Comin' Straight Outta Andaris

[Danielle Tobelle]

35th Saun 718

She tried not to think too much about it.

Leaving was supposed to have been the best course of action, all things considered. Rynmere, for all its splendor, wasn’t entirely where she ought to be. The salt lingering on her tongue from the waves took her attention. That, and the rocking of the boat. How long had it been since her last voyage? Not long, but then again, she’d grown accustomed to it. Danielle did not feel as safe as she used to out on the waters, but this was the fastest way to her destination. Somewhere barren - supposedly - that she could start fresh and make a name for herself as.

Saun was an unforgiving bitch. The heat had her sweating, even with the barest of breezes coming off the water. The same breeze that carried salt and briny scent of the ocean that she so loved. But also hated to some degree. This was an extension of the same sea that had turned her life quite literally upside down. (Falling face first into water, nearly plowed down by debris - has a way of flipping the perspective of things.) Her grip on the rail tightened, knuckles close to splitting.

Getting angry would solve nothing and yet it solved everything for Dani. She liked getting to raise her voice, which she had plenty of opportunities to do so onboard this ship. People that milled about aimlessly, just as antsy as she, would be welcome compatriots in the distraction of a heated discussion. This was her lot - stuck either below deck with the swarming masses of those who had as little fortune as she in this moment or walking the deck and seeing nothing but water and sky, baking in the heat. This was her lot - moving from one place to the next like some lost child in search of something she can’t quite put her finger on. Not herself; she didn’t need self-discovery. That was for people who lived far more comfortable lives than she did these days.

Fame felt like a good enough answer, but that wasn’t it either. No; something else. Whatever it was, it was an elusive thing that the mixed blood was much too warm to think about so deeply. The sheen of sweat on her skin was becoming more uncomfortable by the moment. Maybe she would go back to her quarters. Sleep would be a nice reprieve from the heat, even if she might pay for it later.

Dani rested her head against the rail, eyes closing as she felt the rock of the ship. Perhaps this was her running away. No. Running away implied fear. Running away implied that she had something to worry about and she did not. Danielle Tobelle had never been a mage and likely wouldn’t be one for some time. There was no fear of being burned at the stake there. Besides, out on the waters, there was much more to fear.

So much more.

Common | Other

[Maltruism]

Comin' Straight Outta Andaris

Lost in her reverie, Danielle did not note the slowly progressing level of concern in the crew and other passengers' voices and actions, until the bell began to ring. Sure, there had been some slight inertial changes as the vessel attempted what quick turns it could to avoid the oncoming hazard. But the nature of that hazard did not register with the novice seafarer, until the odd, bifocal reflection of the sun off the water's surface to distant port registered as well.

Not only was there a defined edge to a peculiar "smoothness" of that segment of the reflection, it's angle of location did not remain consistent with the crew's evasive actions that she now took full note of. It was moving toward them!...

The Wandering Calm!

Up until now, that phenomenon had only been something she'd heard old sailors speak of. She'd never been caught in a lasting calm before, let alone one that appeared to move with deliberate intent to ensnare victims. But she knew enough of life at sea to know what horror it could entail. Complete lack of movement for what became a steadily maddening duration, as rations of food and water ran low. Rationing, protests, defiance, theft and hoarding, dehydration, starvation, murder, cannibalism. The eventual fatalistic submission to drinking salt water.

The normal solution before it got to this point was to man the boat crews and go through the arduous toil of rowing and towing the ship free of the windless, currentless area. But those old, largely scorned, tavern tales spoke of such efforts being in vain, as the wandering calm moved with such efforts to keep them trapped until death claimed them in any one of a dozen horrific ways.

No doubt, the fact these old seamen had lived to tell of it gave somewhat of a lie to the details. But Danielle feared she may be about to learn otherwise.

Looking around, she could already see the wealthier passengers speaking fervently with the Captain; no doubt making preemptive arrangements to see that they got more than their share of supplies. To his credit, the commander shooed them away unceremoniously, following up their indignation with a shake of his head and a gesture to where they should remove themselves...and immediately!

The grumbling of these spoiled patrons spoke of trouble down the road.

Off Topic

Rather than a mere mod bomb, I believe I will take an active hand in ruining Danielle's trip to Quacia.

[Danielle Tobelle]

If this had been just another tale being told, Danielle might have had some excitement in noticing it. That she might think it was a product of her mind creating the image to match the words of the seasoned sailor telling his story of The Wandering Calm. But such was not the case, and as the other passengers had begun to do, she felt the start of panic. Did she consider speaking with the captain? Certainly; but she had nothing more than her name to give him. And there was no guarantee that would do anything for her.

But perhaps there was hope yet. The captain had already sent others away - clearly of more wealth and standing than she. Or appearing to be that way. Their expressions made it clear how their interaction had gone, for the most part. Were they only offering money? Most likely. They wouldn't want to be working away under the suns, even with their lives at stake. Too posh; sacrificing their comfort would be a great insult to their person. She scoffed, hands gripping the railing a touch tighter. She was different. And so she took a chance.

It was another pair of spurned aristocrats that brushed past her as she approached the captain. They weren't quiet about their displeasure. She huffed, considering a word or two, but she had no time to waste and no energy to spare on such a little thing as that. Not anymore.

"Ser." That was how it was done, right? Approach them respectfully. She'd seen her father do the same in his dealings. Then, make the offer. "I am...aware of our current predicament. Is there any way that I could be of assistance?" If offering money yielded nothing, what would offering services or aid do?

Common | Other

[Maltruism]

Comin' Straight Outta Andaris

The Captain's initial reaction to Danielle's voice was of spiking fury, the belief that she was just one more spoiled aristocrat, thinking herself entitled to benefits at the expense of the rest of the passengers...and crew. But his face softened with an unspoken apology at her offer of simple aid.

Nonetheless, the fact of its softening into a weary expression heralded little hope.

"You've me thanks child, for the offer, but I'm fearin' the best 'at'choo you can do be as little as possible." he winced just slightly at the possible misinterpretation that could be made and added hastily, "Not that I dunnae think ya be capable of competent assistance, mind you. It's just 'at the more you do, the more ya be needin' food an' water; and they be a premium now more'n ever."

His weariness trebled with the appearance of a robed man of calm but authoritative demeanor. The Captain sighed and cut him off before he begin his spiel. "Learned sir..." - apparently the man was a professor, or priest or something. - "...If the wealthy have sent'cha up here to tax my sense of fair rationin' with a debate about the 'true comparative value 'o differin' classes of folk', I'm not of a mind ta listen to more of it, thank you." His voice was sing-song with mockery of what had clearly just been presented to him by the 'elite' aboard.

The priestly fellow took no offense, and even went so far as to unleash a bit of a grin, "No sir, Captain. I happen to quite agree with your sentiment. But I believe strongly that we have a citizen aboard that is currently in considerable disfavor with the Immortal Chrien. I am unsure who, but I think we can find out easily enough. I can not prove it, but I know that I was not asked by the Harbor Master in Andaris to raise my vestments to show that there is no presence of the mark of her displeasure. I only wish it would have occurred to me before this calm overtook our ship."

The Captain's face darkened with rage as the robed figure finished his observations, "Damn the man! I heard they'd been gettin' reports o' departures bein' delayed or turned about by ill fates. I'd put up onyx to copper that the bastard...uh, excuse me, father...that the no-good bilge rat dumped him off on us a-purpose!"

"I'm afraid it may be worse than that, Captain, sir." the man interrupted, "I know much of the written lore of Immortals, and it's my understanding that while the ill-favored themselves may be cursed with wretched luck, it usually corresponds with an unusual run of good luck by those around them, to rub their noses in their own bad luck."

The hand was already raised, the voice following, "Aye, I know where yer goin' wi'this. I may not be learned in the ways 'o the whole pantheon of 'em, but I DO know what we get with the two Sea siblin's. And I would'na say the rest of us are swimmin' in good fortune right about now.

"Whoever this troublemaker is, he's gotta be targeted for more'n the usual imp-wrath. Looks like he's bringin' the 'Provin' Storm' down upon us. I suppose it's why she's gorrus locked here, to give her time fer whippin' up a real beauty."

The man stepped away from the helm, calling out for someone charmingly referred to as 'Pukey'. A voice came up from below the raised helm level, and the Captain started issuing orders that spoke of preparations for a sea gone completely mad. Then he turned back and found Danielle, after a brief scan of the deck. "There you are! Girl, I know ya heard all this, if you wanna be a big help, take it on yerself to give help t'the good father here to go down warnin' the passengers of what's comin' up. Yes, even the snobs, there's a good lass!"

Off Topic

Feel free to have whatever sorts of discoveries or reactions you'd find enjoyable to write about. You can take the lead, I will work with it.

[Danielle Tobelle]

The captain's intial reaction to her was not entirely unwarranted. He'd already had to deal with quite a few people thinking they could just pay and be better off than the rest. The softening of his expression was nice enough, but his words weren't what she had wanted to hear. She hadn't taken into account the resources she would burn. A blunder on her part, she'd admit.

"Aye, Captain." Danielle'd stepped away with the appearance of what must have been a priest, lips pursed and brows furrowed. She'd have to find another way. Back to the railing she went, but not too far off as she picked up on what they were saying. If rage was infectious, she felt it then. Bubbling up at the surface.

Someone had had the audacity to put everyone at risk in such a way. Jaw clenched, she considered marching down to the passengers and demanding they give themselves up. Chrien was not an immortal unfamiliar to her; perhaps not one she worshipped greatly, but respected well enough. Her father had made sure of that much. But it wouldn't be her own directive that gave her the ability to do so. The captain called for her, and she turned, eager and ready. "Aye, Captain!" There was more vigor in her voice this time around.

The Tobelle girl nodded her greeting. "My name is Danielle Tobelle. Father, I might suggest that it may be best if you go ahead." A clergyman exuded a sense of safety; having some unknown girl approach people - nobles, especially - would only provoke hostility. It would be how she would react, at least. "Just to get everyone softened up before we get into the inspection."

She would follow behind him, assuming an air of being a secondary figure, even if she didn't have the attire to match. They would find an excuse for that when or if they needed to. "It'd probably also do us good to start with the...wealthier passengers. If the lower class passengers see us giving them a hard time first, they might not feel as targeted." Danielle hoped for as much, at the very least. Getting cooperation without conflict would resolve the matter faster and potentially get them all to safety.

She made her course for the cabins, mind made up. A knock on the door and she stepped back, nodding to the priest to take first greeting as the door opened.

Common | Other

[Maltruism]

Comin' Straight Outta Andaris

A pained expression crossed the face of the robed man, who introduced himself as 'Father Higby', and he looked with unspoken apology at the young woman beside him. "I am terribly sorry for how this is going to sound young lady, but I think it would be best if we were not doing this together."

He winced at his choice of words, and tried to explain his meaning a bit better. "Though I probably have no more possessions or property than you, these people are going to see me as a member of their aristocratic sphere, due to the assumption of some expensive education. They rarely understand the nature of a priest's vows, or of the extensive term of missionary work exchanged for this supposedly "free" education. It is, in fact, why I am aboard this vessel."

He continued, hoping he had not angered Danielle, "Nonetheless, I feel certain that the poorer folk will be ill-at-ease hearing this news from me, as though I am giving them last rites prior to certain death. And I fear the rich will not take it seriously coming from you. I think the Captain's needs are better served if you take on the...well...for lack of a more diplomatic term...the cheaper rooms. There are considerably more of them, and I will join you when I am finished up here."

He seemed satisfied now that the young woman had understood his intent and had not taken too much offense. He smiled, "Perhaps by the time I am done dealing with these passengers, you will have made the others more ready to view my appearance as less dire. And to be honest, if we are both up here, those others may well decide we are actually favoring the rich by warning them first."

Assuming that Danielle agreed to split up and go below, she would naturally find considerable variety in the reactions of the passengers. The same was true of those of the wealthier circles, but she was not there to see that. For her part, there were many that demanded further explanations, or meetings with the Captain or crew. Many adopted an immediate witch-hunt mentality, calling for the creation of a "posse" to root out this cursed individual and heave him or her overboard.

The poor gal was taxed to her limit to keep the angry passengers under control, having to often remind them of this impending storm to keep them in their quarters and off the decks. The crews were in longboats, and were of no help to her. Nor were their efforts to tow the ship free of the calm making any progress.

It did eventually occur that she noted the repeated presence of a face that wore a different sort of emotion and always turned away when they made eye contact. This person would always disappear beyond whatever angry group Danielle was currently forced to deal with and she could honestly not be sure if it was a man or woman, human or other.

Soon enough, 'Father Higby' returned as promised, though perhaps a bit later then she'd anticipated. But it was welcome nonetheless, as the angrier passengers were more inclined to restrain their words and impulses in front of a priest than a poor, young woman. He seemed pleased with her progress thus far, noting how the passengers were accepting his presence now with less trepidation, as he'd hoped.

He told Danielle that he would take it from here.