The Quest for the Windtoss (Adventuring party!)

[Invisible]

Too busy watching the barmaid G’tet did not notice the entrance of the others. If he had he was likely not to have waved anyway since he was hoping that the man he needed to speak to would be more at ease were he alone. The greenrider leaned against the bar and made note of where Rosie went with her drinks. He wore his genial I’m harmless expression that never looked fake on him at least. Of course it had taken turns to perfect it so it had better be good.

When Shonn and his younger Shonn-look-a-like glanced his way he offered a welcome smile. Free drinks, he thought. Come on little fishes, bite. I’d rather get you alone. He gave them a couple minutes, but if they did not approach by the end of those two minutes he would amble towards them himself with that same smile in place. The familiarity of Rosie continued to plague his mind, but he tried to put it aside somewhat to focus on the job at hand.

[neopanther]

P’nset glanced over rat M’sella, he took the brown riders words with little problem, it was fairly logical, he begun to follow, listening as S’gur spoke, “Hear, hear.” He added, mentally cursing G’tet for his wayward aptitude. He followed M’sella – who obviously knew this place a great deal better than any of those present, P’nset hadn’t been to this hold – in his time for over twenty turns, but some off it was similar. The smell was one thing, that sharding smoke house always reeked, he found it a very off putting smell.
As they entered the bar, P’nset let his eyes immediately search out G’tet, and find him they did. By the bar, addressing some lank minded female. He seethed silently to himself, G’tet was someone P’nset could get along with, and he did generally speaking, however it was times like this he despaired of the bonded of Kalpeth. He was partly tempted to just sit and watch as G’tet drunk himself to a stupor, then he would be an incredibly amusing sight when the time came for them to sail if the time came.

((ooc: a little limp - but there's not much else for P'nset to say...))

[Xinnai]

M'sella wound his way through the various assorted odds and ends that life by the sea could present. Dodging people and a seaman's paraphenalia, he led towards The Dockhouse. He pushed open the the saltworn door to the bar, entering the darkened interior.

The brownrider stepped aside for a moment, dark eyes raking the tables and the bartop. He was looking for the Terlgari greenrider and then saw him, looking towards another table. M'sella stepped aside and then turned to P'nset, eyes still on the man. "That him?" He murmured, needing confirmation. After all, he'd just met a whole gathering of people. He wanted to make sure he wasn't seeing their faces in normal, everyday people.

[Omnia Munda]

G'tet had been speaking to a woman, it was true, but now 'Rosie' was winding amongst the barroom's tables, taking and delivering orders. G'tet was on his own.

For a moment, anyway. Shonn and his likely-son conferred quietly, the latter still keeping half an eye on the greenrider by the bar who'd bought their table its latest round. Then the elder was getting to his feet, slapping a couple of men on the shoulders and pointing across those shoulders to direct their attentions to his look-a-like. Evidently this signaled the end of their makeshift meeting, for as the captain left the table several other men did as well. Those that remained were those who'd been shoulder-clapped and two more, and they tightened the arrangement of their seats around Shonn's junior and attended very seriously to what he had to say to them.

Shonn, for his part, was attending very seriously - even apprehensively, by the narrow of gray eyes and tightness of beard-framed mouth - to G'tet. The captain's gait was wide and slow, but it carried him fast enough to the barstool beside the stranger. He stared at the man a long moment, then gruffly asked, "Yes?"

It was at that moment that the freckled, brown-eyed barkeep took note of even more strangers in her bar and raised a wave to the various groupings of S'gur, P'nset, M'sella, Th'ane and Aleda. "Make yourself at home, sirs and ma'am," she called out, though it sounded more like 'May korselome, sirzamam.'

The next sound she made was that of breaking glass. She'd dumped her tray and three empty pint glasses had slipped right off onto the floor at her feet, and even so she hardly stepped back from the treacherous mess. There was a silence that lasted only as long as the staring of the bar's patrons; what they saw was a bunch of newcomers, among them a guy who looked a bit like their barkeep - S'gur - and a bunch of broken glass.

Safe in the knowledge it wasn't their obligation to clean up, sailors and dockhands and all the rest went back to their talk and drink - and Rosie, so her 'pa' called her, turned in a whirl of skirts to flee for the back room.

[Invisible]

It was hard for G’tet to not do something. He really wanted this to be over and done with so he could get home. When he had agreed to this mission he had not expected to be sent so far away from home. Some of that tension caused his shoulders to tighten and he wondered if he shouldn’t have gotten himself a drink as well. Too late for that now. While waiting for Shonn he made note of the others arriving, but didn’t so much as wave to them. They would see him. “Ah, sir!” the greenrider greeted Shonn with when the other man sat down.

“I spoke with your niece and she said you are the man to come to for information,” he began. Perhaps he ought to have made small talk, but he sensed the man might appreciate someone getting right to business. “I need to know about the skipper of the Windtoss, captain. I can offer some small payment if it would make this easier. And if that’s an insult I’ll just let you hit me right now before we begin.” His smile was charming as he ended and waited to see if Shonn would speak. Or punch him.

[Alsivor]

"There's G'tet," Aleda pointed out to Th'ane and without waiting on acknowledgement from the bronzerider, slipped away towards the greenrider, placing her feet carefully as glass shattered and the floor itself in general didn't seem all that clean.

A moment later, she was drawing up to the table where the captain and the greenrider spoke and she brazenly draped an arm across G'tet's shoulders and leaned into him, flashing the seacrafter a bright smile. "Everything all right?" she asked G'tet with a little lift of her chin and a toss of her braid over her shoulder. It wasn't really in her to look like a simpering idiot over the greenrider, but she made a stab at least at appearing girlfriend-like and hoped Th'ane wouldn't get his panties in a twist.

[neopanther]

He winced slightly at how the barmaid noticed them, but not so much the noticing of them but the notice given to them. The language was so colloquial, even with a thick tongue of Noestecan, he could barely make out that she meant for them to take a seat and make themselves at home. Shards but this was going to be more difficult than he had thought.

P’nset spotted the man and a few rather burly looking lads making their way over to G’tet, again he felt his heart sink a little, but it just stopped all together as Aleda made her way over to him, he gave a sympathetic look to M’sella, the poor man shouldn’t even be involved in this really. And yet here he was in the thick of it along with the rest of them. But P’nset had sharp ears, and G’tet’s foolery was not to go unheard. A small fee to ride upon the Windtoss? Shards.

The Windtoss? So that man was the captain of a boat called the Windtoss, well that made sense, that was the reason they were there, however, he still did not see the appeal to sailing, he was very much a land person. Until he impressed, and then he became (slowly) a skyward person too, but the waves never appealed to him.

He gave a heavy sigh and went up behind Aleda, ‘backing up’ and providing a little support for G’tet. Even if he wouldn’t be caught dead in a brawl with these men, though he knew if one broke out, now he would be in the thick of it. Why was this all so stupidly difficult? Why couldn’t it just be easy, a simple event, their appearance solve a few problems and all was well again?
because young Panset, that would be far too easy, you sound like a hatchling and not P’nset my one.[/i] The brown spoke of his bonded with his child’s name. Highlighting the fact that P’nset was not quite his regular level headed self here but thought with the mind of a child.
Perhaps I do, but I feel much out of my depth here.
The only one who seems to thrive here is Kalpeth’s.
G’tet? A fool like himself can trick a court into believing he is a lank minded man when he is far beyond their minds. I do oft wonder about him.[/i] P’nset returned to Sarjenth, his thoughts sombre as she turned his attentions to the captain and the men who were likely his crew, as he mentally cursed himself for being placed into this situation. But G’tet was one of his kinsmen at this moment, and he would treat him as though he were a member of Frost Wing, with their tight knit structure. And he would never let one of his own sink in the company of a sailor.

[Omnia Munda]

Shonn's expression was doubtful at best, and as G'tet made his offer to be punched in return for an insult, the captain's brows sank over already troubled eyes. He raised a big hand to his chin and rubbed it, a thoughtful rumble quiet in the back of his throat - but even as his jaw dropped in preparation for words, the focus of his gaze shifted past the greenrider's shoulder. Shonn's brow furrowed even more.

Aleda and the others were standing there. It was the woman the captain looked over first, his expression more skeptical and anxious than appreciative. He took in the riders, too, and perhaps the fact that they were riders registered in his mind, for after a moment he dragged his hand down from over his mouth and muttered, "Sirs."

His attention came back to G'tet then, and when he spoke at last there was something faintly accusatory about his tone. Nevertheless the words came with a shrug, foisting false indifference off on the man who'd asked after the Windtoss' man: "Varney's business is no business of mine. 'Less you want to know his grounds, I'll tell you owt I can, and you keep your marks."

A reluctant and defensive glance around at those who'd come to back up G'tet included them in this offer, too.

[Invisible]

“Everything’s fine now that you’re here, darlin’,” G’tet drawled with a wink at Aleda. “Aleda, meet Captain Shonn. I met his charming niece who told me he could help us out.” He patted his lap like he meant her to sit, but did so with a laugh to show he was merely joking. “Captain, this is the incomparable Aleda who has graciously agreed to assist me on my mission.” The others, well, if they joined them they could get an introduction. Otherwise he tried not to appear so en masse and scare off the man he was talking to.

When Shonn spoke again G’tet had a grin for the older man. “I have some business to deal with him. I was hoping for a little insight into him before locating him. Anything you can tell me however might be of use.” He leaned forward so he might lower his voice. “A fool I may appear, sir, but I assure you our mission is of the gravest sort. We seek to prevent a great wrong. Any help at all will leave me forever in your debt.”

[Alsivor]

A winning smile flashed brightly across Aleda's face and she leaned into G'tet a little more, then laughed at the pat to his lap. He might've been joking, but she took him up on the offer after extending a hand across the table to the Captain. "An honor to meet you, Captain." And then she let G'tet do the talking, for now. Listening to how G'tet stated their case.

She nodded with a very grave look on her face to underscore the greenrider's words. "Very serious," she said softly, and looked across the table at the seaman steadily. "Our gratitude for your aid would be great." From where she sat, Aleda could not easily see the others, so her focus remained on the table's occupants.

[neopanther]

P’nset frowned slightly, G’tet failed to introduce him, fine, if the rider would be such a way, P’nset would introduce himself, “I, Captain Shonn, am P’nset. It is a pleasure I’m sure,” He was tempted to add a comment about G’tet’s lack of introduction but silenced his tongue, reminding himself that he aimed for a similar comradely attitude to that of his home wing. Shards but he didn’t feel he would miss them so. Very obscure it was too.

He let Aleda, and G’tet speak not overly concerned by the subject matter – though he was curious as to where this was eventually going to lead. “We are grateful for your help sir.” He said, silencing himself again, feeling that it really wasn’t his place to be talking right now, he might be the oldest person present, but it made him feel less significant if that was at all possible.

[Omnia Munda]

Shonn's mouth tightened by an increment more, it seemed, for each stranger (well, recently-introduced acquaintance) who spoke. He did have a civil-enough nod to offer Aleda, and another for P'nset, but it was G'tet - leader by quantity and content of words, at least - the captain's gaze came back to in the end. It was a narrow gaze.

"You three," he said quietly, unfolding a finger from the crook of his elbow to take in each of them with tiny but jabbing points. "With me. I'll captain no vessel but my own. You can ask the man himself."

Shonn jerked his chin upward, eyeing the three who'd spoken sidelong for just a second before he stalked past them toward the door, leaving them to follow as they would.

He led them out into the bright of the wharf again, and from there downdock toward the ships that rested on the lapping waves, waiting for the all-clear to sail.

[Invisible]

When P’nset spoke G’tet was more than content to sit in silence. It wasn’t every day a good looking woman sat in his lap during conversation after all. He had an easy smile for Shonn even with that narrowed gaze leveled at him. When the captain spoke he nodded his head at the man. “You’re a wise man, Shonn. I appreciate your help.” He could not rise as quickly as the captain, but he extended an arm so Aleda might take it to stand herself. Once she was up he would stand as well.

As they made their way outside he spoke to Kalpeth. Beauty? Tell the others P’nset, Aleda, and I go to speak to the captain of the ship. I will keep them informed. If things go well we should be on our way home soon. If not- Well, tell them I have a plan for that as well. Does the plan involve food? I am very hungry. I do not like fish. They are very tiny. Poor Kalpeth the landlocked dragon. I promise a real meal first thing when we return, Kal. He leaned towards Aleda to tell her, “Kal’s letting the others know where we go. I’ve got a plan.”

(OOC: Kalpeth would have told Josteth as well, Xinny. So, M'sella would know what was going on.)

[Alsivor]

With all that decided, Aleda took G'tet's offered hand graciously and slid back up to her feet, wrapped her arm around his. She looked back towards Th'ane had been and frowned a little to see he'd stepped back outside. Ah well. Nothing left to do but see this through. "Thank you kindly, Captain," she told Shonn and then shut her mouth to follow along. G'tet's words tipped her chin a little and she nodded at the murmur to her ear. Leaning back towards him in turn, she whispered back: "As long as someone does, I am able to deal with whatever comes next." And off they went.

[Omnia Munda]

OOC: anyone not directly grabbed by Shonn is welcome to come along; I'm just, honestly, trying to keep this moving

If Shonn was aware that the strange folk who followed him whispered amongst themselves, he showed no sign of it. Stoic, he squinted into the horizon out to sea, where the open bay met the sky. Off to the east - if any of them were inclined to look back that way - the darkness had lifted; threadfall was ended, or moved on. Back at the Hold, wounded and well alike probably were landing and, if the men M'tani had spoken to had listened, riders of all kinds were likely being hustled with uncommon quickness back to the Weyrs, their homes.

But down on the docks boats rocked on the waves, wood creaked and rope hissed and the footsteps of men echoed on the sea-worn boards. Sailors were returning to their ships, and Shonn seemed very much like just another one of them, anxious to head back to his livelihood - only it wasn't the Blond Baby he was leading them toward. The Windtoss towered ahead instead, its sails drawn in and masts bare. Even so the size of the ship was impressive. Shonn took one step into the shadow the vessel cast across the dock and, fists on hips, squinted up at the name painted across the prow. She was riding high, her bays and bilge likely empty.

"Ship like her makes good in open sea." The twist of Shonn's mouth betrayed an envy that his gruff, shrugging intonation could never aptly convey. "Varney's last mate said they'd been latitudes south of Ista's protection." The Baby's captain spat. He hadn't looked yet to see if the strangers had come close enough to hear what he was saying; perhaps he knew from their footfalls, or didn't mind doing his complaining in private. "He's looking for a new mate now."

A younger man, chin red from a recent shave he may not have much needed, hair wet and ears probably the same, walked too fast toward the ship's quarterdeck, but stopped, for no ladder yet hung from the gangway. Whatever crew remained aboard the Windtoss had secured her, and the lad - a new hire, maybe - was obliged to either yell or wait, and looked uncomfortably caught between such options.

Shonn took a quick once-over of the boy, then turned at last to face the Telgari he'd led. It was P'nset - perhaps on account of his name, since Shonn hadn't had G'tet's - the captain squinted at most. "You want anything else of this boat before her captain comes," he said very quietly, "Now's the time."

Perhaps he only meant that he was taking last questions, and planning to depart before Varney might catch him hanging jealously around his ship.