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

[incantates]

Still, always good to mention it somewhere in the text. At least, that problem I can take care of [ He hopes. ], and it would make me a little more willing to take a free boat ride.

I'm more of a warlock than an exorcist, but banishing evil spirits and demons does generally come with the territory. How about you? Travel agent for hire?

[sacral]

I'll keep it in mind. [ He neglects to say "for next time", not wishing to cross a haunted ocean twice... ] And something like that. [ somewhat dryly — ] I'm not usually this traveled.

My practice is onmyoudo. Divination, protection, things of that nature. Communication with spirits and exorcisms play a large role for me too. I can't say warlocks are common in my home city, but your skills would be appreciated aboard the ship.

[incantates]

You're in luck. There are about fifty other cultivators, exorcists, and spirit mediums onboard with us in case you want to trade tips and talk ghost-trapping with more than just little ol' me.

[ Magnus is starting to get increasingly more suspicious about the fact that so many ghost/spirit/demon experts keep ending up being brought into this world. ]

If you're looking to get away from that, I don't think we'll have much luck due to the haunted boat trip we're about to take, but I can at least provide distractions. Are you old enough to drink?

[sacral]

I've noticed. As far as haunted traveling goes, we're well-armed. [ Suspicious, but also not terribly inconvenient to be on the prepared side for once. ] I'm a bit of a workaholic, but I've never found talking about my job to be all that interesting.

[ As if he's got a cozy 9-5. To that end: ]

What's your drink of choice?

[incantates]

Any drink with alcohol in it, although I'm more partial to cocktails than straight up beer, if only because I still have functioning taste buds.

[ He'll never understand the beer-drinkers of the world. ]

Although I don't recommend either if you're prone to seasickness, but I can also whip up some magical dramamine if you need. I should do that anyway for our non-magical friends.