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Main Sim - Planetside Forest - A Night With The Vistani

Posted April 26, 2020, 7:50 a.m. by Ensign Crelle (Doctor) (Katlin Sweitzer)

Posted by Lieutenant Commander William B. Grey (Chief Science Officer / 2nd Officer) in Main Sim - Planetside Forest - A Night With The Vistani

Posted by Lieutenant Mwezi (Weapons Officer) in Main Sim - Planetside Forest - A Night With The Vistani

Posted by Lieutenant Commander David Malkin (XO / Navigation Officer) in Main Sim - Planetside Forest - A Night With The Vistani
Posted by… suppressed (1) by the Post Ghost! 👻
[snip]

Setting the cup down she continued. “..The oddities in the sky that draw us Vistani north began almost two cycles of the moon ago. The Lord of this region of Barovia, already a rarely seen in the public eye had withdrawn even more in the six cycles prior to this. Not unheard of at times especially when he seeks a new wife. But such a marriage had been performed barely a year before. So we knew it could not be this. Still the oddities in the sky were bright lights, flashes of white-silver streaking like lightening from one horizon to the other. Each time it seemed to shake the ground to the north in the mountains if the wild barbarians there had any say of truth to our questioning.” Glancing in the direction of Mwezi. “..But you should know much of this given one travels with you no?” She said questioningly in return.

Crelle had to fight to keep her cool at this. Exactly what were they inferring of her crew mate? Her features betrayed nothing, but she had no appreciation for the tone the conversation was taking on.

“Whom is this Lord of Barovia? Can we travel there and meet him?”

The Vistani near Taggert looked at him like he had grown three heads at his two questions as if the first should have been obvious and the second was out right crazy. “..Your lack of knowledge of these dark lands grows ever more curious ‘Lord’ Taggert. But I will indulge you your answer, first the Lord of Barovia is Count Strahd Von Zarovich the 11th. To visit him one must be invited, and to get an invitation is.....not always a pleasant experience..” She said.

“My lady. I have been honest with you and told you that we are not from these parts. That is why we wished to camp with you all not only for better protection but to find answers as well. I assure you that we will get to the bottom of this and not Count, I’ll admit with a very cool name, will stand in our way of protecting my people and my lands. I am not afraid but it sounds like I should be. But we need answers and we need to pay this Count a visit.”

Crelle kept her face schooled into a neutral gaze as she followed the conversation from her place at the sides, admiring her Captain’s bravery. This person the Vistani spoke of seemed to be an issue, not only to the present grouping but on the whole if his reputation truly preceded him. Crelle made a mental note of the person’s name and continued to monitor the sitiation.

Crelle still harbored a sense of indignant anger at the Vistani for their insunuations at the Lieutenant, but managed to keep her feelings from showing still. Until the Captain spoke.

He looked back to Rasona. “My lady. He is not just a werewolf. He’s a Lupine. He is like this all the time. He can talk and reason and he is far smarter than most of the people here combined. He just doesn’t know he’s a werewolf. A man that is a werewolf but does not know he is one, is called an unawarewolf!” (Couldn’t help myself!) He said straight faced. “But why should we know about all of that just because we have a Lupine?”

Crelle swelled with pride at her Captain defending their crewmate, until the pun. Then she finally couldn’t stop the small groan that escaped her. She knew relations had to be kept, but between the offensive nature of the Vistani leaders and that horrendous pun Crelle gave in on keeping her face neutral and gently tapped her hand against her forhead in a show of mild exasperation. She was glad for her place to the sides for the first time that night.

Chris rubbed his chin. “Interesting. It looks like we will have to pay these people a visit as well. Rosana. Can you give us directions to the werepeople and to the Count? We will need to leave after breakfast tomorrow.”

”..Just continue north along the Slavich road here, you will enter the Count’s domain soon enough in Barovia village his castle is not too much further up the mountain side. The Wilder people are much further north still into the Balanok mountain range its icy grip has claimed many a life. If it is answers for the events we speak of you seek I would suggest concentrating your search to Barovia village..” She said (hint hint)

”..The wild beast people to the far north are like him, aware yet tamed in a sense. They were the first to bring word of the odd flashes of lights within Barovia’s skies.” She answered.

Chris looked over to William. “William the Grey! You heard the lady speak just now. Does anything sound familiar to the visions you’ve had and the knowledge that you keep?”

William suppressed a very audible groan and resisted the urge to hide his face in his hands, instead simply looking over to the Captain with feigned disinterest “It provides at least some sort of visual evidence to support my theories” He allowed his accent to thicken as he spoke “Although it does invoke more questions than it potentially answers” He said turning to follow Mwezi

Mwezi crouched at the firelight’s edge, a few feet away from one of the native men who was also keeping watch. He honestly struggled to make out half of what they were saying, despite having checked to make sure the Universal Translator function of his U.R.I. was in good working order. He lifted a hand to the native male and waved slightly, trying to give him a smile that wouldn’t look like a snarl.

Crelle was able to see the Lieutenant trying his best given the situation at hand and moved to stand beside him, giving a small smile in encouragement to her crewmate and higher officer. It was not fair that he was being judged based off of his appearance, much less as what species he was borne into. Crelle kept her smile until turning back to look at their hosts, for which the most she could muster was a blank stare. They were not yet worth her ire, but they were trying hard to earn it.

“I am not as, uh, eloquent as my fellows, but I am still curious. Other than the mindless werewolves, one of which I am not, what are we watching out for? The grey-haired one mentioned something about things we might see, smell, or hear? What did she mean by that?”

Mwezi, CTO

Crelle listened to the Lieutanant put himself down slightly and frowned, wshing she could encourage him and tell to him what the Captain once told to her when she did the same at their first meeting.

The Vistani man glanced at Mwezi, “..There are many dangers of the night. Restless spirits for one seek to lure the unwary to their doom. Skin walkers who will flay the skin off their victims and wear it as their own feasting upon the innards. Even dark fey who sing sweet songs of lure and seduce foolish mortals to their death off cliffs. All of this and more we must always be aware of. While the Lord of Barovia’s protection is strong for Vistani such as ours, there are those who do not listen or follow it..” He explained.

William stood next to Mwezi, standing as straight as usual with hands behind his back. He was admittedly annoyed at the current situation, the others seemed more interested in playing some sort of game assuming roles from one of the Captains Visual Media stories than actually focusing on their mission. Then Will reminded his more rigid side that the job could be fun if he let himself, or they let themselves. He let out an amused snort at the Laleri’s comment ‘eloquent’.

CSO, 2O

Mwezi glanced at Taggart but didn’t say anything to him. “Who is the Lord of Barovia?” he asked, head tilted slightly.

Captain Chris Taggart CO

”..As I mentioned to your Lord…the Lord of Barovia is Count Strahd Von Zarovich the 11th..” Rasona repeated

Blaze Brought the Ocarina up to his lips and played a tone about blue sky, green fields and clear water the played a tune of happiness and fellowship. When his song was over he had a tear in his eyes he haven’t been home in a long time he missed his family and his farm he grew up on but his farm and family were not there they were long gone. Blaze then looked around the fire to see what the other people thought about his song.

Ranger Blaze fellowship of the warp

Crelle closed her eyes and let the sound wash over her. The song was beautiful and heartfelt, and she for a moment forgot her aggrevation at the Vistani or even the mission. With a small shake of her head, Crelle forced her mind clear. As well intentioned as the song might be she could not afford to lose her concentration here and now.

The tune Blaze played seemed to settle some of the tense atmosphere around the Vistani camp, though thankfully did not attract any undue attention.....yet.

One of the other female Vistani looked at Blaze as he finished. “..A curious tune, outsider. I am a master of culture and music for much of this region of the Core and yet I do not recognize this instrument or tune. Tell me more..” She stated.

GM CockRoach

Blaze smiled warmly to her “the tune is from my family who are no longer with us and this is called an ocarina. It is a easy made wind Instrument like a flute. It can be made from wood or clay stone”

Ranger Blaze fellowship of the warp

The woman Blaze was talking to just nodded a bit in reply. “..I see outsider..” she said.

Lord Taggart, Fellowship of the Warp

Brigette had remained fairly well hidden and quiet for the trip. She was taking readings on the sly and trying to maintain decorum as the groups interacted. It seemed odd to her, to be in a pre warp civilization that still, by all accounts, seemed civilized and advanced in their own way. It was the first time she had been part of a First Contact mission and it intrigued her to no end.

As she listened, she rose and brought more to drink to the Captain.Her dress exposing her legs from her knees to halfway up her thighs. She wasn’t sure how she felt about the costume, but she admitted it wasn’t uncomfortable thanks to the higher boots under it. (*)

“M’Lord…” she remembered to say to get Cochran’s attention as she held the drink towards him. “I thought you might wish more.” She had just come into the mix to check and see he was all right for herself. Despite them keeping a professional distance, she still cared enough to want to see his face, and not just hear his words, to make sure he was all right. Their relationship wasn’t known to the crew at large, save the XO who had witnessed it first hand, so to speak. So she had done her best to remain at a distance and merely observe… until now.

Lt JG Brigette Marshall
Chief Engineer
((Dress link… though Bridie has auburn hair.... https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pinterest.com%2Fpin%2F75857574947805739%2F&psig=AOvVaw35J7o-N3Nda1-cRcQN7OY3&ust=1586981913183000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAIQjRxqFwoTCIj_pMTe6OgCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAP ))

“Thank you.” He took the drink and was indifferent to her. He hated to do that but he had to keep up appearances. He brought the cup to his mouth and smelled it first. It was the wine. He ordered his crew to drink only the water and he was part of the crew. He held it up like he took a sip but didn’t and just held the cup in his hands.

Lord Taggart, Fellowship of the Warp

Brigette moved to sit just behind him. Aloof she could handle now that she had seen his face. He would dismiss her for the mission sake, but it hurt something in her none the less.

Brigette Marshall
“Bridie” to you all
CE

CSO, 2O

“Very well William. Please ask the lady your specific questions please.”

Lord Taggart CO Fellowship of the Warp

Will looked at the Captain then the woman and finally back to the Captain “I meant more questions in general not those I wish to ask the locals, questions that I need proximity to the event itself to get answers to” He turned to Rasona “Thank you for the information, it was informative” He said with a brief joyless smile.

Blaze was starting to feel uncomfortable he gripped his bow in his hand. Focused on the touch feeling the air around him knowing that he is here at this time grip in the bow assured him that he was not dreaming this moment made him feel like it was a dream as if he was back with his family back when he was young on the farm. Soon blaze was starting to feel his hand hurting he noticed he was Gripping his bow to tightly as he losing his grip on his bow reality caught up with him.

Ranger Blaze fellowship of the warp

Brigette, while listening, had also been watching. She was a supervisor first and foremost, regardless that she had to play an unknown, easily dismissed wench for the Captain while here.

Seeing one of her own crewmen in distress, the Engineering Chief silently rose up and wandered over to sit with Blaze, she kept her voice low as she lightly touched his arm. “Are you all right?” She had made it a habit, in her short time on board before this happened, to get to know her engineers. They know she was their Chief when they were working. But her ‘open door’ policy also extended to her quarters and after shifts. They could come to her day or night. She found the one or two nights she hadn’t been in her quarters, because of falling asleep in the Captain’s quarters after watching more horror movies, it hadn’t caused a significant issue.

So she watched Blaze and wondered if perhaps he needed to go back to the ship. The cover of having ‘gone hunting’ might cover him if it was necessary. She would just have to find a way to get him far enough away for a beam out. “Do you need to go back to the ship?”

Brigette
CE

GM CockRoach

Chris got up and walked over to David. “Commander. I need to speak with you.” Once they were together Chris continued. “Commander. It appears that we may need to separate. I want you to take a team that includes Mwezi to the werepeople in the north. I will take whomever is left to go visit the Count. We have measures in place to keep in contact and we both need to give reports to each other in regular intervals. Say once a day or after something major happens. Set up camp like you said earlier and we will all need some rest. Tomorrow will be a long day.”

Lord Taggart, Fellowship of the Warp.

Mwezi continued to gaze out into the distant darkness. His eyes picked up more than the human eye, but he didn’t spot anything particularly worrying. He took a deep breath, closing his eyes for just a moment, then opening them again. What a strange experience. These people with their culture, the way his crewmembers were changing their way of speech. He reached up to finger the newest piercing on his ear, also considering his recent promotion and the strange experiences involved with that. His life was full of oddities.

Mwezi, CTO

OOC: Mwezi is having a different conversation with a different person. He asked the man guarding at the light’s border with him, not Rasona.

CSO, 2O

Blaze looked at the CE he was not feeling well and his Senses were on high alert. Her Touch to his arm help his hand relax but the muscles in his arm were screaming and cramping. “ I will be fine after food and rest I skipped breakfast and lunch today and only had a granola bar for dinner” he said with a Weak smile “ but to be honest I feel like I’m running a fever”

Ranger Blaze fellowship of the warp

Brigette frowned. “You had time before we arrived,” she whispered in a slight chiding to the man. “You should have eaten. You know sometimes we don’t get to eat while away.” She looked around to see if there was food left she could snag up for the man before he became a liability. “Hang on, I’ll be right back.”

A minute later, she returned with another cup of water. “I’m going to see if I can get you some food. Till then,” she set a small backback next to him. “There is another few rations in here. Eat one now. I’ll get you something more.” She reached a hand out to his forehead a moment to see if he was running that fever. Hopefully he was just hungry and it would all be well soon as he ate.

Brigette
CE

Crelle watched from her position as life moved around her. Curious to her was the relationship between the Captain and the CE, but that was none of her bueiness.

Blaze pulled his bag next to him and found some protein bars. Will it be ok to have that

Ranger Blaze fellowship of the warp

Crelle continued to mill about and play her role as beneath the men in the room dutifully even if it left a bad taste in her mouth, because from her vantage point she could wander freely and witness multiple conversations. Be privy to information required that is not spoken about to the mass. She slipped in and around the others in the room, her tail swaying gently with her movements as she roamed and learned their Ranger had a possible fever. Internally she began to create a tincture to combat symptoms as she mindlessly milled about, setting it aside in her mind for later should it be required. A planet such as this didnt seem to have much in the way of technology that she knew of, so any ailment would most likely be cured or controlled by natural means. Plant life and flora it would be then. Not exactly something the caitian was thrilled for but it was a start/would be helpful if push came to shove.

Ensign Crelle, fellowship of the warp

GM CockRoach

David assembled a team, beginning with Mwezi. Blaze needed to be removed from camp whether he returned to the ship or stayed. The new CE might be helpful as well. And Ensign Crelle, to have a medic in case Mwezi wasn’t enough to make peace. “Lord Christopher’s orders. We are to depart to the north.”

-Lt Cmdr David Malkin, XO

“Sir”

Mwezi was usually a very stoic person, and it was only that stoicism that prevented him from snorting with laughter at ‘Lord’ Christopher. He didn’t understand the need to use these odd titles, but quietly let it happen. He shared a glance with Crelle, stepping over to her. “A werewolf and a werecat, we are to these people. It is a strange thing.” He commented. “I have never been on a pre-contact world,” he admitted softly. “Not close enough to interact with the people, at least.”

Crelle smiled a small smile, keeping her voice at a low enough pitch that only the Lieutenant could hear.

“I am sad to say I have yet to either....been to a pre-warp world before, that is.”

Crelle considered her next words carefully, her glance casting downward and a small crease forming between her would be eyebrows. Making her decision and then giving the Lieutenant a small smile of mischief, Crelle maintained her voice to the level only she and the Lieutenant could hear and continued:

“Go team were-people I suppose.”

He was unhappy to be separated from the Captain, but at least they still had Ensign Valharra. He stepped over to his security officer. “Keep close to Taggart. Keep him and the rest safe. I’m counting on you, Ensign.”

  • Mwezi

Crelle gave the Lieutenant a questioning glance and kept her voice low.

“But Sir… I do believe the Commander just motioned for me to join you?”

William watched the group gathering from a little distance then turned his attention to the outskirts once more, without the enhanced sense of the Galdori to lean on William would need to focus. In the back of his mind he could feel ‘him’ rattling ‘his’ cage. Shaking his head to focus and clenching his jaw, William waited.

CSO, 2O

Crelle looked to the Commander and confirmed what she had heard, before looking back to the Lieutenant with a small smile of apology and question. She wanted to ask if this was the wisest choice, to have both medics on one team, but she did not want to question the Commander’s orders. Deciding to follow through, Crelle moved to go to the Commander’s side.

-Crelle, Ensign


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