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[Seventh Sea] The Free Traders of the Huld


fishey_me

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Gustave sighs as he starts organizing the items and equipment for ease of access, takes note of what he has and would need for a simple 2 month trip. He also makes note what equipment that needs to be cleaned and sharpened as well. Gustave refills and cleans the lamps, clean the cots if they dirty, and clean the cupboards for use. As for the liquor he found, Gustave uncorks the liquor and sniffs to gauge its potency. Liquor could be used for any manner of ailments and to help sterilized a piece of equipment in a pitch. He replaces the liquor hidden behind the bandages to keep prying eyes and inquisitive crew members from finding it. Might have to as the Captain about lockable cupboards if there hiring him for more then a trip.

Gustave typically does not do the duties of a servant but he does like a clean space to work in and things neat and organized, and a little elbow work never hurt any one.

[[if there are no cleaning supplies in the cupboards , a clean bandage would do for all the cleaning Gustave is doing]]

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Gustave finds the cots serviceablely clean. Among the candlesticks, he also finds a few bricks of soap which smells too strongly of lye-- effective, but not very luxurious. Between this soap and the cheap liquor, one gets the sense that the previous physician only worked with the cheapest items necessary to manage the sickbay effectively.

Crewmen on deck begin lighting lamps as darkness begins to creep in. Those who are loading crates and barrels are finishing up and Nanna announces that those who want to eat in the galley better head down. Alreck announces that after supper, the ship's doctor will be inspecting all hands for their health. On the docks, activity is growing more raucous, and Jenny's are starting to prowl for sailors to service.

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Gustave finishes his duties and decided he might as well head out of his room and search for the captain and make sure that he did not get "Kidnapped" again. At the very least if he can't find the captain he should head to the galley to eat as well do the inspection afterword. Gustave just hopes there is no over zealous chaplain on the ship that will try to convert him to "The faith" like his last voyage.

Gustave gathers his hammock and takes it out be aired out as he leaves the sickbay to above deck and then to the galley.

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Freyja contents herself with the inventory. It is mind-numbing, but something she chose, for herself. And for that it is wonderful. For now, until they launch, she is happy to be away from the other crew and any visitors to the ship. She won't feel safe until there's significant water between her and her aunt.

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Sven finishes securing his hammock and locker, then heads to the mess. Tempted as he is to grab one last fresh meal dockside before departure, his curiosity about his crew mates wins out. He is open and amiable, speaking freely to the others in line, some of whom grow silent at learning of his sorcery.

I figured I would leave this post very open so anyone who wants to speak to me has an opening to do so.

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Shrugging at Fernando's suggestion, Sebastian follows the Castillian. His cheer diminishes as he realizes that even if he wanted to, Sebastian shouldn't try to take the last evening on shore lest he be thrown in jail and the key be mysteriously lost. For the first time in a while, he has no witty comeback and instead follows Fernando with a string of grumblings interspersed with a variety of curses and suggestions of what the lawmen and nobles might do to themselves - most of which is likely anatomically impossible without years of training or removal of ribs, limbs, and other "necessary" bones and joints.

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Freyja looks up in surprise from her counting as a couple of crew walk past her. The language of one of the young men enough to arch an eyebrow in surprise. She had always heard of 'cursing like a sailor' but this was her first opportunity to hear such language. She made mental note of some of the more colorful phrases for possible future use.

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Gustave makes his way up to the top deck, hammock in hand. He sees most of the crew heading down for supper and remembers he hasn't eaten all day. As he head upward he can hear "Colorful" oaths about lawmen and nobles from a young sailor. Once Gustave get to the top deck he ties the hammock in an out of the way place and looks for any one who might be the Captain. Either the Captain is in his cabin or with the crew he is not visible on the ship's deck.

Gustave looks over the cloudy sky and the rapidly setting sun and lets his mind wonder for only a moment. The moment passes quickly as he hears laughter and yells from below deck and the familiar pain of hunger. Gustave heads down to the galley for food, drinks, and maybe someone who has an interest in the art of healing. Aw who is he to kid... No one he ever meet on a ship ever cared about "The Arts".

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Sebastian steps into the galley, inhaling deeply the smells within. Throwing off his frustration and dreams of the beds of untouched maidens, he grabs a hearty grin and begins greeting the crew already eating. As he walks toward the chow, he tests the mood of the crowd by whistling a drinking song known throughout ports and ships everywhere. Not expecting anything to come of it, he nevertheless casts his tune into the depths to see what he might catch.

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Many young men exchange glances. Some join in when they recognize a lyric or a melody. Others, too shy to sing, smile at the song and bob their heads. Some men and women are still entering. A few of the young women smile flirtatiously at both Sven and Sebastian.

A majority of the people who have joined up in groups seem to be Vendel, men and women. Vestens seem to be in shorter supply. The majority of the crew seems to be male, and gossip around the galley hints that this was the case even before the crew changed. Some young men speculate that the Vendel, in order to better fit in with other Thean sensibilities, want to make their women just as subservient as southern women are. Others joke that between Alreck and Erik, Anvindr knew having a large number of women on the ship would lead to him having a large number of grandchildren. Some of the older hands grump that previous ships they'd served on considered women bad luck on a ship.

Nanna has a few hands passing out plates of food. She is watching over the ale and explaining to new hands how the liquor rations balance out. She seems amused by the songs, but any time Sebastian catches her eye, she puts on her most disapproving glare. It is a facade, of course.

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Freyja finishes her counting. She had wondered if there would still be food, but by the sound of singing, she decides at the least there are still people in the mess. With a sigh she makes her way in that direction.

Entering, her pale gold hair messily bound in multiple fishtail braids catching the lamp light, Freyja's green eyes take measure of the crowd. Her movements a strange contradiction as she seems to walk somewhere between a lady's glide and a hunter's prowl. Her limbs are softly rounded over wiry muscle and she is generously curved as are most Vesten women. She moves silently to get some of the little remaining food, nodding silently at the cook's reprimand for coming so late.

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Gustave makes it to the galley as the singing starts up, and takes his place in the line for food. As Gustave waits to be served he looks around at all the crew he is to work with and if the need arises, work on. Gustave notes that there are a lot more woman on the ship then there are normally on any ship he has been on. Of course most captains think woman are bad luck and weaker then men when it comes to sailing, which Gustave believes is not true. At least the Eisen woman he knows of could easily do the thinks a man could in the terms of psychical labor and skills.

As Gustave moves down the line he notices the young man trying to get the whole crew to join him in song, which does not look too successful till a Vesten joins in. The Vesten sings loud and confidently and full of gusto, that makes Gustave remember the old Eisen military songs he heard when he was in Eisen taverns.

When it's Gustave turn for being offered food he graciously accepts and thanks the cook. He takes his place in an empty seat and examines his food and drink. A hobby Gustave likes to indulge in is ranking food and drink on a scale of 1 to 10, 10 is the best. Typically food served on a merchant ship is normally around the 2-4 range which is understandable since there not catering to upper class folk. Gustave takes a bite of the food and thoughtfully chews and swallows as he tries to place it on his scale. The food earns a unimpressive 4 but thinks that it could of scored a higher number if it had a bit more salt added and less radish. The ale provided ranks an impressive 6, and is not water down at all. Gustave finishes his meal silently and listens to the talk of crew and songs being sung.

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Fernando finishes off his food as quickly as he's comfortable with. Best to finish the food off sooner rather than later before it begins to stink and is more likely to fight back. He didn't join in with the singing; he didn't know the words. He's happy that the new crewmen have loosened up some after the singing was through.

Fernando's eyes wandered across the room until they came to rest on an older man adorned with glasses and a beard and the sight of the man made his skin crawl. He swallowed nervously and thought to steer clear of the angry looking man in the future.

With that in mind Fernando deposits his dishes where others placed their finished plates and hurries off to tune his guitar.

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Freyja takes her tray to an out of the way corner and sits to eat with quick efficiency. She keeps her head lowered, but looks out at the crew as she eats, watching for connections and disconnects. She doesn't even think about the way she reads people, it is something her 'aunt' taught her and second nature. Just as she doesn't think of the way she arranges her utensils and mug and everything else around her, the unconscious habit taught by her father that puts the most thing most useful as a weapon closest to hand.

[[ I'm heading out of town for the weekend. I don't know if I'll have computer access so it might be Monday night or Tuesday before I can respond again. ]]

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The Huld's compliment, at a cursory observation, is about fifty hands. Of them, the vast majority, nearly forty people, are Vendel in clothes and manners. Save for Gustave, Sebastian, and Fernando, all of the other hands appear to be Vestenmannavnjar in manner and dress. Including Freyja and Nanna, there are probably only ten women aboard, but they seem evenly distributed between Vendel and Vesten, although most of the Vendel women appear older than the Vesten ones. One old crone even looks too old to be aboard at all, her thick Vendel accent and stumbling words indicating that she may well have learned her Lingua Orbum when the language was first crafted. Some older men, Vendel and Vesten alike, sit near her, speaking softly and ignoring the young people's songs.

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Sebastian ceases his whistling as the singing starts and uses the cover of raucous song to make a mental note of those who picked up the tune. Never was it his purpose to have the crew break out into song, rather to whistle his tune and watch for those that might be of a mind to bob a head, pick up the whistle, or smile at the antics.

As the effect of his whistling spins largely out of his control, he steps back and allows those singing to take their merriment where ever it leads them. He notes the dour faces, the angry faces, and the smiling faces. Certainly he won't remember every detail, but he commits what he can to memory.

As most of the crew seems to have formed their cliques, Sebastian takes special note of those eating alone, particularly the the Vendel dressed female in the corner with the fire in her eyes and the ever-calculating Eisen man with an accent that could peel paint off the walls of his father's castle. Man is a social creature... what is it that drives these two to their solitude? Slave to his curiosity, Sebastian stores these faces away for further exploration.

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Finishing quickly, not so quickly as to have bolted her food, but with no time wasted, Freyja gets up. Taking her plate back to the kitchen, she heads out of the mess and towards the office. Maybe she can figure out on her own what Nanna wants done with her inventory lists. If not, she'll at least be out of the way of the crew and, more importantly, anyone who might know her aunt.

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Gustave finish off the rest of the food and returns the dishes to the kitchen to be cleaned. He then heads up onto the top deck where he can watch the sun set over the water and to wait on the crew for inspections. Typically crew inspections is a quick search of the limbs and faces for any signs of sickness that could cause problems on the voyage. Also if there is any infections of limbs and wounds they can be treated a lot better and in more comfort then at sea. Also crew inspections allow Gustave to off his craft and skill and get to know the crew.

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The ship gives a lurch and a soft groan as footsteps on deck rumble to movement. Through the decks everyone can hear Anvindr barking orders, something about not wanting to lose the tide and running later than he'd intended. After a few moments, word travels that before the sun is completely gone, everyone needs to get on deck for the health inspection.

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Freyja is not enthused at the idea of 'health inspection'. Just what did that mean anyway? But with a sigh, she trudges back up to the deck, fool scrap in hand. Spotting Nanna on the deck, she walks over to the other woman. "I finished inventory. I wasn't certain how you wished such things denoted, so I took basic tallies and can transfer the information into whatever format you prefer. Here is the basic count." She holds her notes out for the Nanna to peruse.

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Fernando hears the call to gather on deck just after he finishes tuning his guitar.

He hadn't been told about any health inspection, nor did he particularly remember the previous doctor ever administering one.

He sets his guitar down and makes his way up to deck. On deck Fernando enjoys the light of the afternoon sun on the Vendel port. He hadn't much of a taste for foreign views, but it was times like this that he could appreciate the beauty of the alien venues.

Fernando turns to look for the doctor and sees men removing their tunics before the bearded man. Fernando swallows nervously.

He didn't know why this man made his stomach turn over. Maybe it was the beard. Maybe it was the glasses. Whatever it was, it was best to get his inspection done quickly and with as little difficulties as possible.

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Sebastian walks onto the deck bare as the day he was born, clothing and gear under one arm. Tromping over as though he owns the place, he looks around at all the clothed crew with a strange 'why aren't *you* naked' look when realization hits him.

"Well, then. It seems I was a bit premature," he mutters with a chagrined smile as he returns his clothing back to it's perch on his skinny body. "I thought it seemed a rather public place for these 'inspections'... maybe his crazy Eisen eyes can peer right through our clothing!"

Sebastian pokes the crewman next to him with his elbow to share the joke and perhaps start wild rumors of strange Eisen 'powers'.

[[ Pssst... this is someone's chance to get poked in the ribs by the elbow of a hastily dressing, scrawny bard. Otherwise it'll just be some nameless crewman of gm's choice... ]]

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[[Thank you Sebastion for the wonderful "Opening" you gave me... Originally I was going to pick on Fernando but now I have someone else! Thanks!]]

Gustave makes it out on deck after he finishes his dinner and heads over to where he hanged his hammock and looks over the water at the setting sun. The same questions come to Gustave's mind of what lies beyond the horizon and what wonders the sun will witness as it rises on the other side of the world before setting once again. Gustave's thoughts are interrupted by some people talking, and notices that one of the people must be captain of the Huld. Gustave walks over and politely interrupts Anvindr and his two sons and introduces himself and his profession. After a quick talk with Anvindr Gustave outlines how he intends to do the inspection. [[As part of the talk Gustave asks if there is a spare log or blank book he could have for keeping a medical diary of the trip.]]

The Inspection is really a way to quickly see if there is any illnesses or injuries that would become a problem after the ship leaves port. The crew would not need to strip down but would need to roll up any sleeves, pants/skirts to examine limbs for infections and wounds that need tending. The procedure will be examine face and hair for pest and illness, then both sides of arms for infections or injuries, and finally legs. This should take no more then 2 minutes per inspection and all cutesy and dignity will be applied to the female crew members. If a crew member refuses to be inspected that is there own prerogative and will be noted for future scrutiny.

Gustave waits as Anvindr sons gather the crew for the inspection and have the crew members line up on deck. Some crew members disrobe down to there pants while others just roll up there sleeves. Though there was "One" crew member who came up completely nude only to realize he went a bit to far. Gustave cracks a rather big grin at this crew members antics and his joke about his "Crazy Eisen Eyes". Also Gustave will be more then willing to give a "Full Body" examination in front of all the crew just to humble him a bit.

Gustave enplanes in his think Einsen accent what the procedure is and motions for the first crew member to step forward. The first few people takes a bit but the pace picks up into a rhythm. Hair, face, top arms, turn over, right leg out, left leg out, and if shirtless spun around to see there back. This keeps up till Sebastian comes up to Gustave.

"Vell? vhy ist your clothes back on? Ich though you vould like a 'Full Body' examination?" as Gustave grins.

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Freyja was in line to be 'inspected' when the naked man came on deck. She knew her 'aunt' would want her to look away and blush. But she was NOT doing anything her aunt wanted. She allowed her eyes to take a moment to assuage her curiosity, her face clear of any emotion. Then she went back to impatiently waiting, neither staring nor avoiding looking at the man. Obviously he was interested in getting attention and she wasn't inclined to give it to him. Let some of the other female crew members flutter and make a fuss.

She sighed as she moved closer to the doctor. She wasn't thrilled with the idea of this 'inspection.' He was going to touch her hair. Her hair! And there was not a good way to wash it on ship board. He could look in her eyes all he wanted, she'd even let him prod at her arms. But if he thought she was going to let him touch her legs, he had another think coming!

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  • 4 weeks later...

Sebastian looks up from his one legged precarious balancing act as he dons his pants. Quirking a brow at the doctor, he grins sheepishly. "Sorry, doc. That's just not my party."

He looks down the line of sailors one way then the other, seemingly searching for something. Apparently not finding whatever it is he's looking for, Sebastian shrugs and returns his attention back to the doctor. "Certainly there's at least *one* such fella interested in your party amongst this rather wide sampling of sailors."

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Freyja sighs at the immature young man. She didn't want to be here and things were not getting any more pleasant for his shenanigans. But there was nothing to do but wait in line and try not to get jostled by the sailors on either side of her. The one just behind her had obviously never learned there was any use for water beyond sailing over or brewing with. It was possible that if one tied a rope to him and tossed him over the side of the boat they wouldn't need to fish for day with the general reek of the man killing the aquatic life around the boat for leagues in every direction. Even a shark wouldn't be hungry enough to risk taking a bite of something smelling that foul.

It was possible her nose had become more sensitive from her years locked away with her aunt, of course. But given the gap between him and the next man behind him in line, Freyja rather doubted it was just her. If she weren't so very ready to get this over with and be done with the 'inspection' affair, she might have moved to the end of the line just to be rid of the eye watering stench. But if a stiff breeze came up while she was down wind . . . she didn't even want to think about it. She was having a hard enough time holding on to her lunch as it was.

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Gustave folds his arms across his chest, "Vell Ich thought jo vould join me vor a ..." Gustave thinks for a moment as he comes up with the right word. "Game? Ja! a game! Ich am a zerrible gambler but who else has no veakness to such things..." As Gustave grins. "Und any vay Ich hear that laughter is a good medicine, ja?" Gustave continues. "Ve might need some laughter zooner or later in ze trip." Gustave takes a deep breath and waves for the next crewmate. "Next..."

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Sebastian's eyes light up in anticipation as he hops on one foot trying to get his pants on while simultaneously keeping as much attention as possible on the fireworks that are about to take place. He looks about, hoping he's no the only one that is eager to see the outcome of the exchange - perhaps he can get good odds...

"Five on the angry blonde..." Sebastian's whisper isn't meant to carry far, but in his excitement he's not in complete control.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Gustave can tell that the lady in front of him is not one bit happy about any kind of inspection. Gustave asks if there is any wounds or infections on her legs, and if so tells her that it would need to be treated before the ship leaves port. Gustave inspects her arms like any other female crew member and asks Freyja for permission if he can inspected her hair for any pests like lice and fleas.

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Freyja glowers at the idiot in line making wagers before turning her gaze back to the doctor. The looming thunderclouds in her eyes making no mistake that she does not want to be here. "My legs are fine. My hair is fine. I am a cleanly person and the boat has already left the dock. It's as likely that you'd transfer a louse as find one on me, thank you very much!'

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  • 4 weeks later...

Gustave replies "Ach, mine apologizes if Ich offended you, though Ich don't under stand that a wonderful lady such as you would be on such a ship?"

Gustave takes a deep breath and announces for the next person in line. "Though it is of no concern to me what reasons you wish to sail..." Gustave whispers in the old Eisen tongue to no-one.

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  • 2 weeks later...

After the next few sailors get inspected it's Fernando's turn with the off-putting doctor. He ceases his swallowing as he stands before the Eisen man and removes his vest and tunic. He missed the old reclusive doctor; he never interfered with the day to day operations of the ship.

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Freyja blinks as she moves away from the line, the doctor's words hitting home. She would have to make a better effort to blend in if she didn't want her aunt finding her. But none of this was anything like what she remembered from sailing with her father. Of course, it was a smaller ship, everyone knew everyone, and they never sailed very far.

Now that they were moving away from the docks, Freyja felt she could take a moment on deck, away from the dark, close, odiferous claustrophobia of the hold. Moving to the seaward side of the boat, she leans against the rail, drinking in the fresh sea air. It might take her time to adjust back to a life of freedom, but she was looking forward to it.

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