[It's a new day on the horizon in the lands of Malta! Well, actually, it's still the same old day, but it seems like it's been forever on this island.] [Supplies were bought, stories were told, annoying people were chased, and in the end, everyone manages to gather on the docks by their boat. Does the boat have a name? I don't remember if anyone decided on a name.] [Anyhow, cast ahoy and session start!] * Naiya is already ON the boat! She's making dinner! [Filis starts up the gangplank, taking one last look at the port behind her before making her way onto the deck of the boat.] * Shan wanders back to the boat, her arms folded into her sleeves. She was away doing something alone, but now she's back. [The breeze blows gently through the sails. It looks like a good day for sailing. Enzo already stopped off ahead of time and went straight to take a nap. But at least he's no Maverick.] * Naiya is humming something cheerily down in the kitchen-area. However grand that area is. * Shan heads onto the ship and checks to make sure everything's in order. [The galley, as some people who are actually on a ship call it, isn't too extravagent. But it works for what it does. And that's cooking stuff.] * Virgil adjusts his glasses now that things have settled down greatly. "Say, Shan. I recall you finding an amulet back there. If I may examine it, I'd like to study it for any magic properties or historical significance." * Shan checks the rigging and sails. "Not at the present, Virgil." You don't possess it at the present, are you saying? Or that you can't pass it over for the time being? The latter. Okay, well when you can, please do so. Letting a find like that go to waste unused or unknown is just plain a bad idea. After Chu-Linese specialists have a chance to analyze it, you may be allowed to see for yourself. We're a bit far from Chu-Lin. I don't suppose you'd allow me to analyze it before we reach Chu-Lin? * Shan nods. * Filis looks over at Virgil for a moment. "You truly think you can grasp something from such an artifact?" * Nasira comes walking up to the ship! She's wearing an odd cross between Maltan and Caladeem clothing: it's a lot like her old clothes, only the colors are primarily light blue and white, and it covers more. It's a bit tighter, too, but she doesn't seem to mind, as she's grinning all the way. Over one shoulder's a bundle, probably with more clothes. * Virgil smiles and nods. "Good. I'll share any findings I have with you if they're of worth... and even if they're not." [Shan is fairly certain that there is no problem with the rigging and sails. The ship is in fair ship shape.] * Virgil blinks and glances at Filis. "Of course I can find something. Any writings on it, any magic auras, and even the people that amulet was most dear to could prove invaluable in the search of knowledge." I appreciate that Virgil, but I was nodding in assent to your assumption. The talisman's importance does not escape me. I intend to have it thoroughly analyzed." * Filis glances at Shan and looks at her steadily, but refrains from replying. She then looks over at Nasira. "Successful mission?" Yup. We about ready to go? I was not saying you couldn't analyze it later. Nor was I. But for the time being, you're letting time it's been found decay against its being. By the time we reach Chu-lin, it could very well be worthless. Then we'd better get to Chu-Lin swiftly. And how do you expect to get there swiftly? By sailing, one would assume. Yes. One would assume so. * Filis blinks and looks at Shan. "So we are heading for Chu-Lin now?" Why're we goin' there, boss? * Nasira gets on the ship already. * Shan turns her head towards Filis. "I hadn't intended to return so soon, but Virgil makes a good point. I do need this artifact analyzed." I could analyze it, and I find it insulting that you don't believe I am capable of such a thing. I believe you're capable. However, this artifact could be important to the national security of Chu-Lin. It's best not left in questionable hands. * Filis looks at Virgil and steps back a little. Whoo boy. Artifact important to the national security? It was lying around. If it's important to *anyone's* national security, it's important to the people on this island. * Nasira shrugs to herself and lets them argue. She heads below deck to stash her stuff. I have reason to believe otherwise. And by not placing trust in those you work with, I clearly cannot place trust in you, or what you will do with such an item. How could I trust you? You've shown disrespect towards me time and again. * Filis looks at Shan and Virgil, then sighs and looks to Nasira somewhat pleadingly. "Let us just sail. We can figure where we are heading exactly on the open seas." And you show disrespect towards me time and again as well. This isn't your home. Nor is it yours. But regardless of where my "home" is, I have a responsibility towards my people. That is something you can't seem to understand. * Nasira isn't there! * Filis blinks. Where did she go? She heads after to find her. * Virgil shakes his head. "I actually understand it fairly well. I also understand that any bureaucracy of any nation as large as Chu-Lin would not allow the artifact to leave their possession regardless of its importance to your 'national security.'" And that in such a nation, those such as myself would likely be viewed with suspicion, fear, or anger for no real reason other than being different. I'm glad you see my point. Which is why we won't reach Chu-Lin before I have a chance to study the artifact, you understand. Although you haven't tried to earn trust, either. And I most certainly will, thank you. Oh, and how would I earn trust from one such as yourself whom never gives the opportunity to gain trust, nor shows trust in others? Ask Nasira about it. Although I can give you a head start: Spying on me isn't a good way to do so. (You have to be totally crazy and pull insane stunts that can get you killed as a matter of course.) I'll take that into account, but I was more concerned for your well- being without putting myself in grave danger. If you had been in a location I could discern, I would have set out to assist you. I find the thought that you would be concerned for my well being highly questionable. Why do you say that? Despite being rather condescending to me, you have shown that you can protect the ship, right here you can work the rigging after you've learned a bit, and despite our differences in personality and outlook, you are very observant and with a different viewpoint, can sometimes see things that we don't. Too be honest, I couldn't want any sort of harm to befall you. Except you're quite willing to risk my eyesight by expecting me to live in one of the poorly lighted cabins below, where I can only read and write by candlelight. However, even though you've said I understand where you're coming from, you don't seem to understand where I'm coming from. * Shan nods. "I gave up in trying that some time ago when it became clear you had no intention of honoring my culture. * Virgil shakes his head. "If you need light, I can provide it. If you need to write something, I don't lock the doors to the captain's quarter's or the map room. I'm usually busy myself pouring over the books and maps, though, so even if you did stay there, I would be in the room near-constantly. Also, I could see into making a better light source so that isn't a problem." The candlelight is part of the reason I wear glasses now, you see. * Shan finishes inspecting the ship. "All I've managed to learn is that Zaxons are only interested in their own well being and the well being of other Zaxons. They treat others as though they should conform to their own beliefs and are extremely rude to those whose traditions vary." That being the case, I find it hard to afford the same favor. * Virgil rubs his chin. "You may have some truth there. However, I don't know your culture, and you never gave any indication of teaching, or interest in learning my own." It starts and ends with honor. * Virgil nods. "Zaxon culture revolves around the church and continuing its beliefs. If you haven't noticed, even though I dress similar to a priest, I'm not terribly devout. Maltanese is pretty much every man for himself, which is an outlook I have developed out of necessity after leaving Zaxon." So, if you care to share aspects of your culture, I will share aspects of mine so we may find an understanding. Do we have a deal? * Shan nods. "Very well. I'm glad we've come to an understanding." * Virgil holds out his hand for a handshake. * Shan blinks at Virgil. What's a handshake? * Virgil thinks. "Oh! You take the hand and shake it as a form of agreement and trust in the other to fulfill the bargain. What do you do back home if you don't shake hands?" * Shan nods. "Ah yes, I remember someone mentioning that before." She shakes Virgil's hand, then steps back. "In my country, we would bow, showing trust and respect." She does so. * Virgil steps back and bows, standing up straight after. "So what's it like over there? Oh, we should cast off." * Shan nods and goes to do that. "Very dark. The sky is nearly always overcast, although it's not always raining. Chu-Lin is a mountainous country, I'm sure you've heard. Some of the views are breath-taking." * Virgil chuckles. "I hope that's not literal." I'm rather fond of breathing. * Shan smiles. "Not usually, no." * Shan checks everything one last time, and casts off. (Need to lift anchor, dood.) * Shan does that before casting off. Jeez, she's not stupid. (Lift anchor! Hoist!) * Shan gets to the wheel. "As a measure of trust, I will allow you to examine the talisman. However, I do wish to bring it to Chu-Lin at some point in the near future." [Shan lifts the anchor and HOW! The ship is ready to sail in half the time that wimpy old Nasira could lift it. Well, maybe not THAT fast, but pretty damned fast.] [Shan gets to driving the boat.] (I love that phrase.) * Virgil goes back to the map room to his charted course. "I respect that. Our next destination is Zaxon, and I don't see going to Chu-Lin will be any problem after we investigate why Filis wants to go to Zaxon. Does that sound reasonable?" [Forthswith and the islands disappear from sight slowly as the ship pulls away.] * Shan nods. "That is in line with my thinking." [So the boat sails off into the breezy waters! For adventure! And tired PCs everywhere!] [Session End.]