Return to the Amarada

Amahl

Black hair crowns the top of this Varati youth's head, falling in waves to his shoulders and threatening to fall into his hazel eyes. While still barely into his teenage years, he has begun the height of most men of his race, standing taller and broader than most his age. Dusky skin is surprisingly unblemished, no doubt from the sun and salt air he is used to. His features are strong, still delicate in his youth, but his square jaw has a definite set to it.

Dressed appropriately, he wears a pair of loose, sturdy silwar bleached by the sun and sea to a dusty blue, an indigo sash about his waist holds a jewelled, curved knife; a gift, he often says, from his father. A green shirt, open in the front, protects his torso from the brutal rays, the sleeves rolled to his elbows for easy maneuverability. A bandana is often tied onto his head to keep his thick hair out of his eyes.

Lorelei

You see a petite woman with a trim, even athletic, figure no more than 21 years of age. Long, slightly curly, dark hair cascades, unbound, past her shoulders and down her back in contrast to the woman's smooth sandy white complexion; sea green eyes glow softly with a hint of mischievousness. At either side of her throat small slits, barely visible, serve as gills. They, like her webbed fingers and toes, betray her Atlantean heritage.

She is dressed simply in an ivory-coloured peasant style blouse and a pair of black breeches. A red sash is tied securely about her waist; a sheathed bone knife hangs in a scabbard at her side.

Lorelei makes her way toward the docks eagerly, for the most part ignoring the peddlers dotting the path toward the town, her sea green eyes only for the Amarada. She eyes it almost hungrily, smiling widely and oh so very happily. Her long, slightly curly, dark hair moving slightly as she walks, her clothing marking her as the buccaneer type.

Leaning over the railing of the Amarada is a fairly new figure. His skin tone and dark hair immediately name him Varati, but the figure is smaller than the few Varati currently on the crew. Female, then...or young. A bandana is placed back on his head, covering the dark waves of hair. Equaly dark eyes catch sight of the Atlantean and he watches her approach, elbows leaning against the wood, a stone in one hand. But he doesn't seem to be preparing to throw it...at least not at the Atlantean.

Lorelei is not long in noticing Amahl, the new figure. After all, she cannot take her eyes off the Amarada, studying it from bow to stern and truck to keel. She eyes Amahl, almost critically, taking the time to study him as she approaches. She smiles in greeting despite the stone.

The stone seems to squish in that dark hand as the young Varati looks back. He could greet her...or he could demand what she wasts. After all, this is now -his- ship (as much as it is any of the crew's).

Lorelei draws up, at last reaching Amahl and the Amarada. She runs a hand through her hair smoothing it back, out of her face, continuing to smile at the new figure. She gestures to him, then to the Amarada, raising her eyebrows questioningly as she does so.

"Yeah? What do you want?" He finally demands of her. His youthful low- alto voice can't sound all that gruff yet, nor does he mean to be entirely rude, but...well, what does she want? The stone continues to be squished...perhaps it is some sort of nerve-calming fidgeting?

Lorelei's face crinkles up into an even warmer smile, sea green eyes shining brightly. She points a slim finger to her mouth, shaking her head as she does so. The poor Atlantean cannot speak but she communicates in other ways: facial expressions, gestures. Sometimes she writes out what she wants to say on paper. She waits patiently, hoping her message will get through to the boy.

Amahl's eyes narrow but he disappears for a moment before swinging over the railing to climb down onto the dock. He has some paper with him, and a nub of a pencil. These are thrust at the Atlantean with a bit of a smug grin. See, he can read whatever she writes...

Lorelei simply beams at the boy. He understood! She accepts the paper and pencil, eagerly beginning to write. It doesn't take long at all. 'I am Lorelei, cartographer of the Amarada. What is your name? I can understand, just not speak.' she writes, allowing Amahl the chance to read her message. Her writing is neat and small, although not so small that it is impossible to read. It must be neat. After all, this is her only surefire way of communicating with the other races, assuming they can read. She writes small in order to conserve paper.

Amahl does read the writing and shifts his weight as he quickly looks to the Atlantean. Uhh...oops. Well, how was he to know not all the crew were on the Ship? "I'm Amahl Keber-Mayya...I'm..." What's a good term to put to this? There isn't. "I'm the Cabin boy..." even though he doesn't like the term 'boy'. After all, he -is- thirteen.

Lorelei merely smiles in response. If anything, she seems amused, but she nods, solemn, to Amahl as he speaks, adding in writing. 'I hope we can be friends, Amahl.' She, again, allows him the opportunity to read before continuing. 'Is Captain Demetrius about?'

It takes him a little while to warm up to people, but that is most likely a result of him being Varati. Amahl also has quite the chip on his shoulder because he will be the youngest on the Ship. A shrug is given in answer to that particular hope, but to the question he shakes his head, "No...he headed into to town to arrange a few more things. But he should be back later."

Lorelei nods. Ah well. She can make friends with the boy later. She remembers what it was like to be the youngest aboard ship. She smiles slightly in remembrance. 'Tell him Lorelei has news' she writes but slowly, as though considering her words very carefully. She regards the boy, allowing him the chance to read, as per usual, awaiting a reply.

Amahl blinks a couple times before nodding, "I will...but don't you want to come abord yourself and wait for him?" If she works on the ship and all... aboard

Lorelei ponders a moment, something clearly on her mind. 'I might do but I can't wait long. I have a few loose ends to take care of' she writes by way of explanation, a slight frown marring her face.

Amahl gives another shrug, "Do what you want. I'll tell him you have news." He doesn't have any loose ends here in Haven yet...maybe when he returns. Lorelei studies Amahl silently, as though trying to figure him out. She nods, meaning to thank him with a smile. 'Thank you, Amahl.' she adds in writing, just to be sure he understands her meaning. 'Will you be coming aboard too?' she writes.

Amahl arches a dark eyebrow at the question, "I'm the Cabin boy...of course I'll be on board." How is he going to be a go-fer for the Captain if he's stuck on land?

Lorelei shakes her head, smiling at the misunderstanding, sea green eyes lighting up with amusement. 'I mean. Will you be coming aboard, -now-?' she writes. 'I ought to in order to ensure the maps are in order.'

Oh. "Sure, why not?" Another shrug is given as he starts to swagger back onto the ship. He probably has more things to see to before thwy weigh anchor...

Lorelei smiles yet again, nodding. Boy, she sure is a smiler. She makes to board the ship, following Amahl, being sure to keep the paper and pencil with her.

Amahl has left.

Amarada - Docks - Haven

She might be a small cargo ship, but she's clearly built for speed and manuverability - a ship able to sail the high seas but also able to move along smaller inlets and waterways if need be. Sleek lines and a proud cutting prow mark this elegant ship, which is obviously well kept and tended to meticulously. What marks her most to the layman's eye is the unusual figure upon her bow. Unlike the common maiden or mermaid, The Amarada bears upon her breast an Empyrean woman, her white wings unfurled and extending back along each side of the bow. Her face is a vision of beauty, exquisitely carved with long blonde tresses steaming back away from her features as if blown by the sea winds. She smiles, serene and confident ... and there is something about her that is strangely familiar to certain eyes that rest upon her beauty.

Amahl waits for the Atlantean to come aboard before he goes anywhere else...she probably knows the ship better than he does by now, yes? "If you want to leave a note, I can see that he gets it."

Lorelei ought to know the ship well. It's been her home since she was a young girl, about Amahl's age. She climbs aboard with apparent confidence and grace. Turning, she nods to Amahl, offering him a bright smile in recompense. She will do, she thinks.

If she seems to know what she's doing. Amahl will go off and tend to his own duties. "See you around..." he offers before moving to another part of the deck. He has chores to complete and was just taking a bit of a breather before returning to them.