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Post by Fiddlesticks on Feb 12, 2022 16:52:22 GMT -5
The heavily-armed Freesails ship Tethys and its sister ship are spotted on the horizon, sailing towards Valkur's Roar. Once the ships are in port, the day crew depart for shore leave and Captain Blake takes an inspection around the deck before pausing for a smoke and a chat with his fellow opposite number on the other vessel.
The gossip among them is taken to the inns of the city, the crew is now laid up, sailors would say, waiting for the date of The Shattering to be communicated to the Captain so they can attend a yearly gathering of Valkuran faithful at sea and celebrate. General duties are carried out, repairs, restocking of supplies and ammunition as well as hull checks and maintenance. The Captain is spotted around town, buying a new logbook and catching up on news.
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Post by ShadowCatJen on Mar 15, 2022 12:08:25 GMT -5
Another snowy day and Mynian walks the city, checking in with particular people to get a feel for how things are. Murmurs around the shrine of Chauntea talk of the unending snow, the criers telling about the cold snaps across Cormyr. The farmers at the food market were getting restless as it was looking like the early spring crops were going to suffer, provided they happened at all. In Valkur's Roar, this was just a continued woe from the food shortages over the last few years. Something the city seemed to not be able to ever fully shake. She wondered, though, how it would be if this situation carried on to all of Cormyr. Her imagination did not like what it was seeing. But she'd yet to hear of the adventuring sorts to dealing with it or at least trying to find out what was going on. Granted, with flashes of the gods within the skies itself, and Marsember being raided during gang related efforts, the adventuring circles were talking far more of other things. Someone needed to get the pieces moving in the right directions. This was how Mynian found herself in front of the slip where the Tethys was docked. She'd learned from Captain Blake the previous year about The Shattering. How it signaled the arrival of spring and better weather coming. If Blake had word of when the Shattering would be then she would take this as just being an unusually long winter. If Blake had heard nothing from his god, then they would need to have a bit of a chat. Looking past the gates, she'd address the nearby Blue Dragon on watch, "Ahoy there! 'ave yeh seen Captain Blake o' tha Tethys about?" Fiddlesticks
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Post by Fiddlesticks on Mar 16, 2022 10:27:15 GMT -5
There is a moment of shouted messages between the Blue Dragon and a tall, skinny figure on the deck, a few heads pop out over the railings to look at her curiously as the message is passed along a chain of people then she would see the skinny figure wave and shout down "Aye, he gives permission! Let her through"
If she enters the gate, she would find the skinny figure has made his way down to meet her. It is Skully, the captain's "gofer", scribe and general handyman. Approaching her, the thin man has very little body fat giving him the skeletal appearance his nickname suggests. He gives her a grin showing a missing space where his two front teeth should be and curls his index finger to touch his bandana covered forehead in respectful greeting "Ma'am, cap'n says you can come aboard, care to follow me? We're making ready to leave in roughly five days or so, we're a lil messy but I'll see you don't trip over anythin'"
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Post by ShadowCatJen on Mar 16, 2022 13:06:43 GMT -5
The corner of her lip turned up in amusement as the message relayed through the ship. Walking through the gate she gave a nod of thanks to the Blue Dragon, then a smile and another nod to the thin man who greeted her.
"Thank yeh, goodsir. Much appreciated."
Following through at his guidance, she kept the lower part of her fur-lined cloak swept up in one arm to prevent it from snagging on anything.
"Five days, yeh say? 'as Cap'n Blake 'eard tha callin' then?"
Mynian hoped the answer was yes. It would mean her worries could die down and this unscheduled meeting could be a far more pleasant one. She always did want to get to know Captain Neckan Blake just a little better. This could be that chance.
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Post by Fiddlesticks on Mar 16, 2022 14:10:59 GMT -5
"Aye Ma'am, he's feeling a pull to the coldest part of the sea and inte'pretin' the vision" Skully nods, escorting her aboard and making sure she does not stumble or trip on any of the hazards left about, the deck is in the process of being cleaned and some of the ropes are being replaced. A huge, long shape is stored in a green canvas wrapping on the deck beside huge coils of spun metal line. "That's the cause of our delay" Skully nods at the object "We waiting for two mages and hands from our sister ship to help install it, the mages been delayed by the weather, it be a lightnin' rod"
She is escorted up the steps to the stern where the Captain is nearby with a smile on his face "Welcome aboard! Sorry about all the yelling, I am plotting or I would've come to down to meet you myself, just waiting for my weather watcher to get back" He gestures to the sky "Skully, fetch me that bottle of Saerloon from my cabin if you please? Like to offer our lady visitor a shot and share it around, keeps out the chill"
"Aye sir" Skully hurries off like a mountain goat, negotiating the path below.
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Post by ShadowCatJen on Mar 16, 2022 16:00:57 GMT -5
As Skully helped her over and around replaced rigging and other sundries, her eyebrow arched high as the device is pointed out.
"A lightenin'' rod?" Mynian eyed the coils, "One o' them sorts whot c'n contain it? Loik one o them gnomish thingies?"
She asked the question but really wasn't expecting an answer.
After offering a return smile to Neckan, she watched Skully bound off before looking at the Captain again.
"Tha's 'ospitable o' yeh. Might ward away tha' chill me be feelin' through me boots," now up on the stern and more exposed to the elements she pulled her cloak back around her form again. "'n nay worries about tha shoutin'. Me be commin' unannounced. Ifn anythin' me should apologize fer jus' dropin' by when yeh be in tha middle o' ..." she made a vague gesture at the deck below, " ... all o' this."
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Post by Fiddlesticks on Mar 17, 2022 7:28:23 GMT -5
"Not a problem, ma'am, I welcome the distraction as a pleasant break from me waitin' for those mages" The Captain says with a grin "Guess Skully showed you the lightning rod aye? That thing should be useful once it's installed, but needs levitatin'" He nods at the covered rod "It'll go on the first mast and that cable will run back here" He points up to where sailors are attaching a series of rigs to hold the cable "...got to get it straight and the end goes into the water to disperse the power of any strike, gives us a smidge of extra protection"
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Post by ShadowCatJen on Mar 17, 2022 11:34:50 GMT -5
She peered over at the device again, silent for a moment, but obviously with thoughts going through her head.
"Provided it works as intended, it could potentially give a ship a fightin' chance ifn there were a dire need ta sail through a storm," her words were murmured and almost more to herself, but then with a slight sharp shake of her head she spoke up again toward Blake. "Not a complete guarantee o' neva bein' 'it by lightnin' but a slight chance o' avoidin' be betta than nay chance attal."
Mynian tilted her head in genuine curiosity, "Do there be a specific reason why yeh need this contraption 'itched ta yeh ship 'r do this be some experiment? Somethin' tha Crown put yeh up ta?"
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Post by Fiddlesticks on Mar 17, 2022 16:10:32 GMT -5
The Captain looks at her with interest at her thoughts "You be right, of course..tis not a guarantee as there are ways it could jump along the bowsprit but with magic warding hazards..that chance goes down further"
He nods at her question "Tis not an experiment as it is already on some vessels, for a Valkuran vessel this is a boon...y'see, although I can work lightning as the Mighty commands the air..so do gods and mortals who think little of us and do not value the lives of others above the value of power and of money" He gives a meaningful gaze "-a wooden vessel struck by lightning is a terrible sight to behold"
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Post by ShadowCatJen on Mar 18, 2022 12:45:44 GMT -5
Mynian's nose wrinkled at the implication, a small frown forming on her lips, "Tha' would be a concern. They'd aim roit fer tha masts too, wouldn't they? Anywhere else 'n they risk puttin' a 'ole in tha ship, 'ave 'er catch fire, 'n sink afore it could be boarded ..."
With a sheepish grin and a wince, she'd add, "Yeh'll 'ave ta fergive me. Ship strategies 'n tactics 'r nay me forte, so me curiosity be ignorin' tha macabre nature o' it."
Coming closer to where he stood, she tried to change the subject, "So yeh still tryin' ta figure out yeh next course? Yeh man there said yeh 'ad some visions?"
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Post by Fiddlesticks on Mar 18, 2022 13:24:56 GMT -5
"Aye" The Captain nods "I was just reading up some modifications to the rod design where all metals are connected and grounded to a copper sheet..but enough of me wafflin' on" He grins at the seamstress "Oh it's the weather you be wanting to know about, aye? I have had a couple of interesting moments over my breakfasts where I keep seeing a ditherin' ice floe by an outcrop" He scratches his nose with a silver ring-bedecked finger "Tis mighty weird when you see it in a cup of Durparian Black, but there you go..that's mysticals for you, I'm not a High Captain yet, so i sent my weather watcher off to the nearest superior to me to see if he's heard anythin' from the higher-ups. He should be back .." He shrugs "I just hope Two-Step didn't get distracted by fish, he's a good bird but he's a big fellow and needs to keep his strength up..anyways, we are keepin' an eye out for him"
He pauses to gaze at the sky as Skully returns with the big bottle of brandy "Hoy, thanks mate..lady first then share it about the watch"
"Aye sir" Skully scoots over to pour shots into wooden tumblers he has brought up from below "You know the Grey Watch will be belly-achin' they missed this"
"They're asleep" The Captain chortles "A warm hammock or a bunk is jus' as good as a shot of this, anyway I won't forget them....we got more rations coming in"
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Post by ShadowCatJen on Mar 18, 2022 18:26:45 GMT -5
Keeping her hands warm by tucking them under her armpits, arms tightly crossed, she listened to him intently. She snorted once at his mention of seeing iceflows in his kaeth.
"Gods will 'ave signs pop up where they please, these days," was her utterance just before Skully returned with the brandy.
Accepting it, she waited for the Captain to also have ready tumbler in hand, "'opefully this Two-Step o' yers will 'ave tidin's o' where yeh be needin' ta go 'n 'ow soon yeh c'n get goin'." She'd raise the drink to him, "Not tha' me donna loik yeh company, but me would love ta be able ta tell some o' tha farmers ta not fret about winter nay lettin' up. Without assurances all me c'n tell 'em is ta pray 'n tithe at tha shrine o' Chauntea 'n 'ope fer tha best."
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Post by Fiddlesticks on Mar 18, 2022 22:16:08 GMT -5
"Where are me manners, would you like a blessing to keep out the chill, lass?" The Captain offers "Despite the fact I was born in blazin' heat I pay the elements such little notice.." He gives a toast before taking a swig "Fire in the hearth gives warmth to all our journeys, in the Mightys hearty gaze..so may it be"
The brandy would give an instant boost to warmth and a glow that reminds of time spent by an open hearth filled with merry flames. The Captain sighs happily.
As the air stills, a yell comes from a foghorn-voiced watcher in the crow's nest "Incoming, starboard! Two Steps BACK!"
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Post by ShadowCatJen on Mar 19, 2022 4:01:03 GMT -5
After accepting the offer for a blessing, Mynian took a long sip of the brandy.
"Ooooh, tha's good. If me knew yeh served brandy loik this on board me would o' visited much earl--"
"Incoming, starboard! Two Steps BACK!"
The half-elf's head snapped upward at the hollered voice, then she turned to look off the right side of the ship. Saying to Blake, "Guess me showed up at tha roit time, Smilin' Lady bless it."
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Post by Fiddlesticks on Mar 19, 2022 4:51:01 GMT -5
Her comment elicits a rich chuckle from the mariner whose blue eyes sparkle as he sips the brandy "Aye, I know what keeps a crew happy and motivated" He pauses at the yell and looks up. The spectacular sight of the incoming Two Step makes the Captain get a enigmatic and reverent expression. "Holy sight" He murmurs. The bird is bigger than any gull with a stout body of pristine white and a dark, impressive wingspan of at least ten feet...the albatross does not so much fly as glide. Two Step has something attached to his leg, an oilskin pouch is comfortably secured there, he circles the masts before coming in for a landing on the aft deck. Long wings folding up and he shakes his feathers before taking - two steps forward - and resting on the wooden surface. "Is that who you pay homage to, ma'am, no wonder - you brought us luck" The Captain beams and takes a breath, setting his tumbler down upon the table, he reaches under it for a bucket. The pail contains seawater and something sloshing in it. Some of the Valkuran crew are watching the albatross with deep respect. Approaching carefully, the Captain grips his holy symbol with his free hand and bows to the bird, who dips his head, looking back at him patiently. Neckan removes a sizeable orange squid from the bucket with his gloved hand and tosses it to the hungry bird who gobbles it down followed by yet another "Such stamina, he has to fly so long and rough winds" The Captain speaks in a softer tone and reaches down as the bird is occupied to remove the tether to its leg and free the oilskin pouch.
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Post by ShadowCatJen on Mar 20, 2022 1:34:08 GMT -5
It takes a moment as Mynian was mostly looking toward the shore closest to the starboard side. Confusion started to set in as she didn't see any runner or messenger coming toward the ship. It wasn't until she saw the Captain and his crew looking upward that she caught sight of the massive sea bird.
"Cor blimey, when yeh said 'bird' me thought yeh were jus' usin' it as a term o' affection. Yeh literally meant bird!"
Seeing the reverence the others were showing toward "Two-Step", Mynian quickly quieted herself and placed her own drink down on the table to follow a respectable distance behind Neckan Blake.
There was a certain part of her that felt a sense of dread seeing the interaction between the "messenger" and a devout of the Captain of the Waves. It was a sinking sensation in her stomach she felt almost every time she'd see or sense some sort of divine influence happening in front of her. It didn't matter if that god was good, evil, or somewhere in between. In her head the words entered again ...
'n tha Gods play their games.
Outwardly, she gulped lightly once, then watched on in anticipation for the "word from above".
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Post by Fiddlesticks on Mar 20, 2022 5:42:04 GMT -5
The Captain opens the pouch carefully and retrieves three objects; a copper disc engraved with markings, a folded letter and a stone.
He places the disc on the table, glancing at the numbers written upon it "Aye, not too far out from where I was lookin'...these are coordinates, see? There's Selune, there be Lathanders light and each notch here, the stars we use as poles"
He reads the message "Hail Tramontane, the ice shall split with a thunder fit" He pauses "- that means warmer weather coming, it becomes unsettled and ends in an outburst as warmth fixes in place" He continues "The time and place set upon the marker. Get there, Wavetamer and don't forget your extra rations. The Mighty steady your hand and give you a good south wind. By order of the High Captains, Commodore Baron Silverkeel"
The Captain chuckles "I knew he knew, we leave in three days and two days after on the spot, there will be a thunder fit. Splendid news, every other day, the weather will set fair after in starts and groans but settle" He rubs his hands together "Should be an enjoyable flotilla this year with Silverkeel leadin'"
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Post by ShadowCatJen on Mar 20, 2022 12:52:14 GMT -5
She looked at the disk and its markings with interest and listened keenly to Neckan's words. Mynian let out a breath that she wasn't aware she'd been holding as the Captain noted that they would be in for warmer weather in less than a tenday.
"Good news then," she'd murmur then cast a glance at the lightening rod, "'n even though it be soundin' a bit chaotic with thunder 'n lightenin' yeh'll be prepared."
Looking back at him, she'd sport a far more relaxed grin, "'n me takes it tha' all o' yeh o' tha faith will come ta this spot? Do it be loik a grand floatin' party after tha ice actually shatters 'n such?"
Taking up the tumbler again, she somehow felt warmer. Perhaps the combination of the news and the booze eased more than just her worries. Now she could let her general curiosity overtake her visit and she certainly had questions.
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Post by Fiddlesticks on Mar 20, 2022 15:59:38 GMT -5
"Aye, there will be prayers and songs but also plenty of stories told, drink and food" The Captain nods and looks from each face to face of his crew "Skully, pass the word along to Mister Peet and Mistress Jula, the crew will be glad of a meet with old friends and comrades not seen in a time.. we've been long near Palaggar, doing the Crown's command and we have stories aplenty, time to hear other tales of the Inner Sea too"
He takes another grateful swig of brandy "Tis not often Captains meet and we are as chatty as the Talking Birds of my birthplace, 'n as you know, talkin's thirsty work!"
Skully barks out a guffaw as he scoots down to midships to spread news.
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Post by ShadowCatJen on Mar 20, 2022 23:35:29 GMT -5
More of a grin played on her face, seeing the excitement raise on the ship, and she raised her own drink, "Tha' it be."
After a drink she considered the Captain a moment, "Me donna think me eva 'eard where yeh be from. Come from Luskan meself so some o' tha words 'ere got some familiarity in me ears. Not much in tha way o' talkin' birds in tha City o' Sails, though."
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Post by Fiddlesticks on Mar 20, 2022 23:54:47 GMT -5
Neckan smiles at the mention of Luskan "I was born in Zakhara, my beginnings was far removed from this continent, I am unusual for me kind...my mother was a captive taken at sea by mine father..." He pauses "The coasts of the land are ruled by men and women like he, barbarous and cruel corsairs, I had little to do with the bastard until I came of seagoing age then I was conscripted to his service"
His features, although framed with white hair, are a blend of ethnicity and partial albinism. "I do not remember much of my mother except she too had eyes o' this hue and though from Shou, her heritage ranged far beyond"
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Post by ShadowCatJen on Mar 22, 2022 11:11:30 GMT -5
As Neckan told some of his tale, Mynian sipped from the tumbler, letting the brandy do its work, and leaned a little to look at the navigation coin on the table. Having rarely seen one, she turned the coin with a finger to gaze at it better. She looked up at him, however, as he mentioned his father and noted the tone in his voice.
"Sounds loik yeh 'ad a rough go o' it when yeh were younger," she'd offer a sympathetic smile, then raise the tumbler to take another sip. "So 'ow did yeh manage ta get all tha way o'er 'ere from there? Tha's nay small trek!"
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Post by Fiddlesticks on Mar 22, 2022 23:20:37 GMT -5
"An Admiral of the church" Neckan smiles fondly, features warming "Y'see my father didn't bet on meeting a Captain who could best him... his name was Aldous Blake and they met on the Great Sea when he was explorin' with a ship called the Brine Wolf" His expression grows wistful "Nasir Al-Nabhan, my father, commanded the Poison Scimitar, in the common tongue..he thought to make a killing of this upstart explorer, instead Aldous sent him to the Deep after a fierce battle on the seas..it went on for days.."
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Post by ShadowCatJen on Mar 23, 2022 14:55:59 GMT -5
"Sounds an epic tale worth a song," she leaned forward on the table with a hand, "'n me would love ta 'ear tha full tellin' o' it someday. 'm guessin' since yeh took this Aldous' name tha' 'e brought yeh under wing 'n yeh learned all tha ways o' tha Captain o' tha Waves from 'im?"
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Post by Fiddlesticks on Mar 23, 2022 15:55:28 GMT -5
"Aye, correct ma'am, Aldous sank the Scimitar..there were only 2 survivors, I'm one, the other was Kanzu, a slave who helped me get off the ship just before Aldous broke her back..he plucked us out of the water and brought us with him" The Captain reminisces "I didn't speak a word o'common, Kanzu though was more educated" He takes a slow sip "I was just a young skinny lad...Aldous took me back across the seas, educated me and gave me a true home.. more of a father than my own" He chuckles "Aldous already had a few kids in Waterdeep keepin' Leona Blake busy, I fit right in with that crew"
He tosses another fish to Two Step as the bird makes ready to take off again "Wandering albatross, but he will be back'
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Post by ShadowCatJen on Mar 27, 2022 12:10:31 GMT -5
"Funny 'ow it sometimes nay tha family yeh were born ta, but tha family whot takes yeh in be whot makes yeh," she'd raise the tumbler in a salute at that for another drink.
As Neckan tossed the bird another fish she looked at it a little worriedly, "This is gonna seem loik 'n odd question but ... 'ow's it feel ta be .. that assured? In yeh faith, me means."
"Ta always get a sign 'n know tha path yeh be walkin' seems ta be tha right one," she'd motion to Two Step with a light motion of her hand. "'ave yeh ever 'ad moments where yeh doubted? Even after seein' a sign loik this?"
// sorry for the delayed response, had to really think about what Myn wanted to ask
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Post by Fiddlesticks on Mar 27, 2022 15:07:19 GMT -5
"Not always so assured" Neckan chuckles heartily "We have had our moments when I have been as dense as sea fog and not understood what he was tryna tell me";He smiles "That's the way with gods, they soon put you right"
He looks at Two Step in contemplation "His kind are signs of hope for us, just when we think there's nothing left - to see an albatross keeps our spirits up and going, they're not the only sign and sometimes an albatross is just an albatross but-" His face lights up "The hope and inspiration is what matters"
He watches as Two Step departs, the shadow of the bird cast upon the sea by a watery sun "Valkur don't interfere too much, he believes in the greatness of mortals an' their finest qualities need coaxin' out on occasion, this god was a mortal once, he knows how to get the best out of us"
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Post by ShadowCatJen on Mar 30, 2022 0:21:08 GMT -5
Mynian watched the albatross take off, its awkward land gait giving way to the easy glide of flight.
"They do get ta be a bit too vague sometimes, aye," she muttered, her eyes following Two Step until the large sea bird was no longer in sight.
Some deeper thought seemed to strike her, slight consternation etching her eyebrows, but the moment passes just as quick and she looks back at Neckan.
"Well, this time it definitely nay a misread sign," she'd motion to the coin upon the table. "This'll tell yeh where yeh need ta go fer tha Shatterin' aye?"
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Post by Fiddlesticks on Mar 30, 2022 9:53:41 GMT -5
She would notice those blue eyes assessing her expression kindly "That's right ma'am, we use the coordinates but also the stars, while some stars move as the world does, some remain constant in the sky" He gestures north and south "Depending on which part of the world you be in" He grins and looks at the disc "I could go on about navigation all day and bore you silly but the Shattering is the best part, marks the openin' of the sailing season proper, it's not like we don't sail in the cold, expeditions go on all year round but, the foul weather is our repair and quiet time.. they'll be happy to get back out there, share tales, fishing and hunting on the seas"
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Post by ShadowCatJen on Mar 30, 2022 19:44:54 GMT -5
"Me wouldn'ta be bored, actually," she'd quirk a grin and down the rest of the drink, lightly putting the empty tumbler on the table. "Any sort of knowledge be good ta know 'n yeh'll never know when yeh need it, but .. this nay the time fer it. Maybe when yeh come back?"
"'n would yeh call tha' tha call o' tha sea 'r a case o' cabin fever at tha port? Depends on yeh point o' view me guess?"
"'ow many o' these Shatterin's 'ave yeh been ta? Whot's tha' sort o' thin' look 'n sound loik?" there's a light of interest in her eyes, but also a sense that she's more than fine with the change in subject. "It all be ice so donna it jus' ... melt?"
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