[center] [img]https://i.imgur.com/DLGhcA0.png[/img] [sub]The Learner, The Martial Dancer[/sub] & [h1]Qiang Yi and Crew[/h1] [/center] [hr] Her heart was heavy as they walked further and further from her home, to the ship that would ferry her away. Those goodbyes had been the hardest ones she had ever given, but the promise of returning was ever on her mind. She simply hoped it wouldn’t be forever, else she would miss the boys growing up, miss their first steps, their first words. Those thoughts were ever present on her mind, but a part of her knew that she could not dwell on what would happen without her. Her priorities were on helping the servants on their quest, then perhaps… Perhaps she would try to find Split and Penelope. If ever there was a right time to do it, it would be after the task at hand was finished. She tailed behind the small crew, bringing up the rear. She carried with her only the flute, her bell, and the clothes upon her back. She had decided to leave her dancing dress at home, it would serve no place on the trip and she did not want it ruined again. She wore a blank expression on her face, seemingly oblivious to Tendlepog or where they were headed. It wouldn’t be long now, soon the journey would really begin. “Are you alright, Lady Arya?” asked Qiang Yi softly. He had moved away from the improvised harbour they were currently loading off of and stood beside Arya with a worried frown. With a start, Arya blinked, coming to the stark realization that the ocean lay ahead of her, far below the tall cliffs. She turned to Qiang Yi, faking a smile she said, [color=ivory]”Yes! Yes, quite fine captain. Just thinking is all. Are we ready to embark?”[/color] “As soon as we get the remainder of the cargo loaded on board. The moving cliffs are not making it easy, but the Warden’s minions are certainly quite the help,” he said cheerfully. “By the way, we have a fantastically soft bed for you to have onboard. The covers are made of the closest we could find to silk around here, and we hope you will enjoy sleeping in it.” [Color=ivory]”That's good to hear, I enjoy a soft bed. It reminds me of Penelope.”[/color] Arya said chipperly, before turning her gaze to look at the nightmares moving the cargo. It was strange to see and she had no idea what was in them. She turned back to the captain and said, [color=ivory]”What is the cargo, if you don't mind me knowing?”[/color] Qiang Yi shrugged and shook his head. “That information is classified, even to me. All we know is that it is incredibly important that the cargo arrives at its destination unharmed and unspoiled.” Arya frowned, looking back to the cargo. She had a bad feeling from them, something she couldn’t quite describe. She shivered then said, [color=ivory]”No matter then. Can I get someone to show me around?”[/color] “Naturally,” said Qiang Yi, “actually, please allow me to do so personally!” Without even waiting for a reply, Qiang Yi went on to descend the ladder-like ‘pier’ that the Zhengwu had anchored to. The girl smiled, then followed the captain up the ladder. “Welcome to the deck of Zhengwu, Lady Arya,” Qiang Yi proudly said and gestured around the seven metre wide at its widest, thirty-two metre long wooden space that was largely only interrupted in its barren cleanliness by two masts and the elevated stern helmspost. The ship had a convex shape, comparable to a relatively straight banana in that the bow was considerably pointier than the stern, yet still the ship bulged along the middle and thinned towards the ends. In contrast with Jiangzhou, Zhengwu was considerably plainer in its appearance; however, it was still a beautifully carven ship. The three most immediately noticeable areas were the very tip of the bow, where Arya could just spot the upper edge of a fantastically fashioned wooden headfigure; the flat wall holding up the elevated helmspost was interrupted by a doorway in its middle to the deck below; the helmspost itself had a tall, serpentine statue at its very back, its eyes overlooking the deck. “What would Your Ladyship like to see first? The bow, the stern or below the deck?” [color=ivory]”It’s a very beautiful ship Captain,”[/color] Arya said, stroking the fine wood as they walked. [color=ivory]”I do not mind what we start with first, show me in whichever order you deem fit.”[/color] came her reply. “Let us start with the ship’s belly, then,” Qiang Yi said and brought her down the staircase. She gave a small nod and followed as they descended. As they went belowdecks, the small hull gave way to a cramped storage area, filled near to the roof with crates, leaving only a small walkway to pass through to get from the stern to the bow. The crates almost became like walls, the servants having stacked them into hollow squares to create approximations of rooms below deck. One in particular stood out, for it was hidden away behind a makeshift bamboo divider. Qiang Yi pushed it aside and gestured to a white-sheeted bed inside an admittedly terribly cramped little room. “We deeply apologise for the standard of living, Lady Arya. We pray that it will suffice given the circumstances.” Arya took in everything she saw, and in silence she realized the crates were everywhere, and now closer, she could feel something was off about them, but she did not know what. Qiang Yi’s voice caught her attention and she looked at the small room. She let out a great smile at the sight, for it meant a lot to her that they would go through so much trouble just to please her. She turned to the Captain and said, [color=ivory]”Please, there is no need to apologise!”[/color] She then walked in and placed the flute on the bed, as well as a small bag full of food and tea from home. [color=ivory]”It will do just fine, please tell Li Shan that I am humbled by his work.”[/color] Qiang Yi bowed. “Naturally, you need neither worry about theft nor the loss of privacy. While the walls are not particularly thick, the entire belly of the ship will be yours alone should you wish for it. Now, if you would accompany me upstairs again, please.” Arya gave another small nod, and began to follow. As they went through the jungle of crates and up to the deck once more, the last of the creates were being loaded on. In addition to those crates, however, there came black, shadowy figures with almost cloud-like, bipedal silhouettes aboard from the mainland. They stopped and stared at Arya for a moment, not a sound escaping them. Arya returned their stares, briefly touching the tattoo on her hand. Qiang Yi then smiled and bowed to the first of the mist-like creatures. “Ah, welcome aboard, dear Nightmares. Truly, it is an honour to be graced with Your presences on this humble vessel. We already feel much safer!” The shadows turned to Qiang Yi wordlessly, but the first made a move that approximated a nod and let out an ear-cutting ‘HWWWK!’ for an answer. Several crew members flinched and ducked, thinking the sound was another attack from seaborne beasts. So too did Arya flinch, tightly shutting her eyes before opening them with a couple blinks. Qiang Yi nodded patiently, though his eyes had teared up ever so slightly at the pain. “Naturally,” he said in the firm, certain way of someone who has completely failed to understand one’s conversation partner. “Well, the ship is yours. You are free to go wherever you may wish.” The nightmares remained silent again and slowly began to drift towards the hidden nooks and corners aboard. Qiang Yi turned to Arya and smiled as he drilled a pinkie into his ear. “Very kind of the Warden to offer us some additional protection.” She nodded her head slowly, [color=ivory]”Yes, hopefully they won’t be needed! Though I’m sure if they are, they could just scream and scare us all away.”[/color] she mused. Though their presence did beg more questions than answers. What cargo was so important that they needed the Nightmares as protection? She looked to Qiang, with a sly look. [color=ivory]”Where were we again?”[/color] she asked. “Ah, yes,” the captain said and snapped his fingers. “Follow me, please.” Together they climbed up the short staircase to the helmspost at the stern which in itself was rather uneventful - being only a slightly elevated platform overlooking the rest of the deck. However, it had three sights that immediately caught the eyes: The first was the tall, intricately carved statue of Shengshi, shaped with near-lifelike precision, albeit considerably shorter than the eight feet height of the actual god. Its pose was stern, yet benevolent, a furrow-browed stare contrasted with a fatherly, extended hand. A sullen expression crossed Arya's face, and she turned her head to look away from the statue, ashamed. Apart from the statue, Zhen-zhen sat smiling at the two of them by the rudder tiller. “Showing her around, cap’n?” she said and closed her book. Qiang Yi nodded with a wry smile. Arya's face beamed a childish smile at Zhen-Zhen as she saw the servant. “Yes, it is only fair for her to get a tour of her home for the next few months,” he said and put his arms behind his back. “Yeah, that sounds fair. How do you like it so far?” she asked Arya with a smirk. [Color=ivory]"I love it! I really do. It's nice and cozy and full of noise."[/color] she said excitedly. Zhen-zhen snickered. “Yeah, the noise is something else - ‘specially now that we got the nightmares onboard.” She shrugged. “Buuut we’ll get used to it, probably.” Qiang Yi furrowed his brow at her remark. “Yes, we pray the noise won’t disturb you too much,” he conceded. “The crew is active around both day and night, so we hope you are a heavy sleeper.” [Color=ivory]"Don't you worry, when I'm in the Palace, I only wake up when I want too."[/color] she giggled, bringing a hand to cover her face where her mouth should've been. Qiang Yi nodded smiling. “That is very good to hear. Now, this is the bridge. It is where you will find me and Zhen-zhen most of the time. If you would like, you may spend your time here with us as you wish during the voyage. Oh, and we hope you will join us for the daily prayers to Shengshi up here - we arrange them at the times of flood, as opposed to Ashalla’s prayer around the time of ebb.” Arya looked confused, [color=ivory]”Prayer? What’s that? Does his Holiness and the Exalted Ashalla show up here or something?”[/color] she asked innocently. Qiang Yi and Zhen-zhen looked at each other with raised eyebrows. “My lady Arya, do you not know what prayers are?” She shrugged, [color=ivory]”I can’t remember if anyone’s ever told me. It doesn’t ring any bells though.”[/color] “W-well…” Qiang Yi began patiently, “it’s the act of honouring a Holy deity at a distance. Of course, it can also be done directly to Them, but we are not worthy of such. Instead, we made figures and statues to represent Their holy visages.” He gestured up at the Shengshi statue. “So, yes, we meet here, the whole crew, and offer our prayers to His Lordship.” She nodded, looking up at the figure. [color=ivory]”Does… Does he hear you?”[/color] she asked softly. Zhen-zhen shrugged. “We like to think He does,” she said reassuringly. Arya stared at the figure now as a mix of emotions overcome her. Her thoughts ran rampant as the weight of such a discovery took hold. Had it been that easy all along? She could have told him a long time ago that she was sorry. That she was ashamed of what she had done. The guilt she cared could have been forgiven… Or would it? Could she be forgiven for what she did? She grew anxious, her face growing flustered as she looked away in an instant and to the floor. She took a deep breath trying to calm herself, then looked to the captain and said, [color=ivory]”Oh I’d love too, when is Flood?”[/color] she said with a forced smile. Qiang Yi looked up at the sky and then at the approximation of a beach at the Tendlepoggan coast. “It is still midday, so it will be some time before the flood rolls in. We will notify you when it does. Now, would you like to see the last part of the tour?” She visibly relaxed at the sound of his words, she still had time to prepare herself. Arya then beamed a smile and said, [color=ivory]”Of course! Please lead the way.”[/color] she motioned to Qiang Yi. Together they once more descended the stairs and crossed the length of the ship, crew members bowing to Arya all along the way. Qiang Yi folded his arms behind his back and looked over his shoulder. “Does it bother you?” he asked, “All the Shengshese manners?” As they walked, Arya bowed back to the servants, giving each a kind smile. When she heard Qiang Yi speak, she squinted her eyes, unsure of what to say. On one hand, yes, it did bother her but on the other hand, she did not want to offend the servants. [color=ivory]”Would it bother you, if I said yes?”[/color] she asked, cocking her head slightly. Qiang Yi sighed quietly. “I was afraid so - however, I am sad to say that it is as much a part of us as existing. Our souls were made to serve, and we cannot do anything else. We hope therefore that we do not make you too uncomfortable.” He pushed aside the front sail to reveal the bow tip of the ship, complete with the headfigure of Ashalla hanging off the front. [color=ivory]”Do not worry about me.”[/color] Arya said quietly, [color=ivory]”It doesn’t bother me nearly as much as you think it does. Besides, I just need to get back into the swing of things, and it will be like you brought another Servant onboard.”[/color] Arya went to the tip of the bow, and looked at the headfigure of Ashalla. She had never met the goddess before, but knew her to be of the Ocean itself. She turned to look at Qiang Yi again, [color=ivory]”Don’t take this in the wrong way, I’m simply curious. But, you really can’t do anything else?”[/color] she asked with concern. Qiang Yi squinted his eyes and let out a single ‘heh’. “Forgive me for asking, My lady, but are you suggesting there are other things to do than to serve the Exalted Creators?” She simply smiled and turned to look out at the ocean. The journey would be long, she was sure. Full of trials and errors, and adventure. A quest for the ages! She took a deep breath of ocean air, then turned around. [color=ivory]”So where are we going?”[/color] [hider=summary] After a journey through Tendlepog, Arya arrives t the boat with Qiang Yi and the others. There she is welcomed aboard Zhengwu, and given a tour of the ship by the captain. He shows her the entire ship and they talk. Eventually they arrive before a statute of Shengshi and Arya figures out that she could just pray to ask for forgiveness. Anxiety creeps up on her however, and she is conflicted on what to do. Qiang Yi then shows her the rest of the ship, and they arrive on the bow. We end with the journey beginning. [/hider] [Hider=Prestige] Arya: The Learner, The Martial Dancer +26 Prestige Starting -2 For claiming the title ‘The Wanderer’ -2 For claiming the title ‘The Compassionate’ +1 For Minor Role +1 For Major Role +1 For Following a Quest +1 For Jolly Collaboration = +26 Prestige Ending [hider=Skills/Abilities Learned] +6 Prestige on Fighting +6 Prestige on Dancing +6 Prestige on Martial Dancing. +1FP for flight. +2FP for ‘evil eyes’ ability. Causes nightmares to those that distress Arya. [/hider] [/hider]