It is likely to be the first time many of the explorers who had arrived at the dock, had ever been aboard a Caraval. Only two within the whole compact. The silver lining to the newest First Seeker was the access to one of those Caraval's. Many levels, many masts, the sails that fly full of wind against the crimson canvas with the Thraxian serpent roaring against it in white has taken them out into the harbor and then into the bay. Drink and food are not lacking for this day long journey that set sail at dawn and is set to return at dusk. Seige weapons have been removed for this journey and the spring winds that rip across the water can leave one a little breathless from time to time.

But music plays, thrax sailors - or yes, thralls - sing and it's a ship full of guild members who are trying their hands at the obstacles that every day sailors can do now htat they are anchored.

Hannah doesn't typicaly party hard, but she figured she should rub elbows with fellow Explorers, especially as she didn't know many. So she finds herself aboard deck and oogles more the ship than the cabin boys at the moment.

She's dressed down, Alarissa not bound by seasilks or aeterna. No cornet nestled in her hair or excess of jewelry. But there are very fine quality leather pants and a white tunice with seasilk embroidery of flowers and a warm cloak about her shoulders. Victus has taught her that in some instances, she needs to dress down. Dress down, but not -down-. So it is that she comes to stand beside Hannah to watch the clambering explorer's testing their skills at making it to the top of the mainmast. "There will be broken bones before this is over. I am sure of it. We shall need mercies at the docks."

2 Grayson House Guards, Elizabetta, a disapproving lady-in-waiting, Lily, an aloof lady-in-waiting, Clark, an exasperated guard arrive, following Sabella.

"Without a doubt, I wonder how you can be certain to catch them all. Perhaps netting? Or is it easier to simply let them fall to the water and fish them out?" Hannah asks with an amused little lilt to her voice. She turns and bows to the other woman, "Lady Hannah Wyrmguard. Thank you for hosting this event, it is a treat to be aboard such a find vessel." Both are standing and were watching the monkey like sailors on the lines.

"I'm not sure why I thought this would be a good idea," Sabella says, looking a little green and clinging to a railing. "I'm not even an explorer! I came to support Niklas and Lou and yet...here I am!" she grimaces, "...but I'm sure it will be great!" she assures Alarissa.

"Over the side, fish them out. Or at least that is what Victus has taught me and I have seen. There are ropes that hand over the sides for them to grab upon if they fall close enough. Knotted for them to grasp and hault themselves up." There's a glance to the lamenting Sabella and a sympathetic look. "the babe, or the ship?"

Nodding at the logic of this, Hannah turns her attention to Sabella and winces in sympathy. "Oh I am sure it could apply to either, or the party, or the foo....uh nevermind. Ginger?" She suggests weakly.

"Both," Sabella replies, forcing a faint smile, "I'm pretty glad Niklas joined Grayson and not the other way around. And thank you, I do have some ginger candies on me." she holds out a hand for Elizabetta to provde one. "Did you two always like the sea? Or did you have to grow accustomed to it?"

Ramona - A Farshaw House Guard arrives, following Lisebet.

Florian arrives, following Derovai.

"I don't know how to swim Sabella. But yes, I have taken to sailing at least. I thank the gods, Lagoma, that I in the end, was not prone to hanging over the rails. It would look terrible, the High Lord's wipe being a perpetual shade of green. We sail back and forth to Maelstrom often enough, it no longer bothers me." Though there is always someone on the watch for bloodwater. "Oh!" There goes someone. There's the call out of man overboard and the splash as someone topples and aims for not the deck of the ship. Thrax crew moves swiftly to start the process of hauling the man back up and there's a laugh from Alarissa.

Nodding satisfied that the poor Sabella is with ginger at least, Hannah watches the man fall off the ship then get fished out. "That is rather entertaining." she muses.

"You /should/ know," Derovai remarks as he sets foot aboard the ship. "As a Seeker. First Seeker, no less." There's no bitterness or jealousy in his tone about that, but there /is/ the slightest wobble to his step as he sets foot aboard the ship. He's no Thraxian sailor, at least. At the splash, he grimaces, angling that way -- but it's done, and so he hangs back, his gaze going to Alarissa. "Princess-Consort. Where's the good booze, if I have to listen to that one talk all day?" A gloved finger jabs at Sabella, though there's the slightest grin flickering over his face.

(OOC: Edit for log, Dero-p. Dero was on the ship the whole time! He set foot deckside.)

Sabella looks a bit green but she's not currently throwing up! Right at the moment. She might though! "Master Voss, I think you protest far too often about hearing me talk. If you like I can recite for you some lines from one of Niklas' unpublished works..." she trails off with a bit of a grin. "I don't know how to swim either, it always seemed so...wet. Can a fish be wet though, if it never comes up for air?" she wonders aloud, looking down at the waves.

Lisebet has been exploring the ship, and she comes up now, a little behind Derovai. "This is a beautiful ship," she says with a smile. She's no Thraxian, no, but she's also not sea sick. Then again, given that Westrock Reach is an island - this is perhaps not a surprise. "I am glad to be here with you all." She glances at the water, at Sabella's line, and then she looks back at the Princess. "I think it may be wet, but it likely doesn't know it."

"The good stuff is hidden well and truly though you would have to search the ship and there is a lot of ship to search Master Derovai. But there is moderately good stuff stashed here and there to partake of." She draws her cloak a little tighter at a breeze. "We are watching the brave souls going aloft and coming down... in many ways. Where are you to set sail soon Master Derovai? Lisebet." The latter is excitement as she spots her friend, breaking out into what is some other language that is not Arvani.

Alarissa says in Marin'alfar, "Lisebet, Sasha and Niklas will be starting lessons soon. Will you want to join me in teaching them?"

NIklas's name and Sasha's may be heard in all of that.

4 Crimson Blades Private, 1 Crimson Blades Sergeant arrive, following Fredrik.

4 Crimson Blades Private, 1 Crimson Blades Sergeant leave, following Fredrik.

Hannah is quietly oogling the sailors, she has a drink in hand and likely didn't realize she was given one, when or what.

"Master Voss," Derovai corrects his name slightly, almost kneejerk. "Would you like me to search the ship? I can." But then he looks sidelong towards Sabella, spreading his hands. "I can recite some lines for you too. I've been writing a book." And he pulls it out from wherever it's been kept amidst his leathers, handing it to her. "Give it a read. It's not yours, though. I'm still working on it." And he leans against the rails, only a little unsteady, squinting into the eastern distance for a moment.

Sabella very quickly reaches out to take the book with one hand, the other grasping the railing tightly. "I might not be able to read anything right now, I'm a bit too...queasy." she clutches the book to her chest like that will calm the seas, "But if you'd like to recite somethiny go ahead." she loons curiously to Alarissa at Nik's name. "Apologies, were you asking something?"

Isabelle, who is just so tired of everyone's nonsense arrives, following Niklas.

Lisebet curtsies politely, as she arrives nearer to the princesses. Then she smiles, inclining her head. "Master Voss, good to see you again." Hannah gets a nod. "My sympathies, Princess Sabella. I cannot imagine how not fun it must be to be sea sick." And then she offers a bigger, brighter smile to Alarissa. "Certainly," she replies, before she too switches languages.

Lisebet says in Marin'alfar, "I would be most pleased to assist, if you let me know when and where. I will do my best to clear my schedule."

"I think it would be wise to -not- go poking ones nose where it does not belong on my ship." Another call of man overboard as someone else misses their footing and over they so when trying to traverse the main boom. "Oh dear. Hannah. That one was spectacular."

"I particularly adored the double side flip ohhhh," Hannah winces as the man hits the water, not in a dive but in a sort of belly flop. He comes up and waves he is okay though as he swims to the ship to haul himself out. "That had to hurt." She blinks and looks around. "Oh hello new people."

Derovai grins at Alarissa. "Is that a promise?" And then he shakes his head at Sabella. "Now's not the time. I'll leave you be. Can I have my book back?" His gaze drifts between Lisebet and Alarissa, watching idly. "So where's this gauntlet that I've heard so much about? Are we actually /having/ one? I'll do it against you, Princess-Consort. Put your mouth where your money is, to torture the cliche. I didn't come out here to get drunk on midrange booze and snipe at people."

"The gauntlet is around you. Climbs to the rigging, osbtacle course on the deck while the ships sways." Alarissa relays the handful of things available. "But you'll not find me partaking of any. My leg bothers me today. On those days I know far better than to try and climb a rigging and even then I only do so when I need to have my husband teach me to sail again." A finger raised to waggle a finger side to side in statement that -she- is not going up. "But you can try. I'm sure Hannahw ill enjoy watching you as much as she has enjoyed the others." There's a look back to Lisebet. "I'll get with you regarding the times. I want to start to gather the lot of us and practice."

Coming up from belowdecks is a green around the gills Niklas Grayson. Sabella has an excuse. She's a landlubber Crownlander. Niklas is a Kennex. He shares blood with Ian and Aethan and legends like Conrad 'The Rusty Puffin' Kennex. He should not be getting seasick! Then again, the aforementioned people are all sailors and not a one of them seemed like they were that into his play. Especially not Conrad, who has been dead for decades. When he gets up on deck he plants his feet and looks at the horizon. "Always look at the horizon. Or never look at the horizon. Fuck. I can't remember."

"Oh obstical course, oh yes that would be entertaining to watch!" Hannah considers, "Perhaps if I feel particularly lucky I might try it." She smiles Niklas' way, "Always look at the horizon, that is why you feel more seasick when you go inside or below decks."

Derovai checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 8 higher.

"I'd have liked to see your combat test to join the Society," Derovai drawls to Alarissa, before he sets a gloved hand on the nearest rope for the rigging. A nod to Niklas, and then he scrambles onto the ropes. He's not /used/ to this -- there's a moment or two where he freezes, not quite sure where to go and not wanting to fall calamitously onto the deck -- but he makes his way midmast without hesitation, lithe enough for the task if not much more. "So who else is doing this gauntlet? Ah, Prince Niklas! Perhaps you want to give it a try and give this Hannah lady something else to gaze at?"

Sabella gives Niklas a faint smile, "How about I look at you? So long as youre not also getting sick." then she pauses to watch Derovai's assent. "Did you say you had mercies at the docks?" she asks Alarissa idly.

"Oh, it was terrible. But you don't need to be able to fight to join the explorer's. They're not the champions guild." She watches Derovai scramble up though, a brow raised as he does well but not seeming surprised. "Handful of them. Jsut in case. Two below decks. I figured if this was like the Thrax gauntlet in the Raconteur, we'd need some care on hand."

"I'm an explorer and I can't fight. You know that well enough, Master Voss." Niklas crosses over and kisses Sabella on the cheek, then takes some deep breaths of sea air. He might not be a sailor, but there's something comforting about air that smells the way it smelled back in Stormward. "In fact, I may be a worse fighter now than I used to be. Too much time spent doing other things, I guess." He looks up the rigging and laughs. "I can try to do the gauntlet, I suppose. I did win third place in a jousting contest once." Beat, "Tilted with the king, you know."

Derovai finds himself a perch still within earshot. It's a bit precarious, and he edges out onto it with due caution before settling, drawing a breath as he manages to stay upright, calling down to Alarissa, "All right. What's the next way I'm supposed to show off? If you tell me to dive into the water, I'm not an idiot. That will /hurt/." And then he calls out to Niklas, "Third out of three, I heard."

Hannah checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 3 higher.

"Well I can't have him try this alone." Hannah hands her drink to someone, honestly she isn't paying attention to who and starts scurrying up. "I bet I make a far more entertaining falling person than anyone thus far." She calls out.

'next, one runs along the boom. A far more harder feat than climbing the rigging." She calls out. "Then you grab the rope and swing across to the next mast, climb across that boom and then slide down the sails and try not to crack your neck while doing such!" There's netting in places, just in case someone perchance, fucks up and doesn't hit water but might hit deck. Wouldn't do for someone to die. Not at all. Alarissa just looks to see who else is making their way up.

Hannah checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 25, rolling 3 lower.

Derovai checked dexterity + survival at difficulty 25, rolling 10 higher.

Derovai checked dexterity + survival at difficulty 30, rolling 34 higher.

Derovai checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 7 lower.

Lisebet checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 5 higher.

Lisebet checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 25, rolling 7 lower.

Amused by this, Lisebet gets brave and decides to try climbing the rigging. "I haven't tried this in - well, since I was much younger," says the 19 year old. "But I used to enjoy, at least climbing up." She takes her time, but manages to be athletic enough to climb up the rigging, at the least.

Niklas checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 10 lower.

"Oh, no," Sabella reaches out to grab one of Nik's arms, "You are not doing that while I'm down here being sick. You are not leaving me a pregnant widow!" she protests

Grandt, House Leary man-at-arms, Abalene, the Northern Hawk Owl, Caenn, the Juvenile Scribe, 4 Leary House Guards arrive, following Fairen.

Hannah had managed to get up the rigging but as she tried to cross the boom, her foot caught on the line and whoops. Down comes Hannah a cheer of "Weeeee!" all the way to the netting that catches her. "That was fun! Okay so how do I get out?"

Derovai grins as Hannah appears on the rigging, and then Lisebet. "All right. So we have to get across the booms. Ready?" And he's focused, ready to thrust himself forward in the foolhardy endeavor. Resilience and possibly a little bit of insanity propels him across, and he makes it over the boom, not waiting for the others to follow. A wild swing with the rope lands him on the next sail, much more smoothly than miht be exxpected. Then there's another sail to slide down, and he draws a breath, focusing, setting his hands on the sail. Unfortunately, that part doesn't go as smoothly as he had planned, and a loud curse issues from the dark-clad fellow as he descends, cradling his arm a little.

Niklas has started running to the rigging when Sabella grabs his arm. "C'mon! I can do it! It'll be-" then the ship rocks slightly and he nearly collapses. "Okay. Nevermind. I'm set." He turns and offers polite applause as other people climb up the rigging and go running across the boom. "Got some regular sailors up here."

For the most part, it seems Fairen doesn't -do- boats. He doesn't sail on them, he doesn't like them... He just doesn't do boats. Which is why he had mostly stayed to himself while this was all going down. But Hannah's 'success' at the gauntlet has inspired him to at least -watch-.

Lisebet then tries to run along the boom, and she does get a few steps out before she wobbles, looks the wrong way, and trips herself, tumbling down to the net below. She loses her breath as she lands, and then she recovers, staying momentarily in the net, laughing.

Sabella looks up briefly, then back down quickly, "Ugh, I need to go downstairs again I think. Too much suspense. And movement. And...movement." She grimaces, then walks unsteadily for the stairs.

Sailors are there to help others out of the net as they fall, or back onto the ship as they take impromptu polar plunges. There's one there to make sure Derovai's not too bad off when he comes up clutching at his arm. Alarissa's just leaning against the rail, watching the ship full of explorer's taking their crack at sailing oriented gauntlet.

Derovai shakes his arm, grimacing a little, snapping at the sailor, "I'm fine." He rubs his elbow -- clearly he whammed it against something during the descent -- as he returns to the small knot of people -- and he grins a mile wide upon spotting Fairen, minor injury seemingly forgotten. "A new contender. Excellent. You know, I could use my extensive, unchecked powers as Seeker and /make/ you climb the rigging, Marquis." He relishes that idea more than a little, from the sound of his voice, although he does check to ensure Lisebet and Hannah are all right, if sidelong.

Towards Derovai, Fairen casts his gaze for a moment, apparaising him for a moment in silent contemplation. "Could you then?" He offers, arching his brow at the man. "I would advise you not to push your luck, but I'm not certain you have the wits as to why such blatant poor courtesy might be unadviseable. Nor do I have the time to get into such things with you. Princess Alarissa, perhaps. But not you."

Lisebet gets helped to her feet, still amused. "I'm okay," she tells those who are making sure she is, and then makes her way over to rejoin the group. "Alas, I am not so talented. But well done, Master Voss." She inclines her head, as she spies Fairen. "Marquis Fairen, good to see you," she says with a brief smile. "It is fun to try, though alas I seem always to fail in such events."

"Eeeh," says Niklas, waving dismissively at Derovai's comment. "You outrank me here, but I outrank you in the Scholars. Also, in life." Since there's no chance of him scaling any rigging or going across any booms, he wanders over to chat with a sailor about happenings in whatever port he comes from. "Oh, Escuma? Spent summers there! Did they ever get the mead business up and running? No? Well, it's not really bee weather, is it?"

"and I outrank all and those who cannot play nice on my ship, will find themselves summarily tossed overboard." Alarissa states, noticing the tension rolling off Fairen.

When Lisebet greets him, Fairen's entire expression shift, perhaps with some degree of purpose. A bright smile finds his lips for Lisebet, and he inclines his head at her politely. "A pleasure to see you again as well, my Lady. I am glad to know you are having fun, at least." As Alarissa speaks though, he peers back at her, listening to what she has to say for a moment.

Derovai grins brightly at Fairen. "I could. Easily. And I have the wits; I just don't care." But he swings to gaze at Niklas. A moment of sharpness crosses his face now, but he shakes his head, muttering, "Not worth it. Though, Princess-Consort, I'd like to see you try to toss me overboard. You'd have an Abyss of a time doing so. I'm quick. But let's have a drink, hm? You've got a Prince and a Marquis here, Princess-Consort. Surely you can share the expensive stuff now."

Niklas gives Derovai a bright smile. "You always try to turn your mean look on me and it never quite works!" Pushing away from the railing he wanders back over to the others. "Did someone say something about drinks? Because that sounds right up my alley right about now."

"I am not breaking out whatever he may have hiding on the ship Master Voss. Look elsewhere. There is very fine vintages, and alcohols stashed everywhere on the deck here that will tickle even teh finest of tongues. You shall have to satisfy your commoner tongue with what we drink every day at our own dinner tables." She wags a finger again.

"Hardly." Fairen replies towards Derovai, though a slow, sly grin forms on his lips. "You are about as quick witted as a box of rocks. I would say your tongue moves faster than your wits, if nothing else." Though as Niklas speaks to Derovai, he falls silent again, considering something or another as he peers between the two. Then Alarissa is commenting and he chuckles, giving her a playful wink. "Not even for me, your Highness?"

Derovai gazes sidelong at Alarissa. "I'll stick to barreled water." And indeed, he moves for whatever she has set out for the teetotalers, be it that or juices, taking a cup from whatever sailor lingers around. A long sip later, he smiles just as sunnily back towards Niklas before raising his brows at Fairen. "Prove it," he remarks evenly. "If you won't go up that rigging, show us all how much cleverer you are." He waves a hand, leaning back to watch.

Niklas shakes his head and starts back toward the steps down to the hold. Looking around the caravel he gives a small laugh. "The size of this thing." Then he makes his way downstairs.

Isabelle, who is just so tired of everyone's nonsense leaves, following Niklas.

"You are more than welcome to partake of what we have to offer it. I only drink the finest after all if I'm drinking it. then surely it's the finest." She points out. But there's a glance to Fairen and a sigh. "Really Marquise, calm it down a touch."

"You are the one with something to prove here, Derovai. Not I. Which is why you are puffing up to us 'silks'. Challenging them, because you think you could perform more effectively as a member of the Peerage." Fairen offers in response easily. "If it was within my power to do so, I would gladly grant you a small Barony just to watch you whittle away it's resources and name into nothingness." Though he glances back at Alarissa and wrinkles his nose up at her. "You should see Master Voss and I on a good day."

"Is that really what you'd think I do?" Derovai shakes his head. "Then I /know/ you haven't the wits. What was it someone told me once -- if I was a prince, or a lord, I'd be a very frightening creature." But he finishes whatever his nonalcoholic drink is with a long swig. "If you plan to do the rigging, either one of you, give me a holler. See you later." And he seems to think his point proven, because he moves to hand the cup back to the sailor at hand. "I'll take your money though, Marquis. Give me fifty thousand silver. See what I make of it. Or you, Princess-Consort. Surely that's nothing for you."

"Oh Master Derovai. Last I looked you weren't a child thrall with debt saddled upon his shoulders. I have faith you can scrounge up fifty thousand. If you try hard enough. But you do enjoy yourself upon the ship and Thrax's hospitality and enjoy the rest of this explorer's excursion. Do take care." And then Alarissa's back to watching the others vaulting and running, swinging and some falling. "This is entertaining. I admire them for this."

"I hear you talk big consistently, but I have yet to see you actually put your silver where your mouth is." Fairen replies towards Derovai, then lifts his shoulders at that in a light shrug. "Intelligently investing coins, I would say, is not the only skill required for a member of the Peerage. Perhaps some day I can teach you the skills necessary."

"Don't care," Derovai tosses over his shoulder briefly to Fairen. He stares at Alarissa for a long moment. "Funny thing, Alarissa." The name is obvious and deliberate. "Nobody seems to ask what /is/ saddled upon my shoulders." He lifts a hand to both of them, slipping belowdecks again.

"Because like you, no one cares." Fairen offers easily.

"One would need to care about your shoulders" Alarissa points out before she's turning to Fairen properly, her back shown to Derovai even as Pellinor's settling at it to watch the departing commoner.