voice | @taken for granite

[rumorate]

[Set shortly after this conversation with the captain of the Queen Zanyra, Allison appears on the network. If she sounds a bit irritated, it's because she is. Caladan didn't exactly rub her the right way.]

I recently had a conversation with Caladan Kreil, the captain of the Queen Zanyra. Anduin already mentioned some of what he told me, about the nightmares and Vane seeing things, but he mentioned two other things that I think you all should know.

One, we're heading out to the place where Vane lost his last crew, and he seems to be pulling some kind of Captain Ahab routine to try and avenge them or some shit.

Two, the reward Kreil is after for helping Vane? Is ownership of the Pariah. Kreil made a not so veiled comment about how he will have say on who gets to stay on board and who doesn't.

[A beat.]

Though that might have just been his reaction to my sparkling personality.

Comments

[incantates]

That is very dangerous if I don't know where I'm going. Hence, why I took my chances with the boat instead. Only time will tell if I actually made the right judgment call.

[ Spending eternity in limbo with his father is not something he'd want to risk anyway. ]

How are you doing on the Queen Zanyra otherwise?

[rumorate]

I have to spend most of the day cooped up so I don't get my girl cooties all over the boat, and the food is terrible when my roommate isn't preparing it.

[Bless you Emilia for your mad kitchen skills.]

But other than that, I've been in worse situations.

[incantates]

Girl cooties? This isn't due to one of those archaic superstitions about a woman on a boat being bad luck, is it?

[ What century is this place stuck in? Even he's less archaic than some of these beliefs. ]

[rumorate]

[She snorts.]

Yep. That would be it. But it's fine. I don't really want to spend much time talking to them anyway.

[incantates]

I, for one, am pleased to have your company aboard any boat and consider it a blessing, even if we may not be the same. Just say the word, and I'll teleport over with a bottle of rum.

[ What boat ride isn't complete with copious alcohol anyway? ]

[rumorate]

[Oh, rum sounds so nice right now.]

I will keep that in mind. God only knows I might need it before the end of this trip.

[incantates]

You and everyone else. I think most of the passengers are ready to jump overboard at this point if only to break up the monotony of sitting in a rocking ship for days without end.

Hermione asked if I could do her nails, and you are more than welcome to take advantage of that offer too. Being trapped on the high seas is no reason to neglect good hygiene.

[ Besides, it gives him something to do that isn't jumping overboard himself. ]

[rumorate]

[There's a minute of silence as she contemplates that offer and she can't remember how long it's been since she thought about just taking time for herself. Definitely not since she arrived here.

Has it really been more than a year?

In the end, all that manages to actually come out is:]

You're the best.

[But after a beat.]

I can return the favor, if needed. I worked as a hairdresser for a while.

[incantates]

Oh, I will definitely take you up on that offer in return. My highlights could use a bit of refreshing and the tips a good trim. At this point, I'd even welcome a nice, simple wash.

[ He knows he can do all that with magic, but sometimes, it's nice to be pampered by an actual person. ]

[rumorate]

Done. I'm hoping they'll have some decent beauty supplies once we get to wherever we're going.

[She could probably use a few touch ups herself.]

[incantates]

I think trying to mix a few together from sea creatures will likely occupy the rest of our journey, but I'm nothing if not resourceful. I'll update you on my progress.

[ Assuming he doesn't go mad first from even trying... ]

[rumorate]

Just be careful. Between the pirates and the undead mermaids, who knows what's going to come up next.

[They aren't out of trouble yet. In fact it will likely get worse before it gets better.]

[incantates]

I can only imagine it'll probably involve more restless spirits and natural disasters, but who knows? Maybe this world will be nice enough and let us relax the whole trip.

[ He's not very optimistic, to be honest. ]

You're welcome to call me if you run into any of the former as well.

[rumorate]

We could always have a séance?

[She says like she's ever had one in the first place. But maybe it could be fun. Lots of booze and sitting around a ouiji board as they tried to conjure spirits.

Always seemed like fun in the movies.

But she's also mostly kidding, she's fine with leaving the spirits where they are.]

[incantates]

Let's throw in the whole sleepover experience while we're at it. We can talk about cute boys and indulge in a little "light as a feather, stiff as a board"... I know the effect is rather pointless when I can actually levitate others with a snap of my fingers, but it's nice to play along and pretend.

[ More productive ways to kill time, as far as he's concerned. ]

[rumorate]

[She laughs, before tipping her head to the side.]

Is it weird or sad that I have like ... traditional sleepovers when I was a kid?

[incantates]

Not at all, and it's all the more reason to indulge in one, as far as I'm concerned. I'll add to that agenda. Do take care in the meantime until we can get together properly.

[rumorate]

Sounds perfect.

[But for now, until they're on dry land.]

Stay safe.

[incantates]

I could say the same to you. Definitely don't do anything I would until then.

[ Because he would do a lot of questionable things, and no one should follow in his footsteps. ]