Featuring: Roger and Zea
Date: March 16, 2005
IC Date: June 6, 3931
Summary: Roger reports back to Zea with the information he gathered at Trinkets and Treasures.

Makara -- Open Seas

The Makara is kept tidy and clean, her rails and deck well tended and oiled, her elegant sails trim and whole. Her rigging is kept clean and open. She sports three thick masts, iron bolstered for strength. The center and largest mast holds the largest of the fan-shaped rigs and above it flies a black flag decorated with a red heart framed by white wings on either side - the same flag that flies above the Amarada.

Early morning, just before breakfast. Roger is up early as usual, since he's the one who has to make all the food for the hungry Makara crew. Since he has a little time left before the rush starts, he is taking a stroll on the deck while the coals in the stove heat up. He takes a deep, noisy breath through his nose, and leans against a post for a moment while he contemplates the light fog that hangs over the bay.

While her presence isn't required aboard the Makara for the duration of the stay in Raven's Cove, Zea is known to fly over from time to time, and this morning is one of those times. The fog shifts and floats in an unnatural pattern as her wings beat the air. Normally such currents cannot be seen, but when there is fog or smoke in the air, the patterns of air woven by an Empyrean's flight can easily be detected. She soars in slowly and then there is a grumble of annoyance that carries through the fog before a strong gust is felt across the ship's deck and the morning fog is parted long enough for Zea to see the deck clearly and land.

The cook is deep in thought, when suddenly something disturbs his reverie. He grumbles something, and after a moment or two gathers his wits when he recognizes the Empyrean. "Oh, it's ye," he begins, and then he draws himself upright. Or rather, as upright as he ever gets. Then, he toddles over to Zea with a purposeful expression.

Zea has barely landed before the cook's voice carries over to her. Likely she had not even noticed him, for the startled look in her eyes when she does raise her head would suggest as such. Her wings twitch a few times, tossing off some of the dampness of the morning before she draws them in against her. She eyes the approaching cook curiously and then a slight dawn of recognition shows in her gaze. "Ave, Roger," she greets as politely as possible. "Did you and Lexa have a prosperous visit into town?"

The hunchback grunts and scratches at an itch on his knee. "'S okay, I found some info, nuthin' real useful like, tho." He purses his lips and scratches a bit harder, then makes a bit of an mmph sound as he decides that he is satisfied. "'Tain't no fencin' operat'n, that fer sure. Just plain ol' dumpin' grounds." He grins up at the Empyrean, daring her to ask him how he knows.

The question comes as natural as rain and it should not be surprising, since it was the reason Zea asked Lexa, and with her Roger, to visit the shop in the first place. She walks a few steps over to the ship's rail and leans against it, her back to the town. "Interesting. How did you find this out? What did that woman tell you?" Her gaze is intently curious, though she keeps her voice low, not sure who might just hear the conversation.

"Eh," begins Roger, who squints with concentration, trying to recall the conversation. "Weren't th' first time I seen sumpin' li' this, mind. Seems there ain't no regulation-like, 'round here. The gel jest set up shop 'n buy 'n sell ferm any-like, she does." He sniffs a few times, then reaches up with both hands, grasps the top of his head with one hand and the bottom of his chin with another, and yanks quickly. A loud cracking noise ensues, and a nearby gull takes flight, alarmed as if a gun had gone off nearby. Another grunt, and then the hunchback continues, his sunken eyes bulging with concentration. "I tell 'er I want t' get rid o' stuff, y'know, peoples never think none o' me, I tell ya, they allus think I dumb or sumpin', y'know, anyways, she said iffn I bring it on by she mi' take it off me, no questuns, iffn ya get m' meanin'."

Zea winces visibly at the cracking sound the mongrel's neck makes, enough to force her to turn away while he adjusts himself. She listens without really looking at him, half-afraid he's going to do something else just as disturbing. When the explanation ends without any other unusual body noises she looks back to him and nods. "Well, I was not expecting any kind of formal government in a place like this," she says. "It does not seem the kind of place. But that is quite interesting, that she'll take items without question. It makes me wonder just who else is dumping their unwanted items into her lap, so to speak." Her fingers tap against the wood railing as she speaks. "It is quite a crowded shop; I cannot imagine she could even fit anything else in there."

"She prolly gets half her ware ferm th' Mermaid, girls there prolly steal ferm th' sailors, I reckon." Roger scratches his chin thoughtfully. "Guess we best tell th' others, eh," he says, his lopsided face taking on a concerned expression. "Well, I best be gettin' th' food ready. 'Ems sailors is a 'ungry lot, eh, I gather y' know that by now, eh, I reckon," he says, then turns and starts grumbling something obscure under his breath.

Zea nods to Roger before he turns to go. "Captain Xaverius will be interested in this information, I'm certain of it. I'll need to speak with Lexa when she has the time. If you could tell her I'm looking for her, I would greatly appreciate it." Zea stretches her wings and again shakes off the dampness that has settled on them, sending a light spray out behind her. "And thank you Roger, for your help."

"'Tweren't nuthin, needed a break ferm this place, I reck'n, yes I did." Roger starts away, possibly slightly more upright than before. Perhaps the neck adjustment helped his posture some. "I'll tell Lex when I see 'er, sh'ld be soon, I reck'n, 'less she decided t' work down a' th' Mermaid." The hunchback gives off a great guffaw, then grumbles some more and heads on towards the galley.

Zea blinks at that last statement, but doesn't say anything. Her expression is one of worry and concern as she turns slowly and looks out over the town.