Jade and Cattle WHEE FUN!

[leticia]

Storyteller says "Mark can't make it tonight, but he gave me the head's up, so I'm fine with that. Diamond, for the purposes of the next part of the adventure, is going to be staying with the ship trying to investigate any occult damage from the Strands. He's a bit grumpy, so control of the ship is over to you guys at the moment. Anyone have anything they need to do before they start?"

Phoenix Maiden can't think of anything much besides the stuff that was discussed last week.

Storyteller [to Phoenix Maiden]: Assume the bear is really tired and has forgotten what we discussed last week. :P

Phoenix Maiden [to Storyteller]: Dealing with the rescuees?

Phoenix Maiden looks at Kanfi and Liu. ;_; "Umm. General 'What are we going to do with all these people?' Figuring out which ones would be able to just take off with their old skills, which ones we could probably help find positions, and which ones might require more thought.

Liu says "Right, what our characters ended up doing for the most part last time was fretting about our responsibility to the people we'd saved. But beyond interviewing them each, finding out what they might be able to do, and providing encouragement to them, there's nothing really to do there until we make port... and nothing that Liu finds interesting, anyway."

Storyteller says "At least 80% of them are going to need serious help recovering; without dramatic medical Charms or artifact limb replacements, 20% (included in the 80%) are going to basically be crippled for life. Of those, half have skills that are marketable without their missing limbs, like weavers or potters who have arms but are missing their legs. Of the remaining 60%, half need serious medical attention, which the ship's doctor can handle at a non-Exalted level, and the remaining half should be recoverable on their own. The remaining 20% of the slaves are relatively healthy or will recover quickly-- new captures."

Storyteller says "Most of the sailors are alright."

Storyteller says "Half of both groups are more than a little shell shocked by the whole thing, but in general, that's a lot easier for you guys to handle, due to social charms."

Storyteller says "However, while you guys are planning this, the Captain does need to talk to you. He's looking worried..."

Storyteller says "You are where you are. Assume we're within a few hours of the fight, still at sea."

Phoenix Maiden greets the captain and waits to see what he has to say.

Liu hangs behind Phoenix Maiden, looking sullen and teenagery-glowery.

The captain bows his head to Phoenix Maiden. "Ma'am, we have a problem," he says in a calm tone of voice-- having finally gotten used to the identities of his passengers. "In order to accommodate the extra live ones, we had to jettison a lot of supplies-- including food. We've got a lot of water, and can fish, but that was based off our original crew and passenger load." He gets that worried look deeper. "We can't make Chiaroscuro. No way. We can make Alom Vilag, and they have excellent ports, but..."

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden probably knows as little as her player about Alom Vilag?

<<OOC>> Storyteller says, "Probably know about it, all things considered."

<<OOC>> Storyteller says, "Alom Vilag was an independent kingdom between the Varang and Chiaroscuro. Was, I say, because they made a lot of "great" deals with the Guild... and then tried to back out when their people got addicted to Opium."

<<OOC>> Liu says, "Oh, that's a horrible place to let these people off..."

<<OOC>> Storyteller says, "The Guild used both economic and military pressure to force them to let them back in. While there's still a government, it's pretty quiet; the Guild manages most things there now."

Liu gives Phoenix Maiden a flickering glance, and shrugs helplessly. "If we must make port there, we must."

Phoenix Maiden frowns deeply. "I suspect we would be tossing innocents from frying pan to fire." She sighs. "There are no alternatives?"

Kanfi frowns and tosses hair from his face. "Couldn't we restock there and continue on?

The Captain nods to Kanfi. "We could, sir... but we'd have to make at least two or three stops along the way before reaching Chiaroscuro. We -can- do it, it's just-- we don't really have a lot of room, and we'd have to make a lot more stops."

Liu tugs at Phoenix Maiden's sleeve, "They'd still be free. We helped them escape one fate. We cannot pick their new one."

Phoenix Maiden's tone is slightly brusque. "If we would not pick their new fate, we would be advised not to toss them to the tender mercies of another batch of slavers." The sentiment is, perhaps, slightly unusual out of Harborhead. She shrugs and nods to the captain. "How long until we arrive?"

The Captain rubs his cleanshaven chin. "Depends. Quickest landfall is about a day away. If we divert further to try and make less stops, we can stretch our supplies to two days and get halfway across Alom Vilag's coastline, but we'll have absolutely no room for errors. Also depends on whether you want to land at one of the big ports-- better supplies-- or one of the fishing villages."

<<OOC>> Storyteller says, "The closest port or you guys right now is just slightly west of aj-Aran. There are about 5 ports between you and Chiaroscuro, including the closest one."

<<OOC>> Storyteller says, "The problem you have right now is that the ship is REALLY heavy in the water, and will be heavier yet when you take on supplies."

<<OOC>> Storyteller says, "Slow going."

Liu stretches her arms behind her, and watches Phoenix Maiden's face. She knows the Priestess wants to protect these people, but she doesn't understand why. She starts to open her mouth, and then stops.

Liu strides a few feet away from Phoenix Maiden, turning her back and staring out across the open water.

Phoenix Maiden glances between Liu and Kanfi. "I am half tempted to sail straight for the city and... find a way to deal with problems there. We could, perhaps, obtain another ship, for instance." Her lips turn up in a thin grimace. "Somehow."

The captain quietly withdraws to permit the three of you to discuss things amongst yourselves, glad that he's not the one who has to explain it to Diamond Borealis.

Phoenix Maiden's eyes slide from the back of Liu's head up towards the heavens. "I would not be amiss to shaking the house of the Guild in the first place."

Liu turns back to Phoenix Maiden and Kanfi and looks frustrated and impatient. "What about the Sword? What about the oath we swore? ... I'd rather get that done with."

Kanfi sighs and looks at his sister, worry flashing across his face. "So would I. But we can't just dump these people at the nearest dock. We need them to remember us fondly, after all." The smile is a LITTLE wry. He knows how manipulative that sounds.

Phoenix Maiden frowns deeply. "If we had a second ship, we would not be much slowed. I am not suggesting we spend a few months in manual labor in the streets to earn the money."

Liu pauses, and nods slowly. Now she does remember that her Circlemates need to help these people, so that they don't call out the Wyld Hunt. But... "We're only intending to take them to Chiaroscuro. Right? We're not going to keep carrying this... " she sputters for a moment, frustration still simmering, but she lowers her voice, "this ...chattel with us to find Swan Dragon!"

Phoenix Maiden jerks, her body language abruptly cold and withdrawn. She turns and stalks a short distance across the deck to the rail, staring out at the waves; tensing in her shoulders speaks of a reaction more intense than her turned aside face reveals.

Kanfi half-agrees with Liu, but won't say that. he just reaches out and pats Liu's shoulder. "The better we set them up before moving on, the more allies we'll have later," he chided mildly. He glanced worriedly at his sister, but... can't really think of anything to say to her.

The wind bears Phoenix Maiden's voice back towards her companions, barely blunting the steel in it. "I thought," the dry, cutting edge of speech proceeds, "that they no longer bore such a label. Or perhaps you feel the dominion of the Lintha was rightful and we are thieves? Or is it once a slave... always a slave?"

Liu's frustration blows away like mist in a cold wind at Phoenix Maiden's words and posture. She shakes her head quickly, "No, of course not. And... and Kanfi's right, we have to make sure they don't have a reason to... that they remember us kindly." She pauses again, giving Phoenix Maiden her most hopeful, earnest expression. "...Let's go tell the Captain we'll make port as soon as possible, and then let's find a ship to send them to Chiaroscuro in."

<<OOC>> Liu says, "Draaaaaama! *grins*"

Kanfi nods in agreement with Liu's decision, and reached out to touch Phoenix Maiden's shoulder.

Phoenix Maiden turns back to Liu and Kanfi slowly, her posture not much more relaxed. A host of unsaid words lingers behind her eyes, but all she says is, "All right."

Liu flips backwards onto her hands, balancing her body over them by dancing them in a quick back and forth pattern. Her body doesn't fail her the way her stupid mouth does. She sort of falls/flips back onto her feet, and saunters over to where the captain has been waiting nervously. Decision's been made now; no point in wasting time.

<<OOC>> Storyteller says, "If there are no objections, I'm going to cut scene forward to later, at mealtimes, where you guys can talk about the Drama of the Day."

It is later in the day, towards night time. Because you have ordered the captain to make fast to Vilia Port, dinner is not scant, as he believes he will now have sufficient 'padding' to take on supplies. However, the three of you are alone in a cabin for dinner. The rescued slaves and sailors simply will not eat when you are around, staring at you in awe and wonder. Liu's circus is more welcoming, but save for Liu herself, you all sense that they, too, are uncomfortable around you after the display against the Lintha. Such is the fate of Princes of the Earth who reveal themselves.

Phoenix Maiden eats quietly; she has been avoiding people and conversation - unless someone has discussed the 'how' of getting a ship since the discussion earlier.

Liu is sort of trying to distract from all that tension, by proving that she can eat with her toes, but... since it's just more proof of her inhuman-ness, she ceases this early on. She picks up her plate, leaving her circus mates behind to finish their own meal, and comes over to Phoenix Maiden, gesturing wordlessly to ask if she can sit next to her.

Kanfi hates the silence, but isn't quite sure how to break it yet. But his sister probably DOES need to talk. About something, if not that. So he eats quietly.

Phoenix Maiden shrugs. "Hello, Liu." She scoots over slightly, indicating the spot is free, and keeps her attention on her plate.

<<OOC>> Storyteller says, "Ah, Drama. Thy arrow strikes the heart of the Heroes."

Liu settles down and plants her elbow on the table, supporting her head with her hand, and looking up into Phoenix Maiden's face. "So what are we going to do when we get to port?"

Phoenix Maiden frowns and glances at Kanfi. "I was planning on browbeating someone into giving us a ship. Unless someone else has a better plan?"

<<OOC>> Storyteller chuckles. "The famous subtlety of the Zenith Caste. ^_^

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says, "PM does not often do subtle. She will do "THE OLD WORLD IS CHANGING AND YOU WILL DAMN WELL GIVE ME A BOAT BEFORE YOU ARE SWEPT AWAY WITH THE ASHES OF THE DEAD ERA.""

Liu shrugs a little, glances towards her fellow performers, and bites her bottom lip. "We could just hire one. Or... " she gives Kanfi a coy smile, "Kanfi could always find some beautiful sailing princess and convince her to marry him, and help him transport his..." she looks around at the shell-shocked refugees who are only picking at their food "His retainers."

Kanfi arches an eyebrow. "Or we could, you know, ask and PAY? The version where we DON'T freak people out?" He smiles at Liu's suggestion, but shakes his head. "I'm not sure how we can explain... well, we don't HAVE to explain. We're taking them somewhere safe. Enough money will buy a certain amount of discretion."

Phoenix Maiden raises an eyebrow at Kanfi. "You'd have to have a lot more money than me for that to be feasible."

Liu grins at Kanfi, and then turns her face back up to Phoenix Maiden. "I haven't had to spend much of the money I've made for the last three years. I bought Midnight-With-Stars, and... well, it's just... " she bites her bottom lip and grimaces, "It just seems so important to you! So... so you can have what you need to take care of them."

Kanfi shrugs. "I don't have a lot. But I have SOME. And a talent for getting people to help me out." He glances at Liu and grins. "It'll help. But let's see what we can do for the least amount of money."

<<OOC>> Storyteller says, "What's everyone's Resources, currently? Kanfi is 2... Liu, PM?"

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says, "PM started with 1. I don't know if it's gone up from the Loot or from her storytelling Adventures earlier. Otherwise, she's still at 1."

<<OOC>> Liu says, "Liu is 3."

<<OOC>> Storyteller says, "You should be at 2, PM."

<<OOC>> Liu says, "Life as a circus performer apparently being good, and Liu apparently not spending a lot on luxuries."

<<OOC>> Storyteller says, "In fact, Kanfi, if 2 is where you started, from loot, you should be at 3."

<<OOC>> Storyteller says, "Liu, you have an extra "rank 3 purchase", if you started at 3; if that's up from loot, never mind."

<<OOC>> Liu says, "I started at 3, so cool. mmm loot."

<<OOC>> Storyteller says, "Kanfi, you'd know this-- to buy, crew, and provender a ship completely would cost 11 bars-- just over 1 talent (or one resource 3 and one in-between 3 and 2 (so a 3 could make it without losing a "use" but a 2 couldn't make it) purchases) of jade. To just pay for the full outfitting and send them ahead to Chiaroscuro would only be about 6 bars, just -under- 1 talent (which WOULD take up 1 resource 3 purchase). To start with, anyway."

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden points out we have a spare crew. >_>

<<OOC>> Storyteller says, "Oh, hey, so you do."

<<OOC>> Storyteller says, "Switch those to 1 talent and 4 bars, respectively, or one resource 3 vs. one "middle" purchase between 3 and 2."

<<OOC>> Storyteller says, "You guys do have one more problem, though; medical care. Also... Compassion rolls, folks?"

<ROLL> Phoenix Maiden rolls 3 dice: <4 8 9> for 2 successes.

<ROLL> Liu rolls 3 dice: <2 8 10> for 3 successes.

Phoenix Maiden rests her elbows on the table, her chin lifted on her hands, and her face thoughtful and expression distant as she gazes across the small cabin as if it was a vast space. She closes her eyes for a brief moment, then turns back towards Liu, voice intense, but soft. "It is important to me - but it is not important just to me. We are the Chosen of the Sun, and He shines no less on the ...chattel than on the free." Her voice drops again, channeling volume into passion. "I will always seek the path of righteousness to which the Unconquered Sun has commanded me." Her eyes reflect as if from sunlight, golden even in the dim room.

<ROLL> Kanfi rolls 2 dice: <8 9> for 2 successes.

<<OOC>> Storyteller notes that anyone who does not fail their compassion roll is compelled to charity unless they spend a Willpower point and take limit. Simply sending them off the boat will leave them destitute in Chiaroscuro. If you choose to do more than simply be generous, consider your number of successes as a sort of indicator as to how open your heart is here.

<<OOC>> Storyteller says, "Effectively, these people are YOUR responsibility now. You are demigods, the Princes of the Earth. They aren't chattel, but carved into your Shards is your duty towards them... and the Great Curse reaches out with shadowed tendrils, seeking to twist that duty against you."

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden snrks. PM is all for Charity. She wants to give the sailors and as many of the able bodied rescued slaves as is reasonable work on a boat we buy (having sailors who are potentially fanatically loyal and already aware of what we care can't help.) And THEN help the rest, too.

Liu drops her eyes, ashamed and unable to meet Phoenix Maiden's anymore. Of course, of course, we must ensure that each one of them is happy, safe, and fed, and never have to fear the slavers again. "Please forgive my impatience," she murmurs softly.

<<OOC>> Storyteller says, "... Actually, wait. Kanfi is immune to that."

<<OOC>> Kanfi says, "HA."

<<OOC>> Patkin idly is quite glad that for a Dynast, this whole situation would be much easier to solve. "The Lintha were far too incompetent and unenlightened to properly steer their slaves towards the enlightened servant's role, which is why we had to free them. We, of course are enlightened. So, free slaves for everyone with an elemental marking! Hurray!"

<<OOC>> Storyteller says, "Wow."

<<OOC>> Storyteller says, "I think Kanfi's only Virtue at a 3 may be Temperance."

<<OOC>> Storyteller says, "... That makes him the only sensible one of you lot."

<<OOC>> Liu says, "Whee Temperance 1!!!!"

Phoenix Maiden lays a hand on Liu's shoulder. "We are all, I think, impatient to get on with our quest. I fear that the uneasy peace in Harborhead will not hold in our absence. I fear that we will return to war and chaos, and many deaths. But at the same time, I can not deny what I am." Her eyes sparkle slightly. "And their gratitude will tell stories. We will leave rumors; there is no help for that. But let those rumors serve to counter the lies of the Dragon-blooded. It will make our lives easier, in the end."

Kanfi is compassionate in general, but is not flat-out overwhelmed by his sister's speech, or the former-slave's position. He will do what he can to help, because they need allies, but they also have work to get done. Also, this isn't the time or place for his sister to go into storyteller/speechify mode. He pokes her in the shoulder. "Practicalities first, sister. If we buy a boat, we'll have to seel it again once we get where we're going. If we rent one, we have to buy silence. And then, there's the matter of medical attention..."

Phoenix Maiden shrugs. "We could give the ship to the rescuees."

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden has very little attachment to possessions! She has a spear and a breastplate! What more does a Phoenix Maiden need?

<<OOC>> Kanfi likes money.

<<OOC>> Storyteller says, "PM's Nature is Caregiver, right?"

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says, "Bravo. >_>"

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden is the protective sort of bravo! She looks after weak people /and will never be weak again/.

<<OOC>> Storyteller says, "Hmm."

<<OOC>> Storyteller says, "Still!"

<<OOC>> Storyteller says, "That is an AWESOME solution."

<<OOC>> Storyteller says, "Most of the slaves will know something about sailing anyway, from their time working for the Lintha."

<<OOC>> Storyteller is an Impressed Brian.

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden bows. Give a man a fishing boat... :)

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says, "Or a large cargo carrying vessel, but!"

Liu looks over at the rescued, casually taking in their still weak state. "Will they be able to use a ship?" She hasn't thought of the fact that they basically crewed a Lintha ship for the last bit of their lives.

<<OOC>> Kanfi says, "But they DIDN'T crew."

<<OOC>> Kanfi says, "They rowed, didn't they?"

<<OOC>> Storyteller says, "Crewed, rowed, and occasionally were fed to the monster."

<<OOC>> Kanfi says, "Or something like that. They were chained up."

<<OOC>> Storyteller says, "During the fight, yes."

<<OOC>> Patkin says, "They're all gonna die at sea."

Phoenix Maiden blinks at Liu. "Some of them were undoubtedly taken off of captured ships. Some of them are crew from the merchanter ...we were able to evacuate. And some of them worked on the Lintha boat. I am sure there is enough knowledge of boats among them to crew a ship."

<<OOC>> Storyteller says, "I'd consider them all to have Sail 1-2, except for the rescued sailors, who have 3-4, depending on whom."

<<OOC>> Storyteller says, "The crippled ones can't sail, but that reduces you to 10% of rescuees who need charity alone, not just ze boat."

Liu frowns and looks at Phoenix, realization slowly dawning on her face. "So... you're saying that... we could buy them a boat... and they could start up their own freight business?"

Liu smiles a little, "Do you think they can do that? We should ask them!" She seems very excited -- because it's a clear goal! Direction!

Kanfi blinks, impressed, and smiles brightly at Phoenix Maiden. "That's a good idea, if they're amenable to it."

Phoenix Maiden shrugs. "I would certainly think that they can. If we have to, we can hire a few experienced sailors to train them, but I can't imagine that they don't have some among their ranks. The Lintha would have had to be ...entirely stupid to deliberately kill their more skilled captives."

Kanfi points out, quietly, not wanting to put a damper on the idea, "some of them may not like the idea of working on a ship again, though."

Phoenix Maiden nods to Kanfi. "I can ...certainly understand that. I am sure, however, that a freight company needs representatives on land as well, and perhaps after a few voyages, the company could afford to pay off a share to those who wish to leave the sea entirely."

Phoenix Maiden adds dryly, "And given that they were a day ago looking forward to painful death, and even now to being left in the power of the Guild, if they have heard what our destination is, I suspect even those who have misgivings about the sea may think freedom and the chance to prosper worth the risks."

Liu nods and looks at Phoenix Maiden, then at Kanfi. Then back to Phoenix Maiden. "So are you going to talk to them? Or do you want to wait until we know we can get a ship for them? And... what about the ones who..." she turns a little green. "The ones who can't sail anymore," she finishes weakly.

Phoenix Maiden sighs softly. "I am confident we can find a ship, but I suspect it would be better to wait until we are ready. As for the worst wounded... we can only give charity to them, I fear. I would happily give them all of my jade - or find a wealthy benefactor for them, as I think my jade is rather less than adequate for the task and my voice is much more sufficient."

Liu flips her braids over her shoulder. "Maybe a retreat of some kind, or... a monastery?"

Kanfi reaches out and tugs on one of Liu's braids teasingly. "We can also buy the boat and send them on ahead, while this ship restocks. Once we get there we could influence benefactors for those who cannot or will not work on the boat. It will give them a little time to get used to being free and by themselves."

Liu blushes at Kanfi, embarrassed the way young girls are at the attention of cute boys. She turns to look again at the people finishing up their dinners, a bit more appraisingly now. She's nodding slowly, and smiling to herself, pleased that she can use the money she's earned in all those years of wasting her skills in a circus to do something good, something worthy of her Exaltation. For her, the conversation is finished now. It's all just details.

Phoenix Maiden nods to Kanfi. "I don't know Chiaroscuro; I don't know what we will find there. But we will find something there, when we get there. I am sure of it."

Kanfi shrugs. "We'll figure it out when we get there."

<<OOC>> Storyteller says, "Very well. Scene changing."

Several hours later, as your patron bestrides the sky at the Zenith of the new day, you come into site of Vilia Port. There is no mistaking the port-- or rather, she might be mistaken for a thousand other Guild-operated port cities, save for the signal flags and identifier pennants marking her for navigation. Two huge lighthouses bestride the natural harbor, with a curtain wall defense back to the forts that line her. The Guild takes the protection of shipping seriously, and just as at any other "medium" port, two attack triremes patrol the outside of the harbor-- and stop oncoming vessels for them to pay the harbor fee. Undoubtedly there are more within.

<<OOC>> Kanfi is.

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says, "Sure. ^^"

<ROLL> Storyteller rolls 4 dice: <1 4 9 10> for 3 successes.

Liu comes out from the hold where she was trying to convince Midnight-With-Stars to stay belowdecks for just a little bit longer. She walks over to where Phoenix Maiden and Kanfi wait together as the ship enters the harbor.

The Captain offers to take care of meeting the Guild's enforcers if you would prefer to keep a low profile.

<<OOC>> Liu says, "yay, good Captain! But... err, Phoenix Maiden should decide. :)"

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden is perfectly willing to leave it up to the captain. ^^;;;

The Captain looks somewhat relieved himself. He would really prefer not to have more trouble on his ship. When the Trireme goes alongside, he parts ways with you for the moment, walking over the extended gangplank to discuss the fees with the purser of the Guild vessel.

<<OOC>> Storyteller says, "Any actions while he's talking to the Guildies?"

Phoenix Maiden scans the harbor with her eyes, looking for likely ships - though she doesn't really know what a likely ship would look like. She looks anyhow.

Storyteller [to Phoenix Maiden]: Perception + Sail!

<ROLL> Phoenix Maiden rolls 3 dice: <3 8 10> for 3 successes.

Storyteller [to Phoenix Maiden]: Well, there are a lot of ships of many types in the harbor. You'd estimate that the ones that resemble the one you're on make decent merchanters, and there are a few, though you're unsure which would be for sale.

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden .oO(They're all for sale with enough application of Presence.)

Nothing else seems to disturb the transaction. The Captain comes back with a decidedly lightened purse, shaking his head. "Rates are up this year. Ah, well. You can't drink seawater." He shrugs, and heads back to the helm to take you into port. As you sail in, once more, the -sameness- of this port comes to mind. The Guild likes regularity; having been to one of its trading centers, you've probably seen them all. Huge, massive warehouses, efficiently separated docks, rails and ways for cargo to be moved, immense construction docks-- it's all the same. The Guild doesn't even make concessions to local styles; this port would look at home in any of the ocean-bordering River Kingdom cities. Your slow progression into the harbor is unmarked by troubles.

When you are anchored in port, the Captain collects the money necessary for resupply, relieved that the refugees will be making their way on another vessel. He says that he'll hire some doctors in town as well, if he has your word that you'll pay for them, and leaves the purchasing of the new vessel to you. Diamond is still obsessed with the threads, and refuses to disembark. He's -busy-, for now. Who's going ashore?

Phoenix Maiden wants to go ashore; she assumes that if there's any difficulty purchasing which Kanfi can't manage, a little excessive Presence could smooth the day over!

Kanfi doesn't plan on needing the extra Presence, of course. Buying things is his way of life. Once he gets in the groove he'll probably be able to buy what they need for two jade pieces.

Liu quietly gets her throwing knife belt wrapped around her waist, hidden beneath her street-clothes jackets. She will watch Phoenix Maiden and Kanfi's back.

Phoenix Maiden heads for the dock with her brother and Liu, enjoying the chance to get to solid ground again.

Phoenix Maiden is the first off the ship, so she is the first to spot the picture. The huge, carefully detailed (if somewhat caricaturish and DECIDEDLY unflattering) picture. The picture of Kanfi. This picture, along with the words HAVE YOU SEEN THIS MAN? above and REWARD: TWO TALENTS SILVER below, and below them, by Order of Guildmaster Reinkai, which is plastered on posters roughly every hundred yards or so on the dock. Thankfully, it seems they're relatively commonplace to the citizens-- most seem to pass right by them without looking up at them.

Phoenix Maiden eyes the picture and stops dead. She turns around and looks at her brother. She turns back and looks at the picture.

Storyteller [to Phoenix Maiden]: It's definitely him.

Kanfi stops short, and looks to see what his sister is staring at. And checks the name of the guildmaster. "Shit, I thought he forgot about that."

Phoenix Maiden points a finger at the sign. "That's quite a sum, isn't it?"

Storyteller [to Phoenix Maiden]: Not a very nice picture, but very, very definitely him.

<<OOC>> Storyteller says, "For reference, 1 talent jade = 3 resources = 5 talents silver, although of course in a guild port, they're worth more."

Liu looks between Kanfi and Phoenix Maiden, eyes wide, and then looks back to the picture. "It doesn't really look like him...maybe you unbraid your hair, or cut it... and we could dirty your face up some..." She's just sort of musing. "This complicates things, doesn't it."

Phoenix Maiden peers at Liu. "Could one of your circus friends disguise him? We could always make him look like a girl..."

Liu nods decisively to Phoenix Maiden. "He's got the pretty lips and eyes, too, I have no doubt some of the girls could make him up right. Lilana's dresses might fit him, too."

Kanfi yelps. "HEY! Wait a second here!" He's the boy, remember? How is he supposed to get the girls, if he's DRESSED as one? He pouted a little as the pair.