Wardens of Wildemount ((IC))

[justspitballing]

Diva'ss was quick to respond to Jon and his question of cost.

"If you pay for a good meal for myself I am sure we will be even," Diva'ss said to Jon.

He would soon have his chance to pay her back for not long after that they all did find themselves in the Withered Bird.

Diva'ss ordered a fine meal, she liked eating well, but very often could not. Two very small cooked birds were brought to her. She also had a simple drink of goat milk. She never drank alcohol, her body needed to also be well prepared to serve Erathis.

The half-orc was talking about a Gods' power coming from worship. Diva'ss shuttered at the idea. It suggested if people didn't worship a God that the God would become weaker. Of course a chaotic orc could think he could control the might of a God. Erathis was the greatest, most powerful Goddess, she did not need Diva'ss, Diva'ss needed her.

Diva'ss was going to have a go at him with a good lashing of her tongue, but she would be riding with this man for sometime, and he was oddly charming in how confident he was, even if he was very wrong. She decided to let him be, and actually found herself rather enjoying things. It may have simply been the good meal, but Diva'ss was very much enjoying herself.

Jon, now he seemed like he was out to prove himself at all cost, and that meant he could be a dangerous fireball. After all, the bodies being carried away off the floor were his handy work. She would have to keep an eye on him, but he still meant well, still seemed like his friend oddly charming.

The third being to really catch Diva'ss eye was Verity, the Tiefling. She seemed to have so much confidence in herself. She was from a cursed race just like Diva'ss was, part devil, as cursed as one could be, but she did not care, or at least it seemed like she did not care. She stood up tall and vibrant, getting many a glance of many eyes.

Diva'ss became curious on how she felt about the Gods, and felt it maybe a good way to show that Tusk was incorrect in his mind set. So Diva'ss quickly asked.

"Good Verity, what is your take on the Gods? Do you believe Tusk claim that we can give them more power simply by believing in them more?" Diva'ss questioned.

 

[desperado1089]

Jon placed a hand on Diva'ss' arm as she turned to Verity, wanting to respond to her inquiry even though she wasn't addressing him. "I believe what Brother Tusk means is that the more followers one deity or another has, the more their power is felt among the populace. For example, a larger church or temple can donate more blankets and meals to homeless children than a smaller one. It's simple arithmetic. A God's actual power remains unaffected by us, as only another divine being can truly harm them in the first place. Their influence is what most people confuse with their power, which of course is just that: a result of confusion." He smiled at the Verdan, looking straight past her spell into her captivating violet eyes. He did not know it at the time, but the reason he could see who she truly was, was because his divine patron wished that Jon would be one of the first people to help Diva'ss learn to embrace who she was, appreciate that some people found her appearance to not be bothersome at all. It was also partly because Jon himself found such quirks of appearance to be endearing in general, on most any being.

 

[Shadowlace]

Priscilla standing barely three feet listened from her position to the conversations had and received. Jaena was nice to lean down and address her face to face. Subsequently, the halfling lass got a better look at her face and bosom which is always a plus.

"No, it definitely didn't, short stuff."The half-elf beauty said as Priscilla listened she was not wrong, which made Priscilla not happy especially at the utterence of 'short stuff'. She was way more then stuff she was a short stack, I mean she was fit, but still drove all the girls and boys back home in the Skew.

"Just remember for later that Pirates like her aren't known as big fans of being surprised. Generally, they suffer from a lack of any sense of humor." She leaned down so they were eye to eye, "Us Tallies, as a rule never do, right?" She gave her a playful wink then. Jaena said when she leaned down making the Halfling girl smile a wide smile and offered a wink of her own."True, I shall remember, Just don't literally forget me okay" She says both playfully and honestly.

Once they got in the tavern Priscilla placed a few coins down to buy her and her savior around of drinks and listened in on the others conversations. Priscilla wasn't really one to worship Gods or Goddesses. She had known of a few. Oddly enough she always seemed to gravitate towards the Archheart. Following him or her depending on the stories was something that sparked her love of reading, thorugh The Archheart she read about the Knowning Mistress and more. Still she was never a particular observer of any god. Despite the tattoos that graced a few places of her body she maintained a strict belief in several dieties instead of one.

"Pfft Gods, Goddesses I mean aside form lip service and healing, What more is there? I mean not many a pious fellow or lady is seen strolling the Skew helping the poor. I mean a few may trade coin for vice, but thats mostly anyone." Priscilla says using her time to take a little form each persons plate and greedily stuffing her cheeks like a little chipmunk.

"If you ask me Arcane Magic is the way to go. Its self reliant! I mean granted the stuck up Cerebus Assembly has access to most of it, but us poor folk know a thing or two!" Priscilla says as she waves down a wench to order her some food and looks to Jaena." Um...Since you blew your coin on me, Its the least I can do to offer to pay for your food and Drink?" She then looks outside. "And maybe split a room?"

 

[desperado1089]

Jon suddenly noticed the halfling woman. Gods, she was sexy, he couldn't help but think. He hoped that Diva'ss wouldn't mind sharing his attention, giving her arm a reassuring squeeze, as if to say "we'll continue this later", before turning to Priscilla with a wide smile on his face. "I should apologize for failing to notice you and your, ahem, short stack before. Sorry, Tallie joke. Nice ink by the way." He cleared his throat before continuing. "Jon Sunspear, at your service. What might they call you?" In order to continue the conversation past a simple introduction, he said, "And of course there are multiple deities. Otherwise the world, the heavens, none of it would exist. Believing there is only one is a rarity and a folly. I do not believe anyone here among us is so naive." He smirked, remembering her mention of the Assembly. "If you want my opinion, the Cerberus Assembly can..." He trailed off, kissing his hand and placing it on his ass, the message clear, a wink saying that he might not think doing such things is an insult in ALL cases, now is it?

 

[TheQueenofCups]

The mead had begun to soak into her skin and Verity had begun to eye the stage. The musicians there were serviceable, she supposed, but tiring and had started to play the same songs twice over. She pitied the poor couple, a harp player and a flute...or something a bit rounder than a flute...but the coins were not exactly falling into their hat at an uninspired performance. So she rose up unceremoniously and wandered over and opened her coin purse with a smile, knelt down with grace, and dropped a few bronze coins into the emptiness of the hat on offer at their feet.

They hesitated, leaving a hiccup in the music. She saw their eyes in tandem, running up the length of her horns with a sneer, the lad, the husband perhaps, taking a second, lengthy look at her cleavage. Enough to make her regret dropping the coin, but not enough to make her willing to fish it out again. She didn't mind an ogle when she knew she had the upper-hand, but she knew the thinly-veiled disgust hidden beneath it this time and she was not about to play into it.

"Something lively, loves?" She requested, and she did not hide the ice in her smirk, and turned around as the flute began to trill. The sound was more mad than lively, but...beggars were certainly never choosers. She strode with a smile back to the table of her recently met fellow travellers. Who were speaking, it seemed, about the nature of divinity.

Settled down at the table once more, a plate of rustic but excellently aromatic food in front of her, she was resolved not to think about it again for the night.
The question was posed to her by Diva'ss. Verity was not a Fae creature, though her mistress once had cast certain spells on her, to help her take a firmer grip on her magical abilities and there was always talk about the nature of Lady Serault. So some of the illusory magic Diva'ss managed seemed to tattle on itself. The seam of a mask. The green of her skin. She hadn't seen a green tiefling, though nearly every other color. Flesh was flesh.

She felt her energy pulsing at her, observing her, not precisely in the same way as the awkward human with the massive, battered harp betwixt his legs, but with an intensity nonetheless. She did not court this, but she did not mind it. She smiled casually before speaking, pausing to lick the buttery crumb of flaked pie crust delicately settled on the tip of her index finger.

"The gods are Elsewhere, beloved but Elsewhere. Avandra will do what she can, and I will be grateful to her for it, but I do not discount my own efforts to turn my own Luck. She, like a Lady after my own heart, likes to see me work for it. This is her true influence and her true power. She does not chase me, but knows the page will turn again. Anyone else can believe what they like. At least outside of the Empire."

Verity nodded to Priscilla, the lovely shaped halfling, as well. Noticing here too, the eyes darting here and there across the table, as everyone began to determine their physical appraisals, along with their introductions. Her smile remained, unforced and subtle, letting her eyes be met by any and all from the barmaid to the sailors at the far side of the room, and she continued. "Yes, tis what we do in life that seems most pressing. And I shall have to discuss with you what you've learned in the manner of the Arcane. Bit of a professional interest there, myself."

 

[justspitballing]

Jon very openly flirted with the halfling. He had been flirting with her, Diva'ss, just a moment ago, but she didn't mind. She didn't ever feel like the jealous sort and her heart could only ever be owned by one being, her Goddess.

In fact most forms of romance were a bit uncommon for her. She had been bedded twice before by a man taken in by her church who she had managed to get to agree to be silent about her Verdan nature. But, other then sleeping with him, she never grew close to him. He left her feeling ignored but thankfully did not betray the agreement they had.

She sighed, she lived a solitary and often harsh life, and things were likely only to get harsher.

The halfling, now that was a character that Diva'ss did not like. The halfling went on a tangent about the Gods doing very little and women like herself, worshipers, not helping the people that needed it. It was hard not to take such statements as an attack.

Diva'ss stewed there, sensing that she was surrounded by none believers. But then Verity spoke up and gave her answer to the question at hand. She talked in a very charming way, and she seemed to respect the Gods as well as pointing out how everyone had their own power.

Diva'ss also noticed as Verity talked that she seemed to be paying extra note to herself. Could she? Did she see through her magic as well? Could she tell she wasn't human? Yet another being she may have to keep an eye on.

Diva'ss laughed to herself. If Jon felt comfortable flirting around then clearly Diva'ss should do the same and maybe in the process she could find out if Verity was aware of who she really was.

"You make such a good point Verity. You see all, the Gods they do hold back on their power so we may have power of our own. This is a gift they give us," Diva'ss said.

She put a hand on Verity's.

"Maybe while we sale these lost waters you can tell me more of your Goddess and I can tell you more of mine," Diva'ss said.

She didn't say anymore though. She didn't want to chase Verity, as Verity pointed out, that was not the way to her heart, and Diva'ss, she didn't even know if she wanted anyone's heart.

After her meal she would most likely be sleeping on her own in the ship, praying as always to her Goddess.

 

[desperado1089]

Jon noticed Diva'ss' conversation with Verity and he felt terrible for letting his attention wander so easily. He may not be bound by vows of celibacy, but he also did not wish to sleep around, as they called it. Focusing on the Verdan's lovely violet eyes once more, he used the Message cantrip to say, "I apologize for my wandering attentions there. As I said before, I believe what Brother Tusk means is that the more followers one deity or another has, the more their power is felt among the populace. For example, a larger church or temple can donate more blankets and meals to homeless children than a smaller one. It's simple arithmetic. A God's actual power remains unaffected by us, as only another divine being can truly harm them in the first place. Their influence is what most people confuse with their power, which of course is just that: a result of confusion. Do with that what you will. I will be here should you wish to discuss things further." He paid for Diva'ss's food as agreed, then sat back in his chair and waited for things to progress how they would.

 

[justspitballing]

Diva'ss laughed to herself. Jon was an easy one to get jealous. He was already trying to win her over once more. She decided not to try and talk back to him with her thoughts. Her different nature had been on display far to much for this day. Instead, she would be silent, have him maybe think the worse and if he felt bad enough he could come to her room and try to make it up to her. She blushed slightly at the thought. And maybe indeed she would get to talk with Verity on the high seas. And maybe Verity could try to impress her as well.

She could be chased for once, wanted by someone, or by several people. Maybe her life wasn't so harsh after all.

She finished her meal, was glad to see Jon stuck to his word and paid for it.

A flash of lightning went across the window outside fallowed shortly by thunder. It made Diva'ss jump a little, but she was still feeling very good about herself. The rain kept beating down.

 

[Veroe]

IC: Jaena Pharstreider

Once they entered and got a table and waiting on their drinks she made it a point to sit beside the Half-Orc cleric and asked him, "This Serenrae? You don't mean the Dawn Star god that was betrayed and murdered during the Calamity do you?"

She nodded to his answer. Her interest in ancient cultures piqued, "Why would you follow a dead god now-a-days though?"

On her first impression she rather liked this half-orc cleric. He seemed calm and reserved but in warm and caring way, and capable of carrying a fascinating academic conversation as well...he reminded her of her mother in a lot of ways. She had taught her so much like how to shoot a bow like she did for a living, and constantly asking her questions encouraging her young daughter's love of books and learning about history to find the answers to those questions.

It also didn't hurt that she found this tusk to be handsome...green was her favorite color after all.

"Well, you see, the reason I have devoted myself to a "dead god" is that Serenrae is not dead at all." He said eyes alight over telling her about his god.

It was Jaena's experience that most religious people were all too delighted to tell others about their god. She thought back to the crackpot she met a couple of weeks ago that told her all about this new god he called the Traveler. Of course she was not one to look down on anyone for that. Jaena was always delighted when someone showed any interest in what she had discovered of the remnants of the many lost civilizations that fell victim to the chaos of the Calamity-especially her current obsession, the history and secrets of the ancient Madori people.

"But as I recall reading in the second volume of 'The Canticles of Contemplation' in the great archive of the Cobalt Soul in Rexxentrum. The Everlight as she was also known as was betrayed and murdered by one of the princes of hell and all her followers were virtually slaughtered to the last man and child during the calamity," She said cocking her head at him, "In the eight centuries since then she hasn't been seen or heard of at all. I that's not a sure sign of death, as much as a god can be dead I don't know what it is."

"But here you are say she still alive," She said leaning in "Why haven't we've seen or heard more of her and her followers?"

"Most of her worshipers keep that fact under their hats these days, but I've never been exactly Orthodox." He continued punctuating every word with a chopping motion of his hand. "I have a pet theory that gods and goddesses can't die at all, otherwise they wouldn't be gods. I think that their apparent power on this side of the Divine Gate is based exclusively on the devotion of their mortal followers."

She nodded her head, "My mother professed a similar theory...though she worshipped Melora the Wildmother, not Serenrae." She shrugged lifting the mug of ale that priscilla Springheel had kindly paid for her for. "As for me...My interest in the gods is not so much theological as archeological. The history of all Exandria is a history of the reverberations of their decisions even more so than any king or queen you could name: both the prime deities and their betrayers. The focus of my studies is recovering the knowledge and histories of all the people that were caught underfoot as they squabbled between themselves during the Calamity."

"Pfft Gods, Goddesses I mean aside form lip service and healing, What more is there? I mean not many a pious fellow or lady is seen strolling the Skew helping the poor. I mean a few may trade coin for vice, but thats mostly anyone." Priscilla says using her time to take a little form each persons plate and greedily stuffing her cheeks like a little chipmunk.

Jaena noted the quick and deft motion to steal a couple of the roasted red potatoes from her plate by the precocious halfling, and she chose to turn a blind eye to it. As far as she was concerned Priscilla had paid for her food so she had a right to snatch a few pieces from it.

To what she said though she nodded, "I agree, but would take it even further. While they walked Exandria they didn't concern themselves with helping their followers grow and prosper. They were too busy collecting tithes from them and shining their magical armor or chariots or what have you. There were plenty of people back then that died of starvation, illness, and crime just outside their own temples' walls and they did nothing to help them if they even cared to. Then came the Calamity where entire civilizations were wiped off the face of Exandria caught as a battleground for their petty squabbling."

She spread her arms out wide, "And then there's the divergence. When the gods that won the calamity turned their back on us because they were too craven to actually meet out their responsibilities towards us and so they left us alone to clean up the mess of the world they made, and I-"

Se stopped herself mid-tirade and reached out taking the half-orc cleric's hand. "I'm sorry. You're a veritable stranger to me and here I am reliving old arguments with my mother and with you as a surrogate for her."

"Let's change the topic, my friend. Why do you want to go to a pirate island like Darktow." She suggested raising her mug of ale for a drink, "For me it's the pursuit of my research in one of those ancient civilizations that were lost as a casualty during the calamity."

It was then that Verity got up from their table and Jaena watched that shapely ass sway as she walked over to the two musicians on stage and paid a few copper pieces for their efforts. Then she returned to the table saying, "The gods are Elsewhere, beloved but Elsewhere. Avandra will do what she can, and I will be grateful to her for it, but I do not discount my own efforts to turn my own Luck. She, like a Lady after my own heart, likes to see me work for it. This is her true influence and her true power. She does not chase me, but knows the page will turn again. Anyone else can believe what they like. At least outside of the Empire."


Jaena nodded at that. Her mother was a devout believer in the Wildmother a deity whose worship was not legal in the homeland of her birth in the Dwendalian Empire. She had to keep it a secret her entire life. But beyond that the sentiment verity spoke of concerning her relationship with the goddess Evandra, was much the same she had heard her mother express in the same.

"If I were given the choice," She said, "I'd be partial to choosing Ioun, the knowing mistress to follow. I'm a fan of knowledge and learning as much as you can about the past...especially forgotten pieces of that past."

She shook her head, "But like I told my mother years ago. My faith is in people. The gods have their own business and its not really anything to do with someone as small as me in this world."

 

[Shadowlace]

Priscilla frowned a bit at how the others took her distrust of the religious. For her, it was a simple view of coin talks and piety simply is empty promises. However looking around it looked like she struck a nerve. The petite creature was ready to apologize when human thought it would be nice to point out her tattoo.

"What tattoos? I don't have any tattoos" Priscilla says to Jon adjusting her gear to hide whatever flesh was visable. She was not one to have just any person gaze on her tattoos especially someone who followed a god at a more deeper connection.

She would eat some more and drink some more as the others talked. She just nodded when the alluring Tiefling talked to her. It was almost comical as she replied. "Yeah..magic..later..Arcanum Perfosa" was all that came outta her mouth before she blinked blushed a bit and then shoook it off.

Looking over to teh Half- Orc she spoke. " I didn't mean to offend, I just never have had good experiences with the religious types. Since we will be travelling together for awhile I will try not to be offensive. That goes for any of you who are well more bent on er....religious piety."

"Now who wants more booze?" She asks as she smiles looking about the place taking in guests, points of egress, weapons visable and potential marks as she also look about for a wench.

 

[ProfLittleGiant]

Tusk was quite worried that his zealotry had offended when the halfling woman began a short diatribe against organized religion. The half-orc smiled painfully, finding himself unable to disagree with any of Priscilla's statements. And then Jaena spoke. "...then there's the divergence. When the gods that won the calamity turned their back on us because they were too craven to actually meet out their responsibilities towards us and so they left us alone to clean up the mess of the world they made, and I-"

The elven woman then lightly grasped Tusk's hand, her fingers felt warm against the back of his hands, the palm reassuring. "I'm sorry," She continued" You're a veritable stranger to me and here I am reliving old arguments with my mother and with you as a surrogate for her." While Tusk was relieved he had not offended her, he found himself taken aback for some reason that the lovely woman might be viewing him in a motherly light. Something inside him seemed to be stifled and drooping.

"Let's change the topic, my friend. Why do you want to go to a pirate island like Darktow. For me it's the pursuit of my research in one of those ancient civilizations that were lost as a casualty during the calamity." Had she spoken again? Of course she had. Tusk returned his focus to the present after finding himself lost in his thoughts as usual. "To be honest," Tusk said, "I am merely escorting my friend Jon on his mission here. The leader of his temple is sympathetic to my church and our elder felt it wise to repay a good turn in some small way." The cleric shrugged sheepishly, tilting his head to the side, palms raised upward. "I presume if I had a more personal motivation it would be similar to yours, a piece of knowledge is always worth chasing down."

Tusk's attention was drawn to the regal tiefling as she spoke to a pair of musicians. Upon her return, she continued the discussion of subjective theology. "The gods are Elsewhere, beloved but Elsewhere. Avandra will do what she can, and I will be grateful to her for it, but I do not discount my own efforts to turn my own Luck. She, like a Lady after my own heart, likes to see me work for it. This is her true influence and her true power. She does not chase me, but knows the page will turn again. Anyone else can believe what they like. At least outside of the Empire." Again, the half-orc could not find a single assertion to refute. But this time he felt no need to, his smile coming more easily.

Jaena spoke again. It seemed the tiefling's words had struck a chord with her. "If I were given the choice," She said, "I'd be partial to choosing Ioun, the knowing mistress to follow. I'm a fan of knowledge and learning as much as you can about the past...especially forgotten pieces of that past.
But like I told my mother years ago. My faith is in people. The gods have their own business and its not really anything to do with someone as small as me in this world."

"What a fine philosophy we are all hammering out!" Tusk said, rather quietly. "The 'true' truth is likely grander and simpler than the teachings of any nameable gods' worshipers." The half-orc wondered if he had firmly placed his foot in his mouth again by airing his admittedly unusual religious beliefs. Luckily, the halfing spoke once more.

"I didn't mean to offend, I just never have had good experiences with the religious types. Since we will be traveling together for awhile I will try not to be offensive. That goes for any of you who are well more bent on er....religious piety. Now who wants more booze?"

Tusk let out a laugh. "I, for one, take no umbrage at anyone disagreeing with me over just about anything. As for drinks, if I am buying, I'll have the largest, strongest spirits this inn has. If you are offering to cover the tab, I will have the largest, strongest, CHEAPEST item on the menu. As a bar maid who was popping out of a corset so tight it embarrass bar maids approached, Tusk noticed that his hand still clasped Jaena's.

 

[justspitballing]

Diva'ss was enjoying the dialog despite herself. The halfling clearly had a history with religion that swayed her mind. Diva'ss would not pry, but did hope that the being would not make her doubts known again. She had enough on her plate.

With that in mind, she knew that she must be going. The night was short and her prayers could be long. She also felt it could be a good idea to summon a spirit for advise. This could be a dangerous quest and she could use the knowledge.

Leaving this outing so suddenly could look bad it struck her, but then again, if she did suddenly leave that would likely make Jon even more jealous and assuming even more he did something wrong. She had a bit of fun at the idea of leading him around and him not even knowing it. She got up from where she sat.

"This has been a stimulating discussion but I must be headed back to the ship for praying and rest. Erathis does not wait for anyone," Diva'ss stated.

She looked over at Jon and thanked him once more for the meal, but tried to do so in a matter of fact way, as to still suggest she maybe upset with him.

She then nodded and left the tavern. She went out into the storm. It was raining hard now and she ran quickly back towards the ship. She went on board quick, the Tabaxi letting her on.

The ship was indeed over filled with crew. She wanted an empty room but none would be given. In the end she found a room being shared by a human man and woman that were clearly a step shy of passionate embrace. She had gotten her spells back in her time at the tavern so she casted the spell Fast Friends with ease and convinced the two love birds to go to the tavern for a room of their own. She also told the male to let the Tabaxi know what room she was resting in, so Jon could find out if he but asked around.

After they left Diva’ss quickly saw to summoning forth a ghostly spirit. She was a little girl that held her removed head by her side. She floated in the middle of Diva’ss room, a plane, emotionless look on her face and a slight fog surrounding her.

“What you wish to know?” the removed head asked.

 

[desperado1089]

Jon blinked somewhat lamely at Diva'ss' apparent ignoring of his cantrip, and as she walked away he couldn't help but notice how alluring she looked. He cleared his throat, and excused himself at the earliest opportunity, emerging into the gathering storm and pulling a waterproof poncho from his pack. He made his way over to the ship, mounted the gangplank, and asked for and received directions to Diva'ss' quarters. Arriving, he took off his poncho and knocked on the door, waiting for her response.

 

[TheQueenofCups]

A sudden series of notes came crashing into the tiefling's mind.

A pirate's song some other bard had taught her. Along the coast, beds and bards blurred together a bit, but the song had a melody that rolled like the boat making its way across the skin of the sea.

Verity remembered now. She'd heard it across a table, not unlike the one she just left. It was an elf who sang it. The rest of the table had been pounding the rhythm with their cups into the weathered wood of that long tavern table, herself included. The melody sinking and cresting, the energy driving, becoming something beyond itself as the crowd fed each call with a response. The elf, one lithe leg bent and perched atop the bench, leaned in and with a tremulous low note closed the song, let the sound resonate in the room. The din of patrons had quieted down, then burst into applause, mugs of ale raised and smacked together. He'd turned to her, amidst the cheers and cacophony that refilled that wretched tavern. He'd a unfettered grin on his face, his own mug held to his chest, awaiting to be drunk from. "Ah, the Song of the Sea. Little like it save a good fuck."
He'd made his point that evening with equal proficiency.

The recollection of the rest of that evening was less muddled than she expected, though she still could not recall that elf's name.

Here and now, this particular evening began to wind down. Were she not disembarking in the morning, she'd give her bardic opinion to the management about the musical offerings at the Withered Bird. Some had already departed when she rose and re-shouldered her case, left the offkey flautist behind.

Cool air of the evening spun through her silky white hair and she began to sober her up. She stepped back onto the Quay and oriented herself back towards the Silverpike.

She'd met some interesting shipmates this evening. Talk of gods and treasure. Treasure and gods. And the Song of the Sea perhaps yet to be sung somewhere on the vessel tonight. But not by her, not yet. The journey would be long, and she would need satisfaction, but memories would suit for now.

Once onboard, she was directed to a miserable spot, a hammock of all things in a small cubby. But it was private enough and would accommodate her horns. She peered into it and realized it was occupied by a sailor who had clearly lost his way. A jowly, pock-marked human. He almost fell out of the hammock when he realized she was there.

He stood up, in an ungainly manner, whispering so as not to wake those on either side of the half-walls that served as purchase for the hammock.

"I'm sorry, ma'am, but this is my..." He looked at her, blearily, as if she might still be part of some dream.

Verity put her hands gently on the side of his face as his eyes went wide, leaned in close enough to almost lick the words into his ear. She commanded him, "Flee."

A chuckle as he bolted in response to her magic, then she situated herself gracefully in the not-wholly disgusting hammock. Her case wrapped in her arms, her tail dragging over the hammock's edge, dagger within reach, her letter safely folded and stowed in her cleavage, Verity began to fall asleep.

 

[justspitballing]

The eleven year old girl in a dried out pink dress, surrounded by light fog, with her head removed and held by her side stood before Diva'ss, telling her hardly anything of Darktow. Diva'ss sighed, it was always a gamble brining about the undead. There was no for sure on what they knew or what help they could give.

This one was especially unhelpful acting like she was several years younger then she actually was, complaining about her current state.

"So, you've never been to Darktow?" Diva'ss asked.

"I died on the ship before we arrived," the girl responded.

"And you don't know what even killed you out on these sees?"

'I was still resting at the time. I heard a massive crack of thunder and when I came to the boat had sunk and I was missing my head."

Diva'ss sighed again and then she heard a knock at her door. She waved her hand, shooing the ghost away. The girl stuck out her tongue in response in annoyance and sank into the wooden floor and then was gone, out of sight, out of mind.

Diva'ss got up and walked over to the door. It had a deadbolt lock on it and she opened the door slightly while still keeping the lock on. She peaked outside to see Jon waiting before her door.

As she saw him it at last dawned on her what her current state was. She had never removed disguise self from her body and still looked like to the untrained eye, a human woman, and she had never even bothered to try and dry herself off from the rain.

She had been so set on her tasks, as she often was, that she had not bothered to do anything else. It wasn't that she was soaked to the bone by the storm, but her hair was very damp and her body was rather cold.

She pulled her head back into her room and at last removed the disguise self spell off of her body. She could not see herself, there was almost nothing to this room besides a small, old, bed, a closet and a smelly rug. No mirror to check herself with, but she was sure she looked like a mess. Her hair was messily dripping down from her face, her clothing was slightly damp, and due to the chill and the water her breasts showed lightly through her shirt. She was hardly dignified.

But Jon had made it clear he liked the way she looked as a Verdan. It was time to see how true that was. She unlocked the door and let Jon in.

"I wasn't expecting yourself," Diva'ss lied a bit.

"Did the halfling tire you? Or were you just not able to find somewhere else to rest?" Diva'ss said, hoping to poke Jon a little bit about his flirting.

"You will have to give me a moment to dry off, I got a bit carried away in my worship," she went on and then turned away from the door to go dry herself off a bit. She eyed the single bed in the room, the only place to sleep there.

 

[desperado1089]

Jon smiled. "The halfling? I wouldn't know how tiring she could be, I came straight here." As it was clear how cold she was, he pulled his pack off of his back and rummaged through it, finally producing a well-worn but clean towel that, when unfolded, could easily cover more than the size of the bed that he also eyed with curiosity. "Here..." he said tenderly, and wrapped the Verdan in the towel and his warm embrace simultaneously. "Isn't that better?", he whispered in her ear, humming softly as he waited for her response.

 

[justspitballing]

The towel draped over Diva'ss, covering her, as did Jon.

Jon whispered softly into her ear as she blushed a bit. She wasn't fully used to being so wanted by a man. His warm breath on the back of her neck as he drew in close to her was a bit intoxicating. She couldn't help it, she playfully kissed his cheek in response and then slid out of his grasp, walking backwards to the bed and then sitting down on it.

"You really do find me charming, don't you? Tell me, what is it that makes me so bewitching?" Diva'ss asked.

She was rather curious about the answer.

 

[desperado1089]

"'Bewitching'? Well that would imply you were working some kind of trick to seduce me, when I am certain that isn't the case." Jon walked over and sat down on the bed next to her. "What I find charming are those lovely violet eyes, that one ear that you probably think looks ridiculous, your hair that's as white as snow. You use a spell to disguise yourself because you think the world isn't going to be kind to one who looks so unusual. Maybe it isn't, but that just makes me willing to be that much kinder. And no, this isn't some crazy form of pity or whatever, it's just I am willing to protect you, on top of finding you charming. If that makes any sense." He hung his head and groaned. "I'm not doing a very good job of explaining myself, am I?"

 

[justspitballing]

"You explain yourself just fine. And yes, I am aware of how I look, how off I look, but it is more then that. I worship Erathis, a Goddess of law, and my kind, the Verdan, were born from a God of chaos. My parents were thieves and murderers, so I have much to be ashamed of. I have spent most of my life making up for my parents and for my race," Diva'ss said in response.

Diva'ss pushed the towel off from her shoulders and let it fall onto the bed under her. She put a hand to Jon's cheek and kissed him softly on the other cheek.

"But if you like the way I am, then it can't be helped," Diva'ss said and then pulled off her shirt, revealing her small, perky, breasts underneath.

She laid her back down on the bed and looked over at Jon.

"If you like the way I am, you may share this room with me if you wish," she smiled.

 

[desperado1089]

"Your parents' crimes are not your own, and nobody should be judged solely on their race. Besides, sometimes a little chaos can be fun." As if to illustrate just what he meant, he kissed her "off" ear before standing up and stripping to the waist himself, revealing a muscular, hairy chest with a swimmer's V at the waist. He sat back down on the bed. "I do like the way you are, and I would love to share this room with you. But there's not a whole lot to do in here...", Jon teased, looking around at the bare accommodations. "I wonder how we might entertain ourselves..." His shit-eating grin would probably make the Gulfstream Guards at Neverwinter Palace burst out laughing.

 

[justspitballing]

"I wonder how we might entertain ourselves..." Jon said with a crazy grin on his face.

Diva'ss smiled. She quickly slipped off her belt, unzipped her pants, and then tossed them at Jon. She lay their, on the bed, in just her tiny, blue, panties, feeling already like she was getting a bit damp around her most private area.

She slid her fingers into her panties, moaned slightly as they brushed her clit and then her middle finger entered into her pussy. She fingered herself for a moment, then pulled her hand away from her privates and licked her middle finger. She moved her tongue over her finger slowly, then sucked on it deeply.

"I wonder how we can entertain ourselves as well," Diva'ss said back with a grin.

 

[desperado1089]

Jon chuckled mischievously. "Knew we'd find something to do." He took off his boots and tossed them aside, then his armored pants, breeches and finally his skivvies all hit the floor as his impressive seven-inch manhood sprang to attention. "You ready for the main event or do you need a little bit of warm-up first, darling?"

 

[justspitballing]

Diva'ss looked over Jon's cock. He clearly was all set for this, but she was now feeling a bit intimidated. Finn, the man that had bedded her from her church, was not as big as Jon. Jon was significantly more impressive. She indeed felt like she could use a bit more foreplay before Jon entered her.

She slipped off her panties and tossed them at Jon. Her vagina was slightly trimmed and stood there to be seen. Her pubes, much like the hair on her head, were a silver white. They stood out significantly against her soft green skin and the hairs glistened lightly from the dampness of her privates. Diva'ss put her hand to her pussy and lightly moved it over herself.

"I think I could use a bit more of a warm up. You do fancy me, how about you eat me out then?" Diva'ss said, trying to seem brave so it would come off like she was still in control of the situation.

 

[desperado1089]

Jon smiled, seeing right through her brave face as he knelt down and looked into her eyes. "You don't need to worry about being brave or in some kind of control or domination. I will take good care of you, as a friend, a lover, an equal." He gently shifted Diva'ss so her opening was facing the edge of the bed, and lightly started to suck on her clit, fingering her with one, then two digits, humming softly to provide extra vibrations.

 

[justspitballing]

With Jon's word of a lover Diva'ss felt a sudden pang of concern. Finn had left her for not loving him deeply enough. So far Erathis was the only being that ever had Diva'ss heart. Jon was a kind soul, she didn't want to accidently mislead him, she just wanted to be wanted, she wasn't sure about being loved.

Her concerns were washed away from her mind though as Jon started to suck on her clit and finger her pussy. She could not say about her heart, but her sex was now wanting this man badly. She moaned deeply as Jon played with her privates.

"Y, ya, yes, that, that is, good. Keep going," she said as one of her hands played around with the hair on his head and the other grabbed the bed tightly.

She moaned some more and became wetter, Jon was surprisingly skilled.