Storm at Sea

Featuring: Bhuvan, Minowa, Nix, Sebastian, Xenia, and Zea (Demetrius and sailors NPCed by Sebastian)
Date: September 12, 2004
IC Date: July 5, 3930
Summary: As the Amarada nears the cliffs of Stygios a misjudgement in magical use draws the ship into a deadly storm.

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Amarada - Coastal Waters - Ocean
The Amarada is kept tidy and clean, her rails and deck well tended and oiled, her sails trim and whole. There seem to be a plethora of additional lines trailing down from her masts, ostensibly to facilitate movement about the ship during storms and rough seas. She sports three masts, two main and one half to provide her with greater speed when the winds will allow for it. high above upon the center forward mast there is a crow's nest. She flies the flag of an independent ship, each such vessel having their own crest or symbol. The flag of the Amarada is a red heart framed by white wings on either side. To show her affiliation with the Buccaneers, she flies upon a field of black. There is a winch and a pair of doors built into the deck to facilitate the loading and unloading of cargo. Both the bow and the aft of the ship are raised to provide greater space below deck, a door upon the aft end leading down the hatch to the rooms below.

The morning has been spectacular; clear skies have prevailed and the sun's warmth has made it a most enjoyable day. However, as the afternoon lengthens a few clouds begin to form on the horizon and the seas have grown choppier. While seasoned sailors would find the change minimal those less accustomed to heavy rolling seas might be a bit uneasy. The winds are stronger than they had been this morning, sweeping across the water and carrying the heavy scent of the sea with it. It is not the light and playful breezes of a summer afternoon, but determined winds that hint at something stronger. At the bow of the ship the noblewoman stands, her wings unfurled as if to catch the winds with them and study their path, but her eyes remain fixed on the horizon and the looming darkness threatening to sweep across the sea. Even the shouts or curses of sailors, which usually distract her, have no effect on her at the moment. She is concentrating, and waiting.

The increasing pitch and yaw of the ship has brought the recovering Varati out to rest up on deck. No longer in danger of his life, but still weak, Bhuvan has crept up the steps and settled himself quietly upon a crate, taking slow measure breathes of the fresh air as his dark gaze flickers silently over the unfamiliar sailors about him. His usually ebullient nature has been subdued by the experiences of the last few days, and quietly he ruminates over something, perhaps his very existence as it was so nearly snuffed out but a few days before. To occupy himself he patiently peels and cuts up an apple into small slices, reflectively depositing them into his mouth, one at a time.

A strong wind now, and stronger to come. The half-breed sometimes-sailor has been on board for quite a few storms, but that doesn't make it any less concerning that the clouds are creeping in, the wind growing stronger. Still, with two Wind Mages on board, who needs fear a bit of rain? Minowa has spent the morning on deck, occasionally going down below to check on her patient, then heading back up again. At this point, rest and food are all she can really prescribe, so seeing the Varati make his way gingerly out into the open air is heartening. She stands, hopping off of the railing she was recently sitting on, to walk over to Bhuvan. She nudges another crate beside him and seats herself. "Good afternoon to you," she says, "how do you feel?"

Lifting his gaze to Minowa, the woman who has saved his life as much as the Amarada has for stopping to rescue him, a smile lights up his face gently. Though trusting of his new shipmates, Bhuvan nevertheless feels distinctly separate from them. "Namaste healer," he greets warmly, putting down the apple and the blade in order to bring his hands together, palms kissing as he bows his head to her. "I am feeling stronger, thanks to you. Hopefully I will soon be well enough to help some on board." Taking up fruit and knife, he cuts a piece free, this time offering it to Minowa as he murmurs, "Seems like today is the first day I can think at all clearly, let alone speak without it hurting my throat." His gaze shifts toward the deck, searching for the Captain and the officers of the ship as he murmurs, "I'm sure the Captain has many questions for me."

The Captain, First Mate, and Sebastian are indeed in a quiet conference at the moment. The three divide, with Mister Burke climbing up to the wheel, his gaze flickering over the skies and rough sea with a welcoming smile and no concern. Demetrius turns and makes his way toward the Varati and half-breed, his features less cheerful, though he summons the traces of a friendly smile so as not to alarm the Varati with his approach. Sebastian, sets his course for Zea, placing a hand on her shoulder and leaning in, studying the sky. With his magic he reaches out for what concerns her, eyes flickering shut for a moment as he tastes and feels the storm skirting them, eyes opening again with a relaxed smile as he notes, "Nothing to worry about ... we'll probably catch the outskirts of the storm, but it's nothing we can't handle."

Minowa's own lips lift in a smile at the greeting. "Namaste yourself," she replies, accepting the offered piece of fruit with an extended hand. "It's good to hear you're feeling a bit more to rights today." Her blue-green eyes dart over the length and breadth of the young man. "You're looking better, too," she notes, "and you're right. The Captain does likely have questions for you. But, he's also intelligent and patient. Take the time you need to recover, before distressing yourself with what will most likely be painful questions to answer." She pauses, frowning faintly. "I'm not sure I ever even told you my name. It's Minowa, if you're curious." With that she pops the sliver of apple into her mouth and chews, looking towards Demetrius as he splits away from his son and First Mate and approaches.

A larger wave rocks against the Amarada, causing Zea to grab tightly at the rails to keep upright. In the near distance it appears as if there may be similar waves preparing to assault the ship, for the seas grow choppier by the minute. Still, the domina keeps her gaze cast at the horizon where moment by moment the clouds change, heavy gray forms almost seem to angrily pulsate in the skies, threatening any who come across its path until Sebastian's hand settles on her shoulder. Her body tenses at the touch and she turns to address him. "Perhaps," she says warily, sharing her attention between him and the storm. Something, however, seems to still bother her. A slight frown begins to settle on Zea's features as she turns from the bow to look back over the ship and past it. In a moment of sacrifice she pulls a feather from her wings with a slight wince as it is yanked free and tosses it into the air, watching is spiral this way and that. The feather is grabbed by a current and carried almost to the rear of the vessel before another current snatches it away and carries it up, up, up into the heavens where it disappears against the drab gray-blue sky. "These winds," she says to him with a touch of apprehension. "I should have been a closer observer since we left Parnassus."

Smiling wanly, the Varati dips his head and echoes, "Minowa ... I am Bhuvan," he offers in turn. "I'm sure I'll be repeating myself, but I cannot thank you enough for saving my life. I am in your debt." His eyes sidle over to where the Empyrean Captain approaches as he notes, "I have heard of Captain Demetrius and the Amarada, but when most Empyreans treat you with disgust and hatred, well, not matter what one has heard, it's hard to believe that all Empyreans do not hate Varati."

Studying the path of her feather, Sebastian still seems at ease as he notes, "We're getting closer to the cliffs of Stygios ... the closer we come to them, the stranger the winds will become, but I think the storm is going to skirt the coastline, rather than come inland. So long as it stays to it's course, I'm sure it will let the worst pass us by." From above in the crows nest comes the cheerful call, "Land ho!!" Turning his gaze to the hazy horizon the starboard, he squints, seeing the dark masses of the cliffs peeking out through. Pointing he notes, "See? We're closer than I thought." His gaze flickers back to Zea as he notes, "If you care to give me a lesson, I suppose you could show me just -how- to make a storm bugger off? It's not something I've been able to do myself yet, but I think my powers are simply not strong enough yet."

Minowa lifts a hand, waving away the thanks. "There is no debt," she replies. "I'm on board this trip in part because of my healing talent. I was doing no more than my job. As far as the Captain...he is not one to judge on outward appearances. It is a challenge to change something you have been taught over and over, but keep in mind that every race has facets, and no one race has a full understand of any other because they so often only look for what they already expect to see."

Zea casts a quick glance towards the cliffs of Stygios. Her eyes fall closed and she murmurs a hurried prayer before opening her eyes again and turning her focus back towards the rising thunderclouds. "I want to believe you," she murmurs with a distracted tone as she once more grips the rails and concentrates on the sky. "But I cannot be sure just yet. A lesson might be ... unwise right now. If its path does shift, I will need every ounce of my concentration to make sure the Amarada isn't put into harm's way. If you care to watch, and help when I ask for it, you are welcome to do it, but this won't be like our usual lessons. This is not fabricated winds and tiny dust devils, this is nature's fury and she demands a great deal of respect." Her gaze momentarily flickers towards Sebastian and she adds, "Just this one, please, can you do exactly as I ask and not try to overdo it. Please?"

Shaking his head, Bhuvan laughs softly as he counters, "Imphadi, you and I have not sailed together before, but let me assure you, I am one of the last people to make assumptions of others. However, I've had better experience gaining the trust and respect of all the races with the noted exception of the Empyreans. There have been a few, but they are indeed few and far between." He offers Minowa another piece of fruit, his gaze lifting with greater confidence toward Captain Demetrius' approach. "Regardless of your position here, I am in your debt," he intones firmly, despite the easy smile upon his lips.

Stopping before the pair, Demetrius smiles and dips his head. "It is good to see that you are feeling well enough to be up on deck. Perhaps you are now well enough to answer some questions for me?" Turning his gaze to Minowa, Demetrius offers the healer a bright smile and a nod. "Your patient seems greatly improved, Min. I knew we could count on you." Settling himself down on a third crate, Demetrius turns to Bhuvan and continues. "I'd like to know your name, your rank and position, and what ship you were sailing. But most importantly, I am curious to know exactly what happened to you and your ship? The mast fragment has been most disturbing to me and my officers, but rather than get bent out of shape over suppositions and suspicions, we'd rather do so over the plain facts."

Minowa lifts her shoulders in a half shrug at that final, firm comment. "As you will," she says lightly, accepting another slice of apple. "I shouldn't be eating this," she muses. 'You're the one who needs to swallow any food you can get your hands on." Never the less, she pops this most recent bite into her mouth as well, chewing and swallowing. At Demetrius' comment, she smiles. "It was part skill, part luck, as it always is Captain." Then she sits back, quieting so that the two can have their discussion. "I can busy myself elsewhere, if you pair would prefer," she offers. Her eyes dart once, quickly, to the piece of broken mast still on the deck.

Sebastian's wings bristle at Zea's request for his obedience to her, eyes narrowing slightly in offense as he returns tersely, "But of course." His attention shifts to Mister Burke, who has already begun to change course, turning the Amarada toward the coastline, and then his gaze shifts to Minowa, who will be needed in an hour or two to help them navigate past the shoals and shifted rocks beneath the waterline of the ship. "I will simply observe," Sebastian notes mildly, returning his attention back to Zea. But already the Empyrean is distracted, his attention shifting between the wind pressing the Amarada forward, the approaching coastline, Mister Burke's commands, and now noticing his father questioning the Varati. All very interesting events, each things he should study, and all happening at the same time. How very frustrating!

Likely unnoticed, Xenia surfaces from below decks, pausing to let her wings expand as soon as she is free of the confining space. She tilts her head back to gaze at the sky with a sigh of relief. This sigh ends on a worried hiss, however, pushed out of her lungs with alacrity as she spies the storm clouds gathering in the far distance. Her wings furl tightly to her back, snapping the pinions into rigid alignment. Weaving her way between crewmembers and others, she pays little attention to the bit of mast she skirts, or the Varati and his interrogator. Not until she's before the railing, hands gripping it with white knuckles, does she pause. Her teeth worry at her lower lip as she studies the storm. Not with anything akin to knowledge of its workings. Just general fear and apprehension, likely thickened by the knowledge she'd actually /enjoyed/ her lunch...and now she was likely to lose it. Again.

Zea's hands tighten significantly on the ship's rails and her jaw sets itself in an expression of determination. "Fine," is all she answers, her tone icy and unapproachable. Her own wings bristle in response to the sound of his. "I need to..." Sharply she pulls her hands from the rails, tucks her wings against her and attempts to move past Sebastian. "I need to get higher," is all she says to him without looking at him. Rather, she turns her attention to the crow's nest, her intended destination. "I'm sure you have enough to worry about as it is."

The winds swirl harder against the ship, cruel fingers that aren't quite ready to give up its plaything as it turns towards the coast. Larger waves come in quicker succession now, battering against the hull of the ship and spraying white seas into the air.

Nodding to the Captain, the Varati's hands drop to his thighs, rubbing against the borrowed silwar pants lightly. "Aye Captain. Well, my name is Bhuvan. I've been sailing for many years now, but my primary duties on board are to act as carpenter and wood shaper. Of course I help out with sailing duties, but mostly just the grunt work that needs to be done on board." His dark eyes flicker between Demetrius and Minowa as he continues. "I was sailing on board Her Regard, sailing along the coastline, when we were beset by pirates." His expression darkens in recollection of the attack, one hand lifting to touch the now non-existent slash across his belly. "Two ships, working in concert." His lips grimace as he notes, "It was a massacre ... clearly they meant no one to survive the attack. They had mages - there were fireballs and ..." Pausing, Bhuvan takes a deep breath. He's lived through violence before, but the ruthlessness of the pirates and their delight in killing, well, it went beyond just combat. "I went overboard and must have been assumed dead ... or perhaps just was unnoticed. There were a lot of bodies in the water. Eventually I found a section of the mast floating in the water and was able to make my way over to it and use of the sail ropes to lash myself to it. Honestly don't recall much after that Captain."

Minowa pauses in watching the Varati and the empyrean captain to lift her eyes again to the darkening sky, and more violent sea, and the jagged coastline they were now approaching. She would be needed in the water, but not for at least an our, even if their guiding wind held. The half-breed frowns faintly at the condition of the sky...changing awfully quickly. "I might be able to help a little," she offers, "though it may not gain much more information than Bhuvan can offer himself." She gestures towards the mast. "I can see what the mast saw, go where it's been." She shrugs, not really sure how much help that will be.

Sebastian barely prevents himself from snapping at Zea, though if the crew were not present he would let her know just how he felt and how offensive her comment was. A simple request would have sufficed, but to couch it in so many 'pleases and references to his past enthusiasm ... as if he were a child who couldn't understand that she needed him to let -her- do all the work for a change? Fine. Since she moves past him, Sebastian calls out to her in turn, "Fine, I'll attend to my duties and you can tend to the storm. Just don't sink us, alright?" he snipes crossly as he turns, and strides away. His gaze alighting upon Xenia, Sebastian marshals some control and carefully arranges his features, offering the doubtful gaze upon Xenia's face a small sympathetic smile. "Greetings Domina ... still haven't grown accustomed to the sea? It is a trifle more rough today I'm afraid."

The snipe is like a knife in the back. Zea's step falters a moment and when she turns to look, Sebastian's back is already to her, though she gains a moment's glance of Xenia's face. She had not seen the woman come up on deck and normally she would give her a wave, but concern and anger consume her and she has no energy for a greeting. Her eyes to linger on Xenia a moment before she stalks off to an open portion of the deck, spreads her wings and soars upwards to the crow's nest. The winds are much stronger this high up and anyone watching below would see she makes no attempts the still the winds around her. Her wings are battered by them and a few feathers are torn loose and carried out to sea.

Listening to Bhuvan with lips drawn in a sober line, Demetrius grunts softly, nodding his head as he murmurs, "We suspected something like that. There was the chance that the ship had been run aground off the coast of Stygios, but that wouldn't have explained the charred wood of the mast, nor how it was shattered." Ocean eyes, so like his son's flicker over to Minowa, a curious light coming into them as he nods. "It is certainly worth trying, if you don't mind. Perhaps there will be nothing else to be seen, but perhaps you will find something of interest or import." Turning back to Bhuvan, Demetrius reaches out a hand and grips the Varati's shoulder, offering him a reassuring smile. "Well, consider yourself part of the crew of the Amarada now. There is food and drink and a bed for you to sleep in. Take your time to decide what you want to do and where you want to go from here. We'll be landing in Stygios within the day to pick up a shipment of ore and stone, and then we'll be sailing back to Parnassus. I wouldn't recommending taking leave in Stygios, but Parnassus might suit your needs. And if you wish for ports elsewhere, you can likely find the right ships to get you where you need to be in Parnassus."

Fingers tighten and knuckles whiten even further upon the ship's railing as the winds begin to pick up. Casting a wary glance up at the masts of the Amarada, Xenia catches sight of Sebastian's approach a half-breath before he speaks. She smiles back at him, shrugging one shoulder fatalistically. "Oh, I've actually been doing quite all right, save when we rescue wounded seamen from the briny deep." She quips back, glancing at Bhuvan momentarily. As Xenia's gaze shifts, it falls for a brief moment on Zea; her brow knits in concern, but the domina is already up and away, fighting her way through the stormy winds. Azure eyes fall back to Tian, her expression almost wry. "But, yes, I do believe things are about to get much stormier. In ways even you may not predict, dominus."

Sebastian's lips curl into a wry smile as he notes the drift of Xenia's gaze and notes dryly, "Believe me, Domina, I know the seas, their currents and the ways of the winds very well. I also know storms when I see them, be they of wind and water or women. I'm well aware that there is a storm on both fronts, and I've weathered both before. I'm sure I will weather then again." His hand reaches out to lightly touch Xenia's shoulder as he notes, "I'm sure that Minowa could help you feel better, if you like? I suspect the seas are going to get rougher before they get smoother. We're closing in on Stygios, and the cliffs and hidden shoals are going to make the waters more wild and unpredictable."

Xenia arches a pale brow at Sebastian, clearly amused by his bravado by the way her mouth curls on one side. "Yes, I'm sure you're well-acquainted with them. But it seems better logic to me to avoid the storms instead of weathering them, no? Why crash upon reefs of your own making, when a bit of sunshine can pierce the clouds and soothe the angry tide of misunderstanding?" She replies cryptically. She casts a glance at Minowa and nods. "But you do offer sound advice, dominus. I believe I will ask the domina if she could help me. She did before and it was quite a relief." Sparing another smile for the sea-faring Empyrean, she turns and moves on unsteady feet towards Minowa.

Smiling wanly at Demetrius, Bhuvan inclines his head, murmuring, "My thanks, Captain. I think I will stay on board with you till the Amarada lands in Parnassus. And as soon as I'm well, I'll assist as much as I can and be of use to you. It is the least I can offer in repayment. I would offer my services as a woodshaper, but it seems that you already have that niche taken care of." His gaze moves to Minowa as he notes with a tone of mild awe, "Healer -and- shaper? I'm impressed, Imphada."

It takes a true sailor to sleep through a storm. Evidently, Nix isn't quite there. The girl emerges from belowdecks at a groggy stalk, eyes narrowed at the sky, and her hands busied with the untangling and braiding of her hair. Not a task easily accomplished in a bunk. Her shift will soon begin, and the tossing waters don't allow for much rest in the meantime. So she's come to lurk.

Minowa crosses her arms, brows furrowing at the Captain's offer. "Captain," she says, "please do keep in mind the Imphadi is still recovering and is not quite ready to take a job on board. I would say by the time we reach Parnassus again, he'll be ready for chores, but no sooner." She turns her gaze, which has sharpened into a bright, insistent blue, onto the Varati. "Do you hear me, sir? No. Sooner." There. Healer has spoken, though Bhuvan's comment about her magic does offer a faint smile and an almost-shy nod of thanks. With a faint grunt, she stands. "I'll leave you two to continue your discussion. We've enough time before we reach Stygios for me to hear what the mast has to say." She begins walking, nearly bumping into Xenia. "Oh. Domina. How are you feeling today? The sea has turned rather nasty, ad will get worse yet, I fear, before it gets better."

As the winds pick up further, the perch in the crow's nest becomes far too dangerous for the domina to remain in if she is going to magically alter the storm at all. The clouds rush across the sky, burying the afternoon in a false night and in the distance there is a quick flash of lightning dancing from cloud to cloud, followed a few moments later by the distant rumble of thunder. Quickly Zea is swooping down to the ship's deck, though at the last minute she changes direction and carries herself out over the water, even while the winds batter at her wings and make the flying difficult. She circles the ship a couple of times, letting the winds carry her for a while and then beating her wings against them, tasting the air and getting a feel for the winds. "Zea's balls," she curses darkly as she lands on the deck, likely drawing more and one startled glance at the noblewoman. But now is not the time for the noblewoman to watch her tongue. She darts to the front of the boat again and she focuses completely on the storm. The winds begin to pick up, but they push against the oncoming storm, they fight against it in an attempt to change it's already erratic behavior.

"Ahhhh," Sebastian counters sardonically, "But you're assuming that the reefs and shoals up ahead are of my own making, rather than naturally occurring or due to the land I am sailing past? I am a sailor, Domina. I don't make reefs. I sail about them. And that generally takes some time, some skill, and patience. In the end, I'm sure I'll be able to skirt them without damaging either myself or the reefs in question." Sebastian walks along with Xenia toward the Captain and the others, offering her his arm as the deck pitches and yaws, making the journey less convenient without the benefit of a railing to hold onto. Used to such things, Sebastian makes just about as good a railing as anything.

How convenient for Xenia, then, that Tian happens to be there. For she does, indeed, lose her balance near the end of his oration. "Ah, dominus," She replies with amusement, despite the sudden scrabble she makes for his arm. "Haven't you learned by now? It's /always/ the gentleman's fault." A cheeky answer that is nearly lost amongst the rushing of the wind. She resists the urge to flare her wings for balance, pressing them instead tightly to her back and using Tian for support. As Minowa turns toward her, the domina nods in greeting and opens her mouth to reply, but something else draws her attention. Eyes fall shut for the briefest moment, then open wide to watch Zea's progress. Azure orbs unfocus slightly, as if looking for traces of something else, even as a shudder goes through her slender frame. "Well, now, she's /really/ pulling out all the stops." Xenia remarks to no one in particular. What exactly she sees or senses is uncertain, but it's brought all of her senses alive by the look of her.

Chuckling softly, Demetrius rises up as well, watching Minowa as she departs before murmuring to Bhuvan, "You'd think that -she- was captain of the ship, eh?" Eyes lift to the skies frowning as the weather is clearly getting worse, his gaze narrowing in on Zea as she flies about in winds that the Captain clearly considers unsafe for flying around in. Muttering softly under his breath, "If she wasn't a mage .... " he turns to Bhuvan and murmurs, "Please excuse me, Bhuvan. There appear to be some things to attend to." And with that the Captain is off and moving, casting back over his shoulder, "Rest until you feel ready for work, and not a moment sooner!"

"Funny you should say that, Domina, for the man within me assures you that it is always the woman who stirs up the pot and brings everything from the bottom up and to a boil." Sebastian's teeth flash in amusement as he notes, "Guess that means I'm a pirate after all and -not- a gentleman. Mother will be -so- disappointed." But in a most gentlemanly fashion, Tian continues to support Xenia upon the deck of the ship, his gaze lifting to Minowa as he greets, "Lovely weather today, no? How is your patient faring?"

The sudden darkening of the sky pulls the soft glow from her skin, and Minowa stands, amid whipping wings and distant lighting, shining like a green candle from head to toe. By this point in the voyage, most of the crew is used to it, and the encroaching foul weather is far more distracting than Minowa's shine. She does, however, look curiously at Xenia, then up at Zea, and back to the boat-bound, glaze-eyed domina and Sebastian. "He's out and about, eating, coherent. All in all, I'd say he's improving quite satisfactorily." Her smile disappears as the wind snaps about them. "This is becoming serious," she says unnecessarily. "I was going to inspect the mast we pulled from the water along with Bhuvan, but is there anything else you would have me do in preparation for the storm?" The bit about women stirring pots? Oh, she's not going *near* that one.

The winds continue to swirl around the domina at the bow of the ship, pushing her wings forward and with an arm outstretched to aid in her concentration she begins to work at the approaching storm. She stumbles a bit, even with holding onto the rail and spits out another curse, though with the winds tearing about as they are, those nearest have only her furious expression to judge what she might have said. The storm at sea begins to shift, but its movements are still erratic, as if they had a mind of its own and saw the domina at the bow of the boat as mouse to its much larger cat, playing with her for a while before striking. Zea stumbles again as the force of a wave crashes against the ship and she's sprayed with some of the seawater. She curses again and her whole body jerks violently with her anger and frustration but her eyes remain focused on the storm. "Move, damn you. Move!"

Xenia turns her attention to Minowa, blinking in surprise at the way the woman seems to, well, glow. Blink, blink. "Um, yes, domina, I was going to ask if you could perhaps do what you did before? For my stomach? It's starting to roil again and..." Xenia trails off again then, eyes fluttering briefly closed. They flicker back to Zea at the bow of the boat. With a sudden wince, her fingers tighten on Sebastian's arm. "You vaunt your talents as a seaman, dominus. You claim you know so well the winds and the reefs? Well, the Vilica does not. The aether is behaving strangely about her. If you would take my ignorant opinion, I'd say there's something unexpected in these sea-storms she's not used to. It's possible you could be of far more help to her with your experience than acting as my cane."

The lightning flashes brighter now and closer, much closer. The seas swell and thunder crashes above, rolling through the heavens. It seems it is coming closer.

Perhaps it was Minowa's comment on how serious things were becoming, or perhaps it was his father's passing figure heading toward Mister Burke with a most grave expression on his face that caught Sebastian's attention. Or perhaps it was something more subtle and strange, for his gaze lifts to the skies eyes narrowing at he stands still for a moment. Xenia's comment and warning is eerily well-timed, her words and his realization striking at once. Then, without hesitation, he presses Xenia forward to Minowa, ordering quietly, "Forget the mast, no time for that now. See to the Domina." His gaze shifts to Xenia as he notes, Domina, I strongly urge you to go below deck, and you need to have a line tie right now. Minowa will see that you have one and see you to safety." Lifting his gaze to the half-breed, Sebastian's lips purse unhappily as he mutters, "I don't know what happened, but it looks like the storm has changed direction and is heading straight for us." He doesn't wait for either of them to acknowledge his comment, but turns and heads toward Zea, calling out orders sharply. "All sails down! Brace for storm impact! Batten down the hatches, all sailors to their posts! Lead lines on NOW!" He runs up the steps, charging toward Zea and asks in a voice that struggles to be humorous in a moment of great gravity, "I thought I told you -not- to sink the ship??" Laying a hand at her elbow he closes his eyes, concentrating on what has changed and asking softly, "What's wrong? What happened? It's heading for us now, and it's gotten a whole hell of a lot meaner."

Minowa ahs softly at Xenia's request, then braces herself as a wave crashes up and against the ship. The rocking and rolling is becoming a bit of a challenge now, even for the weathered seamen. Then there is lighting. And then thunder. This is very bad. She turns from staring at the storm back to Sebastian, nodding solemnly at Sebastian's order. To Xenia she holds out a now-glowing hand. "Let's get you tied off and below deck, Domina. I'll see you your stomach then." Her attention darts briefly towards the still-recovering Varati, in hopes he too is gathering himself up to head below-deck.

At Sebastian's barked commands, any trace of sleep flees from the girl. A black sky is one thing... but when you're aboard with wind mages? This sort of thing shouldn't happen. Dropping her half-finished braid, Nix starts for her post, gaze flickering between the approaching storm and the sky above.

As angry as she is right now, with him, with herself and with this storm, Zea looks to Sebastian not with fire in her eyes, but raw and open fear. "I ... I don't know," she says, shaking her head and looking back to the storm. "The winds, they're much faster, there's nothing to stop them, not like on land. They seem to change course without any real meaning or reason. Just when I think I've got a hold of it, it ... it slips. It is as if Zeus himself were watching me and wanting me to fail," she says out of extreme frustration as she tries to explain just what is happening. Were she not focusing on the storm she might drop her head in defeat, but she cannot falter. "Sebastian, I need your help."

Xenia turns to watch Sebastian join Zea at the front of the ship, worrying at her lower lip with keen teeth. Normally the flow of that much aether would beckon to her, beg her to draw nearer and examine the skeins and bathe her senses in its flow. But normally she wasn't on a ship about to be enveloped by a large storm in the middle of the ocean. Wings flutter in mild panic as the deck rolls beneath her feet, sending her sprawling on hands and knees. A soft cry escapes her and her wings flare out, catching the wind, almost as if the beg their mistress to abandon this uncertain footing for the skies above. But is it really any safer than where she is? And for that matter, would she be any safer /under/ the decking, surrounded by wood and water? At least /here/ she could see the sky, take to it if need be, as any self-respecting Empyrean would. "Forget it! I'm not going down theeeeeee....!" Xenia's rebuttal trails off as a wave crashes into the ship, sending her sliding towards one side, where she grabs the railing with both hands, wings splayed about her. Her chiton has been hiked up in a most unlady-like fashion, but that's the least of her worries now. Wide azure eyes swing back towards the bow, squinting to pick out the aether swirling about Zea and Tian.

Her words would be far more meaningful and poignant if they weren't facing a storm of grave proportions. Lightning can be seen clearly now, flashing as two fronts collide, the sky very dark now save for bright flares. One bolt comes down, striking the surface of the ocean dramatically. Still far off, but definitely getting closer. The air smells sharp and fiery, like the tang of blood. Sebastian's hand clutches at the railing, his eyes closing for a moment as he tries to figure out what is happening and why. The ship is one huge distraction, waves rising up high enough now to tosses sizeable quantities of water over the surface of the deck. Another crack of thunder and rain starts to come down, lightly at first, but then ever harder and harder. The Captain and Mister Burke are now yelling orders, the crew yelling in turn as they work to draw up and secure the sails, closing any opening to help prevent the ship from taking on water. A number of them rush downstairs to man the pumps, forcing any water the Amarada does take on out just as quickly as possible. "It's the current and the coastline. There's an air mass pushing out from the cliffs, and something you did has created a front between the two masses. They're curling about each other, one sucking the other, and the storm, in." His eyes snap open as he mutters, "I don't think there's anything I can do Zea I ..." and he falters, for this is beyond him and just understanding what is happening doesn't give him any ideas as to how to -undo- it. Tipping over the railing slightly, he explains, "This is bad ... the storm is pushing us in, but the current is pulling us out ... into the storm more. If the current takes us, we'll get caught in the storm and if the storm pushes us, we'll run aground." Pulling back, eyes dark and sober meet her panicked gaze as he rasps, "This is bad. This is really bad."

"Domina!" The halfbreed's shout is lost amid the wind and the waves and the rain, but the glowing figure makes its way across the deck with more surety than anyone has any right to have with wind and thunder and lightning ripping about. She grabs two ropes as she runs, already secured to parts of the deck by busy crewmen. One is fastened hurriedly to her own waist. The other is held out to Xenia as soon as she reaches her. "Listen carefully," she says, having to shout to be heard. "Tie this around your waist. Keep your wings close you your body, or the wind might use them and push you off-balance. If you get washed over, climb up this rope to get back aboard. If you go underwater, use your arms and legs. Make your wings go limp. Do you understand?" Sailing with empyreans has given her a good amount of information on what to do if one is in the water, it seems.

Zea pales considerably and her hand raised to the storm is dropped to grip the rail. "Gods," she breathes, unsure whether to be angry or upset, but she's a mixture of both. "I am so sorry, so sorry," she says to Sebastian, looking at him not with fiery anger, but with honest and open apology. "I thought I could handle this, if we were back in Parnassus..." She shakes off the self-pity and returns her focus to the storm at hand and finding a way to lessen it somewhat. She regains her stormy expression, narrows her eyes on the seas and asks a difficult question. "Which would be better for the ship Sebastian? If a decision has to be made, would it be better to risk running aground or allowing the ship to be carried out to sea?" She spares a quick glance out of the corner of her eye to watch him. "If we're going to disable this front we're going to have to help one side or the other, I think. Which will it be, stone or storm?"

Having just been nearly killed and swept overboard upon a ship, albeit for different reasons, Bhuvan is determined to stay onboard this ship. Tying one of the lines about his waist he helps the sailors out as best he can, attaching additional lines where he can, shaping loops into the deck to create more points where lines can be attached. Occasionally he crouches down, concentrating on the surface of the deck, making it rougher so that feet and boots can get a better grip on it.

As lightning meets the water and thunder rolls after it, far too close for Xenia's comfort, the domina lets out a shriek of pure fear, although the sound is quickly swallowed by the heavier, more ominous rumble of the thunder. She lifts wide, frightened eyes to Minowa, then nods to indicate her understanding, reaching for the rope. Normally nimble, her slender fingers struggle to secure the rope around her waist, tugging fitfully until she deems it tight enough. She struggles to her feet, pushing the hem of her chiton down as she grips the railing tightly. "I think I'd prefer to end up smashed to bits in the storm then end up in the water, domina." Xenia lifts her voice to shout back at Minowa. "But let us pray it doesn't come to either." Wings angled to avoid the strongest gusts and still provide some shield from the wind, Xenia continues to watch the play of aether at the bow of the ship.

He doesn't waste time with her apology - that can come later - though his hand does catch her arm and squeeze it reassuringly. "I just have to figure out how this got like this ... then maybe I can figure out a way to change it." Gazing out the sea and the up to the skies, Sebastian murmurs, "Running aground would be worse, which is why I've ordered the sails to be secured. Less for the wind to push around, so most likely the current will carry us out. But that will put us out -there-," he notes, pointing off the lee side, and Zea can understand why that worries him so much. The storm is creating a vortex, and that can lead to all sorts of dangerous things. Hurricanes. Tornadoes. Whirlpools. They are, quite literally, between some rocks and a hard place. Neither course will be to their benefit. Closing his eyes again, Sebastian feels the shape of the storm, trying to understand exactly how it was shaped and formed, and then suddenly he can feel is and sputters, "You had the right idea - hurry the storm past us. But you didn't feel the current twisting along the coastline. It wasn't important. But when you moved the storm aft of us, it changed the current along the cliffs - that curled out behind the storm and then has curled back in, pulling the storm straight into us again and into the coast ... it's ...." His eyes flash open as he turns to Zea and mutters, "I've got it, but I'll need your strength."

Minowa nods in agreement at Xenia's comment. It's easier than trying to shout. Her glow actually comes in handy, making her easy to spot in the black weather. As she moves to keep her balance, she notes the roughness of the ground now, and the new loops appearing and being used for line ties. The poor Varati is already making himself eminently useful it seems. "We'll just hold tight, hope for the best, and help out when we can, eh? What a story you'll have to tell your friends back home!"

Lightning strikes again, flashing against the water in what would be a most stunning display of nature's furious beauty, but now is not the time to stop and contemplate the lush colors that arise when water and lightning mingle. She listens with sincere interest to his explanation while trying her best not to let her fear get the better of her. She shifts her attention to the rain-shrouded cliffs as he explains the coastline currents and then back out to sea where the storm could threaten to become even more of a monster than it already is. Zea nods with stern determination to Sebastian at his request. "Of course, you have it," she shouts over the roar of another clap of thunder. The Aether flows forcefully from her now, but this time she awaits Sebastian's command so that it is not unintentionally misdirected again.

Xenia diverts her attention to Minowa long enough to grin wryly at the halfbreed. "Oh, trust me! My brother is going to hear /all/ about this. If I live to see another day, I can't guarantee he will!" She remarks cryptically, then returns to splitting her attention between the lightning, coming all too close for comfort, and the bow of the ship, where the aether is spiraling so vividly to her senses. As another wave rocks the ship, she grimaces and clings tighter to the railing.

While Sebastian's expression is serious, never once is there the flash of fear in his gaze. Intensity, yes. But there is just no time for fear. "We need to take the wind that is curling out to sea from the coast and raise it up higher - change it from a cold front which is keeping it low into a warm one ... then it will raise up high enough to get past the cliffs and push the storm inland. It should cross behind us then ..." Taking a few steps away, Sebastian's eyes close as he works to coax warm winds in, drawing them to the coastline front, but the storm is massive and he is only an Acolyte. High level, but still no adept. And as such his attention is solely focused on the task at hand, no time to consider anything else other than urging the storm to curl inward behind them, rather than curl back up into them.

Up on the main deck the wheel has been locked into place, trying to move the ship away from the coastline, but without any wind to urge them forward, they're making little progress, caught between two threats and hovering helplessly between them.

Minowa wonders, fleetingly, just what happened between Xenia and her brother, but simply staying upright is enough of a challenge that her attention cannot long be diverted from it. She occasionally looks behind her towards Bhuvan, check in to reassure herself that the storm and using magic will not weaken him to the point of incapacity.

Wearied by his efforts, Bhuvan wraps his arms about a mast with some reluctance, grimacing as his tired frame is slammed with waves and cold water. Darkly he hists, "Damnit all, I'm Varati! I want stone beneath me feet! Fire warming my flesh! From now all it's caravans and trade routes! They need carpenters and shapers too, I'm sure! Wheels must break and need to be refitted and formed? Axels give way? Drowning is no way for a Varati to die." Taking a deep breath, Bhuvan closes his eyes and prays softly to Khalid Atar for a moment, wondering if perhaps this is not his punishment for following a life not strictly approved of by his kith and kin? Then again, he was saved once. Surely that did not happen for naught? Chocolate brown eyes flicker open again as she sighs and waits determinedly. He is Varati. His life would not be spared only to be destroyed. "Not going to die," he rumbles to himself, a smile curling his lips as he repeats that again. "Not today."

The two wind mages work in tandem as the storm thunders around them. Lightning continues to brighten the sky and at Sebastian's urging Zea focuses her magic to do just that. She is stronger than him, but she has also been working at this for a lot longer and even Adepts grow weary. She raises her hands to the heavens again and not just to serve as an aid for concentration, but to beg aid from the gods, a hasty prayer unspoken. But there is something else. She falters a bit and her hand lowers a few inches. Quickly she looks to Sebastian and while she cannot see the Aether swirling around him, she's got a deep sense of what he is doing.

"NO!" The scream jumps from her lips with raw panic and suddenly her focus shifts from the storm to her student. She shoots her hand further in the sky and the Aether around her flares in one furious blast as she attempts to redirect a source of lightning that was focused squarely on Sebastian. Acolytes are often prime targets for lightning strikes and with the force of this storm that chance has greatly increased. There is only an instant between her scream and the blinding flash of lightning that streaks down from the heavens. A large bolt slashes into the ocean, but it is the smaller one that finds purchase, but not in Sebastian.

A halo of blue-white light surrounds Zea for a half a second, if that. If she screams, it isn't heard as she's roughly tossed back from the bow of the ship. With a sickening crunch she lands on one of her wings and is tossed along the deck like a rag doll until the thick wood of the nearest mast stops her body, leaving her half-curled around its base. She doesn't move.

The surge of aether at the bow of the ship brings a grimace to Xenia's face mere seconds before the lightning spears Zea's form. As the wind-mage is thrown back, horror takes the place of discomfort; Xenia calls out worriedly, despite the fact that the domina likely can't hear her: "Zea!" Her cry is swallowed by the rising fury of the storm, but she's not going to be put off that easily. What can one Empyrean woman with a weak stomach do for the downed wind-mage? Likely nothing. But her concern overrides her pragmatism. One hand holding tight to the rope on her waist, Xenia pushes away from the railing, reaching out with her other hand in an attempt to drag Minowa with her. "Come on!" And off she staggers, towards Zea.

His concentration is broken as he senses, all too late, the lightning streaking down through the sky, his magic drawing it in like a magnet to metal. There's no time to change it, divert it, but instead of feeling it searing his body and flesh, Sebastian hears Zea's cry, feels it shift at the last moment. Eyes snap open to witness as the bolt dives into the ocean. Watches in horror as the bolt splits off, the offshoot blasting Zea. Now it is his turn to scream. "ZEA!" For a moment, all else is forgotten. Nothing is more important. Not the storm. Not the rocks. Not the ship. Not the crew. Wings and feet move, bringing the Empyrean to Zea's side in nary a second, his hand moving to her throat to find ... no pulse. Lifting his head, he screams again. "MINOWA!"

Minowa sucks in a sharp breath as lightning flashes and Zea is struck, goes flying...."oh great mother..." the wing isn't sitting right. Is it? Hard to tell with the rain and darkness, but something must be hurt. She's too still. "I'm coming!" she shouts against the pounding storm. The wood of the deck lifts up to wrap around the unconscious empyrean's legs and wrists. To keep her from being tossed about until the healer can reach her, half-dragged by Xenia. When she gets there, she kneels down, pressing her hands to the woman's chest. She jerks as the pain Zea's body feels surges through her own skin. "I've got her, Sebastian," she says as quietly as the screaming wind will allow. "See to the storm. It's no good if we all drown." Then she closes her eyes and searches. Wing will be addressed later. Everything is intact. Just...weak. She lowers her head, pressing a pointed ear against Zea's chest, listening to that faint heartbeat. Fingers twitch. A nudge. Urging that struggling heart to find its proper rhythm again. A moment of this and then she lifts her head, opening the empyrean's mouth and placing her lips against them. A breath shared, the empyrean's chest rises and falls. Back and forth, from heart to lungs she works as the rain drums down, the ship tosses.

Zea shows no reaction to Sebastian's scream or the halfbreed's touch, though with the latter's help her pulse struggles back and her chest shows signs that she's breathing, though it is quite shallow. Her left arm, the one raised to the storm has been marked by the lightning dancing over her skin. Kissed by Zeus, or cursed? Dark pink and purple lines scatter across her flesh like a spider web, as if each tiny blood vessel suddenly rose to the surface of her skin.

Reeling back, fear now glinting in his eyes, Sebastian forces his gaze away from where Zea lies and Minowa tend her. He simply can't look. If he does, he'll be lost. The ship will be lost. He won't be able to concentrate on anything else if he looks at Zea. Turning about Sebastian starts to concentrate on the storm again when the ship lurches dramatically starboard, a loud groan and crash heard as the ship jars harshly against something hard and unyielding, a wave crashing over the surface violently as it seems as if the boat were about to pitch over completely. Sagging back there is more groaning and grinding noises before the ship begins to move again. But he can't pay attention to that, and with all the fear, anger, and adrenaline in his body, Sebastian brings his powers to bear upon the storm, as if the rage within him could heat the very air and create that warm front he so desperately needs. From up on the high deck, Demetrius calls out sharply, "We've hit! Damage report! All free hands, to the pumps!"

The Varati holds tight, as that seems pretty much all he can do right now. He can't heal the Empyrean woman. He can't steer the ship. He can't make the storm go away. With a soft sigh, he notes that in such an instance he can't really do much at all, can he? When the boat lists dangerous, his grip tightens, only releasing with a grateful sigh when she rights herself again. But that sound could not have boded well, and Bhuvan lifts his gaze to where the Captain stands, very interested in hearing just what that damage report might entail.

Can't do much at all. It's a sentiment that Nix embraces heartily, clinging to the rigging. She worries at the sodden sails, her hands working blind as she turns her face from the water. Her wings hang wet at her back, heavy and flightless, but she keeps her worrisome perch. That is, until the Captain begins to bellow. With a glance to the rocking deck below, the girl begins her scrambling way downward, trading tie-lines as the previous support grows taut. It's not a very quick descent. But when the choice is between staying alive, or moving quickly... well, there's not much question.

Xenia has moved to kneel at Zea's side, concern and fear for the younger woman turning her stomach more than the ship had. In fact, if she'd taken a moment to notice, she'd been far too concerned with staying alive and on her feet to worry about how her stomach had been feeling. Perhaps that was all for the best. Azure eyes flicker towards Minowa, then back to Zea with worry. Her hands wringing helplessly, Xenia muttered a rough prayer under her breath. "...and gods above, /why/ did I never make it to Adept?" As she finishes, the ship lurches suddenly, leaving her floundering for something to grab onto, even as a wave rolls over the deck, wetting her wings and chiton thoroughly. She slides on the wet wood, scrabbling for purchase, caught only by the rope around her waist as it catches on one of the ship's masts. As the water drains away and the ship rights itself, she sits up, sputtering, wings a sodden mass of feathers about her. "Tritonia's /knees/! We're all going to drown!" Was that hysteria? Nah, couldn't be...well, maybe just a hint.

Minowa wraps her arms around the mast, fingers sinking into the wood as if it was soft dough when the ship hits, keeping her from flying off against one part of the Amarada or another. When the collision passes, she again places her hand on Zea's chest, above her heart. Beating stronger. Good. "Good girl," she whispers. Lungs are working better, if not exactly as they should, and her magic focuses now on easing away the residual pressure and strain those lungs still struggle against. The ship must be damaged, but her primary focus is on Zea. For the moment, she must leave the ship to the others. She occasionally lifts her left arm, shaking it vigorously to fight off the sympathetic tingles her contact with the empyrean sends it. At Xenia's not-at-all-hysterical cry, her head shoots up and turns sharply towards the aether-elemental. "I need your help!" she shouts. "I can't focus and listen for instructions at the same time. Tell me what the damage is when you hear it." She leans forward, "I promise you. We won't drown." Her gaze is intense; a sharp, startling blue against the glowing green of her skin. Her face is serene. Sincere. She believes what she says.

For all intents and purposes, it looks like Sebastian is merely hanging on for dear life, for he moves not an inch from the railing where he is crouched, hands gripping hard enough to make his knuckles white. Like a finely trained horseman upon a bucking mount, his body moves instinctively as the ship beneath him pitches and tosses in the storm, holding on tight, determined not to be cast off. But for those not caught in a moment of panic, they might notice a subtle change about them. The wind no longer whips quite so violently, and what was chill and bitterly cold rain has become softer and warmer. The sky has lightened somewhat and the air does not roar with thunder quite so loudly. From below comes the cry up to the Captain. "The hull is breached sir, and we're taking on water! Below decks are starting to flood!"

A sputtering cough comes from the distressed domina and a pained moan follows it, but she doesn't attempt to move, to speak, or to show any other signs of life besides the most necessary functions. Zea's body tries to draw in breath, something instinctive that forces to override the pain and injury, but finds it cannot and that attempted draw catches in her throat and for a moment she stops breathing again. A single breath fills her lungs, and then nothing. She struggles just to keep breath in her lungs, a struggle that continues to take a toll on her damaged body.

The Varati's ears prick up and lurching to his feet, he struggles over to the reporting sailor, grabbing him by the arms. "Where?!" he demands sharply, and it takes a moment for the man to understand before he notes, "Starboard bow ..." Bhuvan releases him and makes his way forward, taking up a longer line of rope, his features set and determined. His hand touches the deck, forming a loop of wood to slip the rope through, knotting it hard there before tying the other end about his waist. He's not about to let this ship founder and sink. Not while he has anything to do about it. And then the Varati man does something completely insane, climbing over the railing of the tempest-tossed and ship and dropping down along her side into the water.

Xenia turns her head sharply towards Minowa, her face clearly displaying her doubt. Surely Minowa wouldn't drown...she was part fish, wasn't she? But Xenia couldn't swim, never had, never tried...and now wasn't the time to learn. But something in those blue eyes capture Xenia and she nods once, firmly. She crawls closer to Minowa and Zea, wincing as the wind-mage begins to cough and sputter. "Oh, Zea." She murmurs under her breath, but her attention is immediately caught by the cry from below. "Oh god, the hull has been breached!" She repeats with quiet fervency for Minowa, whether the woman is paying attention to her or not. She crowds close to the halfbreed and her patient, wings limp behind her, as she continues to listen and scan the area for more waves or lightning. One glance catches sight of the Varati jumping overboard. Xenia opens her mouth to cry out in warning, but then her eyes fall on the rope. He'd /meant/ to do that? But...why? And then another wave rocks the ship, leaving Xenia struggling to simply stay in one spot. All other thoughts flee her mind.

Minowa grits her teeth. Breached hull...breaking empyrean..."no, no, no...don't you dare, Domina Acesius. Don't you dare. Sebastian will never forgive you." Her eyes screw shut, magic reaching out to touch, soothe, cajole. Anything to make the breathing regular and safe again. Her hands clench into fists as she moves about to find the right place to mend. It's all so delicate...so minute.

There goes the log. A log that Nix spent quite a bit of effort retrieving. Watching the Varati tip overboard, Nix.. freezes, staring in a split second's hesitation. "Damn ..." the curses continue, only half audible through the storm, as she starts across the deck. When her tie-line holds her back, she simply writhes out of the thing, darting across the planking to the railing over which Bhuvan leapt. "Shaper!" She barks over the edge, already securing another rope about her waist. Going over? "Climb back up!" As if he hadn't /meant/ to throw himself overboard.

Creating handholds along the way, Bhuvan clings to the side of the Amarada, arms trembling with the effort not to get swept off. His body flinches every time water covers him, expecting each wave to tear him off, or for his flesh and bones to be crushed as the Amarada's hull collides with yet another rock. But finally he is low enough to feel the damage, the cracked in hull of the ship, the splintering pieces of wood. Taking a deep breath as water surges over him again, Bhuvan puts his magic to use, stretching the remaining wood inward, closing up the gash. The pressure of the water rushing in makes the task difficult and as such he finds he must wait for moments when the bow of the ship arches out of the water, the pressure reduced enough to allow him to heal the gap. It's a crude effort, for wood was lost in the initial crush and as such the surrounding wood is thinned and stretched. But it doesn't have to be perfect, it just has to keep the water -out-.

Sebastian will just have to find something else to not forgive her for, for Zea begins to breathe again and clings dearly to life. The strength of her breathing doesn't increase much, not yet, but it does grow more regular thanks to the halfbreed's efforts. She does not, however, cough or moan again, or show any other signs of awakening.

A pleasure cruise for a fish, perhaps. Squinting through the spray and rain, it's not until she's seen what Bhuvan's doing that Nix stops swearing at him. Instead, she drops to a crouch, keeping her wings tight to her back -- avoiding the pulling wind -- as she traces his rope line. With a hand fisted around the support, she rocks forward enough to watch his progress. Keeping to the lee of the railing, clinging and scowling with a flying thing's hate of being wet.

While the sea is still rough, the sky still gray, the storm seems to have shifted aft of the ship, heading inland now, the air blowing past the deck warm, the rain drizzling lightly as the worst of the storm has passed them by. Sebastian remains slumped where he is, but his hands have dropped from the railing, his frame leaning against the wall of the ship, swaying along. The coastline comes into view again, a safe distance off to the right as the Amarada bobs along, moving slowly in the current that carries them parallel to the distant shore.

Minowa relaxes briefly, eyes opening again. She gasps for air as if she was the one who couldn't breathe, and she lifts an arm to swipe water from her face and eyes expecting it to be immediately replaced with more. Next, she moves her focus to that arm and leg, easing away the damage the lighting caused there. That, in and of itself, is really quite minor. Her attention keeps jumping back to Zea's breathing, but now that it seems stable enough...time to see just how badly that wing is broken. A small smile of relief curls her lips as she easily mends the two small, clean breaks in Zea's wing. And then she stops. Looks up. Blinks. The sky is clearing. The ship is still floating. Huh. Who'da thunk?

Xenia lifts her face to the drizzle and the warming winds flowing over the deck of the ship, blinking azure eyes at the coastline curving into view. "Oh thank the /Gods/." She mutters, pushing herself to her feet. She nearly falls again as the sodden weight of her wings becomes apparent, but she lifts them, shaking them thoroughly with a faint grimace, spraying droplets onto the already drenched deck. She glances down at Zea and Minowa, a smile daring to crease her face at the sight of the woman's breathing. "Domina, you are a true master of your craft," She voices to Minowa softly, relief evident in the husky lilt of her contralto. She lifts her eyes again to the shore, then to the rest of the ship, a frown surfacing at the sight of Sebastian. Without thinking, she begins walking in his direction, wings releasing fat droplets with each unsteady step.

As the wing is healed it twitches, perhaps in appreciation? Zea herself does not stir, but her wing attempts to flex, as much as possible as it feels its bones knit together at the Healer's touch.

The hole fills in finally and Bhuvan smiles at the success, even as he feels his arms give way from exhaustion, his body falling into the ocean, saved once again by nothing more than a piece of rope binding him to a hunk of wood. You see? Unreliable logs. Always getting away. Nix watches the Varati fall away with a fresh bout of cursing, his tie-line biting suddenly into her palm. "Bastard... land... bastard..." That's what /carries/. The rest isn't so pleasant. Still planted in a crouch, the Empyrean situates herself in such a way to twist Bhuvan's line around her shoulder, using her legs to twist and pull him upward. Again, with the slow progress. Better alive than fast.

Minowa rocks back onto her heels, blinking and shaking her head. Is there anything left? The damage to the flesh beneath Zea's skin has been repaired. All that's left now is that strange webbing of veins, but the halfbreed is already feeling weary, and she'll need her energy to tend to any more serious injuries the crew amassed. Wiping her arm across her brow a final time, she looks up at Xenia and laughs, shaking her head. "No," she says, her playful grin resurfacing. "Just an Acolyte. A very, very lucky Acolyte." She pauses. "Well, at least in healing." Then she goes about untying herself from her line, while still keeping an eye on Zea. The wood the held the domina's legs and wrists recedes once more into the deck.

The ship might still be afloat, but there is apparently still a huge amount to be done. Sailors move about with haste, getting minorly injured members of the crew off the deck, cleaning up and putting to rights that which has been destroyed or damaged, and heading below decks to see just how bad the damage is and tend to the pumps. Two sailors stop by Minowa, asking politely, "Should we move the Domina downstairs, or is it best to just let her lie still for a while longer?"

Close to unconscious, but not quite, Bhuvan slowly comes aware that the rope about his waist is getting pulled on, and weakly he swims over to where the handholds he formed are. He drags himself up, unable to support his own weight fully, but with Nix's assistance able to ensure that he keeps crawling up the ship inch by inch. Nearing the top he flings an arm over the railing, groaning as he flails for a handhold.

Xenia draws closer to Sebastian at last, pausing by his side with worry writ plain on her face. "Dominus? Are you all right?" She queries, worried he's overextended himself in this storm. She looks consciously for traces of aether, even as she waits for his reply.

When his hands emerge, Nix loops the rope around her shoulders, keeping it taut as she scrambles to her feet -- thrusting her water-slick arms toward the Varati. "C'mon!" still terse, as she struggles to get a hold under his arms, to pull him over the railing.

Sebastian cannot recall the last time he was this exhausted. It feels like every part of his body has been strained beyond capacity and his head feels like the thunderstorm entered through one ear and took up residence there. With a sense of quiet dread he turns himself about to look for Zea, his bloodshot eyes lifting to Xenia's face instead as she speaks to him. "Domina," he rasps, "is ... is everyone alright?" He can't quite bring himself to ask specifically about Zea. If she's dead, then Xenia will tell him. But he can't ask.

Leaning heavily on the Empyrean girl, Bhuvan gets over the railing and allows himself to drop down to the deck with a grunt. Lying on his back, eyes flickering closed, he manages to rumble, "So, are we dead yet?" Eyes flicker open, focusing on Nix's face as he chuckles softly, murmuring to no one in particular, "Saved by an angel ...."

Xenia winces as she looks at him, not merely for what she sees, but also what she senses. She can't imagine the amount of pain he is in now and likely to be in later. But at least she can ease the pain she sees in his eyes. With a reassuring smile, Xenia murmurs, "I believe everyone's all right, dominus. Minor injuries. And Zea is going to be fine, just fine. You owe the halfbreed her life. I don't know if she would've survived without her. But survive she has. She saved you, and now you saved us all. Thank you." Quiet and simple, those two words. But they bear a wealth of gratitude and emotion. She offers a hand to him, palm up. "Do you need some help? I believe they're taking the injured, along with the Domina Acesius, below decks."

"Some bloody angel," Nix responds, though the anger has faded. As the man slumps to the deck, so does the girl -- the Empyrean dropping to crouch besides his fallen form. Never good to leave the unconscious sort unattended. Her hair has come loose, falling across her shoulders in a mess of red-gold curls. Her eyes sweep over the scurrying soldiers, but she makes no move to join them. Apparently, she's decided on her task, and she's not leaving it until he's up and moving again. In the moment it takes to make this decision, the sodden bird has settled fully to the deck, sprawled atop bent legs, with her legs slightly extended. Drip-dry. She leans slightly against Bhuvan, assuring herself that he's not going to float away again. A glance to his face, expression unreadable.

Minowa looks over to the crewman and nods. "Downstairs is best," she says. "If there are any dry beds to be found. Tell the men to save what wood they can. Bhuvan and I can use it to fix the hull..." she stops, looking around. "Where is Bhuvan?" She sees him climbing back up over the ship...he was overboard? Well, someone must have closed the breach in the deck...and watches him collapse under the Nix's worried gaze. She pushes herself up to her feet as Zea is lifted and begins to get carried down below the deck. She'll see if any new injuries have happened to the Varati, or if he overtaxed himself. Then, down to the others.

As the sailors lift her, Zea stirs slightly, a reaction to the movement perhaps. But there comes another moan, a pained sound as slowly she begins to feel herself again and she slowly becomes aware of her injuries. She doesn't open her eyes and her breathing is still shallow as slurred words drift quietly from her lips. "Noooo, Papa, please, tell Jussstin he can't..." Her rough whisper silences again as she drifts in and out of consciousness.

Taking the proffered hand, Sebastian does rises to his feet, though he uses the railing more than Xenia to assist his assent. He reaches out to sense what the weather is doing, but the effort assaults him with pain, the passages in his mind flaring up as if burned by fire, and with a hiss he sags against the railing, abandoning the effort utterly and leaning there till the pain diminishes. Eyes flicker open as he looks for Zea, murmuring, "You're welcome," the words feeling inadequate somehow. On board the Amarada, the sailors, crew, and commanding officers have extended themselves, and their lives, for each other again and again. But it isn't really spoken of or acknowledge. That has too much power and creates strong mixed emotions that the men would rather subvert than face. Tian is no exception, wishing to be neither in debt to anyone else, or have anyone else feeling beholden and in debt to him. They survived. That's what's important. He watches as the sailors lift Zea up, hesitating before remaining where he is. Once she is settled downstairs, then he'll sit by her side till she wakes. Right now, if he were to see her. Well, he'd rather have some time to compose himself first. Regain control.

Sodden wings still dripping onto the wet decking, Xenia glances towards Zea, then back at Sebastian, watching him carefully. She looks as if there is much she would like to say, but she holds her tongue, turning instead to go. She pauses, half-turned, to look back at him over her shoulder. "I would offer you a piece of advice, dominus. My senses tell me you've clearly overextended yourself. I can barely see a whisper of aether about you anywhere. Nor can I see much of it around Zea. My guess is she's equally overextended herself. Save yourself the pain and let your magic return in its own time. I will advise the domina the same when she awakes." And with that, Xenia turns and makes her way slowly back towards the other end of the ship. Already, bruises are forming on her pale skin, making walking more painful than it was before.

Chuckling softly at the girl's cursing, the Varati simply relishes the fact that he's alive. That the ship is alive. A broad smile curls his lips as he looks up at the dripping scraggly Empyrean, eyes twinkling with amusement despite his exhaustion. "Saved by a devil? Or just a fallen angel, Domina?" And then he laughs, the sound strange for a moment in the air following disaster. But it's time for a celebration. They won! In reaction some of the other crew pause, staring for a moment before chuckling themselves, slapping one another on the shoulder as they finally get the joke. Studying Nix with an almost smug smile, he returns affably, "Fine day to be alive, isn't it?"

The progress the sailors make with Zea is slow and careful, especially once they reach the hatch. Her wings prove the biggest problem. Were she awake she might have the strength to pull them against her back, but for now they hang limply and the men struggle to lift her and them down into the belly of the ship. A few more words bubble from her lips, but they seem to mean nothing at all.

Minowa steps up to the little red empyrean and the prone Varati, kneeling down by the pair of them. "Are either of you hurt?" she asks. As the sky brightens and the sun reappears, her glowing skin is muted once more, the shine hidden until darkness calls it forth again. She places a hand on Bhuvan's forehead, checking briefly to see how he fared. "You closed the breach, didn't you, Imphadi." she half asks, half says. Her voice sounds both awed and reproachful. He shouldn't have, being as weak as he was. But he likely saved everyone's life.

Fallen angel? The term earns a smirk from the girl, and she rearranges herself to better lean against the Varati -- stealing what warmth he can provide as the water begins to chill through her hair and feathers. "Nix," she corrects his address, sniffing softly. "Phoenix Theodora, but call me Nix." Because Phoenix Theodora is much too much name for the undersized Empyrean. "I'm wet," she observes, seemingly to Bhuvan, and reaches sideways with a few fingertips to 'squeeze' a single feather dry. An indignant sniff is given as the plume simply comes loose, glossed and... clean. In fact, the entire girl's clean. Novel, really. "For someone who jumped over th' railing, you're awfully fond've life." With a glance to her lost feather, she tosses the thing back on the Varati's chest, watching the copper-gold length come to rest on his sodden shirt. "It's no --.." she comes to an abrupt halt as Minowa approaches, her lips closing on the half-uttered word, and her gaze flickering back to the Varati. Nix, as you can tell, is well enough to chat.

The healer can likely sense that the Varati is completely enervated from his exertions, both physically and magically, his smile the only strong thing about him. "It's my job," he burbles at her, "though I think next time I'll heed your advice ... I think I just undid two days worth of your work. You don't mind if I just lie here and don't move for about, ohhhh, a month? I promise I won't be in anyone's way." His eyes shift then to Nix as he murmurs instead, "Phoenix. It's a fine name. Matches your fiery nature and coloring." His eyes shift to her clothes and then back to her face as he murmurs, "So you are. And so am I. Tell me, Phoenix, you wouldn't happen to be trying to steal all of my heat now that you've got me back on board, would you? Cause having been in the ocean, I think I want to keep some of that for myself." The Varati's tone is light and amused, and if he takes any offense at her thieving ways, he certainly doesn't show it. "Life is a very fine thing, and I think I crawled over the railing, but that's pretty nitpicking of a point."

Minowa smirks as she shakes her head, withdrawing her hand. She calls "We've one more to be carried below decks!" and signals a couple of the crew to come over and carry Bhuvan down. "There ought to be dry clothes down there as well. Perhaps the two of you should get changed before there's anymore stealing of body heat." She winks and then says "Phoenix?" She looks over at Nix and the little spark flares. phoeNix. Oh! She smiles. "I like that," and then stands, looking about to see if anyone else is looking particularly worn. Which is when she sees Xenia with a very slumped Sebastian. So, she moves that way next.

The wings are figured out eventually and Zea is carefully carried down into the hold, Sebastian's gaze riding along with her. He leans against the railing, taking a few deep breathes and waiting till some of his strength returns. That should be in just enough time for Zea to be comfortably settled in her quarters. Then he can wend his way down and begin vigil.

"If you do it again, I'm tying you t'the mast," Nix responds, just as casually. "It seems I get t' fetch you when you fall overboard, and I don't like being wet. So stop goin' overboard." It's all very logical, you see. At the comment about heat theft, she shifts enough to look back at him. "You're bigger," she reminds him, only to tuck herself tighter against his side. It's a casual lean, her arms crossed and her regard unharried as she glances between the busy deck and the man at her back. More habit than intent, her feathers ruffle, showering them both in a chilled spattering of seawater. Her gaze flickers back to the half-breed as Phoenix is uttered, and her expression grows stubbornly solemn as her full name is used. "Nix," she corrects, only to send Bhuvan an aggravated glance. If she pays any attention to Minowa's wish to carry the Varati below deck, she makes no sign of it. She's quite happy where she is, thank you. Let the larger people carry the log.

As Minowa nears her end of the ship, Xenia reaches out a hand to stay her momentarily. "I think Sebastian could use your help, domina." She remarks softly, glancing at the wind-mage. Glancing back at Minowa, she smiles. "But be careful not to overextend yourself, hmm? You've done so much already today, but I'm sure there's plenty more people who will need your help. If I can help in a non-magical way, let me know?" She hesitates a moment longer, then begins limping towards the hatch.

Minowa moves directly towards Sebastian and Xenia as she calls, but then sidesteps to block Xenia's path as she begins to walk away. "Hold on a moment, Domina. Let me check you over. You're already looking a bit more black and blue than usual. Then, if you could, there's a box with three seashells on top of it. If you could bring it to me, there's some herbs and powders in there that will work just as well as magic for minor hurts, and will save me from, as you say, overtaxing."

Xenia pauses as Minowa requested, exhaling a soft sigh. "It's just bruises, domina, really. No cause for worry." But she allows the healer to check her over anyway.

Sebastian watches as Minowa stops Xenia in her tracks, a wry smile curling his lips as she enforces her will upon just about everyone on board. Minowa is one tough no-nonsense healer. Better to ask for forgiveness rather than permission, and as such, Sebastian takes a step back and then slowly begins to make his way about the pair such as to not be noticed.

"I may be bigger, Phoenix," retorts Bhuvan, deliberating using her full name just to annoy her, "but I was in the cold ocean and you were not. I think that makes "bigger" a moot point." Blessedly help has come, and while Bhuvan won't let the sailors carry him, he does let them help him up and slings an arm over each man's shoulder. "As for the whole going overboard thing? I can assure you, I'm all finished with that."

Minowa places a hand lightly on Xenia's arm, lifting her chin a tick as she feels Xenia's bruises dance along her own nerves. "Bruises are hardly taxing," she says with a faint smile. The welts the rope left is a bit more of a challenge, but just barely. Minowa's eyes close in something like a long, slow, blink, and as she does, the discoloration disappears, the welts smoothe into whole proper skin. "There," the halfbreed withdraws her hand. "Now, let's she how Seba-" he's gone. She blinks, looking around, and scowls. Well, only one place he could have headed. "If you're feeling up to it, if you could bring that box to the guest quarters..." and she walks towards the steps to down below deck.

As the sailors approach, Nix shifts away from the Varati, situating herself instead against the railing. With her wings splayed to either side, making small puddles on the planks beside her, the sodden youth draws her knees to her chest, perching her chin atop one as her charge is carried away. Her eyes are half-lidded now, expression unreadable. If she has something to be doing, she's.... not doing it.

Xenia sighs in relief as the welts across her abdomen disappear. With fumbling fingers, she unties the sodden rope from about her waist and nods to Minowa. "I'll bring it right away." And with that, she begins limping, in a much easier fashion, after the others.