Ridin' Down on the Pie Boat

It's a beautiful summer day in Alexandria. The kind of day that a trip on a ferry down the river was made for. Starting here, out in the wilds, with the intent of slowly drifting into the city.

There are actually several ferries for citizens to enjoy a nice, lazy river trip together. And adventurers. Because of /course/ there are.

All in all, it's just a pleasent day with a slight breeze and a shining sun!

Ga'Elian sits on a low branch of an old oak tree that overhangs the river. He is basking in the day and humming softly, but cheerfully.

Vaalyun has eschewed his armor, and goes in only his clerical robes today, hoping beyond hope that it will be just a simple trip down the river. After recent events, he's twitchy, as if there is a bandit or werewolf or demon behind every tree, and the sun and quiet are themselves conspiring to conceal a deadly ambush. Adventuring, perhaps, is not the best for one's mental health or faith in humanity (or humanoidity?) Then he realizes it, with a sigh, "Why did I /ever/ agree to a boat trip. I hate boats."

Morgan stands by the waters edge as she listens to the water making the sounds it makes when it breaks to shre.

GAME: Yelrona accepts a meet and will arrive momentarily.

Yelrona has arrived.

Kravia is dressed up for the occasion. Her leather armor has been traded out for a bright, yellow summer dress, complete with a yellow hat with a floral arrangement on top, and a wee parasol. She is currently contemplating the river from the railing of the ship. She glances over at Vaalyun and smiles toothily. "It's a decent boat trip though."

Murder has arrived.

"OH MY GODS!" Kisa call out as she leans on the edge of one of the ferries, "HURRY THE HELLS UP!" She looks like she's in hell for that matter, with the hang of half of herself over the side railing. Not because she's sick mind you, because Kisa is -bored-. SO BORED.

"UUUUUUUGH! I said we should take the ferry because you said it would be /fun/ Tami." A look over her shoulder, "Tami. Tami? TAMI!! TA-A-AM-I-I-I!"

"WHAT?!"

"Hi. You said this would be fun." Kisa drags herself off of the side railing and starts toward the other woman. "THIS IS BORING."

Tami /was/ talking to one of the deckhands. A rather strapping fellow who was leaning on the railing with a jaunty sort of angle to his lean. "I /was/." Her tone cold, a slow turn to face Kisa.

"Oh come off it, the Duke was cuter even if he wasn't a Duke." Kisa rolls her eyes at her assistant.

Murder is dressed up for the occasion. Her leather armor has been traded out for a bright, yellow summer dress, complete with a yellow hat with a floral arrangement on top, and a wee parasol. She is currently contemplating the river from the railing of the ship. She glances over at Vaalyun and smiles toothily. "It's a decent boat trip though."

Yelrona appears to have traded out her usual garb for well-tailored civilian clothes, a wide-brimmed hat, and a green silk scarf. She is leaning on the ferry railing, what would be sunbathing if it weren't night out, listening to the sounds and voices washing over her.

Desdemona hasn't found herself a new airship yet, so she's trying to at least get the feel of being on a ship on the water. Sure it isn't a large sea dwelling vessal, but she is getting her fix wherever she can these days. Besides, the weather is nice, and she had a little extra coin, so why not go take a quick trip? She's in a vibrant red outfit with a large hat on her head to keep the sun out of her face and is generally amused by the people she is riding with, but is keeping to herself for once.

"It's a /boat/. It travels on the water. That's all that matters." Vaalyun says, with a sigh, "If only the lads back in the Jade Isles could see me now. To think I used to leap from one ship to another with a dagger in my teeth. Oh, well... The Star Mother touches us all, and perhaps this is a reminder of past wickedness." He swallows hard, and says, "The water isn't that deep, is it? I mean, if we sink..."

Morgan steps on the boat "I like boats, some day I will own one of my own

Murder cants her head to one side, grinning. "Can't you swim? You're not in your heavy armor, at least. Don't worry, if the ship sinks, I'll save you." She offers Yelrona wave, and then Morgan, before looking back out over the river. "I think owning a houseboat could be really neat, but I'm leaning towards getting one of the housecarts instead. No worries about sinking there."

Ga'Elian hops down from the branch as the ferry passes beneath. Once he is on deck, he turns toward Yelrona and says, "Heya. Not watching the slave boats tonight?"

Yelrona raises an eyebrow to Elian. "I'm on the river, aren't I?"

Minerva has arrived.

Morgan gives a wave to all that did the same to her "Rona after this trip I need to talk to you about something private."

"Sure, I can swim. I also managed to float half-dead across the Southern Ocean. That doesn't mean I particularly want to tempt fate a second time, and with one less good leg." Vaalyun says, with a chuckle. Then he takes a few deep breaths and steels himself. One... two... Wait. Just a second longer. Okay. One... two... And he steps onto the ferry, taking hold of the railing with a white-knuckled grip.

Yelrona nods to Morgan. "Of course."

Minerva comes walking along the river's edge, checking the sods occasionally with the stab with the butt end of a very tall spear. They seem content, and alert. When the group comes into sight, they halt, and wave in a carefully practiced manner.

Overhearing the conversation between Murder and Vaalyun and smirks. "Well, if you look at it this way, if you fall out of the ferry, you're likely to float. If you fall out of an airship, that's where the real problems start. This is probably safer if you think about it." She pauses for a moment before looking in the water. "Unless there are sea monsters living in the river, which I find unlikely." She says brightly as she hops onto one of the ferries.

"Well, you float when you fall out of an airship, also," Rona observes. "Just... not for very long. And, yes, they'd be chased off by the river-monsters, I imagine."

The Goblin nods at what Vaalyun says, but shrugs. "At least it was warm. Relatively speaking. If you'd done that up north, you'd have been a priestcicle." Murder chuckles at the two-fisted, white-knuckled grip the priest takes, and shakes her head. "You'll be fine, we're not going to sea." Her ears perk up at the sight of the blue Sith walking along the side of the riverbank, and offers a wave in return, a wave that is made with more abandon than the practiced one the Sith provides. At Desdemona's comment about the airship and falling, she giggles. "It's not the fall that kills you, it's the sudden thud at the end that does."

With most everyone who's doing this aboard one of the ferries now, the sailors (there's only a few of them necessary for operating this boat) set about their business and push away from dock. The boat drifts lazily away. People are spreading out. The ferry is fairly large and there's more than enoug room for average people to settle in and start having a picnic on the mighty Tornmawr.

Ga'Elian interrupts and says, "That's what feather fall rings are for."

"I wouldn't have been at the time, I wasn't a priest yet. I wound up at an Althean monastery, and that's how I decided to become a clergyman." Vaalyun explains, his eyes scanning the water for a few seconds before he manages to tear himself away from the sight of all that drowny, floaty, wet water. "As for sea monsters, I wouldn't put anything past this area. You wouldn't believe what lives in the sewers around here."

Morgan listens to the water and says "well if there is a moster in the river I can swim... or fly away."

Yelrona says, "Flying is probably safer. On the other hand, if we're attacked by flying beasts swimming underwater is probably safer."

Kisa flings her arms up again and then lets them flop back down at her side as she rolls her eyes, "I'm SERIOUS! And /and/ I tried to set you back up with the duke." She looks at the deckhand, "Hear that /Duke/. He's a /Duke/." A raise of an eyebrow and she crosses her arms in a bit of a huff.

Tami slowly slides her hand over her face as Kisa just embarrassed the ever living hell out of her. "Kisa." The sound muted as it's coming through the hands, "Kida, he has a wife. He was trying to - you know what. Use your imagination. He wasn't even a Duke."

Kisaiya looks back at Tami, throws her head back in a sigh and starts stomping off back the way she came. "THIS BOAT RIDE IS TERRIBLE! THANK GODS THEIRS NO CATS OR I'D BE MAKING YOU PAY FOR THIS TAMI!"

Standing a little to one side on the ferry's deck, the Sith'makar listens for a while to the conversation. They seem to consider it, perhaps overly careful. After a few moments, they say with a voice in a surprisingly warm timbre, if accented, "should we be accosted, I would be proud to stand before you, priest. Although one man's monster is another's guest."

"Well yes, it is the ground that is the deadliest part. The fall is actually very exciting, one of the best thrills I've had in my life." Once the ferry gets moving, Desdemona finds a place to settle in at and just enjoy the ride. Smirking to the priest, Desedmona nods her head. "I've been down there. I've seen things that were absolutely terrible. I've decided to no longer take contracts that lead me to the sewers." Mostly, it's the tight enclosed space that has her so uncomfortable, no the monsters.

"And vice-versa, I suppose," Rona says to Minerva.

Murder looks to Ga'Elian and nods. "That would have been handy during one of my misadventures. But luckily I know how to cast feather fall. Which is good, because a ring would have only helped one of us, the spell got all four of us. Course... that didn't help much against the army that showed up to shower us with arrows, but that's a different story." Grinning to Yelrona, she shrugs. "We could simply just speed away on the boat instead of getting wet or the wind in our hair."

At Vaalyun's comments, the Goblin nods to him. "I actually would believe it. I've had first hand experience. Sometimes... it was me, the monster in the sewers." She glances at Minerva then, a toothy grin forming on her face, and looks back to Vaalyun. "See? Your knight in shining armor is here, ready to jump to and defend you from getting wet."

Yelrona nods agreement. "Boat would be better."

"Thank you." Vaalyun says, at the offer to defend him, "I do need to find someone to practice with - some sort of warrior. I need to improve my macework, based on what I've seen around here - and elsewhere - in the last few months." He chuckles at Murder, and says, "I thought Paladins were knights in shining armor, though I'm happy for all the help I can get. We are all allies in the fight against things that go bump in the night, hrm?"

Minerva makes a slight sound that might be an akward chuckle. They check their nails on one hand, then look up and around at Murder. "Tell me, was that too forward? I'm never very sure."

The blue Sith sighs and shrugs. "Regardless. If you are all from Alexandria", which she pronounces very carefully, "I am at your disposal. It's been a long jounrey."

Ga'Elian walks over to Vaalyun, says, "Why all the anxiety, Hearthguard? Look all around you and see the beauty of a summer's day away from the city. See the blue sky, the green trees. Smell the honeysuckle and the freshness of the air. Listen to the song of birds and the gurgling of the river. Failing all that, find something to help you feel more cheerful: music, vigorous exercise, connection with friends." He pats the priest lightly on his shoulder and says, "Smile."

Yelrona gives a one-shouldered shrug to Vaalyun. "Elian has a point. Not to mention, sometimes we _are_ the things that go bump in the night. But I can do some sparring with you later, if you like. I'm more of an archer than a mace-swinger, but sometimes we're forced into situations we don't prefer."

The Goblin shrugs in reply to Minerva's question. "I don't know. I mean, I'm usually blunt and to the point most of the time, which occasionally ruffles feathers. Can you be too forward? Yes. Was that? No, I don't believe so." She eyes the shoreline at this point, and grins to herself before looking to Vaalyun. "If the good Sith-makar here cannot provide you with a good workout, I would be happy to." At Yelrona's response, the Gobbo goes all toothy-smile again. "As will others, it seems. You have no lack of wits and muscle to pit yourself against. But I think it would be rude to pass over the blue lady's offer, at least give her first refusal."

Cackling, Murder waves to everyone, and turns, mounting the railing swiftly and leaping boldly over the gap between the ship and the shore. She nails the landing handily, and begins the journey towards the mountains, her yellow dress making it easy to keep track of her progress.

Vaalyun gives a sigh, and tries visibly to relax. "You're right, of course. It's just a little cruise down the river. No trouble expected. The sun is shining, the birds are out, and the blessings of the gods are apparent in peace and good friends. No thoughts of sinking and being eaten by gelantanous cubes or sea monsters or undead abominations."

Murder goes Back to Road <W>.

Murder has left.

Morgan sits down in the front and runs a hand in the water by the edge of the boat "wouldent it be great to just float on the water to just let the curents take you for a calm ride. I bet some people would pay a silver for that."

Svarshan has arrived.

Minerva looks over at Yelrona. "It's very true. Would I trust myself, were I to creep up on my campfire unnoticed? But I am not here for ... wise-words. I hope to learn the lands, so that I can serve the patrol one day, or the gate-guards."

The Sith leans against a railing and gestures. "I find the low-lands surprisingly peaceful, and this helps. The mountain tribes do not think them to be this way."

Svarshan has left.

Ga'Elian has left.

Minerva sits up and turns around from having faced the water, now looking over the the fellow passengers more safely ensconced on the ferry. "I ... am pleased, to see that the Children of Fire are so welcome." There's a hint of hesitance - perhaps confusion.

Constantin shakes his head a little, blinking. He grins towards Minerva. "It's okay. It's a confusing, if welcoming, place here. But we do have pie."

Morgan says ti Minerva "With the large amout of mix races people are generaly nicer but you will find some one here that will be a twit."

Minerva looks quizzical, her head slight cocked sideays. "A ... twit? All the same, it is better to assume civility", the word spoken with great care, "than suspicion, I believe. There's too much of that down a long road."

It looks like one side just scored a point, having sent the ball through some sort of mid-air goal spot. How they're determining that is hard to say, but it's definitely some kind of invisible line!

Eagleran. They're weird.

Constantin points up at the sky. "Does anyone know what's going on up there?" He nods to Minerva. "Wise."

Morgan follows with "Well you will find many civil people here, but dont expect universal love."

Kisaiya has left.

The blue Sith gestures as she stands up. "I am carrying a lance, not a flower. A spear can protect peace from the violent, and maybe a flower - but a plant won't safe you when words fail. I will not look for it, but..."

Her words die away, and she lifts a golden amulet from beneath her scale vest. Holding it up, it catches the light and shimmers. "This was a promise I made. As the Dawn star promises the day, so I will hold the night at bay."

Minerva leans back against the railing and looks more carefully, from one to the other. "You, the flowers and all, seem a warrior. There's something in the way you bear yourself. I am Minerva." She wrily shrugs. "I realize I should have said so long before; I am sorry."

Constantin waves a hand. "Don't worry about it. My name is Constantin, sometimes called the Blood Rose." He smiles brightly. "I serve Althea, but I'm something of a monster-hunter. There's nothing contradictory between flowers and combat, though. Nothing at all. A pleasure, Minerva."

Minerva she nods, and relaxes a little. "I suppose Minerva is what I call *myself*, rather than my name, truth be told, but that may be for the best. I'm just learning, but does your Lady not serve as the warden of nest and hearth? If so, we are siblings in arms, even if the Dawn Star travels her own path, at times. It takes a home to return to, to give us the strength to bear arms against those who would take it away."

Constantin nods once. "Yes, indeed. She does, in one of her incarnations." He smiles faintly, a little sadly. "And sometimes we need to make our own homes, too."

Minerva leans forward, her emerald eyes intent. "It's true; far too true. Worse, some may need to find their own kin, as they can no longer call the ones they sprang from nestlings. That's why we stand, so that others can rest." She makes a hand-gesture. "Golden Lady and Silver Queen, I hope that this city will be that place."

Constantin nods. "The city has been ever so kind to me. It had made me a new home, with new hope." A pause. "Sometimes the people we save are our selves, too."

Turning around, part-ways, Minerva looks sideways at the shoreline and the citywalls approaching. The distant mountains seem to bring a memory, and she is quiet for a while.

"You know", she says. "I wondered, at times, whether I was saving myself or running from a fight. Now, I think I'm preparing to make a difference. It make take a while, but I'm not giving up on what came before." She looks the swordsman over. "And, if you can forgive yourself, neither should you. I don't know what you went through, but you serve peace by the blade. That's a tough choice, and it seems to me one born out of hard times."

Constantin keeps smiling wryly. "Well, yes. As always, it's more complicated than that. Just be mindful that there are also plenty of fights here -- everyone comes here."

"Good", she says. "That should keep me in shape. I just hope..." She shrugs. "Anyway. City's approaching. Can you suggest a place to stay, for one new? I have been seeing some kin at Mictlan, but perhaps I should join the city proper."

Constantin nods. "Try the Fernwood. It's a little more expensive, but it'll be a better start than some of the others."

Minerva looks in Constantin's direction, almost hesitantly. "If you'll allow me? Is there a temple to the Dawn Star in Alexandria? I made my promises, but the pendant was a gift, and... well, I feel I need to have a witness in this new home to the promises I made."

Constantin nods. "There is -- in the Temple square. You should be able to find it easily."

Minerva nods. "The Fernwood, and the Temple Square. I'll go make my introductions. Hopefully, we'll meet again, and in peace." She smiles her toothy smile at the swordsman.

Constantin says, "Be well, Minerva."

As the ferry nears the shore, the Sith takes up her spear and tests the boat's stability. Trusting in what she feels, she takes a great leap and lands smoothly on the shore. She turns, and waves - the same careful gesture she arrived with.