No sooner have they left the dock where the Saucy Salmon is moored the otters claim they need to go wash up. This means they won't be tagging along with Aviri while he sees to some supplies for the multi-day river journey. The bathhouse is at the far end of the riverfront though, in the opposite direction from the market.
"Girls," Tarr notes, clicking his beak. "Always worried about how they smell."
"They smell rather like swamp, usually," Aviri notes. "Though that may be because of the circustances of my knowing them. Know anywhere to get food?"
"Like, dinner and such?" Tarr asks. "I know a few spots with decent grub.. err.. well, you probably don't eat grubs though. I suppose you want vegetables and the like?"
"Would be nice," Aviri says. "Though I was thinking more of stuff we could take with us. That'd keep a bit."
"The market is probably it, then," Tarr says, strolling towards the southern end of the docks. "The Doc shops there for her food. Lots of dry stuff.. and dry stuff you add water too. Sound good?"
Aviri nods and follows Tarr, walking almost normally--that is, not trying to crawl into himself.
The smell of baking bread is at least familiar to Aviri, at least from the times he's been into town in Stonebarrow. There are quite a few shoppers as well, including the aforementioned Doctor Fether and a variety of others, mostly women.
"This is the place," Tarr says, waving a wing. "Still can't get a good eyeball sandwich though in Trollhaven.."
"Eyeball sandwich?" Aviri asks absently, looking around the market. "That something you'd enjoy eating?" His nose makes him start toward whomever is baking bread.
There are several tables for baked goods, with the heat of the ovens showing that it's all done in the market itself. There are buns and rolls and sticky pastries and loaves and cakes and pies and pretzels.. and of course cookies and hard biscuits, the staple of sailors.
"Eyeballs are great!" the Korv claims. "But they don't keep. Unless you make a jam."
"Might have to mix in some juice from vampire tomatoes," Aviri adds. He walks up to a table arrayed with bread and just stands there a bit, glancing from loaf to loaf.
"Hello deary," a plump Rath'ani matron in an apron and bakers cap says from the other side of the table. "See anything you like? We've got carrot bread and corn bread and potato bread too."
"How much?" Aviri asks.
"Two shekels a loaf, or three for five shekels," the baker replies. "Do you like cheese?"
Aviri doesn't seem to hear her for a moment, lost in his own head. "I'll just have two carrots and a potato, if you don't mind. Not much a fan of cheese."
"Ah, too bad.. the cheese biscuits are just about done," the woman notes. She wraps up the loaves in cheesecloth, and ties them together with a string. "That'll be five then," she says with a smile.
Aviri puts five sheckles on the table with a "Thank you." He pauses a moment, then places two more on the counter. "One more carrot for the road?"
The extra loaf is handed over unwrapped, so Aviri can nibble at it if he wants. "If you have a liking for baked apples or preserves, my daughter's stall is right around the corner. Honey preserved peaches, dried apricots.. even plums."
"That sounds wonderful, thanks you!" Aviri says. "I'll go see what she has." He starts that way, looking back to see if Tarr's still with him.
"Bread, beer and broads," Tarr comments. "The three pillars of civilization, if'n you ask me. Not much for fruit meself. But bread is good."
"Is there no room for houses in your civilization?" Aviri asks.
"Houses is burdensome," the Korv claims. "Unless there's a woman involved. Or kids. Hopefully both, CAW! Having a house means you've got stuff, and then someone can think 'hey, I like his stuff' and try to take it."
The stall around the corner from the bakery smells like a candy store. There's even something rare in that: cinnamon. An exotic foreign spice! Also lots of candied (for preservation) fruits and jars filled with even more fruit.
Aviri almost staggers under the smell but manages to keep himself on his feet. He looks over the table, trying to find the cinnenom. After a heartbeat he's able to look over her wares in a more composed manner. "I heard you had dried apricots," he says.
The girl is a younger version of the baker, and wears a pink apron instead of a white one. "Yes! Also, I just got in some ginger and toffee too. Do you prefer plain dried, or sweetened?"
"Plain is fine," Aviri says.
"How much would you like?" the girl asks. "If you get a half-pound, I'll throw in some ginger snaps."
"How much is a half-pound?" Aviri asks. "Money, that is. How much money, not how much apricot..."
"Three shekels, since I've got a fresh batch coming in the morning," the woman notes. "So these have been here most of the day already."
Aviri looks closely at the apricots. "They're still good though, right? Will they stay good for a day or two?"
"Yes, but they'll get more chewy," the raccoon notes. "They'll taste the same though!"
"Then I'll have a half-pound, please!" He pulls the last three coins from his pocket.
He receives two bags in return - one for the apricots and the other with 'ginger snaps' in them. "I've got some peaches in honey, nearly ready to ferment," the vendor notes. "A great gift for a sweetheart."
Aviri shakes his head. "This'll be all, thanks," he says, and walks back away from the stalls. With bread and apricots, he looks almost lost. "That ... should be good," he says. "Least for me. Who knows what the otters want. Probably fish from the boat." He looks to Tarr. "Well, I'm out of ideas."
"Fish jerky, or clams," Tarr notes. "Don't get clams in Stonebarrow, 'cept from the Sniffler's aquafarms, and they is sold in small quantities, eh? Delicacy. I bet they'd do anything you asked for clams."
Aviri tilts his head a little, trying to decide whether he wants to lug clams around only to see if Tarr is right. "Might be interesting," he says. "Know where clams are?"
"Follow the racoons!" Tarr says, and points to a stall with a long line of Rath'ani. Each one gets a small cup of golden nuggets.. breaded and fried clams, apparently.
Aviri looks at the line. He hesitates, shrugs, and then gets into the line.
"Hitting the club tonight?" the man in front of the Lapi asks his companion. "Nah, gotta be up at dawn." Tarr just hangs out next to Aviri. "So, what's your poison, Aviri?" he asks.
"My poison?" Aviri asks. "I try not to make any and though I know some of the plants I get could be used as such I don't ask any questions after I've made the delivery."
"Caw!" Tarr laughs. "I meant, what's your preferred alcoholic beverage?"
"Alcohol? I don't partake," Aviri says. "Muddles my mind, so I can't think clearly. I don't like not being able to think clearly."
"Not much to think about on a river ride," Tarr points out. "I bet you get really sociable when you're plastered. Life of the party, everyone's pal!" The line at least is moving quickly, with pauses only when a fresh batch is being made.
Aviri begins the process of adding some more coins from his purse to his pocket, ensuring to do everything carefully so neither purse nor coins leave his posession in the process. "Lots to think about," he counters. "Think about past encounters with odd plants, and why they should be where they were. Think about how to find out if those theories are true or false. Should keep me busy at least the first day."
"Not going to be bobbing for river plants then?" Tarr asks. "Would keep the girls busy, I reckon." Two more in line ahead of Aviri now.
"I probably won't go swimming," Aviri says. "And the girls wouldn't know what to look for. I hope this plays sells something that can keep a few hours--like, doesn't need to be fresh to be good."
"They eat fish, what do they know from fresh?" Tarr asks. When Aviri reaches the counter.. there are a lot more options than he thought. It's not just fried clams, there are sauces and toppings and other fried things, like onions (also batter dipped) and a few other vegetables that one might not consider for battering and frying. There's even regular fish available. "What'll it be, pal?" the fry-cook asks, wearing lots of protective clothing.
"Two of ... whatever's the most popular thing for Akwavi, please," Aviri says, his eyes glossing over the options after a moment's panic.
The man fills two paper cups with fried clams. The grease darkens them a bit. "One Shekel please. We got fried squash too.."
"This'll be all, thank you," Aviri says, giving a genuine smile and trading the money for the clams.
"Fried eyeballs is good," Tarr notes. "Crunchy on the outside, gooey on the inside. We should probably see if we can find the Doc around here."
"Sounds like a plan," Aviri claims. He manages to balance both cups on one hand and add the fourth loaf of bread to the bag with the others and stick that on top of everything else in his satchel before returning the clams to a more stable position.
It isn't hard to find Dr. Fether, as she's the tallest person at the market. She's buying a bushel of oats, and even has a wheelbarrow for her purchases. She also seems fond of apples. Her back is to Aviri when he spots her.
"How's she buy stuff if she doesn't speak?" Aviri wonders aloud as he approaches.
"She points at it. Makes her a tougher haggler too, somehow," Tarr whispers. Indeed, there is haggling going on, with the vendor quoting a price and the Rhian giving subtle shakes or nods. Since she's buying in bulk it probably gets her a better price as well.
Aviri stands a little off to the side of the event and watches, his head tilted slightly to the side, his eyes trying to consume everything happening.
The mare's body language is subtle. That may be deliberate, or just the result of wearing a corset-dress (that Aviri could probably use as a decent tent if he had to). She lifts up one of the heavy sacks, and raises an eyebrow at the vendor, who sighs and says, "Alright, I'll knock off the delivery charge if you carry it out yourself. 35, gehnoh?"
Fether drops the sack into her barrow, and pays the man from her purse. She also notices Aviri and Tarr, especially after Tarr hops onto the wheelbarrow.
"Are oats a major ingredient in the elixer?" Aviri asks with a straight face.
Fether stares at Aviri for a moment, and then slowly shakes her head. Then she grabs the handles of the wheelbarrow and starts pushing her way out of the market. Shoppers are quick to dodge out of the way, especially with Tarr perched at the front making raucous noises.
Aviri follows behind in the corridor of open space, almost totally recovered form his Observe Everything state.
Outside the market, Fether turns towards the 'stable' where she keeps her little apartment. Her stride is long, despite the dress skirt, so Aviri has to jog slightly to keep up. Eventually they reach her destination, and the mare starts unloading her groceries.
The Lapi stands there awkwardly holding two cups of clams. "Do you ... uh ... want help?" he asks tentatively.
"Not with this," Tarr assures Aviri. "Look, she ain't even straining her buttons. That sack may weigh as much as you do, kid, but to her it's no more than that bag you're toting around."
"... Okay," says Aviri, who then continues to just stand there.
Fether snorts, and lifts the bucket of apples out of the barrow as well before entering the stall. Tarr holds a wing up and seems to be counting down under his breath.
After nearly a minute of this, the bird drops his wing and says, "It's safe to go in now."
"Safe?" Aviri raises an eyebrow. "It wasn't safe before?"
"It's the buttons," Tarr claims. "Always a chance of one popping off and putt'n out yer eye."
Aviri pauses. "Couldn't she ... oh, right, corset."
"Hook-and-latch is safer, but she's got big fingers that aren't exactly sensitive, ye ken? So buttons it is," the Korv points out.
The lapi looks at his hands, still occupied with clams, and then at his bag bulging with bread. "Anywhere I could set these down?" he asks, indicating the clams. "At least until I'm ready to find my companions?"
"You don't have to keep them in the paper cups," Tarr points out. "Doc has bowls though. Could prop 'em up in one."
"That'd be nice, if you don't mind," Aviri says.
"Awk, go on in and ask her," Tarr says, and fluffs out his feathers. "I gotta go find a bar to dump that elixir on."
Aviri enters the barn cautiously, as if a button could fly at him from any direction. "Doctor Feather?"
There's a hanging lamp (too high up for anyone but the Doctor to reach) flicking and providing light. Fether is turned away, but looks over her shoulder at Aviri. She's gotten out of the dress is wearing bright pink frilly bloomers but is bare from the waist up. She gives Aviri a 'yes?' sort of expression while keeping her back to him.
Aviri turns his head away. "Oh, sorry, didn't mean to ... but Tarr said you had a bowl I could use to put these in." He lifts both hands slightly.
The doctor turns and reaches over Aviri to a cabinet, using one arm to hold her chest back from doing him any damage that the realization of its existence hasn't already managed to.. and fetches a bowl from it.
Aviri puts both paper bowls into Fether's bow, which he then picks up carefully. "Thank you," he says. "I'll ... leave you to it." He returns to outside the barn.
A heavy hand lands on the Lapi's shoulder, keeping him from leaving.
Aviri freezes and turns his head slightly. "I ... forget something?"
The hand pulls back, and returns again holding.. a curry brush. Fether even waggles it a bit to indicate Aviri should take it.
The brush isn't much like anything Aviri's seen. He takes it, turns it around, and says, "I ... does it go with the bowl?"
The Rhian shakes her head, and goes to sit down on a sturdy stool with her back to Aviri again. This way she can use both of her hands to mime brushing her mane and back.
"Ah," Aviri nods. Setting the bowl down he begins, awkwardly, to mimic her miming.
By most standards, Rhians don't even have fur, it's so fine. But the mane is thicker than anything in Aviri's experience. It's also the first time Fether makes any sound, but it's mostly a sort of sigh through wobbly lips.
Aviri continues brushing, but gets less awkward, though his eyes have de-focused and his face is blank--he's lost in his brain again.
This seems to be the perfect state for dealing with just so much shear back. Even the occasional swat from Fether's tail doesn't break him out.
Brush, brush, brush. It really can be hypnotic, or just boring enough to let Aviri's mind wander. Since arriving in Trollhaven, there hasn't been a peep out of Silv, he realizes. When he hears the gasp from behind him, he thinks that might be Silv.. but it's only Trilup. "Holy Bog Spirits!" the young otter squeaks as she and Linyala arrive at the stable. "I have seen way too much tonight tha's gonna haunt me forever," she claims.
Lin elbows Trilup. "Be cool, Tril, cool like a catfish." She murmurs, "We ain't done nuthin wrong an nobody's hurt what won't get better."
"That doesn't sound suspicious," Aviri says.
Fether turns halfway around, nearly elbowing Aviri in the side of the head, to look at the two otters with an unreadable expression. But she does raise an eyebrow.
"They're so big," Trilup whispers. "How does she keep from falling over when she walks. Would she just bounce back upright if she did? I bet they float.." the girl babbles.
"I s'pose she has really good posture an' balance." Lin suggests, keeping her voice low as well.
Aviri nods his head toward the otters and says to Fether, "They've got a ... tendancy to get into trouble. Especially involving a certain box, which, considering Lin's remark and that they're just standing there awkwardly, I'd say they did again."
"Everything stayed in the tub though, I made sure," Trilup blurts. "But you might want to brush Lin down, just to see how much fur comes loose.."
"That ain't really cool Tril, take a few deep breaths- an' then perhaps explain ta me how I'm the calm one after That." Linyala shivvers visibly for a moment.
"I had to see it though," Trilup points out. "And.. fish around in the goo.."
Aviri holds up a hand. "Don't say anything. I don't want to know. Just ... go ... do ....." He apparently can't decide what he wants them to go and do because he just silently resumes his brushing.
Fether turns back around and closes her eyes again.
"We came to get you," Trilup notes. "We hafta be at the boat before too long. Did you get the stuff you were looking for?"
Aviri nods and says, "Sorry, Dr. Fether," as he puts down the brush. "It was nice meeting you."
Linyala says, "Comb, brush... Boat. Back at!" says Lin, haltingly. She tugs at her vest nervously and turn towards the docks."
The horse woman grunts, then turns and gives Aviri a big smothering hug. "Take care," she whispers before letting him go.
"I'll try," Aviri says. He casually picks up a bowl on the table. "Is it alright if I take this with me? I'll bring it back on my--our way through the other way."
The mare nods, and finally puts on a nightshirt.
Aviri nods and says, "Say 'bye' to Tarr, in case I don't see him on the way ... right, I'll be back anyway. Then see you later, Doctor." He looks to Lin and Trilup. "Ready?"
"What's in the bowl?" Trilup asks.
"Surprise," Aviri says, holding it high. "Good surprise, not those kinds you to throw at me."
"Heyyy, no fair holding it up high!" Trilup whines, and tugs on Lin to break her out of her trance.
Linyala starts and looks around. "Sorry. I think the box has somethin' to do with water. Or liquidey things. Maybe." She looks up at Aviri's bowl full of surprises, "Just... Trying to make sense of it. What kind of surprise?"
"The kind," Aviri says, "you'll get if you promise not to try to open that bloody box ..." he pauses, blinks, continues, "... the rest of the trip. We're to deliver, not peek."
"Better not be otter soup," Trilup says, sticking her tongue out, once they're out of the barn.
"It's fried clam," Aviri says casually.
"That's mean!" Linyala pouts.
"Just one?" Trilup asks, her eyes going wide as she looks up at the bowl. "It must be huge!"
"Is it?" Aviri asks Linyala. "I thought you'd like fried clam. Well, I'm sure someone on the boat'll enjoy them, at least. I got a couple, one of each of you. I'd thought about picking more up on the way back through, but you you don't like them anyway...."
"I like clams," Trilup says. "Plus I'm your bestest friend ever!"
Linyala unties her writing pouch and holds it out to Aviri. "Fine." She says, looking absolutely dejected.
The Lapi lowers the bowl a bit and looks at Trilup. "Are, you, now?" he says. "Listen, I want this to go smoothly hear on out. No blood, no goo, no plants or tentatcles or fireworks or whatever else is in that cursed thing. If I don't see it, fine. If I don't hear it or smell or feel it, go ahead and knock yourself out, but I'm not going to pick up your pieces." He pulls the clams from the bowl and holds them out. "We could easily get more," he says in a kinder tone.
Since Aviri's hands are full.. Trilup helps by emptying one of them of treats! "Of course I'm your bestest friend! How many friends have you got?"
Lin mumbles, "M'starving..." and trades the writing pouch for her share of the clams.
"Enough," Aviri says. "And Lin, you can keep holding the box. You can even try to open it again, but only if we're not in the same building. Or ... general area."
With her mouth full of clam, Trilup mumbles, "I'm prolly the cutest one though.."
She looks numbly at the bag and says, "Silv, what do you think?" She's looking like she'd really rather have the clams than the box that tried to kill her right now.
"Up to you.." Silv says, her voice barely above a whisper. "Gotta open it when delivered.."
"We do?!" Aviri says. "I thought the recipient only cared that it was delivered. Did you know how to open it, when you weren't ... dead?"
"Might have had a combination.. not sure.. magic and all," Silv's voice whispers. "Champion was a mage."
Aviri sighs. "Well, on the chance that we have to open it, Lin, then these clams are to ensure you do it not near me, please. Or ... at least ... give me time to get away."
"We just need to find another big bathtub," Trilup says, licking her fingers.
"Well I won't do it not carefully next time..." Lin pauses to think, "I'd... Like your help."
"My help? What could I do?" Aviri asks. "I'm a botanist, not a ..." he pauses, looks upward slightly, then says quickly, "Doctor Wizard Mage Gypsie Ghost Gypsie-ghost Mystic Fighter Engineer," followed by another pause. Then, "Or anything else that would be of any use in dealing with cursed boxes."
"I've got some ideas." Lin offers, "I could explain later?" She pulls at her fur absently and looks towards the docks.
"Though I could probably find some mushrooms that'd make whatever that box does seem docile," Aviri muses absently.
"Your skin isn't loose now is it?" Trilup whispers to Lin at the sight of the tugging. "You should eat your clams! We probably won't catch any fish in the river in the dark without getting lost."
"Skin feels weird." Lin complains quietly, "It's not loose, just weird. I want my brush and comb." She starts eating her clams.
"Aviri can brush you! Is that the help you needed?" Trilup asks. "Because he's a Lapi, you know. They're really into grooming each other. You saw how he was all in a trance like with Dr. Fether, and she barely had any fur at all!" Although generally, compared to Akwavi, most people can be said to have 'barely any fur at all'.
"Sure, if he wants. Or I can just... Brush." Lin mumbles.
Aviri nods. "I think I'm done brushing for a while," he says.
"Are you still hungry, Lin?" Trilup asks.
Aviri has started muttering to himself, something about mosses and forests, when he says suddenly, "Did you ever tell Jack about the ... hole? Also, do you eat bread? I have bread. Carrot and Potato."
"I'll eat anything, except raw vegetables," Trilup says. "And okra."
Lin perks up a bit at the offer of food. "Sure, bread and just about anything sounds good. I'm famished!" She says.
Aviri veers toward the food-stall area. "Well, let's get some dinner, then. Don't get anything too pricy."
"She was barfing really bad," Trilup confides to Aviri. "Akwavi are great barfers though!"
Aviri says, "I don't want to ... just ... get some food, please?"
"You know, for when you run out of bait?" Trilup clarifies. "Can we have some more clams?"
Linyala looks around the market. "Cheap an' filling is fine."
"THEY'VE GOT COOKIES!" Trilup points out, having spotted the bakery stands. "I wonder if they have bugs? And fish.. gotta have lots of fish. It's a river.."
"After a full meal," Aviri says, his ear twitching at the sound of the words.
Trilup dashes ahead, calling back whenever she finds something 'suitable'. "Roasted yams!" "Some kind of vegetable that looks like brains!" "Fishcakes!" "Something crunchy looking!" "Fried EVERYTHING!"
Not feeling overly adventurous, Linyala tugs Aviri towards the fishcake stall.
Aviri follows, putting the now-empty bowl into his bag and taking a dozen or so coins from his purse, looking at the dwindling sack a moment before replacing it.
Luckily, fishcakes are cheap if you don't go for the fancy ones with honey or molasses in them. Even cheaper if you don't mind a few scales and think bones just add a pleasant crunchiness. For two shekels, Aviri can get enough to fill up Lin's stomach.
Lin hugs Aviri and says, "Fank oo!" around a half-eaten fishcake.
"No problem," Aviri says. He looks around, listening for Trilup to see if she's found anything she wants.
Trilup seems to have worn herself out just running around and looking at things (and maybe gotten a few free samples). When she meets back up, she smells a bit like cheese. "I'm full," she notes.
"Oh," Aviri says simply. He pulls out one of the loafs of carrot bread and is finally able to take a bite of it, chewing slowly. He gestures toward their barge, mouth still full, and begins walking that way.
Linyala, intent on reaching her brush, tows the other two along by their paws as best she can.
The Saucy Salmon is still where they left it, but now more lit up with lanterns. Bosun Catbutt is out on the prow, puffing on a big pipe when the trio arrive (along with their invisible ghostly companion, but no need to mention her). "Hoy, you came back," the feline notes.
Aviri refrains from eating more bread for the moment. "Were we not supposed to?" he asks, putting the loaf away.
"Never know," the man says, and lowers the gangplank for them. "Cap'n can see you now. Hasn't had his nightcap yet."
"Where do we go?" Asks the Lapi.
The bosun opens a door that leads into a narrow hall, with an equally narrow set of stairs that could just be an angled ladder. "Foller me," he says, and climbs up the ladder.
Aviri follers cautiously making sure he doesn't fall off the ladder-stairs.
"D'ye want me ta come along?" Lin asks, pulling at her fur again.
"Sure," Aviri calls. "Unless you don't want to. Probably should stick together if you don't."
"Ye best all come," Mr. Catbutt says. At the top is an open sided gazebo of sorts, where the boat is actually piloted. It's got a wheel attached to a pulley and some levers and.. glass bells. There's also a small round table with four seats, all occupied. The far side seats are taken up by two small, stocky Rhians.. possibly ponies.. that look nearly identical except for slightly different blazes on their faces. With their backs to the newcomers are a Skreek in a peacoat and flat hat, and a very well dressed (and padded) Rath'ani man. They're all playing some sort of card game, but there isn't any money or tokens on the table so it may just be for fun.
"Cap'n, here are the other boarders," Catbutt announces. "They're all for one berth." The Skreek turns around to look at them all with shiny black eyes. "So, headin' to Bog Bend, eh, like Mr. Scone here? I be Cap'n Sideburn. How're you all called?"
"Aviri Chalk, sir," says the Lapi, holding his hands in front of him politely.
The older otter doffs her hat and takes a short bow. "I'm Linyala Oggton, everyone calls me Lin." She says.
"Trilup!" the younger otter squeaks. "Oggton!"
"That's a nice hat, young miss," the captain compliments. "From out the Barrow way, eh? This here is Mr. Scone, a Lecter," he introduces the well-dressed raccoon, who nods his head to the youngsters. "And these two be me engines, William and Billiam Broadstoke."
The two ponies knicker in unison.
"'S nice to meet you," Aviri says.
"Well, you don't look like smugglers, but I gotta ask," the Skreek notes. "Got any stolen goods or are otherwise fleeing for criminal reasons?"
"Nothing like that," Aviri says.
"No, sir." Linyala chirps.
"Alright then, welcome aboard," Sideburn says. "Mr. Catbutt will show you to your cabin iff'n you got no questions."
"Thank you, Captain," Aviri says.
"Back down the stairs," Mr. Catbutt says, and hops down them.
"Thank'ee." Lin chirps and follows Catbutt.
Aviri looks like he's about to say something, but doesn't and also follows the bosun.
The berth is further down the narrow hall, and the door into it slides on rails rather than hinges. Which is good because there's no room inside for the door to swing open. The large-closet of a space has a stool that doubles as the toilet, since there's a pot under it and a flip-up section in the middle and there are several pegs in the wall for hanging things from. Most of the space is taken up by the hammock, which is made from old fishing net and big enough for someone large or several someones small. There's a sliding port that covers the small window as well. "You gots to empty the chamber pot yerselves," the bosun explains. "But that's easy once we're underway. Got a rope you hook through the pot-handle to toss it over and wash it out."
"Er, thanks," Aviri says, easing into the room. He sits on the hammock with the bag on his lap, looking around.
There isn't much to see.. and no light inside. The door is open so the lantern in the hallway provides some. "We gotta be up at a certain time or anything?" Trilup asks.
Linyala looks around the room. "Looks good!" she chirps and roots through her bag for her brush and comb.
"Not that I know of," Aviri says. "You find a brush?"
"We'll be hitting the river at dawn, but unless you think that's exciting not much to see," the bosun notes. "If you need something, I'm across the hall or out on the deck."
"Sounds good," Aviri says, standing up from the hammock.
Lin nods at Aviri and holds up the grooming tools. "I'm gonna go up on deck fer a while, brushin'." She says.
The feline leaves, but doesn't slide the door closed.
"Weren't you gonna ask Aviri something?" Trilup asks Lin. "I can leave if you want that privacy stuff."
"I'd like to finish my bread somewhere ... not here," Aviri says, looking at the chamber pot.
At least its empty. "Well, I'll stay and guard our stuff then," Trilup volunteers.
Aviri's bag is still firmly around his shoulder, but he nods and heads toward the deck.
"Thank'ee." Lin chirps at Trilup and heads off to the stern where she can push any loose fur over the edge.
Aviri also goes toward the stern, already pulling the loaf of bread from his bag.
Linyala sets her clothes next to a coil of rope and sets about brushing out any loose fur and getting her coat in order.
Nibbling on his bread, Aviri says, "You wanted to ask me something?
There's not a lot of loose fur. Probably no more than usual, considering the traveling and dryness. But grooming does help one to relax, especially after seeing a whole new (in)side of herself earlier.
Linyala is silent for a few seconds then says, "This time we triggered the box was... weird." She just focuses on grooming for another while then adds, "If we're gonna open this thing, we'll need to be prepared fer whatever it does. An what it does doesn't seem all limited to illusions."
Aviri finishes the bite. "You sure we have to open it?"
"I don't know." Lin sighs, "If they have tha key at the castle we're taking it to then we don't need ta worry about it. If they don't and Silv had the key but lost it then we or they need ta open it." She pulls the hair out of her brush and tosses it over the side of the ship.
"It's been awhile.." Silv's voice whispers to them. "If you can get all but the last symbol by the time you get there, it would be easier."
"That's four more symbols." Lin muses and switches to her comb now that her fur is going in the same general direction.
"How about let's worry about opening it when we get there?" Aviri suggests. "Doesn't matter if we have to stay a few days longer, really. And the original recipient might have the key ... or passed it down to his heir."
"Ooh!" Lin lights up, "An' that would mean a few days we could use ta explore the castle!"
"I am full of air.. heir? Air.. the air is thinner here than in Dirtbarrow," Silv babbles.
"Explore ... right," Aviri says, thinking back to the tunnels under the swamp. "Might find a nice forest somewhere." He looks to where Silv's voice is coming from. "Do you need thick air to ... be?"
"Uh.. no.. I'm thinner here," the ghost claims. "I guess.. this land.. has thick and thin places for ghosts. Your home was thick. This place is thin. Maybe it's the fried food."
"You gonna be okay?" Aviri asks. "Would it help if one of us stayed in Stonebarrow? We can't really leave the box...."
"Are you stuck to your ship with some kind of ghostly glue?" Lin asks.
"I'm dead," Silv points out. "I might fade out, but I'll be back when you move into an area that I'm stronger."
"Good point," Aviri says. Then, to Linyala, "So, Trilup said you wanted to ask something. You've still not asked; you've only ... statement ... ed."
"I was gonna ask if you'd help us be better prepared fer tryin' to open tha box so it'd be less dangerous." Lin explains, "But I'm likin' the idea of usin those few days it'll take ta unlock it to explore the castle! Ya don't gotta worry about tryin ta open the box few a few days now. We kin plan an' plot an' scheme though!" She grins.
Aviri raises an ear slightly. "Scheme?" he asks Linyala.
"Well the box is pretty good at defendin' itself." Lin says, "It'll take more'n just fiddlin' with the locks ta get it open without gettin hurt or somethin'."
Linyala says, "Third was the soup thing."
"Hurting someone," Aviri says. "First symbol didn't hurt anyone," he muses. "Second one ... and this third one you look like you were about to be eaten by Swampy. I don't like that trend. What good is scheming if there are four more, worse, things?"
"Yeah... And digested." Lin mumbles under hre breath and focuses on brushing.
"You seem pretty shook-up," Aviri notes idly. "Don't like that box any more for it." A hand slid into his pocket. "You sure you wanna go through with it to the end?"
"It stops being fun if perple really get hurt." Lin says, "I just got... Mixed up. But it sure didn't feel like an ilusion. If we are gonna open it, I'd want to do it as safely as possible. Make general preparations, have some way to keep the box contained and away from us if it does something crazy... Again." She cleans her comb and starts smoothing everything down with the brush, getting all nice and shiny.
"Contained? You tried that with the tub in Number Two," Aviri says.
"A container with holes." Lin offers, "Like a bucket with holes and a lid.
"You don't have to see it for it to affect you," Aviri says. "I was sleeping in a different room and my bed still floated in blood."
Lin nods slowly. "Boots? Trigger it outside? Near a river with the bucket on a rope tied to a tree?" She waves her arms helplessly, "There must be some way ta keep it from hurting anyone nomatter what it does."
Aviri shrugs. "Dropping it off at the castle and sprinting back to Stonebarrow? We've got a few days to think of something else, though." He takes another bite of bread.
"It shouldn't hurt you, only scare you," Silv offers. "Except for the curse, that is, if you try to solve it more than once per day."
Aviri looks over the railing. "Sorry for ... I just ... hope it doesn't get worse."
Linyala stands up and kicks the last tuft of fur off the deck. "Let's get some sleep. You kin read the notes in my pack leter if ye want the whole story of that third symbol. It ain't pretty though." She says and heads back to their cabin.