The Balance

Log Info

• Title: The Balance
• Emitter: Aryia
• Characters: Aryia, Aya, Daechir
• Place: Alexandrian Shipyards
• Time: April 22, 2022
• Summary: Upon the docks a deal is made true, one that a mute elf gains a sloop. Her sister and Daechir say hello, and they discuss of trips of where they could go. Names are pondered and some are laundered, while a present hunt is kept in the forefront. After all, who needs to stall? For the near future holds a promised saunter.

Alexandrian Shipyards, Morning

"She'll need some work, but to be fair, probably one of the best little sloops you'll find 'ere." A half-oruch sailor as one foot on the edge of a boat with sails, both furled up. A bucket of paint rests beside him with the brush dunked in it, a fresh swatch covering up what was once a name on the side of it. It's a small vessel, probably would only comfortably fit two or three folk on the deck.

A scarred mul'neissa woman in a green jacket is looking the vessel over with a critical eye after stepping off of it one more time. She purses her lips.

"If you're second guessing, just gonna let you know there's like half a dozen lookin' fo' somethin' like that, and I 'ad ta shove 'em aside for ya."

She sighs, nods slowly, and holds out a hand. Along with a sack pouch full of coin.

He grins, clasping the hand at the forearm and giving it a proper shake. "Ey! Good shit. Take good care of 'er. Don't forget, ya gotta put name on it 'fore ya set sail, or the dock master will have your head!"

Money exchanged, as well as a sheaf of papers that are now in the mute's grasp, the liaison walks away as she looks down at them.

There's a blank spot under her name.

She looks up to the vessel, it rocking slowly in the waves.

"... I have a boat," she gestures slowly, staring at it flatly, the excitement having not caught up with her yet. <Handspeech>

Given events recent and not-as-recent, Aya is not venturing far from the city, if at all. As well, she is keeping an eye on those closest to her. Thus she enters the docks with said eye (or both) seeking... ah, there she is. Staring at a boat...?

"Good day, sister," she calls once within earshot.

Daechir, not unlike Aya, has not been much out of the city. Instead he has remained mostly close to Aya's side, though for both their sakes not unendingly so. For the moment however he is indeed at Aya's side, keeping her company. He offers a warm smile to the familiar woman beside what has recently become her boat. His red eyes take in quickly the lack of name on the boat and the somewhat shocked expression on Aryia's features before nodding to her politely. "Good day Aryia."

Aryia blinks, her attention shifting off the sailing vessel to spy-

She smiles, carefully folding the papers in hand and approaching in her usual greeting for her sister: a brief hug.

She pulls off to gesture, "Hello!" to both of them, her looking Daed down and up, checking on him. "Good to see you two. Are you... feeling better?" she asks of the red-eyed man.

She looks behind her, stares at the vessel for a moment overlong, then looks back to the couple. "I bought a boat." Delivered with all the usual pizzazz Aryia holds: blunt and to the point.

She grins. <Handspeech>

Between the smiles of the other two, Aya is provoked to share her own. "So you did?" A brow arches at Aryia's statement, and then her smile widens (if unevently). "Congratulations, Captain Zilly." She then glances askance at Daechir for his status update.

At first the signs that Aryia makes mean nothing to Daed, but then the meaning sinks in and he's surprised to realize that he understands the gist of what the woman is saying with her hands. He blinks once, but he has a question to answer. One that slides a wry smile across his lips. "Far more lively than I was for certain." This is laced thickly with amusement, and he rolls his shoulders in a graceful shrug. "I am doing quite well."

After a brief moment Daechir waves a hand at the boat. "Should we be celebrating? The purchase of a boat is no small thing."

The mute blinks, and her face colors some at both the title and the name. "Thanks. I still have to figure out a name for it...." she gestures, trailing off to rub her chin.

It's weird to understand Aryia without knowing what she's saying. It's in her body language. Her expression. Her intent. It all forms the gist of her communication, and that gist crosses that gap to bridge the lack of knowledge.

She snorts. "For certain. Glad you're feeling better. Really. I am." A glance between both sister and lover.

She ponders that for a moment with a tap-tap on the chin. "Maybe! But I need to figure out a name before we do any champagne breaking on the bow. Well, that's what I hear that they do in Alexandria."

She gestures to come aboard as she steps up and hops on deck. The sloop had a set of gaff sails furled up, and the deck mostly cleared out save for essential sailing supplies and tools, and enough walking room for perhaps four folk. A trapdoor is open behind the mast, peering in showing a cramped sleeping hold with some stacked hammocks. <Handspeech/Tongues>

Aya nods with Daechir, her smile losing its wry though remaining present. She may not find quite the amusement in Daechir's comment as he, but she doesn't wince, at the least? "He is right, there should be a celebration... but perhaps not just yet. A name, first." Possibly among other things.

She looks over the craft as she accepts the invitation and steps aboard. It is possible that she might ask whether they shall sink and drown, but that would be insulting of Aryia's purchase. As well, she trusts her judgement. "After that... you will sail elsewhere, I presume?"

Daechir waits a moment for Aya to embark, and then follows suit. Looking over the boat with an air that says that he knows perhaps something of ships. He doesn't fiddle with anything, but rather gives the ship a good once over without being invasive. "A good ship name can be difficult." Here he lapses into comfortable silence, his curiosity about the answer to Aya's question meaning that he doesn't want to add too much to the conversation and distract from that.

Aryia takes a moment to thud a boot toe against one of the boards, checking on it and giving a satisfied nod. The way she moves about the deck and pulls one of the errant ropes away, it's clear she too is used to being on such a place. "Names are hard. Took me decades to come up with mine," she comments, sitting on the rail as the boat gently rocks from the extra passengers.

But, the question makes her purse her lips. "Maybe out of the docks and a bit into the open sea for a day or so just to get the hang of this thing. But nowhere far yet."

A smirk twists her lips as she taps the side of her nose. "The boat is a backup plan."

Now there's the mul'neissa in her. Scheming! <Handspeech/Tongues>

"I am certain you will discover the perfect name," Aya assures her. "There is no pressing need for haste, afterall." The mention of a plan causes a brow to arch, though she doesn't directly inquire of it. Instead, she leans to Daechir's side to note. "Daechir is in no rush to see you leave."

"Indeed I am not." Daed offers with a light smile on his lips, and a little fond gleam in his eye for Aya. "Though I admit fully to curiosity about this plan of yours which may or may not have a need for a boat."

He lowers his voice conspirotorialy. "As for the issue of names, I feel your pain. It took me some time to come up wtih a name that was at least half a presumptious as the one I was born with."

Aryia shakes her head. "There is no rush for me either. It is... a just in case. If the city explodes or something. A way out, peace of mind, balance out the worry and all that."

She looks between the two, her glowing gaze softening at the little gestures. It, too, made her smile. "And what inspiration stuck that helped you come up with your present one?" she gestures, prodding for insight. <Handspeech/Tongues>

Perhaps it is the sense of normalcy and/or with those close to her, and/or the light in Daechir's eyes, or mention of peace... but the underlying tension finally seems to drain from Aya in the here and now. That is not to say her wit has left.

"I find it difficult to believe that you would have any issues with presumptuousness, Daed. I am well-acquainted with your wardrobe." She is quick to add, more genuinely, "Not that I would have you otherwise." It is then her turn to fall to silent curiosity for the answer to Aryia's inquiry.

Daed laughs at Aya's words and his red eyes twinkle merrily. "Even _my_ presumptuouness can not abide a name like 'Lord of Darkness and Shadows'." He chuckles and looks at Aryia, his mirth fading into thoughtfulness. For a moment he considers his words and then he finally shrugs. "Daed was an easy nick-name to take from Daechir, and it bears a close resemblance to the human name David."

He looks off into the water. "For a time I hid among the humans, pretending to be one, but it was a deception that never could last long. The name David means 'beloved', and... I was young." Crimson eyes slide to Aya and there's such affection in his gaze that there's weight to it. "I wanted nothing more than to find someone who thought of me so fondly."

Aryia, disarmed by such normalcy as well, can't help but snicker and laugh in her breathy, nasally manner at the exchange. "Ugh, that sounds so fucking gaudy, even for you," she comments, grinning.

Her expression evens out to a slight upturn, her kicking her legs idly off her seat of the railing. She glances to Aya, squints in a cheeky manner, and gestures, "I see. And now here you are. And what a good job you did to crack that one's shell to make good on that want," she teases, elbowing Aya in the ribs. <Handspeech/Tongues>

Aya is familiar with his given name, but had not made the connection to the taken name and a human equivalent, much less the meaning behind the human name. "You succeeded," she affirms to him before leaning to Daechir's ear, "beloved. Daechir." Both are whispered with earnest truth behind them as if they were one and the same. As, in fact, they are. Even with the addition of Aryia's elbow.

Any hue to her countenance as she looks to Aryia afterwards is not from embarassment or self-consciousness. Why hold reservations of the truth? Instead, she looks... content. A sudden thought catches and she offers with a slight lift of brow. "Would that name be too presumptuous for a ship?" Presumably, she refers to 'Lord of Darkness and Shadows' rather than a ship named 'Dave.'

"The cracking of walls is mutial I assure you." Aya leans into Daed and a warm smile spreads across his face at the words she gives to him. His hand wrapping around her to give her a quick squeeze. The thought of offering his name to the ship makes him laugh lightly shaking his head. "I would never presume to curse Aryia's ship with my unfortunate name. Boats deserve names like... 'Voyager' and 'Intrepid'. Names that move them forward in the world."

Daed looks at Aya. "Besides, it's her ship, it'd be a bit odd if she named it after me wouldn't it? Do you have someone who is close to your heart Aryia? Someone who might be able to gift some of their name to your lovely get-away?"

Aryia affords them a moment of privacy as she looks off into the waters before turning back to the two. She blinks, then snorts. "The entire name is just one long bullshit thing. Lord of Darkness and Shadows. Bringer of Mul'neissa and Vessel of Exploration. Ship of David." She cackles at her own joke before shaking her head, sighing.

She steps off the railing, giving the little comment of mutuality a soft smile before walking about the deck. A hand wraps around a taut rope, and she leans over the rail to look into the waters.

The question makes her face ease. "I do. Though I don't know how she'd take my boat being called Violet." <Handspeech/Tongues>

Aya returns Daechir's half-embrace... with a light elbow to his ribs. "She very much has her own beloved, but it might be rude to name the boat after her. Especially as I expect they would travel the waters together." There are any number of additional quips she might add regarding that presumed arrangement, but none occur.

Daed nods, first to Aryia, and then to Aya, but his eyes hold a consideration to them. "Perhaps 'Violet Wave', to hold both her name, and the imagry of a sunset in the mind?" He lets the thought drift off without really holding onto it. "The choice of course is yours. Whatever choice you make, it should make you happy first and foremost." He offers a slight bow here.

The notions brought forth cause Aryia to close her eyes in thought, lower lip jutting out as her brows raise in a 'hey-that's-not-half-bad' manner. "Could do that. Might come up with a list of names and just slap them all on. Just tell people I was indecisive."

She drifts to the bow, hands on her hips as she looks out to the port for a beat before turning around. Her glowing gaze crinkles from a grin. "Once I get this thing touched up and signed off, and-" she glances to Aya- "Other things are dealt with-" back to the both of them. "We can take this thing out for a sea trip. Both of you." <Handspeech/Tongues>

The brow nearest Daechir lifts at his suggestion; slowly, at first, but further as he shares his reasoning behind the name. She does not comment, though her glance and expression suggests that she is now unsurprised that shells were cracked; they never stood a chance.

Aryia's offer causes her to turn. "We would be delighted. The four of us." It seems only appropriate... though she now looks down at the opened hatch. "Though it might be ... cozy."

"It sounds lovely." Daed agrees. He doesn't seem bothered by the thought of the close quarters. "In truth some time away from Alexandria sounds like a dream." The man isn't smiling though, instead there's a too-serious expression on his features. Perhaps because of the reminder of things left undone. He meets Aryia's gaze. "Did Aya mention the letter we got at dinner the other night?"

Aryia rubs her neck. The hold within the hatch held two sets of stacked hammocks on low ceilings in a crouching space. Four sleeping spots. With very little room for personal space. "Yes, uh... I don't plan on such a trip being very long due to that..."

The pensive and thoughtful expression of doing something nice to come evens out into a more familiar firm one. She cracks her knuckles together. "I don't know about the specifics of it, but I know I'm on call to cave a fucker's skull in." <Handspeech/Tongues>

And happy feeling's gone. No, not gone, just filed aside for the moment.

Aya's face firms with the others'. "She knows that she.. -it- is still, or again, in the city. It is looking for Seldan. The couple living in his former home were accosted by the fiend."

There is no judgement this time of Aryia's choice vocabulary. Aya simply nods. "We will hunt it down and end it." While she may not have mentioned that recent event to Daechir until now, she looks to him and shares further, "As I asked of them, I will of you: be wary and cautious. Take no undue risks."

Daed nods to Aryia, a respectful thing in thanks for her readiness. "I appreicate your assistance in bringing Aya back to us all. I do not think that I had gotten the chance before to do so. I appreciate this as well Aryia. It troubles me that the demon is in Alexandria, but perhaps that will make it easier for you to track and kill it. "I promise, I take the risk to my life seriously, and will take as few risks as I can."

"Don't thank just me, it was a team effort. Seyardu and Jinks helped a lot. Telamon as well when it came down to actually getting Aya back. Though... don't make me go to the Grey Halls again. That place was... weird." The mute shudders.

Casting that memory aside, Aryia thuds her chest twice. "We'll kill it, send it back to its hole. Last fucking thing to deal with and then you two can relax for good. Can balance out all the stress you two have been under."

Her gaze goes up to the furled sails. A thought crosses her mind. And she smiles.

Her lips move voicelessly, and has a satisfied look on her visage. <Handspeech/Tongues>

Aya's eyes keep contact with Daechir's a moment or three after his assertion, if just to ensure that he means it. She then nods once in acceptance. If only burying her concern was so easy. "No one is going to any Hall."

There, she has her assurances, has given her own. "I look forward to the days where we can all relax."

Daechir has nothing more to add to that himself beyond a tense nod and his hand sliding alongside Aya's. A comforting reminder that he is here now and no longer beyond her reach. Both of them had been through so much. All of them really, had been. And yet now they were on the verge of being able to actually relax. To begin their lives.

Daed at least wanted nothing so much in the world now, as that.

-End Scene-