[IC] Act 3, Scene 2 : Journey of a Thousand Leagues... [Creation is your oyster]

[Haku1]

Tis dawn once more, and at the Crimson Lion, the guests are slowly awakening once more to a beautiful day. A day with heavens of blue, with a cover of white fluffy clouds (a gift from Mela as some would say in the Realm), as the sun rose once more in the east.


Given the time of day, it isn't surprising for Coriander to wake up alone in a bed to a note that noted that the Cynis maiden was every bit as good as stories said of her family were.


There was also the loud sounds from out front of the hostel as a somewhat large caravan of boxy wagons were driven there. Thankfully most of it could be ignored as faint background sounds of the city when one can step out of one's room to look at a beautiful beach with white sand beneath a blue sky with white puffy clouds, that was tempting to lure those who see it down to the shore.


To enjoy one's stay there amongst the blue sea or to rest upon the pristine sand and soak up some of the sunlight. Something that wasn't helped by the manner the cove around the beach gave it a certain privacy.

 

[Mei]

Misora sat outside the front of the hotel, quietly observing the bustling activity. She had already dressed herself, of course. Her flowing robes were no longer layered, due to the pleasant weather, and they were made of a very light material. They were plain in design, she was not a very flamboyant person, and they were a pale blue and purple.

 

[danakir]

Taking a deep breath while she enjoyed a cup of dark coffee, Coriander glanced once again at that paper note left by her overeager little Nina. She'd enjoyed her time with the lovely young woman, but really she understood that duty called and everything. Truthfully she likely would not be around much longer. She'd hoped to tease the poor hard-working thing a little bit more before her departure but she'd settle down with that little bit of petty and meaningless revenge on the Satrap.


Already she could hear the wagons of that caravan they had been waiting for pulling in front of their hotel, the Lady Mnemon certainly worked expediently, but it hardly endeared her to Coriander's stormy heart. A trait she shared with her lovely Misora at the moment.


Still, those beaches were rather alluring and had she not been on duty, she would have definitely taken the opportunity to enjoy them. Leaving the half-empty cup of coffee on the balcony's small glass table. Coriander went back inside to change into her kimono and do her hair. In fact, now that she gave it some thoughts, she wouldn't mind spending some time with her friend down there, in those private coves... ah yes, to enjoy her youth.


But no, she had to be the responsible one. She had to play *leader* of all things. Leader! Bah! She wasn't even cut for the job, if anything it only made her more irate.


Still as she left the hotel's premise, she couldn't fail to notice her good friend brooding, this made her feel heavy somehow, she could already tell that the dainty little maiden would hold her night of passion against her. It gave her a pre-emptive headache. Bringing her kiseru to her lips, she waved as she approached "Good morning, Misora." she said with one of her easy smiles, betraying none of that insight she had on the young Ledaal.


Before she could react, Coriander circled her arms around Misora's waist from behind, the buxom young lady's lips pressing into her slightly shorter's friend straight and silken hair. Affectionate as ever, as if that could quiet the coming tempest.

 

[Mei]

Misora, out of some form of grudge, pulled herself away from Coriander. Not replying to the 'good morning' at all. She was cold, she couldn't help it, this is how Air Aspects are when angry. But, she did say something, albeit quietly. "... Get off..."


She did not look back at Coriander, she only looked straight ahead, as if she were deciding whether to go or not.

 

[danakir]

Even if she did expect it, it didn't really lessen the impact of it at all as she closed her eyes for a moment and brought her kiseru to her lips again, as she often did when pensive. The uncomfortable silence lasted for a bit, even as the Cynis blew out some smoke into the warm morning air of this southern satrapi.


Walking closer to Misora until she stood beside her, she too gazed into the distance "Have it your way." her voice was acid like only that of a wood-aspect scorned could be as she walked away toward the caravan. Oh Misora could be quite satisfied of herself, clearly she did manage to wound the feelings of the woman she loves.


Finding whoever appeared to be in charge, Coriander asked bluntly "Are you sent by the Satrap? If so, we are the ones expected to accompany you. Did she let you know the purpose of this expedition?" she made sure that everything was in order.


If for no other reason that no one else would.


She would need to find some dirty commoner to beat up later. Her fists were itching, she thought, as her gazed turned rather scary and intense, perhaps even leaving the person she was speaking to speechless.


Fortunately, this glimpse at the cruelty hidden behind the veneer of civility would not last and she returned to her pleasant if firm demeanor.

 

[Mei]

Misora did not look at Coriander, but Coriander could tell the Ledaal's expression was one of cold indifference. She was like the winter, consuming life with its icy grasp. Not even the acid of Coriander's words would penetrate the icy layer around Misora's heart.


She did not pay attention to Coriander questioning the commoner, no, she just stared off ahead.

 

[Haku1]

"Nah... we be here only to drive the wagons here. The lady satrap, she bought the caravan wagons from us," The head of the drivers shook his head. "And I hear the Satrap hired some drivers and some mercenaries to look after them drivers to go with you."

 

[Brekkir]

Yoran exited the Crimson Lion fully clad for travel, his silken garment packed away and replaced by sturdy travel clothes.


"Good morn... ing," he said, pausing a little as he witnessed the hostility between Coriander and Misora. Ugh, it was bound to happen, but it's still not a pretty sight.

 

[Crasical]

Telega opened his eyes, and experienced a few moments of horrible uncertainty as to where he was, before mentally shifting to the proper gear and peeling himself up off the floor. For reasons that seemed less clear to him now than last night he'd indulged in a significant quantity of wine before bed and had apparently fallen from his bed at some point during the night.


Grumbling quietly, he exited the Crimson Lion some time later, dressed in rough travel clothes, wearing his reinforced breastplate over the top and his sheathed daiklave across his back. He nodded politely at Yoran, Misora and Coriander, either oblivious to the hostile atmosphere between the latter two or ignoring it. "Good Morning."

 

[Haku1]

"Which of you be... ahh... lady Cynis Coriander?" A gruff voice spoke up in a rather atrocious High Realm. If languages were human, one might suspect that this particular brand of High Realm was a foul brigand out on a looting and pillaging spree. Sure, this likely was someone attempting to be nice and polite-like, and speaking a language that he wasn't used to. Said speaker was a working man, or at least a peasant given his rugged looks (in a dashing devil may care manner) and clothes meant to endure the elements.

 

[danakir]

She simply didn't want to make this more complicated than it had to, and as such she answered in Low Realm "That would be me." she presented herself, holding her hand forward with one of her patented smiles, she always appeared pleasant and charming at first glance. But don't you dare dig deeper than that.


Quickly she added "I appreciate the effort, but if Low Realm would be easier on your tongue, then please spare yourself." even with her mood being so sour, she saw no need to antagonize someone with whom she was likely to work for a while. Of course, she still did expect him to kiss her hand as was only proper for someone of his station.


Being raised on the Blessed Isle gave one unreasonable expectations.

 

[Haku1]

"Ah... lady, I apologize if my command of the Realm languages isn't the best," The driver said in badly accented Low Realm before he bowed and lightly kissed Coriander's hand. Still it was a touch better than the High Realm. Raising up, he continued. "Maybe you speak Flame tongue? or Riverspeak?"

 

[Luck1]

Making his way back to the beach, Dujn had, apparently, been swimming in the ocean. And who knows for how long since he wasn't to be found when anyone else awoke this morning.


Not bothering to dry himself, he slips on his sandals and a kimono. Though, he doesn't bother to tie the kimono closed either. Dujn makes his way back to the inn, and now the awakened party, and caravan men, with a completely exposed frontside.


"Morning!" Stepping up to Coriander and the caravan master he says, "Coriander, it looks like you got everything we'll need and then some. Well done, I guess. I hope Malon wasn't too hard to deal with, I heard she's got some 'issues'. Anyhow, does this mean we'll be heading out very soon?"


***


Conviction roll to regain willpower for the day:


Rolling 4d10


( 10 + 7 + 6 + 3 ) = 3 successes

 

[Crasical]

"I understand Riverspeak. If translating for anyone who does not will make communication easier, then I do not mind. What is your name, sir?"


Telega nodded quietly, wondering what other languages his comrades knew. Maybe he'd get stuck with a translator job, though he privately hoped not. He didn't mind staying around Yoran, but Dujn rubbed him the wrong way, and Coriander and Misora seemed to be acting unusually cold this morning.

 

[Haku1]

A smile and nod of gratitude was sent Telega's way from the Caravan driver. "Sir, I'm Nathaniel. But you can call me Nat. And hopefully, we can be underway soon. The other drivers hired are here and waiting for our orders."

 

[Onupabadr]

â€We can leave now, I am here.†Emerk dressed in loose southern style travel garb. Two hatches strapped to his back. Glances around looking for his wagon, a grin crosses his face as he finds it.


----------


Tepet Emerk rolled the following in his 1 dice:


9


Using 7 as the target number, the roll resulted in 1 successes.


http://feacia.com/diceRoller/index.php


Wow I really need some conviction.

 

[danakir]

Pressing the tip of her kiseru to her lips, she takes a long drag before asking Telega for a rapid translation of what the man had just told them "We can certainly leave soon, as necessary." she nods to herself, before switching her attention toward Dujn.


"I'd rather not talk about it." came her rather bitter answer, the accompanying glare strongly suggesting one does not inquire any further on the subject "And if at all possible, I say we should leave immediately. There is no use further delaying our expedition and the faster we're out of this rathole, the better." she explains to him in rathole, her grip on her kiseru tightening imperceptibly.

 

[Haku1]

"As you wish, lady," the caravan leader nodded at Coriander, before proceeding to inspect the wagons. Which took some time... but not too long. Just enough for the luggage and such to be loaded on the wagons. Wagons which were to be pulled by beasts of burdens.


Eventually, the caravan set forth into the south beneath the light of the sun high in the heavens... with the dragonblooded gathered in a rather large armored wagon in the middle of the caravan.


Which some might consider awkward, given the social dynamics of the group.

 

[Mei]

Misora had brought out a book. It wasn't one of her romantic comedies... No, this time it was historical fiction, set at the beginning of the Scarlet Dynasty. She happily read the book, trying to keep her mind off of how upset she was. In all honesty, she didn't even know who she was sitting next to.


The pretty Ledaal seemed so into this book, so... Enthusiastic. It was a big change from earlier in the morning. Books did that to her.

 

[Haku1]

The breeze from the windows of the boxy wagon was refreshing as the caravan headed south, which happened to be the what appeared to be endless fields of golden yellow sorghum and wheat rustling from the cooling breeze.

 

[Mei]

After awhile, Misora placed a book mark in her book and closed it with a loud 'thump'. She looked outside and examined the wagon before climbing out the window and pulling herself on top of it. There she sat before leaning back, re-opening her book to where she left off.


Yes, she was laying out in the sun, on top of the wagon, reading a book.

 

[Haku1]

Outside the wagon, the breeze seems to cool down the air aspect as she is warmed by the sun, while the sounds of the wagon drivers as they whistled to the sound of the wagons as they creaked onwards under the power of yeddims.


Surrounded by a sea of gold, Misora likely would be hard pressed to find a better enviroment to read in.

 

[Luck1]

"Climbing through a window? How un-lady like. I support such behavior wholeheartedly."


Finding the most comfortable looking spot to lie down and stretch out, Dujn's practically out cold already by the time his head hits whatever makeshift pillow he has found.

 

[Haku1]

Perhaps it was because of his upbringing that Dujn didn't quite mind resting his head upon the lap of a woman. At least the soft and perfumed lap of a courtesan.


Given the size of the caravan and that there was but one such personage in said wagon, currently in the service of Emerk... it's only logical whose lap Dujn was resting his head upon.


At least she didn't do much beyond looking with a question on her face at Emerk.

 

[Brekkir]

Yoran looked at Dujn briefly before shrugging. Oh well, I guess it must feel good, somehow, to have no manners and no shame. He looked inside the wagon to see if it wasn't so cramped that the couldn't fit his red jade dire lance somewhere, and failing that, he'd strap it with his luggage, guarded by one of his incorporeal elementals.


He'd spend this first leg of the journey in a quiet reverie that was half daydream, half contemplation. When Misora climbed on the wagon's roof, he hesistated about following her, but decided against it.