The First Blight: Curse of Dumat [RP/Closed]

[Rosen2012]

"Good morning, Sulahn'nehn." Ulrin nodded to her, speaking between mouthfuls. The elven rogue felt his eyes were fixed on the female elf's face. Even when he looked down to his plate or around the room in hesitation, he still felt like he was staring at the black eye marring her lovely features. Though he was sure the bruise and the swelling bothered her more than it did him. He still did his best to not draw attention to it, bringing up any topic that came to mind that was not her injury. "Did you rest well? The rocking of the ship did not bother you any, while you slept?"

 

[Cinnonym]

Ghil, like so many others, struggled to leave the hammock in the morning. She'd been tangled in it just to get to sleep, and now unwinding herself was proving an ordeal. When she finally found the galley, she was limping on a leg of pins and needles, waiting for the circulation to sort itself out.

"How do boatmen sleep like this?" She was surprised at the party's reaction to the question; Ulrin, Sulahn'nehn and even Diocles were sitting sullenly at the table over their food. A frown crossed her face when she saw how the elven girl's bruise had developed. Suddenly her own sense of humor was fading as well. "...Scoot over. Let me sit."

She took a seat on the bench beside Ulrin, and ate with the others just as silently.

 

[ShadowFolk]

Sulahn'nehn did appreciate that Ulrin did not bring attention to the state of her face. She knew it was there and so would everyone else. No need to bring it up. She shook her head, still keeping her head down. "No, not while I slept. It isn't so bad now..." her eyes kept glancing over to Diocles, who had been very uncharacteristically silent. "Diocles, are you unwell?"

 

[FortyThree]

Only my mind, sweet starling.

Diocles didn't look over to respond. He could not look directly at Sul right now.

"..I believe I may be, though not so that I am deserving of pity or aid. .. Your concern is very much appreciated nonetheless."

There. No lies, not technically. Should he simply tell her? He had had little choice, perhaps she'd understand.. Or perhaps he'd be reduced to a paste by the force of her reaction.

 

[Rosen2012]

The elf glanced at Diocles as he spoke. He was being very reserved. And while it was something that Ulrin had been longing for since they met the archer, it was out of place. Specially with Sulahn'nehn as she was. He half expected the man to be doting over and taking care of her to the point that the rest of them would have to leave from a stomachache. Or at least he would in some way be cocky if his conversation with Theadrin had truly been successful. But he was quiet, and quick to answer. And serious.

Ulrin returned to his attention to his food. Why? What had happened that changed him? He wouldn't even look directly at the girl. Surly it wasn't her face. Was he so shallow that he'd ignore her while her face was injured. No, there had to be more to it than that. Even Diocles couldn't be that disgusting.

 

[ShadowFolk]

"Don't be foolish, if you are not well, you should be taken care of. We need you in top shape, don't we?" Sulahn'nehn only picked at her food, chewing involved moving her face too much.

Of course, Ulrin was not the only person to notice Diocles hadn't so much as looked at her. It had not escaped her either and it bothered her more than her appearance did. "I'm sorry. I know I must be difficult to look at. I can leave if I am bothering anyone."

 

[Slycne]

"Well aren't we the sullen lot this morn, and don't be silly lass nothing wrong but a frown. Better to wear that proud than hang your head and let the big man get the better of you." He might have been letting his good mood bubble over. Jarrik dunked the biscuit straight into the ale, softening the bread that was baked thrice over to keep it preserved for as long as possible. Even a days out of fresh, you'd could still imagine cracking a tooth on them.

"I near a guess that's to be expected for the rest of you, seein' as this will your first times out to sea. Soon enough the rocking be as sweet as the motion of your mother's arms when you were a babe." Still thinking it was their stomachs that were upsetting the mood, he tried again to be helpful. "But you can ask the cook to grind up some of that root into your ale if you're still feeling queasy or chew it straight." Pointing to some of the knobby root that hung over the galley that he'd shown Ghil the day prior.

 

[Rosen2012]

"You do not need to leave, my sister. Do not be foolish." Ulrin shook his head at the female elf. "No one here is bothered by you, do not even think it." He motioned toward Jarrik next as he spoke,"But his root idea does sound good, doesn't it? Perhaps that way you can join us on deck today, if you wish not to be hold up down here."

 

[ShadowFolk]

"Thank you. Both of you." It was reassuring to know that she was not disturbing everyone in the room. As suggested, she requested the root from the cook. It, along with the ale, was not that great. But it was necessary if she wanted to stand on deck without her stomach turning. However, there was still the issue of Diocles and so, thinking the same as Jarrik, she offered up her cup.

 

[Cinnonym]

Ghil watched carefully, almost supervising the men around the table as they reassured Sulahn'nehn. It gave the impression that a wrong word would receive a fist or foot to the face, but of course no one would speak ill to the girl. She was well-loved among the group.

To most, anyway.

Thaedrin was the next to join them at the table, as immaculately groomed as ever in spite of the sparse facilities. He took his plate to the head of the table and ate quickly but neatly, avoiding his Wardens' gazes by fixating on his food. "The nearer we come to Rivain, the higher the risk of an attack. You ought all be prepared for the worst, remaining armed and watchful. Perhaps we'll post a watch tonight, to aid the crew."

 

[duckflesh]

Alrik appeared, looking well-rested and untroubled, and immediately headed for their table. He was grinning.

"Good morning, friends! Is fine day to be on ship, yes? Hope all got plenty sleep despite busy night."

He gave Diocles a hearty pat on the shoulder before sitting down on the bench next to him, forcing everyone over a fair deal. Then he began to pile salt pork onto his plate.

 

[Rosen2012]

Busy night? Of course the man was going to talk about encountering the elves that night. He had to be, what else could he be talking about? He glanced nervously at Sulahn'nehn and then stole a quick glance at the Bloodmage while his head was down. Perhaps he had already told Theadrin? Of course he'd suggest to post watch for attack, but having a patrol would keep others out of his room as well.

Ulrin looked back at female elf chewing intently, he hoped she would understand that he did not feel they should be active with their plan anytime soon.

 

[ShadowFolk]

Her mood shifted as soon as Thaedrin entered, as usual. Business as usual. It couldn't be said that the man didn't do his job, however, she could argue that he didn't do it well. But as soon as Alrik opened his mouth, her body language changed. If it were possible for her to make herself smaller or just disappear, she would have tried it.

 

[Slycne]

"Aye, when we get closer it might be wise to tell the capt'n to fly 'nother flag, if he's none to proud." An old trick, but it never hurt to try. "Antivian and Tevinter merchant vessels are targets, Riviani boats... eh, not so much."

Jarrik drained the last of his ale from the wooden mug, sadly it was as sour as the mood had become when Thaedrin and Alrik arrived. "I'll be on deck if you need me." He stated as he wormed his way past the bodies all trapped around the cramped table and then walked away whistling softy to himself.

His first stop was to retrieve armor, spear and shield from the room. Sweltering all day in the sun didn't sound like a fine proposition. Nor did drowning should he fall if they were indeed boarded, so he opted to only take the breastplate. On deck, he found himself a little corner out of the crews way.

He joined the sailors in their song as they went about their morning duties. "...We'll rant and we'll roar like true Rivain sailors...We'll rant and we'll rave across the salt seas..."

 

[FortyThree]

Sul was being as sweet and caring as always. It was all Diocles could do to ignore her. He tensed noticably as the last two joined the group, choking down his food as if it were made tar, but reluctant to stop eating, as they would then expect him to speak. Finally his plate was emptied, and he spit out a typically smarmy (Though not too direct or obvius) response to Jarrik's suggestion as he rose to leave the table.

"I'm certain the good Constable could make such a man forget his pride."

 

[Cinnonym]

'Gods, you'd think I killed a puppy in front of him.' Then Thaedrin took a glance at the elf girl and realized how apt the analogy was.


"If it is for the safety of my Wardens, then I must." He pushed his plate away and leaned his elbows on the table, watching Diocles' back as he made to leave. His gaze flicked to his peer, Alrik. "Constable, wasn't there something you wished to say to the lady Sulahn'nehn?"

 

[Rosen2012]

Ulrin was already close to finishing his meal. HE had started eating faster since the last two arrived. At Theadrin's words he chocked on his food. They had something to say to Sulahn'nehn. It was worse than he thought, Theadrin didn't just speculate they were up to no good he knew it. Were they to punish her again? the rouge held his hand at his neck as the dry biscuit became stuck at the end of his mouth.

He was certain this would not end well for them.

 

[duckflesh]

Alrik nodded enthusiastically.

"Ah, yes! Thank you, Thaedrin."

He looked at Sulahn'nehn. "Ah, is not even so bad! Will go away in few weeks. Once, Alrik hit girl so hard, flesh 'round her eye putrefied and died, and eye just rolled out one day!"

Alrik had learned the word "putrefy" specifically so he could tell this story as frequently as possible.

"Still," he continued, "Am sorry hit you so hard; seemed right at time, but should have just used words. Next time, will use words. But hope all learn lesson, so no next time!"

He nodded and glanced at Thaedrin, feeling that the apology had gone extraordinarily well.

 

[FortyThree]

Diocles was surprised, and paused accordingly. The apology was poor (And horrifying, and hilarious), but it was out. The archer turned back for a moment, throwing Thaedrin a mild smile and an apologetic look before heading up to the deck to see if he could be of help.

 

[ShadowFolk]

Diocles must have been feeling a lot worse than he was letting on. She could understand that, the elf hadn?t been feeling quite herself either, though it didn?t make it feel less odd. In between fighting her urge to lunge at Thaedrin and the sea shanties it was a little hard to properly make an attempt to comfort the archer. It was her top priority until Thaedrin spoke of her.

Sulahn?nehn froze. Anything either Constable had to say was likely no good. And she was technically right. It was the worst apology she?d ever heard; it was more frightening than anything else. Was it even possible to strike someone that hard? For a long time, Sulahn?nehn just stared at him all the while thinking that misspeaking would get her another backhand. ??Th-Thank you. I hope there is never a ?next time?.?

She passed another glance to Diocles as he left.

He just needs more rest, he looked so very tired...