3rd of Summer 515av
The Anchorage Flotilla
Just After Midday
The Anchorage Flotilla
Just After Midday
An erruption of laughter temporarily broke over the humming chatter as all Svefra aboard the Pavilar moored in the outer cluster of ships at the Anchorgae Flotilla, made merry with ale and games of dice - though it was only half a bell past mid-day and the ale was already aflow. Kai had no idea whose party this was, but upon his passing along nearby Casinors that made up the 'streets' of the Anchorage Flotilla he could not forego the invitation they hollered to join them.
Syna's gleam was already reaching stiflingly hot temperatures despite the summer season only just starting and the opportunity to quench his parched tongue with a strong pint of ale was an offer he simply couldn't refuse. Most of the Svefra here were of the same pod, yet Kai was not the only stranger present. As their race are well known for their sociability and parties, it was not uncommon for them to welcome anyone aboard their ship if they came with the spirit to drink - and Kai was always in the mood for drink.
With his feet resting on an upturned bucket, his rump nestled on the wooden side of the Pavilar, Kai sat hunched over a hand of five cards. A table was positioned just in front of him cluttered with drinks, snacks, bartering chips and dice and was accompanied by another three of his kin seated around the sun-beaten table - all strangers but friends in the making, he was sure.
With his attention being momentarily taken by the boisterously laughing group to his right, Kai's interest was suddenly peeked back to the group he was sat with when he heard the older man seated just opposite him call out about Otani. Never having met one, Kai had only heard snippets of stories, but he knew they were the messengers and workers of Laviku and were a graciously beautiful race that Kai remained in awe of. "What's this about the Otani? You seen a real live one 'round these parts old man?"
As the others around the table continued to take their turns in the game of cards and dice, one native to their culture, Kai's sapphire gaze was firmly locked on the elder Svefra adjacent to him. The man was past his prime by a good few years, his hair with speckles of grey through blonde. Scratching his bushy, yet well-kept beard that looked to be flecked with ash, he grunted, "'Course I 'ave! Ain't no one ever not seen one, the Otani are everywhere, doin' the work of the God of the Oceans. A fickle bunch, but to be respected for sure."
Kai's heart near fluttered out of his chest as his mind began to reel. Otani so close by? He had to go and find it, maybe it would know what pod the markings on his pendant hail from, maybe it would know where to find them - that is, if they were still alive. Despite every muscle in his body clenching in anticipation and as the urgent drive to find answers re-awakened, the young Svefra was proud of his calm and collected composure at hearing the news.
Feining slight disinterested in the matter Kai decided to try and get as much information about the Otani as possible, without arousing the suspicions of the group for fear they would run a mockery of him and tell him half-truths of the Otani. If he was going to search for them, he should at least know what to prepare himself for. "Oh aye, heard a bit of 'em from my Lia as a young'n. Though, every story told draws different truths. What's your truths on 'em then?"
Attempting to press his question as casually as possible to the blonde opposite him, aflicker of a smile ghosted across the bleached headed Svefra's lips as he sussed Kai's peeked interest. Though he also noticed that the boy wanted to keep his interest quiet. The middle-aged Svefra was kind enough to oblige the young Svefra with offers of telling his tales - alas though, the Svefra were a race of barterers, "And what am I gunna get in return for givin' ye my stories young'n?"
Drat! His keen interest in the matter had been made by his elder. Although he asked for something in return at least the old geezer was kind enough not to arouse the jesting of the two middle-aged Svefra seated either side of him. Tossing a bartering chip into the middle of the table and rolling the dice, playing his turn the young Svefra smiled a cheeky grin, "The good feel'n of enlightening and passin' on the tales of our people to a good look'n young'n like me... And I'll save ye the walk to fetch more ale, as I see your cup is empty"
Kai grinned as charmingly as he could, attempting to win the favour of the elder with his smile and offer of more alcohol. The two seated at either side of the young smiling Svefra oblivious as they played out their turns, happily munching and drinking away.
The mid-aged "old" man croaked a hearty laugh after a few minutes squinting at the young grinning Svefra, clearly deliberating disappointing him, yet not able to find it in his good heart to do so, "Aye alright then, throw in an SM or two, refill my cup with ale and I'll regail you with an 'old' man's story," Despite a flutter of excitment lurching through his gut, Kai attempted to restrain himself from leaping to his feet and bounding down the ship as he snatched up the elder's empty tin cup.
Swiftly walking over to the bow of the Pavilar almost 80ft in length, an open barrel of ale sat next to a long table full of sandwhiches, cheeses, fruits, fish and other sea delectabes - When hosting a party or hour of meriment the Svefra went all out. Hastily dunking the tin cup into the barrel filling it to the brim, Kai nabbed a sandwich or two from the near by table for good measure. Taking near twice the length of his normal strides on the way back to the games table at the other far end of the ship, he nearly spilt the precious ale in the process - luckily though he returned with not a drop lost.
Syna's gleam was already reaching stiflingly hot temperatures despite the summer season only just starting and the opportunity to quench his parched tongue with a strong pint of ale was an offer he simply couldn't refuse. Most of the Svefra here were of the same pod, yet Kai was not the only stranger present. As their race are well known for their sociability and parties, it was not uncommon for them to welcome anyone aboard their ship if they came with the spirit to drink - and Kai was always in the mood for drink.
With his feet resting on an upturned bucket, his rump nestled on the wooden side of the Pavilar, Kai sat hunched over a hand of five cards. A table was positioned just in front of him cluttered with drinks, snacks, bartering chips and dice and was accompanied by another three of his kin seated around the sun-beaten table - all strangers but friends in the making, he was sure.
With his attention being momentarily taken by the boisterously laughing group to his right, Kai's interest was suddenly peeked back to the group he was sat with when he heard the older man seated just opposite him call out about Otani. Never having met one, Kai had only heard snippets of stories, but he knew they were the messengers and workers of Laviku and were a graciously beautiful race that Kai remained in awe of. "What's this about the Otani? You seen a real live one 'round these parts old man?"
As the others around the table continued to take their turns in the game of cards and dice, one native to their culture, Kai's sapphire gaze was firmly locked on the elder Svefra adjacent to him. The man was past his prime by a good few years, his hair with speckles of grey through blonde. Scratching his bushy, yet well-kept beard that looked to be flecked with ash, he grunted, "'Course I 'ave! Ain't no one ever not seen one, the Otani are everywhere, doin' the work of the God of the Oceans. A fickle bunch, but to be respected for sure."
Kai's heart near fluttered out of his chest as his mind began to reel. Otani so close by? He had to go and find it, maybe it would know what pod the markings on his pendant hail from, maybe it would know where to find them - that is, if they were still alive. Despite every muscle in his body clenching in anticipation and as the urgent drive to find answers re-awakened, the young Svefra was proud of his calm and collected composure at hearing the news.
Feining slight disinterested in the matter Kai decided to try and get as much information about the Otani as possible, without arousing the suspicions of the group for fear they would run a mockery of him and tell him half-truths of the Otani. If he was going to search for them, he should at least know what to prepare himself for. "Oh aye, heard a bit of 'em from my Lia as a young'n. Though, every story told draws different truths. What's your truths on 'em then?"
Attempting to press his question as casually as possible to the blonde opposite him, aflicker of a smile ghosted across the bleached headed Svefra's lips as he sussed Kai's peeked interest. Though he also noticed that the boy wanted to keep his interest quiet. The middle-aged Svefra was kind enough to oblige the young Svefra with offers of telling his tales - alas though, the Svefra were a race of barterers, "And what am I gunna get in return for givin' ye my stories young'n?"
Drat! His keen interest in the matter had been made by his elder. Although he asked for something in return at least the old geezer was kind enough not to arouse the jesting of the two middle-aged Svefra seated either side of him. Tossing a bartering chip into the middle of the table and rolling the dice, playing his turn the young Svefra smiled a cheeky grin, "The good feel'n of enlightening and passin' on the tales of our people to a good look'n young'n like me... And I'll save ye the walk to fetch more ale, as I see your cup is empty"
Kai grinned as charmingly as he could, attempting to win the favour of the elder with his smile and offer of more alcohol. The two seated at either side of the young smiling Svefra oblivious as they played out their turns, happily munching and drinking away.
The mid-aged "old" man croaked a hearty laugh after a few minutes squinting at the young grinning Svefra, clearly deliberating disappointing him, yet not able to find it in his good heart to do so, "Aye alright then, throw in an SM or two, refill my cup with ale and I'll regail you with an 'old' man's story," Despite a flutter of excitment lurching through his gut, Kai attempted to restrain himself from leaping to his feet and bounding down the ship as he snatched up the elder's empty tin cup.
Swiftly walking over to the bow of the Pavilar almost 80ft in length, an open barrel of ale sat next to a long table full of sandwhiches, cheeses, fruits, fish and other sea delectabes - When hosting a party or hour of meriment the Svefra went all out. Hastily dunking the tin cup into the barrel filling it to the brim, Kai nabbed a sandwich or two from the near by table for good measure. Taking near twice the length of his normal strides on the way back to the games table at the other far end of the ship, he nearly spilt the precious ale in the process - luckily though he returned with not a drop lost.
