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Farris Thea-Joren

passenger

0 · 242 views · located in Treasure Planet Universe

a character in “Regulus”, as played by phosphene

Description

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i n t r o d u c t i o n
name: Farris Thea-Joren
species: Sudakloren
pronouns: they/them / he/him (they/them is preferred, but calling them "he" will not offend)
role: passenger
gender and sexuality: do to the nature of their people, the Sudakloren have a very lax attitude towards gender and sexuality. Sudaklorens are fairly free to experiment with their gender expression from birth (as much as their are able given their age, at least), and because of the way they exchange information, memories, and emotions amongst themselves, they often exchange in what many other people's would consider very intimate gestures with near-strangers. Farris, like many Sudakloren, welcomes love in whatever form it may take.

S u d a k l o r e n
modern Sudakloren are not true Sudakloren, and they would be the first to admit that. Thanks to their short lifespans and a lack of genetic diversity, they were once on the very brink of extinction. When they found out that they were genetically compatible enough with humans to procreate, and the offspring grew into healthy, fertile adults, they quickly flung open the doors of their planet and practically begged for single humans to move to their more populated cities. After centuries of genetic mixing, they more closely resemble humans than their Sudakloren ancestors, though they're really a people of their own now. They've retained a comparatively short lifespan (40-50 years in healthy adults), and the ability to share memories, information, and emotions upon physical organic contact. This can get boring when sharing anything more than a fleeting emotion so they've gotten... Creative.

h i s t o r y
Farris' childhood was standard: they grew up among many different concepts, ideas, and emotions. They were allowed to explore and learn about themself as much as desired, so long as it was done safely. They chose their name at fifteen, older than most, and from then on they were considered an adult.

Starting very young, Ferris began working as a researcher in various facilities. They travel very frequently for their work, and have seen many labs on many worlds. They don't love their work, but they do love to travel. The life of a Sudakloren is short, and they resolved not to waste it.

So begins...

Farris Thea-Joren's Story

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Nym Paleth Character Portrait: Farris Thea-Joren Character Portrait: Zaelyandren Filaendrae Character Portrait: Wesley Aloysius
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Based on the stories being told, surviving big storms was some sort of sailor’s right of passage. Nym hadn’t been through enough of them that the thrashing of the ship didn’t make her feel violently ill, so she had quickly been provided a bucket to empty the contents of her stomach. She was grateful for it, anyway: Wes was quick to remind her that she’d be cleaning up any mess she made, and having it all contained to a bucket instead of across the floor did make things simpler.

All the same, Nym liked to hear the stories of the more seasoned sailors. She could tell by the look on Wes’ face that he’d heard all the stories before, but in her short time aboard the Regulus she hadn’t had much time to sit and listen to stories. Wesley kept her plenty busy, and when it wasn’t him telling her what to do, it was someone else aboard the ship. She still wasn’t sure how many of the things she’d been told to do were actually her responsibilities, and how many of them were just things the more seasoned sailors didn’t want to do. She didn’t mind it much, the exhaustion that only comes from hard work had her sleeping better than she had in ages.

It wasn’t unusual to have passengers aboard ships like this. Typically folks who had to get somewhere sooner than the next passenger ship was sailing out, needed to go somewhere the bigger luxury ships didn’t usually dock, or just flat out couldn’t afford a trip on a nicer ship. Of course, there were plenty of people, like Farris, that just preferred the adventure over the luxury of a passenger ship. It was pleasant enough, though: there was food, you got to hear the most interesting stories, and during a storm you got to bunker down with the crew. Farris was absently leafing through a book as he listened to the commotion of the sailors in the mess, trying to create the illusion that he wasn’t intently putting the stories to memory.

Sari’s story was just getting good when Nym began to gag again. Nym groaned as Wes kicked her foot, reminding her that she’d be cleaning up if she missed the bucket. The sickness was the worst part about being on the boat. Her first few days were spent much like this, but she actually had duties to perform between emptying the contents of her stomach. “How much longer is this going to last?” Nym asked- whined, really. She knew no one had any way to guess the length of the storm, she was just tired of being sick.

Then, when Zae interrupted Sari’s story, Nym sighed. She’d wanted to hear the end. Wes had assured her she’d have another chance to hear every one of Sari’s stories the last time this had happened. She told the same ones over and over.

Nym fought the urge to lean into Wes: times like these made her miss the comforting hand her mother would rest on her back when she was sick. There was nothing like intense nausea to make a girl miss her mother.

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Vex Ratcher Character Portrait: Nym Paleth Character Portrait: Farris Thea-Joren Character Portrait: Xavi Facilier Character Portrait: Zaelyandren Filaendrae Character Portrait: Dieter Baros
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╔═════════════════╗
Give me the final piece
Little lights that lead as far as I can see
Of all the billions of stars
That are the dreams of your friends

╚═════════════════╝
xxxxxxxxx
xxx.xxxxx║ Hex: #076232


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''╔════════════╗
♥♥♥♥♥♥So I'm a little c-c-crazy
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥Get off my back
♥''You're curious but scared I'll give ya
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥A heart attack

''╚════════════╝




''╔════════════╗
♥♥♥♥♥♥So I'm a little c-c-crazy
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥Get off my back
♥''You're curious but scared I'll give ya
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥A heart attack

''╚════════════╝
Image
Image Image Image║ Hex: #D2B48C
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Imagexxx.xImage

xx╔════════════════╗
Let's get mischievous
And polyamorous
Wine and women and wonderful vices
Welcome to the cult of Dionysus

xx╚════════════════╝
xxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxx║ Hex: #722F37

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If you questioned why the crew of the Regulus was below deck, you’d only need to wait seconds before being reminded of the storm outside; rain pelting the portside, thunder clapping above deck, and wind bellowing around the boards of the ship. But you’d also hear life among the crewmates bunkering under the storm, laughter was happening, shouting, and the occasional hurl from someone; sometimes from drinking too much, or from sea sickness.

“I don’t know. She was down here when we raised the alarm to get below deck. She’s probably hiding around here somewhere, she can handle herself.” Dieter said leaning against the wall of the ship and crossing his arms as he spoke to Captain Yael Hellspear, giving his report after a head count. “Fine D. Anyways, you said Xavi reported we should be out of the storm within the night? Should keep us ontrack to our next destination.” Yael responded, Dieter nodding in response. “Relax Capt, the crew is enjoying themselves, so should you.” Captain Hellspear patted Dieter on the shoulder and nodded, Dieter standing up straight and returning the respects before the two stepped away from each other.

Xavi, the ship's navigator, had just reshuffled his deck, after giving out another tarot read to a crew member. Though he didn’t do these for free; he would ask for one half ration of alcohol per read, he knew better than to offer up quality services for free. He chuckled as Zae ruined Sari’s story telling. “Was it a ghost boat?” Xavi asked, bringing Sari’s attention to him for a moment. “I swore last time you told the story it was some sort of dragon.” He said, getting some laughter in response from some of the other crewmates. Sari’s stories were always spectacular, but the details would change just about every time she told them. Everyone knew Sari’s tales were true, but no one knew to exactly what degree unless they were there.

Between two of the storms thunderous roars, the starboard entrance to the main deck opening and quickly slamming shut, people glancing for a moment at who it was, but quickly going back to their activities and conversations after dismissing it. In the doorway stood a short woman with a rope tied around her waist, both dripping with water but a smile still on the woman's face. “Rosia! What in the sol’s ass were you doing out there? You could’ve been sent overboard, the wind could carry you with one breath.” Dieter said to the woman, Rosia, and walked over to her. “Aye, I’m fine. Had this rope around me and couldn’t be blown away. And I was just taking in the storm, it's a wild one. Last one I saw this bad was above New Dewrin.” She responded to Dieter and quickly dismissing his worries. He just let out a sigh and rolled his eyes at her.

Rosia was a unique addition to the crew since her old crew’s failed attack. Dieter was against her joining the crew, but his captain had other opinions, and didn’t help that Xavi spoke some other nonsense about it. It took them time to teach her the ways of a ship that didn’t spend all of it’s time smuggling and attacking other ships, but she did come with some advantages with her lack of worry and fear and experience in conflicts.

Rosia pulled the rope off of her waist and ruffled her wet hair, looking over at the sound of someone emptying their stomach into a bin. “Nym, you should see the skies out there.” She said with a smile, tossing the wet rope aside and leaving it for the cabin boy to pick up later, probably after Nym was done throwing up or when the store was over. “Nay. She shouldn’t. She needs to focus on her duties, and you making a mess isn’t helping.” Dieter chimed in before walking off. He was one of the few, if any others beside Captain Hellspear, knew the truth about Nym, so he did feel some sympathy watching a prince forced to do a servant's task.

Rosia rolled her eyes and took a seat at a nearby bench, sitting across from the man she heard rumored was a Sudakloren, and tapping on his book. “Hey there, whatcha reading about?” She asked, not really knowing it was a rude thing to do. But she was a bit fascinated by people reading books, when they could just watch something. Though that was also influenced by the fact she wasn’t given the attention to being taught to read during her previous life before the Regulus. “Aye Ros! Give the man some peace. Not everyone is able to keep up with your energy. He’s reading. Usually when a man reads, he wants peace. Much like I like peace when setting up my rituals and not rearranging my candles.” Xavi commented from a few tables over, before someone else sat across from him, setting a ration of alcohol on the table.

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Nym Paleth Character Portrait: Rosia Hienrik Character Portrait: Farris Thea-Joren Character Portrait: Xavi Facilier Character Portrait: Dieter Baros Character Portrait: Wesley Aloysius
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Nym didn’t pay much mind to Rosia as she entered- Rosia and Nym had become fast friends when Nym came aboard the ship. Rosia was friendly and Nym was eager to have some sense of camaraderie, so it fell into place naturally enough. But the suggestion that she go out onto the deck in a storm, Nym wasn’t having any of that. She didn’t have to reply, Dieter let his disapproval of the idea be known.

Then Wes was talking, gave her shoulder a gentle shake and said, “How about it, Nym - you want us to tie you up so you can go get a look at the stars?”

Nym gave Wes the dirtiest look she could muster, given the queasiness she felt. She’d learned better than to smart off, at least in front of the crew; Wes would somehow find her an extra mountain of chores to do, and he'd smile as he did so.

Ferris didn’t mind Rosia’s interruption. He wasn’t so engrossed with his reading that a simple question would upset him. He looked to the side as another member of the crew yelled at her not to interrupt, but Ferris just shook his head, ”I don’t mind,”

He held the cover of the book and smiled, ”It’s actually a collection of papers about a kind of bioluminescent algae found in the Tuilia Sector that-” All at once he seemed to realize that this wasn’t exactly a thrilling conversation, ”Sorry,” He chuckled lightly, ”Not the most thrilling topic.” He opened his mouth to say something else when a fight broke out among the crew. He cast a sideways glance at Rosia, as if to gage her reaction. He would be staying put; he could probably hold his own in a fight if he needed to, but he wasn’t the sort to go looking for one.

As the fight broke out, Nym found herself reaching out to clutch her bucket to her chest. Wes had left for some reason, no doubt trusting she’d stay out of the brawl. Even if she had it within her to join the fray, she’d just get knocked on her backside, and in that case he’d just laugh at her. As it were, she was more concerned with not letting anyone kick over the bucket than the actual fight. Sailors, even the respectable sort, tended to get a little riled up from time to time, so Nym just scooted out of the way, tried not to spill the contents of her stomach across the floor, and ignored the commotion the best she could. She was at the bottom of the pecking order on the ship, and she’d been repeatedly reminded that it was better to keep her nose in her own business. Safer, too.

Dieter broke things up quickly enough, though, and Wes was back not too long after that, and upon catching him walking up, Nym piper in with, "You missed all the excitement." But then Wes was handing Nym some ginger root to calm her stomach. ”Thank you,” She said, taking the ginger and glancing at it almost suspiciously. Wesley was meant to protect her and she was very grateful for everything he was doing, even if she didn’t always appreciate his methods. Nym rolled her eyes when Wes said he needed her back on her feet by breakfast, ”Oh, absolutely, sir. Wouldn’t do to miss a day of my many important duties.” She popped the ginger under her tongue and hung her head, closing her eyes to try to block out the world for a moment, ”You ever miss home?” She asked, almost a whisper, even though she was fairly sure Wesley wouldn’t indulge her question for what it was; he never did. She hadn’t seen her home in years, and she’d not wanted to leave in the first place, but the homesickness didn’t normally hit her until some other kind of sickness came bearing its teeth.

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Nym Paleth Character Portrait: Rosia Hienrik Character Portrait: Farris Thea-Joren Character Portrait: Xavi Facilier Character Portrait: Zaelyandren Filaendrae Character Portrait: Dieter Baros
Tag Characters » Add to Arc »

0.00 INK

ImagexxxImage

╔═════════════════╗
Give me the final piece
Little lights that lead as far as I can see
Of all the billions of stars
That are the dreams of your friends

╚═════════════════╝
xxxxxxxxx
xxx.xxxxx║ Hex: #076232


Image Image Image

Image




''╔════════════╗
♥♥♥♥♥♥So I'm a little c-c-crazy
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥Get off my back
♥''You're curious but scared I'll give ya
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥A heart attack

''╚════════════╝




''╔════════════════════╗
♥♥♥♥♥♥So I'm a little c-c-crazy
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥Get off my back
♥''You're curious but scared I'll give ya
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥A heart attack

''╚════════════════════╝
Image
Image Image Image
║ Hex: #D2B48C
Image
Imagexxx.xImage

xx╔═════════════════╗
Let's get mischievous
And polyamorous
Wine and women and wonderful vices
Welcome to the cult of Dionysus

xx╚═════════════════╝
xxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxx║ Hex: #722F37

Image Image Image

Rosia turned her attention from the man with the book as a commotion started behind her, obviously this being a bit more exciting. She wondered for a bit if she was seeing straight as she saw two of the same crewmate, but realized it was Zae after Sari said shifter. “Ooohhh…” Rosia mumbled out loud to herself, getting excited as she watched on. Rosia’s bottom lip pouted out as she noticed the first mate walking up, disappointed he would break up the fun, but before he could stop the two Sari’s a punch was thrown and a fight quickly began below deck. Not a fight full of anger, besides between Sari and Zae, but one of fun between crewmates and drunkards.

Xavi ignored the commotion around him, as he shuffled his cards and got ready to deal them out to the being in front of him, but before he could flip and read them, the fight broke out and his customer across from him was pulled away and pulled into the scrimmage. Xavi stayed seated and slid the fee that was already paid to him towards himself and into his pocket, reshuffling the cards as he knew his customer probably wouldn’t be back. He sat alone and reshuffled his cards a few times, assuming no one would pull him into the chaos that was going around.

Rosia quickly lept from her seat and joined the fray of the brawl, keeping a smile across her face during it all, even when an elbow hit her in the cheek indirectly. She herself landed some good blows and even almost got in the way of Dieter clearing the chaos around him, though she knew better to get in his way. She took a moment to admire the first mate, always intrigued how it almost seemed like he was in control of the energy around him somehow. As he bellowed for stuff to calm down, Rosia smirked and fixed her hair as much as she could before making her way back to her seat.

The first mate let out an audible huff as he walked away from Zae and Sari, hoping the rest of the night would be calm, besides the storm outside the ship. Over his years on the ship he had seen just about everything, and a little scuffle on his, Yael’s, ship wasn’t anything new. He grabbed his drink and sat down before the fight happened, it somehow being untouched and sat down on a bench to continue scanning the room.

As things began to calm down and people helped each other up and picked up anything that was knocked down, Rosia sat across from the man again, letting out a small giggle. “So, I heard you have a pretty cool bioluminescent thing yourself.” Rosia spoke to Farris, using a word he had said previously but she had no idea what it meant but sounded fine out of her mouth. She leaned in with her head in her hands and elbows on the table as she faced Farris.

Xavi chuckled to himself as Rosia came back to the bench, noticing that the Sudakloren stayed out of the fight much like himself. The hyper-active gal spoke, using a word he assumed she had no idea what it meant as Xavi had never heard her use that word before talking to the man at their bench. He took a look around the room and saw the cook and cabin boy over in the corner, the cook helping out the newest member with their sea sickness. He was a bit perplexed why the two of them seemed to interact more than any others interacting with Nym, but mostly ignored it. It was the cabin boy that drew most of Xavi’s attention, as something about them spoke to Xavi. “Excuse me.” Xavi spoke out loud excusing himself, not to anyone specific, and headed over to the two.

The tarot cards flew between the navigator’s hands and fingers gracefully as he strolled across the room, catching the end of their conversation, and only speaking when he felt one was finished saying what they needed to say. “We all have dreams of heading home, but it's the ether that guides us. I do miss home.” He spoke, his cards ending up in one hand, halfway fanned out, as if inviting the cabin boy to take a card.

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Vex Ratcher Character Portrait: Nym Paleth Character Portrait: Ismeria Valizar Character Portrait: Rosia Hienrik Character Portrait: Farris Thea-Joren Character Portrait: Xavi Facilier
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Wes looked over to Xavi as he inserted himself into the conversation. Any annoyance he might have felt was subsided by gratitude for not having to indulge Nym’s question. It was rare that his kind left their planet, duty often kept them bound to one another. He hadn’t come across his own for so long and while he did find comfort in it, there was a sour taste in his mouth whenever he tried to talk about it.

“I’m going to get some shut eye, keep up ‘till I come back.” Wes looked over to Nym sternly, “I need your eyes on me kitchen. Make sure no one tries to break the locks or nun’.”

He didn’t really think a wispy thing like her would be able to keep anyone out if they were determined enough, but he thought she’d like sometime a little closer to her age mentally. If she were to become a leader among their people, maybe if she learned the outside world wasn’t so bad she’d make their world more open to it. Plus he enjoyed seeing that glint in her eye at the hint of adventure, reminding him what it was like to be young and traveling through the cosmos for the first time.

The others were still drinking in full volume, but Wes had long mastered sleeping through the cacophony of the crew. Besides, the storm was still raging outside long enough that when he closed his eyes and focused on it’s sound the rest of the noise sort of melted away.

Zanzibar was the last major port on their path for weeks. This ultimate destination had been kept under wraps, though they knew they’d be going through the 36th quadrant. As they approached the floating city the clouds cleared. The current of passages in and out of the city kept the city surrounded in winds that kept it clear from the clouds.

It was one of the oldest cities in the galaxy, though it’s original structure laid in ruins below where the city now remained suspended by the giant large hot air balloons that were built around the entire structure keeping it afloat. It was massive enough from a distance but as the ship drew closer you could make out the depth of the passages that wound through the core of the city.

Regulus had acquired some minor injuries during the night, nothing they couldn’t fix up at port. Zae was one of the last to surface onto deck, having checked the machine room to make sure nothing busted during the storm. Her forehead already dripping with sweat, she wiped at it with the back of her hand as she walked up beside Vex.

“Reckon you already have some business on port?” Zae asked. She’d been trying to drag the cyborg to one of the brothels when they went into port. He had yet to have taken the bait, somehow always evading her efforts.

Wes had less give in his plans, every visit in port was a list of errands to stock up the Regulus and this one was more important than any other. They would be going past the reach, though there’d be some smaller ports along they way where they could pick up some essentials - but he preferred not to risk it. They were barely able to live on top of each other whilst drunk and well fed, take those away and it’d be carnage.

“Alright - you stay here. I need you to get that kitchen sparkling, I’ll be coming in with barrows of shit so I need every bit of space we have.” Wes directed Nym. He could’ve taken her along, he’d prefer to keep an eye on her - but he didn’t want her getting lost.

The sound of the door leading to the quarters captains flung open, Yael walking out with a stoic expression. Half of those on the deck just glanced over briefly. He never interacted much with the crew anyhow, better off leaving that to Dieter. He was much better at dealing with others than Yael ever was. He walked to port, eyes on the city as they approached. Signaling from the dock the workers guided them into an empty spot.

As they pulled in a ladder smacked along the side of the ship, two people pulling themselves on board. Yael handed over some paperwork, the three exchanging words briefly before stamping Yael’s paperwork and heading back to the dock. Nodding to Dieter to give him the go ahead that they were all processed, he turned his back to the crew returning to his quarters.

Zae had already morphed her shape into a rope like shape, throwing herself overboard before reforming back on the dock. She looked back to Vex, using her hand to block the sun from her eyes. Her nose crinkled, eyes squinting.

“Well if you get tired of your scheduled lay, I’ll be at the Red Fox.” Zae hollered up, making no attempt of discretion and giving him a big goofy smile before jogging off.

“Alright - here’s a list of all the shit I need done.” Wes handed Nym a piece of parchment, pulling a bag over his shoulder.

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Vex Ratcher Character Portrait: Nym Paleth Character Portrait: Ismeria Valizar Character Portrait: Rosia Hienrik Character Portrait: Farris Thea-Joren Character Portrait: Xavi Facilier
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Deck Hand

#708090
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It had been three weeks since she hopped ship and set foot on Zanzibar. Leaving her last crewmates to be afterthoughts in her mind. They had been different from the usual types she travelled with, and it hadn't helped that no matter how hard she tried she couldn't wrap her mind around the very basics of their language. She was usually far better at that, but this time she had spent most of her time onboard struggling to understand even the basic gestures. They'd been somewhat understanding, or she thought they had been understanding. Perhaps she had misread them altogether? It was certainly a possibility. The amount of issues that delayed them along the way to Zanzibar certainly hadn't been her fault, but she knew tensions were high, continuing to travel with them would have been a mistake and sooner or later they would have likely stranded her anyways. Ismeria refused to make that mistake again.

Ismeria didn't mind puttering around Zanzibar till the next viable ship came along anyways. Mostly spending her time hunched over glasses of amber liquid, biding her time with relaxation rather than work. She had the skills to barter and trade for what she needed - that had gotten her quite far already. But she knew her time was ticking away, day by day, she would need to get out of here soon. Before she went crazy. The stillness had already crept beneath her skin, an undeniable itch that begged her to get moving. She never knew where it came from, what wild energy had been instilled in her upon leaving her home planet, but she knew to listen to it.

Sometimes she imagined that it was her brothers spirit, his sense of adventure guiding her every step.

She missed him.

"My favorite customer! Welcome!" Cried the barkeep. Ismeria smiled - every customer was his favorite customer. His greeting had been the same for every patron that walked through the door. Even if it wasn't sincere it was endearing.

Ismeria slid into a seat, "The usual please," She spoke, folding up her glasses and setting them aside. It was easier to take them off indoors, where the brightness didn't pierce so deeply. She rubbed at the bridge of her nose, where the glasses usually sat heavily, digging into her skin. She should really find a better solution, but it always seemed like an afterthought.

"Going to the port today?" He asked as he slid the drink her way, the liquid sloshing over the side and onto the tabletop. She wondered briefly if it would be rude to ignore him - then decided yes, of course it would be asshole, and nodded before downing the drink in one go. She needed the warmth that the alcohol would bring. She had spent much of her time on Zanzibar freezing her ass off, unable to regulate her internal temperature with the atmospheric change. Even her cloak had been of little help - not to mention that her clothes beneath were the same rags she had been wearing thin for ages. She could definitely do for an overhaul. She hoped the next place she landed wasn't suspended in the air, she just wasn't built for places like this.

"Something interesting might finally come along," She told him, though the annoyance in her tone belied the message. Fingernails picking at the grooves in the wood grain. She was usually naturally chatty but the extended period of time stuck here had sucked the social pleasantries right out of her. She'd spent the last three days loitering around the port, scoping out the ships that came in and out. So far anything that caught her eye hadn't panned out. Either the ships wound up being less than ideal or the crews would have no need for her.

"Well, I wish you the best luck," the barkeep seemed to finally sense that she wasn't in the mood. Ismeria didn't like to come off as rude - she was a rather nice person by nature. But she also didn't mind having a little silence while she drank. He refilled her cup before he left, and she set about the task of drinking that one down as well.

But she would take his wishes of luck. She could certainly do with a little extra on her side.

She left a few coins on the table as she went, feeling the buzz of the alcohol in her system as she began the trek towards the port. She was there quite early, but there wasn't exactly a timeframe for when ships were coming and going. Sometimes the more interesting ones arrived in the dead of night, swatched in shadows, and sometimes it would be in the early creepings of dawn, riding the same winds that kept the cloud cover at bay. But being out and about in the open while it was so bright out was an issue. She pulled her cloak tighter, making sure that the hood was securely fashioned.

Usually she stayed well out of sight, though the workers had seen her there enough times that they didn't seem bothered by her presence anyhow. She simply chose a spot to get comfortable, and waited patiently. One eye on her surroundings, as she quietly picked through a book detailing the history of the city. She liked to pick-up as much information as she could on the places she had been. Books were the best tools by far to do so.

It seemed though that perhaps the barkeeps luck truly was on her side today. It wasn't long before she noticed the workers scurrying to get into their positions. A ship coming in to land. She set the book aside, watching the proceedings with interest. She had seen many ships of all shapes, sizes, and materials in her life. This one though. There was something about it that piqued her interest - that might have simply been the desperation to leave Zanzibar speaking to her though. She didn't know, but she did know that whatever else, she had to get onto that ship.

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Nym Paleth Character Portrait: Rosia Hienrik Character Portrait: Farris Thea-Joren Character Portrait: Xavi Facilier Character Portrait: Wesley Aloysius
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Farris fought hard to suppress the laughter that bubbled up in his chest when Rosia said she’d heard he was bioluminescent, and he did fairly well. After a quick chuckle that was disguised by a cough and a grin he said, “No, my people aren’t bioluminescent, though I think the people on Lumina might have a form of luminescence. The Sudakloren actually have a sort of knowledge exchange that we practice, it’s not well understood because it’s hard to study but it has a lot to do with the nervous system and-”

He sighed, realizing he was rambling and Rosia probably didn’t actually care much for a biology lesson. “Actually,” He held up his hand, open palmed, as if in invitation, “I could show you, if you didn’t mind.” He cleared his throat as Rosia gave him the go ahead, “It shouldn’t feel like anything, but it might tingle.”

Quickly, he put information to the front of his mind, and let it flow through him, into his hand. First, a gentle boop on her nose, and the meaning of the word bioluminescence planted itself in her mind, and then he gently rested a hand on her cheek and let the basic information about the algae from Lumina he’d been reading about flow through, as well. Then he gently ran his thumb across her cheek, an affectionate gesture, and pulled back. “Whoa.” The girl said, pausing for a moment.

“There you go,” He said, almost absently, and turned his attention back to his book.

Nym’s curiosity with Xavi’s cards was only broken by Wes telling her she needed to keep an eye on the kitchen. Nym nodded heartily, giving the cook a quick, “Aye, yessir.” Though, truthfully, most anyone on this ship could just pick her up and move her aside on a good day if they wanted past her. After assuring Wes she understood his instruction, she turned back to Xavi, “So I just… Take one?” She wasn’t fully familiar with it, but she plucked a card from Xavi’s deck nonetheless.

When she turned the card to look at it, a grim and confused look crossed her face. Death? “I…” She started, voice getting caught in her throat as she remembered the prophecies the Oracles had spoken over her in her infancy, “What does… What does this mean?” She hoped there was some hidden meaning in the card, even as a chill crept from the hollow of her back and spread up into her chest, across her limbs, right to her hand gingerly clutching the card.

Xavi couldn’t help but smirk as Nym revealed her card, Death. And her reaction was one that most people have when they pull such a card. The cabin boy quickly asked what it meant, but these cards never spoke in directs, but in messages that were to be interpreted. “In due time it will explain what it means. You can hold onto it until then.”

Nym didn’t like the vagueness, she was used to being spoken to directly, honestly, but here she was just the cabin boy, and it was always fun to tease the lowest person in the pecking order. She nodded when Xavi said she could keep the card, turning it over in her hand a few times before tucking it into the pocket of her baggy pants. She’d never worn trousers before coming aboard the Regulus, she liked them.

Sleep hadn’t come easily for Nym; it rarely did aboard the ship. She still wasn’t quite used to the way it creaked and swayed under the deck, and the noise of the last stragglers left awake was enough to keep her ears perked until late into the night. Add the foreboding feeling still lingering from Xavi’s card, and it was as if sleep was meant for everyone on board the Regulus but Nym. Still, she had to be up bright and early. Port or no, she had the same chores every morn’, and she was determined to get to them. It was probably good for her, the manual labor, and more importantly, someone might tell her she was doing a good job, and that was something she desperately wanted. She also really hoped to get all her regular chores done early in hopes that she could check out Zanzibar. She’d heard stories, and was really wishing Wes would bring her along, or let her off the hook for the rest of the day if she had things properly shining.

That wasn’t in the cards, though, it seemed. They hadn’t even docked into port yet when Wes was telling her he had a whole list of things to do. “But I-” She started, the disappointment showing on her face, but she quickly rethought trying to argue with Wes. “Of course…” She said, looking down at her feet and the deck below.

Farris always had things to do, and coming to port in Zanzibar was no exception. He had books and papers and files to return to the local Sudakloren library (they’d insure the materials made it back into the right hands), and a few colleges to meet up with. They had information and ideas to share, and Sudaklorens are nothing if not efficient.

It wasn’t long before the ship was docked, and Nym found herself looking over- what she considered- an impossibly long list of tasks. She sighed, but before he left she said a quick, “Best of luck, Mr. Aloysius. Hope you find everything we need.” She smiled, a part of her hoping the sickening sweetness would at least guilt him into finding something interesting to tell her about later.

As he left, she turned back to the kitchen, grumbling the whole way as most everyone else was filing off the ship. “What’s the use of scrubbing out the cupboards?” She mumbled to herself, “I could probably just stack everything up differently and no one would know the difference…” A part of herself wondered if most of this stuff was just to keep her busy and safely on the ship. Of course it was; wouldn’t do to have the Feraelian crown prince get lost or fall off the edge of Zanzibar.

Nym hummed to herself, trying to decide where on the list to start. Top down, she supposed. Someone had told her that was the best way to do things. She’d start with getting herself a bucket of soapy water, then. Couldn’t go wrong there, at least. She passed by Rosia on her way back to the kitchens and smiled at the other young woman, “Are you going off ship?” She asked, seeing no problem with stopping for just a moment to chat, “Can you find me something pretty? I’m feeling rather drab these days. I’ll pay you back.” She normally wouldn’t ask something like that of someone, but she and Rosia had gotten fairly close in the short time they’d known each other, “Wes gave me this whole bullshit list of chores to finish, so I can’t go myself.” She held the paper up to Rosia, to emphasize the length of the list.