The dawn of a new day broke through the port window of the lower decks of the Alexandria. The soft sunlight was enough to wake Ruby from her deep sleep. The hammock she lay in was beginning to get uncomfortable. Thankfully, she was more than sure she wouldn't need to sleep in it again.
She lies there a few minutes longer, enjoying the quiet of the canopy. The ship's crew was all already up and working on their morning. Ruby sighed softly, idly running her fingertips over the deep green bindings on her skin.
A traditional tattooing those of her home land did for important people. At least that was what she told people who asked about them. She never told the truth about them. Not unless she found someone she trusted enough with such vital information about herself.
A knock on the wood doorframe pulled her from her thoughts and she sits up, looking over. One of the men who slept in the room with her and a few others stood there, a mug in his hand. "I have a special delivery, from the captain." He says.
Her eyes narrow at the cup in his hand, before she looks at him. "What is it?" She asked, almost suspicious.
"It's tea." He says, dryly. "It's from the captain's special collection." He steps into the room, sighing. "It isn't poisoned, if that's your concern." He says, offering the cup out to her.
She was hesitant to take it, but reluctantly gave in and took the cup from his hands. "Uh… Thanks." She says, looking down at the contents of the cup now in her hands. It was a soft green colour, with a mint leaf floating on the surface of the sweet smelling tea.
She didn't see him leave, nor did she really care all that much. She was focused more on the tea cup in her hands. She sighed and hoped she wouldn't owe the captain anything for this, taking a sip of it.
It was burning hot on her tongue, but she didn't let it bother her, enjoying the flavor of the tea.
The tea had a sweet berry flavor to it, one unfamiliar to her. She didn't know the flavor, but enjoyed it all the same. The added mint gave and extra tangy feel to it that made her feel comfortable and warm.
She reminded herself to suck up her suspicions long enough to get some of this tea from the captain before making her escape off the boat once it docked in Morendail.
With the tea in hand, she climbed the steps at the end of the short hall up to the main deck of the ship. The morning sun shone softly through the thick white sails.
It took a moment for Ruby's eyes to adjust to the light, but when they did, she looked forward, seeing a large mass of land in the far distance. The sight made her smile. It was land, more likely to be Morendail. It was a beautiful sight to behold. Mostly because it meant her freedom would feel far more real.
"Good morning, sleepyhead." Tai's voice says from her left. He looks over at him, grinning when she sees his hair up in a bun.
"You look ridiculous with your hair up like that." She says with a soft laugh, walking over to her new found friend.
"You think so? I think it looks good!" He grins right back at her. "I think it suites me." His voice holds a smooth confidence in which she admired. She added that to the list of reasons she liked this… Guy? She reminded herself to later ask about him once they reached the shore of Morendail.
"Alright, whatever you say." She laughs softly, looking down at her tea once again.
"What's that you have there?" He asked her, noticing the cup.
"It's tea. It's a special delivery from the captain, apparently." She shrugs. "I'm not sure what kind. I don't recognize the flavor." She says, looking at him again.
Without much of a word, he takes the cup from her and sips its contents. She looked surprised, and a little offended by the action, but he chose to ignore the soft glare now plastered on the short woman's face.
"Hmm…" He thinks for a moment as he assesses the flavor. "Blossom berry, and royal blue. With…" He thinks a moment more. "Mint, is it?"
She looks at him for a moment. She'd never heard of those berries before. "I've never even heard of those before." She says to him.
His reaction made her laugh. His face twisted into a look of disgust and offense, a hand on his chest to exaggerate it further. "You haven't heard of them? I mean who even are you?"
She laughs out loud at that, covering her mouth as she does so. "I grew up on a small channel of isles. We don't have many berries growing there, especially not any called blossom berries, or royal blue." She says through soft laughter.
Tai smiled and patted her shoulder. "I was only teasing. That is good tea though. I like it."
"I like it too. I want to get some for when we leave the boat, but I don't really want to get all buddy-buddy with the captain to get more…" She sighs, sipping more of the lovely tea in her hands.
"No problem." He shrugs, leaning back. "It's a rather common tea if you know where to look. We can find you some when we dock." He smiles.
"Well, aren't you a sweetheart."
With the sight of their destination in the near distance, everyone seemed much happier; which was a delight.
They were all more than ready to get off the boat and on dry land once more.
Ruby over all was just excited to see the world outside Morencreek. There was a vast world out there, and she intended to see it all. This world was hers for the taking.
Maybe Tai too, depending on how long the two travel together.
He seemed reasonable enough of a partner. He was funny, and doesn't seem to be as much of a moron as those around her. She could deal with him, at least for the time being.
The Alexandria soon reached the great country of Morendail. In the nearing horizon, the city of Altria came into view. A beautiful elven city with tall buildings made of smooth stone and the finest wood the land had to offer.
The mountain range to the left of the city was blanketed in thick, tall trees, all colored beautifully in orange and red of the autumn season. Trees could be seen everywhere you look, but it never felt like too much.
The Alexandria arrives at the docks of this beautiful city and the crew exited the vessel.
The elves, such a beautiful race of beings they were. They lived far longer than any other race known of, and they acted with such a grace that made them seem far better. It wouldn't be a stretch from the truth, however.
As they all stepped onto the dock of Altria, they were greeted by the scent of fresh wood, and a sweet honey scent. It was an interesting mix of smells, but worked well together.
Ruby stepped off the boat with Tai, taking in the sweet scent of this new land. "Wow…" She sighs, looking around. "This place is beautiful. Is this Altria?"
"Indeed it is, my dear Ruby. Altria, the city of elves. Altria is known for its fine foods and fabrics. It's quite the rich and wonderful land." Tai spoke with a grin on his face, also looking around at the beauty.
The two of them walk together down the beautiful stone walkway. The smooth stone of the buildings were twisted and coiled in thick green vines. It reminded Ruby of home in an odd comforting/discomforting way. She wasn't sure if she liked or hated it.
The Elven citizens of the vast city all seemed to be very intelligent beings; all gorgeous as well, even in their elderly age. Many who worked at the docks were men, though there were a few children about who were adamant to help their elders in carrying crates and packages to wherever it is they need to be taken.
"Come on, Ruby. Let's go find an inn." Tai suggests, patting her shoulder. He then stretched, feeling/and hearing a pop in his back. "Ah, that felt good!" He says with a tone of satisfaction in his voice.
Ruby grimaced, looking at him. "That sounded awful!" She protests, sticking her tongue out in disgust. She frowned when she heard her companion laugh at her discomfort, a hand clapping on her back.
"That it did. But it felt good! My back feels a little bit better." He laughs as he spoke, slinging his back of stuff over his shoulder. "Come on."
Ruby followed him down the stone walkways that followed, glancing around the area as they wandered on. "So, any idea where the Inn is?" She asked him out of idle thought. The question was simple enough, and should gain a simple answer. She looked at him when she didn't get an immediate response.
He simply shrugged. "Hell if I know. Usually Inns are close by, so it shouldn't be too hard to find. "He replies to her question with a tone of sass, which gained a rather irritated groan from his companion. He laughs at her annoyance. "Don't worry, I'm good at navigating. It'll be fine."
She scowls ever so slightly, glaring at him. "You'd better be. I'm starting to get hungry, so if we don't, I will eat you instead." She grumbles. She hadn't eaten that morning, seeing as the last of their available supplies on the ship was stale bread and leftover fish from the night before. Neither sounded very appetizing to her, and thus left her hungry.
She puffed out her cheeks in flustered irritation when he started laughing. "I didn't mean it like that, you perv!" She says angrily.
"You get angry so easily, Ms. Ruby." He says through his laughter. "And I know what you meant, so it's okay. Shouldn't be too far, so my hide is safe."