Location:the Cerberus // The open seas // various ports Notes:Interacting withGrimley
appearance pic, roughly 5' 7" with a lean build, confident mannerisms, clothing doesn't stand out or indicate any form of wealth/lack of wealth
The next couple weeks passed without incident. Ivory held up her end of the deal - healing pyrats with burns, cuts, and of course, diseases they picked up entertaining the women at each port. She saw very little of Xen but that was fine with her. She respected his distaste for Cynthia, keeping her prayers to herself. In the evenings, when she didn't have a patient to attend to, she would work on experimentations with thistle. It was amazing how Xen seemed to know where it could be located at every stop they made, as if he was hiding it himself. She tried to make notes on the location of each seller but when she returned to her journals to write, her memory was hazy and far off. It was something she wanted to mention to Xen but that, also, slipped her mind every time she thought to do so. Her journals became full of other things instead - stories of adventure at each port, details of exotic foods, and a little pyrat dialect she had picked up with the crew. Grimsley was even teaching her how to weild a weapon, something her father would find appalling. He had started her with sword but she quickly came to like two smaller, offensive weapons they had picked up. Grimsley called them sais and Ivory was quite efficient with them.
On one of the days, when the crew had stopped at yet another port, Ivory decided to use the services of a fortune teller. Her intention was to speed up her progress with the bloodthistle. A rat she had one of the crew members capture had been living in a cage in her makeshift lab. She had injected him with bloodthistle, based on a similar experiment done in Celderon's journal. Every day the rat appeared normal. Ivory was on the brink of calling the experiment a dud when she decided to get advice. "The eyes of a man will always reveal the truth." The words of the fortune teller rolled around in her head for days. Then one night, Ivory dreamed she was running through the streets of Delteria. A mysterious figure chased her. Then out of nowhere, Xen appeared with his crimson eyes piercing her fear. Stunned, Ivory awoke and made her way to Grimsley, asking Xen's whereabouts. When he directed her to the Captains office, Ivory hastily arrived and pounded angrily on the door.
appearance pic, roughly 5' 7" with a lean build, confident mannerisms, clothing doesn't stand out or indicate any form of wealth/lack of wealth
Xen's forthcoming attitude surprised Ivory. Coupled with his immediate bestowement of the plant she had spent countless hours searching for left her in a daze. There was one option he failed to mention, however. She could stay here, in Calhearth. Obviously the bloodthistle was here. It would take her a while to adjust but she had money. She could set up a tent and sell her services. She glanced to her side, just in time to see a man expose the bare breast of a crying woman. He slapped her face and dragged her on to a nearby ship. Ivory turned to back to Xen who, by the look on his face, had witnessed the same scene. The answer was clear. "Alright. You may have my services in exchange for information. But I ask for a private space to room. And I reserve the right to use my services on those who I deem in need as well. I do not want a repeat of the incident in the alley way. Do you accept these terms?" She knew that she had very little space to bargain and she shuttered at the knowledge that he could take her life where she stood but if she was going to remain with him, she needed to communicate that she wouldn't be treated as a dockhand.
appearance pic, roughly 5' 7" with a lean build, confident mannerisms, clothing doesn't stand out or indicate any form of wealth/lack of wealth
His abrupt pause startled her and she lost her train of thought for a second. His crimson eyes still caught her off guard. His growl was impatient. "Look, I understand that I'm at your mercy here, but I need to know that I'm not waisting my time. Is it still your intention to take me to..." She stopped, still unsure if she could trust Grimsley with the fact that she was seeking out the bloodthistle. She continued, quickening her step to match Xen's pace. "To the location we agreed upon?" They were outside of the cellar and making effortless progress, seemingly in the direction they had come after docking. A quick glance reassured her that the booth she saw had, in fact, disappeared. Xen continued forward, ignoring each of the salesmen calling out their wares. The rush through Calhearth and the mystery surrounding Xen was grating on her patience. He hadn't answered anything yet. Lost in thought, she realized that she had never found out why he had agreed to bring along a stranger after she told him she was seeking for the herb either. "Also, what compensation are you asking of me?" She was exasperated with his silence. "And what were you doing in that cellar!" Her patience disappeared as she shouted.
appearance pic, roughly 5' 7" with a lean build, confident mannerisms, clothing doesn't stand out or indicate any form of wealth/lack of wealth
Grimsley and Ivory entered the cellar again. The familiar peace she had encountered before met her again. "Why do I feel like this?" She asked, this time tracing her fingers on the wall around her.
"Dunno. Never bothered to ask."
"You don't seem very curious," she said, with a smile, so as not to offend him. He returned the smile before shrugging with a response.
"Figure the world is the way it is whether I understan' it 'er not. No sense wastin' my time with questions." He tossed something up in the air, catching it without looking.
"Ah, well, I cannot seem to shut my questions off. It often resulted in trouble growing up." She said with a chuckle. As soon as her sentence finished, Xen swooped past her, from behind, seemingly out of nowhere. On instinct, Ivory turned back to look but the area behind her was dark. "Um, Xen?" He continued walking as if she hadn't spoken. "Xen?" She hurried to catch up, met again with no response. "Xen, please!" she called out. He stopped abruptly and faced her without a word. "I have questions and would like you to address them."
appearance pic, roughly 5' 7" with a lean build, confident mannerisms, clothing doesn't stand out or indicate any form of wealth/lack of wealth
Ivory barely took in Xen's brusque command to stay near him before they were off the ship. She obeyed, nearly clinging to him. The rest of the crew scattered quickly, although Grimsley stayed with them. She didnt even see if Loro had gotten off the boat. The sites and sound of the bazaar were overwhelming. She saw creatures whos races she didnt recognize. The air smelled of a mix of exotic spices and seemed to have its own musical rhythm. She wished it wasnt night time so she could see better, but soon enough they were at their destination. Anxiety crept over Ivory's excitement. She questioned whether it was Xen's doing, still unsure if he could manipulate her in that way. The door swung open with an ominous creak and the trio entered. The second she was in the room, the atmosphere changed. Where there had been an uncertain cloud covering her, there was now a familiar...peace. The flux was in this room and it was obvious. "What is..." she asked, but realized Xen had already moved forward. The room was so dim, she hadn't seen the direction he went. Still, she was unfazed. It was like nothing bad could happen to her at this moment in time. The walls hummed. She reached out to touch them when Grimsley grabbed her hand.
"You interested in explorin' a bit?" He pointed his head back toward the door they had come in. She took only a second to look back at where Xen had gone. Apparently he was apathetic to whether or not she left, so she she nodded quickly and the pair walked outside.
The first setup they came across was a woman selling foods. Ivory didnt recognize a single dish that was available. Coincidentally, her stomach growled. "Do you have a recommendation?" She asked Grimsley, who was eyeing the food just as eagerly. The crew must not have eaten cooking outside of what Loro gave them very often.
"Yes. This." He pointed to a bright red concoction. It appeared fluffy and light. Ivory leaned down to smell. The scent alone left a sweet tingle on her tongue. She instantly craved more.
"Wow! What is that?" She asked.
"Not a clue, havent yet asked." He spoke a brief phrase to the woman merchant, in a language Ivory didnt recognize. He handed the woman her payment and she gave him a tiny glass bowl, mounded with the red dessert, in return.
"Only one?" She asked. She was not the greedy type, but that amount would leave them both still hungry.
"Believe me sunshine, this 'ill do." He held the dish out to her. "Just swipe your finger off the top to taste." Ivory obeyed, tasting the tip of her coated finger. The sweetest flavoring of strawberry cream pie, raspberry truffles, and licorice candy overtook her at once. Her family afforded those delicacies only on special occasions, choosing to save their wealth for contribution to Cynthia's ministry. She closed her eyes to savor. When she opened them again, Grimsley was grinning. "Now do it again." Ivory immediately complied. This time she tasted cinnamon ale, cherry tart, and a flavor she didnt recognize. It was pure euphoria. "Its different every time," he added, tasting the food himself. The two walked and talked, stopping only to try more of their snack or marvel at the various items being sold. There were silks from exotic lands, jewelry made by fairies, potions, instruments, and more foods. By the time the pair had reach the end of the dish, Ivory was so full she was making herself feel sick. "You can even eat the dish," Grimsley said, but Ivory declined. Grimsley ate the entire thing.
They had circled the perimeter of the bazaar and Ivory's head was full of new sites, smells, and tastes. One final booth, however, caught her attention. It wasnt too far from the cellar they had gone into with Xen, so she was surprised she had missed it the first time they passed. It was set some way back from where the rest of the merchants were selling. Something about this particular area called to her. "What do they sell at that one?" Ivory asked Grimsley. He looked just beyond her shoulder.
"There aint no merchant there." He stepped forward a bit, as if to get a better look. Ivory giggled.
"Very funny. Seriously. Its glowing." She pointed again.
"I think you're the one bein' funny there miss. Aint no booth there." When Ivory looked up at his face, expecting a reciprocated grin, she was met, instead, with genuine confusion. Ivory looked back at the booth. It had disappeared. "We need to be meetin' up with Xen about now anyway." He walked toward the cellar door, not bothering to wait for Ivory. She stared at the missing booth space while she followed behind.
appearance pic, roughly 5' 7" with a lean build, confident mannerisms, clothing doesn't stand out or indicate any form of wealth/lack of wealth
Ivory sat on the counter in the kitchen while Loro entertained her with various tales of cooking on the high seas. Its seemed like there was always something dramatic happening at dinner time. She only stopped laughing when he would hand her a puffed pastry to try or a ladle full of a stew to taste. Occasionally he would have her help chop a vegetable, wipe down a dish, or sweep something he had dropped on the floor, but for now her main task was to give him an audience.
Soon her stomach ached from laughter and food. "Xen said I'm to room with you," she mentioned during a lull in the conversation. Loro didn't turn to look at her while he stirred a pot, he simply raised an eyebrow. "What?" she asked, assuming he was thinking more than he was saying.
"Rumor was that you were here for the Cap," he turned his back to her as he grabbed something she couldn't see off of the table next to him.
"For the Captain?" As soon as the sentence finished, it dawned on her what he was saying. "Oh. Uh. No. He's just helping me find...some things for my apothecary. Some more rare...herbs." She wasn't sure how familiar the crew was with Xen's knowledge of Celderon and the blood thistle and she wasn't going to give away what she didn't have to.
"Mmmhmmm." Loro didn't say anything else and Ivory became aware that the good-natured attitude the two had shared was now gone and Loro's wordless demenor was back in its place. Attempting to flee from the now awkward silence, Ivory slid off the counter top, grabbed an apple and walked to the door.
"Would you be so kind as to direct me to your room? I'd like to freshen up before dinner this evening." Before he could answer, the door to the kitchen swung open and Grimsley stood in the doorway. He leaned forward and took the apple from Ivory's hand.
"We've ported. Cap'n sent me to fetch ya." He bit the apple and a bit of the juice ran down his chin.
"Where are we?" Ivory asked, trying not to cringe at the gruff display in front of her.
"We're at Calhearth," he answered. Ivory stared at him, still unsure of what that meant.
"Calhearth? I've not heard of this place and we've only been on the water for a few hours. Where is it?" Loro let out a loud, aggressive laugh. She crossed her arms, unamused at the joked that was lingering in the air. Grimsley smirked, tossed the apple core back on to the table, and leaned down, putting his face mere inches from hers.
"Ah, no worries there, sunshine. It's just a simple pyrat's bazaar." He chuckled as a bright smile took over Ivory's face.
Location:Lothair Notes:Interacting withInnkeeper & Son
appearance pic, roughly 5' 7" with a lean build, confident mannerisms, clothing doesn't stand out or indicate any form of wealth/lack of wealth
Ivory arrived at the inn before the sun had set completely. She asked for the cheapest room available but followed up with a unique request. "Do you have an enchanted safe available for purchase?" The boy behind the desk stared at her before disappearing into a back room. A man, that Ivory deduced to be his father, approached her.
"You want an enchanted safe?" He glared with a face full of skepticism.
"That's right," she answered, meeting his eyes.
"You gonna pay for it?" He questioned, never dropping his stance. "It aint cheap." He looked her top to bottom, as if measuring the state of her finances visually.
"I'm aware and I will pay your price." The man nodded briefly and snapped his fingers at the boy. The son fetched a wooden chest roughly the size of a pillow, although easily three times as deep.
"My son will have it brought to your room. Here is the lock," he said, handing her a basic metal ring that opened at one end into a "C" shape. "You just close it, hold your hand over it, and it will seal. Only your hand will be able to open it again. The magic protects the wood from being disturbed as well. Understand?" His glare returned. Ivory painted on a smile in response.
When she arrived at her room, the chest was waiting at the end of a simple bed. Across the room, a small dresser, with a mirror resting on top, sat under a covered window. It was adequate. She closed the door, making sure to lock it. She then opened the velvet bag she received from Loro. A massive, brilliantly gold egg with deep black flecks resided inside. It sparkled in the dim light of the room and seemed to hum with magic. Ivory held it in both of her hands briefly before placing it in the chest and locking it. "Soon," she whispered before heading to the front of the inn to meet with the rest of the group.
appearance pic, roughly 5' 7" with a lean build, confident mannerisms, clothing doesn't stand out or indicate any form of wealth/lack of wealth
The whole scene had been a blur. Xen was the captain? It suddenly made sense why no one had thrown her off the ship and Grimsley's little act in the Captain's office had seemed so off. It was almost comical looking back on it. She wondered what Xen would say if he knew that one of his crew had tried to pass himself off as the commander of the boat. She looked down at the book he had handed to her. It wasn't glowing now. She briefly flipped through the pages. Nothing appeared out of the ordinary. How odd. Somehow he had gotten one of Celderon's journals away from her without her realiizng it. How did I miss this? She tucked the book away into her cloak, making the decision to investigate it further when she had the time. Before she realized what she was doing, she found herself outside of the galley. She barely remembered deciding to follow Xen's orders. It dawned on her that he could likely influence her ability to comply. She would have to be more of aware of that in the future. As she pushed open the door to find a man named Loro, she remembered what Xen had said about the rolls. "Wait...rat?"
appearance pic, roughly 5' 7" with a lean build, confident mannerisms, clothing doesn't stand out or indicate any form of wealth/lack of wealth
She counted the streets.
Four after the church with the bronze steeple.
She counted shop signs.
Two, three if you count the half broken pub banner.
There it was - the alley made of brick, with one brick missing on the very last row. Ivory looked up at the sun. She was a little later than she had anticipated because of the wheel breaking but not so late that she would miss her meeting. She lifted the hood of her cloak and glanced around her before entering the alley. She walked to the end until she reached a stack of wood pallets. She pushed them aside, revealing a small lever. She pulled the lever and stood back.
A small section of the wall in front of her popped out. She opened the door and took the staircase in front of her down, entering another alleway, this one underground. She jogged to the end and knocked on the heavy metal door in front of her. "Password" a deep voice boomed.
"Cerberus" she answered. There was a brief pause before the door slid open and a massive ogre stood in it's place. He towered over her with a scowl. In response, she smiled.
"Loro. It's been too long," she greeted him with a slight hug. "Has my item arrived?" The ogre simply nodded in response, never being a man of many words. He turned and Ivory followed. The room was bustling with men and species of every kind in various gambling exploits. The air smelled strongly of hookah and a culmination of illegal potions. Loro directed her to a back room. He shut the door behind him after they entered. He then pulled a dark chest out from under a panel in the floor. He held the lock until it popped open; a lock that was likely sealed by Fae magic. He opened the top and pulled out a dark velvet bag and handed it to Ivory. She briefly glanced inside. "I assume it's in mint condition?" He nodded again. She then reached inside her cloak and pulled out a tiny bag. "Ten Fae enchanted diamonds, as promised." She handed him the bag. "Has, uh.....has he.....?" She trailed off. Loro just shook his head. "I figured," she responded. "Well, I'm all set. Thank you for this. We'll have to get together when it's not a matter of business sometime." She smiled and hugged him again. She waded her way back through the room and up to the surface of the town with the contents of her recent purchase hidden safely away.
appearance pic, roughly 5' 7" with a lean build, confident mannerisms, clothing doesn't stand out or indicate any form of wealth/lack of wealth
Ivory woke up when an unidentifiable pull moved past her and into Xen's now open room. She sat up and leaned over to see inside. He had disarmed and removed his jacket and somehow looked even taller than he had before, but somehow less threatening at the same time. She stood silently, aware of a nauseous feeling in the pit of her stomach. Maybe the food the ogre had given to her wasn't as heavenly as she had first believed. She took a few steps forward, assuming Xen would turn at any second to confront her presence. She made it until she was standing close enough that she could nearly touch him and he still didn't give any indication that he was aware she was there. It was then that she noticed the book he was holding. It was...glowing.
"What is that?" she asked, speaking barely above a whisper.
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