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

[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.

[soloritur]

[ It sounds like they owe him one. He'd like to hear what he did to earn their trust, but whatever it was, he didn't have to come back for some people he barely knew. ]

Just how shorthanded are they? [ Ignoring the 'sainted' remark... ] Did they say what they need protection from?

[sacral]

They did. Curses, spirits, threats of that kind... the Pariah isn't shorthanded, the Captain just wants to bolster its defenses against hauntings.

[ By using the talents and abilities of the party he's been earning favor for. But — ]

That's in my line of work.

[soloritur]

[ ...That's not what he was expecting to hear. Marcos doesn't know exactly what that entails, but it's concerning that ghosts at sea are their biggest threat. ]

What do you mean? You're an exorcist?

[sacral]

Exorcisms are a skill of mine. But if I can prevent possessions and hauntings from getting that far to start with, it'll be a smoother trip for everyone.

Is work like that uncommon where you're from?

[ He is learning that's the case. ]

[soloritur]

Ah. You could say that. Most people who call for an exorcism are mistaking the situation for something else.

[ His father had... certain ideas of where his powers came from. ]

I'd say you've got your work cut out for you here, but it sounds like you've been doing this for a while. Did they know you could do that before you joined the crew? The others who arrived through the forest... we thought we recovered all of them.

[ He sounds apologetic, because he's already assuming the worst of what could have happened after he was lost to the group. ]

[sacral]

[ That does bring a touch of understanding to his tone; some things stay the same, no matter where they are. He just happened to be on the other end of it. ]

I understand. Even doing the job that I do, that kind of situation exists for me as well.

[ Granted, the tint of recognition fades into something a bit more halting as he picks out the other man's concern from his question. ]

It's no one's fault that I got separated. The Merchant seemed to be aware that I could provide the service Captain Vane was looking for to secure our route.

[soloritur]

[ He takes that in quietly. Honestly, even if it's been a while, Marcos can sort of relate. They drugged and tortured him when he arrived, but the minute he was free they gave him a job and he just... took it, because he didn't really have an alternative.

At least this one seems better suited for him than what they'd asked Marcos to do. ]

...In that case, they were lucky you came to us. [ He doesn't think it's a coincidence at all, but he can get into his conspiracy theories later. Since he at least sounds like he's in good health, he doesn't press him on his experience. ]

Did he tell anything more about the route and why they thought they need extra protection?

[sacral]

[ For Subaru, here or there makes very little difference. Going home or entertaining what'll happen to him was never on his agenda, so he seems to be operating on instinct rather than for personal gain.

He does seem like he's done a fair bit of legwork, with that lying unspoken. ]

Even I don't know all the details. But it seems like we'll be taking a corridor known as the Crossing. The rumor among the crew is that it's haunted. The Captain's caution leads me to believe that's true.

There's something within that stretch of sea that he's looking for.

[soloritur]

[ Marcos takes a heavy breath. Of course it's haunted if they're insisting on bringing an exorcist. They had a nice reprieve in the village, but as soon as they step outside they're back to dealing with the dead.

Still, he appreciates the heads up, and what he's done to help make their arrangements, so he'll keep that morbid thought to himself. ]

You don't have any idea what that something could be?


ooc: so sorry for the delay! life stuff keeps getting in the way :( :(

[sacral]

[ He does pause as if deliberating, but ultimately decides to answer plainly. ]

A compass. I don't know its purpose.

[soloritur]

[ A compass. That's one of those answers that brings more questions. ]

I'd... say that sounds impossible, but he must be confident if he's going through all this. [ Whatever its purpose, it's probably valuable in ways they can't imagine. ]

You're not on the hook if he doesn't find it, are you?