent much of my early life in Gangai. Though not all of it involved worrying about what finery one should wear to dinner. In fact, at a certain point I had exactly two identical sets of cream-colored livery to choose from..."
Myne approaches the doorway, carefully allowing Poppet to stay concealed in the closet and says, "I've spent my whole life in Kassen, the daughter of an herbalist, so my life does not extend much past my experiences on the road these past few months. You on the other hand seem to have lived much longer than your appearance would suggest."
Another soft laugh issues from the closet, and Poppet rounds the corner of the wall dressed in a short, silk shift. She gives Myne the most innocent look she can muster.
"Perhaps," she replies, before giving Myne a wide grin.
"I am..." she starts, losing her cocky facade and giving Myne an uncertain look.
She sighs and continues, "I am not quite what I've made myself out to be, I suppose. Though, I've never really told any of you anything. I simply let my appearance be taken at face value."
Myne admires Poppet's slight figure in a dress that seems to flow out around her legs with the aid of a mysterious breeze and says, "You look very pretty in that dress by the way. Not that I'm much of a judge but it seems to suit you."
Poppet blushes and turns to the mirror, raising her right hand and running her thumb along one of the blue tattoos over her collarbone. Her eyes find Myne in the mirror and she smiles.
Myne continues, "As for the rest of you, your recent changes make me think that you've been through much, and sometimes bringing up hardships can be daunting. But if you ever need anyone to talk to I will not judge, I will simply try to understand."
Poppet gives Myne a warm and thankful expression, saying, "I hope you know that I will attempt to do the same, Myne. It has been many years since I've placed my trust in another besides my dearest Widget, and many more years since I've formed any close bond with another woman."
She turns and regards Myne's appearance, "You know, as lovely as that dress is, how do you feel about trying on something a little more…" she pauses, looking for the right word, "...soft?"
She grabs a white, silken dress and holds it between herself and Myne, "Put this on, but find the undergarments I gave you in that pile before! No linen for you tonight!"
Poppet offers Myne a wink before grabbing a cream and gold dress from one of the piles of clothing.
Myne looks down at herself and says, "You have to wear clothes under the clothes? Gozreh help me!"
She carefully finds items that look like they will fit tight to her body, and then takes the proffered silk garment and retreats behind the screen.
As she pulls on the garments, she says to Poppet, "I've never touched this kind of fabric before. It feels like solid water."
Poppet's voice reaches her from behind the screen, "I have not had the luxury of a silk dress since I was young… I have a few scarves that I stole away from a previous life, but it's simply not the same, is it?"
Myne adjusts the skirt and emerges from behind the screen blushing and says, "No, I guess not…. I feel as if I'm not wearing anything! Were you brought up in a nice home with these kinds of luxuries?"
Poppet, now wearing the sleeveless cream dress with gold trim appraises the look in the mirror, and smiles when she sees Myne in the off-the-shoulder pure white dress, the drape in the back showing off Myne's strong, lithe figure and says, "That looks perfect, my lovely. As for my home life, I was born to nothing. At one point, I was taken in by a very affluent family. Which was nice for a time, and then it wasn't, so I left."
Eyes misted with a fog of memories, Poppet picks up a dark red scarf and winds it around her waist before twinning it up and around her arms, clasping the ends together over her left shoulder. Seating herself at a white vanity, she pulls her hair back from her temples, twisting it back before forming an elaborate bun with the mass of yellow curls.
Pulling back a few pieces loose at her ears and her neck, Poppet finally meets Myne's eyes in the mirror again, "You know, I'm used to trying to find out other people's secrets, not sharing my own," she says with an exaggerated sigh at Myne.
Seeing Myne's expression she quickly sticks her tongue out at her friend and winks before braiding a piece of hair at her neck, wrapping it around the bun and tucking the ends out of sight. She turns and regards the young Myne with an expression that suggests she is almost relieved to reveal some of who she really was. Myne, in turn, could tell that she is putting on a strong face for her, and that this mysterious figure had been hurt and alone for a long time. She steps forward and wraps her arms around Poppet, giving her a warm, comforting hug, and allows Poppet to rest her head on her chest.
She says, "I know I'm young, but I can see your pain, and I'm sorry."
She holds Poppet tight and says, "We can be sisters, you and me. I've lost the only person that I could confide in, but maybe we can be that for each other."
Stunned for a moment, Poppet tentatively wraps her arms around Myne.
She smiles and says, "I'd like that. I think. I mean, it's been a long time since I've tried, but I believe this would make me happy."
She looks up at Myne and grins, which quickly gives way to something more mischievous before she reaches up and plays with a lock of Myne's hair, "What are we doing with this?"
Myne runs a hand through her strawberry blonde hair, and grins, "I know this is going to illicit shock from you, but I don't know what else to do with it…I washed it. It's almost long enough to pull back now. I usually cut it- long hair gets caught in brambles, but I haven't cut it in months now. I know that many of Gozreh's temple priestesses keep long hair, but that seems so impractical."
Poppet giggles at her friend, "Why do you think mine is always braided or pulled back when we travel?"
Myne sighs and thinks for a moment before saying, "When I was younger my mother had a way of pulling back my hair, she called it an Anian Twist or something. She liked my hair longer, as all mothers do I guess."
Myne makes an attempt at pulling it back and twisting it, then looks around frantically for pins. She finds some in a jar on an ornate white vanity, sticks the pins in haphazardly, and then gingerly takes her hands away from her hair to see the effect. Moving around Myne and trying to hide her smile, Poppet tells Myne to sit at the vanity's cushioned bench before smoothing back the design and removing some of the pins. With a few strategically placed new pins, she manages to pull off the effect that her friend was trying to achieve, with her bangs framing her face beautifully.
"There," she says, giving Myne a soft grin, "wait until your ranger sees you now."
At the mention of Roth, Myne blushes furiously and says, "How… what… I don't know what you mean…"
Erupting into giggles, Poppet gives a conspiratorial wink, "Oh of course you don't, my dear."
Myne shudders and says, "I don't know if I can even look at him like this! He's… he's an elf, he must have seen so much of the world already. I must look like a child to him!"
Poppet sits next to Myne and nudges her with her shoulder, "The pretty little redhead that blushes every time she looks at him? I think he'll take notice all on his own."
Myne gives Poppet the kind of look that a cornered rabbit gives to the hunter and says, "I… I've never been with anyone that way before, I don't even know what to say… have you… have you ever been with someone?"
Eyes widening momentarily, Poppet tenses. Turning her head sharply towards a window, she squeezes her eyes shut and exhales heavily.
"That," she manages to stutter out after a moment, "is not something I wish to…"
She pauses, squeezing her eyes shut and attempts to answer her friend, "I… Yes, I have, but there was nothing soft or romantic about my past encounters."
Refusing to look back at her friend, Poppet attempts to school her features and bury the panic rising in her chest.
Myne sees the change in her friend's demeanor and says, "I didn't mean to upset you-"
"Myne," Poppet, cuts off her friend, turning back and taking her hands, "It's… fine. You did not intend to unearth old aches, and by this point in my life I really should have moved past them. I just…"
She gives her friend a tired look before continuing, "Intimacy, in that capacity, is not something that I have been comfortable with since my youth. Perhaps one day, but..."
She gives in to a playful grin before adding, "Just let me live vicariously through you, yeah?"
Myne gives her a grin back, still blushing furiously and says, "If I can even get past 'Hello,' I'll let you know how it goes. In time I hope that your wounds can heal, and maybe you too will find another."
"Maybe," Poppet mutters, leaning over to the vanity to grab a small box of makeup.
Digging through the contents, she adds offhandedly, "I've had decades to get over my issues with men, and while I still tense whenever one gets too close, I suppose I at least don't start whimpering anymore."
Missing the way Myne's eyes widen at the unintended drop of information, Poppet makes an exclamation before pulling out powders and turning on Myne, "Now, for the final touch!"
The mention of Poppet's age puts Myne's mind on edge, trying to figure out exactly what this person before her really was. Nothing fit for the races she was familiar with, and then she wonders about the strange connections that are sometimes made between very different forces. Even she was not of any one race, she was of two races.
Tentatively she says, "My mother never took another man after I was born. She's a human, and my elven father was gone before I was born. She won't tell me about him, but I don't think I was conceived out of violence…she seemed to like him. Two races often meet, and create something new, and then separate again. Are you something of the like?"
Poppet looks at her friend, surprise written over her features.
Without warning, Poppet starts laughing, curling over herself and wrapping her arms around her stomach, "Myne! You remind me too much of myself!"
She tries to contain herself before continuing, "Oh, gods! And I thought my own people liked to listen to the wind. You, my darling, could put even the most quizzical Sylph to shame!"
Grinning at Myne now, she leans over and kisses her forehead, "Yes, I'm something like that, though my father is something much more than some mortal elf."
Myne smiles at Poppet's enjoyment, and says, "I hope I'm not prying, I want to know you though, and I'd like to think that I can derive much from a situation by simply examining it. My experience does not give me much help. I have little of it, but I watch, and I listen when it interests me. So what exactly is a Sylph, since you are being generous about revealing yourself at the moment?"
"Sylphs are a subset of humanoid offspring between mortals and elementals. Specifically, my father was an air elemental of some sort."
Waving her hand as if to lessen the look in Myne's eyes, she continues, "I know nothing of him, only what my mother has mentioned. Unlike your case, however, I doubt endearment had much to do with my conception. But my mother had me, and she adored me until she passed, so I'm glad I was at least some sort of comfort for her."
Myne looks in awe at Poppet and says, "Do you feel a strong connection to the air? And exactly how old are you? You look no older than twenty, but you have spent decades on this earth already!"
"Questions, questions!" Poppet muses, working on Myne's makeup.
"I have a peculiar connection to the winds and such magic, strong emotions usually lead to me stirring the air into gusts and tempests. A most annoying habit for one that tries to keep their lineage under wraps, so to speak. As for my age," she ponders a moment, "Eighty… something? Eighty-seven, I believe. Years are kinder on my kind, as are those born to the other elementals."
She gives Myne an amused look. Myne continues to stare at Poppet, unable to imagine what it would be like to be so connected to the forces of nature, and to live for so long.
She brings her features under control again and says, "I apologize for my curiosity, but I am so glad to know who you are. I've never met anyone like you."
Poppet nods sagely and says, "I don't doubt you. Sylphs are rare, I've met only a precious few, and I know what to look for. As for your curiosity, don't worry. My race is unbearably curious, and your questions come from a good place. We've traveled together for many moons now, and I've revealed little of my own hand. You get Mastodon to tell you his life's story, and then I'll be impressed!"
Myne giggles and says, "It won't happen. He makes me nervous, not that I think he'll do anything, but his demeanor is so stern and silent."
Poppet laughs, thinking back to the traveling circus days, "He will not turn on any of us without reason. He seems to have fallen on a generous source of income, and I doubt even he'll turn his nose from it. Aside from his less-than-ideal moral compass, whatever heart that man has is in the right place. He had a soft spot for the children in the caravan. Gods, I think some of them were more afraid of me than they were of the 300-pound man in constant armor!"
Myne nods and says, "That's because he is real, with a sword, something tangible. You fall outside that, you have power, but it is not as easy to define, and that makes people wary."
Poppet gives Myne a wicked-looking grin, "Oh, especially considering my former patron! Now though, no one will ever take me as frightening again. Agent of the goddess Milani, healer to those in need, followed by an adorable, little Azata…"
Poppet's eyes widen for a moment, scanning the room before hanging her head, "Oh gods, I don't know where she is."
She brings her hand to her head and rubs the bridge of her nose, "Fuck!"
She sighs, "Well, nothing to do about it. She's probably causing trouble somewhere, hopefully this Coronal has a sense of humor. Though, judging by how we met him earlier, I'm sure he'll forgive whatever it is that Ellete is messing with."
"He certainly is interesting," says Myne, blushing slightly as she pictures Coronal, "but a man with this much wealth and power is one that I worry about upsetting…hence my efforts for tonight."
"And here I thought you were just indulging me, or our ranger," Poppet laughs, "But I wouldn't worry, I've heard enough about the man, and he won't be worrying whether his guests know which fork to use for which part of the meal. And you look beautiful, my dear. So hopefully he'll just be distracted."
Myne gives a shudder and says, "Well, there will be two to distract him, and if I have been able to indulge you, then I am happy for it. Thank you for everything: it has been a pleasure to have a friend to talk to. I... I miss Sara terribly."
Finishing off her own makeup, Poppet winks at Myne, "Anytime my dear. I am sorry for your loss, but do not despair, we may yet bring her back. And your inquiring nature will serve you well as we try to find a solution. Though, you know most of my secrets now, you haven't worked them all out yet."
Myne grins and says, "Challenge accepted."
Dining with Coronal
The time leading up to dinner is passed in various ways: Tarian wanders around the mansion, drumming up conversation with the servants and trying to get any news he can; Alex does his best to receive any military news by perusing documents in the library; Lo and Mastodon hang out by the pool; and Roth strolls the gardens. The girls are mysteriously missing for most of the time, only emerging from Coronal's private dressing rooms just before Rylia calls them to the dining room. At first, the men wonder how they could have been gone for such a long time doing nothing but dress themselves until they see the full extent of their efforts. They can do little more than gawk on their way to the table as they look Poppet and Myne up and down: both girls are wearing short silk dresses, revealing more of their feminine companions than they had ever seen.
Poppet appears to have a golden glow: her hair is pulled back in an elegant bun with wisps of golden curls dangling down her neckline. The sleeveless cream dress shows off her swirling light blue tattoos that drape across her collarbone and adorn her arm. As the eye travels south, the pattern continues down her left leg disappearing in curls on the top of her slippered feet. Golden bangles on her arms and ankles give her a tinkling sound when she walks. Myne's snow-white dress reveals the young half-elf's lithe body that would normally be covered in her utilitarian traveling clothes. The drape in the back of the dress shows the lines of her strong shoulders and back, and her bare legs are accentuated with sandals that strap up to her calves with satin ribbons. Her normally tousled hair is smoothed back in a twist, with her bangs hanging over her eyes in strawberry blonde fringes. The girls are both wearing smiles that suggest they know full-well how they look, and are sharing some kind of conspiracy together, but they carry themselves differently. Poppet holds herself like a lady with her chin slightly up and her eyes focused, while Myne looks more towards the floor, blushing slightly under their gazes.
They are shown to their seats by the servants who then hold their chairs, seating the ladies first and then the men. Each seat has a setting of ivory plates with gold trim and crystal glassware. There is even a golden bowl for Rauros on the floor next to them. The table has evenly-spaced candles that shine light on their dinner: large platters of roasted meats, tureens of seafood, bowls of tropical fruits, and baskets of freshly baked bread. The servants begin offering and pouring wine for the group, which only Alex declines. He requests a non-alcoholic drink, and the servant offers him a glass of pineapple juice, which he accepts with curiosity. He had never had the tropical fruit before, and he enjoys the sweet pulpy drink more than he expected.
As the servants finish pouring wine into their glasses, Coronal and Kamara finally enter the dining room about a minute apart. Kamara enters first, and takes her seat at the table with a self-satisfied air, and wearing a simple black satin dress. Coronal enters second, wearing nothing but a pair of linen pants and a stupid grin on his face. He grabs his seat at the head of the table and immediately reaches for a turkey leg. He smiles at them as he starts munching, and gestures for them to dig in as well.
They all begin selecting food for their plates, and as they do so Coronal cheerfully says, "Rylia! Bring these guys some of the good stuff!"
He nods at Tarian and Alex saying, "You two look like Old Law Whiskey drinkers, am I right?"
Alex stiffly says, "I don't drink..." while Tarian nods back enthusiastically.
They all enjoy the food and drink, and as they make their way through the food Coronal beams at them and says, "I can't thank you all enough for what you're doing. I can really get cash flowing in the east if you can get rid of this Isidorian problem."
The group exchange looks and finally Alex speaks up and says, "We have higher hopes than just trade, but we are glad that it is convenient for you."
Coronal nods and says, "Well I can tell you that this whole situation is putting a damper on my trade routes, so you guys just keep doing what you're doing! Heck, that's the whole reason I'm funding this mission, and why you have the best captain on the seas to get you there!"
He gives his wife a wink at this remark and continues, "I have some things for you to help with your mission," and ushers to his servants.
They come back into the dining room carrying various objects. The first servant carries a large iron-bound chest that he opens upon reaching the table, revealing eight potions: four Cure Moderate Wounds potions, two Cure Serious Wounds potions, a potion of Cat's Grace, and a potion of Stoneskin. The second servant comes in carrying a small wooden box, from which she pulls out a simple metal rod.
As she displays it, Coronal says, "This is not just a piece of metal. It is an Immovable Rod. You can do push-ups on that thing! There's a button on the side that holds it in place magically!"
The third servant brings out a pair of boots, and as the servant holds them up, Coronal says, "These are Boots of the Cat. They have a heel on them to make you appear taller than normal, but the real thing is that they allow the wearer to take less damage from a fall."
He rummages in his pocket and says, "Finally, from my personal collection: this is a Pirate's Eye Patch! This has magical powers, and will help you with swimming."
The group thanks him for the gifts in their own ways, and Coronal happily nods and tells them with enthusiasm to enjoy the meal and the drink.
Tarian begins to chat up Coronal about his guild, and the rest of the group sits in silence as they finish their meal. Coronal tells them that his home is theirs; that they would stay with him as personal guests until the ship can be repaired and they can continue on their way, which he anticipates taking three days. Myne stands from the table first, thanking Coronal for his gifts and retreating to the quiet of his gardens. The rest of the group stays at the table to enjoy more drink and conversation into the night, each of them leaving the table at various lengths to entertain themselves for the night.
Unseen Eyes
Late into the night, the dining table has finally been abandoned by all but Ellete, who is enthusiastically trying to drink the last of the wine that has been left at the table. At a small table in a den, Tarian and Lo are conversing together over another bottle of wine, laughing about their exploits over the last couple of months. Myne is in the garden enjoying the scenery, and as she strolls along, admiring the tropical flowers, she feels something over her shoulder, as if she is being watched. More than that, it makes her uncomfortable; she breathes deeply, and slowly turns. She does not see anyone in the garden with her, and she swallows her dread and tries to rationalize the feeling that takes over her thoughts. It is a persistent presence that does not retreat, and Myne begins to have half-shaped ideas of what could cause the feeling: she fears her cousin's magic more than ever as she rushes towards the house in search of Poppet, the only person that might be able to confirm her dread. Roth had also been enjoying the solitary quiet of the gardens when the bright white of Myne's dress catches his eye as she rushes toward the house, looking as if something has frightened her. He quickly searches around for a cause of the disturbance, but does not see anything that could have given her fright. He keeps his eyes on her as she runs inside, and assumes she must be seeking out Poppet. He decides to let her go alone, hoping that if she did need him that she would seek him out.
Myne runs into the house, and finds Poppet fishing Ellete out of a wine glass in the dining room. Poppet is wearing an expression of slight annoyance and exasperation, but when she sees Myne running towards her with a worried expression she carefully places the damp and wine-stained faerie on the table and gives Myne her full attention.
Myne looks around furtively and says, "Poppet can I talk to you, now, please, can we go somewhere?"
Poppet senses the half-elf's urgency and nods, saying, "Let's go to my room."
As the two make their way down the guest wing hallway, Myne feels the sensation of being watched diminish and fade, and by the time they are in Poppet's room with the door closed and bolted the feeling is gone.
Myne looks at Poppet and says, "I just spent the last five minutes feeling like I was being watched. It was awful, like someone could see me when they didn't have the right! There was no one around me, so I assume magic is at work. Please help!"
Poppet steps closer to Myne and quietly tries to detect a magical energy, but she does not feel anything any longer, "Myne, whatever it was, it is gone. I don't sense any magic around, but maybe Ellete can help in the morning when she isn't… incapacitated. You can stay here for the night if you don't want to be alone."
Myne gratefully accepts the invitation, and then pushes a dresser in front of the door as a precautionary measure before the two girls prepare for bed.