Parallel Lines

[Eluvan]

Vel seems rather amused by Celebren's measured tones, and smiles as he asnwers. 'A conversation? Well, I'm certainly not sure I'd go so far as to call it that. I tried to talk to her, sure, but I think I would have had a more entertaining dialogue if I'd tried it with a plank of wood with a 'you're-distracting-me' expresison painted on it.' He chuckles for a moment and seems to think carefully for a second. 'As for why she left... not sure I can help you with that. I went down the stairs ahead of the crew, and I guess she must have heard something from the deck because she was already standing and had this enquiring kinda look on her face. So I just mentioned that we had some troubles with a flock of birds. She didn't even say anything, just waved her hands around, recited some mumb-jumbo, and disappeared. I pretty much assumed she must have come up to the deck to help you, though I can't pretend I had much idea why. She was just a passenger like me as far as I know, I don't think she was getting paid.' He shrugs. 'Not being much of a serious spellslinger myself, I don't really know how teleportation magic works. Maybe she just... missed? Hmmm... wonder where she might be now then?' A mishchievous grin spreads across his features as he seems to mentally review a few of the possibilities.

Having been away perhaps a minute, Dresda returns to the deck looking more distracted and put out than ever. She leaves two bottles sitting on the rail of the poop deck, one obviously some kind of liquor, the other full of a light blue opaque liquid, and then quickly retreats to her cabin with a muttered 'Give the other one to Systar'. It seems that perhaps further complications have arisen, but the Captain seems ill-disposed to talk about them now. Judging by the subdued and almost awed mood of the crewmen, it seems that it is very unusual to see Captain Dresda displaying less than a total handle on any given situation.

((SS, can I get a listen check for Systar please?))

 

[ShaggySpellsword]

((OOC Listen (1d20+1=21)))

 

[Eluvan]

As he composes himself, Systar distinctly makes out a scuffling noise. It is very slight, and almost hidden by the low hum the airship makes in flight, but his sharp ears pick it out nonetheless. He cannot pinpoint the location exactly, but it seems to have come from behind him, towards the rear of the ship's passenger area.

 

[ShaggySpellsword]

Systar sits up and looks behind him, searching for the source of the noise.

"Who is back there? If you have hidden yourself from the flock of demon birds, my companions and I have delt with the threat, and it is safe to come out of hiding..."

 

[Zweischneid]

She didn't even say anything, just waved her hands around, recited some mumb-jumbo, and disappeared. I pretty much assumed she must have come up to the deck to help you, though I can't pretend I had much idea why. She was just a passenger like me as far as I know, I don't think she was getting paid.' He shrugs. 'Not being much of a serious spellslinger myself, I don't really know how teleportation magic works. Maybe she just... missed? Hmmm... wonder where she might be now then?

Absorbed in thoughts, Celebren repeatedly taps his fingers on the wooden furnish. With a resigned look, he sighs.
'Well I doubt we have someone on board who would be an expert on that kind of sorcery. But if Teleportation would indeed hold this sort of danger, it seems unlikely that Lady Samea would risk herself like this to cover a distance she could have walked in less than a dozend steps.
From your description, I doubt the maindeck even was her intended destination. But thank you anyways. At least now I can halt the futile search for the misported Lady Wizard that our companions are currently engaged in.'

His blue eyes fixed on Vel, Celebren looks up once more with a curious smile and afterthought.
'Say Sir Vel.. as we talk about destination. Where are you headed all alone on this trip...'

Blushing notably, the young monk quickly adds.
'if.. umh.. you don't mind that sort of question.'

 

[Eluvan]

Nobody replies to Systar's questioning, though the scuffling repeats.

Vel looks up at Celebren with a raised eyebrow and a smirk at the young monk's evident embarassment. 'Why, of course not. What could a nice young man like me possibly have to hide? I'm on my way out to the principalities. I have some... business to conduct there.'

Obviously, this sound suspicious. Given Vel's expression and tone, however, you cannot quite make out if he is in fact just stringing you along. Certainly he is not making any serious attempt to sound innocuous - quite the opposite in fact.

 

[DEFCON 1]

Massif shuffles quickly over to the railing upon which Captain Dresda placed the bottle of alchohol, and grabs it with his meaty hand. He yanks off the cork and up-ends the bottle into his waiting mouth... taking a long and satisfying slurp. About halfway through he glances at the others on deck and finally remembers a semblance of manners, and he tilts his head back forward and swallows however much he had in his mouth. With a wipe of his lips with his sleeve, he calls to the other mercs...

'Uh... did... anyone else... um... want some?'

If people looked into his eyes, they could see that Massif is hoping against hope that everyone says "no". The dwarf starts walking back to the center of the deck and makes a beeline for the door of the Captain's quarters, where Sorren had taken up his guard position once more. With an embarrassed half-grin, Massif holds out the bottle to the paladin in offering... but the long thread of drool that hangs from the bottle's lip may convince Sorren not to take him up on the offer of the drink.

'It's... uh... it's... good. A good drink... kinda. Actually... you probably wouldn't like it. It's very bitter. But... if you really want some... you can uh... you can have a sip... I guess. But you really probably won't like it. I can barely keep it down myself...

**URRRRRPPP**

Oh! Heh heh... excuse me. Sorry. So... you want some? Or should I just polish it off? I'll finish it if no one else wants any.'

The lopsided half-grin widens just a bit, and the flash of desire in Massif's eyes when he mentions polishing off the bottle is unmistakable. He takes up position next to Sorren (apparently having decided not to go downstairs to put his feet up after the paladin mentioned reassuming guard duty), and his grip on the bottle tightens as he awaits word from his compatriots whether or not he can finish his drink uninterrupted.

 

[ShaggySpellsword]

((OOC: Are there any tapestries, sheets, or blankets here? Is it shadowy where I hear the scuffling, or do I just hear sound disassociated with anything visual? Is there anyone else down here with me?))

 

[Eluvan]

((As far as I know nobody else is down there. Massif is being revolting with a bottle of alcohol. Sorren is being revolted by Massif. Celebren is talking to Vel. Digger is presumably still tagging along with Massif. The crew are all going about their business. The hold has no tapestries, sheets or blankets; however it does have two rows of tables and benches, which means you cannot see everywhere towards the back of the ship. Something on some of the benches might not be visible from here, being hidden by a table from your current perspective. At the very back of the ship there are some wooden cupboards built into the wall (kind of like lockers), presumably for cargo. You can't quite make out where the noise is precisely coming from.))

 

[ShaggySpellsword]

Systar gathers his strength and stands up, holding his bow in his left hand, his right ready to go for an arrow.

I suppose I better check it out...maybe one of those birds got stuck down here...

Systar walks toward the back of the room, peering over the tables back toward the cupboards, trying to identify the source of the sound.

"Hello? What...or who... is back here? I hear you."