Opening Up
The
mercantile area was opened first after stocking it with imports and
normal everyday goods people needed. So far, so good. Tonight the
tavern was opened, smaller than the one they use to have but easier
to manage. Enough tables to keep the two barmaids busy and the bar
itself, set slightly apart, was made of solid oak extending twenty
feet, taking up most area down along the back wall.
Lorcan
was tending it himself this night as the others were still working
on the rooms upstairs as well the continual updating of the
mercantile area. The steady beat of the waves washing in against the
rock barrier outside, was a comforting sound to him.
She
did not enter willingly. But she was no match to the tall, broad man
with dark shaggy hair and hard eyes. He, apparently, didn't know
what else to do with his find, other than get her warm and try to
get a few answers. His name was Jed, maybe short for something, or
maybe not his name at all--it was the one he was simply known by. As
far as the woman: Her hair was wild and in tight curls, her clothes?
They were not really hers and it didn't seem she knew how to wear
them correctly. The too big pants were on inside out and the large
shirt half hung off of a shoulder. Not that any of that could really
be seen, yet, considering she had a cloak on backwards. She looked
as if she dressed in the dark, in a drunken stupor. The man thrust
her on a barstool and cleared his throat. "I found this not
too far from here. She's either crazy in the head or don't know a
thing about clothes." That was Jed. Narobi, still
struggling with English, barked out the only thing she
knew--something she heard over and over on the first ship she'd been
hauled onto. "Stop wench!" Well!
Lorcan
had a glass in hand inspecting it to see if the dish washer they
hired washed them well. Sparkling, as it was held up to the light.
Lowered immediately to set with a dull thud as Jed struggled in with
what appeared to be a stowaway. Obviously he knew the wild and
unkempt look about the lass. Probably would smell very ripe if one
got close. Jed might not notice over the ordinary being use to it.
He was over and though some might fear a man his size and bearing,
there was a kindness to soften intense eyes bearing down on hers as
he got closer. "I'll take care of her from here Jed,"
probably a great relief to the sailor whose home was on a ship going
here or there to be burdened with a stray. "Thank you for
seeing to her." Which the lass might have done a lot worse
alone even in this port. "What's your name?" Trying not to
chuckle for a repeated command often heard in the dregs of humanity.
She
was, no doubt, scared as all get out. And yes, probably a tad
smelly! It didn't help with her struggle with English. Words were
jumbled together and she could hardly make sense of any of it. Jed
let out a sigh of relief and seemed to make his escape rather
quickly. She must have been quite a handful. Her arms were somewhere
beneath the cloak all turned around backwards and her eyes, nearly
feral they were so wild, turned to the man that approached her. She
stared as he questioned. "What you name?" Kind of
repeated, and all hissed out. She wasn't sure where her destination
would be next or if she'd be thrown right onto another ship. It took
a while, but she appeared to finally comprehend the question. "Narobi."
Under the cloak, there was a quick motion. She was patting her
shoulder, indicating herself.
"Narobi,"
doing the same with his hand to touch against his chest,
"Lorcan." Hand then in a gesture to the room as a whole,
"safe here." Using only a few words in the hope she might
know or at least understand them coupled with the body language. He
held up a finger for her to wait as he was around to pour her some
coffee that had been brewing. Beans he got from Alex that had a
touch of mocha in it. He was back to set it in front of her. A tray
with some cream and sugar close by if she wanted to sweeten it some.
He was obviously giving the drink to her for there was no indication
she had to pay for it.
"Lower-can."
She was close? The name brought a strange expression over her
features and she canted her head so sharply that dark curls bobbed
over her face. "Lower-can safe here." Calming, calming.
Which meant her mind was clearing itself from all of the
possibilities to her near future; which meant it was easier to
think, to understand. "Aaaaaah," she breathed out, then
lowered her eyes to fuss with the cloak that just.. didn't feel
right. This was done while he prepared her coffee. When it was set
near, she tilted her dark eyes to the mug and leaned over it to
sniff. Then, she looked up at him, suspiciously. "Cup of
death?" Blurted out of nowhere. She meant to ask if he was
poisoning her!
"Lor-can,"
as that 'wer' in there had him almost laughing but didn't wish to
give the wrong impression. Or scare her. "Narobi, safe
here." He shook his head, "coffee," which he took the
cup and drank some of it to prove his point before setting it back
in front of her. "Good coffee." A grazing glance was given
her features as he tried to determine her plight. The language
barrier was not going to be helpful in this.
And
if no one around had heard the Bantu language, they might be in for
a surprise. She murmured some of it to herself and there was no
telling what Narobi was saying. She watched him with the coffee and
considering he took a drink, she was sure all was safe. She mirrored
him, lifted the mug for a hefty drink. She wasn't expecting such
heat, even though she felt it through the mug on her fingers. And
the taste of it had her sputtering. She set the mug down and
coughed. It didn't really taste bad. Just.. different. "That is
hot, Lorcan!" She said his name without making it all Lower and
what not. A step for her, surely! The cloak was becoming a problem.
She pulled it off suddenly, revealing the fact that the pants, very,
very large, were inside out. The bottom of them pooled over a pair
of equally large boots, untied. At least she got the shirt somewhat
right, even though it was very long, almost looking like a night
shirt. "I.." She started, but had to think a good bit on
how to phrase what she wanted to say. "I am lost."
She
also stated a sentence in English! Brows had lifted as he indicated
the tray with sugar and cream then motion to her cup that she might
add some, hand moving so that forefinger and thumb were about the
same thickness of his thumb apart to indicate the amount. He gave a
nod, "lost.." then was over to get one of the maps that
showed the continents. Returning he laid it out aside where her cup
rested, turning it to face her that she might show him where she was
from.
She
was somewhat familiar with maps, but this didn't mean they still
were not confusing. She leaned over the map when it was spread out,
requiring her to stand up. She stared for long moments, her eyes
nearly blank. Then, her hand reached out, her index finger landing
in the southern region of Africa. She looked up, her brows
furrowing. "Zimbabwe, I live .. on. Zimbabwe." She meant
in.
"Zimbabwe,"
not an area he was real familiar with in particular but had been to
Africa in general. He gave a nod and then showed her the distance,
that included a vast amount of ocean, to where she was presently.
"Heathfield," indicating the coastal area which also
showed the dip in where the port was. Tapping approximately where
the Inn was as well.
That
was... a long way. She looked like she completely deflated and her
hand withdrew from the map. She stared at it still, though, as if
she were trying to memorize it completely--the path, the distance,
everything. "I am far from home," she stated with a bit of
a struggle. She looked up to him then, falling momentarily silent
and after a brief watch, she stared towards the door.
"How?"
Curious as to what happened that got her from Africa out on the sea
to here. "Yes, you are very far from home. Safe here. You can
stay here for now." Until they got her situation straightened
out. He had another question but it would wait for her reply on
the first.
The
elf had been restless as usual this time of night it seemed, and had
decided to try a new tavern that had been mentioned, the usual one
being empty. So she bundled up a bit, and headed out, arriving at
the new place, a smile on her features as it looked like a nice
establishment, and pushed open the door, closing it quickly so as
not to let in the cold air. She went up to the bar and perched on a
stool, ordering a mug of cider for the night.
How? The question rang over and over. It was a long story and she
wasn't sure if she could explain. "They came. There was blood.
There were iron sticks and iron bodies. Um.." Trail! She
glanced over the bar top, looking for something close to what she
was trying to describe. Seeing a small spoon on the tray, she picked
it up and touched the blunt end to his chest. "Blood? Blood. We
ran. Some were not free. Some taken, large boat. Narobi -- I ---
went to other large boat. And other. And other." She went ship
hopping! She beamed, proudly, then frowned and dropped the spoon on
the tray. Her gaze shot to the door when it opened, and she tracked
the woman to the bar, watching.
Lindsay
had been upstairs helping out before coming down into the tavern
area as it was to open up this evening. She wasn't sure if it would
get crowded or not, but she would see to any tables so Lorcan did
not. "Evening," bright and cheery in greeting those within while
she tied an apron about her waist as she headed for the bar down the
one end where the serving trays were.
Noticing
the door opening admitting another he greeted, "good
evening," serving as well with Lindsay coming down from
upstairs. "All goes well?" Question turned on her a moment
before back to Narobi. Listening to the story, one not unlike far
too many. Giving a nod to show he understood the iron part as well.
"Slavers?" Wondering if she knew that word or at least
heard it said on such a ship as this one sounded.
"Evening
to you... to everyone." She said with a smile as she pushed
down her hood, perched on the stool.
She
narrowed her eyes, but not in a threatening manner. The word sounded
odd, yet not. She nodded, though, thinking she'd heard it mentioned.
"Not all." She said. One of the ships, one that she had
sort of... hidden away on, held more cargo than anything. She
watched the women quietly, more than Lorcan then. They were new,
after all. And she was unsure of them.
Avalon
was not one adverse to giving a hand when needed and since she had
become part of the extended family, she had learned to do several
things. She had tended to some important correspondence from home,
seen to a delivery and finally was able to make her way to the inn.
Stepping inside, she lowered her hood and smiled warmly.
"Evening Lorcan, Lindsay, ladies." Nearly laughing at all
the L's. "Lovely night to be inside."
"You
escaped." Then the next question which he would indicate by
hand motion to get his meaning across clearer. "Do you want to
go back?" Moving a finger from where they were in Heathfield
back to Africa. He had the means to get her back home if that was
her desire. "Evening Lindsay, Avalon, this is Narobi and I've
yet to learn the lass' name," goldenized bronze eyes turning on
Pyper with the statement. "I am Lorcan."
She
could tell he was quite busy so only added in an answer when there
seemed to be an opening. "All goes well although Mac got in a
tizzy a time or two." Which was humorous to see for the man
usually went unfazed. "Evening Avalon," turning a smile
her way before she caught sight of a few sailors filling one of the
tables and was over with one of the trays to get their orders.
