While the [i]Verrus-Mund[/i] could by no means be considered a small vessel, Shani found the quarters and, indeed, virtually any below-deck portion of the ship to be only slightly less claustrophobic than one might imagine of a tomb. Sensing her apprehension at any mention of going below deck, a few among the crew had questioned her about it over the course of the voyage; however, she'd found it difficult to express. It was one thing to voluntarily keep ones extremities close and immobile, but quite another to have no choice. If the distinction seemed elusive to some, it was lost entirely on the Dwarves who'd engaged her on topic. To the contrary, and not surprisingly, they found comfort in the cramped under-deck. For Shani, however, any moment of bearable climate found her on deck, including some nights where the weather cooperated and she'd found herself unable to sleep otherwise.

If there was anything more unbearable than the tight quarters, it was the monotony of life aboard a ship. Sure, there were jobs to be done, but for Shani that largely consisted of flying in circles around the ship to watch for potential dangers. Sometimes she was asked to fly in large circles, and other times small ones, but it was repetitive and there was literally nothing but an endless expanse of sea. She'd already preened and dyed every feather worth bothering about at least twice, and where she'd normally have found sport toying with the affections of young men, even that had virtually no thrill at sea. After a couple days with relatively few women aboard wrung any bit of challenge from it. So, there she sat, re-braiding a strand of copper bangles and garnet crystals for the umpteenth time since breakfast, hoping upon hope that something would happen. The ship could catch fire, a sea monster could swallow them whole, or the gods themselves could return to smite them. It really didn't matter, though just running aground on a deserted island would at least give her a chance to stand on something stationary and different.

Sitting casually against a wall in the lower decks, rested a tall elven figure. One leg was completely outstretched, the other bent so that his foot was planted on the floor for support. His right arm draped lazily atop his knee while with his left hand he fed himself from a clump of stale rubbish the cook assured him was bread. His golden eyes drifted slowly around the room, staring intently at each individual gathered there, almost to the point of being rude. Instead of trying to interact with them, he merely watched from a distance. At the start of their journey, this type of behavior had caused him some backlash from part of the crew but by now the others had come to accept his withdrawn attitude. His face could have been made of stone, as there was no emotion to be recognized from it, successfully keeping his feelings a mystery. Unlike some of the others, the rocking of the sea did not upset him, in fact he found it soothing. He wondered if it was appropriate to compare it to being held in the gentle arms of a loved one. And then there were times where the sea was rough and rocky and he wondered if that too was what love felt like.
 
He decided to wear his armor, as it was expected they were to make landfall any day now. The red and gold plating was a little flashy and overdone for his tastes but he was Na'milon and it was tradition for him to don this armor. It was meant to be a tribute to the sun and the abundance of life afforded to the world because of it, but he was more impressed by its ease and lightness. He was certain there existed none who could match the skill of the elven smiths of his kingdom. 

Closing his eyes, he finished off the piece of bread he had been nursing for an hour, wishing he had some water left to choke it down. When he opened his eyes, he saw a female figure standing over him. Surprised by her presence, he choked a bit on the remaining crumbs of bread he was devouring and pounded gently on his chest. "Forgive me, I didn't mean to startle you." The female Scael said with a light chuckle. Aerathanis quickly got to his feet and gave a small yet gracious bow. ‘No no, I should not have been daydreaming as I was Lady Scal-Varris." "Vriis-Nar." She said correcting him. "There's no need to be so formal, at least not with me. My husband should be wandering about the ship, looking to speak to the rest of you but I wanted to gather some information of my own first." Pulling out a scroll from her robes, she unfurled it and quickly scanned its contents.
 
"It says here that you are proficient in light magic, and by utilizing aetheric transference, you can manipulate your inherent abilities to promote healing in others, is that correct?" Aerathanis was visibly confused, a sight probably comical to behold but eventually he sighed gently "I suppose…but proficient might not be the…" Vriis-Nar cut him off again. "Now isn't the time for modesty Aerathanis. In the days ahead we may come to rely on your specific type of abilities. I need to know if you'll be able to perform to the standards I've set for you." Aerathanis appreciated the woman's candor, it reminded him of his mentor Baelora and he found that to be somewhat refreshing. "Yes, I understand. Please know that my style of magic can be used to temporarily harness the power of light or provide exceptional levels of protection. Creatures who thrive in darkness seem to have a particular aversion to my skills and I am also capable of treating non-life threatening injuries. Is that satisfactory?" Vriis-Nar smiled. "It is. Welcome to Ialdia….Aerathanis." Aerathanis offered a light bow of his head in response. "Thank you, Lady Scael-Varris." The Scael woman smiled and moved towards the main deck but not before calling out to him. "You may want to find your partner and have a briefing with my husband before we make landfall. And if you happen to find him before I do, please tell him that I'm looking for him." Aerathanis nodded. "Of course." He responded, however he was sure she was out of earshot by then.

Aerathanis scaled the narrow staircase and stepped out onto the main deck. The scent of dank wood and sea air overwhelmed his senses, however the musky odor had an almost invigorating smell to it. It wasn't long before eyes the color of dawn homed in on a female figure, toying with a piece of jewelry. Shifting pieces of metal and leather announced his arrival before Shani could even see him. Approaching the young Raevan, he offered no greeting but instead stood beside her. "Though I admit I do appreciate this more subdued version of you, it lacks a certain…purpose." He said in a deep voice that matched his outward appearance.

Shani continued her braiding without acknowledging the Elf, who it seemed made even less sense than usual. Of course she had purpose - do anything and everything to get off the damned boat before she went numb from the boredom! Finishing up what had turned into an anklet this time, the young Raevan laced it around her calf, weaving it neatly around her feathers, and fastened it securely. Springing to her feet, she stamped her foot against the deck a few times, measuring the quality of the jingling before giving a sideways nod that, in her present mood, was as satisfied an expression as she was likely to give. Finally, she looked at Aerathanis and stepped up across a stack of crates, careful to avoid snagging her feet in the netting that held them in place, to a precarious perch atop the ship's railing. "I can't take it any more, Aerathanis. I don't think I can swim. At least I hope I can't. Goodbye." With that, she stepped off the edge, falling instantly toward the waiting sea. 

Aerathanis rushed to the railing, as his young companion literally stepped right off the ship and plummeted towards an unpredictable sea. He gripped the railing with large armored hands and leaned forward, dangerously close to tipping over himself. Breathless, he called out to her as if his horrified voice would somehow be enough to yank her back onto the deck. "Shani! No!" His grip on the railing tightened to the point where it might splinter beneath his hands. How could he have been so blind? All this time he mistook her melancholy mood for simple boredom. Still overcome by the initial shock of Shani throwing herself overboard, all he could do was stand and watch. His golden eyes never leaving the ebony-skinned girl's descent towards the unruly waters below.

Whether she could swim or not, Shani's aquatic prowess went untested as her wings fanned out, taking advantage of the undercurrent, to bring her to a glide just as her toes grazed the water's surface. Aloft above the water's surface, but still dangerously close to its tussling waves, the occasional wave lapped at her knees as she glided alongside the ship toward the bow so low that one would need to lean against the bulwark to spy more than a wing. With a heavy flap, she shot skyward through a mist of sea spray, climbing higher and farther ahead of the [i]Verrus-Mund[/i] until she looked the size of a gull in the distance. Aerathanis exhaled, finally taking a breath and slowly, he loosened his grip on the railing, which left a numbing impression in his armored hands. His concern from earlier, along with the moment of shock had quickly drained from his face and was easily replaced by frustration. Here he thought she had thrown herself to the sea, but instead, once again, she was toying with fate. Perhaps it was his own fault for hastily jumping to conclusions but in his mind, he was certain anyone would have behaved the way. 

Shani's faint silhouette soared gracefully for several moments, changing only in altitude as she'd apparently caught a draft to ride. Trying to keep an eye on her from where he stood, Aerathanis had to position himself so that he was able to maintain a glimpse, but a glimpse was all he was afforded. Soon his companion had disappeared from sight completely and once again his heart began to race. Roaming the sea mist, he caught the sight of a dark figure, breaking through the haze in a poof of smoke. The figure was distant but it was indeed Shani, of that much he was sure. While he wanted to scold her right then and there, he held back. First, he was far too distant and second she had finally seemed to recover some of her spark, even if by doing so she had taken years off of his life. Suddenly, Shani's form descended sharply and grew larger on the horizon, wings beating furiously as it edged ever closer to the ship. 

[i]"Peaks ahead captain!" Came the excited cry from the crows nest.[/i]

When it was announced that the vessel was nearing land, Aerathanis looked up towards the crow's nest, then back out to sea. There was something barely visible in the distance and they were indeed headed straight for it. A sudden commotion on board brought his attention back to the ship. Amidst the flurry of activity on deck as crew members made ready with whatever it was they did, or at least put on the appearance of doing so for the captain, hardly anyone noticed the approaching Raevan until she nearly clipped a pair of sailors with her wings in an abrupt landing. "Land! We're there! We're there!" The exclamations held such elation that Shani practically sung themas she danced across the deck in flurry of feathers and jingling. "We're theeere, we're theeere, land, land, land, land, land!" A strapping, young deckhand was nearly toppled when her reel caught him off guard - only his solid stature kept him upright as Shani bounded into his chest. Throwing her arms around his neck wildly, she planted a solid, smacking smooch on lips. That his eyes bulged in surprise hinted that a tongue might have been involved as well, but in an instant it was over and she'd flitted off to continue her reverie, even attempting to pull the stodgy old Elf, Aerathanis, into the merriment.

 The flutter of dark feathers and girlish glee assured him that Shani was somehow involved and he immediately marched over. He was met halfway by his partner's joyful stride but his stolid mood remained as it always had and he cracked no smile. When they were finally in each others presence, he lowered his head with a strained look on his face and continuously massaged his forehead. "By the gods, your wild behavior will be the death of us both!" 

Undeterred by Aerathanis' lack of excitement, or at least his lacking the appearance of it, Shani continued dancing, circling around him and adding random new verses to her song. Finally, she paused in front of him with a challenging smirk, "[i][b]I[/b][/i] think you like it!" Poking a knuckle into his chest, for doing so with a finger tip would have subjected the poor man to the wrath of her finger nails, she continued, "And I [i][b]know[/b][/i] I'm right! If you didn't like taking a risk, why'd you come? Huh? Answer me that!"

Blinking as she gently rapped at his chest, he exhaled and took a few steps past her, seemingly unphased by her teasing and attempt at prying. "What I'd like, is for you to behave like a proper young lady. And the reason I came is because....welll...there are several reasons."

As Aerathanis passed by, Shani quickly stepped in behind him with her hands on her hips and started moving her mouth to mime his chastising. Nearly as soon as she started, however, she burst into laughter and shoved at him playfully. "Adventure? Shinies? Those have to be the reasons, Those are great reasons!"

Caught off guard by the girl's humorous push, he stumbled forward but not clumsily so. Exhaling again, he erected himself to his normally regal stature then cleared his throat to hide his embarrassment. "Now is not the time for fun and games Shani. We have a responsibility to our fellow colonists." Clasping his wrists behind his back, he slowly circled her as he spoke. "When you are older, you will come to realize that life is full of responsibilities. Responsibilities that you are expected to shoulder, whether they are given to you or are acquired on your own. I came on this journey because the lady of my kingdom gave me this responsibility and now I have a responsibility to you as well. I hope one day you can understand this with better clarity." He said as he came to a stop beside her.

Aerathanis' lecture was met much eye-rolling, as the Raevan shifted to one foot and folded her arms across her chest. Land was within sight and she managed to ground herself with another of his insufferable lectures. By the gods, he could drone on about the most mundane topics in that authoritative tone. In that moment, it came to her and she began pointing at the horizon excitedly. "Look! Another ship!" Once the Elf's attention had been drawn from her, Shani padded off quickly and leaped into the air, again catching the salty breeze. She surged upwards toward the bow and beyond, hoping to get a better look at the new land.

Once again he fell for Shani's antics, turning his attentions toward an imaginary ship in the distance. "What?! Another ship? Impossible!" He even went as far as moving closer to the railing to try and get a better look. "I don't see anything. What ship are you…" But when he looked behind him and saw that she was gone, he immediately knew he had been duped. He was never before exposed to such wily behavior but everyday he spent with Shani was becoming a lesson in gullibility. Roaming the skies, he eventually caught sight of her, soaring high above the [i]Verrus-Mund[/i] . He wondered if anything he said had gotten through to her and with a sigh, he eventually wandered off on his own. They would make landfall soon and he wanted to be prepared.