DKMortals/SessionThirtyEight

[ST] The common room of the airboat Honor continues to hum with the sound of low conversation as the ship prepares to cast off. The merchants from Cherak lean close, whispering to each other in quiet tones. Lady Amelia tries to corral her many grandchildren. The long-haired man in the corner continues to roll his dice, picking them up almost as soon as they hit the table. The guard sitting across

[ST] from Blind Lily leans across to whisper something to her. She laughs politely behind her hand.

[Obligatory] Obligatory sits nearby, his eyes wandering over the group of people gathered. He tries to listen to Blind Lily's conversation, but it is difficult and in truth he is bored. He wondered if the other one- Fetching Peach?- was handing off her information right now. on the boat. He wondered how he was supposed to keep track of them every hour of the day.

[Fish] Fish walks in, and glances around, taking in the ladies in the corner, and then looking for a passtime to look busy with - a dice game, or cards given the merchants about, or at worst some beer to sit in a corner and look morose with.

[ST] The first thing Fish notices is that only one of the women is actually there: apparently Fetching Peach left the table before he arrived, or else never went there in the first place. The room is full of activity, and passengers. Most of them are Haslanti, though that group of merchants has a weird accent. Cherakian, perhaps. The fat woman is obviously not from the north. Her voice is loud, carrying, and a number of surly Haslanti cast awkward glances at her.

[Fish] He bumps into the back of a passenger's chair, pretending it was from some of the motion of the ship - not the meanest one he saw but someone who looked man enough to get into a fight with him about it, enough that he could stalk off and go see about Peach.

[Obligatory] Obligatory looks up at the other Once Dead's entrance. Wasn't that....? He had seen the man bunking in his scale. Trout, he thought his name was. Why hadn't they told him they were sending another Once Dead? He doesn't attempt contact, yet- be he relaxes a little.

[ST] The man who Fish bumped looks up sharply. He's young, with short, straw-colored hair, and an angry look in his eye. He rises, and Fish realizes he actually isn't very tall, and that he's swaying, and that he's drunk. He must have been waiting to take off for a while.

[ST] "You insult me," the man slurs. Now that he turns, Fish can see that the cut of his clothing is fairly rich below layers of fur.

[Fish] He was distracted for a moment, noticing another Once Dead. Ralinona send him too? She said there were others guarding. He'd heard about him - sissy boy, wouldn't fight, didn't sound like someone'd get sent for this . . unless, she was worried about things he would fight?

[Fish] He looked back to the man he'd been picking something with - didn't want to be looking at the other Raven for too long. "Just stumbled a bit," he tells him, not concilliatory, just stating things. "Sit down and get back to . . that," he waves vaguely at the table they'd been sitting around.

[Obligatory] Obligatory notices the altercation and rises hesitantly, biting his lip. He looks about the room for suppport, and at the sailors. Surely they would stop a fight. If not, he supposed it was his duty to seek to peace.

[ST] The man hiccups, and waves a hand at his companion, an older, leaner man who was already starting to rise. "'s fine, Jens." He hiccups and sits down. A look of palpable relief flits over the older man's face.

[Obligatory] Obligatory sits slowly down after him.

[ST] As Obligatory listens, he catches strains of Lily and the guard's conversation. It seems to be mostly light fare, jokes about her customers and his coworkers. They obviously know each other reasonably well.

[ST] The guard leans close to Lily. A smile crosses her face, and she leans back to whisper to him, nodding. The guard rises, moving directly and intently towards Obligatory Sunshine.

[Fish] He hesitated, then payed the crewman who was extorting them all for beer to buy himself a moment - he needed a chair or someone to talk to, something to situate himself so he could eye the cabin hallway, see where people were.

[Obligatory] "Uhhh...." Obligatory looks up. He glances around to make sure the guard wasn't going anywhere else, then becomes inwardly resigned. He ducks his head and puts his hands together in the attitude of respectful greeting. "May I help you, sir?"

[ST] There are only a few chairs that afford a clear view of the hallway; this is understandable - the furniture is nailed down, immobile, and the intent is to avoid any obstruction of the passage itself. One table is occupied by the long-nosed, dice rolling man. At another, a trio of the Cherak merchants sit, discussing something quietly and urgently.

[ST] The man looks Obligatory up and down, clapping a hand down on his shoulder. "Greetings, friend. I am Sawa. I noticed your attention. She is beautiful, is she not?"

[Fish] The guard, the obvious guard, was accosting Oblivious, or whatever the kid's name was. Didn't look like he was too happy - seemed like he was right the kid had been sent after them, and like him not to the knowledge of the others.

[Fish] Ralinona was slipping, or maybe the kid wasn't hers? It seemed absurd to think he might be one of the people he was guarding against.

[Obligatory] Obligatory Sunshine blushes. The man thought....Well, let him. "Greetings, friend." Hiis voice is a bit strangled. "She..she is. Pardon me- I meant no offense."

[ST] The man laughs. "She takes none, son. She is used to admiring eyes. She wishes for you to come speak with her."

[Obligatory] Obligatory's fiery blush deepens, unfeigned. "I would be honored," he says, a bit of a quaver still in his voice as he dips his head.

[Fish] Well, that was something to watch, too, but he couldn't be standing there beer in hand too long, or he'd be attracting notice himself. He took a swig and headed over to the dice game. Looked like a pack of cheats, but he could fit right in there. Probably had to lose a bit or he'd start a fight, but it'd be worth the price for the vantage.

[ST] "Come, then." Sawa takes Obligatory's elbow, hustling him forward, a trifle ungently.

[Fish] He shoved a man over and sat at the table, gettign the hallward seat. "How much you betting over here?" as if it wasn't obvious.

[Obligatory] Obligatory strives just to keep up. He bows low to Lily before Sawa's heavy hand thrusts him into his chair.

[ST] The long nosed man laughs. "Only chips, friend." The table is littered with the little flakes of silver that most dicers use in lieu of whole silver pieces. "We're not so rich as that sot over there, though I suspect you know that." He cocks his head towards the man Fish nearly got in a brawl with.

[ST] Sawa seats himself beside Obligatory with a thump. Lily looks across the table, as if she knows he is there, though the strip of cloth over her eyes must surely rob her sight. "Greetings," she says to Obligatory, resting a cool, slim hand on his own. "Sawa says you were..." her lips curve up. "Admiring."

[Fish] He grins. "Mind if I sit in? I ain't so rich as him neither. Made me want to mess him up ma bit, but I don't need to be thrown off the ship, least not when its moving." He pulls out his thin pouch - sliver silvers and the like, not the safer wallet he kept strapped elsewhere.

[Obligatory] Obligatory Sunshine looks at her hand. He had some notion that a southerner might kiss it, but his upbringing vetoes the option. "I...yes, good lady. I couldn't help noticing....." he coughs."You're very beautiful," he says in a rush, red to his ears now.

[ST] "More are always welcome," the long nosed man says. "I'm Gambler Denn, or just Denn to my mates. We haven't drunk enough together to be mates, yet." The two other men at the table laugh at this. "The game's Threes. You know it?" This doesn't seem to be a real question.

[Obligatory] "I beg your pardon for my boorishness." Who knew being a spy was so clumsy and embarassing?

[ST] "Far from boorish," Lily says with a smile. "I wonder, are you truly so bashful, or is this merely a coy game?"

[ST] "He's blushing like the baker's boy who stole the bread," Sawa supplies, and Lily laughs.

[Obligatory] Obligatory's gaze sinks to the table. He wonders if he should explain that he had been betrothed as a child, and no one was encouraged to make up to the opposite sex? He'd played boy's games with his friends, of course, but this was different. "I'm no good at games," he says, striving for a little dignity among the wretchedness.

[ST] "I am," Lily says, and reddens slightly herself. She reaches forward, fingers probing at his face. "May I?"

[ST] Beside Obligatory, Sawa gives a half-amused, half-annoyed grunt.

[Obligatory] "Of course, my lady."

[ST] Her fingertips trace the outlines of Obligatory's face, exploring gently. Lily seems to be used to this, and only inhales sharply, once, when her fingers find the stub of Obligatory's left ear. It doesn't show on her face. "Quite a handsome man," she says, though she could very well be lying.

[Fish] "Gambler Denn, then. I know it." He sets out a small stack for himself from the pouch. "I'm Fish." He waits for the laughs to die down, smiling.

[ST] "Hook, line, and sinker," Denn says, gathering up the dice. "Shall we?"

[Obligatory] "Thank you, lady," Obligatory says awkwardly. "I'm...thank you for inviting me to your table. It is difficult to travel without friends."

[ST] The other two men roll first, and do, absolutely abyssmally. Denn rolls the dice over to Fish. "You're up, new Fish." It's said without much venom.

[Obligatory] Jek would have her wrapped around his finger by now, he is miserably aware.

[Fish] He shakles the dice a few times and rolls, normal. He'd go with luck for once, at least till he started winnign too much.

[ST] "Indeed. I am fortunate in that respect. But now you have made a friend." She trails a thumb over Obligatory's cheek. "...no?" Sawa mutters something under his breath.

[Fish] He grins. "Looks like I took your bait."

[ST] Denn raises an eyebrow at Fish's roll. "Looks like." He scoops up the dice, shaking them. "I'm never one to give up easily, though."

[ST] Denn gamely gives it a try, but winds up cursing softly, and without malice, sweeping the chips over Fish's way. "Beginner's luck, I'm sure."

[Obligatory] "Yes, my lady." He hadn't noticed how beautiful she was before, truly. Now he did. Daring much, he takes her hand and presses his lips to it gently, just as he imagined Jek might. His hand shakes a little. He releases her, then, worried he had gone too far. "It is good to have friends." That sounded bad too, like he was courting her. Though it was true, of course, that his betrothal to Charitable had been broken by his exile.

[Fish] He nods, sagely. "The dice have their fun."

[Obligatory] "I'm visiting kinfolk. I've never travelled on an airship before," he switches subjects artlessly.

[ST] From the corner of his eye, Fish sees a woman emerge from one of the chambers on the left side of the hall. The third door back, it seems. It is Fetching Peach, and she seems to move without much concern.

[ST] "Another round?" Denn asks.

[ST] Lily blushes slightly. "I am not used to such honesty," she admits. "At least, not combined with such gentility. What kinfolk do you visit?"

[Fish] He nods. "Of course. I'll give you a chance to win yours back," he grins. It would be considered bad grace to win and run, and besides, he wanted the seat more than money.

[Obligatory] "My mother's cousins." And truly, he did mean to visit them. "We must update the scrolls with all the births and deaths. I've never met them, but family must know family, so that the People remain one." He meant to do that too, if his mother's family would permit an exile the honor. Money was so scarce he thought they would.

[Fish] That was their cabin, then, or hers at any rate, unless she'd found a mark here in that short time. Well, it'd be best to keep a watch anyways. One of the bigger dangers was someone sneaking into her room.

[Fish] It was just like Ralinona to have her whores travel in style. Well, he couldn't say they weren't good enough for it.

[Obligatory] "Are you from Icehome? You don't seem very ..Haslanti, if you don't mind my saying so."

[ST] "No," Lily says. "I am from the Realm. A long way from home. But let us be honest- you did not come to speak to me of our families, or are homes, did you?" The question is soft, but insistent.

[Obligatory] He hadn't come to speak to her at all. Her big muscled thug had brought him. But it seems impolitic to mention that.

[ST] As the dice clatter, Fish wins handily again. Denn just laughs, seeming to enjoy the chase.

[Obligatory] "Forgive my clumsiness, ma'am. I am glad to know you, and of course we should speak of whatever interests you. I, ah, didn't have anything really in mind..."

[ST] "Stop teasing the boy, Lily," Sawa says, voice full of reproach.

[ST] "I am not teasing him," Lily returns evenly, her fingers drumming the back of Obligatory's hand. "I am offering."

[ST] From above comes the sound of shouts and motion - the ship appears to be preparing to cast off. The last of the passengers must have boarded.

[ST] As Fish watches carefully, Fetching Peach moves back across the crowded common room to seat herself next to Lily again. The sounds of departure grow louder.

[ST] There is a slight lurch, and the airboat begins to rise, a strange, delicate feeling sensed mostly with the stomach.

[Obligatory] "Offering?" Obligatory's eyes widen a little bit, and he reddens again. He sits with his mouth hanging open a little bit. Of course he should not...It was utterly inappropriate, and it might compromise his mission- though now he would never be married- His panicked indecision is halted by Fetching Peach's arrival. He bows his head in greeting to Fetching Peach as she sits and folds his hands.

[ST] "Grandmother!" the youngest child shouts, tugging Lady Amelia by the hand. "The deck, let's watch! Let's wa-"

[ST] His voice dies as he sees the pair moving down the stairwell towards the common room.

[ST] The woman who walks in front has a build like a scarecrow, a forward thrusting, hatchet face, slightly bulging eyes, dark, short, strawlike hair. A bracer of knives crosses her chest. The man behind her is huge, nearly seven feet tall, thickly muscled, and incredibly hairy. Dark bushy brows furrow on a prominent forehead. His shaggy red hair hangs far down his back, and his face is swallowed by a ginger beard.

[ST] "Greetings," Peach says to Obligatory, not having noted the entrance of the other two. Sawa watches them very closely.

[Obligatory] Obligatory twists around in his seat. He glances at Prudence, making sure she had stowed herself uinobtrusively. The newcomers looked dangerous.

[ST] Prudence is nowhere to be seen, perhaps off to take care of other business as the ship departs.

[Obligatory] "Greetings," he answers Peach quietly, looking back.

[ST] "Looking for someone?" Lily asks, innocently enough. Peach titters. "Surely you don't desire more exciting company?"

[Fish] He tosses the dice, without a hitch. Didn't want to draw attention to himself. They were ones to watch, that was for sure.

[ST] Reflexively, the children huddle back against their grandmother's bulk as the pair pass by. The two seat themselves at an empty table. The room seems to draw back from them.

[Obligatory] "My sister of the People is an honorable woman," Obligatory says to Peach somewhat reproachfully. "Though of course I am honored to be among you," he adds, with a bashful nod to Lily, which he realizes belatedly she couldn't see. He glances again at the newcomers again. People who looked that dangerous would be too experienced to cause trouble. That's what Mother would assure him.

[Obligatory] He wished he were more assured.

[ST] As the ship begins to hum underfoot, the propellers turning, a group of sailors enter the common room, speaking clearly but sharply. "All right, all weapons to be turned over to us until completion of the journey. They'll be kept in a safe place."

[ST] "This again," Sawa complains. "I thought the Haslanti were supposed to go armed everywhere."

[ST] The sailors go to the table with the newcomers first. The woman hands over a short, curved blade, but the massive man merely shakes his head. A pair of tribesmen hand over chopping axes. The cherak merchants hurl swords to the deck with a steel clatter. Jens helps the drunken Hector unfasten his sword belt.

[Obligatory] Obligatory shrugs. "I am unarmed. It is better that people walk without expectation of violence," he says seriously. "Those who look for a fight will surely find one."

[ST] "I have seen far too much violence in my line of work to believe that," Lily says, shaking her head.

[ST] "And I," Peach adds.

[ST] The weapons are carefully gathered. Dirn fishes out a long knife and slides it across the table as the sailors arrive.

[Fish] He waits for them to make their way over to teh gamblers, and then hands them the crossbow from the buyndle he'd staches under his seat. He didn't hand over the bolts - who knew, might come in handy, and he doubted they'd care.

[Fish] He kept the flamepiece hidden as always. And the pencase crossbow he'd picked up.

[Obligatory] Obligatory's hand brushes his sawn-off ear unconsciosuly. "It is sometimes also true that the peaceful suffer from the hatred of others. Such is the wickedness of the world." Outside the embrace of the People, was the rest of the phrase. He diplomatically leaves it out.

[ST] Sawa grumbles, but parts with his blade well enough. The sailors give a brief wave, departing with the weapons for the armory. Fish sees a heavy door down the hall open, then slam closed.

[Obligatory] "Now we can be more comfortable," Obligatory says more cheerfully.

[ST] "I don't feel comfortable," Sawa grumbles. "That bastard over there looks like he could pull a man apart like bread with his bare hands."

[ST] "Sawa, please," Peach says. She reaches forward to take Obligatory's hand. Lily still holds the other one. "You'll upset our friend."

[ST] "Oh, that'd be a real shame."

[Obligatory] Obligatory smiles at her, but says, "it is unimportant." He was used to it. Sawa seemed a decent enough sort, for a murderous thug, without the fanatical devotion to violence that so troubled Miruna and some others.

[ST] As the vessel gets underway, one can see the countryside slide by slowly out the many portholes. The Unconquered Sun drifts down towards the western horizon, casting long shadows across glittering orange expanses of snow. The children crowd at the porthole to watch it. Crewmembers begin to move about the tables, serving drinks more freely. Snippets of war-talk begin to filter throughout the room.

[ST] "So," Denn says over the clatter of the dice. His keen eyes dart around the room. "The war. What do you make of it? Real, or a bunch of lies?"

[Obligatory] It is shamefully pleasant, to be seated between two such beautiful women. He glances at Lily then back at the table, grateful she couldn't see his look.

[ST] "Sounds like a lot of bullshit to me," one of the men at the table with Fish says. "Magdala's done, or she would've come back at us before this."

[ST] After a few moments, Lily and Peach lean forward across the table, their lips near his ears. Lily's actually brush across the scarred tissue left by the wolf-woman's knife. She whispers a price in his ear. It's enough to buy a week's medicine. Peach whispers in the other. It's considerably higher.

[Obligatory] Obligatory is completely still, and his face is as red as a turnip. "I...ah..." Maybe the Once Dead would reimburse him, some treacherous part of him whispers.

[Obligatory] He swallows, and brings his sisters firmly to mind. They all looked at him disapprovingly, and even in his mind Compassionate Rain is rolling her eyes. Little Solemn Brightness looks pathetically weak and pale. "I'm only a poor man. I can't afford that without... My pardons."

[Obligatory] His gaze drops to the table, and he wonders if he should leave the table. Belatedly, he recalls that he wasn't supposed to pay to be with people like Lily and Peach, though of course from necessity some of the People followed them in their line of work.

[Fish] He knew it was real. But he didn't want to be the center of attention, so he just joined the chorus of idiots agreeing with the fool, all certain that there was no way something was coming to destroy the little bits of life they'd made for themselves.

[ST] "See? I told you you were teasing him," Sawa says, as if he has achieved some great moral victory. "Leave the kid alone."

[ST] "My apologies," Lily says, patting Obligatory on the hand. "I did not mean to embarrass you. It is... only money, after all."

[Obligatory] "As you say," Obligatory says in relief.

[ST] "Were you... unaware of my profession?"

[ST] Peach rolls her eyes at Sawa. He shrugs.

[ST] "What I don't understand..." Denn says, scratching at the back of his head. Belatedly, he thinks to flatten his hand, palm out, to illustrate he's not palming any dice. "Is what the bloody Fellai have to do with it. And Shanarinara. Why do they want a piece?"

[ST] "Er, if it's true, of course."

[Fish] He shrugs, taking his turn rolling the dice. "Bloody pile-on, I guess."

[Obligatory] "Umm, a beautiful woman travelling with a guard could be of many professions." Though he should have known she was interested in his coin when she invited him over.

[ST] "You ask me, we should've taken the lot of them before this," another man says, leaning forward to rest his elbows on the table. "Bastards. If it's true, we'll make them regret the day they attacked the League."

[ST] "That does not answer my question." Lily laughs. "But stay with us, and talk. You are a refreshing man. I meet very few like you."

[Obligatory] "You are kind to say so," Obligatory says. "I am not unusual among my people. " Except that he was an exile. "There are often some of us about, but many consider it better to be...unobtrusive. The Haslanti are not always understanding.""

[Fish] He nods, then curses mildly as he loses some of the winnings he'd been building up. Good.

[ST] "Indeed. You need not tell me such a thing. I know."

[ST] "And I," Peach echoes.

[ST] The hours pass slowly as afternoon wears toward evening, and later night. A few people trickle away to their rooms, but most return when the ship's dinner is served: a hunk of bread and a steaming bowl of stew. Pru moves from table to table, ladling it out. When she reaches the table where Obligatory sits, he notices her hand shake, her mouth drawn up tight.

[Fish] Fish is joking with the men around him, noticing the table growing slightly hostile as he keeps winning. He cheats a few hands to losses when the pot was big and the other roller seemed on the boil. But he didn't want to try that too often - a good number of eyes there, and he hadn't sharped for a living in a long time.

[Obligatory] Obligatory is eager to please and strives to keep the conversation pleasant. As he becomes more easy and comfortable, he slips into quoting proverbs and even gentle teasing, as he used to tease his sisters when they were well. Once he has gotten over his nervousness, he's good looking enough that even some of the Haslanti women start slipping him looks. Obligatory trails off a bit as Prudence comes closer, his brows

[Obligatory] knitting together slightly in concern.

[ST] "Enjoying yourself, brother?" She says quietly, ladling out the stew.

[Obligatory] He thanks her very politely. "The company is good." He lowers his voice, pitching it for her ears only. "Do we not keep a charitable and open heart to all? Do not fear I will shame our people."

[ST] She moves off without replying, skirts swishing about her. Sawa raises an eyebrow at Obligatory.

[Obligatory] Obligatory glances back at him. It was hardly any of concern, after all. He had virtuously refused to do business (in spite of, he was ashamed to admit, great temptation). Prudence would realize that. "I am glad that one of my People is aboard. It is always pleasant to speak to one who shares one's beliefs."

[ST] "Indeed," Lily says. Perhaps she's missed the tension of this moment. "I must confess that this Haslanti fare does not... interest me." Sawa is already bolting it down. "Perhaps Peach and I shall retire to our room." Her hand rests on Obligatory's again. "Would you care to keep us company?"

[ST] "He's fine," she snaps, before Sawa can swallow and say anything.

[Obligatory] "Indeed, the common room would be lonely without you." He doesn't even realize it's flattery.

[ST] "Very well," Peach says. She rises, taking Obligatory by one hand, and Lily by the other. "Let us depart."

[Obligatory] He leaves with them, snug and happy as a lamb.

[ST] Fish sees everything. He also notices, from the corner of his eye, that Denn and the Quiet girl are both watching the departure with pointed glances.

[Fish] He grimaces. That penned the bodyguard as an incompetent, but one who probably wasn't in on anything dirty. Or maybe just one who hadn't been told to expect trouble. The Quiet Once Dead, it just seemed so absurd. He was safe if he was truly Quiet, but what the hell was he doing with a Raven then?

[Fish] He sees Denn's look. Maybe get two fish on the same hook. "Disgusting, beautiful women like that going off with a Kneeler like that, and one of them Haslanti too!" This was a table for talk like that. He watched Denn's reaction. And maybe he'd be able to start something, get the kid away from the women.

[ST] "Don't like the looks of 'im," Denn agrees. He seems quite cool. "Never trust a man who won't bet with you, I say." Fish's loud remark carries a bit. The Quiet girl stops, looking at him with resignation.

[Fish] He keeps scowling. It fit anyway. He didn't like that answer - if he were just a hothead angry about that he'd have answered in kind. No, this man was interested for other reasons.

[Fish] He could make a scene, well, more of a scene. But then the ladies would probably just be all the more determined to take the boy back with them - maybe he could convince the bodyguard to actually guard them if he made enough of a ruckus?

[ST] The massive man casts a glance over at the departing group, but little more. He seems closely involved in conversation with the woman across from him.

[ST] "Maybe someone should say something..." Denn muses, flipping the dice idly.

[Fish] Definitely someone to watch. Well, all the more reason to act the rube. He stood up, unsteady as if he'd meant for his chair to crash back and forgot it was nailed down, and took a step towards the trio. "Prefer that filth to a good Haslanti man?"

[Obligatory] Obligatory stiffens. They had been nearly out the door. He pretends he had not heard.

[ST] Prudence steps in front of Fish, smoothing her skirts down. She gnaws at her lip. "Please sir, do not harass other patrons of the ship."

[Obligatory] Obligatory sucks in a breath. It was one thing to try to slide out when only he was at risk; it was inexcusable to put Prudence at risk with obstinancy.

[Fish] He moves past her, as if he didn't care a whit about her - true enough, and this way he wouldn't be hurting one of the crew - didn't want to antagonize them that much. If they cared about her. "I wasn't harassing, I was asking the ladys a question." He moves another step towards them. In his experience, there was no limit to how far he'd be believed acting like a stupid boor.

[ST] The room has gone deadly quiet, now. Sawa rises to his feet slowly, watching, waiting. The Cherak merchants are watching the scene quietly. Even the last couple to enter look up, curious.

[Obligatory] Obligatory Sunshine relaxes a little when he sees the other Once Dead avoid Prudence. He glances at Peach and Lily and steps forward to face the man. He liked them very much, but that was all the more reason not to trouble them with the man's nonsense. He wondered what Trout wanted. Was he truly so prejudiced? Surely he could see it was beneficial to the mission to continue to talk to the women. He bows his head. "I

[Obligatory] sincerely apologize for giving offense."

[Fish] He looks down at the man, trying to look as angry as he could. He couldn't trust him. He couldn't possibly be what he claimed to be, so there was something he was hiding. And if he was hiding it enough to take the shit the Once Dead were surely throwing at him for his 'beliefs'

[Fish] then he was a very dangerous man.

[Fish] "Then get with yer own kind, you bastard. Who'd you steal from to get a ticket on a fine ship like this?"

[Obligatory] "My family pooled our earnings. My pardons, sir." He glances at the two ladies, agony in his eyes. He'd been looking forward to spending time with them. It wasn't worth contributing to the creation of violence, he reminds himself, and drops his gaze resolutely to the floor. "My apologies," he says as much to them. He did not expect them to understand; few did. He backs away, head still bowed though he keeps his eyes on

[Obligatory] the man's chest so he would know if he needed to dodge.

[ST] "This is senseless," Lily says quietly, yet sternly.

[ST] "Please, sirs," Prudence says again.

[Fish] He grins meanly. " 'e knows his place." He stands rooted in the center of the the silence and anger, as if he was reveling in it. He casts a leering eye over the two women he'd been sent to protect, wondering if they remembered him. He hoped not, for many reasons. "Want a real good time?"

[ST] "Do not offer something you are incapable of providing," Lily says.

[ST] "WHAT in the name of Autumn's tits is going on down here?" A trio of sailors push past Lily and Peach, entering the room. At their head is the first mate, with his spase hair and his blind eye.

[ST] "What's the problem?" He asks again, looking between Fish and the others. His gaze passes completely over Prudence.

[Fish] He leers, backing away. "Try me out sometime, girly." He makes his way back to the gambler's table strutting like a hero. If that damned guard didn't keep a closer eye on them now, he'd be tempted to just kill him for being a waste of Ralinona's money.

[ST] "Hold it, you," the mate says as Fish backs away. "I'll ask again. What's the problem here?"

[ST] Sawa has taken a few steps forward, glaring at Fish powerfully.

[Obligatory] Obligatory frowns at Trout. Perhaps he wasn't on the same mission after all. Surely he would not have threatened violence if he was.

[Fish] He glares back. "I don't like good Haslanti women whoring for trash," he tells the First Mate. Damn, he did not need more trouble with the crew. Well he'd known it would come to this. He hoped the man would let it go with him backing off. "The boy tells me he knows his place, so theres no trouble here," he adds, smiling.

[ST] "Is that the case?" The mate turns, squinting at Obligatory. "Oh, I see how it is. You're one of them, aren't ya? Are you causing trouble, boy?"

[Obligatory] "No," Obligatory mumbles, keeping his eyes lowered so the sailor can't see the anger in them.

[Obligatory] His shoulders are tense with it.

[ST] "What was that? I couldn't hear you." The mate steps forward, tottering unsteadily. There's no alcohol on his breath, though. He's not drunk, just mean. "Are, you, causing trouble?"

[ST] "He was not," Lily says from behind Obligatory.

[Fish] Well, then. "He ain't now, are you boy?" he asks mockingly. Then, to the First Mate "Hey, I owe you a stake in the game - wanna pull up a chair?"

[ST] "No, Mr. Fennel, he wasn't," Prudence urges. "It was HIM." She points at Winter Fish. "He started all of it. He said terrible things about the People-"

[ST] "Bugger the people," the mate snaps. "Shut up." He laughs at Fish's remark. "In a minute, once I settle with this. See if we still have a problem here."

[Obligatory] "I have already apolgoized," Obligatory says, his voice cool and calm. He glares at the wooden floor. "There is no problem. Peace is restored."

[ST] "Maybe you are the problem." Fennel moves forward, slipping off the grasp of the sailors behind him. He jabs a finger at Obligatory's chest. "Do you know your place, now?"

[ST] The room behind him is deathly still.

[Obligatory] Obligatory raises his eyes as Fennel pokes him, his jaw tight. He is enraged, it is clear to all. He swallows. Serenity. He needed serenity. His hands curl into fists at his sides, but he releases a long sigh and lowers his eyes again. He backs away a step. "Yes," he says dully. "I apologize for causing offense." He is meek again, and speaks with the calm politeness that somehow often enraged Haslanti even more.

[ST] "If you look at me that way again, I'll kill you," the man snarls. "And no one in here would blame me."

[Fish] Fish stands where his is, back a bit from the action, grinning as if surveying his triumph. Which he was in a way.

[ST] "Please, sir," Prudence begins again. "It was him that almost started the fight, at least-" She gives a short, sharp grunt, collapsing as Fennel slams a fist into her belly - a clamor rushes through the room, and from somewhere, a braying laugh.

[Obligatory] "I apolgoize," Obligatory says again, calmly. He backs away a step.

[ST] "See what you got started?"

[Obligatory] Obligatory starts. He hated, hated this man. Only the discipline of the Quiet keeps him from throwing himself at him. He moves in front of Prudence, physically interposing himself with the ease of one who has done this before. It was always the same with bullies. "Please, sir, I am the one at fault." He keeps his head bowed and his shoulders stooped submissively.

[Obligatory] He would have to apologize to Prudence, again and again.

[Obligatory] "How may I satisfy you?" He had to settle it. The First Mate might even be moved to defend his employee; you never knew. And that would only compound the problem.

[ST] "I'm sick of looking at your face," Fennel says. He nods to the sailors behind him. "Take this filth and lock him in Forsythe's old cabin, it's still empty. He can cool his heels there a while, and learn how to comport himself." He yanks Prudence to her feet. "You, stop whining, and get out of here."

[ST] "I suppose this is your Haslanti hospitality," Lily's voice is bitter.

[Fish] Well, that was one possible danger down, and the Mate on his side. Things were looking up.

[Obligatory] Obligatory doesn't resist.

[ST] "Get outta here," the mate says, waving her off without real venom. He moves over to Fish's table.

[ST] Sawa comes forward and, speaking quietly, ushers the pair back to their room.

[ST] Obligatory, meanwhile, is taken forward. A door is hurriedly opened onto a room filled with nothing but a nailed down table and a bare mattress. He is hurled within unceremoniously, the door slamming behind him.

[Fish] "We got a chair for the Mate, right Gambler Denn? Put that right, you did. Here's a stack, just like I said." It was mostly his winnings, although he added a few slivers from his seed money.

[ST] Amelia's grandchildren are staring at the spetacle with eyes like saucers. The woman hurriedly corrals them, and, with a glare at the gambling table, hastens off to one of the luxury cabins.

[ST] "So we do," Denn says. "Sharp work on that kneeler. Shame about the woman, though. She works for you, yes?"

[ST] "Hmph, if you can call what the Quiet do work," Denn says. "Like a cat. You know how it is. Can't boss a cat around, just understands being fed and being hit."

[ST] The room Obligatory finds himself in is even colder than the rest of the ship. A layer of fine dust covers every surface.

[Fish] He nods, like a lout thinking he was a sage. "Got to put the fear into em."

[Obligatory] Obligatory sighs. Some spy he was. He sits on the bed and puts his face in his hand. He had done what was right, he consoles himself. He hoped Prudence was alright.

[ST] As Fish continues to game the night away, time grows late. Soon, people begin to retire, moving off singly and in pairs. The ordinary passenger cabins are cramped, with typically between four and eight passengers in each. Fish has paid extra for a single room, but the Cherak merchants pile in together, accompanied by the strange group. Several tribespeople share another cabin. Hector and

[ST] Jens fill the last luxury room, and gradually the ship begins to settle.

[ST] Cold and hungry, Obligatory is roused by a soft rapping on the door.

[Obligatory] Obligatory raises his head. He had assumed the door would be locked. "Come in," he calls, unable to keep a trace of irony from his voice.

[ST] The door is locked - it's one of those that needs a key to open from either direction. A moment later, it opens, and Enduring Prudence peers within, cautiously. "Brother, are you there?"

[Obligatory] "I am," he says, rising.

[ST] She moves hesitantly. At first, he thinks, with fear, but he realizes the blow has left her moving stiffly

[ST] She presses something into his hands - a loaf of bread.

[Obligatory] He steps closer to her and takes the bread with both hands, a respectful gesture. He bows deeply to her. "Thank you sister." He puts the bread on his bed and takes her hands. "Fennel is a brutal man. I am sorry my imprudence brought this about." He hesitates. "I am grateful you came to see me, but is it worth the risk to you?"

[ST] "Compassion is beyond worth, my brother. I ask only that you be gluttonous," she laughs slightly, then stops with a gasp. "I will be punished if the bread is found, and cannot release you from this place."

[ST] "As for Fennel, the world has ever had men like him in it, and ever will. You must make no apologies for his actions."

[Obligatory] He smiles at her joke. He could promise to be gluttonous, certainly. Still, he had to be conscious that it was he who provoked him by being too conspicuous. "That it will, sister." He searches her eyes. "I hope he does not often act violently against you. Such men will ever be in the world, but you need not serve one. There are other places."

[ST] "This is a better place than most, and the pay fair. Captain Caraway sees to that, at least. Where else would you have me go?"

[Obligatory] That gives him pause. "I do not know of a place off hand," he admits. "But the People know which Haslanti sin against their employees and which do not." He touches her cheek gently. "I do not think Fennel learns from his misbehavior."

[ST] She sighs. "I am certain that he does not. But blows and bruises, I can tolerate. They are better than when the Haslanti wish to be... gentle. Few among the People have little luxury to choose their path in this world, brother." She smiles, and reaches out to grip his shoulder, squeezing softly. "But it will not always remain so."

[Obligatory] "Oh?" Obligatory looks at the door. "I don't see any signs of it changing," he sighs, remembering the belittlement from the other Raven.

[ST] "It will change, brother, it will. Sooner than you think." She smiles again, genuinely. "Sooner than everyone thinks."

[ST] "The People will be safe, and free."

[Obligatory] "How?"

[ST] "The Haslanti may find that they are no longer in the position to do what they wish to the People. You will see." He notices her breath is coming faster in the darkness. The weak light from the hall shows she is flushed with excitement.

[Obligatory] He looks at her uncertainly. This was not the compassion and even temper that was revered among the Quiet; it tasted too strongly of...hate. It was one thing to dislike being beaten, but it was another to bear malice against the beater, however savage. It was not their fault they had not been born among the Quiet, and it was thus the Quiet's role to teach, if only by example.

[ST] "Everyone will be happy, brother," she rushes on, heedless. "You will see. They will have to treat us kindly. Everyone kindly, and we will teach them."

[Obligatory] "If you know of a way to end the persecution of the Quiet in our ways, I would be glad help," he says quietly, persuasively. He moves closer to her and holds her hand, his eyes intent on her face. The light shines on his golden curls.

[Obligatory] "That will be a glorious thing."

[ST] "There are people," she says in a rush. "People from the nations fighting the Haslanti. They have promised us. If we help them, if we give them information, they will make things better for us. They will not hate us as the Haslanti do."

[Obligatory] Obligatory furrows his brow, his heart sinking. This was worse than he had feared. Far worse. "How many of our People are involved in this?"

[ST] "Dozens, brother, and soon more. Soon you, too, yes?" She is giddy now, flushed with the joy of letting it all out. "I will help you to meet these people."

[Obligatory] "Thank you," he says with automatic courteousness. "Sister- how do you know these others will not betray the Quiet? Armies rarely respect the peaceful people."

[ST] "I know," she says, with the fervent tone of the faithful. "He will never betray me."

[Obligatory] "He?" Had she gotten all stiff about Peach and Lily when she herself...

[ST] "Later, brother. We will speak of these things later. You will meet him." She leans forward, pressing her forehead against his. "Only wait for now. They should release you from here soon enough, once Fennel calms."

[Obligatory] He nods. "Very well." He tightens his grip on her hand. "But sister, please forgive me, but I will have to make my own evaluation of whether he is to be trusted. We have been often betrayed. You understand?" He draws back a little, studying her face.

[ST] A look of hurt concern flits across her face. "Yes, brother, of course. He will not betray us."

[Obligatory] He nods. "I will not go to him with a hardened heart," he promises. If the man was sincere, he would do his best to earnestly dissuade him. Perhaps there was more merit to the scheme than he saw, but it seemed a foolish thing, and wrong. The Haslanti were barbarians, but the Quiet could not aid aggressors.

[ST] "I must go, brother. I will come back to you as soon as I can," Prudence pulls away from him, nodding with a smile.

[Obligatory] He smiles. "Thank you." He hesitates. It seems a small thing, to bring up now, but..."I hope you were not angry with me for befriending Lily and Peach. I think they are kind women."

[ST] "There is nothing wrong with friendship, brother. But they are distasteful. It dishonors the Quiet to associate too closely with them. If friendship was all that was on your mind, you have committed no wrong." Her grin has not faded; clearly, she does not suspect him of wrongdoing.

[Obligatory] He nods. "Indeed. I am glad you see it so." He feels a little twist of shame in his belly- he hadn't known what going with Lily had meant, but he had been excited. It doesn't show on his face: he has resolved to act more righteously in the future. He picks up the loaf of bread and his grin gets wider. "Thanks again. I'll devour the evidence."

[ST] "You are welcome, brother." The door closes softly behind her. She locks it with a twist of the key, and moves down the hall, slowly. Obligatory would understand, soon. Much sooner than even he thought. Her hands twist together. Jeral had promised no one on the airboat would be hurt, but still...

[ST] The hulking man frightens her, and she nearly jumps and cries out when he rounds the corner. He smells bad, like blood, and her heart lurches. Is it wrong, to trust such a man? Jeral said it was not. And in any case, it is too late to go back. She presses the key into his hand, shaking, and he gives a brief, sharp nod.