• PM To Join • Butterflies and Hurricanes

[Faith Augustin]

Pash came down to them and Faith turned to look at him. Her eyes travelled over his form in a way that was entirely professional and she nodded. "She is alive and I've dealt with the wound to her side. She's taken a bump to the head," he didn't need to be told that she knew. "She hasn't regained consciousness. There is no sign of there being anything still damaging her, so it's a case of waiting." She looked up at Pash and, although Faith felt exhausted, she did not look it. Endurance and discipline combined in the young woman in droves and she gave him a slight smile when he asked what he could do. "You can take your shirt off and sit there, please, so that when she wakes up, she isn't worried about you." Faith's gaze was calm and professional

There was no urgency now to Kali'rial's treatment, Faith explained. She had done everything she could in order to make her comfortable and now, it was just a matter of waiting. "When we have a bump to the head, our body takes over. It keeps us still, keeps us safe. There is no symptom of her bleeding internally, no sign that this is more than a concussion. She'll be out of it for as long as she needs to be." Assuming that he complied, she explained this to him whilst tending to his injuries. "Even small cuts can get infected. It's important to get them treated." She smiled as she knelt in front of him applying a clear liquid bandage to one of his abrasions. "Or, I like to fuss. The jury's out."

When he said that he was grateful to her, that he was glad it was her, Faith nodded. "I'm glad it was me. Short and feisty is hard to argue with and she needed medical attention. The man who brought me here is a hero, without a doubt. He had no duty, no need. He did it because it was the right thing to do." Plus, Faith considered, because short and feisty was hard to argue with.

It might be a few more breaks before the storm abated? Faith considered and nodded her head. "I'll get the kettle on, then. Stay there and let that stuff dry." There was absolutely no need for him to do that, but it kept him still. She thought he needed that. "They say that those who are unconscious can hear, you know. I was planning on singing to her until we get her back on shore." Faith smiled and shook her head slightly. "But the only songs I know are for babies. Plus, I'm sure that she'd rather hear your voice." Putting a mug of tea into his hand, assuming that everything was easily got, Faith nodded at him, encouraging him to hold Kali'rial's hand and sing or speak to her.

"How long will you be able to stay here with her?" Faith asked. Depending on his answer, if there was time she suggested that he might teach her a song and she, in turn would teach him one. That way, Kali'rial would hear his voice to guide her home.

[Pash Raj'oriq]

Pash’s expression softened and he visibly relaxed at Faith’s assurances, grey-eyed gaze warming once more to return to the familiar lagoon blue that was his norm as he looked back over Kali’rial’s unconscious form. As if on queue when the shorter, dark-haired human pointed out that he himself was perhaps also in need of her discerning medical attention, the tall Biqaj slowly began to realize that things hurt, that parts of him were sore and battered, open and bleeding.

It was not a gentle reminder so much as a sudden assault of uncomfortable sensation, and he stood when asked, tugging off his soaked, torn shirt that he’d have to replace over his head and reaching to toss it into the small basin a few steps away that served as a tiny sink in his equally tiny galley. So he’d been thrown around more than he’d felt at the time while on deck, Pash noticed, poking with a pained frown at the bruise from the roof of his cabin that had already begun to darken above his hip before he sat on the floor again when told to do so, if only because he was far from dry,

“Aye, well, gettin' knocked about in a storm ’s pretty normal fare for sailin’, but that doesn’t mean I’d wish t’ see ’t happen: no’ to Kali, no’ t’ anyone.” And while he’d had a concussion at least once in his lifetime because of a sailing mishap let alone because of being that kid once upon an arc, he was more relieved to hear that Faith had healed Kali’s internal injuries. Would she still need to go to the Order once Pash sailed them back to the docks, he wondered out loud to Faith as she investigated his wounds, wanting to know what was next and his place in it … other than the sailing part.

He may have winced and hissed a bit as she tended to him, having been in the path of smaller bits of wood from the shattering mast as well as the general hazards of navigating in the storm outside. He managed to sit still, impressively enough through a mix of exhaustion and motivated willpower, listening and nodding, aware that all it took was for even the smallest of wounds to get infected to cause a problem in someone’s entire body, “’S better y’ fuss now than have harder work later.”

Pash smiled a little, implying the answer to her next comment was both instead of either or, and watched with no small amount of curiosity the liquid she used to stop the bleeding from one of the pieces of blasted mast lodged in his bicep, wanting to know what it was and how it worked.

“Short an’ feisty, eh?” He chuckled, for a moment his baritone voice was coy and knowing, implying his relationship with the dark-haired Sevir ran a similar course, “I may know more ‘bout that now than y’ think.”

She went to figure out his kitchen and put his kettle on the small stove that was built into the corner for cooking and smoking food as well as warming the cabin in cold weather, Pash taking her at her word to stay and sit very still, looking from the liquid bandage to Kali’s face and then back to Faith reaching for all the necessaries for tea in his cabin while he directed her where to find everything. It wasn’t too hard; the space was small and the seafaring musician so minimalist that everything was within easy reach. She handed him tea and encouraged him that perhaps while unconscious his lover could still hear his voice, though her comment about babies didn’t go unnoticed, either.

“A lot o’ m’ early work in music was for a … younger audience. I’m th’ eldest o’ four an’ have more cousins than you’ve got Immortal blessin’s.” The tall Biqaj offered by way of both encouragement and curiosity, “I’ve got a large family an’ have always been ‘round babies an’ children. I like ‘em, though I have none, much t’ th’ chagrin o’ m’ da’oat—m’ mother. M’ brothers an’ sister ‘ve done a fine job with that so far—why d’ you know songs for babies? Did y’ watch ‘em as a, y’ know, as a slave?”

Not that he was asking to know the truth about past or present so much as it was easy for the tall Biqaj to make conversation, the warmth of his mug more than just a comfort so much as the necessary anchor of sensation that he’d been craving in distress. The sloop still rocked and at times was enough to toss the stomach or tilt the entire cabin a bit sideways, the waves listless and strong but not as terrible as they’d been before,

“How long? I’m no’ entirely certain, but judgin’ by th’ clouds a half a break or a lil’ more. I jury rigged somethin’ that should keep us from capsizin' an’ while I should go up an’ check on things in a quarter break ‘r so, I don’t have t’ stay up there. I’ve bought us all some rest, but I’ll have t’ sail us back into th’ harbor once it’s over. We’ve drifted quite farther than I had th’ control t’ stop.”

He shifted in the meager floorspace of his living area so that he sat closer to Kali, stretching his legs out with a groan because he would feel the storm’s wrath tomorrow in the form of aching muscles. Setting his mug down, he laced calloused fingers of his blistered hand with the lithe huntress’ and leaned back on his other palm, looking down at her for a few bits in quiet before speaking again, aware that he’d blatantly told Faith the extent of his feelings for Kali in his panic. Not that she seemed at all concerned for such an admission nor at all being in a scenario to tease him had that been her style. He wasn’t ashamed of such feelings, either, but he hadn’t told anyone other than the dark-haired Sevir those words.

“I’ll admit, most ‘f th’ songs I know are in Rakahi,” and he’d just been singing quite loudly above decks but if she hadn’t heard him, it hadn’t been for her anyway. Perhaps it had just been for him. Perhaps it had been for U’Frek. Perhaps it had been for Zanik. And perhaps it had been in defiance of Chrien. Whatever the case, he’d have to keep his volume down and controlled, his voice already a little shot for the rest of the trial, which meant he’d sound a little huskier, a little dryer than his usual rich baritone, “but here I’ll translate somethin' short an’ comforting. If y’ want t’ learn it, th’ tune is simple enough. It’s a song for children, a lullaby, so it’s got easy lyrics.”

He’d been singing a different children’s tune above decks in the storm, but this one was different—appropriate. He’d sing it first just to hear the tune out of his head and also to listen to his own on-the-fly translation and make sure it made sense and fit within the melody. Then, he’d sing it with pauses to teach Faith each stanza, and then he was happy to sing it together, thumb tracing distractedly over the knuckles of Kali’rial’s hand:

“Quiet now, m’ lil’ child,
Quiet now, though th’ winds blow wild;
While th’ storms rage o'er th’ sea,
Y’ can sleep so peacefully.
Quiet now, quiet now,
Sea winds sigh across th’ bow;
Quiet now, quiet now,
Sea winds sigh across th’ bow;

Child o’ U’Frek washed ashore,
Th’ sea shall sing t’ you evermore;
Winter gale ‘r summer breeze,
Fill your dreams with their melodies.
Quiet now, quiet now,
Sea winds sigh across th’ bow;
Quiet now, quiet now,
Sea winds sigh across th’ bow.”

Off Topic

Rewriting a poem into a song that is Idalos-appropriate and somehow Pash-like was super hard. LOL. Enjoy. I did it all for the Q's. Not gonna lie.

[Faith Augustin]

It spoke of the level of tired, emotional and overwrought that he was, Faith thought, when Pash simply did as he was told. She got to work, cleaning and putting the clear liquid bandage for the majority of them, especially the larger ones where he might have expected stitches, but she used the liquid and it held the wound closed. He'd seen her work before and she was no different now. Efficient, but with a very clear focus on not hurting him any more than was necessary to make him better. So she was gentle where she could be, quick where it was going to hurt no matter what. When Pash asked her about what happened now, Faith glanced to Kali'rial and her lips pursed, slightly. "I'd like to take her to the Order, keep her there until she wakes up. We are better able to keep an eye on minor changes which you might not notice." It also meant that there was more than one person looking after her and also that Pash could get some sleep, knowing that Kali was alright. Faith didn't say either of those things, but they were both also reasons.

He returned her smile as Faith wondered whether she was efficient or fussing and for just a brief moment the disciplined young woman showed her mischievous amusement. It was probably a bit of both, fair enough - she wasn't admitting more than she had though and so she grinned back at her friend and said nothing about it. "This is something called the Raft. Padraig and I invented it together. It both acts as a waterproof barrier and so stops infection getting in but it also holds the skin together so that we don't have to stitch and it draws out infections." A medical breakthrough, there was no doubting it and something which was most effective in field medicine, yet she discussed it almost dismissively.

As they sat together and sipped tea, he explained that he too was used to singing for a younger audience and he asked about her comment. Faith shook her head. "No, as a slave my childhood was spent with four owners. I did not really meet other slaves for the first eight or so arcs of my life. Then the slaves I was trained with were older than me and I did not meet free people until Ymiden last arc. No, I was pregnant." Faith looked at Pash and even her discipline could not entirely hide the emotions in her silver eyes. "Before we came to Scalvoris. I have no idea what it means to be a mother, I never had one nor saw one and I was concerned that I would not be able to be one." She shrugged slightly, shoulders lifting in a gentle movement which spoke of helplessness. "One of the many things I realised I did not know was the songs which I had read parents sing to their children. So I learned."

He sang in Rakahi? That made sense, Faith thought and she smiled slightly as she saw his hand moving, thumb gently stroking Kali'rial's. The song was beautiful and she told him so. Thanks to the blessing of Vri which she wore so proudly, Faith had a perfect memory so, once Pash had sung it once she was able to sing it with him and perfectly remember the words. Her voice was pleasant, and should Pash be attuned to such things, she obviously had learned and practiced. Her breathing was right, she sang and matched his melody; her usual tone and pitch meant that she was a mezzo-soprano, not that she knew the phrase.

When they had sung it and she had sorted out the harmonising with him, making adjustments to how she sung, Faith smiled at him. It probably was not a surprise to him that she was quite technical and focused on the detail but, when she sung the emotion flowed out of her much more than when she spoke. When it was her turn, though, she explained. "A tunawa friend of mine, called Ambrosia, wrote this song. I was very pregnant and he said it was a song for me to sing for my child. I never got to do that, but maybe Kali'rial will hear it."

She lifted her voice and as she sung the words, she too focused her attention on Kali.

"A soothing breeze from Hushabye Forest
Stirs the boats docked at Lullaby Lake.
It fills the sails, of these boats that are waiting
Waiting to sail all your worries away.

It’s never far to Hushabye Forest
A boat of your own waits down by the bay
The winds of the night, hear now they are singing
Soon you will sail your troubles away.

So say goodbye to Hushabye Forest
You can wave farewell, to cares of the day
Then watch the boat, sail from Hushabye Forest
And sail far away, across Lullaby Lake

Yes say goodbye, to Hushabye Forest
And wave farewell to your cares of the day
Away goes your boat, from Hushabye forest
And sail far away, across Lullaby Lake"

[Pash Raj'oriq]

Pash understood that the Order was a much better place than his sloop, especially given his limited abilities in terms of medical assistance. He had no objections, of course, wanting to ensure Kali’rial’s safety and well-being without question. Was he allowed to stay, too, he’d ask, and, well, considering that the woman who’d come to their aid was also his employer, could he have a few days off? These questions were asked with a chagrined sort of expression, not ashamed so much as flustered by their obviousness. Even if he didn’t need to ask, he felt as though he should.

Faith went on to explain the interesting bandage. Of course her and Padraig had invented it, and it seemed to the seafaring minstrel as if the stuff should become something standardly available, “It’d be useful for sailors, folks on boats, if it’s waterproof. S’hard t’ keep everythin’ dry when you’re hurt an’ at sea." Maybe he was speaking from experience or just to the general condition of seafaring people because he was one, but, either way, he’d drop some nel on such useful boons if he had the chance. His guess was such a thing wasn’t for sale, so he didn’t ask, though it wasn’t because he didn’t want to … Faith’s next comments just caught him off guard and he paused.

Was.

There was something behind her words that the sensitive Biqaj knew not to pursue, a rare flicker of unmitigated, unfiltered emotion which from the dark-haired human meant something raw and strong lurked beneath her calm, careful explanation. It would have been out of her character had it been more than a twinkle, but there it was. Just for a word or two. There were no evidences of children in their lives, Faith and Padraig younger than himself and no infants or toddlers had ever been seen or mentioned. Pash came from a large family, and the percentage of loss wasn’t any lower among his people as any other race, although the Biqaj were prone to multiple births instead of just singletons—some children were never held alive. It was cruel and it was true and it was what the unknowing minstrel assumed by her words, for while Faith had shared some of her personal history with him, she certainly had not ever had reason to share all of it,

"I’m sorry for your loss." He offered quietly in the moment, the tone of his voice making it obvious that he was not ignorant of such emotions, though the exact extent of where his understanding went he didn’t feel his place to elaborate on here or now.

They exchanged songs and the brief rest was much needed, though he sat still long enough for his body to ache and tiredness to creep into his muscles. He held Kali’rial’s hand while they sang, and he couldn’t help but wonder if what Faith said was true and the dark-haired Sevir could hear them both. Whatever abilities had been granted her, it seemed as though the younger human was a natural talent with her voice, whether she’d practiced or been taught or neither of the two. With instruction, she’d probably do all the better, honestly. She caught on just fine, able to harmonize, and then shared her own tune, which would have truly been a gentle song for an infant in someone’s warm arms.

The storm wasn’t over, but it had abated, that much he could feel by the sway of the cabin, enough perhaps for him to get them all safely back to the docks without risking The Muse itself or the lives of those on board. He smiled at the telling that Faith’s song had been taught to her by a Tunawa, his experiences with them all positive and full of music and singing as well. They seemed joyful, fascinating little creatures, he’d comment, and that he’d exchanged quite a bit of singing with Baya in Ymiden,

"It’s too easy t’ sit here, an’ m’ sloop’s no’ sailin’ itself." Pash admitted with a sigh. It was with reluctance that he leaned to press a kiss against Kali’s forehead and squeeze her hand gently before he stood. Immortals, he would feel the damn storm tomorrow. And probably the next day. Faith, of course, was welcome to keep singing belowdecks, but he also indicated there were a few spare blankets and pillows should she just want to rest herself until he got them all back to the docks.

He returned his tea mug to next to the small basin in his little galley that now held his ruined, bloodied shirt. Pausing before he’d have to wrestle the hatch open and somehow not flood the stairway to his cabin, he gave Faith a weary but encouraging smile,

"Should only be but a break ‘r so b’fore we’re back at th’ docks, U’Frek’s blessin’ on us all." With that he was up and out into the rain again to raise the sails and head them back toward the harbor, further prayers to his Maker for safety and protection, though he couldn’t help but eventually find his words had turned back into song—words of gratitude and hope as he carefully chose their course back to Scalvoris harbor at a close reach and a decent speed.

[Theo Nji'Ryn]

Faith

Skill Knowledges:
Caregiving: Looking after the person who is hurt, and the person who loves them.
Caregiving: Physical reassurance
Persuasion: No time to negotiate in an emergency
Rhetoric: Clear, precise description of what is
Singing: Harmonizing with a baritone
Singing: Learning words, tone and inflection
Singing: Emotion behind words
Singing: Can be healing and soothing for the person hearing it, and the person doing it
Singing: Technical details

Other Knowledge:
Scalvoris Storms Saun 717

Fame: Good deeds: Volunteering your time +2, Endangering yourself for the sake of others +2, Tending to the injured +2 (6)

Points: 15

Kali’rial

Skill Knowledges:
Sailing: Storms can be violent

Other Knowledge:
Scalvoris Storms Saun 717

Injuries/Overstepping: Concussion (over a trial of unconsciousness), faint scar from shrapnel near her navel
Fame: Surviving the Storm: +2

Points: 15

Pash Vy’Ryn

Skill Knowledges:
Endurance: Sailing through pain
Endurance: Using physical work to set aside emotional trauma
Medicine: Caring for a Concussion
Medicine: Internal injuries: Best not to move a patient
Medicine: The Raft as an alchemical waterproof bandage
Seafaring: How to jury rig a storm anchor
Seafaring: Heaving-to in a storm
Seafaring: How to raise the sails in a storm
Seafaring: Keeping your footing on deck
Singing: Defiance in a storm
Strength: Resisting the toss of a ship in rough waters

Elithem Ability Knowledge:
Elithem Ability: Words of Empowerment (Minor), as requested here.
Words of Empowerment (Minor): Songs of encouragement

Other Knowledge:
Faith: Has been pregnant
Faith: Lost a child
Faith: Has a good voice for singing
Scalvoris Storms Summer 717

Injuries/Overstepping: Minor cuts, scrapes, and some serious bruising from being knocked about during the storm. A trial or two of soreness.
Fame: Surviving the storm +2 transporting Kali to safety +2 (6)

Points: 15

Comments: Nice pace, well written, informative, an enjoyable read all! Have a comment? You know where to reach me.

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	This thread has been approved as the thread where Pash gains the Elithem power "Words of Empowerment". Thanks!