2020.11.23 Not Adventure Time!

A Hostage Journey!
To explore the baronial islands of Lodestone, Tabin kidnaps Ambrosine.
IC Date	2020.11.23
IC Time	10am
Players	Ambrosine, Tabin - ST, Wick
Location	The Dreaming
Prp/Tp	Two-fer PRP
Spheres	Changeling
Theme Song	A theme song for the log

The NRS Journeyman

Scene

Tabin is itching for adventure. He's an Eshu! Why wouldn't he? Hawaii is one thing...it's becoming old news, as much adventure alone is there the Eshu feet are wanting different horizons. A freshly new experience to engage in. The problem is...there is no sea he hasn't explored! Save one....held by a particular Sidhe. Regardless the veracity of rumormills and gossip around watering holes and dens, word on the street is that Ambrosine ni Beaumayn has everything from 18 mind-controlled Krakens to the kitchen sink (it's own...dangerous beast) hidden in the depths under the ocean. Tell any Eshu that there is a DRAGONS BE HERE YO area and they are bound to arrive!

But how to avoid the 7 leviathan beasts that eat anyone and anything at Ambrosine's say so? Well...steal Ambrosine. That's how. So Tabin concocted a plan. And during that plan he told Wick he was going adventuring on the Journeyman! And Wick decided to come with. Sailing en route to Lodestone Island Tabin made port on his Caravel ship, the NRS (Not Royal Ship) Journeyman, and told Wick he would be RIGHT back...he just needed a few things.

And that, is where the plan began.

Hiding in a corner, Tabin pulled out his knapsack and changed into a set of clothes he had seen Ambrosine wear...once. Then drank a potion. Then he was Ambrosine. And "Ambrosine" went inside the tower.

He would play his part well, not talking to anyone and looking like he was half-stoned, half ignoring people off in their own little world. Making a quick scurry around the Freehold until he made it to the lady's chambers. She had to be here. She had to be! But how to get her out! Simple! Knock them out. That's how.

So Ambrosine would be surprised with an Ambrosine walking into her chamber and getting put to sleep through an Unleashing of Onieromancy. And that...as they say, is that.

So Tabin returns to the Journeyman, looking like himself, holding a jar with airholes with a very lazy, very slumbering frog in it. "All done!" He says to Wick. "Let's /get out of here/. I'm ready to explore!"

It's only away from the island, that Tabin lets the frog out of the jar and onto the deck. The frog would be awake now around now, and the effects of his Metamorphosis will no doubt end and as much as he is antipathetic toward Sidhe...having one of them burst through a jar is not exactly his taste either.

---

Amber had been engrossed in a rather large book. Who knows where Max was but unfourunately with the luck of Eshu the Guardian/Tom Cat is away on 'business' of some likely salacious nature. So Amber is beset upon, falls asleep rathe easily as that is how Amber spends about eighteen hours a day anyway and be-frogged. Only after some time to awaken and be released uncerimoniously onto the deck to which she croaks a sound that is disturbingly familiar to "What?"

Unweaving is a magic all it's own and Sidhe are, sadly, disturbingly good at it so with a few magical plucks the pale petite S pulls at the last of the magical threads holding her form hostage and the Sidhe stands in her nightgown with a very bewildered expression. The nightgown and lack of choker do however expose the strange sick looking scar across her throat and long thin silver-on-white scars that line her shoulders.

She's very unintimidating. Small, really, and wide eyed. For a Sidhe she's positivly average too. Also? There's no firey indignation.

---

Wick has no part in the kidnapping - he remains on the Journeyman, doing his best to be useful while Tabin makes what he assumes to be a supply-run. By the time Tabin returns, he is in the midst of swabbin the deck. But he pauses at the sight the sleeping frog. Quite curious. But before he can ask too many questions, it's time to set sail! And Wick remains keen to help however he can with his limited sea-faring knowledge.

Wick had almost forgotten about the frog by the time Tabin lets it out on the deck. He's just about to finally ask what its story is when POOF! It turns into Ambrosine. Quite shocked, the Satyr stands staring at her for a momet before rushing to her side. "Ambrosine! Are you ok?" He seeks to take her hands. Then looking to Tabin, he blinks. "What's going on?"

---

Tabin looks over at Wick. "What's it look like?!" He gestures to Ambrosine. Like...'duh, I kidnapped her bro'. "We can't explore this part of the ocean without her!" He says. Whether Wick likes it or not, he's in CAHOOTS now. Haha! "So! Since this part of the ocean has every nasty in it's depths and she is the Baroness of them all, figured I would get us some insurance! That way we can go explorin'. She gets to have a wild ride in the meantime and get out of her stuffy uncomfortable looking tower and everyone wins." ...DUH.

He looks to Ambrosine. "Welcome to the Journeyman, Lady Ambrosine! Your gonna be our guest for a while as we go explorin' straaange new worlds. Kick back. Relax. We'll get our high adventure kick on and then we'll have you back to your fortress of solitude lickety split."

---

Wick's presence makes Amber look bewildered before she turns her strange glowing violet starfields to Tabin. "Oh my.." She blinks a few times and looks back towards Wick again sidelong to see what he makes of this. She does however listen to Tabin, still shell-shocked perhaps? She listens for what he has to say before lifting a pale hand to her lips and hiding a smile. "I see. Well, I do hate to be the one to break the news to you but the Silver Waters really aren't my domain. Those that navigate them have to come to terms with it's Denizens." She says with a light cluck of her tongue.

---

The sidhe drifts over towards the bow of the ship and peers out over the waters caught by the three eclipses above in silvery-shadows. "I'm suprised you'd let him kidnap me, Wick."

---

Wick follows Ambrsoine to the bow with an urgent shake of his head. "I didn't. He just said he'd be right back - I thought he was going to get supplies or something. I didn't know." Running both hands back through his hair, he looks to Tabin from between his elbows. "We could have /asked/ her, Tabin... To come with us on the adventure."

---

Tabin listens to Ambrosine say it isn't HEERRR people have to tend with, it's the Silver Path. Yeah okay. "Everyone knows these are your waters, Lady." He says, obviously disbelieving. Tabin knows the Silver Path, and the Silver Ban, and that the Path also applies to water. He continues steering.

---

When Wick looks back and says they could have just asked Ambrosine Tabin sniffs. "/Yeah/ okay. I'm not a courtier Wick. If I need something I have to wait for months only to have to pay some ungodly fortune just to appease their ego, BEFORE getting even to see them. Whatever." He says. "Powerful people don't treat me the way they treat you. They -have- to with you. Me? They just look at me like garbage or something foul just rolled into their fancy castle. If I want something I have to take it. How it's always been. And I ain't gonna do nuthin' to her. She can freakin' sunbathe for all I care."

---

Ambrosine's head tilts though she doesn't turn around and she smiles though really Wick can see it only because he can see her profile as she stares at the waters ahead. "Well he is right. You could have asked but since you have decided to take the adventure." Amber turns and looks towards Wick with a dip of her head. "Adventure you shall have." The Sidhe turns to look back out over the water and reaches up as if she's grasping for the glittering galaxies that lay in the ether beyond the three eclipses of the Shadowed Souls Barony. Even as the islands dissapear behind them the silver water remains lapping at the boughs of the boat.

---

Wick ducks his head with a slight wince as Tabin reminds him of the priveledge of his good fortune. But peeking over at Ambrosine, her smile eases the tension in his frame. And he brightens further still with her agreement to adventure. "Wonderful! I mean... I've missed you. Shouldn't have been a kidnapping... but I'm glad you're here." He looks to Tabin. "Perhaps... we could sing a travelling song. Or... even a shanty. For Ambrosine." Ever keen for music.

---

For all the Dreaming it does look as if Amborsine is arranging the stars in the sky of her own Barony. The starry eyed sidhe wearing a Mona Lisa smile as she does what it is she's doing. Some Sidhe are frightening because they are fiery and passionate but Amber has her own sauce, one that can raise hairs but it's like watching a spider weaving a web rather than eating it's prey. The croaking hasn't stopped, Amber's voice a raw ruin no matter how she speaks or when. The three eclipses stand out against the spangled ether of the Dreaming beyond as meticulously Tabin's fate is, for the time being, rewritten.. just a bit. Just enough. But you know what they say about butterflies beating their wings which is about as much noise the Arcadian rolling off the scarred Sidhe's tongue.

Tabin senses magic!	Tabin rolls Perception + Kenning vs 3 for 5 successes.

Ambrosine casts Fate Fire on Tabin!	Ambrosine rolls Intelligence + Fae vs 4 for 6 successes.

---

Wick remains entranced in Ambrosine's starfilled gaze as she reaches up as if to touch the stars in the skies. But then his gaze drifts to the curve of her neck - bare for the first time since he has met her. He stills with a sudden pained horror, gazing at it before returning his attention to her features. And there's something about them then that unsettles him - that hint of watching a spider at work. He doesn't quite understand it, but he can't help but ease back a little from the Sidhe. Catching his lower lip, he glances to Tabin, uncertain.

---

Tabin gets a FATE WHAMMY. Which you would think would be a bit more...omnipotent. But alas. That's not the case. Tabin feels nothing. Not even unease at being casted on by a Sidhe. So! Righteous indignation allows him to sniff. "HA." He says. "Shows what you know. Eshu /always/ travel." Duh. Cuz they are travelling? So they travel more? Get it?

In spite of Ambrosine's attempt to thrust Tabin in some cosmic adventure that pits the entirety of the Dreaming in the balance he looks at Wick. "Don't think she wants to sing bro, throwing power around like that." Whatever conversational value was going to be had ended with Ambrosine's cantrip. He was even going to give her clothes! But not anymore. Fate deems Ambrosine must fight the evil in her nighties. He leaves the confines of the Silver Path for the endless winds of the oceanic dream, which by virtue of the Dreaming the Silver Path immediately vanishes. Out in the wild blue yonder they go. And! WELL WHAT DO YOU KNOW? THERE IS AN ISLAND!

"Ha! See?" He sneers at Ambrosine. "I already know this island is there." He pulls out his map. It's an up-to-date nautical map!...and doesn't have the island on it.

"Shit."

"Well! Land ho!" Time to do what Tabin WANTED to do. Go 'splorin'.

The island is not very wide. One could probably traverse the entirety of the island in about thirty minutes. Larger than an Atoll, smaller than a grand island where civilization might be it is heavily forested and dotted with mountainous outgrowth as if a volcano or mountain WANTED to form...then just decided not to.

"Best pull up yer britches friends. I ain't got this one on any map."

The Deep Dreaming - Isle of Hula Pele

Birthrights are doubled in strength

Frailties are doubled in strength

Cantrips are -1 diff to cast

All Cantrips are considered Wyrd

Scene

Ambrosine just smiles. No witty retorts or attempts to soften the blow of what she's done. Amber is a Sidhe and her cruelty lives in little things and she is always honor bound to repay a debt. Now no one knows where they are." She does glance over to Wick and small long fingered hands lift to her throat as if suddenly realizing and then beomcing mildly uncomfortable. As in the way of Sidhe in the Dreaming the air around her almost seems to radiate her pensive expression. It's brief though because the island catches her attention and her eyes narrow a little bit. "Hmm. I suppose I've explored worse in less."

She looks towards Tabin and then Wick with a little secretive smile. "We will not die..."

Not. Die. -Very- reassuring.

---

Wick scampers quick to tuck his guitar below deck and returns with a staff in hand - borrowed as usual from the Ebon Watchtower. And as he returns to the main deck, he says, "I mean... uncharted waters are best waters, aren't they?" Then peeking over at Ambrosine, the Satyr hesitates a little with her secretive smile. But he nods with appreciation at her assurance. "That's good to know. And... um... if you like... I could use metamorphosis perhaps to turn your nightdress into something a little... sturdier? If you like?"

---

Tabin doesn't seem to be paying much attention. There's an unknown island! And his map was bought, which means no one knows about this island! Which means the Eshu is a -happy- camper. He already has his gear ready, leaning down at the helm and grabbing his backpack, making sure his cutlass is on the right side this time he moors the Journeyman onto the beachhead of the island. While Wick pays attention to Ambrosine, which someone should...running around in your nightgown? Beh. Tabin hops over the side and onto the grissled sand of the newly discovered island. "If I had a flag I would soooo be making a spain reference right now."

---

Ambrosine looks down and blinks at herself and nods. "Please. Light banded mail if you would." She looks at her hand for a moment, "I do not have my bow, either." She ponders this situation before turning her attention to Tabin as if he might be able to provide such an archaic weapon for the elf-earred young woman. She's already reaching back to gather the silvery-platinum hair back into a thick rope like braid. Doing so exposes another set of cas, twho that seem to be in two massive silver lines along her shoulderblades. "If necessary I think we are deep enough that I could make one." Amber looks up at the sky and closes her eyes a moment as if discerning where they are. Can she?

---

Wick smiles off after Tabin with warmth, glowing with pleasure for his best friend's delight. But returning to Ambrosine, he nods and focuses on that fragile dress of hers. It's hard for the Satyr not to get lost in the impossible beauty of her delicate curves. But the scars break his heart. His eyes glisten with tears. And summoning up the cantrip, he transforms the fragile fabric into the sturdiest (and rather elegant) light-banded mail.

Drawing in on a sudden, the Satyr takes Ambrosine's hand in both of his. And he can't help but press a kiss to her delicate knuckles. "I hope this will keep you safe," he murmurs.

Wick gives Ambrosine some proper adventure gear!	Wick rolls Stamina + Prop + 1 vs 4 for 6 successes.

---

She tilts her head at Wick for a moment and lifts a hand from his to place it on his head with a small smile that doesn't seem to make the stars that glitter coldly in her now huge almond eyes any more warm. Her beauty is intense, she's become somehow even more delicate, more pale. So pale she almost glows and her ears long and tapered are transluscent. Sidhe take on many flavors and the scarred Beaumayne's Aishe appearance is almost entirely alien. Amber sees that there's no bow and she sighs and tilts her head. Wick has seen her do something similar, small and really nothing more than a reshaped mote of glamour. This however is something larger. Amber plucks strands of hair from her head and begins to braid it. Carefully as she does the strands of hair thicken and become sturdy an silvery, woven like a filligreed silverwood longbow, string with a strand of the purest platinum. The next are a set of twelve shimmering arrows and a small but simple quiver, nothing fancy and seemingly lighter and more delicate than mortal fare would be. She does this not without effort though and she looks a bit tired after it is done. However she looks more reassured for their ventuer with the bow in hand. Her movements fluid silent grace and for such a whimsical creature very self-confident with the bow in hand. "Let's go." The Baroness says quietly with her ruin of a voice.

Ambrosine conjures a bow from the power of dreams!	Ambrosine rolls Wits + Prop vs 3 for 5 successes.
Ambrosine spends 2 Permanent Glamour to make it permanent.

---

Wick grows entranced in that cold, terrible beauty of Ambrosine's smile. Motionless under her hand upon his head. But the graceful dance of her hands as she crafts the longbow ensnare his attention. And it's not until her quite rasp of a voice declares it's time to go that the Satyr returns to himself at last. He nods and sets off after Tabin, hopping down over the side of the Journeyman.

---

And so. The three trek off to explore the island no one has seen before, in the depths of the Far Dreaming. Let's be honest, there IS no exploring. Because the first thing they find is the thing about this island that makes more peculiar than an ordinary island out in the middle of nowhere. Thanks to a certain Sidhe. The Jury is out on Who.

The Place of Peculiarness is a waterfall. The waterfall itself is coming from a hole in a mountainside that isn't connected to the island. If one strains their eyes, one might be forgiven for thinking that the mountainous outcropping pouring water into a pond is an outgrowth of the dark blue sky above it. The pond is majestic to look at it, and on any other occassion a tranquil place of pure beauty. The trees and flora are almost painfully beautiful to the point of Romance (with a capital R). Spoken of more as emotional verbs, than a place of physical description.

Within the pond itself, the floor has an ornate design. Obviously artifical in some respects it is a circular pattern that has 4 positions. One of them is positioned right under the waterfall. One of the positions are already affixed, a wooden panel that has a pictogram of a dragon is placed in the rightmost position. Nearby, there are three wooden planks, difficult to carry without assitance due to their weight - Each has a symbol etched on it as if someone burned it into the wood: One of a Canoe, One of a Flower, One of a Squid.

---

Ambrosine follows the Eshu along. For all the Sidhe's many follies they know when to follow the tour guide. She looks around the pond and turns her gaze back to the Eshu and the Satyr with her pale brows aloft. "A challange it seems." She steps to the edge of the pond and she looks at the three options and then murmurs to the group. "Would you two like to decide our fate or leave it up to me?" She really doesn't seem to want to sound ominous but somehow it does.

---

Wick only just manages to stay focused as he follows Tabin and Ambrosine through the island's lush beauty. But as they come upon that pond, he stands for a moment in enchanted wonder. But with Ambrosine's question, he blinks and looks to her. "Ah. Well... I expect you or- or Tabin, you'd be better at puzzles. For this, at best I could only make a lucky guess." Tabin is drawing. Because that is what an explorer does right? And clearing the path. With Wick having a walking stick and Ambrosine with her...well..her everything. Her big eyes. Her skin probably feels like clouds on a stormy night right? It takes Tabin literal effort to not gush and fawn. "Wha?" He looks down at his drawing, which is just of Ambrosine, and crumbles it up and shoves it in his backpack and just focuses on whacking a path through the jungle-like tree line for Ambrosine...WICK! and Ambrosine.

---

Tabin is looking around at the wooden slabs when Ambrosine makes her query. He looks over to her. Tabin may hate the Sidhe, think they are self-righteous a-holes...but he's gotta give props to the Dreaming where the Dreaming's due...Ambrosine has a great ass. He looks at Wick when Ambrosine makes her suggestion. "Well they gotta represent somethin'. Anyone know what a dragon, canoe, flower and squid have in common?

---

Oh what she'd feel like is easy enough to imagine, whatever it is is cool like starlight. The smell of her is something aquatic with a hint of jasmine and the smell of frost and berries. To go with that perfect pale crown of hair on her head and the unnstural lithe limbs that flow like no flesh should ever. She looks back to the puzzle and her moonlight white lashes drop as she considers.. It should be noted here. Closer to her true nature those scars are uglier, having taken on a almost lavender hugh. It probably doesn't help that though her curves are softer and her form is definately what one would call 'effeminate' she's got the agile almost adrogynus build of a dancer.

"I'm terrible at practical puzzles." The Sidhe confides quietly to her companions. "Ask me what they mean in dreams and I could interpret the portents but.." Ah the crippling detetchment of Arcadian Sidhe to the real world. Amber's head tilts and she frowns a little, her pout glittering silvery as she does as her brows knit.

---

Wick remains ever entranced in Ambrosine's heart-breaking beauty. It takes everything he has to keep his hands to himself, firmly gripped around his staff (not that one). But he can't help but drink in those androgynous curves of hers. Only the rasp of her voice interrupts his reverie. "Mm. Well... The dragon... is like a guardian? And the squid too. A bit like a kraken? Maybe they're on either side of the pond as guards. Then... the canoe, I'd put it over closer to the waterfall. Like it jsut went over the edge. And then the flower over farthest from the waterfall. Like... growing on the shore. But..." He gives a slight shrug. "It's just a guess." <hr?

Ambrosine and Wick ponder!
Wick rolls Intelligence + Academics vs 7 for 1 successes.	Ambrosine rolls Intelligence + Occult vs 8 for -1 successes.

---

Ambrosine's brows knit a little bit. It's in these moments that her otherness really shows. She lifts an arm to cross across her robs, the other elbow supported in her hand as too long fingers tap against her shell pink lips as the Sidhe considers. Wick's knowledge of stories however makes him invaulable and she turns another smile towards him though again it doesn't touch the inhuman starlit eyes. The mention of Balor makes her shiver a little and she lifts a hand to gesture to it. Can they be moved, arranged perhaps? Or is there another connection?" She wonders.

---

Wick follows those fingertips across Ambrosine's lips. And that smile devastates him, leaving him lost in a deep ache of longing. The Satyr only just barely pulls himself together to focus on her questions. "Mm. I'm sure they can be moved... I can move them. But... to where..." His own thumb brushes across his lower lip as he contemplates.

Wick blinks. "Wait. I think I remember something like these symbols... Maybe Conn mentioned them? Can't remember. But out here on the islands - they could be the four gods. I forget the names, but the dragon could be the god of war and violence. Then the squid, yeah that's the sea and the underworld. Which means... the canoe is the creator. And the flower - that's lono, I remember that one - it's of peace and fertility. Maybe. It seems to fit. But. I don't know if that suggests an order. What do you think? He looks from Ambrosine (gaze lingering) to Tabin.

---

"Lono? You mean Hawaiian stuff?" Tabin is trying to move one of the planks but is basically forced to drag it. "Oh! Those four? I know those. Heard a Menehue talking about them. They each live in a heaven of their own. Then people got spat out along the way. Lopo and Kupo live in one, then the creator dude, and then the squid dude." Tabin adds. Eshu bardic abilities for the win.

---

Yup. They may as well be speaking another Language. The alien Sidhe blinks a few times and she's curious enough that she's leaning in towards the two Commoners. Sort of drawn to lean forward as if she towers over them thgouh she doesnt and her eyes blink a few times as the weight of her gaze drifts between them. "Should each be in their element?" She wonders curiously still resting her fingers against her lips as she considers them and closes her eyes the scarred Sidhe thoughtful. No, it's no use, these tings these practical things that are not focused on Monster Slaying and Dreams are difficult for Amber to wrap her head around. THere may be a reason she has the reuptation she does.. locked in ehr high tower and withdrawn from anything resembling normalcy. It's a shame, really.

---

Wick smiles with a glow of admiration as Tabin recalls the rest of the story /and/ makes sense of it. He hurries over and helps lift the other end of the plank with little trouble. The Satyr is far stronger than he looks. "Ok. So there's the order... let's try it. Lopo... then Kupo was it? Then the creator and the squid."

The Sky Ocean

Nothing happens. Well...that isn't precisely true. What happens is that the three adventurers begin falling upwards. On closer inspection everything is reversed here. The trees are not so much growing out of the ground, they are getting pulled toward the sky. The waterfall isn't flowing /downards/, it's flowing /upwards/. And the outcropping borne out of the sky isn't just a mountain poking out of the sky, it's the reflection of the pond adjacent to the water fall. Falling into the sky isn't what it's cracked up to be. They simply 'fall' upwards, head first, hitting water.

Because didn't you know? The entire sky is an ocean. Just of a different kind. The deep blue sea is endless. Stretching as far as the eye can see. There is no need for shapeshifting because you can breathe. Though swimming is still a requirement but there is no 'water'. Apart from splashing into the sky, there is no water to be found anywhere.

Looking up you see the waving reflection of the island. To your left and right, endless blue. Below you, is a token shrine atop a rigid, rocky mound. The shrine itself is archaic, unadorned and long forgotten. A simple altar, with simple totem edifices surrounding it of a million different faces.

Scene

Amber curls her arm awith the bo close and her arm crooks just above her head as she's upended and she makes a sound much like a squeak, a high nervous sound that doesn't exactly sound dignified but t's far from laughable. She floats uneasly her shoulders hunching and shaking herself a little which only causes her to drift awkwardly about for a moment. She doesn't breath at first but when she does it's with alarmed panic until she realizes she's not going to drown on sky.. She does to her credit give a brief look around but there's no verbal question if the two Commoners are all right. They're alive so.. that'll do..

However once she gets her bearings she's headed for the object of interest. Swimming, sort of, towards the shrine - or at least making the attempts to do so ..

---

Wick would have panicked - but it's so much like a dream, that it all just sort of happens. His hooves move a bit in the air as if trying to swim, but other than that he doesn't struggle against what's happening. He's flown before. Ambrosine's squeak rather ensnares his attention. He reaches out for her, offering his hand for whatever assurance or stability he can offer. "I guess it worked," he says with a bit of a grin. Then gazing up, he seeks to drift towards the shrine. "Any guess to what this is honoring? Or... protecting?"

---

Ambrosine attempts to deduce the altar!	WP	Ambrosine rolls Intelligence + Gremayre vs 9 for 0 successes.

In another time, in another place, somewhere in the recesses of Arcadia's fabulous libraries Ambrosine probably read somewhere the stories that men and women tell themselves to go to sleep at night. Among them, is a story of Primal Waters. That the world was once nothing more than an ocean, and that the goddess who shaped the world fell from the sky to the primal waters below where she was saved, by a turtle.

So if the story is to be believed, or given truth to form, the shrine is probably a token to her, and the rigid cropping it is located? That big mass of land? That /might/ be...one big tutle.

---

Ambrosine hums softly and swims about for a moment, turning herself upside down as she peers at the shri and then hums softly. Does this look like a turtle to you?" She wonders allowed of well, herself? Maybe Wick and Tabin it's hard to say. Once in the deepp creaming the strange Sidhe is much more self-absorbed, not in a snotty way but definately less concerned about the presence of the commoners than she might normally be.

---

It's a fortunate thing that Wick had replaced Ambrosine's nightgown earlier when she turns upside-down. Not that the Satyr can help but stare at her any less. The more she overlooks him, the more he seems to ache for her. But then blinking with her question, he focuses and squints a bit at the shrine. "I mean... maybe? But... should we go inside perhaps?"

---

Tabin looks over at Ambrosine when she asks if it looks like a turtle. He looks down and shrugs. "I dunno? I mean...maybe?" He scratches the side of his head. "Can't help but take a look right?" He says deciding to swim toward the shrine.

---

"Hmm." The poor Sidhe rasps as she sucks in a quiet breath and nods. "After you." She tilts her head indicating that the Eshu and the Satyr should go first. It could be because she's the archer and therefore ranged .. probably. Right? The elegant inhuman creature drifts that direction angling herself to enter with a heathly reaction time should Tabi and Wick encounter something...

---

Wick nods to Ambrosine in a devoted little bow before drifting on after Tabin into the shrine. He holds his spear at the ready - ready to stab at anything. Or even throw it. His star-filled gaze shines bright and alert as he takes in his surroundings.

---

The Classic Spot Check!
Wick rolls Alertness + Perception vs 8 for 0 successes.	WP
Ambrosine rolls Perception + Alertness vs 8 for 2 successes.

It is difficult to see, the sky is just so...blue, and the 'stars' are actually just the ocean floor. Reflecting sand particles from a light visible from somewhere. While Wick may not see it, Ambrosine certainly sees that /something/ is moving around the mound. That is until it breaches the surface and /something/, is headed toward our heroes.

The thing that comes towards them is a monstrous head - The size of a dragon but it has no 'fangs' or 'jagged teeth'. It is a turtle's head, so it has a beak more or less whose tip is near reflective showing how sharp it is. It's head moves surprisingly fast for the stories about turtles as it seems read to 'snap' and 'swallow' our heroes! But, Ambrosine manages to see it in time for last minute preparations, but not enough time for casting.

---

Combat

Wick senses the attack just as it's coming in and whips around to the side of the enormous turtle's head. He brings up the stick-end of his spear. He doesn't want to hurt it. But he clearly errs far too much on the side of gentleness. It's unlikely that the creature even notices the blow as it strikes at Ambrosine.

Wick Attacks for 0 Damage!
Attack	Wick rolls Dexterity + Melee + 1 vs 6 for 1 successes.
Damage	Wick rolls Strength + 2 + 1 vs 6 for 0 successes.

---

Ambrosine's quick with her bow but she's not aiming with deadly intent. Instead the head of her Arrow is aimed true and drives off the great turtles beak sharply. Her hand is already on the way to relad another though her aim remains on the front of the turtle's face in it's most armored area. The eye after all is a realtivly small adjustment away if it persists.

Ambrosine steers the turtle from attacking her!
Attack	Ambrosine rolls Dexterity + Archery vs 6 for 4 successes.
Damage	Ambrosine rolls 5 vs 6 for 2 successes.
Soak	<private> Tabin rolls 10 vs 6 for 3 successes.

---

Tabin goes to pull out his cutlass! And do the fight thing...but something catches his eye on the turtle's back. Tabin, never the fighter, thinks that it is a good idea to go down and investigate. Maybe it will calm the turtle down? So he swims down to the altar to investigate.

---

The turtle, meanwhile, does not like Ambrosine's arrow. Or the mere size makes it's momentum shift when she prongs it's beak with it's arrow. The head thrusts past Ambrosine and gives a *CLACK* down with it's beak. Apparently it punctures and then bites. Best be careful.

---

Wick winces as his blow has no effect whatsoever. And so, he brings his staff down once more with the greatest precision - this time a little harder. But the creature just soaks it.

Wick attacks for 0 damage!
Attack	Wick rolls Dexterity + Melee + 1 vs 6 for 8 successes.
Damage	Wick rolls Strength + 2 + 1 + 7 vs 6 for 2 successes.
Soak	<private> Tabin rolls 10 vs 6 for 5 successes.

---

Amber, for all her demure fragileness is what she is. And so when the Turtle is undeterred by the shot she simply lifts her chin with her bow still aimed and like a crack of thunder out of the blue, as if the heavens themselve had opened up to issue order the Sidhe demands, "YEILD." Sure it's not in 'Turtle' but the Dreaming enforces the will of it's rulers for good or ill. Nor is the command -loud- for Amber's voice is a rasp and yet somehow everyone can hear it.

Ambrosine invokes Sovereign!
Cantrip	Ambrosine rolls Charisma + Fae vs 4 for 7 successes.
Resistance	<Private> Tabin rolls 10 (10 dice) vs 6 for 4 successes.

---

The turtle rears it's mammoth head back as if to make some sort of choking sound...or roar, or whatever it is that turtles do. But it's massive eyes focus on Ambrosine's command. In that skip of a heartbeat it would appear that the megaturtle is somehow immune to Sovereign. It continues to rear. But whatever phenomenal cosmic power exists in the megaturtle is just not enough to deny the Right to Rule. The megaturtle's eyes go passive, as the head ultimately retreats back under the sand...sky? Cloud-dirt? Hard to tell. But it slowly withdraws, keeping it's eyes fixated on the Sidhe.

Scene

Wick shifts, about to prepare for another attack. But as that command reverberates softly through the room, the Satyr stills. He stares at Ambrosine almost as the turtle does - except with a little shiver added. "That... was magnificent..." he murmurs, half lost in that daze.

---

Ambrosine's expression is not angry but plainly expectant as the turtle yields. It's unlike the usually quiet Beaumayne and yet there in Amber's strangeness lingers her nature. THe Elf looks from the Turtle back to Wick. "There was no reason for any harm to come to any of us. I senses no evil intent." She gestures towards the retreated turtle before looking around finally noticing they're down one.

---

Tabin finishes his plundering...of a sort. He returns up to the others to meet back up with them he looks at the two of them. He has a new appearance! Around his shoulder, resting on his hip, is a gourd made out of what looks a shaved coconut. "You should come down here and look at this! Like...no offense to you." He says to Ambrosine. "But.....woof." He says.

---

Wick nods to Ambrosine with a soft glow of a smile. "Mm. And that was kind of you. Not to harm where it wasn't needed." He pauses and casts about a bit, realizing that his favorite Eshu isn't with them. "Tabin? Oh! There you are." He blinks a bit at the gourd on his hip. "What have you found?" He drifts over, curious to see what's down there.

---

Ambrosine tilts her head and peers at Tabin. "The presence of one dosn't diminish another." She waves a hand almost too dismissivly but she's in no hurry. Beasides it's best to let the .. more rubust go in first. Not that she isn't curious.

---

The 'altar' is not entirely an altar. It is a very, very, VERY old boat with no mast. Atop of the boat, resting, is a person. A woman (App: 10) to be exact. It is hard to tell if she is alive or dead. She merely sleeps...or is dead. Or something. It is confusing with how realistic she looks. She is covered in vines and moss which stretch from her, under her, and around her, down to the rocky mound. As a matter of fact, the rocky mound looks natural BECAUSE of this outsourcing of nature. She has a peaceful look on her face, a woman of polynesian features. Her hands are positioned in a way that she was, at one point, holding something. Her hands remain affixed but she remains unmoving.

---

Wick approaches the boat with keen interest, but the moment he catches sight of that woman resting upon it, he grows quite still. He can scarcely breathe, utterly entranced in her beauty. The spear slips from his hands. "She's... so beautiful," he whispers. He doesn't even notice what she's holding, far too entranced in her features.

---

Ambrosine approaches though she's quiet. Considering the beauty with what can only be desribed as alien detatchment. Like a scientist watching a truely beautiful butterfly or process she studies every inch of the beauty with hungry curiosity.

---

There is no sudden awakening when the three gather atop the mound. No spontaneous ressurection. The woman merely continues to sleep, or be dead, or whatever it is she doing. She is motionless like stone but continues to carry the blush of health.

---

"No kidding." Tabin says. "I mean...I know the stories always talk about people falling on the backs of turtles but...this takes the cake." He looks over the woman, looking over at Ambrosine. "I mean...The Menehue can't even enter the Dreaming. But she definately ain't a Sidhe...or an Eshu...or any Kith I've seen."

---

Wick simply shakes his head in wonder, far too entranced in her beauty to make any sense of her mystery. "She's... like... the purest spring flower. But even more. Impossible. Not even music could hope to... even come close to... describing her..." He drifts in closer, draw in.

---

Ambrosine shakes her head in agreement. She peers over the woman before looking towards Tabin, "Much of the dreaming is unquantifiable. Ever in Flux and long ago .. all could enter. Even humans." She lifts a shoulder. "But that was eons ago. But the beauty of her sleep is marred.. She appears to be missing something treasured."

---

Tabin looks at Ambrosine and then to the woman once more. "Oh. Right." He holds up the gourd. "That's where this was. I dunno why but when I got here it dislodged from her hands." The gourd, again, is made of coconut. A stopper, made from what looks like heavily spun leaves keeps whatever is inside from pouring out. It is attached to a strap of rope which on closer inspection, is make from countless hundreds of leaves woven into a tight rope as a shoulder strap. On the gourd, are three symbols no one here recognizes. Tabin shakes the gourd and it sounds almost empty - it sloshes heavily like a near empty container. "Dunno why, it felt...right to take it? It was weird. Now that I have it...everything feels normal like everything is as it should be." Which just makes him more confused.

---

Wick listens, but never takes his eyes off the goddess upon the boat. "It was offered... but what could we ever offer in return? Nothing would ever be worthy of her. Never..." The Satyr remains ever transfixed in her features, speaking in a hushed murmur.

---

Who is the woman?	Wick rolls Intelligence + Remembrance vs 8 for 1 successes.
	Ambrosine rolls Intelligence + Remembrance vs 8 for 3 successes.

No one can deduce the woman. She is Not a Kithain, and therefore her identity is shrouded in mystery. But instead one might /remember/ her. As Ambrosine once said, all were children of dream once before things shattered.

Wick remembers a time of jungle and firelight. Of dancing, sex and plenty. Among the great dancers and chieftans of these firelight festivals was one, who stood among all the others. Hi'laka. She was the sister to the Firstborn of Dream known only as Pele whose body was made of the volcanos that dot the islands that was her homeland. Unlike her counterpart however, H'iali was an adventurer every bit as exploratory as an Eshu, every bit as noble as a Sidhe, every bit as passionate as a Satyr and ever stalwart in heart as a troll. It is where you both remember her from. Not from journeying to meet her, but she met you...ages past, in lifetimes long gone. A foreign explorer who exiled demons, healed the sick, and fought the terrors of the children of Nightmare all with a smile on her face and a compassionate heart. She may not have been a god, or a goddess, but her spirit won her the heart of a people. But time mars all. Even her name. You know her by another name. Hi'lani. Which the mortals who felt her compassion called her Ha'waii and what some whisper, she watches over today.

Ambrosine, with her more clear remembrance, recalls more of the woman. Sure, she was an adventurer. But Ambrosine remembers her more as a powerful sorceress, the patron of all sorcerers of where she came from. She knew magics that not even the Sidhe lords knew. Especially when it came to Mana, the life force of the world. She could use it to give life to the barest of worlds and heal the more traumatic of illnesses. She was a Heroine, by every sense of the word - a creature of legend.

---

Wick stills with the flickerings of remembrance. He can almost feel the traces of firelight acorss his skin from when he'd once met her. So long ago. He smiles, all but moved to tears, as he remembers her compassionate heartof that foreign explorer. "Hi'lani," he whispers, the name coming to him suddenly. "I think... I might... might have met her once."

---

Ambrosine tilts her head and she smiles a bit. "She was not from any place I had ever been but you've got the name right." She agrees but then she looks to Tabin and her brows lift. "And you, my Ransomer?"

---

Tabin looks at Wick and blinks a few times. Then he looks at Ambrosine. "...Never met her, but any Eshu worth their words in the Pacific knows abotu Hi'lani. There's stories of her earning the respect of the Oba to being the only one who actually understood the Dreaming. I mean hell, there's folk tales that the whole metaphor of the Dreaming being a storyteller? Came from her, because she read the book." He looks back to the woman. "Definately Menehue...an..." He snaps his fingers. "I know this one..." He nods. "Hana. Yeah. Middle rung of the Menehune's food chain. So the stories say. Layperson. Specialized in medicine."

---

Wick listens with a soft, enchanted smile as Tabin further tells him of her story. "Medicine... I think I remember... she would heal the sick. and fought nightmares. She had such the sweetest spirit." He catches his lower lip. "What... what do you think has happened to her? Do you think we could wake her? Bring her back with us?"

---

Ambrosine shakes her head. "NO. She'll wake when she needs to. I don't know what Tabin was seeking but I don't believe it was to wake the Old Ones." She glances towards Tabin again nodding slowly a few times. "Still it feels a shame to leave her empty handed." She isnt against stealing the gourd.

---

Tabin looks over at Wick and then back to the woman. "Dunno. Maybe she was carried away for safe-keeping? Sort of a Polynesian version of immortality? Peaceful sleep?" He looks at the woman again, and again, then when Ambrosine makes her suggestion he frowns. "...I could always give her /my/ waterskin. It ain't a gourd but...that way we can find our way back? Return this once we figure out why it's so important?" He shakes the gourd again.

---

Wick peeks over at Tabin and gives a small nod. "Mm. That might be. She does seem safe here." He runs a hand back through his hair, gazing back at her. "Yes... It would be a shame to leave her empty handed. Your waterskin... or perhaps... I could run and collect flowers for her."

---

Ambrosine takes her bracelet off her hand. "I'll leave her this." It's a simple thing, or it looks simple ayway. A braided wristban treasure of some sort that Amber gently places where the Gourd had been.

---

When Ambrosine places the bracelet where the gourd used to be, her hands slowly encircle around the bracelet holding it gently until it looks as if she was holding it the entire time.

---

Tabin nods. Far better than a waterskin if you ask him. "Right then." He looks at the gourd. "We should start heading back to the Journeyman. I have no clue about any of this stuff." He shakey shakeys the gourd. "So we'll need to do some investimagations." He looks to Ambrosine. "Which means your gonna be our guest for a little bit longer. I mean...it's YOUR bracelet."

---

Wick smiles with a soft glow of pleasure as Ambrosine places such a fitting gift where the gourd had once been. "It's beautiful. You are so kind. And generous. It suits her well." But then he blinks a bit, looking to Tabin. "Investigations? Oh... you mean about... about the gourd. Have you been able to open it?"

---

Ambrosine nods, "Please lead on." She tells Tabin before looking to Wick and back to Tabin again her bows lifting in curiosity as well as she eyes the unique treasure the Eshu found. Still not a single complaint about stealing it. Some Seelie..

---

Tabin nods. "Oh yeah. It opens." He pops the top. It doesn't make a popping sound, since it isn't a cork. He hands it around. "See for yourself."

The interior contents of the gourd are difficult to discern but it has some qualities. First, the inside of the gourd smells like water. Second, by mere reflection, there isn't much water in it - reflecting a sheen from sunshine if held the right way tell you it is close to empty. Third, while it is by nature chimerical and therefore a vessel of glamour...it is not innately glamorous. Simple Kenning tells you that it is empty. Apart from the three symbols on it it looks to be for all purposes, merely a gourd that is near empty.

---

Wick doesn't protest the theft either - because it seems far too much like a gift freely offered. And a gift was even offered in turn. As Tabin opens it, he draws in to peer at it with interest. "Seems like there was once more in it. Maybe... there's something special about it? Though... I don't feel anything from it." He pauses and gazes from the gourd to Ambrosine and then back up at Tabin. "Anything in the symbols?"

---

What do the symbols mean?
	Wick rolls Intelligence + Linguistics vs 8 for -1 successes.
	Ambrosine rolls Intelligence + Linguistics vs 8 for 5 successes.
	Ambrosine rolls 1 vs 6 for 1 successes.

The four symbols are an ancient dialect of Polynesia, influenced, naturally, by the Dreaming make it difficult to discern. While Wick seems to be puzzled, the symbols practically dance simply under Ambrosine's scrutiny.

PRIMAL WATERS
PEACE
MANA
HEALING

---

Ambrosine taps each and gives the word for them and smiles towards Tabin. "What a wonderful find." She says in her ruined french-accented voice. "Very good. You should be proud." Wick remains quite mistified at the symbols - only the strangest of possibilities flickering in his mind. He defers at once to Ambrosine's clarity and smiles as she calls it a wonderful find. "Anything that came from her must have been." He hesitates. "So... Primal waters... with peace... and mana and healing?"

---

Tabin frowns at Ambrosine. Stupid Sidhe always knowing and not spilling. He takes the gourd and looks at the symbols in the order Ambrosine described them. "...Is it?" He looks at Ambrosine. "I mean, don't get me wrong...finding a gourd with some weird symbols on top of an ancient heroiness is all cool and all." He looks to Wick. "I mean..if this is supposed to have primal waters it is kinda low. Maybe it's a puzzle of some kind. Crack the code sort of thing." He looks into the gourd. "Guess that means we don't spill any." He pops the leaf-cork back onto it. He slings it over his shoulder. "By the way...no offense to your Sidheness and all..." He says, beginning to make his way back out of the sky and toward the island...which to your perception appears to be a reflection of the turtle's shell. "What's with the whole voice thing? I saw the scars and stuff on the shoulders...but what makes you sound like a toad had a baby with the Marlboro man?"

---

Ambrosine says, "When I was young and my family imprisoned there were some very enthusiastic member of house.. Well it was a joint house of Eilunid and Alil and they wanted me to foster with them, join them, so they could use my House's innate abilities while imprisoned for their own good. But we do not give our secrets away easily no matter how persuasive our interrogators." She explains simply as they walk along towards the open space of sky. "The turtle should remain docile."

---

Wick's gaze lingers on the gourd, puzzling over its mystery - until Tabin asks about Ambrosine's scars. His eyes shine with a distressed horror as she mentions interrogaors. He can almost feel the pain of those scars himself as he drifts along with them. "That... that's awful," he murmurs.

The NRS Journeyman

Scene

The walk back to the Journeyman is as uneventful, and as swift, as one arrives. The Fires of Fate put them back on the Journeyman, getting out to sea...before sniffing out.

---

"...That's fucked up." Tabin finally responds to Ambrosine's story. "Well...look on the bright side. Your Sidhe friends didn't leave you to banality after you asked for a Right to Rescue like mine did." He says. He knows what it's like getting burned by the Sidhe. And for the Sidhe to do it to their own kind? That's all kinds of cruel. No one all of them suck if that's what happens behind closed doors. "But still...taking someone's voice?" He shakes his head. That hits the Eshu. "They're seriously fucked up."

---

Ambrosine's eyes turn towards Tabin. "My cage, like all House Beaumayne's was golded. We were locked away .. Most still don't even know our house Exsists. My Sidhe friends - for my whole house was imprisoned - would have needed to remember hat I exsisted. The Caul has faded some but .. it doesn't matter much. The past is the past. "Why? What use is a voice? Wings? To someone who will never be free. Humans debark their dogs, snip the wings of their avian companions while they are kept." She points out.. Sidhe.

---

Wick hugs himself a bit with Ambrosine' words, head bowed. "Your voice. I would have loved to hear you sing. Would have been so beautiful. Just as your wings must have been." His voice comes hushed and hoarse with emotion.

---

"Why? Cuz words are power, that's why." He says. "Trust me on this, your Sidheness. Words are just as powerful as actions are. Hell, words are magic. Speaking from the heart has more power than any fae magic hopes to possess. Who the fuck cares about wings and shit. Words help us connect to people, make something more than the sum of it's parts. That's why." He says. "You can trust an Eshu on this. And besides. Your free now aren't you? Over on your island and all?"

---

"As much freedom as any Ex-Con gets, Tabin. As much freedom, and as much of a voice." The Sidhe replies simply as they move along as she looks out and down.

---

Wick stills with Ambrosine's gentle touch. And though /she/ is the one deserving of comfort, he finds himself encouraged. He smiles at her with a quiet adoration and seeks to bring her hands to his lips. But then he hesitates. "Tabin is right. Worlds are powerful. And your voice... it's the first of all instruments. The first means of expressing our souls. It's not a small thing you've lost. We can see the sacrifice you made to keep your word."

---

Tabin frowns at the helm. An Ex-Con huh. He feels that too. What with the whole Dauntain trying to kill him thing, and the whole escape thing. He looks down at the gourd and furrows his brows. Once the Journeyman is back on the waves, Tabin descends into the houseboat and then returns with a cup. "Yeah well. Fuck that then." He says, approaching Wick and Ambrosine. "I dunno what Beaumayn-y stuff your talking about. But the best part of being out here is that your free to do what you want. So if some Ailil douche says you can't, then screw them." He pops the gourd and pours what little remnants there is into the cup. There is only enough for a gulp or two, but the water is crystal clear. Pristine. "Here."

---

Ambrosine takes the cup in confusion and peers between the two of them but the Sidhe lifts her shoulders. "AS you like, this is your prize to do with as you wish." Mmm, old water! Amber tips the cup back and lets the pure liquid fall across her tongue and to coool her senses. She is fairly thrsty after all and though it's not wine it will absolutely do.

---

Tabin smirks. "Course it is! Look...I have my beef with the Sidhe...but no one should feel like they can't live or do anything. That's just...no. So yeah. It's all primal watery and healing and all...so if it helps you...then yeah." He says.

---

*THUM THUM*

*THUM THUM*

Everyone hears a heartbeat...or is it a drum? It sounds like both.

Primal Waters. That is what is what hits Ambrosine's tongue. The waters of creation. Unfathomable taste and textures, quenching all thirst and sustaining all of life as it smoothly goes down her gullet.

Peace. The gift. A token and gesture of faith primes those waters with the essence of life. Mana. The life force of the world, condensed into one paltry gulp.

Healing. Ambrosine feels refreshed (regain all your willpower). Recharged and renewed as if there was a vigor she never realized she missed. *THUM THUM* *THUM THUM*. The scars on her shoulders, and her neck, flow down her body as if someone put her under a shower - the waters of life washing the pain and wounds away.

*THUM THUM* *THUM THUM*

---

THe Sidhe sighs at the taste, It draws memories for her and her eyes close as she smiles. It was a different time when she'd had waters so pure.. at a time when the world was whole before time. THe old Sidhe, despite her youhtful visage. She had been imprisoned for lifetimes. The warmth that spreads over her and washes away the scars makes her blink a few times in surprise and she sucks in a small breath her hand going to her throat with a hint of surprise. She doesn't say anything yet just looks btween the other two Fae to see if they are hearing or feeling what she is.

---

Wick's features brighten as he realizes the potential of the primal waters. Such a precious gift. He blinks with the sound of the heart beat, looking around. But then his hands cover his mouth as he sees those scars fall from around her neck and shoulders. "Ambrosine..." he whispers. "Did... did it..." He quiets, staring at her with the greatest of hope.

---

Tabin obviously hears something. He's looking around at the sky and the Journeyman as if Edgar Allen Poe is gonna rip himself out of the floorboards. He turns to look at the scars wash away from Ambrosine's figure and blinks. "ugh..." He points at Ambrosine. "You know...Nevermind." He runs. Like runs, to the helm where he digs in his backpack. The closest thing he has to a reflective surface, sorry Ambrosine Tabin doesn't carry mirrors, is the back of a cooking tin. Thankfully you can see yourself in it. Tabin keeps his tools clean. "You should ugh...Yeah." He gestures to his face, and hands her the cooking tin.

---

Amber reaches to take the mirror once it's offered. She lifts it so that she can study her features and seems unsurprised by how they appear, even in the deep dreaming. Until she gets to the smooth pale expense of her throat and she blinks slowly and her lips part in a surprised expression. Slender fingers go from stroking it to curling around it almost in surprise before she digs her fingers under the armor to feel along her shoulders and her brows lift even higher. When she speaks it's airy, smooth and clear and much like the rest of her almost alien in it's sweet breathiness.

Ambrosine says, "My scars...are gone..." Ambrosine is quick for her hand to riase to her face, over her lips and great tears raise in her big starlit eyes catching an aurora of the violet hue as they begin to roll in fat picturesque crystaline drops over her perfect cheeks.

---

Tears shine in Wick's own star-filled gaze and soon spill over down his cheeks at the exquisite perfect of her voice. "Ambrosine... oh Ambrosine... Your voice. It's so beautiful. Tabin... You healed her." He shakes his head with a tearful laugh, overcome with emotion. "Your voice. Oh your voice." Unable to contain himself any longer, the Satyr wraps Ambrosine up in the tightest of hugs, laughing, and then reaches to pull Tabin in as well.

---

Tabin watches Ambrosine at first question, then accept, and then speak. He looks over at Wick as the Satyr bundles up with Ambrosine and smirks. He tucks his hands into his jacket pocket. "Welcome to freedom. Nighttime out in freedomville gets pretty cold. I'd suggest you two get a-GAH!" A satyr pulls Tabin into a group hug! Which presses him square into Ambrosine shoulderblade and his shoulder into Wick's stomach. "mmmfay. mmmfay. frou' hug fun n' all. offa steer the shiff." Said into someone's shoulderblade.

---

Ambrosineis as she looks, for Tabin's sake, she's cool like starlight. Not cold but certainly on the low end of body temprature. The hug is returned, though they're still in the deepp dreaming she can feel the passion of joy. She doesn't say anything yet though still.. shocked by the feeling. She does offer quiet, "Thank you, Tabin.. Thank you Wick."

---

Wick nuzzles the side of his head in against Ambrosine's, still overcome with that passionate delight. But then remembering hismself, he manages to ease back, releasing Tabin as well. "So beautiful. Your merest words come in such enchanting melodies." He smiles up at her with such luminous joy.

---

As almost sinfully comfortable as Ambrosine is, with her Sidhe magnetism and Sidhe everything, even under chainmail, Tabin woooooooorms his way out of the group hug. "Phew!" He brushes himself off and adjusts his dew rag. When Ambrosine thanks him he just gives a smile. "You're welcome." He says. "Now. As I was saying. We gotta while before we hit the Silver Path back home and it gets wicked cold out here once the sun sets..and who knows how long it'll take to get back to Lodestone. If you wanna go below there's a fireplace. It'll keep you guys warm." The Eshu of course has to pilot, which he does, manning the helm and realigning the ship to be back on course.

---

Ambrosine shakes her head, "I think I'll watch the waters. It's been a long time since I've been out where there's no land. Besides what if a kraken appears?" She jokes as she lets her fingers curl against Wick's hair but there's still that deteched aloofness.

---

Wick's eyes drift shut with the sweetest bliss, savoring Ambrosine's touch as much as the music ov her voice. "Mm. And... I'm not cold yet. But. But when it gets cold... I can start the fire... and bring you both tea." He quiets a moment before peeking up at Ambrosine. He hesitates. "Perhaps... perhaps we could sing together? Maybe? Just a little?"

---

Ambrosine laughs softly, "I'm afraid I am long, long out of practice, Wick. I haven't used my voice in a very long time. But I'd love it if you or you and Tabin would. I am..." She lifts her hands to her throat again letting them circle there again sith a still somewhat shocked expression.

---

Tabin sniffs. "Yeah yeah. Keep talking like that, your Sidheness and I'll take my sweet time getting back to Lodestone." He sticks his tongue out at Ambrosine. It's not HIS fault everyone told him Ambrosine commands every monster on the Pacific coast! When Wick asks for a song. "We'll sing a merry sailing song." He says, looking over at Ambrosine. "Hey! No slouching. Just cuz your my captive doesn't mean you get off light. Show those cosmic sidhe how much they can suck it. They ain't got shit on us." He protests. He then sings.

~On the fourteenth of February We sailed from the land, In the bold Princess Royal Bound for Newfoundland We had forty brave seamen For our ships' company And boldly from the eastward to the westward sailed we~

---

Wick nods at Ambrosine and doesn't press, though there's little doubt that the Satyr will not lose his desire to sing with her any time soon. And he brightens as Tabin picks up one of his favorite sea shanties. Once Tabin has completed the first set of verses, he picks the next ones right up.

We had not been sailing Scarce days two or three, When a man from our foremast A sail he did see, She hove down upon us To see what we were, And under her foremast Black colours she wore.

---

Ambrosine listens to them quietly and her head tilts. The words she doesn't know but she knows how to set an accompanyment and so after a few moments she joins in with the sound of the tune offering soft vacal background to go with the beautiful singing.

---

Team Journeyman gives the bird to cosmic Sidhe by singing
Tabin rolls Charisma(4) + Performance(3) (7 dice) vs 4 for 7 successes.
Wick rolls Charisma + Performance vs 4 for 5 successes.
Ambrosine rolls Charisma + Performance vs 6 for 4 successes.

---

END