001. ( the saltwater cure ) — voice.

[sacral]

[ First, there is the sound of the sea — cresting waves, shimmering crashes. Then, the vast buoyed ache of wood loved too well by salt and sun. Voices boom, bark, and scatter about though none are distinct save one (who does not seem so keen on proper introductions): ]

I'm here on behalf of a man named Captain Samuel Vane — or Quicksilver Sam, as his reputation travels. I suppose you can also say that means I'm here on behalf of the man who calls himself the merchant. I hear you're already acquainted.

There is a group of you who travels east. I met some of you... in the forests, the village Ke-Waihu, but our paths diverged.

[ He is stern but an apology still lies beneath its surface. Still, he's here for a reason and so gets on with it. ]

Now, Captain Vane is ready to offer his vessel as a means to reach your next destination. He is also sailing east.

[ Here, his words slow and measure, though they remain heavy with what he doesn't say. ]

He doesn't desire money or goods in exchange for your [ our?? ] passage. Only safety... "sainted protection."

[ It's then that gulls cry overhead and across the crack of sail cloth. ]

Look for the Pariah.

Comments

un: xunxian; voice

[topoiran]

Saint... now that's not something I've really been called before.

[beitangmoran]

I can't say I've heard you called that ever.

[topoiran]

Most people do have better sense than that.

[sacral]

Because there wasn't an opportunity or for another reason?

[topoiran]

Inclination, or interest, even. Has being a saint been one of your own goals?

un: Black Prince; text

[blackscales]

Not the most reassuring ship name. 

un: smithery

[arsmechanica]

I admit I'm relieved that someone else said it first.

[blackscales]

We can only hope it's not an omen of things to come. 

[sacral]

No, it's not. [ He's willing to call a spade a spade. ] But the ship itself and its captain have been dependable.

[blackscales]

How long have you travelled on it? 

[ The bar is low, in his experience.]

un: absterge

[downswing]

We are short-supplied saints.



( Aliiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnnaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa. )

[sacral]

The remedy he's seeking is theoretical. Any measure of protection will be fine.

Do you have a saint among you?

[downswing]

Scant resource.

What enemies besiege him?

un: man's greatest treasure (voice)

[reparo]

More travel by sea? [A sigh at that; better gather all the mind leaves.]

Thank you for bringing us the message, uhm... [NAME??]

[sacral]

[ ah ]

I apologize. It's Sumeragi Subaru. ...Subaru is fine. This won't be your first time at sea?

un : dappled peals of the parted seas (voice)

[beitangmoran]

More sailing. Well, I guess we must.

There seems to be a slight misunderstanding about who we are, though.

[sacral]

Did I misspeak?

un: V; voice

[techmaturgy]

...What kind of boat?

[sacral]

A large one. Multiple decks, four masts. She's armed. A galleon — that's what I believe she's called.

voice; un: iwannahexyouup

[incantates]

I have so many questions... where does one start? How do we know we can trust Captain Vane not to maroon us on an island on par of the many mysticisms of the Bermuda Triangle? How long will we be out at sea? What if someone could just give us a map and allow us to find our merry way there on our own?

[ He knows that's not how anything works in this place, but he's still a little skeptical of going on an unknown ship to an unknown destination. ]

[sacral]

I don't blame you for having questions, but know Captain Vane asks none of his own when he offers us a month of safe travel, free room, board, and meals.

[ His point is explicit: it's a good deal for as many passengers as they have, who have no passports, no official means that may afford them something other than, well. A pirate ship. ]

I've been aboard the Pariah for some time now. The Captain isn't an ill-tempered man. [ . ] He's also not one who would forfeit our lives at the risk of being stuck with our vengeful spirits as a result. However, I can ask if he has a map he'd be willing to part with.

un: white pawn; voice

[chosenbylight]

Sainted protection?

[You can't see his face, but Anduin is definitely making a face at this choice of words here.]

I -- am a priest, but I'm not sure that qualifies.

[sacral]

Maybe not, but a priest would still be a welcome addition on board.

un: eclipse | audio

[soloritur]

[ Marcos knows what happened with some of the people who arrived in the forest, though he doesn't recognize his voice. His first concern is that they didn't catch all the bandits shipping people off to God knows where. He doesn't know what conditions he's been in since he was separated from the group, but it's hard to ask that over the network. ]

Thanks for letting us know. [ What choice does he have but to go along with it, anyway? They can't stay here. ] Did you have something to do with the negotiations, or did they just decide to make you the middleman?

[sacral]

[ Though the experience has been just different enough, employed by pirates and being tossed by the seas rather than gripped tight by the strict hand of his clan, the work is just about the same. His tone remains businesslike and evenly keeled, as if he thinks nothing particularly special of it. ]

The latter, then the former. I was sent to shield the ship, and by extension, its crew. From there, the Captain placed enough trust in my ability to invite your party as he plans to travel east.