A little light creeps into the ragged shades and onto the face of the sleeping todd fox. The room up above the main tavern of the "Proud Falcon" is fairly clean, but bare. The mattress is stuffed with flaxen straw, and a little lumpy, though the pillow is of bird down. A small stand, a bowl and a pitcher of water, and a clean towel are the only other items in the room. From below, the sounds of the lunch crowd slowly wandering in can be heard, and the smell of the strong, spicy stew that is the tavern keepers specialty assaults the fox's nose.
Ashyle wakes up and rubs his eyes...
Ashyle opens his pack and takes out a pad computer and writes a few notes in his diary.
A loud knock on the door, "Ya want yer hot water, get it now. And if ya don't get out in another hour, you pay for another day mister." Not the most patient of maids.
Ashyle says, "Okaaaaay! I'm coooooming!"
Ashyle quickly puts things back in his pack and dons his things. He opens the door looking disheveled. "Good mooorning."
Ashyle says, "Where's the hot water?"
The maid, a not too bad looking chipmunk fem, is dressed plainly, and is carrying a bucket of steaming water. She pushes inside the room and dumps it in the basin, "Morning to you too mister. Must be nice to be able to sleep away half the day." before she tromps out.
Ashyle sticks out his tongue and mumbles something about the time change under his breath. He looks at the steaming bucket... and wonders what to DO with it....
Ashyle ohs... and does his best to wash up before going downstairs into the main part of the inn. He buys some breakfast and gets on with his day.
Ashyle says, "I wonder who I'm going to meet today."
The main tavern of the Proud Falcon is darkly lit, having few windows. The bartender is a fairly quiet Red Panda, who polishes glasses in between serving drinks and food. The tables have short benches around them, making it easier for those with long tails.
Simtra walks by the tavern and thinks that it would be a good time to get a bite to eat. As he opens the door the light pours in to the discomfort to the furs inside.
Ashyle squints his eyes. "Ugh.. daylight... it's too early for it to be day."
Simtra quickly shuts the door behind him before upsetting too many of those inside.
One of the bar maids, recognizing Simtra, pads up and purrs, "Simtra, here to clean your system out with more of our stew?"
Ashyle says, "That stew smells good. Can I have a bowl too?"
Simtra blinks trying to see with maid he is talking to, "Ah that would be good. Your stew is the best around here."
The young feline nods, "Why certainly. I'll have to tell Martha that foxes like her stew. If you want anything to drink, talk to the barkeep."
With a swish of her long tail, she disappears back into the kitchen.
Simtra nods and looks around the tavern. Spying the new looking todd he heas over to sit next to him.
Simtra looks at Ashyle, "G'day sir. Do ya mind if I sit with ya today. I have not seen ya around here before."
Ashyle says, "Not at all. Nice to meet you. I'm Ashyle. I'm kind of new in town."
Ashyle says, "Looking for work. Who might you be?"
Simtra sits down at the bar next to Ashyle, "Nice to meet ya. My name is Simtra. So your new here. I have been in the area for a few months now."
Ashyle says, "What's the main business around here?"
Simtra looks to the barkeep, "Do you have a cool tea back there. With a slice of lemon."
Ashyle says, "I'm a traveler myself.. but I do make crafts too."
Simtra turns back not waiting for a response, "Around here. I am not too sure. Just about everything you can think of. Just down the road is a craftsman that make lovely statues out of gems that I bring down here.
Ashyle reaches into his cloak and takes out a well-sculpted little foxmorph made of stone. The maker must have been very skilled to make such fine cuts and to have such details like the tail and hands without breaking the stone.
Ashyle says, "Must be very hard to craft them. Gems are hard to cut!"
Ashyle says, "Who is the gemcutter?"
Simtra says, "He is some feline. I don't know is name for sure but he is just down the road. "
The feline bar maid strolls back in, and grabs the glass of room temperature tea (with lemon) and a pitcher of water and puts the foxes' drinks in front of them, then comes back with two hollowed out loaves of bread, filled with stew, and covered with chunks of cheese melting on top. "Here you go gents. That'll be 4 coppers each."
Ashyle gives the bar maid a silver bar. "Can I have change from this?"
Simtra pulls five copers from his vest and hands it to the bar maid. "Ya can keep my change miss."
The bar maid takes Simtra's coins, then eeps to Ashyle, "I... I don't know if we can. I'll ask." and disappears behind the swinging kitchen doors.
Ashyle blushes a bit. "I don't have many o the local coins. had to sell some things."
Simtra takes a sip from the tea and asks Ashyle, "Your work is not that bad, ya might want to set up a shop or at least set it to that smith down the road."
Ashyle says, "Thanks. I try. I have a lot of free time on my own.. on the trails. So I can make things like this."
Ashyle thinks to himself, "A laser-cutter lets you do some marvelous work.. and turn rocks into some cash. :)"
Simtra blinks, "You can carve those while walking. You must be quite good at working at that."
Ashyle says, "Naw.. I do that when I have nothing better to do.. like talk. What do you do to make a living for yourself?"
The feline comes back and hands Ashyle 4 silver rings, three silver coins, and two copper pieces, "Martha had me charge you another 10 coppers for making change. Here ya go. Say, Simtra, aren't ya going to meet that ship later today?"
Simtra folds his ears back, "A ship. I don't quite recall needing to meet a ship today. Where that ship going to, to refresh my memory.
Ashyle says, "sorry about that, miss. Was all I had.."
Ashyle says, "A ship? You sail, maybe?"
Simtra turns to Ashyle for a sec, "No, just carry gem ore from Turing point and take a ship from time to time. But not today that I know of."
With a flick of her whiskers, the bar maid purrs to Ashyle, "Not a problem. Oh, I had thought you heard, some of our traders met an odd ship that is going to be landing at our docks today along the Big Serpent. Seems they have some odd stones, and other things to trade. Thought you'd want to meet it."
Simtra pulls out another coper and hands it to the maid. "I would like to meet it, and if you hear of any other news like that let me know. Will ya."
Ashyle says, "Okay. Must be hard work. Diamonds or something? For jewelry?"
Ashyle says, "Thanks, miss. I think I will. Sounds very interesting!"
She pockets the coin and smiles, "I sure will, Simtra. You and your brother here are quite cute anyhow. And ya tip me well. ;)" She leans over and gives Simtra a quick kiss on one ear and disappears from sight.
Simtra blushes slightly and turns back to talk with Ashyle.
Simtra says, "Diamonds? Na, nothing like that. Just this turquoise colored gems that the smiths like to work with down here. Quite rare in these parts."
Ashyle says, "Sounds neat. Maybe we should go over to look at the trading ship. Maybe you want to know about your competition, hmmm?"
Simtra says, "If ya want to come with. Just me just finish my tea first before I leave."
Simtra takes a final gulp from the glass and stands up, "Ready?"
Ashyle says, "Okay. Ready when you are. :)"
Simtra nods and heads for the door.
Ashyle leaves for the docks with Simtra.
A truly lovely day in Haven. Less than three days to the spring solstice celebration, and it even smells like spring. Lots of flowers blooming along the pathways. The portion of the Big Serpent river by the docks is large enough to be called a freshwater lake.
Tharhome
Haven::Docks The Big Serpent River flows out of this
large bay, called Haven Harbor rather unimaginatively. The docks are of
sturdy wood, the water here is fresh. Ships of various sizes can be found
here, some even apparently powered by steam, though sails predominate.
Up the hill the scattered houses of the city can be seen mixed in with
patches of woods.
In the near distance coming up the Big Serpent is a strange ship. The wood seems to be shining golden and it seems only to have one main sail, which looks more like a window shade than a sail, hanging from its large mast.
Simtra sniffs the air and sighs happily
Simtra says, "Well, when she said a strange ship, she was right."
Ashyle looks a little bit disappointed... "Yes. Interesting."
It's not a large ship by most sailing standards, but it is bigger than a fish trawler. Many furs scamper about on deck doing their duties as the ship is brought about to come to a slow dock at the harbor.
Simtra shrugs at Ashyle's lack of amassment and sits down on the dock waiting for the ship to dock.
Ashyle says, "I wonder where they come from."
Simtra says, "Ya got me, I havn't to seen a ship like this before. "
A lithe cat of all black jumps from the ship's side onto the dock, catching the line as it is tossed so he can tie off the ship. Once the ship is secured in its moorings, they pull up the sail and scamper to attention. Quite a fuss and commotion is about this ship.
A crowd of local furs, is, as always, at the docks when a ship comes in, and this time the crowd is truly getting entertained by such an exotic arrival.
Simtra stands up and takes a closer look at the ship and crew.
The design is completely alien. It's obviously made of wood but it is painted a brilliant golden yellow and red with geometric accents in many hues. Its port side rises higher than its bow, and it seems to tip almost drunkenly or brazenly to the bow.
Ashyle thinks back to the maps his ship took from space. One of the other land masses, presumably...
Ashyle sets his pack down in his lap to watch. "From across the seas, probably. Sailors like you. :)"
Aboard the ship, a man steps forward to the side and calls out in a long, and deep voice. He makes odd noises that seem incomprehensible, almost as if he were singing slowly. A wide plank is lowered from the ship's side to the dock, and a large box seems to be carried down it slowly by eight men holding it up by poles.
Ashyle says, "Maybe your ship should think about going there."
Simtra is about to respond but is interrupted by the scene going on the ship.
A few furs comment, "They're stranger than the folks from Northern Reach, ya know, the ones with the ket'pilars?"
Nodding, another grumps, "Things keep getting weirder since those Chirpy'taurs arrived."
Ashyle snickers quietly to himself...weirder than you can imagine.
The men unload the great box and you see it has curtains, of all things. The step off the dock onto the mainland and set the box down.
Simtra tries to get closer to the box so that he can get a good look at it.
One of the men around the box eyes Simtra suspiciously and puts a hand to a sword on his waist. These men, in their strange garb, look like guards.
A white hand waves out from the curtains, its fingers fine and delicate like a woman's. A soothing voice sing songs from the curtains and whoever within seems to stop the guard.
Simtra notices the move to the sword by the guard and takes a few steps back.
Ashyle puts a hand on Simtra's shoulder and pulls him back a little. "Best keep your distance, fox.."
At about the same time, several of the town guard stroll onto the docks, having heard of the odd visitors. A line of skunks in leather armor is now on the docks, but they seem to be just watching, for now.
Ashyle whispers in Simtra's ear. "Maybe it's their leader."
A foot seems to appear from within the curtained box, then another. Someone is getting out. The body is sleek and feminine and the face is delicate and fine-boned.
Simtra turns back to Ashyle and whispers back, "A, you might be right there."
Simtra says, "Whoever they are, from what I can see, she looks pretty."
Ashyle whispers back. "Yes... but I think she is a level or two over our status."
Ashyle says, "Don't even get your hopes up."
Simtra chuckles softly, "A, ya be right there."
Jin looks around at this new land and looks at Simtra and Ashyle.
Jin sees the guards as well and gauges their purpose.
Simtra notices Jin looking and turns to see is someone is behind him that Jin could be looking at.
Jin walks up to the two furs and speaks lyrically. The cat seems to be trying to communicate. Very pretty sounds, but no meaning gleanable.
Ashyle blinks, taking a step back in surprise as this obviously important woman walks up to him. "Uhmm... hi there." He raises his hand and smiles in a friendly way, whiskers brushing out.
Simtra not understanding a word, "G'day miss. Do you want to speak to us?"
Ashyle giggles and nudges Simtra a little, whispering. "I think she wants you!"
The guards look surprised as Ashyle raises his hand. One shouts out strangely in the language it seems they all speak. Jin turns to him and barks something back in a masculine tone! The guard gets back in line.
Jin turns back to the two furs and points to itself. "Wushi Maodi."
Ashyle blinks at all the barking... he holds out both his hands in front of him with the fingers spread, showing that they are empty... and smiles.
Simtra folds his ears back and whispers back to Ashyle, "I think we made a mistake with 'him.'"
The town guards seem to just be relaxing in line along the docks, just watching.
Ashyle points at himself. "Ashyle."
Ashyle oopses.. and looks at Simtra with a blush.
Simtra takes a cue from Ashyle and points to himself, "Simtra."
It seems Murphy was an optimist on Nexus also, not ONE Haven official seems to have been informed of the new arrivals, and the guard, assuming that they DO know about it, just watch and wait for orders.
Ashyle looks around at the foreign cat's entourage... "Seems funny that they didn't bring an interpreter with them."
Simtra nods and whispers to Ashyle, "Uh, now what do we do?"
Ashyle reaches into his pack very slowly so as not to alarm the guards. he take out the carved stone in the form of a fox morph. He bows his head and holds it out towards Jin.
Jin speaks with great difficulty. His L's and R's seems confused when he uses them, and it's singsong, but you can just understand him. "When is this?"
Ashyle says, "Gift for you, sir."
Simtra blinks. "That was a quick pick up of the language."
Ashyle thinks to himself, "A small gift here and there might earn favor later on. A good investment."
Jin purrs, ~ I come. Much far. ~
Jin points back the way the ship came.
Simtra says, "Far? From the land across the great sea?"
Jin looks confused.
Ashyle whispers in Simtra's ear, "I don't think he is expected.. which means he doesn't have a place to stay. What's the BEST inn in town? Maybe we can get ourself a free stay with our host?"
Jin purrs, ~ No undahstand. ~
Simtra says, "The best inn in town? I don't think that would be where I found you. I think there is another place just down the road, but it cost quite a bit a night."
Jin purrs, ~ When emperor? Must say to emperor. ~
Ashyle says, "You must be tired from long journey. Come with us. Eat. Rest. Then see Emperor?"
Ashyle whispers back to Simtra, "If he can afford da ship, he can afford food and room for all of us. :)"
Simtra whispers to Ashyle, "Emperor. We don't have an emperor that I know of. Just the city leader."
Jin purrs, ~ Eat? Yes. We go say to emperor aftah. ~
Jin purrs, ~ You work for emperor? ~
Ashyle shakes his head to Jin. "No. Am a worker."
Simtra says, "I am not either. I am just a traveler."
Ashyle whispers to Simtra, "Emperor.. city leader.. close enough. Lead on to the Inn!"
Jin nods, then claps his hands twice. Some of the cat's guards bring over a small chest. Jin opens it and it is full of precious jewels and gold. He pulls out two small, green spheres and turns, handing one to Ashyle, then Simtra. ~ For you. ~
Ashyle bows his head. "Thank you!"
Simtra eyes open wide in shock, "Why do you give us this?"
Jin smiles vainly. "Gift. For furs say Emperor Maodi pretty."
Jin remarks about their first impressions of him as a woman.
Ashyle says, "Thank you, Emperor."
Simtra chuckles, "Ah, then much thanks to you."
Jin sends the guards with the chest away and he claps once. The guards bring the box up to him. He says to the two new friends, ~ You take me to eat place. ~
Ashyle nudges Simtra's ribs with his elbow. "Lead on to the Inn.. while he's in a good mood. I can almost taste the fine cooking!"
Simtra turns and points to town. "This is the way to the inn. If you would follow me.
Jin climbs into his box and closes the curtains. He calls to the guards melodically and they follow Simtra.
Ashyle takes a moment to look at his jade sphere. Interesting. Maybe worth a few credits after he gets back to his homeword.. would pay for all the equipment he had to buy, maybe.
They walk down the road and turn towards the better part of town. Everything seems to be a bit more on the expensive side but not too much more then where Ashyle just left. With the flowers, white wash and falling water around the doorway it looks very pleasing to stay at.
Simtra stops at the doorway, "Here it is. The best place in Haven."
Jin halts his men and gets out of his box. He surveys the surroundings with a critical eye. "Food place?"
Ashyle says, "Yes. Food place."
Ashyle opens the door and bows to the Emperor.
Simtra says, "And a sleeping place too if you need it."
Jin seems to instruct a guard to enter the inn first for safety reasons, and then amidst silken splendor, he takes his first step toward the inn.
Jin purrs, ~ splendor ~
Ashyle licks his whiskers thinking of a good meal. :)
Jin enters into the inn with Ashyle and Simtra following behind him to see what is inside.
Ashyle enters too. He thinks, "I wonder what I'll find tomorrow."