<<OOC>> I would assume that Aerex has not yet made any of his recent experiences and thoughts known to Talia in detail. Likewise, though the resemblance between them is uncanny, Talia and the captain, have had little chance to speak in depth as well. For her part, the captain seems to be taking the finding of her seeming “twin” in stride. She seems to be thrilled with the bizarre discovery of a look-a-like, and even mentioned that she would not be at all surprised if the two were indeed sisters, though that is all she has said on the subject. The last two and a half weeks, Talia and Aerex have had their minds on the craft of sailing, and have had time for little else, though of course, their thoughts, Talia and her potential rendezvous with her father, and Aerex’ odd meeting of the Tagma monk, are always present.<<OOC>>
Wind and wave battered Aerex as he struggled to tie the knots, swallowing salt as he did so.
The Vermillion Wind streaked across the bay, cutting the waves with her sharp nose. Each time the sloop crested another high-rising wave it appeared to Aerex that the ship would overturn on the very precipice of water and air, and hurtle into a foamy abyss below, shattering into so many splinters. Yet each time the ship sliced the waves, gliding like a winged snake across open sea.
Pale-green from the constant, hellish, bobbing of the ship and his own dry heaving, the Inspector finally managed to tie the knots and began to precariously make his way toward the helm of the ship, where Talia was clutching the wheel, learning how to guide the ship at the captain’s behest, in preparation for the Great Regatta, which was to be held in two days time. This was the last of the ‘practice runs’ before a day of rest, and the captain pushed her motley crew to their limits knowing that a two-day storm was currently pummeling Jantir’s Bay of Screaming Eagles.
Aerex glanced at Talia. What a figure she struck at the tiller of the Vermillion Wind, he thought as he neared. Her hair was drenched, her clothes soaked, yet she looked to him, no less regal and beautiful.
“Let those sails breathe!” the captain shouted above the squall, then, “guide ‘er toward the deeper water!” she yelled to Talia, who managed with all her strength to turn the willful wheel starboard.
Moments later the Vermillion Wind was streaking toward deeper water, where the waves seemed less angry.
Approaching the pair, the captain was smiling a wide, wet grin. “ Not too bad. You will do in a pinch...if I am otherwise detained or unable to guide ‘er.” she added cryptically in Talia’s direction. “Glancing at Aerex, sh said, “I’ll take over now, why don’t you two go below. The worst is over now, and you managed to not to sink my ship. You deserve some salt pork and beans if you can stomach ‘em.” She smiled and took the wheel from Talia.
This left the pair with no responsibilities and below they went, to dry up, and rest from the constant exertion they had been under, until this very moment.
“We’re heading against the gust now, ready about!”
“Ready, captain!"
“Hard A’lee!” they heard the captain shout as they descended below.
Minutes later, Talia and Aerex sat exhausted in front of their bowls of food, as the ship creaked and sailed on. Vorodon emeged just then as well, he had been covering cracks in the inner hull with pitch, and was now streaked with black smudges. The half-ogre smiled as he approached the pair, sat beside them, and inquired if either of the two were going to finish their salt pork and beans.
