Exalted Champloo - Episode 2 - "Like Spinning Plates"

[Tokiwong]

The Circle decides to make their way to the village where Temari lived. The fastest way would be boat, which the Circle is able to procure, or at least travel plans. The ship captain is an amicable soul a little old man with a wide toothy smile, missing only a few teeth.

His crew is small, and they all look related. Tanned swarthy skin, slight builds, and bright yellow hair, that is coarse and often worn in braids or dreadlocks, sometimes both. The Southern Sea is calm, the heat is reduced by the sea breeze. The coastline is in sight, and the ship is sailing at a good clip.

Dolphins, black and sleek in the water, follow the wake of the ship. The captain of the ship, Blue Fish, keeps to himself and does his best not to ask the Circle’s business. The crew is the same, very insular and aloof.

It has been 1 day of travel, with about four more to go before they reach their destination.

 

[Aenion]

Snow was relaxing on the deck, enjoying the cool sea breeze. She was a bit disappointed in the crew, not a single one of the men, nor women for that matter, looked the least bit attractive to her tastes. This was looking to become a very boring trip, at least the weather was nice. At times like these she almost missed the Blessed Isle and home ... almost. Well there were Alamar, Swallow and Temari, Alamar was too old, Temari was a bit young, Swallow was ... well maybe a bit soft. Besides relationships with circle mates sometimes made life a bit too complicated even for her.

 

[Tokiwong]

Snow was relaxing on the deck, enjoying the cool sea breeze. She was a bit disappointed in the crew, not a single one of the men, nor women for that matter, looked the least bit attractive to her tastes. This was looking to become a very boring trip, at least the weather was nice. At times like these she almost missed the Blessed Isle and home ... almost. Well there were Alamar, Swallow and Temari, Alamar was too old, Temari was a bit young, Swallow was ... well maybe a bit soft. Besides relationships with circle mates sometimes made life a bit too complicated even for her.

The cat girl nudges her head against Dancing Snow and sniffs the young exalt’s hair and clothes. She looks like she is looking for food, and does not seem too concerned at how she gets it, just as long as she satisfies the hunger in her stomach.

 

[KaintheSeeker]

Swallow leans against the rail on deck and lets the scent of the sea play over her as the ship moves. It was so differnet from the noises of the city, but she savored it. There was that same sense of constant motion in play though. The rush and noise of something alive and vital.

 

[Aenion]

Snow was watching Swallow from under her coolie hat, shielding her fair skin from the sun's rays. She had to admit the Southern woman had a certain alure, not often had she had the privilege of travelling with a woman of such beauty.

The cat girl nudges her head against Dancing Snow and sniffs the young exalt’s hair and clothes. She looks like she is looking for food, and does not seem too concerned at how she gets it, just as long as she satisfies the hunger in her stomach.

"Hey," she reacts a bit startled when the girl interrupts her musings, "What's the matter?" she gently strokes the girls hair, "Are you hungry?" she asks, rubbing her own stomach to emphasize the question, "I could use something to eat as well," she answers her own question, "Come let's see if we can find some food," she gets up, offering the girl her hand.

 

[KentArnold]

He smiled as he looked out over the water, chanting softly some old song about the sea and the allures of the women in it.

He glanced over and noticed Snow and the cat-girl. He chuckled before heading over toward her cautiously. It's obvious he's not been on a boat in a while as he hasnt gained his sea legs yet. At least he's not like two of the guards he hired, who are still green to the face.

"Its the charmed life we live, Snow. We draw exotica unto us. No matter what we do, we draw them to us. We also tend to draw in people seeking their place in Creation to us. Or so I've noticed over the years. It's almost scary at times, and I've been ..." he taps his mark, "like this for a decade now. There are still many mysteries about our role in Creation."

He leans over the rail, steadying himself, "I may look old, but ... I've still got the stamina of a man in his prime. Probably will for a long time to come. Don't judge me by my apparent age."

He doesnt seem upset about it, more making a comment. Apparently he gets that a lot. People judge him for the fact he looks to be getting on in the years. You'd judge him to be in his early forties, but he doesnt have any of the wrinkles or other signs of his age. His skin is smooth, very well tanned, no doubt from years under the sun. He seems more focused on clothing fit for travel than anything. No doubt if he put attention to his appearances more he could be quite handsome.

 

[Aenion]

Snow smiles at Alamar, "For someone so comfortable in his age, you assume a lot of what people think of you," she replies with a wink, "I have no doubt that you are still as spry as if you were twenty, maybe even more so. Exaltation does many wonderful things to the body."

"You may have noticed I'm not entirely new to this condition either, I may not have the years, but I had a very proficient and knowledgable mentor," she looks up at him, though the large red bamboo hat still hides most her face from view, she continues in a slightly lower voice, "I worry a bit about our other companions though, Temari should be fine, she can fend for herself well enough though she could use some education in more worldly matters. Swallow on the other hand, I am certain she is well educated on that front," she smiles mischievously, "But she is very vulnerable."

"Anyway, the little one, we should name her, she seems to be hungry and I could use a snack as well. Feel free to join us. Swallow we are getting something to eat, care to join us?"

 

[Shalimar]

Except for when she was playing wth the little catgirl, Temari had been silent since they had left the city. The huntress was grimly intent upon what they would find when they returned to her home. The fact that the Wyld hunt was after her and Alamar in specific, and not all of them pointed towards something going on at home, and she already felt guilty enough about leaving her mother and younger sister to journey with Alamar. She had left because she thought it would keep the two of them safe from those who were after her, but it seemed like she had caused them misfortune regardless of not being there.

"Snow, what can you tell me of the Wyldhunt? They seem to be after me... is there any advice you have to offer me? Offer us?" the girl asks, indicating Alamar as well.

 

[Aenion]

"Snow, what can you tell me of the Wyldhunt? They seem to be after me... is there any advice you have to offer me? Offer us?" the girl asks, indicating Alamar as well.

"The Wyld Hunt?" Snow seems a bit a uncomfortable by the question, it was the one thing she ... well of course she didn't fear them ... or maybe she did? "I've faced two Wyld Hunts so far, luckily only one was aimed directly at me. When the Wyld Hunt is after you, you evade them and you try to pick them off one by one. Fight them at your own terms. I believe those tactics suit you fine," she smiles at the young night caste, "If they catch on to us, my advice would be to stay behind me and put as many arrows into them as you can carry, personally I would even prefer you started doing that before they reached us," she adds with a wink before continuing, "And quietly hope Alamar has some useful spells to help us out."

 

[Shalimar]

"I wouldn't wish to allow them too close, but all the stories make them out to be fearsome heros striking down the menace of the Anathema... Are they as tough as the stories make them out to be? Are the as tough as us? Even tougher? I just wish to know as much about them as I can. Feeling like some's prey is not something that I am used to, or comfortable with." the young archer says as she goes below to help fix a lunch for the group.

"Is this what its always going to be like? Being chased by the Wyldhunt all the time? I think we're jst going to have to tell them to stop if they keep it up. Its not very polite after all." Temari says with a grin.