PM to join [Patchwork Docks] Where the Gulls Cry (Nephti)

[Calder Stormeye]

Calder Stormeye 1st of Fall, 515 AV The temperature was on the decline and Syna was falling low on the horizon, evening would soon be giving way to night. There was still some time but many were beginning to wind down, especially at the patchwork docks where they were mercifully free of the illusions that were intricately woven into the bones of the rest of Alvadas. Many of the sea-faring folk stuck to the docks instead of dealing with the insanity that was Alvadas. Svefra, the chosen people of Laviku, had a somewhat easier time, the marks gifted to them by their god made it so they could always tell which direction the sea was in. So they always had a bit of an anchor guiding them in the vague direction of the docks. Calder had been in Alvadas many a time, sometimes staying for multiple seasons at a time. Rarely in any of his stays did Calder stray too far from the docks. Usually he just found himself a dock space, worked out a deal with one of the local fishmongers and only left his boat to pick up supplies, or occasionally women. Calder usually made himself a living here, whenever he stayed for more than a season he ended up attracting a small crowd of people wanting to pick up on his other skills. There were a few of the more scared types that were regular customers, they also tended to spread the word when he was back in town. There were a few in nearly every port that knew Calder's name and were eager to have him break out his card deck to see what the future held. As night approached Calder was resting on his boat feet kicked up as his fishing rod hung a line in the water. Wasn't too good fishing to be done this close into the docks but with patience Calder could usually pick up a fish for his dinner. Casual fishing like this didn't require too much constant attention though, Calder looked over the side of the boat into the darkening water. Slowly he dipped his waterskin into the water allowing it to fill before pulling it up and took a swig. Whistling a simple tune, badly off key, Calder went into the cabin and kicked open his chest pulling out his water pipe, pouring a bit of seawater into the pipe he pulled out a pinch of Sywat and stuffed it into the pipe. Lighting it from the low burning brazier in the cabin he walked back onto the deck puffing gently on the pipe.

[Nephti]

The city of Alvadas twisted and turned at Nephti's feet, playing with the slave girl. Her mistress would have wanted her home several bells ago, but the streets led her everywhere but there. The trick was to keep an open mind, but fearing for being punished, she could do anything but that, hopeless trying every turn to reach the house where she worked.

There was Leth, rising steadily into the night sky and betraying the hour, but she didn't know whether or not to even bother trusting him. The city played with the gods, casting illusions in their place. For all she knew, it might have even been morning, but whatever time it was, she was late home.

Stopping for a moment to catch her thoughts, she tried to push the idea that she might never be allowed out alone again out of her mind. Her mistress often got lost in this city. Why shouldn't she be forgiven for a simple mistake? Focusing on the glowing vortex spiraling on her hand. she let it glow, a faint light that fought all feelings until they were replaced with hope. Her mind was clearer now, the clouds lifted. These steps forward weren't hurried or rushed, but trusting, letting the city lead her.

But even with the help of Priskil, it didn't lead her where she wanted to go, but rather, to the path that led towards the Patchwork Port. Sighing, Nephti took it, wanting some normality in her life. The sea never suited her, but the lack of illusions did, and she sat with her legs dangling towards the water, in between the boats that slowly bobbed up and down. Out of instinct, the deck of tarot cards slipped into her hand, and she shuffled them, slowly and methodically, no particular desire to read them, but simply to pass the time, until she was ready to reenter Alvadas.