Table for One Options

[fistandantilus4....]

Lu comes back up on deck as the crew is bringing crates, barrels, chests, and even bolts of silk over. Many of the men smile at Lu as she comes up, giving thanks and congratulatinos for the battle well fought.

Captain Jonthen smiles when she walks up, and moves over to her.
Not in the mood for resting my dear? Maybe you should take some time to enjoy the spoils then. I'm considering giving you first pick. You and your sister fought brilliantly today.

[Lady Door]

We did as you asked, Captain. Lu looks over the cargo being carried aboard, eyeing the silk.
And how did we fare, Captain? The men?

[fistandantilus4....]

As expected we have a injured. We lost four men. Much better than expected, to be sure. You and your sister, as well as the troll and swordmaster, were certainly an edge in this battle. Otherwise it would have been much longer and likely deadlier.

Would you care to see your stake?

[Lady Door]

Lu's face falls at the mention of the lost men, men she knew. She gives a halfhearted smile to the Captain at his compliments.
Thank you, Captain... and yes, I suppose I would.

[fistandantilus4....]

No long faces Luthielien. This is the life we choose. Those men would not have lived it any other way.

This way then. What do you prefer? Coin, perhaps fine silks? There are other fine clothes that would make you a marvelous dress. Perhaps some weapons for the warrior? What is the ladies' pleasure?

As he talks, Jonthen leads Lu towards his chambers, where the chests have been taken. The deck looks almost empty. There are far less men aboard now than before. Looking around, Lu realizes a good number of them are aboard the Maiden, readying it for sailing.

[Lady Door]

What will happen to the 'Maiden now, Captain? ... or will you make yourself a Commodore? Lu smiles as she follows the Captain into the chamber.

[fistandantilus4....]

Commodore is a bit pretentious. I'll keep her for now. I may sell her later. There is quite a lot of money to be made in ships. it's also quite expensive to maintain one, much less two. Especially when it comes to paying a crew. We shall see.

He walks over to one of the chests, already jimmied open. He lifts the lid. Inside are numerous small boxes wrapped in cloth. He lifts one out and opens it, revealing a jeweld gold necklace.

The Maiden normally carries trade supplies, from Uruapa to Travar, on to Kratas, then Iopos. Thsi trip she was carrying something extra. Loot from a forgotten citadel. Treasures we have not yet discovered, such as this necklace. Would you like it?

[Lady Door]

A ship... he might sell.. we could.. At the sight of the necklace, Lu's mouth drops open. She reaches out to caress the cool gold.
I've never... I don't think.. Lu smiles and starts again.
Where I'm going, gold is a luxury that I can't afford. I would be devastated if something so beautiful were destroyed in battle. Thank you, Captain... what do you mean about a forgotten citadel? The future wizard in Lu sits up and takes notice.

[fistandantilus4....]

Something about a citadel discovered by a group calling them selves the Sanguine. I have no idea where adepts come up with these names some times. They found it to the east of the Dagon Mountains, preactically out of the region we call Barsaive entirely.

This is a chunk of what they brought back. Already bought and paid for by some wealthy merchant lordling. I don't steal from "honest adepts". Fat merchant lords however, are antoher matter. The necklace is yours. I'll have to get onr for your sister of course now, but it's worth it.

Janthen opens up another of the chests. It's full of small bags, listed with silver denomitinations.

And this is the men's payday.

He lifts one out, marked with different markers. He spreads it across his table, letting the gold coins shine.

And this, is mine.

[Lady Door]

Lu's eyes open wide as she regards the coins.
Quite a payday, Captain. I thank you for the necklace. Lu stares at it for a moment, smiling at the way the sun plays across the gold.
So, how much do you think you'll get for the 'Maiden?

[fistandantilus4....]

She's in fair shape, so it could be quite a lot. Second hand ships generally get a lower prce, so we'll use her for a while. After all ,we don't want to make too much. Then We would become a target.

Would you care for a few of these coins my dear?

Jonthen holds up a hand full of gold coins, letting them drop slowly form one hand to the other in front of Lu, up where she can see them closely.

[Lady Door]

Lu smiles knowingly at the Captain.
And if I did? What would I have to do to earn them?

[fistandantilus4....]

I could use a warrior like you on my ship. I know you may have your own tasks you need seeing to. But after you're done, as we had discussed. Call the gold a down payment. A taste of what you could have perhaps. Stay with me, and you and your sister coudl make quite a lot more of this.

I may even keep the Maiden. I would need a larger crew, and warriors to protect the ships. You could be an Air Sailor. Maybe even my first mate one day, as Athernon would certainly captain the Maiden.

[Lady Door]

Lu smiles broadly. In a moment, everything she envisioned for her world changes.
I'd love to, Captain. Thank you.

[fistandantilus4....]

Good. Very good. We'll have to celebrate tonight. Both to our victory, and to your choosing to stay. I'll hate to leave you in Kratas for any amount of time, so we'll have to make it memorable.

First, a drink. A toast, to us. We'll see if we can find you perhaps a pretty bracelet to go with that necklace, and something for your sister I'm sure. Then we'll see about getting the men prepared for a celebration. We land in Kratas late tomorrow, so you will have until then to enjoy my hospitality.

After sharing a few glasses of wine, and Lu picking out a few more pieces of jewelry, the pair come out on deck. The Captain sets Athernon to setting the celebration in order. Flush from their success, it's an idea the crew can get behind. The Maiden's stock of ales and wines is broken out, and before the sun sets, the majority of them are set to getting roaring drunking, and boasting matches about the battle.

[Lady Door]

Lu secrets away her newfound treasures and then joins the crew on deck. She smiles as they toast the fallen and then toast their own battle prowess.
Humble lot, aren't they? She says to Ky.

[fistandantilus4....]

Why should they be humble. They won! The losers should be humble Lu! Come on!

With that, she leaps in to the fray, and beigns dancing with the nearest man. Encouraged by her sister's display , Vincet walks up to Lu, and puts his arm around her waist, leading her out to dance.

[Lady Door]

Lu takes his arm gladly. She smiles as they begin to dance, soon laughing as Vincent swoops and dips her across the ship's deck. Her arms still around Vincent, she smiles all the more broadly when she realizes that she said yes... that this will be her life.

[fistandantilus4....]

The celebration goes on long in to the night. She dances with Lolindar and Landen, even a short one with Ordat. The crew men spin her and Kyla about, all over the deck of the ship. The ale and wine flow freely all night long.

At one point, she sees the young man again, dancing across the deck, with not a care in the world.

[Lady Door]

Smiling, she dances across the deck to the young man and bows..
May I have this dance?

[fistandantilus4....]

He sketches quick bow, then quickly sweeps her up in his arms. The dance is, for lack of a better word, ecstatic. It has little formal form, but is wild and exuberant. He leads her across the deck half a dozen times spinning her, spinning him self, even walking on a table once.

You dance well! You should dance with me more often! You have such zeal!

[Lady Door]

Lu laughs and yells out over the crowd:
I would dance with you more often, but you're always disappearing on me. She twirls herself out of his arms, still holding onto one hand.

[fistandantilus4....]

Well of course I am! I have so many places to be!

Still, if you keep me in your heart, some of me will be with you always!

My name is Floranuus by the way. People always seem to think that's so important!

Taking Lu's hand, he spins her quickly. She does six full rotations, her hair flying everywhere.

[Lady Door]

Gasping at the end of it, Lu smiles.

What's in a name? I'd follow you wherever you went... or let you follow me. Lu winks and laughs.

[fistandantilus4....]

Well that's just the trick. To follow me, you have to lead! you have to go and be free, revel in life! You can't always follow me around! Just be an axample to others! That's all I'll ever ask!

He bows and does a back flip, then continues dancing.