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Entry tags:
[mission: hyrypia] not fare well
CHARACTERS: Everyone
WHERE: The Red Coast
WHEN: MIDDAY :023 - DAY:027
SUMMARY: A half day's journey from the far side of the Finger Maze sits a village of stone against a red sea.
WARNINGS: None! Will add as appropriate. Have something you want noted here? PM the mod account.
((OOC Notes: This log serves as a general catch-all for events from midday DAY :023 through DAY :027. Please feel free to create your logs outside of this one and be aware that there may be additional mod-driven posts/logs which occur within the timeframe of this log. Please be sure to review the MISSION: HYRYPIA ooc information to find setting information for the Red Coast. If you have any questions, please hit up either the mission's question thread, the FAQ or MOD CONTACT pages!))
WHERE: The Red Coast
WHEN: MIDDAY :023 - DAY:027
SUMMARY: A half day's journey from the far side of the Finger Maze sits a village of stone against a red sea.
WARNINGS: None! Will add as appropriate. Have something you want noted here? PM the mod account.
HYRYPIA - THE FAR SIDE OF THE MAZE
MIDDAY :023
A SHARP RELIEF
BY THE TIME the shadow of the airship has sailed away from them, the members of the pilgrimage have had time to take in their surroundings. Gone are the acres of endless grasses, and behind them are the whistling cliffs. What lies ahead is rocky highland, not bordered by steep walls of rock but stretching around them and meandering downward. The ground here is mostly stone, almost barren outside of the occasional scrubby tree and the small, hardy looking creatures with rounded haunches and blockish faces that dart behind the scattered stones and into clumps of pale violet grasses that they seem to eat, along with the lowest leaves of the trees.
It's a half a day’s journey to their next destination. The path they follow meanders, and though it's some kind of a road there are far more potholes for the baggage cart wheels to catch and the hardness of the ground comes as something of a surprise after their opulent journey over the Finger Maze. The Envoys are again left to mingle and make their way, the sounds of music and chatter beginning again. After some hours, the scent of the air has noticeably shifted. The sea-salt air is the first sign that they have neared their destination.HYRYPIA - THE RED COAST
LATE DAY :023
A WARM WELCOME
THE RED COAST does not come upon them all at once. Instead as they continue wandering the twisting stone paths, the Pilgrimage is brought ever downward and the coast's features slowly reveal itself. First comes a view of a dark sea on the horizon, then the shale eventually gives way to reveal the tops of buildings and narrow, winding streets of a small town clinging along the coast. The town - or fief - almost perfectly compliments the landscape which it hugs. The buildings are small and stone, rough hewn or perhaps simply worn down over the ages. The streets, much like the path the Pilgrimage followed from the Finger Maze, seem to wind their way randomly through the town, following the natural curves in the stone down to the shore which is lined with docks.
In the distance across a misty stretch of dark water, a great towering city can be seen. Sky ships fleck the air around it - a reminder of the realities of the modern life of this planet. However here the Hyrypian locals seem removed from that. They populate ancient looking stone and bobbing wood docks and go to sea in vessels made almost entirely of either wood or some kind of hardened fiber. Divers can be seen distantly in the red waves of the coast, bobbing up in the surf then disappearing under the water again.
As the Pilgrimage comes into the town, they are greeted by local Hyrypians which line the sides of the streets. They stand against the sides of their homes and places of business, daily tasks set aside for now to greet their guests. There are smiles and waves. Several locals pass trinkets into the hands of the passing envoys. None of these are quite the same - there are some beaded bracelets and other small jewelry, hair pins, flowers, and small paper figures of animals and boats and Rabadocean-like figures. All the gifts have a handmade feel to them.A MOMENT'S REST
THE PATH leading to Tyrisson village doesn't actually lead down to the beach, though it may seem to. Instead it weaves out away from the town towards a low manor above the town. Just beside the manor sits a large stone clearing - the most level ground they've seen since the Graze. The courtyard consists of stone bricks arranged in intricate circular patterns. Covering this large stone yard is an almost overwhelming number of identical, simple stone buildings with single entrances covered by cloth and several broad windows similarly curtained. Each small unit is lit and from within there is the scent of food - the walk and the scent of salt piquing appetites. The members of the Pilgrimage's many envoys are lead to these buildings. Each unit houses roughly fifteen individuals, complete with rows of beds and long dining tables - all of which are far simpler than the great berths of the airship.
The Carbauschians are lead to a cluster of three of the barrack buildings and are politely informed that these will be theirs for the length of their stay on the Red Coast. Then they are left to their own devices to unpack and enjoy the hot dinner that has been prepared and left for them inside.DAY :024
SIMPLE HOSPITALITY
FROM THEIR BARRACKS the sunrise over the shores of the Red Coast is breathtaking. The red sun sits in a red sky, all of which is mirrored by the red water along the coast. Late in the morning, a polite knock at the exterior of each dwelling summons all of the members of the pilgrimage out into courtyard where they're greeted by pleasant-faced and loosely dressed members of the Tyrisson household. The envoys are provided with a breakfast - warm buns stuffed with savory filling. Many of the local Hyrypians seem deeply curious and eye the Carbauschian veils and layers with interest. When the twin heads of Tyrisson house come before their gathering, the assembled servants bow deeply. As on the airship, they deliver their prepared speech smoothly between them:"Welcome to the Red Coast and Tyrisson village. This place was once the very definition of Hyrypian industry, the very busiest place on the entire continent. Now, we hope you welcome and enjoy what has become a more sedate way of life. With all that's happened in the last few days, we invite you to take your time - to relax - to partake in the history of this place at your own pace and to enjoy the hospitality provided by the people here.
"There might be a special surprise or two to be fished up toward the end of your stay here," says one of the twins with a wink. "But we can promise they're good ones."
With that, the twins step down and the servants file back into the manor house. The guests are left to their own devices. The town below is open to them, ready to share their skills and traditions with visitors. Over the next few days there are a number of tasks for the Pilgrims to take part in, including:SEA WEAVING - Along the edges of the docks there are a handful of Hyrypians in small outbuildings, open to the sea breeze and light. Inside the artisans - mostly older and with a certain paleness along the edges of their facial crests - weave grasses taken up from the seafloor. Their skilled fingers fold the strands over and under to create baskets, mats, and even the beginnings of the odd, lightweight boats which line the edges of the docks. They are eager to teach and many seem to be delighted by the chance to tell stories of ancient weavers that their younger family members have tired of hearing.
LISTLE DIVING - At the farthest edges of the port there are high cliffs over deep waters. From these, local Hyrypians dive into the red tinted waves and go deep to the edge of stones to pry off clustered, barnacle like creatures. When they are brought up it is revealed that the secretions they use to glue themselves to the rock form translucent resins somewhat like amber which are tinted in a variety of colors. The divers are eager to teach those who wish to learn their skills --which isn’t you. Robes and water don't mix. Still, they are glad enough to talk and the diving is exciting to watch.
FISHING - The lightweight woven vessels are almost all at sea on these fine days, each one occupied by one or two anglers standing on the boats' broad bottoms. They dangle their swarms of lines away from the hustle and bustle of the shore; when they return to the docks with their prizes, the fishermen are perfectly willing to allow a couple of passengers along as they head back out for their next catch. The boats cut through the red waves using long pole-paddles. Once out on the water, the locals are happy to hand over their poles and teach you how to haul in the wriggling eel-like fish that seem to be the most common catch.
JEWELRY MAKING - In the high village there are numerous open stalls, some of which are occupied by jewelers, hard at work turning the resinous listle pearls into beads or hammering the half-hard portions is listle resin into fibers that are then spun into thread for weaving. Sea grass and metal are made into cords and chains. These artisans tend to have focus lines between their eyes and they talk less than many of the other craftsmen, but they will nevertheless hand over their delicate tools to teach the skills necessary to shape the valuable listle resin into art.
POTTERY - While the sea-grass is beloved - lightweight and shockingly sturdy -, it’s not nearly as abundant as the clay from the cliffs. The red tinge seems to be from the microbiol life that has given the water and the coast its rusted color, staining even the ground. In the stalls besides the jewelers, Hyrypian potters shape clay into anything from common flower pots to fine dishes. The off sideways spinning wheels have many open seats.
HUNTING - Where the Gryer and the Elin ruled the Graze, here there are the small scrappy goat-like Ridin. They are fleet and agile, capable of fitting into shockingly small spaces and disappearing behind rocks and scrub and trees. It’s no surprise then that the denizens of the Red Coast prefer hunting on foot with the help of Britt. The britt are small amphibious creatures with a passing resemblance to seals-- if seals moved like whippets. The Red Coast Hyrypians use them to drive the ridin out into the open where they can be brought down with small slings. They ridin are hunted for their meat as much as to keep them out of the small orchard of trees behind the manor where salty-sweet fruits are grown.
((OOC Notes: This log serves as a general catch-all for events from midday DAY :023 through DAY :027. Please feel free to create your logs outside of this one and be aware that there may be additional mod-driven posts/logs which occur within the timeframe of this log. Please be sure to review the MISSION: HYRYPIA ooc information to find setting information for the Red Coast. If you have any questions, please hit up either the mission's question thread, the FAQ or MOD CONTACT pages!))
bless this patient good boy and this silly fool
Oh. Yes, I um...well, your friend saved my life and that's a debt that can't be ignored.
[Or easily repaid, for that matter.]
But I'm determined to do whatever I must to deserve such a sacrifice.
she is a GOOD fool
[Even if he sobers up, fairly quickly at what she says.]
Just be careful. All right? I... know he wouldn't want you throwing yourself away.
I MEAN I GUESS
[Far be it from her to effectively render the hunter's sacrifice null and void. She nods, resolutely.]
For the time being, I'll only throw stones. [Dumb joke, Keya. Dumb,joke. She argues with herself: He's still holding my hand, I'm allowed a dumb joke! And that draws her eyes down, to her hand held in both of his.]
she's adopted now sorry
[There's a beat of silence.]
[And then he laughs. He ends up dropping his hands in order to fold them over his chest -- still laughing.]
Okay, okay. That's a good plan.
💜 heart emoji
She addresses the smooth stone in her hand.]
Let’s see how many hops we get out of you.
[The farana crouches slightly to align her throw more closely with the surface of the glowing water, draws back for a practice swing—eh, screw the practice swing, let it fly! It’s a much better rock than the ones she’d hucked into the waves before, and actually skips a few times, looking otherworldly as the ripples it sends out sparkle with bioluminescence. One, two, three, four...]
Not bad! Pretty good, really.
eyes emoji
[Sometimes Elena. But, you know. Most people rolled their eyes.]
[He nods, turning slightly to watch her throw. She's good at it, actually. And he ends up clapping once the stone does end up sinking.]
Think you can try for five?
[Too late, he's already looking for another rock.]
ok hand emoji
[Perhaps later she’ll appreciate that this is the most comfortable she’s felt on this pilgrimage, but for now she too starts searching.]
Mm, not enough people laugh at them, I think. My aunt, at least of the kin I’m stuck—[Ahem.] —that I’m traveling with here, is the only one who doesn’t groan about them. She doesn’t laugh, but...we’ll she kind of smirks, i guess. Which isn’t the same.
[This rock should do. Oval-ish, smooth, more or less flat. It’s even a pretty red color, as a bonus. Keya straightens up, flipping the rock between her hands.]
Forgive me if this is an...ignorant question, but in Carbauschian society, is there a heavy emphasis on formality?
no subject
[There's a few smaller rocks gathered in his hand. It's been ... it's been forever since he tried something like this. Just skipping rocks. And not having to worry about constantly guarding his thoughts.]
No, it's not the same, you're right. Sometimes you just want someone to laugh at you... [Sometimes it's fun.] I get groans. When I try.
[It's because you tell Dad Jokes, Shiro, that's why. He shakes his head a little at her question, though, before answering.]
It's all right. And... it depends. I mean, obviously, there's... [He shakes the robes a little.] ... But I'm an outlier, I think.
There's a reason I'm not a diplomat.
no subject
When she's collected a decent handful of stones, she picks one to throw and pauses, tilting her head.]
Aren't you, though? Everyone on this pilgrimage is a diplomat, technically. We're expected to act as representatives--or at least I was told to. [A furrow forms between her brows.]
Unless they just said that to keep me from speaking freely. [Equally likely, it seems. She picks a stone other than the red one she picked up, just in case she decides to keep the pretty thing, and affords herself a practice swing before throwing this time. She's trying for five skips, she doesn't want to end up with three.]
no subject
[More or less. That's how he's been playing it so far. As much as it really bothers him, lying, even necessarily, to her.]
I can't speak for your people, but that's our situation, at least.
[She's got a rock, she's winding up, so he might as well give it a try himself. He ends up with only four skips, but hey. Not bad for a first try, right?]
no subject
It...seems like it'd be more likely for the two of you stand side by side and look doubly imposing. Four skips, well done!
[She clicks her teeth.]
I forgot to count mine. [Oh well, that's why there are multiple stones. She winds up again, and this time watches it bounce three, four--and a half? Five would be a generous call on that one.]
I should be able to speak for my people, though they wouldn't like what I have to say. There's too much weight given to how we present ourselves away from home that we may as well be set pieces. Nothing important gets done because we're too afraid of looking foolish or saying the wrong thing that nobody even tries to say the right thing.
[Or they rely on double-meanings and subterfuge instead of speaking plainly. Keya picks another rock and shrugs, aware that she may be speaking too openly but...well. She just laid out the alternative.]
So that's our situation.
no subject
He's got more than one guard -- he's got plenty of... double impositions. [He pauses.] Which sounded a lot better in my head.
[Now he counts her skips, making doubly sure, this time.] Almost five, for you. I think you've got a better throw.
[But then the tone shifts, and he focuses on her words. This is... probably valuable information. Something the others should know.]
What would happen if you tried? To say what's on your mind? They wouldn't hurt you, would they?
no subject
They're more likely to step in and talk over you, or say something like, "Keya, darling, why don't you go get a drink?" or refuse to let you attend future functions. [She tosses a stone into the air and catches it, idly, pursing her lips. She thinks for a moment, then looks at Shiro and grins.]
I could give you some pointers. [The jeer is friendly and only a little bit smug. Skipping stones is such a vital skill, one must share the knowledge.]
no subject
[There's a sort of finality in that word. Good that she's not threatened. He would have, honestly, had other things to say if she were. The person Lavellan died for... shouldn't have to worry about those kinds of threats.]
... Can't help but wonder, though, how much a difference it'd make if we requested you speak. Since... you owe us a debt and all.
[His face is shrouded. But the glance he casts at her over his shoulder is wry, all the same.]
Hey, I'll take it. I don't get much chance to practice.
no subject
Wh--Well. [Pause.] They wouldn't be able to say no to that. But--
[She steps closer to him, stalling by adjusting the way he's holding a stone so she can consider the scenario.] If you can manage to get the rock spinning and have it hit the water like... [She makes an angle with her hands, one flat to represent the water and one tilted, representing the stone.] It'll skip better.
But why would you request that? You don't even know what I might say.
no subject
[Something to keep in mind, anyway. That they could request her whenever they needed someone on their side. And that, honestly, is about all he'd feel comfortable doing. Asking of her.]
[His hands are light on the rock, letting her move his fingers.] I'll give that a try. Thank you.
[He twitches a shoulder in a shrug.] People should be able to speak their minds. Besides... you don't seem like someone who'd just talk in front of them for the sake of talking.
If that makes sense.
no subject
A slow smile takes over her features, and she tilts her head, looking at Shiro appreciatively.]
You're really nice, you know? [It's the most earnest thing she can think to say, really. She could wax poetic, but it wouldn't feel as true.
She takes a step away, just to give them both more room, and faces the water, readying another stone. The smile turns wry, and she tosses the stone into the air and catches it, just as she did before.] Even if you do need practice skipping stones.
no subject
You know, a lot of people tell me that's a bad thing. But thanks.
[Hopefully the smile in the words comes through well enough. He doesn't think it's a bad thing. Sam and Pidge don't, either. That's good enough for him.]
[Her next comment gets another laugh out of him, before the inclines his head, and... flicks the stone across the water with his right hand.] Got a pretty decent tutor, I think.
no subject
You're welcome. [Showoff.]
[She throws her readied stone, watching it skip just shy of Shiro's record.]
Your skill already surpasses my own!
no subject
[He'll demonstrate, even. The throw with his left hand doesn't even come close to the same amount of skips.]
See?
no subject
Oh, very well then. I am appeased.
[The last stone she has is that first red one she found, and she holds it up to get a better look at it in the glow from the sea.]
I don't think I'll throw this one. It's too pretty, even if that's just the lighting. [She tucks it into a pocket and shrugs a little shrug.] Souvenir.
no subject
[He laughs too, lightly, but honestly.]
[It takes a little leaning in to see what she means, thanks to the veils, but, he does nod.]
Go for it. Maybe someone in town can make it into a charm or something.
no subject
[She turns to face Shiro, regarding him for a long moment before she--imitating the gesture of greeting he offered before--holds out her hand.]
I'm very glad that I met you tonight, Shiro, even if it had to be by way of me making a fool of myself. I don't want to keep you from your kin and if mine come looking for me I'll never hear the end of it, but...Despite the unfortunate circumstances that indebted me to you, I'm glad that I may come to know you as friends before the Pilgrimage is over.
[Of course, having voiced the sentiment, she now feels that familiar tinge of embarrassment, first at speaking so openly from the heart, and then at the possibility that the handshake is reserved only for greetings and nothing else.]
Oh...um...is that greeting gesture you did...does it apply in parting as well, or--?
no subject
[Sort of. It's more of a talisman against the things in his head, but oh well. Same idea, right?]
[He regards her quietly as she speaks. Tilting his head slightly, so she knows he's paying attention. It's... good. In a way. To know who it was exactly Lavellan had given himself for -- doesn't change the loss at all, but it's oddly good to know he'd done it for someone like her.]
[It does something to smooth over the cracks in his mind left by tendrils of arching green lightning.]
I'm glad I got to meet you, too, Keya. Thank you. For talking to me. You didn't make anything like a fool of yourself... I'm... very grateful we met.
It helps. [There was more to say on that subject. But it sticks in his throat, and he moves on.] And if you need anything, you know who to call. For someone Lavellan wanted to keep safe -- I will too.
[No embarrassment here, just typical Shiro sincerity. She can't see the faint smile on his face, so he holds his hand out, instead.]
Yeah. Sure does.