He had been on the island for nearly a decade, and has only exchanged a few letters with his family back home. Of course, "home" has changed since then. They use to live under the sea, but had since moved to a small trading settlement on the coast.
They won't be bothered that I care for an elf so much, will they? My father is a bit harsh at times, but he is pretty understanding himself. Plus they have befriended a decent amount of humans in their new home since I left, it should not be a problem, should it?
Fooser stuffs the last of his rustic looking clothing into the bag. He had had enough of the happenings on Gobiath for his liking recently, and it left a bad taste. The feeling of being old, and useless was creeping back in, with only Sylveria as a bright spot.
Boats came by the docks at a consistent enough pace for transportation not to be a huge issue. Just grab a few coins and pay a captain, most would accept the coins easily. Yes, sounds like a plan.
He picks up his nearly filled bag, and starts out the door, looking both ways along the street for certain individuals, and when he sees none, he departs out the east gate towards the docks, preparing to sleep in the woods before going in the morning.
A Love Supreme
Moderator: Gamemasters
Morning greets Sylveria in dappled puddles of sunlight through the overshadowing branches above her. The elfess wakes and sits up to find herself, fortunately, in the very same mossy forest grove that she had fallen asleep in the night before. She quickly checks around herself to see if her bag had experienced just as much luck for waking up in the right spot, and finding so, she takes it up and swings the holding strap over her head at an angle across her shoulder. The simple but practical contents seem as lightweight as the very bag itself for their size, and are enough provisions for nearly any travelling elf (or elfess.)
From a distance through the trees, long before she arrives, Sylveria's brows perk at the faint cries of sailors and anxious mothers moving about on the creaky wooden planks of the docks. As she approaches near, the onslaught of bustling seafarers and over eager merchants, as well as the putrid and characteristic "dock odor" , nearly hits her as strongly as the gust of a rumbling summer rainstorm. Patiently tolerating the rushed commotion, Sylveria makes her way closer to the edge, near the ships. She lithely dodges out of the way of hollering captains, and politely declines a thousand frantic merchants with a familiar amiable smile.
Eventually, even the delicate elfess makes her way to the end of the gauntlet. She checks her bag briefly for any pick-pocket visits, and finding everything a little tossed but unremoved, she smiles and waits near the bulking, groaning ships. Her forest green eyes lift and scan the crowd patiently in the light of early morning at the dock.
From a distance through the trees, long before she arrives, Sylveria's brows perk at the faint cries of sailors and anxious mothers moving about on the creaky wooden planks of the docks. As she approaches near, the onslaught of bustling seafarers and over eager merchants, as well as the putrid and characteristic "dock odor" , nearly hits her as strongly as the gust of a rumbling summer rainstorm. Patiently tolerating the rushed commotion, Sylveria makes her way closer to the edge, near the ships. She lithely dodges out of the way of hollering captains, and politely declines a thousand frantic merchants with a familiar amiable smile.
Eventually, even the delicate elfess makes her way to the end of the gauntlet. She checks her bag briefly for any pick-pocket visits, and finding everything a little tossed but unremoved, she smiles and waits near the bulking, groaning ships. Her forest green eyes lift and scan the crowd patiently in the light of early morning at the dock.
Fooser makes his way out of the last few trees at the edge of the forest, approaching the docks. He quickly notices the large amount of people already about in the morning, and makes his way closer. At first he looks at the different ships that are in the dock, then his focus turns to finding Sylveria. He looks around more, and then spots the elf easily amongst all the merchants and sailors. He walks up behind the elf quietly and spins around so that he is now facing her, and he tilts his head to kiss her slightly, so his snout doesn't get in the way.
"Stay right here, Syl. I'll find us a ship."
He spins around again, nearly as quick as he came, and peers about. He spots a typical captain-looking figure sitting drunkily on top of a crate that was pushed onto the dock that morning. Fooser walks up to the man, who is looking down wearily at a parchment.
"Hello, sir?"
"Aye, what is it?"
"Me and my lady need a ship, you look like you own one...do you?"
"Of course I do. But why would you care? You're one of them snake folk, just swim to where you got to go."
(Blinks patiently)
"She is an elf, and I am feeling lazy these days, so I am willing to pay for travel."
(The captain seems to gain more interest)
"Ah, coin, of course. That be my ship over there."
The captain points to one of the smaller ships near the shore. There is a large hole in the middle of the sail, and what appears to be a drunken sailor hanging off the edge.
"...How much?"
"200 coins per person, aye!"
"Fine...here."
(Fooser quickly takes out a pouch of coins and drops it into the Captains lap.)
"Oh yes, what be your name?"
"Fooser.."
"Mh...I am Grorathen. But for short, most call me Gror...GROAR!! Haha!!"
The captain's laughter spews out a smell of alcohol into Fooser's face, and he merely tries to just shake it off.
"Go get your friend and your belongin's, and let's get out of here."
Fooser nods quickly, and goes back to find Sylveria.
"Stay right here, Syl. I'll find us a ship."
He spins around again, nearly as quick as he came, and peers about. He spots a typical captain-looking figure sitting drunkily on top of a crate that was pushed onto the dock that morning. Fooser walks up to the man, who is looking down wearily at a parchment.
"Hello, sir?"
"Aye, what is it?"
"Me and my lady need a ship, you look like you own one...do you?"
"Of course I do. But why would you care? You're one of them snake folk, just swim to where you got to go."
(Blinks patiently)
"She is an elf, and I am feeling lazy these days, so I am willing to pay for travel."
(The captain seems to gain more interest)
"Ah, coin, of course. That be my ship over there."
The captain points to one of the smaller ships near the shore. There is a large hole in the middle of the sail, and what appears to be a drunken sailor hanging off the edge.
"...How much?"
"200 coins per person, aye!"
"Fine...here."
(Fooser quickly takes out a pouch of coins and drops it into the Captains lap.)
"Oh yes, what be your name?"
"Fooser.."
"Mh...I am Grorathen. But for short, most call me Gror...GROAR!! Haha!!"
The captain's laughter spews out a smell of alcohol into Fooser's face, and he merely tries to just shake it off.
"Go get your friend and your belongin's, and let's get out of here."
Fooser nods quickly, and goes back to find Sylveria.
The grinning stares from a pair of sailors nearby brings even the amiable elfess to look away, as politely as she can. As one of them licks his unappealingly chapped lips slowly, Sylveria quickly glances back over to Fooser and the grubby seafarer seated on the crate. To her relief, the lizard looks as if to come fetch her again, and she hurries over without any further persuasion.
Looking up, Sylveria glances from Fooser to the captain and back purposefully, with an inquiring expression.
Looking up, Sylveria glances from Fooser to the captain and back purposefully, with an inquiring expression.
"I've done this route a million times, don't worry about a thing, you paid good money in my opinion, haha!!"
Grorathen let's out another hideous laugh, that almost seems to go above all the other noise at the dock.
"Come on, hop on folks!"
The group moves towards the small ship, that seems to only have room for a few, but fortunately, the drunk sailor hanging over the side seems to be the only crew.
"Get up ya lazy--I tell you, people these days!"
The captain starts to nudge the crewman over the edge, and he quickly gets startled and moves himself back up. And scurries off to pretend to do some work on the ship.
"What exactly is it that you do anyways?"
"I trade...aye...I take shipments to places. Sometimes carry fine folk like yourselves. But as you can see, I don't usually carry a big load. Haha!!"
"That sail there...is that hole suppose to be there?"
The captain looks up, unaware of what the lizard talks about.
"Oh...uhm...aye, that. Tis a special technique that only the best sailors use...it uhm...helps with the birds."
He goes back to tossing items onto the ship at the last second, and then jumps onto the ship again himself, lacking any grace.
Slowly the boat begins to drift away from the dock, the Captain, though questionable, seems to turn it out of the dock with decent skill. Fooser sits down and smiles at Sylveria, and looks around at the waters that slowly begin to surround them more and more. Then he looks down to a sack that is next to him, he peeks in and looks at a large stack of Sibanac leaves, and then closes it.
Oh Gods...
Grorathen let's out another hideous laugh, that almost seems to go above all the other noise at the dock.
"Come on, hop on folks!"
The group moves towards the small ship, that seems to only have room for a few, but fortunately, the drunk sailor hanging over the side seems to be the only crew.
"Get up ya lazy--I tell you, people these days!"
The captain starts to nudge the crewman over the edge, and he quickly gets startled and moves himself back up. And scurries off to pretend to do some work on the ship.
"What exactly is it that you do anyways?"
"I trade...aye...I take shipments to places. Sometimes carry fine folk like yourselves. But as you can see, I don't usually carry a big load. Haha!!"
"That sail there...is that hole suppose to be there?"
The captain looks up, unaware of what the lizard talks about.
"Oh...uhm...aye, that. Tis a special technique that only the best sailors use...it uhm...helps with the birds."
He goes back to tossing items onto the ship at the last second, and then jumps onto the ship again himself, lacking any grace.
Slowly the boat begins to drift away from the dock, the Captain, though questionable, seems to turn it out of the dock with decent skill. Fooser sits down and smiles at Sylveria, and looks around at the waters that slowly begin to surround them more and more. Then he looks down to a sack that is next to him, he peeks in and looks at a large stack of Sibanac leaves, and then closes it.
Oh Gods...
"Oh...uhm...aye, that. Tis a special technique that only the best sailors use...it uhm...helps with the birds."
Sylveria tilts her curious eyes up to the holey subject at hand. The puzzle of the sail's hole distracts her attention for Fooser's brief moment of gripping realization at the contents of the bag beside him.
After a few moments, Sylveria begins to visually explores the rest of their slowly bobbing surroudings.
As the rhythm of the waves and plank creaking gradually settle in to a steady pace, an overhead gull circles around lazily, once leaving a souvenir of its visit to add to the deck scum. The avian missile barely misses the drunken sailor who appears to have quickly set up another sleeping post further down the railing. The railing itself seems to beg for its own retirement, and for a few varying moments, Sylveria looks at the rotting wood under the slumped sailor with some concern.
The captain walks by under the flap of sailing cloth (holes or no holes) , also bringing the peculiarly unpleasant stench of uncaring seafarers in his wake. Sylveria wrinkles her nose as she also catches the fainter scent of something similarly familiar and similarly unpleasant as the captain gradually walks further away. The second scent holds a slightly sweeter yet drier smell, weak but present. But the sea winds play the air around the ship, and the smell of dried fish and cheap liquor quickly overtakes any odor of that faint, familiar smell.
Sylveria amuses herself again by returning to her thoughts on what sort of birds can fit through such a hole...
Sylveria tilts her curious eyes up to the holey subject at hand. The puzzle of the sail's hole distracts her attention for Fooser's brief moment of gripping realization at the contents of the bag beside him.
After a few moments, Sylveria begins to visually explores the rest of their slowly bobbing surroudings.
As the rhythm of the waves and plank creaking gradually settle in to a steady pace, an overhead gull circles around lazily, once leaving a souvenir of its visit to add to the deck scum. The avian missile barely misses the drunken sailor who appears to have quickly set up another sleeping post further down the railing. The railing itself seems to beg for its own retirement, and for a few varying moments, Sylveria looks at the rotting wood under the slumped sailor with some concern.
The captain walks by under the flap of sailing cloth (holes or no holes) , also bringing the peculiarly unpleasant stench of uncaring seafarers in his wake. Sylveria wrinkles her nose as she also catches the fainter scent of something similarly familiar and similarly unpleasant as the captain gradually walks further away. The second scent holds a slightly sweeter yet drier smell, weak but present. But the sea winds play the air around the ship, and the smell of dried fish and cheap liquor quickly overtakes any odor of that faint, familiar smell.
Sylveria amuses herself again by returning to her thoughts on what sort of birds can fit through such a hole...
"Indeed, but this be one of the hardest routes in this area during certain times of the year. Aye, no worry though, this isn't one of those times of the year, HHHHHAH!!"
It was late afternoon now, the ship had been going at decent pace all day. The sun was still firmly in the sky, but probably not for too much longer. The Captain had been discussing his craft for a long while.
"You know...I've lost six ships in my time. I tell ya this because none of the times were actually my fault. Ive been unlucky I tell ya, but I can feel that this will be a good trip. Money well spent I say."
Grorathen takes another nice helping of ale in between his talk.
"You want to hear about what happened each time?"
"No."
"Ill tell ya, they all be good tales, indeed."
Fooser tries to purposefully daze into some kind of alternate consciousness as the Captain begins his tale, but the words still flow into his mind as he tells it.
The first time, I was just a young sailor. My father helped me get me first ship, quite a beauty she was. Then I got my first job from the local shopkeeper, aye. So then I set sail, and things went smoothly until a wave of great size...great size I tell you! Came up and tore right through my ship. Luckily, my crate of ale was on board, and I held on to what was left of the crate. Drank, slept, and floated until I got beached, aye.
Second time, the local shopkeeper was kind enough to take the cost of my ship, I lost his cargo, but he felt bad for my ship also. Of course, he was a bit on the cheap side about it, the ship was a bit...soft, aye. I set out again in search of some fish this time. I set up shop in the middle of the sea, and let me reel go. Got a big one on my first try, damn near pulled me over the edge, but I stuck my boots into my crate of ale to get a stronger hold, and reeled him in. Problem was I upset the other fish, and they came chargin at me ship with such hatred. They slammed up against my boat, one after the other, until they tore holes into it, and it sank, but luckily, I held onto my ale crate and floated ashore.
So then I saved up money by working as a crew member. When I got enough I got me own ship yet again. She was a beauty. I set out a third time with my own ship, aye. This time I brought coins in hope of going out and getting some wares cheap elsewhere. But, before I could get to the destination, a four headed sea creature came out of the water. One of its heads took out the sails, another went through the deck, another through the middle, and the last slammed the rear. It mistook me for dead and left, and I held on to my ale crate and floated back to shore, aye.
I floated to a new town that time. I got work as a carpenters apprentice. Didn't learn a damn thing. But I did get him to help me build a new ship. I grabbed all the coins I had left, and started setting sail for the island you folks came from actually. As I neared the west coast of the island, a huge burst of wind, that must have come from the Gods blew sand out from the desert onto the sea, it blinded all my crew members, and I only could not steer it myself. So we collided with a large rock off the coast, ripping the ship apart. I took my crate of ale and got to the shore, which wasnt far at all.
I was taken captive by trolls in the eastern forest then. But, as luck would have it, I saw an abandoned ship along the coast, down south further. It looked good, I didn't see why someone would leave. So I made a run for it from the trolls. I hopped onto the ship, another small one, and started setting her out to see. But before I could get out of their range, a troll hurled a rock right through my sail. Of course I dragged my ale crate with me. As I got farther out, some smuggler folk got sight of me, and rained fire arrows on my ship. Only the sail and my ale crate were spared from the flames, as I clung to them and floated many days until I hit land.
I dragged the sail and the ale onto a beach. A small settlement was in the distance, and I headed there, aye. They had a port, so I naturally went to see what ships they had. Fortunately, I found a young man who was missing a sail, and he also was missing a captain. He said I could own the ship as long as I gave him a sail, and be his captain. That young man was this fine fella over there.
Grorathen finished off a bottle of ale, and chucks it at the drunken sailor, apparently the one he was referring to. The wood starts to break under him as he gets startled from the bottle, and quickly jumps back, and falls over again.
It was late afternoon now, the ship had been going at decent pace all day. The sun was still firmly in the sky, but probably not for too much longer. The Captain had been discussing his craft for a long while.
"You know...I've lost six ships in my time. I tell ya this because none of the times were actually my fault. Ive been unlucky I tell ya, but I can feel that this will be a good trip. Money well spent I say."
Grorathen takes another nice helping of ale in between his talk.
"You want to hear about what happened each time?"
"No."
"Ill tell ya, they all be good tales, indeed."
Fooser tries to purposefully daze into some kind of alternate consciousness as the Captain begins his tale, but the words still flow into his mind as he tells it.
The first time, I was just a young sailor. My father helped me get me first ship, quite a beauty she was. Then I got my first job from the local shopkeeper, aye. So then I set sail, and things went smoothly until a wave of great size...great size I tell you! Came up and tore right through my ship. Luckily, my crate of ale was on board, and I held on to what was left of the crate. Drank, slept, and floated until I got beached, aye.
Second time, the local shopkeeper was kind enough to take the cost of my ship, I lost his cargo, but he felt bad for my ship also. Of course, he was a bit on the cheap side about it, the ship was a bit...soft, aye. I set out again in search of some fish this time. I set up shop in the middle of the sea, and let me reel go. Got a big one on my first try, damn near pulled me over the edge, but I stuck my boots into my crate of ale to get a stronger hold, and reeled him in. Problem was I upset the other fish, and they came chargin at me ship with such hatred. They slammed up against my boat, one after the other, until they tore holes into it, and it sank, but luckily, I held onto my ale crate and floated ashore.
So then I saved up money by working as a crew member. When I got enough I got me own ship yet again. She was a beauty. I set out a third time with my own ship, aye. This time I brought coins in hope of going out and getting some wares cheap elsewhere. But, before I could get to the destination, a four headed sea creature came out of the water. One of its heads took out the sails, another went through the deck, another through the middle, and the last slammed the rear. It mistook me for dead and left, and I held on to my ale crate and floated back to shore, aye.
I floated to a new town that time. I got work as a carpenters apprentice. Didn't learn a damn thing. But I did get him to help me build a new ship. I grabbed all the coins I had left, and started setting sail for the island you folks came from actually. As I neared the west coast of the island, a huge burst of wind, that must have come from the Gods blew sand out from the desert onto the sea, it blinded all my crew members, and I only could not steer it myself. So we collided with a large rock off the coast, ripping the ship apart. I took my crate of ale and got to the shore, which wasnt far at all.
I was taken captive by trolls in the eastern forest then. But, as luck would have it, I saw an abandoned ship along the coast, down south further. It looked good, I didn't see why someone would leave. So I made a run for it from the trolls. I hopped onto the ship, another small one, and started setting her out to see. But before I could get out of their range, a troll hurled a rock right through my sail. Of course I dragged my ale crate with me. As I got farther out, some smuggler folk got sight of me, and rained fire arrows on my ship. Only the sail and my ale crate were spared from the flames, as I clung to them and floated many days until I hit land.
I dragged the sail and the ale onto a beach. A small settlement was in the distance, and I headed there, aye. They had a port, so I naturally went to see what ships they had. Fortunately, I found a young man who was missing a sail, and he also was missing a captain. He said I could own the ship as long as I gave him a sail, and be his captain. That young man was this fine fella over there.
Grorathen finished off a bottle of ale, and chucks it at the drunken sailor, apparently the one he was referring to. The wood starts to break under him as he gets startled from the bottle, and quickly jumps back, and falls over again.
Sylveria can't help herself from clapping both hands over her mouth to stifle her silent giggles at the stories of the captain. Occasionally, she glances at Fooser during the tales with an expression containing both amusement and a grinning sort of apprehension. She raises a brow at each reiteration of the captain's queer nautical luck.
The ship sails on slowly, complaining of wear, tear, and poor treatment through its warping planks. The elfess curls up next to Fooser and unfolds a small, light but warm cloak from her travelling store as the sun tucks away on the western horizon. Evening ocean breezes begin to swoop and play through the patchy sails and the elfess' dark hair.
The ship sails on slowly, complaining of wear, tear, and poor treatment through its warping planks. The elfess curls up next to Fooser and unfolds a small, light but warm cloak from her travelling store as the sun tucks away on the western horizon. Evening ocean breezes begin to swoop and play through the patchy sails and the elfess' dark hair.
Fooser slept peacefully next to Syl as the night went on. The boat was very quiet, the two sailors either sleeping or hung over. The waves were also very calm as the ship got nearer to it's destination. By morning they would be close.
----------------
The morning awaits Fooser with the fresh smell of sea slime, alcohol of many types, and the faint trace of sibanac smoke. It had been a bit of time since he used the leaf, so it had been slowly becoming less and less of a problem as he smelled it.
Grorathen moves along the deck, groaning in what seemed to be perfectly timed intervals, as he looked out onto the ocean, with a hint of land in the distance. Fooser gets up quickly, seeing the same thing as the Captain. He moves right up to the edge of the deck, next to the Captain, completely forgetting the smells and discomfort of his company.
"Aye, I told ya I would get ya there. And I did. Ship and all too. HHHHAH!"
The captain takes another swig of ale from his crate. Whether it is the exact same crate from all of his journeys though, that is debatable.
"We'll be at that dock out there by the end of the morn."
----------------
The morning awaits Fooser with the fresh smell of sea slime, alcohol of many types, and the faint trace of sibanac smoke. It had been a bit of time since he used the leaf, so it had been slowly becoming less and less of a problem as he smelled it.
Grorathen moves along the deck, groaning in what seemed to be perfectly timed intervals, as he looked out onto the ocean, with a hint of land in the distance. Fooser gets up quickly, seeing the same thing as the Captain. He moves right up to the edge of the deck, next to the Captain, completely forgetting the smells and discomfort of his company.
"Aye, I told ya I would get ya there. And I did. Ship and all too. HHHHAH!"
The captain takes another swig of ale from his crate. Whether it is the exact same crate from all of his journeys though, that is debatable.
"We'll be at that dock out there by the end of the morn."
At the absence of a shoulder to nudge against, Sylveria wakes up just a few moments following the lizard. Opening her eyes to see two figures standing close to the deck's railing, she tucks the blanketing cloak back into her bag and walks towards the two in curiosity. Her approach is just early enough to catch...
"..'ll be at that dock out there by the end of the morn."
She stands next to the one with a tail and looks out towards the horizon in focus. Her eyes brighten with the little effort that it takes to see the spot of land, and she looks to Fooser with inquisitive excitement, gesturing out to the speck of brown-green.
"..'ll be at that dock out there by the end of the morn."
She stands next to the one with a tail and looks out towards the horizon in focus. Her eyes brighten with the little effort that it takes to see the spot of land, and she looks to Fooser with inquisitive excitement, gesturing out to the speck of brown-green.
Fooser left the two sailors, just as he had found them. Grorathen sits on a large crate at the dock, while the other sits almost deadly still on the ship itself. The dock and town itself have a very rustic look. The dock is made up of weak wooden boards and pillars. The houses also are made of wood and other assorted things that can be found in the area.
The settlement has a decent amount of trade going on despite its size. Fooser peers around at the different houses, trying to remember which one he was told was the right one. All the people walking and trading seem to be either humans or lizards, without much other variety.
"Go right from the dock...then down a bit..."
He mutters to himself as he turns and looks down the road. He spots two houses in the direction, and he begins to head to the farthest one. He quickly stops though, and remembers to grab his bag, and looks back at Sylveria and smiles again.
The settlement has a decent amount of trade going on despite its size. Fooser peers around at the different houses, trying to remember which one he was told was the right one. All the people walking and trading seem to be either humans or lizards, without much other variety.
"Go right from the dock...then down a bit..."
He mutters to himself as he turns and looks down the road. He spots two houses in the direction, and he begins to head to the farthest one. He quickly stops though, and remembers to grab his bag, and looks back at Sylveria and smiles again.
Sylveria gently slings her bag across her shoulder again and steps off the rickety gangway. Her eyes meet the new sight of the settlement, one not quite like any other found on Gobaith or its nearby islands. She gazes all around her with a timid fascination of the small dock town, meanwhile keeping close to Fooser nevertheless. She stops briefly as Fooser remembers his bag and picks it up. She returns his smile, and begins to follow close behind again as they continue.
Around the two of them, men and lizardfolk walk down the marshy paths to and from their business. Sylveria tries to keep her eyes from staring at the great numbers of lizardfolk pacing about, more than she had ever seen at once in her lifetime. She continually glances from the lizards standing near the dock huts to the one close beside her, and her curiosity is provoked at how similar Fooser looks like them, yet how different he appears to her personally.
Uncertainty arises in the elfess as she begins to find herself looking at more and more faces that stare back at her, both humanoid and reptilian. A few minutes of walking later, Sylveria subconsciously rubs at one of her pointed ears and tries to walk behind Fooser. The looks are brief but noticeable, and the young elfess seems a little relieved as they soon approach the hut of Fooser's direction.
Around the two of them, men and lizardfolk walk down the marshy paths to and from their business. Sylveria tries to keep her eyes from staring at the great numbers of lizardfolk pacing about, more than she had ever seen at once in her lifetime. She continually glances from the lizards standing near the dock huts to the one close beside her, and her curiosity is provoked at how similar Fooser looks like them, yet how different he appears to her personally.
Uncertainty arises in the elfess as she begins to find herself looking at more and more faces that stare back at her, both humanoid and reptilian. A few minutes of walking later, Sylveria subconsciously rubs at one of her pointed ears and tries to walk behind Fooser. The looks are brief but noticeable, and the young elfess seems a little relieved as they soon approach the hut of Fooser's direction.
According to his guess, his son would arrive early in the afternoon. But perhaps they were dealyed? Maybe not. It had been a while since he last saw his son, so he was slightly nervous about this whole thing. Slooser peered over at his wife Sleasha who was sitting quietly in a chair, looking around.
"He should be here soon."
"Sss. Yesss."
"He also said he was bringing a lady he cared for greatly. It's good to see he found someone.."
"Sss. I'm sssure he found a good lizard to be with...sss.."
"Yes, yes. I'm sure he did."
A light but affirmative knock comes from the doorway, and they both look quickly over at it. Slooser, still standing, moves over to the door quickly.
I'm sure he did..."
He opens up the creaky wooden door, and peers out at an elf and a lizard, who smile back at him.
"He should be here soon."
"Sss. Yesss."
"He also said he was bringing a lady he cared for greatly. It's good to see he found someone.."
"Sss. I'm sssure he found a good lizard to be with...sss.."
"Yes, yes. I'm sure he did."
A light but affirmative knock comes from the doorway, and they both look quickly over at it. Slooser, still standing, moves over to the door quickly.
I'm sure he did..."
He opens up the creaky wooden door, and peers out at an elf and a lizard, who smile back at him.
Sylveria finally draws her eyes away from the sights of the coastside settlement as the two step up to the worn wooden hut. As Fooser prepares to knock, the elfess casts her eyes around at the structure before them. Similar to the rest of the town, it had a settled scent of dried fish and the smell of sea salt, continually brought to shore by the oceanic winds. For a moment, her green eyes stray to a tiny pale crab, nearly translucent in its newly formed shell, scuttling across the doorstep over an obstacle course of sand and bits of withered seaweed.
She turns back at the sound of Fooser's light but affirmitive knock, and before long, she watches the wooden door creak open. Before her it reveals a lizard that may have simply been an older version of Fooser. Briefly glancing a moment past the lizard, she spots the silouette of a second one with a faintly sleeker snoutline seated inside.
Sylveria looks back up and greets the lizard with her characteristically friendly smile.
She turns back at the sound of Fooser's light but affirmitive knock, and before long, she watches the wooden door creak open. Before her it reveals a lizard that may have simply been an older version of Fooser. Briefly glancing a moment past the lizard, she spots the silouette of a second one with a faintly sleeker snoutline seated inside.
Sylveria looks back up and greets the lizard with her characteristically friendly smile.
"Father, hello."
"Greetings..."
Fooser moves in to embrace his father, who seems a bit dazed at the situation. He seems to snap out of it after a little while.
"Who is this?"
"Ah this is Sylveria, the best elf in all the land. Syl, this is my father.."
"It's good to see you both, come in!"
Fooser steps through the doorway, looking at the interior of the house, which seems to have the same feel as the outside. He moves toward the room where his father was standing before. Sealsha seems to have moved into another room.
"We have some decent food planned for tonight. We also invited Feraiden over. You remember him, yes?"
"Of course, I don't forget friends."
"Oh, let me help you both with your things..."
Slooser gets up and grabs both bags, and lifts them up with ease, almost suprised at their light combined weight. He quickly scurries off into a back room and deposits them, and comes back out.
"So, how have you all been?"
"Fine I guess...just glad to be off the boat."
"Who is this?"
"Ah this is Sylveria, the best elf in all the land. Syl, this is my father.."
Sylveria smiles and takes a small but courteous introductory bow.
"It's good to see you both, come in!"
The elfess steps through the doorway after Fooser. Her vision adjusts to the darker and cooler interior of the structure, and she looks around the inside with the polite reserve of guests who enter the home of another. Her eyes chance by an empty chair that seemed to be occupied only moments before, but her thought does not dwell on it.
"We have some decent food planned for tonight. We also invited Feraiden over. You remember him, yes?"
"Of course, I don't forget friends."
Sylveria wonders briefly what other sorts of food are unique to lizardfolk cuisine.
"Oh, let me help you both with your things..."
The elfess slips her bag off and hands it to the older lizard with a gracious nod. She waits patiently for his short return.
"So, how have you all been?"
"Fine I guess...just glad to be off the boat."
Sylveria grins and nods her agreement, for lack of any better- or possible -words.
"Ah this is Sylveria, the best elf in all the land. Syl, this is my father.."
Sylveria smiles and takes a small but courteous introductory bow.
"It's good to see you both, come in!"
The elfess steps through the doorway after Fooser. Her vision adjusts to the darker and cooler interior of the structure, and she looks around the inside with the polite reserve of guests who enter the home of another. Her eyes chance by an empty chair that seemed to be occupied only moments before, but her thought does not dwell on it.
"We have some decent food planned for tonight. We also invited Feraiden over. You remember him, yes?"
"Of course, I don't forget friends."
Sylveria wonders briefly what other sorts of food are unique to lizardfolk cuisine.
"Oh, let me help you both with your things..."
The elfess slips her bag off and hands it to the older lizard with a gracious nod. She waits patiently for his short return.
"So, how have you all been?"
"Fine I guess...just glad to be off the boat."
Sylveria grins and nods her agreement, for lack of any better- or possible -words.
A fairly quiet, but still welcoming time passed. It seemed to go by quick, he was suprised his father didn't ask more, perhaps he will later. Sealsha had finished the food for the night, and they were now waiting on Feraiden, a human friend of Fooser's when he was younger. He also moved to this settlement fairly recently. He was an interesting man.
Fooser tooks Sylveria's hand, and walked to the table, and then released her hand and sat down with little grace, tired from the trip. Then the knock at the door came, very similar to the way Fooser had knocked. Slooser went over and opened the door. A cloaked human emerged into the house, he looks to be in his thirties, cleanly cut and shaven, with a hood on, which he pulls down soon after he enters.
"Fooser, my friend, a pleasure I haven't had in a while."
"Greetings, sit. This is my good friend Sylveria."
Feraiden looks at her and smiles warmly.
"Greetings, miss."
He also takes a seat, with a little more style though.
"Sealsha is one of the finest lizard cooks I know. I guess mothers of all races pick up on these things."
Slooser trails behind Feraiden, and sits a few moments after his human friend does. Another short while later Sealsha emerges from another room, and places plates of food in front of everyone.
Feraiden takes a quick glance at the food, then lowers his head slightly.
"Mother of life, bless us---"
His words trail off into inaudible whisper, and once finished, he looks up, with a look as if he has been rude in some way.
"Sorry, I have devoted my life to Tanora as a priest. I dont believe the elves are unfamiliar with her? Quite a beautiful lady she is, with beautiful creations all around us."
All the lizards at the table seem to ponder the topic of spirituality for a few moments, but then decide that the religion of their stomach is more important at this time.
"Ah. Alligator mixed with pig fat and seasoning. A delicacy of the lizards who lived in the marsh areas. A very fine treat, indeed."
Feraiden digs in, with a suprising appearance for a human who is eating alligator and pig fat. Fooser peers over at him for a few moments, and then follows up his quick gobbling motion with his own.
After a few moments of eating, Slooser looks up, and over to Fooser.
"So, what have you been doing for a job?"
Fooser's plate and wooden utencils nearly go flying out of his hand at this question, and he stutters a bit before answering.
"I--uh. I--uh. Hold coins for a town."
Slooser snorts inwards a bit, before taking another bite.
"Who in the hells would put you in charge of their money?"
Fooser pinches his eyes shut tightly at this line of questioning and responses. The minute of awkward silence is broken by another question.
"So, "Sylveria", you don't talk much do you?"
Fooser tooks Sylveria's hand, and walked to the table, and then released her hand and sat down with little grace, tired from the trip. Then the knock at the door came, very similar to the way Fooser had knocked. Slooser went over and opened the door. A cloaked human emerged into the house, he looks to be in his thirties, cleanly cut and shaven, with a hood on, which he pulls down soon after he enters.
"Fooser, my friend, a pleasure I haven't had in a while."
"Greetings, sit. This is my good friend Sylveria."
Feraiden looks at her and smiles warmly.
"Greetings, miss."
He also takes a seat, with a little more style though.
"Sealsha is one of the finest lizard cooks I know. I guess mothers of all races pick up on these things."
Slooser trails behind Feraiden, and sits a few moments after his human friend does. Another short while later Sealsha emerges from another room, and places plates of food in front of everyone.
Feraiden takes a quick glance at the food, then lowers his head slightly.
"Mother of life, bless us---"
His words trail off into inaudible whisper, and once finished, he looks up, with a look as if he has been rude in some way.
"Sorry, I have devoted my life to Tanora as a priest. I dont believe the elves are unfamiliar with her? Quite a beautiful lady she is, with beautiful creations all around us."
All the lizards at the table seem to ponder the topic of spirituality for a few moments, but then decide that the religion of their stomach is more important at this time.
"Ah. Alligator mixed with pig fat and seasoning. A delicacy of the lizards who lived in the marsh areas. A very fine treat, indeed."
Feraiden digs in, with a suprising appearance for a human who is eating alligator and pig fat. Fooser peers over at him for a few moments, and then follows up his quick gobbling motion with his own.
After a few moments of eating, Slooser looks up, and over to Fooser.
"So, what have you been doing for a job?"
Fooser's plate and wooden utencils nearly go flying out of his hand at this question, and he stutters a bit before answering.
"I--uh. I--uh. Hold coins for a town."
Slooser snorts inwards a bit, before taking another bite.
"Who in the hells would put you in charge of their money?"
Fooser pinches his eyes shut tightly at this line of questioning and responses. The minute of awkward silence is broken by another question.
"So, "Sylveria", you don't talk much do you?"
Sylveria follows Fooser to the table, and also takes a seat shortly before a light but affirmitive knock presents itself at the door. Having followed Slooser to the door with her eyes, she watches as a middle aged human beneath his cloak steps into the doorway and slides the hood from his head. Upon appearance, he seems well groomed and amiable in his greeting.
"Greetings, sit. This is my good friend Sylveria."
Feraiden looks at her and smiles warmly.
"Greetings, miss."
Sylveria returns the smile in an equally courteous but warm manner.
Out of sheer curiosity, her eyes trace the path of the dinner dishes as they are placed before each person on the table. The human's quiet, humble prayer reaches her ears just as she begins trying to analyze the contents of her dinner through her head, coming very close to nudging Fooser for an explanation. Feraiden looks up with an apologetic expression.
"Sorry, I have devoted my life to Tanora as a priest. I dont believe the elves are unfamiliar with her? Sylveria smiles and shakess her head. Quite a beautiful lady she is, with beautiful creations all around us."
The pause from the lizards following Feraiden's words goes unnoticed by Sylveria as she takes up a wooden spoon in her hands and, with an openminded lack of hesitation, tries her first spoonful of Evening Reptilian Special.
Feraiden's chance explanation of the food comes very conveniently.
"Ah. Alligator mixed with pig fat and seasoning. A delicacy of the lizards who lived in the marsh areas. A very fine treat, indeed."
Oh. That's what it is.
Sylveria widens her eyes to herself for a flashing moment, having been caught entirely by surprise at what she had just placed between her lips. However, her curiosity and openness overcome the small sense of dread in the back of her mind, and she continues with the mentality that, at least she had eaten meat before. Even if it wasn't reptilian and oily. The seasoning was very tasty.
Sylveria forces herself to look away from a very suspicious blob floating near the side of her dish by turning her attention closer to-
"So, what have you been doing for a job?"
Fooser's plate and wooden utencils nearly go flying out of his hand at this question, and he stutters a bit before answering.
"I--uh. I--uh. Hold coins for a town."
The elfess notices Fooser's reaction of discomfort, but isn't really clear about the reason for it. She glances at Fooser side long at his father's next question, which puts an obvious expression on the son's face. Sylveria takes another bite with a little concern for Fooser, but turns her gaze to Slooser as he breaks the silence once more.
"So, 'Sylveria', you don't talk much do you?"
Sylveria responds by shaking her head sincerely. In a familiar gesture, she strokes the front of her throat and taps her lips affirmitively, pairing these with the action of shaking her head once more. She keeps her eyes politely directed at the older lizard a few moments afterwards, as she has the habit of doing to verify understanding in conversation because of her limited method of dialogue.
"Greetings, sit. This is my good friend Sylveria."
Feraiden looks at her and smiles warmly.
"Greetings, miss."
Sylveria returns the smile in an equally courteous but warm manner.
Out of sheer curiosity, her eyes trace the path of the dinner dishes as they are placed before each person on the table. The human's quiet, humble prayer reaches her ears just as she begins trying to analyze the contents of her dinner through her head, coming very close to nudging Fooser for an explanation. Feraiden looks up with an apologetic expression.
"Sorry, I have devoted my life to Tanora as a priest. I dont believe the elves are unfamiliar with her? Sylveria smiles and shakess her head. Quite a beautiful lady she is, with beautiful creations all around us."
The pause from the lizards following Feraiden's words goes unnoticed by Sylveria as she takes up a wooden spoon in her hands and, with an openminded lack of hesitation, tries her first spoonful of Evening Reptilian Special.
Feraiden's chance explanation of the food comes very conveniently.
"Ah. Alligator mixed with pig fat and seasoning. A delicacy of the lizards who lived in the marsh areas. A very fine treat, indeed."
Oh. That's what it is.
Sylveria widens her eyes to herself for a flashing moment, having been caught entirely by surprise at what she had just placed between her lips. However, her curiosity and openness overcome the small sense of dread in the back of her mind, and she continues with the mentality that, at least she had eaten meat before. Even if it wasn't reptilian and oily. The seasoning was very tasty.
Sylveria forces herself to look away from a very suspicious blob floating near the side of her dish by turning her attention closer to-
"So, what have you been doing for a job?"
Fooser's plate and wooden utencils nearly go flying out of his hand at this question, and he stutters a bit before answering.
"I--uh. I--uh. Hold coins for a town."
The elfess notices Fooser's reaction of discomfort, but isn't really clear about the reason for it. She glances at Fooser side long at his father's next question, which puts an obvious expression on the son's face. Sylveria takes another bite with a little concern for Fooser, but turns her gaze to Slooser as he breaks the silence once more.
"So, 'Sylveria', you don't talk much do you?"
Sylveria responds by shaking her head sincerely. In a familiar gesture, she strokes the front of her throat and taps her lips affirmitively, pairing these with the action of shaking her head once more. She keeps her eyes politely directed at the older lizard a few moments afterwards, as she has the habit of doing to verify understanding in conversation because of her limited method of dialogue.
Feraiden's voice breaks the awkward silence and guessing between the older lizard and the elf.
"Poor lass doesn't seem to be able to speak at all."
He says, without even lifting his head from his food.
"Oh."
Slooser seems to shrug this off fairly quickly. Meanwhile, Sealsha remains quiet as always, and Fooser merely nods at the words of his priest friend.
Poor lass...and Fooser, change the subject...yes.
"I think I should show you all around later, the sun has set now, but I still can find my way around."
The words seem to come out as if he didn't even know what he was saying, but he then nods after saying it, looking between Fooser and Sylveria.
"Nothing too extreme though."
"Poor lass doesn't seem to be able to speak at all."
He says, without even lifting his head from his food.
"Oh."
Slooser seems to shrug this off fairly quickly. Meanwhile, Sealsha remains quiet as always, and Fooser merely nods at the words of his priest friend.
Poor lass...and Fooser, change the subject...yes.
"I think I should show you all around later, the sun has set now, but I still can find my way around."
The words seem to come out as if he didn't even know what he was saying, but he then nods after saying it, looking between Fooser and Sylveria.
"Nothing too extreme though."
A second blush accompanies the elfess's small blanket of relief as Feraiden relieves the older lizard from an even more elaborate guessing game. Sylveria blinks quietly as the table falls silent again, and inside, she has some difficulty waving off a tiny glint of guilt.
Bowing her gaze back down to the dish before her, and trying to ignore the mysterious floating globulet again, she hears Feraiden's voice take the turn to break silence.
"I think I should show you all around later, the sun has set now, but I still can find my way around."
Sylveria steals a glance up at the human, then looks back and forth from Feraiden to Fooser in a few moments of hesitation. She takes another bite from the spoon in her hand.
"Nothing too extreme though."
Sylveria smiles and silently shakes her head in absent agreement. As uncertain as a stranger on a distant shore, she glances from one person to the other, the way strangers may try to observe expressions of those around them to find unspoken explanation about their current situations.
Bowing her gaze back down to the dish before her, and trying to ignore the mysterious floating globulet again, she hears Feraiden's voice take the turn to break silence.
"I think I should show you all around later, the sun has set now, but I still can find my way around."
Sylveria steals a glance up at the human, then looks back and forth from Feraiden to Fooser in a few moments of hesitation. She takes another bite from the spoon in her hand.
"Nothing too extreme though."
Sylveria smiles and silently shakes her head in absent agreement. As uncertain as a stranger on a distant shore, she glances from one person to the other, the way strangers may try to observe expressions of those around them to find unspoken explanation about their current situations.
"Well, I need to get outside and walk a little. Dinner was excellent as always Sealsha. Please join me if you want, you two."
Feraiden stands up, nods to the two lizards at the other end of the table, and walks toward the door as he pulls his hood back up. Meanwhile Fooser gets up immediately as the offer comes, and he looks back at Sylveria as he too moves to the door.
Anticipating and ready to anticipate the departure, the elfess hurries down the last bites of her food as politely as she can manage, following after the typical elven habit of leaving nothing to waste. (with the reluctant exception of the mysterious floating globulet). Sylveria stands after dabbing around her mouth with some cloth for any stray bits of alligator, and lightly stands to follow Fooser and Feraiden. She turns just before exiting the doorway, and gives as gracefully courteous a bow of timid thanks and respect as she thinks Slooser and Sleasha will accept from her.
She scurries out and waits almost with her breath held for the creaky door to close behind her. At the sound of the latch clicking shut, a tiny sigh of relief escapes the elfess's lips to meet the warm evening breeze of the coast. Gradually comforted by the sight of the first stars, Sylveria smiles very faintly, and looks to the lizard at her side and the cloaked human.
She scurries out and waits almost with her breath held for the creaky door to close behind her. At the sound of the latch clicking shut, a tiny sigh of relief escapes the elfess's lips to meet the warm evening breeze of the coast. Gradually comforted by the sight of the first stars, Sylveria smiles very faintly, and looks to the lizard at her side and the cloaked human.
"Oh, thank Gods. Time for some fresh air."
Feraiden pulls out a pipe quickly and stuff the end in his mouth and lights it up, and begins using it. He keeps his back to the other two and looks around back and forth, as if scanning the darkness.
"Sorry about that Syl. If you want something more to your liking to eat, I'm sure we can find something..."
Smoke continues to come off the pipe as Feraiden continues his odd analysis of the surroundings.
"Not much to get around here at this time of night. Perhaps I can get you something when we get back, let's go."
Feraiden walks into the darkness, in the direction of the edge of town. Fooser hesitates a couple of seconds, and then follows.
"Sorry about that Syl. If you want something more to your liking to eat, I'm sure we can find something..."
Sylveria gives a slight grin and dismissively shakes her head a little. She feels her stomach give a small, noiseless gurgle in protest to the abrupt change in diet, but she only barely winces to herself in the dusky evening.
"Not much to get around here at this time of night. Perhaps I can get you something when we get back, let's go."
Sylveria's eyes begin to adjust smoothly to the dimming light, and she watches as Feraiden begins to set out, seemingly towards the edge of the town. After a quick glance and the lizard's short hesitation, Sylveria follows closely after Fooser.
More stars wink down at the trio making their way through the quiet seaside town. Lamplight wavers from behind hazy window curtains. Warm drafts of sea air carry the occasional whispering hiss of straggling lizard traders in low conversation. But besides the muted thump of moored boats bumped against the dock by drifting waves, few other sounds can be heard through the town's worn streets.
The trio begins to move farther and farther away from known civilization. The flat ground and small lights from windows slowly turns into more marsh, and tree's rising monsterously above the ground. The moon is out in full force, not quite full, but somewhat near.
Feraiden continues to lead on, as if he can make sense of a hidden path through this mess of moisutre, trees, and tall grass.
"Lizards are a very adaptable people. The ones who came out of the seas to places like this were able to live in peace deep in the swamps and forests. Insects and other discomforts were harmless to them due to their skin."
They continue to move along, and Feraiden continues, as if reciting a book.
"And since they were able to come out of the water and stay permanently, this set up more contact with other races. The settlement back there was one of the first places humans and lizards gathered and lived together. Not the very first, but close. At first it was just for trading, but now, it is much more than that. I have had the honor to live amongst them in towns like these, and learn much. They are very close to Tanora, as am I."
Fooser trots closely behind the human, who is only a dark figure now, his shape not even identifiable because of the large cloak and hood. Fooser takes a wrong step into a large puddle, and quickly pulls his foot out, looking at his soaked boots with a little frustration, but keeps going.
Feraiden continues to lead on, as if he can make sense of a hidden path through this mess of moisutre, trees, and tall grass.
"Lizards are a very adaptable people. The ones who came out of the seas to places like this were able to live in peace deep in the swamps and forests. Insects and other discomforts were harmless to them due to their skin."
They continue to move along, and Feraiden continues, as if reciting a book.
"And since they were able to come out of the water and stay permanently, this set up more contact with other races. The settlement back there was one of the first places humans and lizards gathered and lived together. Not the very first, but close. At first it was just for trading, but now, it is much more than that. I have had the honor to live amongst them in towns like these, and learn much. They are very close to Tanora, as am I."
Fooser trots closely behind the human, who is only a dark figure now, his shape not even identifiable because of the large cloak and hood. Fooser takes a wrong step into a large puddle, and quickly pulls his foot out, looking at his soaked boots with a little frustration, but keeps going.
Beneath the vivid moonlight, Sylveria turns her head to look back at the fading window lights of the town. They mimic the distant stars in the sky, and for a moment, thoughts run through the young elfess's mind about distances and lamplights in the heavens. One could could see a town in the distance, and walk to it soon enough. One could see the moon on any clear night, but never reach it in an eternity. She wonders if some birds flew up to the moon at night and roosted behind it. She wonders if owls roosted behind the sun, and needed big eyes like small suns to see during their nighttime flights.
Despite her good elven vision and a bright moon this night, Sylveria still marvels at the surefootedness of the cloaked man before them. As she tries to take careful steps through the marshy land, feeling the mud begin to seep through her light shoes, she hears Feraiden beginning a historical tour.
"Lizards are a very adaptable people. The ones who came out of the seas to places like this were able to live in peace deep in the swamps and forests. Insects and other discomforts were harmless to them due to their skin."
Silently, Sylveria admits to herself that she would probably have taken the information in at a better rate if most of her attention hadn't been given to keeping herself from accidentally sinking into a muddy alligator pit. A sudden twist of irony runs through her head as she imagines the cousin of her recent dinner taking on a cannibalistic diet without bothering to discard the elven part of the cycle first.
Sylveria swallows and feeds the alligator in her stomach with the unpleasant lump from her throat.
With Feraiden's unhindered pace taking the lead, Sylveria helplessly follows Fooser, who himself looks as if he is trotting to keep up with the human. Her curiosity thirsts to ask where the three are headed, but in the bright but insufficient light, and the brisk pace required of the latter two in the party, the elfess gets no chance to pause and ask.
Despite her good elven vision and a bright moon this night, Sylveria still marvels at the surefootedness of the cloaked man before them. As she tries to take careful steps through the marshy land, feeling the mud begin to seep through her light shoes, she hears Feraiden beginning a historical tour.
"Lizards are a very adaptable people. The ones who came out of the seas to places like this were able to live in peace deep in the swamps and forests. Insects and other discomforts were harmless to them due to their skin."
Silently, Sylveria admits to herself that she would probably have taken the information in at a better rate if most of her attention hadn't been given to keeping herself from accidentally sinking into a muddy alligator pit. A sudden twist of irony runs through her head as she imagines the cousin of her recent dinner taking on a cannibalistic diet without bothering to discard the elven part of the cycle first.
Sylveria swallows and feeds the alligator in her stomach with the unpleasant lump from her throat.
With Feraiden's unhindered pace taking the lead, Sylveria helplessly follows Fooser, who himself looks as if he is trotting to keep up with the human. Her curiosity thirsts to ask where the three are headed, but in the bright but insufficient light, and the brisk pace required of the latter two in the party, the elfess gets no chance to pause and ask.
It had been a good long while now since they had left. How long had it been? A few seconds? An entire night? He couldn't even tell anymore. He had this driving feeling now. His feet pushed into the soft ground, and lifted up once more to take another step, as if not minding at all anymore.
His drawn out speech about history and culture had ended awhile back, and only silence and crickets took the place of it. They were getting closer now. What was he doing bringing them out here anyways?
Feraiden was about to take another confident step when a sound emerged from the endless marsh around them. His foot came down onto the soft ground, but this time it seemed to have given in, and stopped from taking another step. A few branches cracking in the distance. The only light now was the limited moonlight that made its way through the trees, who almost took the shape of arms trying to soak up as much light from the ground as possible. And of course, the small flickers coming from Feraiden's pipe as he turns his head to the side slowly, listening.
The sound of more branches snapping echoed through the marsh. Fooser stops just as suddenly as the one who he was following. Fooser keeps his head down, listening, unsure of what is going on. The sound of more branches, this time closer. And rocks being displaced, not just any type of rocks, big ones.
More smoke flows out of his pipe as he keeps his head turned to the side. His hood covers his head so well than only his pipe is sticking out from the hood. The sounds continue to get closer, but then they start getting fainter again. Feraiden listens to the sounds go off into the distance, and without moving his head, finally speaks.
"Birds get caught in the bushes and trees sometimes. The sound carries a lot. Let's keep going."
Then, as quickly as they stopped, they start up again. First Feraiden, then Fooser, following the same silent way of walking as they did before.
His drawn out speech about history and culture had ended awhile back, and only silence and crickets took the place of it. They were getting closer now. What was he doing bringing them out here anyways?
Feraiden was about to take another confident step when a sound emerged from the endless marsh around them. His foot came down onto the soft ground, but this time it seemed to have given in, and stopped from taking another step. A few branches cracking in the distance. The only light now was the limited moonlight that made its way through the trees, who almost took the shape of arms trying to soak up as much light from the ground as possible. And of course, the small flickers coming from Feraiden's pipe as he turns his head to the side slowly, listening.
The sound of more branches snapping echoed through the marsh. Fooser stops just as suddenly as the one who he was following. Fooser keeps his head down, listening, unsure of what is going on. The sound of more branches, this time closer. And rocks being displaced, not just any type of rocks, big ones.
More smoke flows out of his pipe as he keeps his head turned to the side. His hood covers his head so well than only his pipe is sticking out from the hood. The sounds continue to get closer, but then they start getting fainter again. Feraiden listens to the sounds go off into the distance, and without moving his head, finally speaks.
"Birds get caught in the bushes and trees sometimes. The sound carries a lot. Let's keep going."
Then, as quickly as they stopped, they start up again. First Feraiden, then Fooser, following the same silent way of walking as they did before.
Sylveria freezes in place as the cloaked figure suddenly stops in his path. She hears the muffled squelch of his boot in the mud amongst the sounds of trilling crickets as it stops and sinks instead of pulling forward to continue in Feraiden's pace. The flicker of his pipe embers catches her eye foremost before she turns an alert gaze to the surrounding darkness. A bright moonbeam between the canopy of a gnarled swamp tree cascades down the slender elfess's cheek across one eye, and she shifts out of the light towards Fooser, though for more reasons than that. The lizard is silent, his head bent in aural concentration.
Sylveria reaches for his hand with an unwillingly tense grasp, and begins to shiver at each snap of branches. The sound of abnormally active large rocks reaches her ears, and brings no less amount of discomfort. Sylveria eyes the wispy stream of smoke drifting from Feraiden's pipe, forming ghostly ribbons under the moonlight, and she briefly wonders how iritated most swamp beasts become at the sight and smell of smoke. She wonders how iritated most swamp beasts become when they notice a human, a lizard, and an elf walking through the swamp who have recently devoured a swamp beast themselves. Sylveria receives the spontaneous urge for a shrine of forgiveness with an alligator figure on the altar.
Gradually before long, the 5 headed, 12 tailed, 700 toothed marsh creature of her imagination moves away again, leaving a thick and heavy silence in the humid air. The elfess remains frozen.
"Birds get caught in the bushes and trees sometimes. The sound carries a lot. Let's keep going."
Somehow, Sylveria is not convinced at the thought that Feraiden has simply seen much bigger birds than she has.
Sylveria reaches for his hand with an unwillingly tense grasp, and begins to shiver at each snap of branches. The sound of abnormally active large rocks reaches her ears, and brings no less amount of discomfort. Sylveria eyes the wispy stream of smoke drifting from Feraiden's pipe, forming ghostly ribbons under the moonlight, and she briefly wonders how iritated most swamp beasts become at the sight and smell of smoke. She wonders how iritated most swamp beasts become when they notice a human, a lizard, and an elf walking through the swamp who have recently devoured a swamp beast themselves. Sylveria receives the spontaneous urge for a shrine of forgiveness with an alligator figure on the altar.
Gradually before long, the 5 headed, 12 tailed, 700 toothed marsh creature of her imagination moves away again, leaving a thick and heavy silence in the humid air. The elfess remains frozen.
"Birds get caught in the bushes and trees sometimes. The sound carries a lot. Let's keep going."
Somehow, Sylveria is not convinced at the thought that Feraiden has simply seen much bigger birds than she has.