Post by Madeline of the East Wind on Jul 18, 2008 13:30:32 GMT -5
Madeline is standing securely on the beach, knelt down in order to pet the calico Milly. She's barefoot again, today, and seems to be enjoying the feel of the sand against her stocking-covered toes. Dark hair whips about her face in the wind, and she lifts her green gaze to peer out at the ocean, scrutinizing it. It would appear that the elven princess has got some reservations about getting any anything that isn't solid ground. Never mind a ship bobbing on the open sea.
Sophie is always glad to see her friend Madeline, who was so kind to her during her recent illness. (Sophie is looking much better, than she has, no longer exhausted, though still a little too thin). Sophie sits down on the soft, warm sand, near her friend. "How are you, Maddie, my dear?" she asks.
Madeline glances beside her as Sophie takes a seat, offering her friend a slight smile, "Hello, Sophie." The princess makes an attempt to push unruly curls back behind a long, pointed ear before flicking her gaze to the ship. Somewhere on that ship - is her fiance. Vibrantly green eyes soon follow the path back to Sophie, however, and the smile brightens, "To be honest, I'm trying to figure out why exactly anyone would get on one of those crazy contraptions." She motions to the boat with one hand, her other hand still petting Milly lazily. When Sophie turns to look at the Calico Queen (if she does), Madeline scrutinizes her carefully. She seems pleased that the other woman is looking much better, but makes a mental note to make her eat something in the near future. A lot of something.
Tirla glided over the water, ebon gray wings keeping her well above the waves as she further explored the lands. Salt scented the air as blazing emerald eyes glance too and fro. After a while the woman wings her way to the beach, wings beating harshly forward to cancel her momentum as she comes in for a landing, accidently kicking up sand into the faces of Madeline and Sophie. The druidess winces as she tucks her curled brown hair over an ear, "I'm dearly sorry bout that, should have landed a bit further down the beach."
Sophie smiles on hearing the ship decribed as a crazy contraption. She relaxes on the beach, enjoying the sunshine. She lies down on her front, facing her friend Maddie. Her back is still very sore, from where dergious tortured her while she was a wolf. In response to Maddies remark she says. " I think those contraptions are only a necessary evil, a way of getting from A to B. But I know of people, who consider them to be fun!"
Madeline watches Sophie and shakes her head at her friend. She looks about to say something when the sand is kicked up in her face. She splutters and coughs and shakes her head to get the sand out of her own green eyes. When this is accomplished - or mostly accomplished - the princess looks up at the culprit. She lets out a soft sigh and shakes her head to Tirla, "Don't worry about it. Everyone makes mistakes." There's a hint of mischief in the elf's as she says, "But next time, I'd make sure to land a little further down if I were you." She winks amicably, before turning her head to check on Sophie. Only once she's satisfied the other woman is already, does she say, "Oh, so do I. My fiance, for one. It's because of him that I want to try one out. I want to be able to go out on trips with him." Her teeth find her bottom lip thoughtfully, "But being from a mountain tribe in Xalious, it's a little difficult to imagine myself on anything but firm and solid ground, to be honest."
Tirla pulls at her curls for a moment as her wings tuck tight to her back, well at least as much as they could, the outermost feathers still visible from the front. As she plays with her hair her fingers, in a disguised gesture, check the broadsword strapped between her wings, making sure it was a clear draw if she need it. She then dropped her hands and smiled upward, letting the cooler air play along her tanned skin as she jumps into the conversation, "I personally prefer the air, though solid ground suits me fine too," she looks out to the sea, "But I can understand how some whom are bound to the earth seek escape upon the seas when they cannot escape to the skies," she looks back to them and flushes for a moment, "My appologies, I do not mean to intrude."
Sophie smiles affectionately, on seeing the obvious concern for her well being in Maddie's Face. "I really am much better, my dear friend, I have much more energy, now. My back is sore from when some evil creature beat me, though one benefit of this accursed lycan state, is that I actually have only, a vague dreamlike memory of what was obviously a painful ordeal for the wolf within me." Sophie turns to the Avian, you are not intruding, my dear, come enjoy the sunshine with us for a while, we are consider whether on not to risk a trip in that 'contraption'. My name is Sophie, and this gentle lady is my dear friend Maddie."
Madeline seems soothed by Sophie's words for the time being. The healer in her demands that she check every inch of her friend's back to ensure she's truly alright. But the half of her that has common sense demands that she let the new-lycan be. She ndos her head slowly to her, before turning her head to peer at the avian again. Green eyes trail over the wings and the patterns the feathers create within the greater whole. During her silent appraisal of the wings, she vaguely hears Sophie and Tirla speaking. Tearing herself out of her reverie, she nods her head in agreement with Sophie, "You're not intruding, dear. Come and sit with us, if you'd like." Again, her gaze shifts past the beings there and settles on the Calico Queen thoughtfully. "I suppose it can't be too bad." She muses to herself, more than the other two.
Tirla bent strode over to the two, sitting down near them and leaning over, tugging at her boots, her ebon gray wings fidgiting in annoyance till the boots slide off and she can curl her toes in the warm sands. She leans forward, hugging her knees as she looks to the others. There was no hiding her broadsword in this position but she didn't care, "Its a pleasure to meet the both of you, I'm a druidess of earth and fire by the name of Tirla Stormraven," her eyes turn to the boat and a slight frown cants her lips before she shrugs, "Personally, it'd bug me till I had to get off, being surrounded by water, water is the oposiate of what I am, but that is me."
Sophie plays idly with a few rounded pebbles, that are lying upon the beach, the avian's wings remind her of her dear friend Hume. Hume is a dragon, he had done a great deal to help Sophie during her recent troubles.Even though dragons and avians look nothing alike apart from wings, the resemblance nevertheless, causes her to warm to the stange woman. I am a druid also, my friend and a healer, too.
Madeline shifts her gaze back toward Tirla and Sophie, listening to the two of them. She doesn't interject that she's a bard, or that she's a healer as well. Instead, she starts to stand up, moving a few steps back before she rubs the sand from her bum. The wind carries the fine granules away and shifts the princess' dress about her body. The hem falls just about mid-thigh, and the skirt flares around her legs. The straps are thin on her shoulders, and the soft pink color plays nicely against her skin. It looks like a silk-made sundress. Bare feet stalk over the sand as she moves toward the Calico Queen and her crew, eyes following a particular half-elf as he works on the ship. With a glance back at Sophie and Tirla, the elf flashes a quick grin, "I'm going to see what all the hoopla is about." That said, she starts to reach for the rope ladder.
Tirla watches Madeline as she moves to board the Calico, wondering why she wore such an elaborate dress. In the end she simply pegged the woman as rich and shifted to her feet pulling on her boots as she looked to Sophie, not sure if she'd follow or not. Her wings extended and she launched herself into the air, kicking up more of the sand. But instead of flying off a green glow slid about the avian's form, and it stuck to her clothes, spread out so it almost looked like glitter. Before Maddie reached the top Tirla landed on the deck, looking down at her and offering her hand to help her over the rail.
Sophie uses her druid's staff as a walking stick, to help pull herself to her feet. She grins widely in antincipation of another adventure with Maddie, and her new friend too, of course. She towards the ship, taking deep breaths of the sweet smelling sea air. She follows Madeline up the rope ladder, She is glad of Tirla's assistance to make it onto the deck, as her injuries are still a little painful, she climbs over the rail and onto the sun baked deck of the Calico Queen.
Madeline fumbles up the rope ladder. Her stocking-covered feet made the walk a little more difficult. Tirla's offered hand is taken with appreciation and she uses it as leverage to pull herself that last little bit over the railing and onto the deck. She slips to one side in order to let Sophie on, wandering about the ship slowly. She watches all of the crew at work with great interest, eyes shifting from one person to the next as she takes in all that they're doing. Her stomach weaves and bobs a little, at the sway of the ship on the water. A couple of deep breaths through her nose help her get through that, though, and soon she's leaning over the railing opposite to the one she climbed up - looking out into the ocean. She doesn't see, then, one of the crew untie the rope ladder. She hears orders being shouted all around her and assumes the crewmen are just hard at work doing....whatever it is that ship workers do. And then the ship lurches forward and Princess Madeline's entire face drains of color. She slides a gaze quickly toward where she'd climbed on, hoping maybe for a quick escape. No such luck there. Long pointed ears twitch as she stands there, against the railing, like a deer caught in a hunter's path. Boy, is she going to be fun on this trip or what?
Tirla strides over to the rail Madeline had taken to, putting her back to it and leaning on her elbows as she eyed, Sophie. She wasn't a professional healer, but she was a druid after all and knew when someone hurt. The woman though stood tall and proud, unlike her friend, whom upon noticing the ship casting away turned the lovely color of fresh snow. Tirla merely laughed and brushed a feather across her cheek, "These are the reason's I love being an avain, I can take to the sky as I please." she looks over, noticing another passenger leaning against the rail, a elegantly dressed man spewing forth his guts, "At least you aren't like him, his trip is going to be hell." One might wonder how she'd not even flinched when she boarded, but she rode the winds, the sea could not compare to the violent turns and shifts that went with that.
Sophie notices that her friend, Maddie is looking very pale. She is obviously very suceptible to sea sickness, as the sea is still very calm. Sophie reaches into her bag and pulls out an effective remedy for this form of sickness.(and many others). She hands the bottle of blessed water, to the poor elf, who is now looking really green about the gills."Drink a little of this Maddie, it will help you feel better." Sophie then turns to see how Tirla is coping with the sea journey so far. She is glad to see that the avian seems to be managing very well."
Sophie gave 1 Divine-Blessed Water to you.
Madeline manages to reach a hand out to take the bottle that Sophie offers her. It's a wonder she does, really, as her other hand is plastered to the railing. Her fingers are so tightly wound around the wood, that not only her knuckles turn white as snow - but so too do her fingers. She looks at the bottle, then shakes her head at Sophie, glancing toward the man that is throwing up over the railing. Tucking the remedy away into a bag she'd brought with her, she reaches for the railing with her other hand, turning it's knuckles and fingers white in increments as well. She searches for someone on the boat and finds him. Green eyes settle firmly on the working form of a half-elf and she finds some form of peace when he manages to turn and offer her a reassuring smile. Keeping her gaze steadily on the crewman, she speaks to Tirla and Sophie, "I don't feel sick. This is not a sensation that I am used to."
Tirla cocked her head and looked to the half elf before staring back to Maddeline, "I think you were sure it'd be a quick rip on and off the boat, but now you're getting more than you bargained for, and you're afraid." She looks out to the sea and wonders where they were going, she was interested enough by her companions to stay herself, even though all the water left her ill at ease. Her eyes turn to sophie and she nods her head, "What of you?"
Sophie is saddenend to see that Maddie refuses her medicine and is still looking unwell. She recognises Serai as Maddie's fiance, they have often met at the Hanging Corpse, Sophie gives the half elf a friendly nod. Sophie is feeling tired now, she still tires easily even though she has almost completely recovered from the lycanthropy fever that had such a terrible effect on her. Once she has made sure that poor Maddie is feeling somewhat better, She walks over to a large bale of cotton and lies out upon it. I seems very strange to her, not to have to remove her armour, before lyying down to relax. For years now, she has worn armour almost continuously as she trained hard to try and improve her skill in the fighting arts. Two days previously however, Sophie had, with good reason, decided to give up wearing armour all together for the time being. She had, on transforming into her wolf form, become entangled in her armour. The beasts frantic efforts to escape from the confining stuff had caused her to injure herself on the twisted metal. Thankfully these wounds are now completely healed since her visit to a healer. The marks on her back left by Dergious' magical razor lined whip, however, could not be so easily healed. The healer apologised for her failure in this area and told Sophie she believed it was due to her injuries being the result of a cursed magical weapon."What of you?" the avian asks Sophie. " I am not seasick, my friend" Sophie assures her. "Just tired, I need a nap I think."
Madeline slides a gaze Tirla's way, slowly. The ship is bobbing easily on the water, the sails aiding it in moving quickly toward the Island that is their destination. The Princess scrutinzes the avian before her brows knit into a frown, "I reckon you don't know enough about me to determine that I'm afraid." Through verdant eyes she watches as Sophie moves to lay down, keeping a close eye on her friend. She sees the sad look that passes over the lycan's face and passes her a reassuring smile, "I promise I'm not feeling ill, Sophie. If I start to, I will take the remedy right away." She hopes this soothes her friend's concerns. Long ears twitch with the wind, and she glances at Tirla again. Because her hands still grip the railing in a death grip, she can't raise them to brush the hair from her face, though that doesn't seem to bother her. She speaks to the avian as she looks out at the ocean, "I am not afraid. The ocean is not something that I am used to. I am used to the solid rock and earth of the Xalious Mountains - where there are no ports, and the sea is a distant thing talked about in the great stories told by bards." Though she doesn't seem to realize it - slowly Madeline's hands are loosening on the railing. She's starting to get more comfortable. And as she gets more comfortable, she gets more in her element. She is rather starting to enjoy the salty breeze against her skin. She turns her gaze solidly on Tirla, "You're judging me, based off of a few things you've observed. And I don't appreciate it."
Tirla looks to the other with concern, knowing a thing or two that might help but not feeling that it would be welcome, or her place to offer, so Sophie is given a soft nod before she turns back to Madeline, her smile growing as the woman seemed to loosen up a bit, "Fear is not something that should not be shown, nor is it a judgement, it is, only an observation. Fear comes in many forms some only slight anxieties, others so deep it freezes a person. As for truely judging you, every moment I spend with you I am passing a personal judgement, wether I like you or not, do you wish me to appear cold and unfeeling. No if I were to judge you as you imply, I'd use far different terms, besides, as you said I don't know you well enough to pass those judgements, but a hint of fear, that I can comment on." The woman seems relaxed the entire time, simply saying the thoughts that passed through her head and waiting to see how the other would respond.
Sophie falls asleep as she is rocked by the gentle swaying of the ship on this calm day, the sun warms the elf's body, as she lies a top the, very comfotable, bale of cotton. a few minutes later she is awoken by, a change in the motion of the ship, she finds that her faithful wolf friend, Mara has curled up next to her while she slept. She scratches the wolf, between her ears, affentionately. And continues to lie strecthed out, on the bale, enjoying the sunshine and the fresh sea air.(ooc Mara climbed up the gangplank, while we went up the rope ladder, she has more sense than us humanoids!)
Madeline shakes her head to Tirla. She doesn't seem to notice that one of her hands has come off the trailing to trail over her cheek - pulling curls back behind her ear. Green eyes remain trained on the avian the entire time she speaks, watching her with an eye suspicious enough to make even Tenebrae proud. Something the avian says has her shoulders pulling back, her chin lifting up. She looks so proud, the princess, her lips set into a firm line that grows thinner with every word more that Tirla says. When silence falls between them, she remains unspeaking so that she can contemplate her own words carefully. Words don't often fall from the mouth of the princess without much thought being put into them. A glance that could be considered motherly shifts Sophie's way. She's got an affection for the lycan girl, and a slight smile curls her lips as she watches her friend rock with the motion of the ship. She forces her attention back to Tirla, though, her smile fading almost as soon as it appeared. When she speaks, her voice is somewhat melodic and holds a natural lilting accent to it, "I do not believe in judging another being upon your first meeting with them." She raises her left hand (her right still holding onto the railing) in order to press her fingers above where her heart beats a steady rhythm. "My heart guides me where judgements guide so many others. Sven knows, if I judged people based on first meetings, I certainly wouldn't be surrounded by so many that care about me. Many that don't necessarily give the best first impression." She flicks her gaze to Sophie as she asks softly, "Isn't that right, Sophie?"
Tirla reaches up and taps her own head, "Mayhap I'm saying my meaning in too clouded a way. I'm not passing judgement on you, but every word, every action, I judge, I try and gleam a peice of knowledge from, most of those are kept in my head and I let time decide, I find that today I like you, tommorrow I might hate you depending upon what takes place between us. Know that I am sorry if I offended you." She turns and leans against the railing, there were reasons she spoke candidly always, letting words flow from her mind to her lips, "I have a tendacy to voice too much as some see it, but it is a flaw of mine, I hate lying, even veiling the truth lightly, everything I say, everything I do is the truth, and do not take that the wrong way please, I've had many accuse me of calling them a liar for such words," She looks back to madeline, "And thats why I know so few in these lands, many do not appreciate one that speaks the truth of what they are thinking all the time."
Sophie is touched to seen Madeline, once more casting a caring eye over her. She is very glad to have such a kind and loyal friend. On hearing Maddies question about the wisdom of judging people based on first meetings, she replies "Indeed my friend, it is, of cousre dificult not to make some judgement about people one has just met. I find is vitally important, to keep reevaluating your ideas about people, however, you may have been mistaken, or people may change for the better.When a first met our dear clan leader, Tenebrae, I was afraid of the strange Vampire. I never dreamed how I would come to trust her with my life, and be so proud and happy to be a member of her clan." Sophie hears Tirla apologise if she has offended, Maddie. "Don't worry my dear, she says Maddie has a gentle and forgiving nature, and she practises what she preaches too. She will not judge you on first impressions."
Madeline nods her head in agreement with Sophie, though her first meeting with Tenebrae was quite different than Sophie's. There was an instant kinship between the two women - though they were and still are very different from one another, "I believe that if first impressions were the basis of everything, our clan would not be nearly as interesting - nor would it be nearly as tight-knit as it is." She brushes her hair off her forehead as she turns to glance at Tirla again, offering a small smile, "We are very different, you and I." Her shoulders roll with a shrug, as if this cryptic message somehow explains everything. She slides her gaze out toward the ocean again, thoughts drifting elsewhere. She breaks her thoughts, finally, in order to glance between Tirla and Sophie. "Our clan -" she indicates Sophie when she says 'our,' "-is our family. They're the only ones, I believe, that can ever truly accept us." Her gaze turns more fully on Tirla, "There will come a time, I'm sure of it, when there are those that will accept you. Your strong sense of truth is not a flaw, it is merely a character trait. There will be others, along the way, that will value that trait. Be sure of that."
Tirla turns out to the ocean, her wings extending to let the wind whip through the feathers as she took some time to simply enjoy the sound of the waves and the gulls overhead, "Even if there is not, that is alright with me, I can find solace in solitude, sheltered among the wilds, I enjoy being accepted by others, but I also do not seek it." Her lips again still for a long moment before she turns to Madeline, letting Sophie have her rest, "Tell me of yourself, if you would, where exactly do you come from, what was your birth family like?"
Sophie heartily agrees with Maddies statement, "Our clan is our family! I would give up my life to proctect my clansmates!" she smiles warmly at Maddie, glad to see that the elf is looking much less seasick now.Mara stirs and licks Sophie's hand gently. Sophie puts an arm around the wolf, giving the creature a sort of half hug, without moving from her relaxed position. She watches a seagull soar gracefully through the air above the ship, the creature is so free and beautiful." She hears the avians comment, "I enjoy being accepted by others, but I also do not seek it." and nods, "That is a wise attitude, when it comes right down to it, the only person who one really needs the respect of, is oneself.
Madeline grins as Sophie agrees with her statement regarding the Cabal. That grin slips around the edges, slightly, as she listens to the two exchange sentiments regarding being alone and needing only oneself. This particular princess is quite social, and isn't sure she could handle having nobody but herself. She bites her tongue, though, and keeps those thoughts to herself. When Tirla asks her about herself, the elf glances at the avian, as if sizing her up. And then she nods her head affirmatively, as she starts to tell Tirla things even Sophie doesn't know about her, "I am the daughter of the Chieftan of the Hemlock Tribe, the largest and most influential tribe of elves along the Xalious Range. I suppose that makes me a Princess..." She trails off so that she can watch Tirla, see how she reacts to this.
Tirla nods her head to Sophie and lets her sleep as she listens to Madeline, watching her eyes intently as she spews forth where she was from, "Hmmm, Interesting, I hope you do not expect me to grovel and call you your highness."
Sophie is suprised to hear that Maddie is a princess. Not that it will in any way affect the already condsiderable amount of respect she feels for Maddie, she is just suprised that her friend has not told her this about herself. She is feeling too sleepy to carry on a conversation, at present, anyhow. In a few minutes, she is once more asleep. Mara lies next to her, loyally guarding her sleeping friend from any unknown danger there may be on the ship....
Madeline shakes her head to Tirla, leaning against the railing - finally looking fully comfortable. It would appear this first-time sailor is getting her sea legs. Or something like that. Her nose wrinkles across the bridge at the avian's question and she shakes he head adamantly, "Of course not. Not even in my kingdom, am I generally referred to as 'Your Highness.'" She shifts her gaze to where her fiance works along the dock, passing him a silent smile before she looks back to Tirla, "I think that's too stuffy anyways. I prefer to be called Madeline. Or Maddie."
Sophie is always glad to see her friend Madeline, who was so kind to her during her recent illness. (Sophie is looking much better, than she has, no longer exhausted, though still a little too thin). Sophie sits down on the soft, warm sand, near her friend. "How are you, Maddie, my dear?" she asks.
Madeline glances beside her as Sophie takes a seat, offering her friend a slight smile, "Hello, Sophie." The princess makes an attempt to push unruly curls back behind a long, pointed ear before flicking her gaze to the ship. Somewhere on that ship - is her fiance. Vibrantly green eyes soon follow the path back to Sophie, however, and the smile brightens, "To be honest, I'm trying to figure out why exactly anyone would get on one of those crazy contraptions." She motions to the boat with one hand, her other hand still petting Milly lazily. When Sophie turns to look at the Calico Queen (if she does), Madeline scrutinizes her carefully. She seems pleased that the other woman is looking much better, but makes a mental note to make her eat something in the near future. A lot of something.
Tirla glided over the water, ebon gray wings keeping her well above the waves as she further explored the lands. Salt scented the air as blazing emerald eyes glance too and fro. After a while the woman wings her way to the beach, wings beating harshly forward to cancel her momentum as she comes in for a landing, accidently kicking up sand into the faces of Madeline and Sophie. The druidess winces as she tucks her curled brown hair over an ear, "I'm dearly sorry bout that, should have landed a bit further down the beach."
Sophie smiles on hearing the ship decribed as a crazy contraption. She relaxes on the beach, enjoying the sunshine. She lies down on her front, facing her friend Maddie. Her back is still very sore, from where dergious tortured her while she was a wolf. In response to Maddies remark she says. " I think those contraptions are only a necessary evil, a way of getting from A to B. But I know of people, who consider them to be fun!"
Madeline watches Sophie and shakes her head at her friend. She looks about to say something when the sand is kicked up in her face. She splutters and coughs and shakes her head to get the sand out of her own green eyes. When this is accomplished - or mostly accomplished - the princess looks up at the culprit. She lets out a soft sigh and shakes her head to Tirla, "Don't worry about it. Everyone makes mistakes." There's a hint of mischief in the elf's as she says, "But next time, I'd make sure to land a little further down if I were you." She winks amicably, before turning her head to check on Sophie. Only once she's satisfied the other woman is already, does she say, "Oh, so do I. My fiance, for one. It's because of him that I want to try one out. I want to be able to go out on trips with him." Her teeth find her bottom lip thoughtfully, "But being from a mountain tribe in Xalious, it's a little difficult to imagine myself on anything but firm and solid ground, to be honest."
Tirla pulls at her curls for a moment as her wings tuck tight to her back, well at least as much as they could, the outermost feathers still visible from the front. As she plays with her hair her fingers, in a disguised gesture, check the broadsword strapped between her wings, making sure it was a clear draw if she need it. She then dropped her hands and smiled upward, letting the cooler air play along her tanned skin as she jumps into the conversation, "I personally prefer the air, though solid ground suits me fine too," she looks out to the sea, "But I can understand how some whom are bound to the earth seek escape upon the seas when they cannot escape to the skies," she looks back to them and flushes for a moment, "My appologies, I do not mean to intrude."
Sophie smiles affectionately, on seeing the obvious concern for her well being in Maddie's Face. "I really am much better, my dear friend, I have much more energy, now. My back is sore from when some evil creature beat me, though one benefit of this accursed lycan state, is that I actually have only, a vague dreamlike memory of what was obviously a painful ordeal for the wolf within me." Sophie turns to the Avian, you are not intruding, my dear, come enjoy the sunshine with us for a while, we are consider whether on not to risk a trip in that 'contraption'. My name is Sophie, and this gentle lady is my dear friend Maddie."
Madeline seems soothed by Sophie's words for the time being. The healer in her demands that she check every inch of her friend's back to ensure she's truly alright. But the half of her that has common sense demands that she let the new-lycan be. She ndos her head slowly to her, before turning her head to peer at the avian again. Green eyes trail over the wings and the patterns the feathers create within the greater whole. During her silent appraisal of the wings, she vaguely hears Sophie and Tirla speaking. Tearing herself out of her reverie, she nods her head in agreement with Sophie, "You're not intruding, dear. Come and sit with us, if you'd like." Again, her gaze shifts past the beings there and settles on the Calico Queen thoughtfully. "I suppose it can't be too bad." She muses to herself, more than the other two.
Tirla bent strode over to the two, sitting down near them and leaning over, tugging at her boots, her ebon gray wings fidgiting in annoyance till the boots slide off and she can curl her toes in the warm sands. She leans forward, hugging her knees as she looks to the others. There was no hiding her broadsword in this position but she didn't care, "Its a pleasure to meet the both of you, I'm a druidess of earth and fire by the name of Tirla Stormraven," her eyes turn to the boat and a slight frown cants her lips before she shrugs, "Personally, it'd bug me till I had to get off, being surrounded by water, water is the oposiate of what I am, but that is me."
Sophie plays idly with a few rounded pebbles, that are lying upon the beach, the avian's wings remind her of her dear friend Hume. Hume is a dragon, he had done a great deal to help Sophie during her recent troubles.Even though dragons and avians look nothing alike apart from wings, the resemblance nevertheless, causes her to warm to the stange woman. I am a druid also, my friend and a healer, too.
Madeline shifts her gaze back toward Tirla and Sophie, listening to the two of them. She doesn't interject that she's a bard, or that she's a healer as well. Instead, she starts to stand up, moving a few steps back before she rubs the sand from her bum. The wind carries the fine granules away and shifts the princess' dress about her body. The hem falls just about mid-thigh, and the skirt flares around her legs. The straps are thin on her shoulders, and the soft pink color plays nicely against her skin. It looks like a silk-made sundress. Bare feet stalk over the sand as she moves toward the Calico Queen and her crew, eyes following a particular half-elf as he works on the ship. With a glance back at Sophie and Tirla, the elf flashes a quick grin, "I'm going to see what all the hoopla is about." That said, she starts to reach for the rope ladder.
Tirla watches Madeline as she moves to board the Calico, wondering why she wore such an elaborate dress. In the end she simply pegged the woman as rich and shifted to her feet pulling on her boots as she looked to Sophie, not sure if she'd follow or not. Her wings extended and she launched herself into the air, kicking up more of the sand. But instead of flying off a green glow slid about the avian's form, and it stuck to her clothes, spread out so it almost looked like glitter. Before Maddie reached the top Tirla landed on the deck, looking down at her and offering her hand to help her over the rail.
Sophie uses her druid's staff as a walking stick, to help pull herself to her feet. She grins widely in antincipation of another adventure with Maddie, and her new friend too, of course. She towards the ship, taking deep breaths of the sweet smelling sea air. She follows Madeline up the rope ladder, She is glad of Tirla's assistance to make it onto the deck, as her injuries are still a little painful, she climbs over the rail and onto the sun baked deck of the Calico Queen.
Madeline fumbles up the rope ladder. Her stocking-covered feet made the walk a little more difficult. Tirla's offered hand is taken with appreciation and she uses it as leverage to pull herself that last little bit over the railing and onto the deck. She slips to one side in order to let Sophie on, wandering about the ship slowly. She watches all of the crew at work with great interest, eyes shifting from one person to the next as she takes in all that they're doing. Her stomach weaves and bobs a little, at the sway of the ship on the water. A couple of deep breaths through her nose help her get through that, though, and soon she's leaning over the railing opposite to the one she climbed up - looking out into the ocean. She doesn't see, then, one of the crew untie the rope ladder. She hears orders being shouted all around her and assumes the crewmen are just hard at work doing....whatever it is that ship workers do. And then the ship lurches forward and Princess Madeline's entire face drains of color. She slides a gaze quickly toward where she'd climbed on, hoping maybe for a quick escape. No such luck there. Long pointed ears twitch as she stands there, against the railing, like a deer caught in a hunter's path. Boy, is she going to be fun on this trip or what?
Tirla strides over to the rail Madeline had taken to, putting her back to it and leaning on her elbows as she eyed, Sophie. She wasn't a professional healer, but she was a druid after all and knew when someone hurt. The woman though stood tall and proud, unlike her friend, whom upon noticing the ship casting away turned the lovely color of fresh snow. Tirla merely laughed and brushed a feather across her cheek, "These are the reason's I love being an avain, I can take to the sky as I please." she looks over, noticing another passenger leaning against the rail, a elegantly dressed man spewing forth his guts, "At least you aren't like him, his trip is going to be hell." One might wonder how she'd not even flinched when she boarded, but she rode the winds, the sea could not compare to the violent turns and shifts that went with that.
Sophie notices that her friend, Maddie is looking very pale. She is obviously very suceptible to sea sickness, as the sea is still very calm. Sophie reaches into her bag and pulls out an effective remedy for this form of sickness.(and many others). She hands the bottle of blessed water, to the poor elf, who is now looking really green about the gills."Drink a little of this Maddie, it will help you feel better." Sophie then turns to see how Tirla is coping with the sea journey so far. She is glad to see that the avian seems to be managing very well."
Sophie gave 1 Divine-Blessed Water to you.
Madeline manages to reach a hand out to take the bottle that Sophie offers her. It's a wonder she does, really, as her other hand is plastered to the railing. Her fingers are so tightly wound around the wood, that not only her knuckles turn white as snow - but so too do her fingers. She looks at the bottle, then shakes her head at Sophie, glancing toward the man that is throwing up over the railing. Tucking the remedy away into a bag she'd brought with her, she reaches for the railing with her other hand, turning it's knuckles and fingers white in increments as well. She searches for someone on the boat and finds him. Green eyes settle firmly on the working form of a half-elf and she finds some form of peace when he manages to turn and offer her a reassuring smile. Keeping her gaze steadily on the crewman, she speaks to Tirla and Sophie, "I don't feel sick. This is not a sensation that I am used to."
Tirla cocked her head and looked to the half elf before staring back to Maddeline, "I think you were sure it'd be a quick rip on and off the boat, but now you're getting more than you bargained for, and you're afraid." She looks out to the sea and wonders where they were going, she was interested enough by her companions to stay herself, even though all the water left her ill at ease. Her eyes turn to sophie and she nods her head, "What of you?"
Sophie is saddenend to see that Maddie refuses her medicine and is still looking unwell. She recognises Serai as Maddie's fiance, they have often met at the Hanging Corpse, Sophie gives the half elf a friendly nod. Sophie is feeling tired now, she still tires easily even though she has almost completely recovered from the lycanthropy fever that had such a terrible effect on her. Once she has made sure that poor Maddie is feeling somewhat better, She walks over to a large bale of cotton and lies out upon it. I seems very strange to her, not to have to remove her armour, before lyying down to relax. For years now, she has worn armour almost continuously as she trained hard to try and improve her skill in the fighting arts. Two days previously however, Sophie had, with good reason, decided to give up wearing armour all together for the time being. She had, on transforming into her wolf form, become entangled in her armour. The beasts frantic efforts to escape from the confining stuff had caused her to injure herself on the twisted metal. Thankfully these wounds are now completely healed since her visit to a healer. The marks on her back left by Dergious' magical razor lined whip, however, could not be so easily healed. The healer apologised for her failure in this area and told Sophie she believed it was due to her injuries being the result of a cursed magical weapon."What of you?" the avian asks Sophie. " I am not seasick, my friend" Sophie assures her. "Just tired, I need a nap I think."
Madeline slides a gaze Tirla's way, slowly. The ship is bobbing easily on the water, the sails aiding it in moving quickly toward the Island that is their destination. The Princess scrutinzes the avian before her brows knit into a frown, "I reckon you don't know enough about me to determine that I'm afraid." Through verdant eyes she watches as Sophie moves to lay down, keeping a close eye on her friend. She sees the sad look that passes over the lycan's face and passes her a reassuring smile, "I promise I'm not feeling ill, Sophie. If I start to, I will take the remedy right away." She hopes this soothes her friend's concerns. Long ears twitch with the wind, and she glances at Tirla again. Because her hands still grip the railing in a death grip, she can't raise them to brush the hair from her face, though that doesn't seem to bother her. She speaks to the avian as she looks out at the ocean, "I am not afraid. The ocean is not something that I am used to. I am used to the solid rock and earth of the Xalious Mountains - where there are no ports, and the sea is a distant thing talked about in the great stories told by bards." Though she doesn't seem to realize it - slowly Madeline's hands are loosening on the railing. She's starting to get more comfortable. And as she gets more comfortable, she gets more in her element. She is rather starting to enjoy the salty breeze against her skin. She turns her gaze solidly on Tirla, "You're judging me, based off of a few things you've observed. And I don't appreciate it."
Tirla looks to the other with concern, knowing a thing or two that might help but not feeling that it would be welcome, or her place to offer, so Sophie is given a soft nod before she turns back to Madeline, her smile growing as the woman seemed to loosen up a bit, "Fear is not something that should not be shown, nor is it a judgement, it is, only an observation. Fear comes in many forms some only slight anxieties, others so deep it freezes a person. As for truely judging you, every moment I spend with you I am passing a personal judgement, wether I like you or not, do you wish me to appear cold and unfeeling. No if I were to judge you as you imply, I'd use far different terms, besides, as you said I don't know you well enough to pass those judgements, but a hint of fear, that I can comment on." The woman seems relaxed the entire time, simply saying the thoughts that passed through her head and waiting to see how the other would respond.
Sophie falls asleep as she is rocked by the gentle swaying of the ship on this calm day, the sun warms the elf's body, as she lies a top the, very comfotable, bale of cotton. a few minutes later she is awoken by, a change in the motion of the ship, she finds that her faithful wolf friend, Mara has curled up next to her while she slept. She scratches the wolf, between her ears, affentionately. And continues to lie strecthed out, on the bale, enjoying the sunshine and the fresh sea air.(ooc Mara climbed up the gangplank, while we went up the rope ladder, she has more sense than us humanoids!)
Madeline shakes her head to Tirla. She doesn't seem to notice that one of her hands has come off the trailing to trail over her cheek - pulling curls back behind her ear. Green eyes remain trained on the avian the entire time she speaks, watching her with an eye suspicious enough to make even Tenebrae proud. Something the avian says has her shoulders pulling back, her chin lifting up. She looks so proud, the princess, her lips set into a firm line that grows thinner with every word more that Tirla says. When silence falls between them, she remains unspeaking so that she can contemplate her own words carefully. Words don't often fall from the mouth of the princess without much thought being put into them. A glance that could be considered motherly shifts Sophie's way. She's got an affection for the lycan girl, and a slight smile curls her lips as she watches her friend rock with the motion of the ship. She forces her attention back to Tirla, though, her smile fading almost as soon as it appeared. When she speaks, her voice is somewhat melodic and holds a natural lilting accent to it, "I do not believe in judging another being upon your first meeting with them." She raises her left hand (her right still holding onto the railing) in order to press her fingers above where her heart beats a steady rhythm. "My heart guides me where judgements guide so many others. Sven knows, if I judged people based on first meetings, I certainly wouldn't be surrounded by so many that care about me. Many that don't necessarily give the best first impression." She flicks her gaze to Sophie as she asks softly, "Isn't that right, Sophie?"
Tirla reaches up and taps her own head, "Mayhap I'm saying my meaning in too clouded a way. I'm not passing judgement on you, but every word, every action, I judge, I try and gleam a peice of knowledge from, most of those are kept in my head and I let time decide, I find that today I like you, tommorrow I might hate you depending upon what takes place between us. Know that I am sorry if I offended you." She turns and leans against the railing, there were reasons she spoke candidly always, letting words flow from her mind to her lips, "I have a tendacy to voice too much as some see it, but it is a flaw of mine, I hate lying, even veiling the truth lightly, everything I say, everything I do is the truth, and do not take that the wrong way please, I've had many accuse me of calling them a liar for such words," She looks back to madeline, "And thats why I know so few in these lands, many do not appreciate one that speaks the truth of what they are thinking all the time."
Sophie is touched to seen Madeline, once more casting a caring eye over her. She is very glad to have such a kind and loyal friend. On hearing Maddies question about the wisdom of judging people based on first meetings, she replies "Indeed my friend, it is, of cousre dificult not to make some judgement about people one has just met. I find is vitally important, to keep reevaluating your ideas about people, however, you may have been mistaken, or people may change for the better.When a first met our dear clan leader, Tenebrae, I was afraid of the strange Vampire. I never dreamed how I would come to trust her with my life, and be so proud and happy to be a member of her clan." Sophie hears Tirla apologise if she has offended, Maddie. "Don't worry my dear, she says Maddie has a gentle and forgiving nature, and she practises what she preaches too. She will not judge you on first impressions."
Madeline nods her head in agreement with Sophie, though her first meeting with Tenebrae was quite different than Sophie's. There was an instant kinship between the two women - though they were and still are very different from one another, "I believe that if first impressions were the basis of everything, our clan would not be nearly as interesting - nor would it be nearly as tight-knit as it is." She brushes her hair off her forehead as she turns to glance at Tirla again, offering a small smile, "We are very different, you and I." Her shoulders roll with a shrug, as if this cryptic message somehow explains everything. She slides her gaze out toward the ocean again, thoughts drifting elsewhere. She breaks her thoughts, finally, in order to glance between Tirla and Sophie. "Our clan -" she indicates Sophie when she says 'our,' "-is our family. They're the only ones, I believe, that can ever truly accept us." Her gaze turns more fully on Tirla, "There will come a time, I'm sure of it, when there are those that will accept you. Your strong sense of truth is not a flaw, it is merely a character trait. There will be others, along the way, that will value that trait. Be sure of that."
Tirla turns out to the ocean, her wings extending to let the wind whip through the feathers as she took some time to simply enjoy the sound of the waves and the gulls overhead, "Even if there is not, that is alright with me, I can find solace in solitude, sheltered among the wilds, I enjoy being accepted by others, but I also do not seek it." Her lips again still for a long moment before she turns to Madeline, letting Sophie have her rest, "Tell me of yourself, if you would, where exactly do you come from, what was your birth family like?"
Sophie heartily agrees with Maddies statement, "Our clan is our family! I would give up my life to proctect my clansmates!" she smiles warmly at Maddie, glad to see that the elf is looking much less seasick now.Mara stirs and licks Sophie's hand gently. Sophie puts an arm around the wolf, giving the creature a sort of half hug, without moving from her relaxed position. She watches a seagull soar gracefully through the air above the ship, the creature is so free and beautiful." She hears the avians comment, "I enjoy being accepted by others, but I also do not seek it." and nods, "That is a wise attitude, when it comes right down to it, the only person who one really needs the respect of, is oneself.
Madeline grins as Sophie agrees with her statement regarding the Cabal. That grin slips around the edges, slightly, as she listens to the two exchange sentiments regarding being alone and needing only oneself. This particular princess is quite social, and isn't sure she could handle having nobody but herself. She bites her tongue, though, and keeps those thoughts to herself. When Tirla asks her about herself, the elf glances at the avian, as if sizing her up. And then she nods her head affirmatively, as she starts to tell Tirla things even Sophie doesn't know about her, "I am the daughter of the Chieftan of the Hemlock Tribe, the largest and most influential tribe of elves along the Xalious Range. I suppose that makes me a Princess..." She trails off so that she can watch Tirla, see how she reacts to this.
Tirla nods her head to Sophie and lets her sleep as she listens to Madeline, watching her eyes intently as she spews forth where she was from, "Hmmm, Interesting, I hope you do not expect me to grovel and call you your highness."
Sophie is suprised to hear that Maddie is a princess. Not that it will in any way affect the already condsiderable amount of respect she feels for Maddie, she is just suprised that her friend has not told her this about herself. She is feeling too sleepy to carry on a conversation, at present, anyhow. In a few minutes, she is once more asleep. Mara lies next to her, loyally guarding her sleeping friend from any unknown danger there may be on the ship....
Madeline shakes her head to Tirla, leaning against the railing - finally looking fully comfortable. It would appear this first-time sailor is getting her sea legs. Or something like that. Her nose wrinkles across the bridge at the avian's question and she shakes he head adamantly, "Of course not. Not even in my kingdom, am I generally referred to as 'Your Highness.'" She shifts her gaze to where her fiance works along the dock, passing him a silent smile before she looks back to Tirla, "I think that's too stuffy anyways. I prefer to be called Madeline. Or Maddie."