Scribblers - Sebastian and Sylvie

Re: Home

Neverwashere — Wed, 30 May 2018 22:17:34 +0200

"Ye-es," Sammeh said, having considered the benefits of fresh fruit. It had left him with a strange gleam in his eye. Something young. "Something that you can eat while you walk. Thinking fruit."

Re: Home

Anke — Wed, 30 May 2018 21:58:19 +0200

Sylvie turned, propping her elbow on the railing, and gave him her full attention. "Finding some fresh fruit should be no problem."

Re: Home

Neverwashere — Wed, 30 May 2018 21:34:09 +0200

The half-elf responded to the exasperated sigh with a shrug of his own. Switched languages. "Very well, charming," he said, after watching her a moment longer. Then he looked at the water, and over it. Finally, he resorted to base tactics. "And maybe a taste other than cook's cooking." Sammeh still maintained a carefully respectful tone whenever he spoke of the cook, but just choosing those words was a message of its own.

Re: Home

Anke — Wed, 30 May 2018 21:14:51 +0200

"Well. We might have to fall back on that, if things go wrong." After a shrug and an exasperated sigh, she switched back to the local common language. "Anyway, I want to try to talk to my mother first, and then I need to hand in my diary at the school. We'll see what comes from that."

Her eyes caught the dark blotch in the sea she had been looking for. Of course the chasm was still there. She frowned, exasperated at her own circling worries.

Re: Home

Neverwashere — Wed, 30 May 2018 20:56:33 +0200

He stared back, tilting his head. "I have a feeling that might have been worse."

Re: Home

Anke — Wed, 30 May 2018 20:52:27 +0200

Sylvie leaned away from Sammeh and stared at him. "If I was that risk-averse, I would have asked if you knew a nice place for us to settle down, not try to return here."

Re: Home

Neverwashere — Wed, 30 May 2018 19:58:43 +0200

"And if you don't try to talk to her at all, you've already lost her nonetheless. Seems like worse odds to me." He was silent for a while, then pinched himself.

Re: Home

Anke — Sun, 27 May 2018 20:50:34 +0200

There was a pause before Sylvie answered. "I don't think so? If she decides to never speak with me again, I have lost her. If I get banished, I lose everyone, her included."

Re: Home

Neverwashere — Fri, 25 May 2018 20:52:28 +0200

"I'd expect a catharsis of sorts," Sammeh finally responded in the same language, instead of trying to wrangle the meaning out in the new cant he was getting into. He anchored himself as firmly as he could to facilitate Sylvie leaning against him, and considered the view and presence together. "If she's still alive, and I hope she is. The second part I'll have to see to better understand. I have some nagging questions about the law and precedent, too. I'm of the opinion your mother is more pressing a matter, though."

Re: Home

Anke — Wed, 23 May 2018 21:04:14 +0200

"Ahh... Two main problems. Apologising to my mother for leaving in a huff and never writing back, and hoping she forgives me... if she's still alive, that is." Sylvie tried to put a self-deprecating I-know-this-is-silly spin on her tone at that last point, but after a breath continued soberly, "And second, I'm wondering in how much trouble I will be with my school for staying away longer and... straying much further than planned." She leaned in close, lowered her voice, and switched to the language they had spoken in Canyet, which no-one here could possibly understand. "Worlds beyond this are a difficult topic, and I did not study the laws before leaving, because I wasn't planning..." She raised a hand and shoulder in a half-shrug.

Re: Home

Neverwashere — Wed, 23 May 2018 20:43:13 +0200

The half-elf nodded and looked toward the island again. "I don't have fresh fruit, but I'm betting there will be some over there." He paused for a moment, thinking about the decking under his feet. "Lots or a few scenarios?"

Re: Home

Anke — Wed, 23 May 2018 20:38:40 +0200

"Hmmmm." She leaned against him lightly, glad of the distraction, and gave him a small, lopsided smile. "I'm trying to think happy thoughts, but they want to worry instead."

Re: Home

Neverwashere — Wed, 23 May 2018 20:30:42 +0200

Just like much of the time during the three months, pushing too hard didn't feel like the right thing to do. But as things came to a head and they weren't stuck in the middle of the ocean, Sammeh decided it was time to give her a nudge. He settled neatly into Sylvie's personal space, touching a piece of clothing near her elbow, nearly tugging, and looked first at the island proper. He decided he could afford to look at it some more later.

So he looked to the north of it too, then watched Sylvie's profile. "Fresh fruit for your thoughts?"

Re: Home

Anke — Wed, 23 May 2018 19:05:58 +0200

Sylvie had thrown herself into work, but nearly three months in, no weaknesses in the hull or masts remained unfixed, and no rats' nest unrustled, and inspecting the freshwater and food supplies made sense only so often. With no way to vent her nervous energy, she was constantly on edge, easily startled.

The signs that they were getting closer if anything made it worse. She tried to keep up appearances, but smiles that did not reach her eyes and faded quickly and tension pulling her in on herself hinted at her anticipation being not of the joyful kind.

When Yrn was sighted at the horizon, she found a place at the railing, but after a short look did not watch the island, but looked for something north of it.

Re: Home

Neverwashere — Tue, 22 May 2018 21:26:05 +0200

The little things would do. Touch there, a conversation there. A kind of optimism had seemed to settle with Sammeh, who took the ship as a sort of natural place to sit and observe things. The rigging. The knots. The knots, especially. The design of the sails; ship etiquette and habits. It lasted only so long until he began to field questions not only to Sylvie but the sailors too.

Soon enough he was busying himself in small ways. He had wisely, perhaps, kept himself out of the cook's way (reasoning to Sylvie that there were people he didn't ever upset if he could help it, and that cooks on de facto oases were one such group) but managed to find himself dealing with the more menial things with no complaints. Much of the time, however, he found himself near Sylvie, either tinkering with something or just gauging how she was doing. Her journey home wasn't over yet, and he wasn't about to forget that little detail.

Nor was he given to ignoring other little details, like when the crew and the ship started to give signs that it was starting to be time to stare at the horizon and the sky for signs of being close to that home. He paid even more attention then. Most of it, he picked up from Sylvie, from the moment the first birds showed up.

Home

Anke — Tue, 22 May 2018 20:48:24 +0200

The worldgate had opened to another temperate forest, not giving an immediate clue if it was leading where Sylvie was hoping, but not long after, night fell. It was clear enough to introduce Sammeh to three of Eodea's moons, even if speaking did not come easily. Finally home, or closer than she had been in years, at last.

The next morning they found a point from which they saw fields and a paved street. The street had milestones telling Sylvie they were close to the city of Konda, the greatest port on the northern continent. The locals may have given them slightly longer looks than many other travellers got, but found them mildly unusual rather than a spectacle. Sylvie found Sammeh a very quick study learning the Seafarer tongue that would serve well both in Konda and Yrn. The two together found passage on a ship, the captain having use for a mage who could work with wood. What was hard to find on a ship, of course, was privacy.

Re: Plotting

Neverwashere — Thu, 17 May 2018 19:58:06 +0200

Sounds perfectly awesome.

Re: Plotting

Anke — Thu, 17 May 2018 06:34:11 +0200

Well, the idea was to have the gate in Konda, near a big port city where Sylvie had visited before, and the journey by ship to Yrn taking between 2 and 3 months.

How about starting on the ship getting close to Yrn? Skipping Konda in detail would save work...

Re: Plotting

Neverwashere — Wed, 16 May 2018 07:32:23 +0200

I'll be right back after this special announcement.

Cats.

--

And several other things.

Where to now? We could let them sit around on higher ground and make their plans, maybe spot lights somewhere far in the distance indicating some kind of civilization. Or we could move on directly to walking into a town, summarizing the above.

Or we drop them on some poor unsuspecting supporting cast that's friend with Sylvie. If so, we'd have to figure out how long that trip's taken, and and and and...

Plotting

Anke — Tue, 15 May 2018 20:46:22 +0200

So... any opinion where we should go from here?

Random Encounter Story

Anke — Fri, 25 May 2012 00:00:09 +0200

Hopefully. Eventually. We'll have to work for it, and not just because of them. But still, strange as they were, the goddesses' promise lifted Sylvie's spirits.

"Yes."

Random Encounter Story

Neverwashere — Thu, 24 May 2012 23:53:56 +0200

Her hand turned out wet. Strange, that, he wondered. Being highly emotional like that. Eventually, he took a long warbling breath. "Eventually. But, mm." He paused, finally putting his arms around her and smelling her scent.

The word came out weakly but hopefully.

"...home?"

Random Encounter Story

Anke — Thu, 24 May 2012 23:39:24 +0200

Sylvie sat down next to him and put an arm around his shoulders, pulled him close. Her other hand reached for his face.

There were tears in her eyes, but she gave Sebastian a warm smile. "We'll see how this turns out. Eventually."

Random Encounter Story

Neverwashere — Thu, 24 May 2012 23:26:52 +0200

He was on the verge of tears of abandonment when Sylvie came to him. Then they turned into tears of wonder, because for once someone cared enough to --

...say that?

Sebastian sucked in the tears. It ran from his nose soon, but he was still utterly wordless.

The goddesses, on the other hand, when he looked at them both tilted their heads, then shrugged.

Well. That is it, then. Take care of him, said Fortuna, pointing first at Sylvie -- and then at Sebastian. And you. Mind your luck. You finally have it.

Pompous bastard, the Old Lady muttered, then cleared her throat. The orchid began to move away, as if swaying in the wind. Keep walking. You'll find your way. And as if the two entities had never been there, the flower and butterfly disappeared with only a few words echoing in the distance.

Be there, be two-in-one.

And after a moment of silence, a very shocked half-elf turned a teary stare at Sylvie. He had no words, but he kept trying to ask questions, make statements, but found everything lacking. Sebastian settled for staring.

Random Encounter Story

Anke — Thu, 24 May 2012 23:17:00 +0200

Why do you want me to decide other people's fate? was what Sylvie had meant, but Sebastian's words freed her from having to ask. She took the half step towards Sebastian, her shoulders dropping, and stroked his hair. She closed her eyes, and leaned back her head briefly, sighing.

"I want us to go home. I agree."

Random Encounter Story

Neverwashere — Thu, 24 May 2012 23:07:25 +0200

This got twin stares. Twice. First at Sebastian (reproachfully) and then at Sylvie (quite blankly).

We don't necessarily decide. We know. Or, Land pointed at Luck, she knows the way things may end.

The butterfly grinned.

"Fine," Sebastian said at length, solemn and sorrowful. "For my part, I'm ready for anything as long as it means I'll get to have some stability. I'm sick of being no-one, and without anybody. Just let me... I don't know about her, but I'll damned well agree to this. If only you'll let us go at some point? That's all I ask for. I just want Sylvie."

This seemed to suit the goddesses.

You? asked Fortuna, Luck, Chance. You can always say no. There was a hint of mischief to her voice.

The orchid was silent.

Random Encounter Story

Anke — Thu, 24 May 2012 22:52:59 +0200

The first answer drew an almost-amused snort from Sylvie; she knew that would be a challenge and accepted it. The other... She sighed and shook her head. "And why are you so obsessed with making people decide other people's lives for them?"

Random Encounter Story

Neverwashere — Thu, 24 May 2012 22:44:46 +0200

The butterfly turned in the air -- and so did Fortuna's face turn at Sylvie, smiling mischievously. You will be living with him and the other way around. That is one of the repercussions. And as for your child, children, however it shall be... well. She looked at Land. Their lives, I agreed with my sister here, are for you to decide; whether they will work for us too once you are too old. But I warn you, I shan't tell you how long it will be.

Sebastian covered his face, sighed and waited -- he only waited for Sylvie to react, and thus, he sat down on the ground and tried to make sense of these alien personalities that he was afraid of, yet served. "Could you just give a fucking straight answer for once?"

Random Encounter Story

Anke — Thu, 24 May 2012 22:30:48 +0200

Sylvie had faced down the heads of her school over the matter of being allowed to leave, and those people had earned her respect. With the goddesses, her anger was strong enough to cover most of her fear.

But that, now, worried her. "What repercussions?"

Random Encounter Story

Neverwashere — Thu, 24 May 2012 22:08:44 +0200

The goddesses were still for a while. Sebastian had goosebumps and was strangely worried. He supposed it was Sylvie's lack of experience with religion, but she was driving a hard bargain. For the love of -- well, the Ladies! Sylvie was bargaining with creatures out of time, space and of mostly concepts.

He wouldn't have had the guts.

And the reaction said creatures had made him want to wet his pants. Sebastian was sweating as it were.

Then the goddesses sighed. The orchid said: Fine. We will keep our fingers off you... to an extent, and only call you to work when something is amiss. But as a token of...

...of appreciation, long lives, strokes of luck, said the butterfly/toga woman, staring at a very stiff and worried Sebastian. It smiled, crookedly. Oh, there will be repercussions, dear child, but I will look over you.

Then the butterfly fluttered to Sylvie -- the woman behind the image squinted. Agreeable?