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Post by Thalia Fellstar on May 8, 2023 20:45:48 GMT -5
Thalia merely nodded, thoroughly entertained by the scene she had walked in on. He herself was no fan of blades, finding them too crass of a weapon. That being said, Thalia was a huge fan of hand to hand combat, and often didn't play very fair when she fought; when she was growing up she learned very quickly that it's a dog eat dog world out there. Getting her hands dirty wasn't something that was above her.
Still, Thalia did find Nax’s determination to keep up their pirate front admirable. There was no doubt that they walked in the middle of town square on purpose just to be seen, but that was some dedication if she had ever seen any. She couldn't be mad at another person’s hustle, if you could call it that. There is no doubt that the villagers where due in large part to their success and becoming a pirate of the forest.
“Wow, such a tall offer,” Thalia said with a very obviously amused smile. “Though I implore that you keep an eye out for yourself. I will be just fine.” She then paused, lifting one visible eyebrow. “But if it makes you happy, I totally wouldn't mind a little bodyguard. Think you're up to it?”
It's a silly challenge, one that Talia was sure was gonna probably be taken seriously. But she couldn't help it, Nax was wholly too entertaining and too sweet to not indulge. Thalia doubted that she wouldn't actually need any form of bodyguarding, but she wanted to see how far this would go.
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Post by Nax on May 11, 2023 10:04:00 GMT -5
Nax puffed out their chest and pointed to themselves with a fearless smile. "Nax is your best kobold for such a task! Fear not - no creature or being shall put you in danger while I'm here! Now, follow me! I'll show you to my ship!" And with that they walked as gallantly as they could through the trees towards the river.
The day was already turning out to be beautiful. A perfect day for an outing - an even more perfect day for adventure! Nax wound around the trees and brush with familiar ease. They checked back periodically to make sure Thalia was following well enough, pausing if needed to make sure she didn't lose them in the higher grasses. After a bit, they made it to Nax's boat, nestled in its calm natural harbor.
Most people would see the ship as small, cramped even. But to Nax it was the princeliest of boats - room for everything they could want and more. The boat was obviously made for taller folks than Nax and it had taken them quite a long time to figure out how to sail the vessel - especially alone, since they didn't have a crew (yet). To the regular person's eye, the mast and riggings seemed inundated with ropes. the ropes themselves seemed haphazardly tied to random places along railings, poles, and each other. The ship itself looked lovingly maintained, though scars and chips could be seen along its lengths from its years patrolling the rivers and inlets of the forest instead of the sea to which it was made.
Nax turned to Thalia with a wide grin, pointing at the ship. "Welcome aboard!"
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Post by Thalia Fellstar on May 11, 2023 16:38:52 GMT -5
Thalia followed behind Nax, unable to keep the smile off her face. She'd been on ships several times before, as her father worked at the docks and she would sometimes accompany him to annoy him. Thalia wasn't expecting anything from Nax if she was honest, so her surprise instantly climbed as she realized that she actually stood before an actual vessel.
It was nothing immense, but it was impressive nonetheless. Nax clearly took care of it, and that was something Thalia found fascinating. They'd been here for a while, and if they had managed to construct something so rickety looking into a solid structure, that was incredibly admirable. Such an interesting person they were turning out to be.
"Ah, so this is it then?" Thalia mused, taking a step toward the ship and observing the sturdiness. "Have you given it a name?"
It was a mostly rhetorical question, but Thalia couldn't help but ask it. She honestly hated how much she knew about ships, even if it was just the basics. Old habits die hard, she supposed.
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Post by Nax on May 23, 2023 12:15:55 GMT -5
Nax watched Thalia's reaction with anticipation, their tail swinging back and forth languidly. Her surprise was gratifying to Nax and they swelled with pride - and maybe a little bit of apprehension to continue impressing their frie- their associate. As Thalia walked toward the boat, Nax followed behind. At her question, Nax stopped and shuffled their feet a little sheepishly. They thought for a moment before answering.
"No, I haven't thought up a good enough name yet. It had a nameplate when I found it, but the name didn't fit the fine vessel it is! It needs a daring name! Something to strike fear into people's hearts when they hear it! A name fit for a fine pirate vessel! ... But uh... Nax has never been good with coming up with good names..." They awkwardly scratched the back of their neck at the last part, feeling self-conscious at their admission. Nax then looked curiously at Thalia. "How do the humanfolk usually find good names for their ships? Is it something they find while on adventure? Do they talk amongst themselves until they settle on the grandest name? Or are they just gifted in this sort of thing?"
Nax continued to walk towards the boat, climbing over the side and weaving through the mess of ropes, tying and untying with quick succession to prepare for their departure.
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Post by Thalia Fellstar on May 23, 2023 18:41:59 GMT -5
Thalia hummed, stepping aboard and clasping her hands behind her back with a bemused smile. "Sometimes it's a little bit of all of those things. What I know is that most...'humanfolk'," - Thalia pretended not to cringe in being lumped in the same category - "consider the gods for safe travel. Oftentimes ships were named after the goddess Lunala in Eclipse City. Still, I've seen a lot named after hometowns, treasures, even people."
Then Thalia smiled, deciding to weave a tale for Nax with a grin. "My father wasn't a pirate, but he had many as a tradesman. One time, he came home to tell tales of a band of pirates sailing a ship made of scrap and bone, called the Doncella Salina, named after the goddess of the seas and waters. It was said to sail by fierce sea elves, who worshipped her so much that they went crazy."
This was a story that Thalia remembered well; it was a ghost pirate story told by her father when she was still a wee lass. None of it, to her knowledge, was true. She had never heard of such a ship, but she loved telling the tale to unsuspecting kids in the city. Thalia frowned softly. Huh, she was being strangely reminiscent today. None of that will do.
Clearing her throat, Thalia continued on. "But anyway, it's all up to you. Maybe you won't give it a name yet, maybe it will just happen upon you some day, yknow?"
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Post by Nax on May 26, 2023 4:43:11 GMT -5
Nax listened with wide eyes to Thalia's story, their tail flicking back and forth in interest. There was a ship made out of bones?? With crazy sea elf pirates?? And their ship name was in a foreignish language they didn't recognize??? It was- it was so cool! So unique! Man, Nax was up against some real fierce competition out there....
Nax continued weaving around the ship with practiced speed as the boat started pulling out of the little inlet and into the river. They were quiet, thinking about ship names and pirates - and maybe a little bit how they could make their own bone ship. But nah, they couldn't do that! Somebody else already had that gimmick! Nax needed their own unique quality to stand out above the rest - even these crazy bone elf pirates!
Once the sails were in place and the boat started moving along with the flow of the river, Nax dropped down from the rigging and manned the ship's wheel. They were still pondering deeply and started muttering to themselves. "How does one make a name....?"
Nax eyes Thalia to the side, curiosity piqued and their ear slightly twitching. "What were the bone pirates like, what did they do?"
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Post by Thalia Fellstar on May 26, 2023 14:32:23 GMT -5
Thalia had sat down at this point, crossing her legs and planting her hands behind her and staring at the sky. She looked up at the kobold at being asked a question, turning her whole head to look at them despite her relaxed position. “Oh they were something fierce. The pirates were known for terrorizing the seas, and anyone who passed their ship while sailing would never return. They were relentless, vengeful people, all of them wielding cutlasses and their eyes full of hatred.”
Thalia hadn’t told this story in years, usually telling it for the intention of scaring younger kids. Nax seemed well and fully invested though, so she doubted this would have much of an impact on them…hopefully. She really didn’t need them taking this too seriously.
“They would terrorize villages and spread the word of Salina, and were led by a pirate by the name of Captain Silas, the three-eyed monster from hell.” The more Thalia spoke, the more her smile grew. Then she lifted her finger, and tapped her nail to her eyepatch. “Rumor had it that instead of his third eye being on his forehead, two eyes hid underneath his eyepatch instead of one. He was the most feared man on the sea, and the Doncella Salina still appears to unsuspecting ships to this day.”
For dramatic effect, Thalia paused. It only lasted five seconds, until she was grinning widely. “Pretty cool, hm?”
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Post by Nax on Jun 1, 2023 8:25:03 GMT -5
Nax listened with wonder at the story. He hadn't ever heard of this pirate captain or crew, not from any of his picture books he had collected over the years. Though, to be fair the village he pilfered them from was small and was not known for its collection of picture books. Nax vaguely wondered if one of the books with writing in them talked about these fearsome pirates and their hell-bred captain. Maybe it was near time to start investing in learning what all the little squiggly marks meant...
Nax especially liked hearing about the pirate captain. They watched Thalia with intense interest, barley minding the steering of their boat. They nodded a little distractedly at her question, their mind whirling with thoughts of big ships fighting on the high seas. "How did this Captain Silas come from hell? Are there a lot of people from hell that live in Charon?" They pondered a bit more, their curiosity starting to get the better of them. "Where is hell? is it beyond the sea? Is it somewhere we can visit? If we go out in the ocean can we meet the- the uh... the Dum-jello salina? Oh wait, maybe that would not be good right now, they would outnumber us..."
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Post by Thalia Fellstar on Jun 2, 2023 12:42:20 GMT -5
Thalia was enjoying this a little too much. It had been ages since she was able to speak to somebody like this, to somebody with such a pure and naive heart. Granted, Nax would likely adamantly protest being considered as such if their reaction to her calling them cute was any indication, but the truth was the truth.
“No one has ever seen the Doncella Salina save for maybe two or three people.” Thalia said. “You would most likely have to ask them, my father knows the entire story. He could probably answer your questions for you.” She couldn't help but snort after that, not being serious about that last part even a little bit. Yes, he knew the tale quite well, but that was because it was simply that: a story. Also, if Thalia could help it, no one else was having the misfortune of getting anywhere near G’Haan Fellstar. Not while she was alive.
Thalia giggled to herself. “Heh, alive.” It was completely out of context, and realizing that she had said it out loud she quickly segued the conversation.
“But yeah, the Doncella Salina isn't something that one just decides to go and find one day. Most people avoid it at all costs, they are not very nice people, as you can imagine.”
Thalia stretched, humming. “You're good with what you have right now, I say if you actually want to go and find it someday, give it a few years. And get you a crew, it's not safe to go on your own.” Thalia didn't even know why she was telling Nax all of this, if these interactions had told her anything it was that they were more than likely to take her very, very seriously. She frowned, then looked at Nax. "Wait, how old are you?"
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Post by Nax on Jun 6, 2023 12:00:07 GMT -5
The more Nax heard about the pirates the more they really wanted to meet them. But Thalia was right in that they would probably be better waiting for an opportunistic occasion with a large, burly, salty pirate crew backing them up. That would be the day! Then they could prove that they were the most fearsome pirate in all of Charon! Some research beforehand wouldn't be bad, Nax figured. I mean, they were on their way out of the Moonveil Forest and on their way to Eclipse City. Maybe that's where Thalia's father was? Maaaaaaaybe they could ask them for more information on these cutthroat skeleton/demon pirates, if they asked nicely enough? Or maybe they would have to show their mettle! Nax would be up for the task to be sure!
They hadn't realized they had been lost in thought, tail swishing languidly at the boat drifted along the river's current. That is, until Thalia's question came out. Nax looked at Thalia again, and then puffed out their chest again, grinning triumphantly.
"Nax is seven years old! Old enough to go out and make a living for myself!' Nax was, in fact, very proud of the fact that they'd reached the age of maturity and was no longer considered a child! They then turned questioning eyes to Thalia. "How old are you? I assume at least seven, as you seem to be an adult, travelling by yourself and all."
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Post by Thalia Fellstar on Jun 6, 2023 12:48:23 GMT -5
Yeah, telling Nax that story was a dumb idea. They looked far too enthusiastic, thankfully they were distracted enough by her question to stop thinking about it. Thalia sighed at the impressionable young kobold, shaking her head.
“Me?” Thalia asked, pointing to herself in question. She didn’t usually need to tell people her age, especially in these parts. Most moon elves she knew usually just played it by ear, guessing by maturity level and tone. It was nigh impossible to tell, even for other elves.
“Oh geez I don’t remember, I’m definitely not seven.” Thalia laughed shortly, waving her hand. Realizing that Nax likely didn’t know this, Thalia looked at them. “Elves take a really long time to get old, yknow. To give you an idea, I stopped counting the years after, like, 150.” She actually had to think about that one, nodding her head as she counted the years since then. “I’m in my early 200s, so I’m very much an adult, yeah.”
Thalia knew nothing about kobold age, learning from this interaction alone that kobolds became adults at seven. How odd, she couldn’t imagine having that level of maturity at seven. She couldn’t even remember being seven. Was she even sentient back then? Probably not very.
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Post by Nax on Jun 23, 2023 15:43:43 GMT -5
Nax blinked slowly at Thalia. 200 years? That was like... How many 7s was that? Like- like 50 7s or something! But Thalia didn't look 50 7s years old... Of course, Nax wasn't even sure what a 200 year old kobold would look like themself. Nax's head tilted to the side, curious. They had known that other kids in the village that were 7 years old weren't considered adults, and vaguely remembered being told before that other races lived very very long lives. But 200? What does one do with 200 years? 7 years was already a feat in Nax's mind.
The river picked up speed and Nax almost missed the subtle clue. Suddenly coming to their senses, their ears perked up in attention and they scanned the river ahead. From the direction and strength of the pull, Nax knew they were heading toward the rocky part where the river split - one leading towards the sea and the other leading deeper into the forest. It could be a tricky part to navigate if they weren't paying attention (to which some of the scars along the boat were a testament of experience). Luckily, Nax had caught the change early enough. And maybe with an extra set of hands it wouldn't be too difficult.
"Oi, Thalia! Grab the wheel for a minute!" Nax continued to scan river as they waited for Thalia.
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Post by Thalia Fellstar on Jun 25, 2023 15:36:20 GMT -5
Thalia wasn't really paying as much attention as Nax was, too busy in her thoughts until their ears suddenly perked up. Oh right, Nax was a captain, she reminded herself. From the state of the boat she could probably gather that they learned from a lot of trial and error, And it showed their experience when they quickly told her to grab the wheel.
Thalia blinked, climbing to her feet and walking over to the wheel quickly. She wondered what they had seen that she didn't, wondering just how dedicated Nax was to becoming a shipwright. She personally had only climbed on ships and look at the view from the docks (bad idea, as she'd nearly fallen overboard chasing a seagull when she was little), so it was a miracle that she didn't get seasick already.
She took the wheel wordlessly, not 100% sure what to do from there but keeping her ears open. This was bound to be a nightmare sequence if she somehow managed to screw up. She then watched Nax, her eye focused on what they were about to do.
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Post by Nax on Aug 15, 2023 17:22:45 GMT -5
The moment Thalia grabbed hold of the wheel, Nax left its side. With fluid grace, Nax leapt toward the mast and climbed up the pole. What followed was a rapid succession of loosening and tightening a myriad of ropes. From an outside perspective, the complicated web of ropes were haphazard at best, but Nax had built this web system themself through much trial and error. To reiterate: the boat was much too big for one small kobold to man on their own. And yet, Nax had no kin nor friends to assist them with the sailing. A person with much more reason probably would have downsized to a vessel that they could feasibly run themself without much hassle. But this was Nax's ship. They had found it themself and it was their most prized possession. There was no other vessel for them, in their mind. And stubbornness led to ingenuity.
Nax weaved through the robes like a trapeze artist, their body working through the familiar tasks and paths. A knot loosed here and there, a group of ropes tied of there, a measured pull over here -
The sails and the rigging moved into position smoothly, the thick white sail coming up down and smaller canvases raising up to catch just a small portion of the wind. Nax paused in the work up at the top of the mast, watching and listening. Their eyes quivered as they listened in to the subtle changes in the water's flow, the direction and strength of the wind. Their eyes, now slitted like a cat's, calculated the direction of the ship's path as it came up to the familiar rapids, large stones starting to crowd at the ship.
Nax gestured to Thalia and then pointed forward, their voice full of focused authority and command. "Keep the wheel steady! As long as you keep straight, I can get us through the rapids." With that, Nax continued their dance through the rigging, pausing only long enough to triangulate their path around the fierce water and unforgiving obstacles. At their practiced touch, the sails moved in succession to catch the wind in certain waves, causing the ship to make tiny movements through the water as it jostled along the rapids. Here and there, it seemed like they'd just barely passed a rock or a hidden tree branch with scant room to breathe.
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