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Post by The Jenn on Nov 13, 2007 8:32:17 GMT -5
((OOC: This is a private quest thread for Rai and Mnem. Feel free to watch, but please don't interfere. Thanks much. <3
Posting order consists of me, and then the two of you in whatever order. Sometimes I may feel it necessary to post again after one of you, but usually I'll try to wait until you've both posted something before gong.))
The lakes were generally a beautiful place any time of year, but early winter was an especially pretty time. The frigid waters had begun to freeze around the edges in some of the more northern locations and snow flurries were an on-and-off occurrence. Traveling by ship could be treacherous when the winds kicked up and the icy water began to roil, but otherwise it was a fine time to travel provided that you brought enough insulation and didn't mind a bit of a chill.
This particular Selkie village was large enough to almost be considered a town, a port to other parts of the region thanks to an especially large lake bordering it on one side. Many successful businesses sprung up in the area and it was a popular tourist destination, with enough activity to keep people interested but not so much that they would feel stifled.
As far as Lakeland locations went, it was also a very good place to catch up on the gossip and rumors of the region. With a central spot in terms of trade and activity, many of its residents were part-time travelers in their own right.
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Post by seraaches on Nov 13, 2007 9:00:56 GMT -5
The stallion stepped from the boat, the wind caught the edges of his deep blue cloak, causing it to billow suddenly around his green form and briefly allowing the chill wind to dance across his maneless body. The horse fought down the urge to shiver as his ears worked around swiftly and he scented the air.
He was here for a myriad of reasons… or, something like two reasons. He had long heard good things about the Selkie tourist trade and his own business made him curious. He had wanted to come out here for quite awhile but had never managed to find the time, until now. Now was mainly defined by his second reason for being out here: a wellspring of interesting rumours had made their way all the way back to the Capital and the stallion was curious enough to want to investigate.
Shinrai briefly wished for the addition of a companion to his trip: a companion of his own choosing and, specifically, his long time friend Elias. But El had to run the tours while he was gone and couldn’t really be spared during this busy time for them; which, sadly, left him with a companion very specifically –not-of his choosing and someone he also didn’t even want around him… EVER. As if he had any choice in the matter. Blast it freakin’ all. He didn’t wait for the female, simply strode suddenly from the boat and down onto the pier, ears still working swiftly.
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Post by Bee on Nov 13, 2007 19:13:36 GMT -5
Not even the chill air of winter could spoil Mnemosyne's good mood and she disembarked from the boat, padding swiftly after Shinrai, who seemed as though he'd love nothing more than to lose her in the crowd of tourists. This was not going to happen. Part of Mnem's high spirits was directly linked to the level of the stallion's unhappiness, and damned if she was going to let him slip away.
She rather liked the coldness and frigid beauty of the region, anyway. The spring and summer months were what birthed most of her lovely plants, but most flora had the unusual talent of looking equally beautiful frozen and dead. She thought perhaps that she could pick up some seeds while she was here, to plant back in Capital City so as to have a nice crop for spring, but that really wasn't why she was here.
She had heard of booming trade in the Selkie Lakes region, and since her attempts to get in on the shipping industry of Capital City was not going well, she had decided to check it out. When she had caught news that Shinrai planned on going as well, she nearly died of malicious glee. It was going to be perfect.
Of course, this meant abandoning Minh to her own devices for a time, and Mnem did not even want to contemplate what the apartment was going to look like when she got back--if Minh was even still alive at that point; the feline had come to rely on her to cook food with actual nutritional value--but she pushed that thought to the back of her mind. Minh was a grown-up. Chronologically, at least.
"Shinrai, darling, do wait up," she called merrily, and picked up her pace.
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Post by The Jenn on Nov 14, 2007 20:56:07 GMT -5
The docks were busy in the late morning, even in winter months. Small private vessels were the norm by the Lakes and nearly everyone who could wrangle a pier owned their own boat, be it a rowboat or something slightly more substantial. Sailors, merchants, citizens, people of all sorts frequented the area and made it look perhaps busier than it was.
One of the sailors from the larger transport ship Rai and Mnem had just disembarked walked past them onto the wooden planking and sighed happily, stretching his bipedal arms over his head. The man was an older bull, built for labor and hulking with muscle, but he had proven kind enough to the strangers and answered questions in the past.
He looked over at them curiously, keeping pace with Rai more by coincidence than any deliberate planning. "Do you have it from here, or would you like a few last questions answered before I head on home? Seeing as this is your first time so far into the Lakes."
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Post by seraaches on Nov 14, 2007 22:32:52 GMT -5
The green Marshdweller had no intentions of slowing down for the tri-coloured canine, not even when the bulky sailor came along side him. The horse’s stride was long and easy, something the sailor would, of course, have no trouble keeping pace with. Here’s hoping the dog would get left behind though.
The stallion had appreciated the bull’s kindliness over the course of their journey and his ears twitched towards the other man for a moment. ”Any suggestions on the best place in town to procure gossip and lodging?” His ears flicked back wryly at the steady sound of the oncoming female. ”And any chance of convincing you to take that thing back with you again?” The words were said in a mostly laughing manner, but hidden beneath the amused demeanour was an edge of annoyance and some hint of despair. He really would never be rid of the canine. Blast it all.
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Post by Bee on Nov 14, 2007 23:13:45 GMT -5
"Any chance of convincing you to teach my friend some common social etiquette?” Mnem inquired brightly, catching up to the stallion at last. He was accompanied by a large bull of a sailor; from what Mnem had seen of him on the journey, he was the sort of simple, hulking, amiable fellow that Mnem felt more or less comfortable around, and perhaps more fortunately for him, he was the sort that Mnem had little desire to play with.
As far as gossip was concerned—the pier appeared to be brimming with all sorts of chatter, and though Mnem was not listening to anything in particular (she had been far too concentrated on foiling Shinrai’s attempts to elude her and listening in on his conversation), she thought that if she and Shinrai were to turn a deft ear to the buzz, they would be able to pick out a few useful tidbits. She agreed about lodging, however. She wasn't about to sleep out in the snow.
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Post by The Jenn on Nov 16, 2007 2:48:34 GMT -5
The bull laughed, clapping Rai genially on the shoulder in a gesture that was probably a tad too hard and jarring, though not deliberately. The man was a friendly sort, but not exactly Court material in mannerisms, and he had never grasped the concept of 'personal space' as well as Rai would maybe like. "Gossip and lodging... Annie's place is prolly the best, no doubt about it, especially if you're not looking to be overcharged for lackluster food. Tell her Hardin sent you and she won't have any issues. I get business her way sometimes from other passengers. We go way back."
He listened to the conflicting 'requests' and snorted in amusement. "Women troubles, eh lad? Met one who didn't let go quite so easy, then? Sorry miss, but if a noble has no manners, 'specially a pursued gentleman, there's nothing short of laughing about the whole thing I can do to help. Not that it'd help much, eh? You'll have to chase this one on yer own."
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Post by seraaches on Nov 16, 2007 21:22:07 GMT -5
The stallion snorted, rolling his eyes at Mnem’s sarcastic shot, but really he simply let it roll off his hide. The cold weather had succeeded in one simple feat that the stallion hadn’t really meant to do; the Yarrow Gardens canine was unaware of his rank change. He was still settling into it, however, and wot his new responsibilities and power meant for him as a person as well as for his overall long-term goals. His head came up. He would be secure and steady. Even if Mnem still annoyed the snot out of him.
Actually, on the heels of that thought came another. Mnem just might be the perfect training tool. She was a sarcastic *$#&@ who only cared for herself and her own pleasures. In her own little way, she was like a miniature, less impressive, less important, and less big picture-minded version of Queen Serafino. Having met that man and served him tea, Mnem’s machinations were no longer much more than child’s play; still annoying, but nothing in the big picture of the world. He couldn’t give away his weakness to Serafino, and a good first step would be to stop being so swayed by the canine.
”It’s not a lack of social etiquette,” the stallion replied easily. ”It’s yet another reminder that you are not wanted.” And then he put her from his mind.
”Your information is appreciated,” Shinrai said in a low tone to the bull, ignoring the strength behind the ‘friendly’ gesture, even if he didn’t really appreciate it. He didn’t much care to be touched unless by his initiation. But there didn’t seem to be any malice behind the action. ”Perhaps we shall sail together again.” With that for his farewell, the stallion strode confidently away from the older sailor, moving into the crowds with ease.
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Post by Bee on Nov 16, 2007 23:58:17 GMT -5
Mnem readjusted her back and stared after the stallion for a moment, weighing her options. She knew the name of the place at which she was to be lodging; she could always pry directions out of some friendly sailor, meet Shinrai there, and continue to poke at him. But making digs and constantly being rebuffed would at length become tiresome, and Mnem had little tolerance for tedium.
Besides, the stallion was reponding oddly to her teasing. She wanted to figure out why.
She nodded at the older sailor. "Thank you very kindly for your assistance, friend. May your own travels run smoothly."
She took off after Shinrai, then, lest she lose him in the crowd. Not much chance of that, really: a large green horse with an air like his did not vanish so easily.
When she at last caught up, she locked eyes with him briefly before looking ahead again.
"I do not know my way," she informed him brusquely. She frowned against a bitter gust of wind, and added, gently, "If you would care to escort me to the lodging house of this 'Annie,' I would be in your debt."
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Post by seraaches on Nov 17, 2007 12:53:28 GMT -5
The stallion didn’t acknowledge the canine as she first stepped up beside him; he had no reason to. He met her gaze inadvertently and didn’t keep it for the same reason. However, her request caused the near green ear to tilt towards her before grey-green eyes slanted sideways to inspect her for a moment. ”Well, then,” he said quietly. While his first, outraged reaction was to tell her to buzz off, the wiser part of him stayed the knee-jerk reaction. She wasn’t reacting the way she usually did and he wanted to repay the ‘good behaviour’. ”We’ll just find it together.”
His strides didn’t slow for her, though he did keep her from being jostled quite as much by the crowd. It really wasn’t that hard to find Annie’s; besides Hardin’s endorsement, it was one of the most popular establishments in the area and all of the locals knew exactly where it was. The stallion scanned the area then led the way into the building.
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