The Dragons' Run - Act 1

Jensa:

"Thank you, Hearthfather, that would be just-"

The magistrate crested the hill. Jensa's smile grew a hair's breadth tighter.

"-perfect."

She briefly wondered if there were any gods who owed her a favour. Alas, she would face the storm of cheer alone.
Not to mention how much more awkward this makes my mission.

"Magistrate Yvara, isn't it? What a surprise! I do hope you are not here on business."
 
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Yvara

Yvara's smile broadens a little.

"I too hope not to be here on business. I was actually thinking that a magistrate is a little like a doctor; good to have around, but if the day can pass without them acting in a formal capacity, then everyone is better for it. By contrast, your own talents bring joy simply by their exercise."

Yvara's smile is a little wry.

"Truth be told, I would never so insult the Hearthfather as to arrive and announce that my search for crimes has brought me to his door! I offer aid where it is requested, or where it is clearly needed."
 
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@Sarky @FuzzMonster

Fel seems genuinely pleased to see Yvara, his weatherbeaten face broadening into a wide grin. "Calm seas, Grey One. You brighten my home." He bows deeply. "Ladies, I must beg you to excuse me. I have much to prepare before Banoron Lesanda's arrival. And I need to figure out where to put that Peleps bas- excuse me, Peleps Daejon, so that I can interact with him as little as possible. When you're ready, come inside and break bread and water at the Hearth. You are my guests and your shelter is my concern."

He scuttles off, leaving you two alone. A cricket chirping can be heard even over the hubbub.
 
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@Hair

As you complete your search, you notice a small boy peering at you from behind a curtain. It looks like he wants to talk to you, but he seems very shy.
 
Jensa:

"Such a nice man. Did you see how he only nearly called the Dynast a bastard? I wonder if the irony of half-calling him such was apparent. But I'm rambling! Let us go inside and break bread, as the Hearthfather offered. I don't know about you, but I am famished!"

And it's hard to be so damned perky at me with your mouth full.
 
Yvara

"Yes, he did so well! I suppose I may offer to go and bore the very pants off of the Peleps. I can explain clan tribunal legal precedent until he has a deeply enriching cultural experience, and the good Hearthfather won't have to worry about keeping an eye on him so much. It's really the least I can do as a guest."

Yvara holds the door for Jensa, and continues. "That said, if the Hearthfather wishes my expertise in a matter of such delicacy, diplomacy, and excruciating tedium, I can accept payment in bread and butter. I would be flattered to share your table."
 
Jensa:

Jensa found a suitable seat, and waited for some food.

"Hmm? Oh trust me dear you don't get a Dynast's pants off by being boring. I do hope Kato and Sato show up soon, there is a whole band to assemble..."
 
Yvara

Enjoying the solid feel of the furniture under her (imagine having wood under your bum which isn't bobbing up and down, hmmm?), Yvara relaxes.

"Aha, but there is idle flirtatious frustration, and then there is frustration born of misaimed education. Someday, I shall incite a man to sing me truly terrible love poetry by first filling his ears with the annals of land disputes. He'll stumble upon the word 'plough', and we shall chuckle. This I promise you, Jensa."
 
Jensa:

"Such... ambition. Do invite me to the wedding. So if not business, what brings you to Seppish? Just passing through?"
 
Abyss' Black Reach

Abyss turns, pretending that she hasn't seen the boy and saunters his direction, avoiding looking at his hiding spot. As she comes abreast with him she drops to a crouch and rips the curtain away, giving her best attempt at a disarming smile. "What's your name, minnow? No need to hide, I'm not liable to bite. You wouldn't fill me up, even if I were."
 
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Yvara

"I'm here for the festival, of course! Food and music, companionship and craft. Mind, if the presence of a magistrate is in any way helpful for keeping order, then that too will serve as a purpose."

And maintaining my circuit through the isles. I am to be seen, to have my seal recognised, and to bring peace. So, yes Jensa, I am here on business after all, but my business is not the part where I announce that Alredd owes weregeld for the murder of Niamh. My business is that in my presence there will be no harm done, and in my wake the clans will know a temporary measure of peace.

"And yourself, Jensa? Will you meet the Banoron herself before you perform?"
 
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@Sarky @FuzzMonster

Your conversation is interrupted, albeit politely, by a young woman. Rosy-cheeked and striking rather than beautiful, she seems a little awed by the two of you as she presents you the traditional greeting meal of a cup of fresh water and a trencher of thick black bread and smoked fish. Guest-right sealed. You are under the Hearth's protection, and it under yours. Her family resemblance to the old man is unmistakble - this must be Sorelt Feray, the Hearthfather's niece.

"Excuse me, Lady Caerdath? Grey One? My uncle asked me to come and ensure you had your guest-meal. Also Lady Caerdath, I'll be helping with anything you need for your troupe to set up."

@Hair

The boy nearly bolts, but thinks better of it. He looks scared but also deeply impressed. You are definitely the coolest thing that has ever happened to him. "I heard stories about you, I did, miss. They say you fought a dragon and a dozen pirates and..." he leans in a bit, in case anyone overhears, " one of Her children, but that was just to a draw for fun, because they're our friends. Mam says so." As he babbles he half-thinkingly sketches a crescent over his heart, as the adherents of the Crescent Way do when they speak of the Changing Goddess.

"My Mam... my Mam said..." his excitement seems to melt into fear and grief, and he starts crying. A lot.
 
Jensa:

To business.

"Ah, wonderful, I gather you are Feray then. Thank you kindly for this delightful guest-meal. Yvara, please excuse me for a moment, duty calls..."

Jensa Popped a piece of fish into her mouth, and washed it down with some of the water, before taking the young woman aside with a friendly arm around her shoulder. She pitched her voice to ensure her instructions were clear, but in a friendly sing-song manner to ease the poor girl's obvious nerves in front of a pair of Serpents of no small reputation. "Now. Feray, my dear. If you could keep an eye out for my assistants Kato and Sato, they should be arriving soon. You can't miss Kato, he's a giant of a man. Just show them to where we are to perform, and they'll get started. The troupe consists of myself, Kato and Sato, and twelve others and their drums. Now, if the troupe needs anything, they're to go through Kato, who will come to you, so don't let any of them presume to boss you around in your own home! They would appreciate a small bite to eat I'm sure after all those bland ship-rations. However, the troupe is absolutely forbidden alcohol until the performance is done, but I am ashamed to tell you that once they're finished work they will drink like particularly thirsty fish.
I believe that's everything for now. I'll join the preparations once I've finished the meal you generously provided. Thank you, Sorelt Feray, I appreciate all your help in preparing for tonight."

Feray was dismissed with a reassuring pat on the back, and Jensa sat back down to finish the guest-meal. "Now. Where were we? Oh yes. If I have time beforehand, I would not say no to meeting Banoron Lesanda. I'm sure a mighty Serpent Clan Hearthmother like her has better things to do than swap pleasantries with a mere dancer, though. Especially one from Clan Caerdath, if the rumours are to be believed!"
 
Abyss' Black Reach

"Oh, eeh..." Abyss looks profoundly uncomfortable. "Um, let's find someone who ahm... knows what to do with you, minnow."

Abyss gathers the bawling child into a strange cross between an embrace and holding him at arms length. She hustles towards the staircase down to the kitchen.

"Eeer, how about I tell you about how I got, um, this scar? Well, we were fighting some mercha- 'pirates' and.. Oh, thank Luna!" Abyss thrusts the crying boy at Feray as she reenters the kitchen, before fleeing to the dining room. Upon seeing who shares the room with Jensa, however, she pulls up short.

"By Éa's saggy tits, will my torments never end. What are you doing here, greyblood? Here to hound me about my perfectly legal negotiations again?"
 
Yvara

In the midst of complimenting Jensa for her organisational skills, Yvara looks around and offers Abyss an open and friendly smile.

"So defensive, Captain! I'm afraid I had no idea you were here. Besides, so long as you are only taxing vessels intruding on clan waters, your negotiations are of course legal. Such are the terms of the letter of Marque granted by the Banoron herself. She is to be here as well, I understand? I do look forward to paying my respects, she's formidable."
 
Abyss' Black Reach

Abyss sniffs and makes to spit, before realising she's inside, and a guest to boot. She swallows with a grimace, sprawling herself across the chair at the head of the table. "Aye, my grand-aunt'll be here. She's the whole reason we have this rigmarole in the first place. Frankly, 'formidable' is an understatement bordering on an insult, ould bitch is terrifying."
 
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@Sarky @Hair @FuzzMonster

"An accurate assessment of my character, Cylin, as always. You're looking thin."

The woman leaning against the doorway is unassuming in appearance, at first glance, though there is something that draws the eye back to her. She is barefoot and plainly dressed, a silk shirt half-unlaced and practical leather breeches down to the calf. She's not particularly tall, and her build is hard and wiry, clear signs of a life spent at sea. A narrow face with high cheekbones and a strong nose. Eyes the colour of a storm, and long brown hair tied back into a loose ponytail. Her hair is wet and slick despite the warm spring sunshine, and condensation drips down the doorframe she leans against. On closer inspection, her skin has an unmistakable aquamarine tinge, and the smell of saltwater grows stronger as she treats you all to a broad smile with no humour in it at all.

Banoron Lesanda shifts her stance slightly in the doorway, a plate of flatbread and fish in one hand and a cup of water in the other. She's been eating standing, and you get the impression she's been standing there a while. She looks about twenty, though she's easily ten times that age, and in the prime of her power.

"Hello, Yvara. So nice to see you, dear, as always." The Banoron Reaver, the Tempest, The Drowning One, smiles at you like a riptide. She pads across the floor, leaving wet footprints in her wake, and straddles a bench a table away, tearing in to the trencher with gusto as she goes. "And you must be Caerdath Maya Jensa. A good omen for a fading line, some say. And a beautiful dancer. Fair winds, ladies. Are you enjoying Seppish?" She doesn't blink at any point, staring you down as she eats.
 
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Jensa:

Oh, thank the gods Yvara's presence was forcing politeness from me. She grins like a shark, and every word bites like one. Not someone to make an enemy of. But she's tearing everyone apart equally so let's enjoy the ride for now.

Undisguised amusement at proceedings danced across Jensa's face in response. "Whoever says such lovely things of me is very kind. Yes, I am greatly enjoying Seppish, Hearthmother Lesanda. I have been made very welcome by the Sorelt family, they are most generous and diligent."
 
Yvara

With practiced grace, Yvara inclines her head with a smile, at the perfect angle to indicate respect for one who is a social superior but who does not have the ability to order her about. It's the niceties, really.

"Hearthmother, it's a pleasure to see you. Had I known you'd be so pleased by Abyss' description I may have bypassed the term 'formidable'.
"Seppish has been delightful so far, a welcoming port after a long sail, redolent with the scent of good food and cheer. In fact, it seems that we have tempted the cousins to come and play. Is there any issue regarding the Peleps presence?"

Yvara is far too nice to smirk, but she is entirely willing to grin behind the rim of her cup.

"Anything which you feel would be helpful for a neutral representative of the entire Tribunal to hear?"


[Cha + Socialise to get that bow absolutely perfect, respectful but not subordinate, spending 4 motes peripheral on Socialise Excellency for 2 successes.]

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[Total 4 successes.]
 
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Banoron Cylin

Cylin stiffens, though she doesn't change her posture, resulting in a deeply uncomfortable position as the chair digs into now taut muscles. "Ah, Lesanda, good of you to join us. Speak of Her Chosen, and all that. You appear to have forgotten your boots, Grand-Aunt, shall I have my spare pair brought up for you? They might be a little loose on you, though," Cylin shrugs, "big feet.

"Regardless, you'll be happy to know that the Hearth is secure. The most dangerous thing I found was a surprisingly emotional child, and my men should have the outer buildings sewn up by now, too."

"Speaking of my lean figure, and leaner pickings, I should get myself a greeting meal. If you'll excuse me." Cylin stands, and braces herself to reenter the kitchen she had fled moments before.
 
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