Forums » Fantasy Roleplay » Annani and Sai (1x1)

Sai nodded. "Fair enough." He didn't know the range his voice could travel, because he'd never actually tested it.

When he thought about it, though, it was a little disconcerting that he could draw people who could pick out his inhuman voice from the others--that it could make him stand out as a target. And that thought made him pause for thought. Really it was a miracle he was still sailing. Then again, perhaps most people gave way to the superstition of Sirens--or ignored it--and passed over him because of it. Of course, he'd never run into another Siren quite like himself, either.

"Next time you might not be so lucky to escape my song," he called to her as he headed back for the tavern, where he would employ his voice once again. As he walked back, however, he considered that if he could attract people to him, he could also repel them. It might be something worth looking into--though he wasn't sure where to begin with that. Maybe getting a staff with a nice little sun-globe on it would do the trick. He grinned to himself.

As he walked away with his warning she gripped her staff in both hands and the orb flared up. She swung the staff and a streak of fire danced through the air like a ribbon in a quick wind. She guided it so as not to hit the man, but instead to the sand before him leaving a patch of hot glass.

"Do not t'reaten me, sea singer!" She scowled, the most expression she'd shown yet. "I have seen t'rough greater and deeper lies! If you do try me, you will find my fire is not so easily doused, and you will be d'e one to fall."

The orb flared up again. There was a slight twitch in her face and her grip on the staff tightened, but the glow calmed to its previous level.

When the ball of fire struck the sand just in front of his feet, Sai spun, arms spread out from his sides for balance.

"You think your fire can withstand the ocean?" he countered. He wasn't sure himself which would be stronger, and he glanced at the waves lapping at the shore. Would he be quick enough to call it to him? He hadn't done something like that in ages. Maybe he should start practicing his defensive spells. It had been a while since he'd needed to use them.

"I didn't mean to threaten you, I just wanted to warn you."

She was uncertain actually. Annani did not yet now how much power she could gather, nor did she want to know. She only knew that it was deep and immense.

The woman continued to silently glare. Then she turned and wordlessly walked back toward the buildings as if nothing had happened.

Sai watched her go, sighing before turning around and promptly slipping on his next step. He landed gracefully on his butt as he slipped on the glass Annani had made.

"Ouch," he muttered, before standing up again and eyeing the glass. He picked it up, though it was heavy and somewhat sharp, and then grinned. He could sell that at the market--maybe make a nice little profit--enough to get a better meal and hopefully help with repairs.

Whistling a random tune, he headed towards the inn, the pane of glass gingerly clutched under his arm.

The woman had noted as she continued exploring the small port town that she was low on money and had taken to asking around about what she might do to earn more before continuing on her way. But there was little that she was willing and able to do where her deadpan behavior didn't get her turned down. There was something though. Something she had not done in a long time.

She needed somewhere reasonable to leave her staff though. Annani had hoped to find a different in than the one she had seen the ma in, but everything else was too full or too expensive. She assured herself that she could ignore his annoyances and got a room at The Drunken Sailor anyway. After an quick inspection of the lock in the room she set her staff in an obscure corner, along with everything else but a knife. As she left the room and the in, the orb in the staff grew dimmer until it was little more than a faint wisp of light.

The woman returned to the docks. She undid her wrap from her waist, revealing cloth tied beneath that covered only what was necessary. She twisted the wrap up tight, tied it on like a belt and dove into the water. Counter-intuitive as it might be for a fire-wielder, Annani always enjoyed her time in the water. She had grow up around it and when the fate of all the others was considered she actually felt safest in the water. Now it was just a matter of finding and gathering the sorts of crustaceans and mollusks that seemed to be favored in the area. If she could find any, her wrap would make a suitable sack to carry them in.

Sai spent the rest of the afternoon carousing around with other sailors, careful to keep from launching into song when he caught the familiar fiery woman from before. He smirked as he realized she was also staying at The Drunken Sailor's inn, although he wouldn't mention anything about it. She'd made her warning fair and clear earlier, and he was in no hurry to test her.

Later, towards evening, however he went out to the beach to check on his ship's repairs. He had managed to sell the glass, which would hurry up the work a little bit, and he sighed to see that his ship was still rocking on the waves. He missed the ocean, even for the few times he slept on land in a hard bed.

He ran a hand through his messy hair and then eyed the water. He could smell the salt and the soothing sounds of the lapping waves were enticing. Slowly, his voice low and deep, he began to sing a song of a Mer-creature who traveled ashore and lost her fins.

It was a sad, melancholy song which resonated with him just fine. He no longer cared who his parents were or why they had left him abandoned on shore for the gulls to find. He had made his peace with it years ago. But he still liked the song for its musical lilts.

The salt water stung the woman's eyes but she dove deep. She had to surface several times but good lungs let her make good use of each dive. She knew to be careful of what she touched even in the port, and reached out for those things she was sure of. Despite being so careful the woman still wound up with a sting on her hand, and she decided to end her dive with that.

Annani swam up and back for land with on hand wrapped around the cloth holding her modest bounty. When she heard the pleasant voice she treaded water while looking for the source, then took care to avoid the male siren.

She pulled the makeshift sack from the water and let it drain as she did. A couple lobsters and several large clams. It would get her a little money anyway. She set the bag down and studied her hand. It still hurt, but so long as it was treated, no serious problems seemed likely.

At last she looked off toward the man and suppressed her irritation at the fact that he sang. Why did she keep running into him? Was the town just too small for it to be avoided? Did his song still have some pull that was beyond her detection? Or... had her path already been chosen? It wouldn't have been the first time she was guided toward danger. She stared a moment longer in displeased silence then grabbed the makeshift sack and started off, barefoot, to find a buyer.