Good Company [Adney]

[Atoll Northwind]

16th of Summer, 514AV Usually the Svefra only came inland to stay at taverns, he had no use for the land it didn’t give him anything. Except for company but the Svefra found himself longing for a good drink and the company of his own. The tavern would bring him company and a good drink. Atoll always enjoyed one of those. They made him sleep like a rock. He thought of going to the tavern where Hirem worked but he didn’t have any desire for a brawl. Instead he shoved his hands in his pockets and strolled through the city. He passed by many unfamiliar buildings before some signs looked familiar. Or maybe I’ve been walkin’ too long. He thought, then stopped. Many of the signs were written in Tukant but a tavern would have to have been written in both. How else would they get tourist business. Not that he’d be having such a hard time if he didn’t forget his map on the ship but who needed a map? As if to prove him right Atoll passed the Kulkukan which he disregarded at first. But the smell of booze made he retrace his steps. Even from the street he could hear the sound of chatter, laughter, questions and the roaring of the waves. With the idea of being drunk firmly taken root Atoll stepped into the tavern. Inside was a stark contrast from his last pit stop. Red lanterns hung setting a light, sultry mood but best of all the tables were in one piece and no one looked like they were going to start an out-and-out brawl. As soon as he sat himself at a table, an employee appeared at his side. “Just two, if ya please.” “Sure you don’t want any food? You look puckish.” “Not yet.” “Let me know if you change your mind, I’ll be back in a tick.” The young man whisked himself away to go presumable get Atolls drink while Atoll settled more comfortably in his chair. Now seated he got a better look at the patrons in the tavern. There weren’t as many natives as he’d thought there’d be. It was filled with an influx of different types, ranging to those Atoll didn’t think about too hard because he couldn’t even guess what they were. And when he finally looked to his own table properly he noted exactly what he came for. Company. When he was about to introduce himself two mugs of ale slid at his side, and he slid over the necessary coin. With a friendly nod he slid one over to his tablemate. “Didn’t introduce myself, names Atoll.”

[Adney Tempest]

Adney woke up from what was a good nap. He rubbed his eyes and smacked his mouth with a smile on his face. He got up and began to stretch his legs. He began to walk towards the city. "I wonder what is going on at the Tavern." Adney kept walking through the city until he found a familiar building. "Here is the Tavern about to enjoy myself today, it is boring at the port and there is not much for a Svefra like me to do around here." Adney opened the door and entered. When he walked in he looked around for an open table. Adney found an empty table and wanted to claim it but Adney first walked towards the bar to talk to the bartender. "um yes one please." The bartender nodded and left to get what Adney asked for. Adney walked to the table and sat down to wait for his mug. A chime went by and the Bartender slid Adney's mug in front of him. Adney smiled and nodded. "Thank you sir, here is a coin for your trouble." Adney flipped a coin to the bartender, the bartender smiled and went back to work.

Adney began to sip his drink until heard the door open and looked towards the door. There was a young man who looked like he could be around the same age as Adney but Adney could tell he was older. He looked around and walked towards Adney's table as he sat down the same bartender came to take his number. “Just two, if ya please.” Adney was intrigued at this young man. “Sure you don’t want any food? You look puckish.” The bartender said to the man. “Not yet.” The bartender nodded and smiled. “Let me know if you change your mind, I’ll be back in a tick.” The bartender walked away getting the young man's drinks. Adney saw the young man get really comfortable in his chair and began to look around the Tavern. Adney began to look around with the young man to see what he was looking at, Adney turned his head and noticed that the young man was looking at him. The young man was about to say something but the two mugs of ale slid towards the young man. The young man slid coin to the bartender and looked back at Adney. Adney smiled and nodded. The young man gave a friendly nod and slid a mug to Adney. “Didn’t introduce myself, names Atoll.” Adney smiled. "The name is Adney, Adney Tempest. It is nice to meet you Atoll. I apologize for this but I have to ask are you by any chance Svefra?"

- Adney Tempest

[Atoll Northwind]

The Svefra nearly crowed, Laviku it was good to hear the mother tongue. He was so absorbed in trying to learn Common he’d forgotten how much more fluid it was to speak as he was meant to. If he had it his way he’d just make the world speak Fratava. Which is what he switched to as soon as Adney gave his name. “’Course I’m Svefra. Was it my eyes that gave me away?” Atoll said, batting his eyes at the fellow sea fairer. But the name rang a bell too, “I met some of yours! Nearly ran ‘em down when I lost control of my baby.” Atoll took a swig of his drink, smacking his lips loudly when he finished. He set the mug down and gave the other Svefra an obvious once over. He could see stubble but Adney obviously didn’t keep facial hair, and his head was a mop much like Atoll’s own but longer. He looked like he might be a little taller than Atoll, which made him straighten out in order to look taller, but he had a slighter build. Finished with his inspection he didn’t let the silence last. “Speakin’ of, where’s the rest of that pod of yours at? They left ya alone here?” It was a nice tavern but Atoll thought it weird. Then again, his own pod were attached at the hip. Except for when someone got sick, then it was every sailor for themselves. And wasn’t he a fine example of that. Bored out of his mind, and trying to get drunk. He took another swig, then another, and yet another until the final tilt left him with a drop on his tongue. In a flash another drink appeared at his side, he gave thanks and sipped slower this time. “How long ya planning on being here? Gotta be missing the waves, aye Adney? But whadda ya think of the city? Been a long time since I went in-shore this long. I get landsick and I can’t find nothin’ to do in these damned places ‘cept drink!” He stopped to give the other a chance to answer then pulled a free chair closer to prop up his feet. Atoll let out a content sigh now that he was comfy, and nursed his drink like it was a baby. He felt more at ease now than he had been in days. After the fiasco with Litty, and the bar brawl, a light conversation with a fellow seaman was a blessing. Laviku ya never let me down! I’ll be paying ya in blood soon for all the things ya are giving me. It wasn’t though tin ire but in gratitude because there was nothing worse than a Svefra who was alone. They could make friends with land-dwellers but land-dwellers weren’t of Laviku or the pod. They never got it right. Least not for Atoll.

[Adney Tempest]

“’Course I’m Svefra. Was it my eyes that gave me away?” Adney began to laugh. "Yes it was yours eyes that gave it away." Adney smiled and laughed again when he saw Atoll bat his eyes. “I met some of yours! Nearly ran ‘em down when I lost control of my baby.” Adney was shocked but was happy. "Oh so you have met Tydus and Kel probably?" Adney saw the older Svefra drinking his mug. Atoll finished drinking and gave Adney a quick stare making Adney feel a little uncomfortable. When he was done giving Adney a look through he began to talk again. “Speakin’ of, where’s the rest of that pod of yours at? They left ya alone here?” Adney began to look at his empty mug before saying anything. "Yeah that, well they left to go on an adventure without me so now I am stuck here until they get back." Adney saw Atoll finish his mug and chuckled when Atoll grabbed his second mug and began to drink slowly.

“How long ya planning on being here? Gotta be missing the waves, aye Adney? But whadda ya think of the city? Been a long time since I went in-shore this long. I get landsick and I can’t find nothin’ to do in these damned places ‘cept drink!” Adney was quiet trying to think of answering the questions."I don't know how long I am planning on staying here to be honest with you, and yes I do miss being out on the open seas. The city is nice and beautiful but yeah you are right there really is not much to do over in these cities." Adney smiled when he saw that Atoll was getting comfortable and giving out an calming sigh."What about you Atoll?" Adney was quiet for minute. "How long are you planning on staying here in Riverfall?"

- Adney Tempest

[Atoll Northwind]

Atoll thought for a moment before he nodded, “Aye, it was. But looks like we’re in the same boat. My pod up and abandoned me too. Bunch of Laviku shyke eaters is what they are!” He left out why he’d been abandoned. There had been others but Zulphyia hadn’t banned them from returning. Damned woman thinks she’s already the lia. He thought with a shake of his head. Nana would have his head if she heard him say that. So would Zulphyia for that matter. Banishing the thoughts he returned to the present. “What kinda adventure? Ya can’t be expectin’ to stay here the whole time, lad!” The Svefra listened to the other Svefra’s plight with a grin forming on his lips. He’d been needing something to do that wasn’t in the city but even with Litty, who he couldn’t think about with wincing, it was lonely. He missed his pod and Adney could be the cure. His gaze swept up and down the other, “Ya can stay with me if ya like. Plenty a room on the Sextant, she misses company much as I do. You’re welcome to jump on her whenever ya like. We’ll keep each other busy.” He gave the other a bright smile, and another wink this one much more suggestive than the last. Another swig of his ale and Atoll was well on his way to a pleasant buzz that made him feel boneless and weightless. It was like swimming. In a cup. Which he nearly choked in at Adney’s question. He sat up straighter to stop the fit then threw back his head and laughed loudly. “I’m here till Zulphyia says I can go back. Can’t stay on my baby all the time, ain’t nothin’ to do by myself. Laviku forgive me but sailing don’t give me pleasure on my own. And it weren’t my own choice to be here, Zulphyia said I could use the time to stop bein’ a shyke…she’d know all about that.” He muttered into his cup. With several large gulps Atoll was finished, and could feel more than a buzz brewing. Behind him a busker had been playing for a few chimes, it was a catchy thing. Quick and cutting through his brief bout of melancholy thoughts Atoll stood with a gasp. “We can’t be sittin’ here like lumps, Adney lad. We’re gonna go on our adventure! I’ve got a ship and ya got hands so we’ve got a crew for it. There’s plenty of islands here to explore.” Spurred on by his own blooming excitement Atoll reached out to pull Adney to his feet and did a little jig, beckoning the other to join while his mind whirled with thoughts of adventure and things to attack. The Svefra wouldn’t stay standing for long though, spinning like a fool with ale in his stomach wasn’t the best of ways to keep it down.

[Adney Tempest]

“Aye, it was. But looks like we’re in the same boat. My pod up and abandoned me too. Bunch of Laviku shyke eaters is what they are!” Adney looked at Atoll with a sad expression. "Oh well I am sorry to hear that." Adney began to fiddle with his thumb and went into deep thought. “What kinda adventure? Ya can’t be expectin’ to stay here the whole time, lad!” Adney looked back at Atoll. "If I knew what adventure they went on I think I would be with them and I know that I shouldn't be wanting to stay here but there is this girl that I met and I am really interested in her." Adney smiled with the thought. Adney looked back Atoll and saw a grin plastered on his face. “Ya can stay with me if ya like. Plenty a room on the Sextant, she misses company much as I do. You’re welcome to jump on her whenever ya like. We’ll keep each other busy.” Adney smiled but then was serious. "I would love that but I already have a casinor of my own but thank you for the offer though." Adney watched Atoll as he was drinking his mug.

Adney could tell that Atoll got a slight buzz and Adney began to chuckle. “I’m here till Zulphyia says I can go back. Can’t stay on my baby all the time, ain’t nothin’ to do by myself. Laviku forgive me but sailing don’t give me pleasure on my own. And it weren’t my own choice to be here, Zulphyia said I could use the time to stop bein’ a shyke…she’d know all about that.” Adney listened with a smile. "That is really interesting Atoll so is Zulphyia from what it sounds like is your Lia?" Adney laughed watching Atoll take gulps of his drink. "Whoa haha calm down Atoll the drink isn't going anywhere." Adney watched as Atoll stood up and gasped. “We can’t be sittin’ here like lumps, Adney lad. We’re gonna go on our adventure! I’ve got a ship and ya got hands so we’ve got a crew for it. There’s plenty of islands here to explore.” Adney was shocked at what Atoll said but he was all for it. "Um sure yeah that sounds good then I can leave my boat here but I am all game for it." Adney was even more shocked when Atoll grabbed his arm and pulled him out of his seat. "Alright then where do you have in mind?"

- Adney Tempest