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#Post#: 80--------------------------------------------------
Love For Sail!
DIR By: High Captain Song
Date: July 1, 2023, 12:18 pm
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The Players
High Captain Malora
High Captain Song
§eleme of Vegvisir
The Setting
Sailing the green waters of the Thassa
Malora
Once more aboard the ship, I felt much more at ease and
comfortable. The Fair had been a profitable one, albeit not so
much as the winter Fair had been, but that would perhaps be a
boon in disguise; summer was much too hot to do a great deal at
Home in the tropics, and personally, I preferred cooler climes
such as the Sardar. But Home was where the heart was, and though
I had been raised aboard ship much of my life, I still held the
land that had belonged to generations of my blood kin. It was
Home, such as it was.
Frode
Aye. Homeward bound again. Well, Homeward at least. The bound
part will come later for some. But that is neither here nor
there. The fair was satisfying for me as well. I rarely need an
excuse to make merry and seek out a crowd, but the Sardar Fair
is a rare place where both my roles are reconciled. The Captain
can trade. The Skald can sing. And both can show off and make a
show of listening. But I could gladly give all of it up for the
sake of the woman I see before the wheel, as I finish checking
up on our new healer and how she's settling in to the room what
was set aside for Trusty... or the Lady Sarafina as she is once
again.
I smile wide as I come up behind you, sliding a familiar arm
around your waist as I follow your gaze out onto the sea. Just
enjoying this brief moment where it seems like just you and me.
Oh, there's crew all around us, Pike barking out an order in the
distance and all manner of activity. But our hearts and minds
are somewhere else, as they are when we are close.
Malora
I said nothing, I had no need to. I simply leaned into that
familiar warmth of Your embrace, stifling a snicker as Pike
calls some unfortunate crewman a feckin' fly speck-brained
nincompoop. If nothing else, Pike was entertaining merely
because of his choice of words.
Ah, but all was right with the world, at least for the moment,
though I rather much missed the lovely blonde Trusty, who now
was on her way to the Home of her soon-to-be Companion. You'd
done a lovely thing, but it was Your usual wont. You had a thing
for insuring happiness as best You could. Odin knew You're
ensuring mine....and perhaps also our two slave girls, who were
both wandering about the ship somewhere.
Frode
Two slaves? It's a bit more than that, surely? True, Busty and
Lusty are more the crews slaves at this point. And Busty more
Delgao's girl than that. And we technically own Lia, though she
is certainly Pike's girl and no crewman dare approach her. I
sold that barbarian Jane we found on the way to the fair to
another pirate from Port Kar. Natasha was sold a while ago, was
was the dancer I called Aine. That just left Rhaenyra and
Eris... so yes. Effectively two that were ours and ours alone.
Gods, but it has been an interesting year.
"I'm sorry we didn't get more time alone during the fair. Or
time enough for me to see about sneaking a certain red-haired
slave of mine into the tavern to dance for a bit." I smirk and
that arm around your waist tightens a bit. Much as I know you
missed the ship and command and your island, I know there is
also a part of you that misses being the woman you were when I
first fell in love with you - the Fire of Vegvisir who would
later become the Fire of Kassau. And then just my fire.
Malora
There was much that I missed. In our first year, we'd somehow
managed to meet and overcome more things than most couples did
in their simple year of Companionship. But we were not
Companioned. No. There was a huge difference. We were claimed,
and by each other. No one else dared to come between. Now,
whether that was the fear of said fire haired harridan or not
was arguable. Surely there were females who knew better just by
looking at me. And to be honest, there were males who knew the
same.
Frode
Aye, most knew better. Those that had tried to get between us
discovered that while I may play the merry songster, there's an
edge I keep hidden until it is needed, like a concealed knife.
It was why I had ironically named the sword you'd given me
Mercy. So that men might die honest deaths at my Mercy before my
imagination gave way to finding ways to make them beg for death.
And as you could vouch, I had a LOT of imagination, though I
usually turned it to more pleasant thoughts.
"So... home for a long while after one trip by the Trade Point?"
Malora
Suddenly I heard a warning yell, glance over Your shoulder, and
snatch You by the tunic, jerking You downward and off balance
even as I move to duck myself, letting a bucket sail over our
heads. Apparently the idiot crewman had been told to heave the
garbage overboard. With a sigh, I carefully raise my head once
more to see Pike grabbing the clumsy lad by the collar to heave
him overboard. "Easy, there, Mister Pike. Let the lad alone. No
harm done."
Frode
No harm, she says. Well, that's true enough, save that in her
effort to get me down on the deck, I thought she was trying to
amorously throw herself atop me. So my hand briefly goes
someplace pleasant which is a total affront to the Captains'
dignity as she pulls herself up and dusts herself off. I follow
shortly after it becomes clear that that was an honest ducking
and not a bit of fun. I nod to Pike, backing the order. What
else can I say?
Malora
For the briefest ihn, I debate calling You Captain Handsy. But
just for that brief ihn. I knew well You knew what to do with
those hands of Yours, though I said nothing about it. Rather, I
motion for the boy to approach, which he does, albeit in terror,
which is a point in his favor. "What's your name, Lad?"
Swallowing hard, he barely squeaks out, "Nathan, Captain, though
me friends call me Nate."
§eleme
-Going on the third day of just doing nothing but floating out
here in the middle of bum fuck no where. Laid out on the deck of
Thassa Queen, one thing about it, when I do get back to
Vegvisir, Kalmar won't be able to ever say that I didn't put her
through the mill. Having one of my infamous dreams that make
absolutely no sense to me when I felt a booted toe push against
my leather clad ass cheek.- "Sailmaker, there's an unfamiliar
ship coming this way. I'm not sure if they are friendly, so I'll
suggest you get into the cabin." -With a soft groan, I roll
over, trying to block the sun from my eyes, feeling like I'd
tied one on last night when I hadn't. Good ole Elric was trying
to get me to raise and shine way before I'm ready.- "What? Who?"
-Sitting upon my ass on the deck, while trying to get my eyes
open. He extends a big hand, and I grab it, without any effort
at all on his part, I'm pulled to my feet.- "Where's the ship,
I'll see if I recognize the sails, cause I know every fuckin'
body that sails Thassa." -He would reach me a spy glass while I
stifle a yawn, walking over to the railing before I bring the
spyglass to my right eye, trying to find the ship.-
Frode
I eye the lad, trying to look menacing but saying nothing,
following your lead on this matter. There are certain areas
where our strengths complement one another and while I can play
the heavy, you are far better at maintaining discipline than I
am. After all, I'm the one who spends half his time wandering
off to carouse and sing when I should be doing respectable
Captainy things like.... well, I'm sure I'll figure that out
eventually.
§eleme
-As the ship comes into view, I couldn't help but grin- "Why the
hell didn't you tell me it had black sails, Elric? I know who
that is, and he better be friendly this mornin, that's all I got
to say, cause if he has any ill intentions, we'll sink his
battleship!" -Pulling the spyglass from my eye, shoving it
against Elric's broad chest, he catches the glass with a laugh
as I head across the deck to the cabin, calling out over my
shoulder.-"What are you laughing about, I can't have my friends
seeing me like this." -Slamming the door behind me as I enter
the cabin, looking down, where are my boots? shaking my head as
I start stripping off the leathers and tunic that I had on,
tossing them into the corner as I walk to the clothing chest to
pull out a clean pair of leathers and tunic. Grimacing as I
catch a look of me in a mirror, I look like I was in a war and
got my ass kicked. Shit. I didn't have time to take a swim in
Thassa, or do I? I'd open the door to the cabin, walking across
the deck, bare assed. Elric would yell out.- "SELEME have you
lost your fuckin' mind?!?!?!" -I wasn't paying any attention, I
just climbed up on the railing and dived off of it, grabbing a
breath just before I hit the water.-
Frode
Leaving my mate to dress down the crewman, I glance back out to
sea only to think I see something on the horizon, I spy it just
a second after the look-out calls. A ship in the distance. Too
far to tell if they are flying hostile colors, but apparently
they aren't painted the green that is typical of Thassa pirates.
I put out the call to ready for a fight, one way or the other.
If they are raiders, they'll find they chosen the wrong ship to
hit. And if they are thief-takers come to shake down honest
merchants, well we shall be ready for that as well.
§eleme
-I would only be beneath the water long enough to get completely
wet, when my head surfaces Elric would throw out a rope, on the
end of the rope was tied a black silk bed sheet. Laughing as I
catch the bounty, calling out.- "Thanks for the sheet, Elric!"
-I wouldn't be able to hear his mumbling and grumbling, six more
large hands joined his on the rope, while I was trying to get
the sheet tied around my body. Giving a tug upon the rope, with
a heave ho, the guys start to pull me up the side of that round
ship.- "Hurry up guys, I don't have all day!!" -They picked up
pace and before long, those wet feet of mine are landing upon
the deck.- "Seleme, I've seen you some crazy things, but this
one has to top the majority of them." -I wouldn't reply, just
continue on across the deck back toward the cabin, that soaked
wet sheet leaving a wet trail across the deck. Once I reach the
cabin, it would be kicked closed once more, looking at myself in
the mirror again. Welp, now I look like a half drowned waif
that's had the shit kicked out of them. Well, knowing Frode like
I do, he'll never in a million years say anything about me
looking like shit.-
Frode
"That's a Vegvisir ship." calls the lookout as we get closer.
That could go many ways, I think. While I'm on good terms with
most of the Vegvisir Jarls and would call High Jarl Hrolf
himself a friend, you never know what some folk might pull
outside of a neutral harbor. The Thassa leaves no tracks, so
they say, and there are some who find my good cheer more
annoying than engaging. I pull my own spyglass from my pocket
and glance at the distant deck, trying to pick out a familiar
figure. And that's when I spy the half-drowned, dark-haired waif
in a toga rushing for the cabin.
"Stand at ease lads, but keep the weapons handy. We do have a
fearsome reputation to uphold, after all. Give the ahoy once
we're in shouting distance."
§eleme
-I would exit the cabin looking a lot different than I had
entered it. Although that dark hair of mine was still damp,
dressed in black from the top of my shoulders all the way down
to the toes of my boots. The ship was a lot closer than it had
been, running fingers through my hair, hearing Elric chuckling
behind me.- "Just shush you." -I would direct that back toward
Elric as I move closer to the railing. Wind coming off Thassa
was going to have my hair dried completely before long, and just
about the time I arrive at the railing, I could hear the sound
of AHOY coming across the distance that is separating us, I, of
course, would call back.- "AHOYYYYY SKALD!" -Even though I know
this Captain to be a Skald, there was no doubt in my mind that
man is Pirate through and through, I've heard far to many tales
that suggests just that.-
Frode
Granted, the man himself told many of those tales, but I was not
given to exaggerating my own accomplishments. There were too
many unbelievable aspect to my life to date for me to go talking
about chasing dragons around the Ax Glacier or turtles who
walked as men and struck from the shadows like the Black Caste
of the Pani . (That last one coming from a fanciful tale told to
me by an Earth girl once upon a time.)
I grin at the sight of the woman and how she makes a big deal of
calling out to me. Ah, I still have it. It being that knack of
making respectable women act unrespectable. I decide to ask
about that toga look later as we get close enough for a line to
be slung over. Of course I could swing over but there's
protocols about one Captain setting foot on another's vessel.
Besides, it's much more fun to watch you swing over here and I
know Freya will want to speak to you as soon as she is done
dressing down Nathan called Nate.
§eleme
-Of course I have a set of pipes on me, the men that I work with
down at the docks would never be impressed with a soft spoken
Sailmaker! Very few had had the privilege of hearing me hollar,
and you just became one of them. As the Thassa Queen pulls up
along side your ship, those vibrant green eyes of mine, are, of
course, checking out your sails. Whistling low, I really didn't
want to break the news to you, and maybe you hadn't noticed, but
I bet Freya has, a fierce storm gonna rip some them sails wide
open. Quirking a slender brow as a line is tossed over, and
Elric catches it.- "I'm going to assume that you'd have me to
board your vessel, Captain?" -I wouldn't even wait for your
reply, I'd just wrap that line around my right wrist, giving a
look back at Elric and murmuring low enough for him to hear.-
"IF the Pirate tries anything, don't take the chance with
Kalmar's ship, high tail it out of here and come back with Rag
Doll." -He'd give a nod of his head, but I could see the look of
uncertainty in his eyes. I would have reassured him, but I had
already climbed up on the railing, sometimes far more
comfortable swinging from mast to mast than walking. Without any
incidence, those small feet covered in black leather boots would
soon find themselves landing upon the deck of your ship.-
Frode
I had, in fact, noticed, but strangely enough I never manage to
track down a certain sailmaker during my time at the Fair and
the crew who stayed behind to guard the ship were busily going
to work on trying to patch things as best they could. Of course
there's a reason why "patchwork" has become synonymous with
"incomplete" and "not working." Thankfully, it is summer and we
are heading southward. Were we heading North or into the waters
of the Thassa at winter I would not chance it or leave the docks
without getting fresh sails. But since I have you here now, it
seems all has worked out for the best.
I chuckle at your dainty land and throw you into a massive bear
hug. "Ah, it's good to see you, Sailmaker. And not just because,
as I'm sure you can see, I have need of your wares. I don't
suppose you happen to have something suitable in black or green
below decks?"
§eleme
-I wasn't going to ask if you'd been to the Fair, from the
direction that you're sailing, I already knew that answer. Nor
was I about to say anything about how "shot" those sails you're
flying is, you'd bring that up soon enough. Laughing as I am
caught up into a big ole bear hug, with a little bit more than
just a squeeze thrown in for good measure. I'd return the hug
just before stepping back to look you over. Have you gained
weight? Freya is still agreeing with you very, good, because I
do enjoy seeing my friends happy, and I am looking at a very
happy friend right now. Casting an upward glance once more to
the sails.- "Now Frode, what kind of Sailmaker would I be if I
didn't haul around extra sets of sails, despite the fact that
I'm not even sailing on my ship right now, but Thassa Queen is
stocked with a set of black ones, we can come to an agreement on
a price, I'm sure." -A twinkle in my eyes as I look forward to
the banter ahead between the two of us.-
Frode
I see that gleam and decide to have a bit of fun with you, as
only a scoundrel like I can.
"Indeed. And perhaps while we're at it we can discuss a price
for that fine dark-haired wench I spied earlier, running across
your deck in what appeared to be nothing more than a sheet. I
think that one might be better clothed in Kassau irons " My tone
is innocent, in a lecherous way, as I leave it unspoken just why
I would notice such a woman and to what work she might be
employed. Of course I know damn well who it was. I'm not blind
or dumb, except to those things I wish to ignore. And I do love
getting a rise out of Free Women by suggesting they'd look
better otherwise. It certainly agreed with my Rhaenyra, who
provoked something of a scandal throwing off her Physician's
robes to offer herself to me on the first day of the fair.
§eleme
-I was taking a look around your ship with my eyes, cause this
is the first time that I'd been aboard this fine looking vessel.
As those words of yours find my ears buried beneath a wealth of
dark hair, I simply snort before those gleaming eyes find their
way back to your face.- "I might as well be the one to inform
you, she's not for sell, not at any price, but I will be sure to
tell her that I could get a fair price out of her." -Little did
you know, that I'm far from the basic "Free Woman", nor could
you have ever known that the High Jarl of Vegvisir had told me
once that I could fetch a high price. Men, always trying to make
a coin to spend a coin. A rise wouldn't be gotten from me, for I
knew that I was a rarity among many, and I do rather enjoy being
that.- "Clothed in Kassau irons you say, I will put that to
memory Captain." -I chuckled softly.- "Try another offer?"
Frode
I smile even as I sigh with exaggerated sadness. I knew you were
far more than a Basic Free Woman. It was, in fact, part of why
we got along so well. And while I might not know that my friend
Hrolf had told you what price you would fetch on the block, I
was stunned he hadn't tried to put a steel collar around your
neck and put you to work dancing in his long hall, for he and I
have similar tastes when it comes to sassy women and a belief
that there's many a Free Woman who would welcome a little less
freedom under the right circumstances. But now is not the time
for such philosophical discussions. There are matters of
business at hand.
"Hmm... well, let us start with you sharing a bottle of fire
brandy with me and my Mate. I'm sure Malora is as anxious to
catch up with you as I am."
#Post#: 83--------------------------------------------------
Re: Love For Sail!
DIR By: High Captain Song
Date: July 2, 2023, 7:54 pm
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§eleme
-And here I thought that you'd been around me enough times to
know that I do not partake in alcohol. Quirking a slender brow
as you offer me brandy.- "Captain, fire brandy isn't on my drink
list, but, I will have some ramberry juice if you have that
here." -In hopes that you and Malora will go on ahead and divide
that bottle of brandy between the two of you, which might ensure
that I get a good price for the sails. Not to proud to take
advantage of a man in a drunken stupor when it comes to my
sails. Offering a radiant smile as my eyes continue to look
around the ship, almost as if I have nefarious plans. I would
even take a few steps, it was a fine ship, and I do appreciate
fine ships, even though my heart is true to sails.-
Frode
Ha! And if you think that half a bottle of brandy each would
make either me or my Mate insensible, you haven't been around us
enough times either. My Mate may have the body of a strong and
spirited woman, but she has the stomach and liver of a concrete
bosk. And as for me, my time as a Skald has honed my carousing
muscles to the point that it takes a lot for me to feel a buzz,
much less become sloppy drunk.
"Strangely enough, in all the times we've met, the subject of
what you will and won't drink has never come up. But I'll see
what I can have my slaves scrounge up. At the very least,
there's probably some berries that can be drained." I do keep a
fresh stalk of fruits onboard ship, though most of it is dried
and prepared for long travel. It helps to hold off the scurvy,
so they say, and I personally like the taste of the tart but
sweet ones.
Make your own joke there.
I watch as you observe the ship and grin, gesturing to where my
Mate is still dressing down the unfortunate Nate. "She is a
beauty, isn't she?" I leave it unclear intentionally if I mean
the ship or my Mate.
§eleme
-It is true, we'd not been around each other long enough to know
our drink preferences.- "One of these days I will have to tell
you about getting into some of Ragnarok's "secret" recipe. It
was the one and only time that I drank liquor, needless to say,
I tried to turn him into a knife holder." -I couldn't help but
to chuckle at the memory, although my mind had been foggy at the
time, the look on his face had been priceless, after I threw
that first knife at him.- "Please don't go to any trouble, I'm
not really all that thirsty anyway." -I'd gathered all those
slender fingers before me as I walked around the deck of your
ship, catching that gesture made, I smiled. There was one thing
that had been apparent to me from the very first time that we'd
met, your undying love for your Mate was clearly written all
over you. So few men that I'd met, professed their love for
their women, and it was rather refreshing to witness. Since I'm
not able to see Malora on deck at this time, I will take it that
you are referring to the vessel we are aboard.- "Aye, she is a
beauty, but then again, I do believe that every Captain thinks
that about their ship."
Frode
"I would agree to that," I allow, as I grin a the mention of
Ragnarok and think how I needed to meet up with that rascal
again someday. I'd gotten a message from him about wanting to
speak to me about some matter. Alas, with my duties and him
being an outlaw, it was rather difficult for us to coordinate a
meeting place, as I had no idea where to reach him and he barely
had any idea where I might be found.
"Well, I can see how that might put you off of drinking, but
there are some liquors better suited for a sensitive palette.
Fire brandy is not one of them, however." I say. "But it would
be no trouble. That is what I have most of the ship girls for,
after all." I call out to one of them , a raven tressed beauty
clad in a simple oilskin tunic. "Lusty? See if we have any fresh
ramberry juice. If we do not, but have berries, make some." The
slave nods and hurries off. I appreciate the view a moment
before I nod to you. "You're probably wondering about her name
and there's something of a tale in that...."
§eleme
-Oh the tales that I could tell, enough to fill the pages of a
book, the sorted life I've led since leaving the farm in
Brundisium. Ragnarok had been a big part of that first part of
my life, amazingly we had managed to remain friends, not a lot
of people can say that about their ex, but I can, proudly. I
would pause my walking, just to glance up into the masts of your
ship, to me, the sails are the more beautiful part of any ship,
but then again, I'm biased.- "I had my first and last experience
with anything to do with liquor. And besides, I do like to keep
my mind about me, never know when a Scoundrel might come along
and take advantage of the fact that I can NOT hold my liquor."
-laughing, a glint shining in my eyes as a slave appears,
tilting my head as you call her Lusty. Men and their names of
slaves, oh well, it's not my place to judge, so I wouldn't.-
"You can tell me the tale another time. The sun is sinking low
toward Thassa, and tonight I would like to sleep in my
warehouse. Duty and all, ya know."
Frode
I nod. "Well, it's not as sordid as you might think. Indeed, a
part of it just got a happy ending of sorts at this past Sardar
Fair. But I can respect wanting to stick to business. You say
you have the sails below deck? I have need of them. So let's not
waste time with bargaining and haggling and trying to take
advantage of one another. I'll give you 6 golden tarns for the
lot now, with an order for two more like that when next we
meet."
§eleme
-I would groan softly as you mention the Fair, that Fair is part
of the reason that I had felt the need to just hover for days
here on Thassa. But the stress and misery had finally drifted
away across the top of these waters, and I was finding that old
desire to get back to work, and to actually find that I do have
a purpose in life.- "Aye, there are sails below deck." -I would
listen rather carefully as you put out a price, you were
serious, and I do like a man that is serious about sails.
Understanding the hard work that goes into them. I would extend
my right hand.- "Father always told me the best way to seal a
deal is a good shake of a hand. You just bought yourself some
sails, Captain."
Frode
I take the hand and resist the urge to kiss it. That gallant
move might impress some Southern ladies, but you are a woman of
the North and have little use for such frippery. Besides which,
my Mate is close at hand if I wish to kiss some part of a woman
and there are much pleasant parts to kiss than the back of the
hand.
"Wonderful. So where are you off to next? Mayhap I can offer you
an escort if it's on our way?"
§eleme
I would give your hand a squeeze, and a smile lit my eyes,
almost as if I could read your mind. You had forgotten that I am
a Southern lady, or you might not have ever known. I am making
the transition to the Northern lifestyle, although with my
petite and short stature, I'd never pull off that I was born and
raised in the North although my Father had been. So, the deal
has been sealed and with a motion of my hand, some of the crew
on my ship would head below deck to bring up the black sails.
They were transferred from my ship to yours.- "I am heading Home
to Vegvisir. I've dilly dallied enough on Thassa and should get
back to work. I appreciate the offer of an escort, I will be
fine, my crew will ensure the trip is done quickly. It has been
an honor to do business with you, Frode, my friend."
Frode
I nod. "That is good, as we were heading south." I leave
unspoken the fact that my Mate would only agree to a trip to the
Vegvisir under very strained circumstances. While I count myself
friend to Hrolf and most of the council there (having been
offered a place among them and turning it down only because of
my oath as a man of Kassau), my Mate has very different memories
of that place and I've tried to honor that as best I can.
"It has been good to see you too, Sailmaker. May you stay safe.
And tell Hrolf that if he ever does make good with that threat
to put you on the block, tell him to contact me first. It would
do me good to have my own sail maker." I tease.
§eleme
"Please give Malora a hug for me, and hopefully I will get to
talk with her next time." -Elric had tossed a line from my ship,
which I had caught skillfully, then laughing as I hear what
you'd have me tell the High Jarl.- "I will be sure that he will
get the offer. Until we meet again, Captain. Stay safe." -A
smile is offered before I step upon the railing of your ship, a
half dozen of my crew members were waiting behind Elric should
something happen with the rope from here to there. As
effortlessly as I had arrived upon the deck of your ship, I
would arrive to the deck of mine. It had been good to see you
again, and you will always be held in high regard as one of my
best friends.-
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