Distant Star - Log 02 - Tea Time

Distant Star - Log 02 - Tea Time

Viira arched a brow at that, "A lady's man, hrm? Good to know that, at least, stays the same across worlds." She laughed, amazed at this turn of events, "You keep some strange company Jack and harbor stranger tales. I should like to hear them - we love the story tradition." The Captain scratched her face, fingers bumping along her scar as she regarded him, "I think a 'Ship of Dreams' is in the eye of the beholder, much like beauty, my friend. I, for example, Captain one such dream ship. Storm Seed's reliable, prosperous, and peaceful. There's not much more you could ask for then that." She spoke of her own ship with pride as well. Rising then, she padded over to the door and paused, the sighed, "Spirits, boys. If you don't remove your ears, I'm going to do it for you." The scuffle of feet outside the door answered her words as a pair of youths scuttled around to the other side of a potted tree, Viira shook her head as she opened it wide, "Would you like more appropriate quarters, Jack, since you'll be our guest? And don't mind these two. If they get in your way, just pinch their ears." She smiled at them fondly. "Get. Go see what Merkesh wants of you today."

"Lady's man, man's man, man-about-town." Jack replied, with a faint tone of exasperation. "I have never met such a lascivious man in my years - and they have been many. Nor a more jealous man. Ah, the royals. They do as the please, it seems." Jack stood, shaking his head and stretched. "Ah, Ship of Dream, Ship of Dreams, she travels where there is Aether - and that is everywhere, Captain - of her own accord and no one else's. To step outside the binding laws of the Berths is a blessing indeed. Does, however, make many a man want their greedy mitts at the helm, mark me." He turned to regard her face on, shoulders slumped even when standing, eyes half-lidded. "You ship looks shape enough, ma'am, but a tad too large for the likes o' me. I'm a simple man, all things wanting, and all I need is a home in the stars..." He trailed off as if that were not -quite- all he wanted, but did not elaborate. Viira then turned on a couple of eavesdroppers and Jack shrugged a shoulder towards them, hands slipping into his deep pockets. "See, that there, s'why I don't keep crew in the flesh. I can tell a tale or two - never had a tongue for makin' them silver, but if you've an ear to listen, I'll talk."

"Remember my world is not yours. These eyes have not seen a star up close, only navigated by their light alone. I've never even flown." She smiled, reminding him that she knew not the rules and bounds of the places he called home. She was Korinthian not Star-Farer. "If I planned to speak to you of things that could brook no eavesdropping, I'd have interviewed you in my personal office." She replied, a glimmer of mirth in her eyes. This had been a test and he had passed well enough. "Then we shall talk. It's near time for the midday repast, I believe, would you like to join me after we get you settled?" She'd noted the way he'd trailed off but hadn't pressed, figuring if he wanted to talk, he'd talk - he didn't strike her as the type to easily bow before pressure, friendly or not. Viira stepped out into the sunlight then and waited on him, head tilted to the side expectantly.

Jack shrugged. "I can stay in your quarters, if you'd like it, I don't need much - so long as I have access to The Good Ship Ptarmigan, when I need it." He paused, and stepping out through the door looked at her with a sidelong glance. "Would you, uh...like to see her? Step in and have a gander at some point?" He tapped a boot toe against the wood of the deck and then stepped up flush with her. "I'll join you, if there's an invitation to do so." He looked her straight in the face, eyes clear for a moment, the hoodedness and drooped lids lifted for a moment. His were the tumultuous grey of storm clouds, piecing as a hawk's old as dust.

Viira shot him a sidelong glance, wondering if he meant that as a smooth line or an earnest remark... or both, and shook her head, "I'm sorry but I share my quarters with none. I'm sure you understand, but access to Ptarmigan is available - though you'll have to figure out a way to get there if you're not fond of shimmying along lines." The Captain nodded at his invite, "That would be appreciated, I'm curious to see what sorts of things you've got hidden away in there. Is it all metal and glass?" She frowned a little, certain such an environment would be difficult to tolerate let alone live in. When he met her gaze, hazel eyes did not look away and held his with the easy confidence borne of self and station, "There is indeed an invitation. This way." She gestured for him to follow her as she started towards a flight of stairs wide enough seven men could walk abreast. The governing body's quarters and meal rooms were located on the upper decks, close to work stations. The officers they passed all saluted her as she passed and she smiled or nodded to each of them. Finally she stopped before an empty room and opened the door into spacious quarters. "This is where you’ll sleep, I think, there is a wash basin, a mirror, a chest of drawers - it's bolted down, don't try to move it - and a bed near the window. This high up, you're afforded a pleasant view." She stepped in to inspect it, then turned her appraising gaze on Jack, "This is the Officer's Wing, three levels below the Bridge. My quarters are in the level above, along with my Second's. If you need anything, ask one of the Officers and if it's pressing, send word to me directly."

Jack's eyes grew a tad wide at her response and he opened his mouth for a moment, at a loss for words. "Your...your as in your ship, Cap'n, not your personal quarters." Jack was silent for a moment and then he added, quietly but very clearly, eyes lowered. "I am not an unfaithful sort of man." He cleared his throat, his posture unintentionally straightened, before he hunched back into himself and followed in her footsteps. He pushed a hand into his hair and replied, a wry tone in his voice. "I can promise I won't be showin' you what's hidden away, but you'll see her organs and works. And no, she's made of metal and wood and velvet and glass and gas and clockwork...and who knows what all else. A fine houseboat, she is..." He trailed off as they arrived at the room he'd be occupying. He stepped in, hands still in pockets, and slowly, in bow-legged clumsy steps turned about in a circle looking around. "Not much different from my own quarters, a'tall, Cap'n. Much obliged." He turned his head towards her, the rest of him facing the window. "How long have I until tea?" He asked curiously.

Viira had chuckled at that, strangely amused by the reaction her words had garnered, "Nor am I. Relax sailor. Secrets and more secrets. We all have them; I suppose I'll make do with the wonders of a levitating boat." She quipped, far more interested in the ship itself then in digging in to his personal treasures. At the question, she leaned over a bit to eye the sun's position and shrugged, “Half a candlemark or so - it won't be long. I doubt we’ll have tea, however... I'll see if the cook's got some stashed somewhere. It's a luxury, you see. Doesn't keep well in the sea air and water's too precious to waste on vanities like that." Viira glanced at the ceiling as she tried to recall the last report regarding supplies and stores but couldn't remember anything about tea.

Jack grinned at that. "Tea, as in the evening meal, not the beverage. Mind you, I wouldn't say no to a good cuppa. Shall I bring some over from the Ptarmigan and some fresh water for you? I have a few barrels I won't miss. Passed close enough to a comet a month or so ago that I've got plenty." He grinned again, a crooked, rakish expression that made him look decades younger. "How's that for a contribution to the evening meal?"

She blinked, "You have tea? And water to spare?" In a society of sailors and a world short on fresh water, such a gesture was hardly the kind of thing she expected. Some would fight over a barrel or two. Still, she wasn't about to naysay a gift and nodded, eyes alight with simple pleasures, "I think that would be a grand introduction, if you don't mind brewing some for the staff. And evening meals are always taken when the sun touches the horizon, so you've nearly half a day yet. Morning meals are taken when the watch bell tolls six." The latter was added after a moment's thought. Tea would certainly be a treat - she couldn't remember the last time she had a cup.

Jack nodded absent-mindedly, fishing about in his pocket. "I'll need to bring over my Tea Service then, one mo..." And without ado he produced a skeletal chartreuse glass lantern many times too big to have fit in his pocket. From the other pocket he produced a small assortment of glass vials, and after a moment's inspection of them, selected one which he screwed into the top of the lantern and put the rest back into his pocket. The Lantern sprang to brilliant light and he gave a quick, proper salute to the captain and cranked the handle on the lantern. The chartreuse light grew, filling the room to a point of painful brightness, then it faded away again to reveal Jack unscrewing the now glowing vial which he popped back into his pocket, and replaced it with a separate vial already alight. He screwed this one into place and cranked the handle again. A repeat of the brilliant light, but this time, when it faded, Jack was gone.

"Wait. What did you mean comet?" As far as she knew, those were burning streaks of light and nothing more. But before she could have an answer, Jack had pulled a lantern from somewhere, confusing the Captain since she'd not seen where he'd stashed such a large object - or the vials - and with a couple flashes was gone. Left standing in the room stunned, it took a moment for her shake herself into action and strode out the door with long, purposeful steps to look one way then another. A few people were already half running towards her - they'd seen the flashes - and paused in confusion as Viira looked past them then asked if they'd seen Jack pass by. Cursing under her breath, the Captain ran a hand through her mane of hair and sighed, tucking that knowledge away for later. Jack appeared to be some sort of mage as well... and she didn't trust them. The only magic-wielding individual she spent any amount of time with was the ship's Shaper. Eyes narrowed, she set a guard on the door and padded away, headed back up to the Bridge where she'd better be able to direct things, starting with a sweep to locate Jack.

A moment after he'd disappeared Jack flashed back into existence, in the room he'd been assigned, and with him, was a full Tea Service trolley with enough porcelain cups and tea and a massive silver teapot to serve twenty men. He had two oak barrels of water on either side of his legs and a rather self-pleased grin in place - which fell a moment later when he found the Captain had left the room. "Where in Mystic's Blood did she get to so damn fast... I'd hoped she'd've had more curiosity than that...." Jack muttered half aloud under his breath. He shook his head, and holding the lantern aloft again cranked the handle to refill the vial he'd just emptied using it.

The guard at the door yelped and stumbled backward, sword half drawn before he registered Jack not with weapons or allies but with... a Tea Trolley....? Utterly baffled, the man shoved the sword home and stepped forward to eye Jack with an incredulous look, "Aah, Jack, I presume? The Cap'n went to the Bridge to organize a search. If you'll come with me?" Not entirely sure what else he was supposed to do with a tea toting guest who could teleport, it was the best thing he could come up with. Up the Bridge, Viira sat in her chair with a look of frustration. Reports had come back with no one sighting the visitor, leaving her to wonder where he'd gotten to in a flash, without anyone noticing. Drumming gloved hands against the smooth carved wood of the Captain's Chair, she waited for the notice that the search had begun on levels one through five when one of the communications pipes buzzed with something about a tea trolley and the missing man being found in his room. "... What?" She asked, exasperated, rising to go tap out her own communication with a short 'get up here now'. The sailor stepped away from the panel he'd buzzed the Morse code in to and frowned, "You're in trouble. Captain wants you on the Bridge ASAP. I'd take the tea, sir." Shaking his head, he started towards the ramps that lead up past the Captain's Quarters to the Bridge itself.

Jack nodded when his name was said, but raised an eyebrow as the man continued. "A Search? Blood! I said I'd only be a moment..." he grunted, shaking his head. He stuffed the lantern back into his pocket, where it impossibly disappeared. "In trouble! In trouble, I ask you? The man who comes bearing gifts of water and tea, and its trouble he gets, is it..." Jack was more amused than he was letting on, really. But he found their reaction just a little over the top. He'd been gone less than a minute, and everyone was combing the ship for him? Really? Well, to be fair... No, thinking back on other situations he'd been in, this wouldn't be the first time....but still, it was hilarious. He watched the sailor rumbling along his dainty tea trolley as if it were a suspect and pointed to the barrels.” Oi! What should I do with these?"

"Ah, I'll get them..." He replied, quickly bending to heft one then the other to his shoulders as if that were the norm, "Where'd you go? If you don't mind my asking... Cap'n seemed right confused. You a magi?" The last was said with a bit of an edge as the sailor padded along beside Jack. When they reached the Bridge, Viira was standing in front of the archway, arms crossed and posture tense. It eased some when she saw the barrels and heard the rumbling of the trolley but that was neither here nor there. "Jack," she nodded to dismiss the sailor then focused her attention on the Star-Farer, "Blinding your host is hardly good manners. What sorcery allowed that?" Behind her, the organization of the sweep was being called off by uncertain and half amused Officers and pondered over by the men who'd been mobilized then dismissed. What was with the Captain today? The tea, however, caught much notice and while the sailors were better trained then to outright gossip, more than one exchanged curious glances. It was hard to be suspicious of a man come bearing tea and whom the Captain had decided to grant passage to.... though the tea was quite the interesting bit. Wealthy men indeed carried such things.

Jack was pleased that the man managed to heft both barrels as if they were empty, and happily took the trolley in his stead. "I went to my ship to get my Tea Service." Jack replied, with a tone that stated this as the most obvious thing in the world. "I'm no magi..." He replied, though his tone was more one of reverence. "I collect treasures, man." He said this as if it explained everything – and to one from Jack's world and time period it would at least be the start of an explanation. He made his way up into the bridge and pushed the long trolley to a stop. He was further amused by her irate posture, and could not fully suppress a sardonic smirk. "Blinding? Ah.... forgot that it has that affect if you aren't holding onto it..." Jack murmured, half-aloud. "It's been a while since I had company in the presence of such things, Cap'n. An oversight, truly." He sketched a bow and then rubbed at his chin thoughtfully. "As for sorcery, I don't believe it exists. I'm not sure what craft of Aether or Mystic art crafted it - I merely know how to use it. It captures a temporal place, Cap'n. When lighting up a vial, the lantern takes you to the location that light was captured from. The Terminus Lantern took me to my Ship, and the first flash you saw was me capturing enough light from my quarters to bring me back." He paused, stepped into a rather courtly pose, one foot forward, one hand tucked neatly into the small of his back, the other arm extended out beside him. "Here I am, in a moment's notice, as I had promised." He turned back to the trolley and lifted the silver hat of the teapot. "Tea anyone?"

Her frown deepened as he grinned and she arched a brow, the words that followed his apology a string of things that made little sense. You couldn't capture light in a vial and teleportation wasn't something a normal person was able to do. Grumbling, she waved him in, "Just be aware that the land-born magi are not welcome on my ship. They carry too much treachery with them." It was a subtle warning as she turned to face her ranking crew and found Merkesh with his hand raised already. She let out an exasperated sound and shook her head at him, "Really, Merkesh? Really?"

He shrugged, "If you were going to kick him off, you'd have done so without dragging him up here. We all know it Viira." The grin he wore was broad and handsome, as he strode up to meet Jack, "Well met. I am the Ship's Second, Merkesh." That he spoke to Viira by name rather than rank spoke volumes between them. He held out a hand in greeting.

Shaking her head, Viira regarded the rest of her crew with a 'might as well do this now' expression, "Everyone, this is Black Jack. He apparently finds this amusing, as does Merkesh. Tea's on him this evening - and now, if you fancy a cup." Not everyone stepped forward to give the odd man and his odd trolley a look-see but several did meander over, having followed Merkesh's lead. Viira stood to the side, watching, and pressed a gloved hand to her forehead. "Please don't let me regret this." She murmured, sensing adventure, if not chaos, was approaching swift as a squall.

"Markesh? The Assigner-of-tasks-for-eavesdroppers, if I'm not mistaken?" Jack queried, stepping up to offer a hand in greeting. "Black Jack Finnegan, Galaxy Lord of the Spheran Empire." He gave the man a swift look over, then turned to the trolley. He pulled the cork stopper out of one of the barrels and dipped what looked like an oversized dropper into the opening. "Right. How many of you are having Enterian Tea?"

"Ah, yes." Merkesh shook his head as he pumped the other's hand, "They ought to be scrubbing the galley's floor about now. And it's Merkesh - mrr-kesh, actually." Correcting the other's pronunciation, he then stepped aside to observe as well, "I would like a cup, if you please." Viira set a hand on her hip and watched as her Bridge was made into a Tea Party and couldn't help the laugh that rose, "You know, on any other ship this would get them all probation and yourself thrown in the brig." Her comments were addressed to both her Second and Jack as she stepped up to take a cup but Merkesh stayed her hand with a glance. He would try the tea first and if it was safe, she would drink. Simple. Reaching instead to look at the porcelain, a poor cover of her pause, Viira settled her gaze on Jack, "If you teleport again, or use some other strange device, inform me prior, hmn?"

Jack squirted the clean fresh water into the silver teapot and with an ornate tinderbox lit the wick beneath the pot. He measured out three heaping spoons of a wide-leaf, deep cinnamon brown tea that had a sweet, spicy aroma that filled up the air around them as soon as he opened the tin. He set this aside as the water boiled and prepped three saucers and teacups. He looked over his shoulder at them as he prepped the service. "This is Enterian tea, from my mother's homeland. Many, (myself included), consider this the best tea in the universe. I do hope you'll appreciate it." The water boiled and he hooded the flame, pouring the tea leaves into the pot, giving it a quick stir with a long wooden spoon and then capping it. He flipped a pocket watch our of his belt pouch and kept it in hand as he counted the minutes for preparation. "You'll forgive me Captain, as I'm not yet sure what all I own counts as a strange device in this world. I will however warn you before using one of the Trove, as they are unique, even where I'm from." He flashed a quick smile at them and then tucked the watch away and poured out a little tester tea into a small drain pan. Satisfied with the colour and scent, he then poured three cups, and lifted two of the saucers up for the Captain and her Second to take. "Lemon, sugar or honey?" He inquired with youthful gentlemanly airs.

"Lemon, if you will." Merkesh replied with a smile as he took the offered cup and quirked a brow, "The Trove? As in a treasure trove?" He sounded bemused, "A gold-hunting star-man, hrm? It's good to know such things span across worlds. We have our own treasures, but nothing that captures light and teleports you elsewhere."

Viira nodded her thanks as she took the cup and wrapped appreciative hands about the warm china, inhaling the fragrance with interest. It was a complex scent and she was sorely tempted to taste it immediately, despite the usual protocol. "Lemon for myself as well, thanks. And the warning would be appreciated - no searches or offensives will needlessly be mounted then." She smirked, "Rest assured, Jack, all your devices are strange here. Intriguing, but strange."

Jack grabbed a fresh lemon from a box on the bottom shelf of the trolley and pulling a dagger from his belt neatly halved it. He cleaned off the blade with a damp cloth and sheathed it before deftly squeezing a bit of juice out into each of the three cups, and then offered the two remaining halves to the Captain and her Second. "This is the best way to have it this time of day." Jack sipped his tea and closed his eyes for a moment to savour it. Then he addressed Merkesh and nodded. "What else have I got to look forward to in this life than to chase after the unattainable? After all, I have proved over the years that with enough resources and enough will the line between what is attainable and not is only a matter of time..." Jack swiveled his glance to Viira and grinned. "I did promise, did I not, that I would show you my home, and thereby some of these 'strange gadgets'?"

Merkesh nodded at that, "Aye, a matter of time and chance. Though for the like of us, time is unfortunately against us. Luck must truly be with you for you to claim such intimate knowledge of such things." The ship's Second fell quiet then, pondering some private thought.

The Captain, however, was paying rapt attention, amused by the interaction between the two men, "You did, I will not deny that. Regardless, they are still fantastical whether I know their form or purpose or not." She laughed lightly, "I told you, I am no mage, nor engineer. The mysteries of contraptions and conjuring are hardly my forte." She savoured the tea at last and smiled, addressing both Jack and Merkesh, "Well, you know your quarters and now the bridge. He wants to track leylines for... some sort of powering purpose... like wind in our sails if I understand properly. He'll be staying until he's found what he needs." She turned from Merkesh to Jack then, taking another sip, "When did you wish to begin? And you have something to track them, in addition to our charts, right?"

Jack shrugged one shoulder back and gritted his teeth for a moment. "Aaaye. I do have a device to that purpose... But it is a temperamental treasure, and I'm afraid its capriciousness is what brought me here... So, I dare not try and use it again - at least not for many years." Jack sipped more tea and stood up a little straighter. "Though, I too am no mage nor engineer, Cap'n. So, we are on an even keel, there." Jack pointed out amiably. "I should like to begin as soon as I may, as I do not wish to disrupt things here anymore than I already have. Shall we do the tour first or after I am powered and ready to fly?"

"Which would better suit a tour meant to inform?" She asked, having nodded at his point. "I am most curious to see what you mean by Universes." Merkesh smiled at that, knowing full well the Captain was sorely tempted but knew the ship would hold sway in her heart. It always did, work before play... it was how she operated. "There is nothing pending that requires the Captain's immediate attention - just the usual reports. If you can spare the time now, you should probably go about the tour." Viira nodded at that, "Aye, things do change quickly..." She pondered the offer a moment longer, "How long will the tour take?"

"It depends on how much I need to explain." Jack replied promptly and shrugged for good measure. "You tell me what's strange and not, ask what you wish to ask, I'll explain what I can." He drained his tea cup and placed the cup down on the trolley. "What, will you not be coming, Mrrrrrkesh?" Jack purred, amusedly.

"No, I'll not be coming. The tour is for the Captain and she can handle herself. The ship requires someone at the helm, after all." He arched a brow, expression mildly perturbed at the purring of his name.

Viira caught that look and laughed, patting his forearm as she turned to Jack, "He'll watch the ship. You couldn't ask for a better Second than Merkesh." She drained her cup as well and set it down as well, "It shall likely be a lengthy visit then, with all the wonders your ship holds. It would be best to begin sooner so as to end sooner, I think." Glancing briefly at Merkesh then addressing the crew, she called for a summary report and a chorus of information answered her, mostly regarding the status of Storm Seed's Shadows. Satisfied with the update, she started towards the door, "Well, let's see this ship of yours. She has a name?"

Jack gave a perfectly shapely military salute to Merkesh, spine briefly straitening to full height and proving him to be much taller and lankier than he puts on. He listened to the chorus of replies the Captain requested and then turned with her to head back to his ship. "She does indeed, The Good Ship Ptarmigan is her colours. I am proud of her." He replied, his voice warming unusually as he smiled.

"As you ought to be, she's a fine vessel." Viira was mildly surprised he hadn't pulled out some other gadget - Jack seemed fond of using his various gizmos - she glanced out a stern-facing window to where the Ptarmigan was lashed so she wouldn't be left behind. "Though I'm afraid we'll have to shimmy over there unless they've lashed the skiff in the stern dock as well." She pursed her lips thoughtfully. It was a fair distance to the water and she wondered if Jack ever actually worked in rigging or anything similar... the Ptarmigan lacked anything similar to what her own ships sported. Padding down around towards a spiraling staircase, she continued, "How long have you Captained her? You said you don't have a crew, that she is her own crew... you'll have to show me that. And I imagine it gets lonely if there's no one to keep you company."

Jack glanced at her sidelong. “I could take you with me on the Terminus Lantern if you'd rather, but I was just planning on summoning the skiff and sailing up to her. Which would you prefer? The Lantern will be faster." Jack paused in the hall, awaiting her choice. Neither mattered much to him. "And, I'm no Captain. The Ptarmigan is registered as my dwelling, not of any fleet, and thus I'm no captain. I have a military title, but my fleet is long since destroyed and I no longer have any standing with the Empire since my patroness is long-since dead." He paused at that, and looked around, before lowering his eyes. "It....does, get lonely. It has been a long time that I have sailed alone. But...there have been too many who wanted my ship's secrets, or into my Trove, or wanted to claim my hide as a prize of some bounty to the Ogruns..." He sighed softly, but deeply heartfelt. "It is...simpler, to be alone in my house."

"Ah, the skiff, if you would." The response was fast - she didn't trust the teleporting light device, "It's a house boat?" Surprise flavoured her words as she glanced at him, amused, "You travel the universes in a house boat?" She gestured at the ship around them then, and shrugged, "I belong to no military structure, or fleet. This is a city ship, not a vessel of war. A Captain among the Korinth is someone who's able and willing to lead such a ship. There is no patron backing a ship. It's a mobile city, of which I am.... the mayor, I suppose, would be the appropriate term. At least, that's what the land-born called their leaders last." She shrugged. Ranking varied from country to country here, it obviously did as well with Jack's people. She paused when he did, turning slightly to regard him, a quiet smile upon her lips, "I want neither bounty nor Trove, but I understand. If your enemies are many, the only one you can trust is yourself. A pirate's life is a hard one." She seemed to speak from experience, with the way her eyes sparkled with understanding and past deeds remembered, "There's a reason the Korinthians are infamous on the continent, both fortunately and unfortunately."

"Oo...Pirate's a bit of a strong word, ain't it?" Jack asked, wincing. "I don't plunder people's ships. The majority of the treasures I've collected were retrieved from deep hidden places in the wastes or stars... I can honestly say, I have never attacked a ship and then plundered it." These were true words, but the unspoken was that Jack much preferred to sneak aboard and away with as little fuss as possible. "To the Skiff, then... Lead on."

"Apologies." Viira said with a bit of a shrug, "I didn't mean to imply that. Piracy, here anyway, is anything from plundering ships to plundering ruins... be it by stealth or spectacle. Treasure Hunters, if you will." There was a rumble of frustration at the definition - something the people of the land clung to, branding all Korinthians as Pirates out of social stigma. She lead the way down the stairs, passing by portals that opened up onto various quarters, the smell of cooking meals soon tempting and strong as they passed the Bridge's Galley. She stopped to peek in for a moment, hiding in the shadows so she wouldn't attract attention, and grinned, "A treat. They seem to have procured sea serpent for this evening. One of the Shadows was lucky." The scent was spicy and exotic, promising intriguing flavours for the evening meal. Continuing on, they stepped out onto a deck midway up the stern of the city ship, a broad area a few decks below the galley. There was a rope railing strung along the edge and several thick lines were anchored to the various holdings that lead out to anchor points on the Ptarmigan - lines lashed in whatever way they could manage with a floating boat of alien design. And, as luck would have it, the skiff was also nearby, pulled onto the deck and fastened to its own anchor point. "There we are. Good." Padding over, she began to undo the lines. No one was around to question them, thankfully.