Not being one to let food go to waste, Sweiza helps herself to what is leftover. She excuses herself from the table as the waitress comes by. Before she can go, Sprite stops her and points to the jar of honey. She rolls her eyes and grabs it and seals it for later. Right now she has something more pressing to take care of.
Once out of the cafe and at the bow of the ship, Sweiza’s footsteps stop short ten feet of Verdandi. Verdandi gives her no attention. Sweiza clicks her heels together. Sweiza sees Verdandi’s ears perk, but otherwise she ignores the girl. Sweiza stamps her foot on the ground and then clicks her heels together. This time Verdandi’s head flinches and Sweiza knows she has gotten her attention, or so she thinks. Now the girl knows Verdandi is deliberately ignoring her.
“Strife.” Sweiza says it with some urgency. Verdandi does not answer.
“Lady Strife!” Sweiza says it again this time epxecting an answer.
Verdandi’s spyglass lowers and her head tilts at an angle as she looks behind her at the girl. Depression, unhappiness are written on her face, but she is also clearly miffed at the girl. Verdandi does not answer them.
“Angst and Sir Herschel reporting for duty!” Sweiza says it with her hands behind her back. Sprite stands to attention alongside of her.
Verdandi’s mood doesn’t change, she does however speak behind her as her attention focuses again on the horizon, “Miss Serif, you have the day off.”
“Understood, but I’m feeling quite better from last night! In fact, I…”
Verdandi cuts her off. “Miss Serif, if you are so inclined, I expect one thousand cuts before the end of the day.
“Right, but what I…” Sweiza is interrupted and jolts as Verdandi interrupts her; Sprite flies behind Sweiza for good measure.
“Starla, if you want to make up for your lack of decency so badly, you can sleep in the hall at the base of the door to our quarters. Now… -LEAVE-.”
Sweiza flinches and cringes as her body jolts from the yell. She opens her mouth again against her better judgement. “Strife, I really am sorry for earlier. Please forgive my youthful stupidity… I…” She flinches again as Verdandi turns around. A look of understanding on her face, eyebrows up, eyes closed, she nods her head once in understanding. She turns around again and gives them no further attention. Sweiza is left to stand there in silence for a few minutes before she mentions something to Sprite about the two of them further exploring the ship.
Towards the stairway…
“You still have one thousand cuts to perform!” Sprite mentions it casually, but with an evil smile.
“Quiet you!” She swats at him and shoos him away.
—
The two spend the next few hours exploring the ship. A library, an jail (called a brig, which she found fascinating), some kind of shower system unknown to her, an adults only bar the two couldn’t access, many cabins, the storage area, and some kind of laundry room. Several rooms are not accessible to them due to being locked. Sweiza wonders about what is in them, but she opts not to bother.
“You should probably get those cuts in Sera.” Sprite smiles weakly at her. He doesn’t want her to get in trouble, he doesn’t want his food source compromised. The better her mood the more likely he is to get fed.
“Yeah Sprite?” Her eyebrows cock up and she raises her hand out and her sword appears.
“I still wonder how that is done.” He stares down at the sword and what he can only describe as Valkyrie magic.
“No idea. But stand clear.” She raises her sword with both hands and performs a cut. Another, another, followed by another. At one point she accidentally nicks the side of the hallway. Sweiza’s face turns to a quick frown and she quickly turns and ducks her head away from it. She hastens herself down the hall some thirty feet and continues her mentor’s current assignment.
Halfway through…
“Do you think she’ll believe me?” Sweiza looks up at Sprite. He shrugs.
“Maybe if it tires you out and you walk funny from it. You -aren’t- used to that kind of work.” He laughs at her before flying in front of her. “You still have five hundred cuts to do.”
She squints her left eye and lip together and swings her sword at him stopping two feet short.
“HEY!” He flies out of the way. He stops right in front of her with his hands on his hips. “You do that again and you are on your own!”
“No honey for you then!”
He flinches and flies up to the ceiling for good measure. “Start again!”
She looks up at him and blows up at her hair. Five hundred more cuts pass the time.
Sprite flies down to her upon the final cut. Sweiza has broken out a sweat and is panting and breathing harder than normal. She pulls out her watch from her pocket. A little over half an hour.
“How many did I do per minute Sprite?”
“You did…” Sprite looks up at her and his face turns blank.
“What?” She looks at him puzzled.
“My name isn’t Sprite.” His hands cross. He will win this argument, honey or not.
“I’ve always called you Sprite. You’ve always called me Sera!” She says it with some disbelief and stress.
“If I’m going to be hanging around you and other humans, I want you to call me by my name.” Sprite looks up at her with a grin on his face. It quickly disappears as she walks towards the exit of the hall.
“Wait!” He chases after her and she shoos him away.
Up the stairs and to the deck outside. Her walking slows as she approaches Verdandi, whom is still at the bow of the ship. Sweiza’s greaves appear at the last minute and her normal footsteps turn to metal on wood. A metal clicking noise and then metal hitting wood gains Verdandi’s attention. She turns around and looks down at the girl.
Sweiza rests her hands together in front of her legs and takes in a deep breath. Hopefully this will reset relations between them, if not smooth things over a little.
Verdandi’s eyebrows perk up slightly as she sees the girl breathing harder than normal; the sweat on the girl’s face does not go unnoticed by the woman either. Verdandi’s lip pulls behind her as they purse together, but she avoids frowning. She says nothing.
“1000 cuts as requested.” Sweiza bows to the woman quickly. She stands back up and to attention, however this time slightly relaxed. The apprehension on her face and in her body language is apparent. Sprite finally catches up to her.
Verdandi looks down at the two with some skepticism. Her hands go down to her hips, her spyglass aiming behind her in her left hand.
“Oh really?” Verdandi’s voice shows some contempt and skepticism. “…and can you demonstrate some of these cuts for me Miss Serif?”
Sprite stalls midair above Sweiza’s shoulder. He catches the tailend of the conversation. “It took her about half an hour. She did about thirty cuts per minute.”
Verdandi’s ears shoot back and her eyebrows slowly raise. Her face wears a scowl on it. “You’ll have to do better than that Miss Serif.”
Sweiza takes in an involuntary breath, her eyes water up and her lips purse together.
“Hmph.” Verdandi’s eyebrows shoot up briefly. “So you did afterall.”
Verdandi turns around towards the bow and picks up her spyglass again. She turns her head around momentarily at the girl.
“What are you doing just standing there? Make yourself useful and speak to the Captain about working as a rigging monkey?”
“A wha…?” Sweiza looks up to Sprite, the both of them puzzled.
Sweiza’s head bolts towards the direction of a foot stomping the ground and then a loud, “Now!”
Sweiza jumps and quickly bows at the woman, it goes unnoticed. She quickly hastens herself to the Captain’s quarters.
—
“Dewey! I hate this!” Sweiza says it with contempt as she inspects more rigging.
Her task for the last few hours was to cross together rope to a certain measurement and then knot it together. However, she was informed that it would be used as spare rope for when the rigging would be replaced, which wouldn’t be for another few months. It was boring. It gnaws at her attention and boredom, it feels painful to her.
Sprite is not much better off. His task is to grab the end of the rope and move it around as Sweiza knots it together. However, several times the crewman in charge of ‘rigging’ (aka a rigging monkey) had her undo several of her knots saying they were not tight enough or the length for that particular cross was not long enough. At one point she send a glare at him and he beams a smile at her. Normally this task he was left to himself, but to have some help made it a little easier. He was free to check the rigging up top above the masts. Several times he came down to help her and give her some pointers.
To be fair, the matter earned her some points with the crew as well as the Captain. Captain Dillion was flattered that she would offer to help with such a time consuming job. It left his rigging monkey to help with the masts’s rigging as well as freed him up for other areas to assist on the ship.
The Sterling Blue may be an old ship, but maintenance like this is what keeps her looking new and afloat.
Captain Dillion explained this to her, but Sweiza just looked depressed at him and slunk off to find ‘that’ specific room she would be working. In total the task took her most of the afternoon.
—
In the late afternoon Verdandi hears a familiar set of metal footsteps and a familiar metal click. She turns around again and looks down at the girl.
“Sweiza and Spr…” Sweiza stops as Sprite flies in front of her. He darts several times in front of her from side to side. She knows that is his way of letting her know that she has messed up on something. Sweiza’s face cringes as she turns away from Sprite. She regains her composure and looks at Verdandi again. “Sweiza and Dewey reporting for duty!”
“Oh really? You’re done already?” Verdandi’s arms cross in contempt and disbelief.
Sweiza walks up and shows her hands to Verdandi. They are considerably red, with part of her skin pulled on her right palm; her fingers have two blisters on them.
Verdandi’s mood lightens ever so slightly. She pays them no more attention and turns back to the front of the ship.
She hears a metal click again. She doesn’t turn around.
“Yes, Miss Serif?” Verdandi’s voice is lower than normal.
“I’m sorry for earlier.” Sweiza says it as genuine as she can.
Verdandi says nothing.
“I’m -really- sorry for earlier.” Sweiza puts more emphasis on ‘really’.
Verdandi continues to ignore her. Sprite takes one look at Sweiza, then to Verdandi and darts over to Verdandi. Sweiza cannot make out what he is saying. However, she notes he is very close to the woman’s ear. She sees Verdandi look over to Sprite, then turn her upper body over towards the girl and then back to the Sprite. Again Sweiza cannot make out what they are saying as they exchange some words. Finally, Verdandi barks something akin to “Well she had better.”
Verdandi waves her hand dismissively at Sprite and he slowly flies back over to Sweiza.
“Let’s go.” Is all he says to her.
Sweiza looks up from Verdandi then to Sprite who flies off. She blinks several times at what just happened. Sprite stops and turns around. “We need to speak with the Captain about fixing sails.”
Sweiza’s head gives way from holding it up right. She lets out a sigh as her body slumps. She trudges her footsteps after him, dragging her feet and arms as she walks. This is not turning into a very good day for her.
—-
The rest of the afternoon for the two is spent fixing sails with two other crewman called “Sailmakers”. As she learns from speaking to them, most ships that plow the waters simply did not have them to save on funds. However, this left them vulnerable in case of a storm or if a sail rips. Consequently as a result, most ships have extra masts and sails. The “Sterling Blue” is no exception, it has multiple masts and sails, more so than most ships due to its size and length. As Sweiza also learns, there are two sails (backup sails) that, while not necessary, are in need of repairs. It proves handy for the group fixing them that a certain Sprite can fly and move small materials around (much to his annoyance). He discovers another rip in a sail and it is dealt with.
Despite the both of them being hungry, the strain of work and constantly moving around keeps them occupied. They lose track of the time and it is towards the evening hours. Sweiza makes a remark about the sun setting. Sprite says it looks like any other sunset. She looks at him and lets out a laugh. The crewman start to dissipate from the sails and work their way down the rigging.
Sweiza looks down at one of them. He looks back up waves and holds his hand to his mouth. “We’re done for the day. It’s time for dinner.”
Sweiza and Sprite look at each other. “Yes!” They both say it in unison while high fiving each other. Sweiza quickly makes her way down the rigging. Sprite simply follows her thanks to his ability to hover.
Sweiza turns towards the bow to see if a familiar Valkyrie is still there, and probably with contempt no less. She doesn’t see her. Sweiza turns around towards the cafe. She gives one last look at Sprite. He knows what he is getting for behaving himself; she motions for him to follow.
They are already up at the counter in no time flat. The order of the evening is Muspell Toast with syrup and dragon meat, syrup all around. Sweiza wonders about ‘dragon meat’, but decides to try it anyway. She orders a simple milk style malt to go with her food, with some coffee on the side; the latter not a personal favorite, but after events of the day she will try it anyway. She orders extra syrup for Sprite. His eyes and wings go abuzz at the treat.
While the two of them are eating, a familiar walks in towards the counter. She turns around and sees the two of them. For a minute the tension between them feels like an infinite silence - at least to Sweiza it does. Sprite is too busy lapping up honey to notice; the disgusting pig that he is, he uses his hands to scoop it up, sucking his fingers as he goes. The eternal silence is little more than roughly ten seconds. Verdandi slowly aproachs them.
Sweiza freezes as Verdandi approaches the table. Sprite looks up with his eyes glazed over. He quickly sobers up when he sees Verdandi. He attempts to fly his wings, but honey is stuck in them. He trys to jump into a hover and falls over the cup he is sitting in.
“Is there room for one more?” Verdandi asks it pleasantly, giving a weak smile.
Sweiza’s eyes widen in puzzlement. She looks down at Sprite. He shrugs, honey dripping off of his arms.
“Your friend looks like he will need a bath after this.” Verdandi says it nonchalantly.
“Quite.” Sweiza says it in a high pitched voice, uncertain, but knowing Verdandi wants to sit next to them for a reason.
She notes Verdandi is still standing there with her right hand on the chair.
“Uh, yeah. Sure. We weren’t done anyway. I think we were both going to have seconds. Right Sp… Dewey?” Sweiza says it looking down at him. He looks up sheepishly at Sweiza and then nods as he buries his body back into the cup. All Sweiza thinks is that he is disgusting and this is so typical of him.
“So what brings…” Sweiza stops and is interrupted by Verdandi using her hand to pull the chair it was resting on. She circles it quickly and sits herself down and scoots the chair forward. Sweiza can’t see it but Verdandi’s hands rest in her lap.
“Let’s cut right to the chase Miss Serif.” Verdandi’s words make Sweiza blink, then frown as her eyes widen into a frown. Verdandi’s words speak sharply to her. “You did me wrong earlier.”
Sweiza simply nods several times, wearing the same face, eyes still wide. Verdandi’s right hand comes up from the table and points at Sweiza, but above and to the right so as not to be too rude. Her finger motions several times as she does it.
“You and I are supposed to build trust and rapport with each other. However, you have also been quite belligerent towards my person as well as your duties. I’ve been willing to let most of this slide.” Verdandi’s eyes narrow and she stares at the girl sharply. Sweiza’s body seemingly turns more narrow and she puts her legs together and her hands in her lap by instinct as Verdandi speaks. “Tea time is something I find to be very sacred where I let my guard down around others; I expec the same.”
Sweiza says nothing. She knows what is coming.
“Further, you chose to insult me during something personal. Being young doesn’t excuse you from disregarding another person’s beliefs or what they hold in esteem.”
“Yes ma’am.” Sweiza says it clearly. She waits to get yelled at. Her body braces itself. Sprite looks up slowly with only the upper half of his head peaking out of the cup.
Verdandi pauses. She feels Sweiza must be scared right now.
“Concerning your punishment Miss Serif.” Verdandi says it as her eyebrows raise. Sweiza takes in an involuntary breath. Here it comes.
“I think most of the work you’ve done for today makes up for it.”
Sweiza lets her breath out slowly, so Verdandi doesn’t notice. The Valkyrie does notice.
“You will still be sleeping outside the door of our cabin tonight.”
Sweiza’s body takes in a short breath and her lips bunch up. She does what she can to restrain herself. The waterworks might come and this isn’t the time for it. She assumes it will come, but it never does.
“Without covers. You can sleep with a pillow.” Verdandi says it, her voice getting sharper.
“That’s not fair! It gets cold!” Sweiza says it stressing the discomfort of it.
“Your discomfort will be part of your punishment. Maybe you will learn its good to be close to someone while learning to hold your tongue.”
“Yes ma’am.”
“In addition to helping out the crew as you have today…” Verdandi pauses, making sure it takes effect on the girl.
“Yes ma’am.”
Verdandi continues speaking, “You will provide one thousand cuts as part of your training.”
“Yes ma’am.”
“You will also be cleaning the bilge and the brig throughout the rest of our trip. Is that clear?” Verdandi says it, no concern for what the girl has to say at this point.
“What is a bil…” Sweiza is interrupted by Sweiza.
“Sweiza, do not interrupt me.”
“Yes ma’am.” Sweiza simply agrees with her, despite -not- having interrupted her.
“Lastly, unless you have something in regards to your duties as a Valkyrie or my mentorship over you, there will be nothing but silence between us.”
Sweiza looks at Verdandi blankly, not sure where she is going with this.
“This is part of your punishment. You caused a grievance with someone when you are to hold yourself to a higher standard. You can live with this discomfort for awhile.” Verdandi says it, calming down slightly.
“For how long?” Sweiza say sit, her voice and tone dropping and becoming deeper, extremely uncertain. At this point Sweiza is starting to shake.
“For the duration of our trip to Valhalla. After that, I will consider our slate ‘clean’.”
Sweiza stares at Verdandi blankly. Verdandi’s eyes narrow at the girl again.
“As for that diary that you keep…” Verdandi’s face turns to something nasty.
Sweiza flinches and her body jolts backwards as Verdandi’s voice sharpens and gets louder. “You will bring it to me after dinner, and you will watch as I throw it overboard. You will not have an escape from your duties as a Valkyrie, is… that, clear?!”
“Yes ma’am.” It comes out, just barely, and in a lower tone as Sweiza stops shaking. Her diary means the world to her.
“You are -not- to have another one as long as I mentor you, is that clear?”
“Yes ma’am.”
“Good, you are excused.” Verdandi pushes the chair back calmly, stands up and gives Sweiza a sharp look as she walks out the door. Sprite gives her a look, his heart beating fast. They sit their in silence as their instincts and bodies calm down.
“We should probably eat this before it gets cold. Sadly her nastiness does nothing to warm it up.” Sweiza looks away from him and keeps her head low to the table as she resumes eating. He continues to stuff his face with honey, albeit much slower and with less merriment.
This is going to be a long journey for the both of them indeed.
—
At the bow of the ship, Verdandi holds Sweiza’s journal. Sweiza bunches up her right cheak as Verdandi shakes the journal sharply at the girl and then flings it into the water below.
Sweiza says nothing and clicks her heels together, slowly. Verdandi’s eyebrows move up in retribution as she bows her head at the girl. Sweiza turns around and heads towards her room. She has a few hours to herself with nothing to do. Thankfully Sprite is along to keep her company.
—
The small lantern in the cabin flickers as its light dances on the room walls. Sweiza is on the bed holding out tarot cards performing a reading between her and Sprite. Sweiza simply translates the five cards in front of them as meaning difficulty before seeing the sunrise. Sprite thinks she is being silly and that ‘it will be alright.’
They laugh to themselves. It is cut short as the door opens. It opens slowly, much to slowly for comfort. Verdandi slowly steps in. She stands with her hands folded between her legs. There is an eerie silence as she looks at both Sprite and Sweiza. Verdandi slowly raises her left hand and points to the door. Sweiza’s eyes close as she grabs her rucksack. She is halfway to the door and she looks back at the bed. Her tarot cards are still there. She turns around to grab them and hears metal stomp the ground. Sweiza closes her eyes, turns around and quickly hastens her pace as she walks past Verdandi.
Once outside the room, Sweiza drops her rucksack to her right side. This will be easy. However, she hears the slow click of the door behind her. She finally can’t control it. She cringes and her head slumps between her shoulders. She backs herself against the door and slowly lets herself sink to her knees and a sitting position. She wraps her arms around her legs and braces herself as she burines her face into her knees. She starts crying. The instinctive kind that can’t be controlled. She shakes her head at it trying to regain control of herself, it doesn’t work. She feels the phlegm in her nose. Finally, after several mintutes she lets out an exasperated breath and it stops. Her tears still fill her eyes and her mouth still quivers. Sprite tries to counsel her, but she shakes her head at him.
—
It is sometime in the night. Sweiza finally stirs. She is lucky the type of clothing she wears has a hood to cover her head. It helps to keep a little heat in her body. She had forgotten to grab a pillow and makes due with her rucksack. The vision of an angry Valkyrie pointing at her still haunts her.
She pushes her hands against the floor and braces her back and head against her rucksack and the door. She looks around and sees that the it is dark, save for a lone lantern at either end of the hallway. She looks down and sees Sprite curled up on her stomach, still sleeping. How he trusts her this much, she isn’t certain, nor is she certain why he has stuck around for so long. Some things never change, or so she thinks to herself. She muses to herself a little while longer, bracing a smirk on her face and slowly eases herself back to the ground. She slowly wiggles her body up against the wall so as not to wake Sprite, or make a future inconvenience of herself to anyone walking by. She doubts anyone will be up at this late hour. She looks up at the door and things better of banging on it. She will surely stir Valkyrie’s wrath if she does. She finally lets her head tilt back and she turns her body so it is braced up against the wall and angled towards the other wall. This is not a pleasant experience to her, and it is colder tonight than it should be. She can just make it out, rain. She shakes her head and goes back to sleep. Watching the rain will have to wait.
—
“What do you desire?”
The voice rings over the ship. Sweiza realizes her eyes are closed and opens them. She jumps back realizing she is up in the air. Her arms reach to catch something as she backs into the side of the crow’s nest. She feels slight vertigo hit her as she looks down at the ship below. It takes her a moment, and she stabilizes herself.
She yells it, “DEMI! YOU FOOL! What do you WANT?!”
Sweiza looks in front of her but sees nothing. She hears a weird clicking next to her. She looks down and to her left. A raven on the ledge of the crow’s nest. She gets angry and leans in towards it. It bounces and then crows at her. She lets out a startled yelp.
“Is this some kind of joke you facade?!” She yells it at the sky and a streak of thunder arcs the sky. It starts to rain quite heavily.
Sweiza crosses her arms and covers her shoulders. She lets out a puff of air at her wet hair. She starts huddling and shivering herself to stay warm. She looks down again at the raven. It lets out a caw at her. She sticks her tongue out at it. The bird holds it’s head high and it’s beak moves as it lets out a loud laugh. More lighting arcs the sky.
It caws some more. “What do you desire?” It lets out another decrepit laugh.
“You know what, you -little- SHIT!” Sweiza summons her sword and takes a swing at it. The bird flies up, cawing and laughing at her. It flies away asking the same thing, over and over, “What do you desire?”
Sweiza pulls her left arm behind her. She extends her right arm. She pulls the arrow and the string tight. She points it at the bird.
The bird asks, “What do y…”
It drops dead shortly after she releases the string. She places her right foot up on the crows nest and rests her right hand and bow across her knee. She looks down at the bird triumphantly.
“Serves you right Demi!”
—
Sweiza’s eyes open. She bolts up and looks around. She soon realizes where she is. She quickly looks down at Sprite. He isn’t there. She quickly checks behind her. Her rucksack is still there. She quickly clammers to her feet and grabs her rucksack and places it around her shoulders. She hears footsteps from behind the door. The door quickly opens. Verdandi appears.
“What’s going on? I heard a commotion.” She looks around, half startled, half away. She looks bewildered at Sweiza. Sweiza has her arms crossed and is tapping her foot. She glares at Verdandi.
“What?” Verdandi says scoffing at the girl.
Sweiza closes her eyes and sticks her tongue out at her.
“Whatever.” Verdandi turns around and closes the door.
Sweiza sticks her tongue out at the door once more for good measure.
The door opens and Verdandi appears again.
“And another thing…” Verdandi looks at the girl and her eyebrows shoot up.
“Cold without another person last night, wasn’t it?” Sweiza crosses her arms and jerks her head away from Verdandi giving her a “HMPH!”
“These belong to you.” Verdandi extends her right hand.
Sweiza snathces her tarot card deck from the woman. She quickly puts them in her pants pocket.
“Those are enchanted, or so I gather?” Verdandi looks at Sweiza’s pants pocket, half musing.
Sweiza takes her hand and pulls her eyelid down at the Valkyrie. She sticks her tongue out while making a noise at her.
“You’re forgiven. Be ready for breakfast.” Verdandi closes the door again.
“Stupid Valkyrie. You’re the one who’d best be ready for breakfast. I’m going to rack up such a bill for you.”
Sweiza extends her body forward, closes her eyes and makes another noise as she sticks her tongue out one last time. She turns around and walks towards the stairs to the upper deck. She is stopped by the door opening and Verdandi’s voice one last time.
“Miss Serif.” Verdandi says it very powerful, yet cheerful and pleasant (and quite fake) and creeps Sweiza out.
Sweiza turns around. “Mmm?”
Verdandi says it more efficiently, “Don’t take my grace for granted.”
Sweiza smiles at her and walks towards the upper deck.
In Sweiza’s mind, these two could get along just yet.
—-
It is about half an hour later and Sweiza has been waiting for about ten minutes for Verdandi to show up. The door to the cafe finally opens and Verdandi walks through in her day to day outfit. Sweiza looks Verdandi up and down once, but quickly turns her head when Verdandi notes she is watching her.
Verdandi walks over to and stops just short of Sweiza for a brief moment; she bows her head thoughtfully and continues on her way towards order area of the cafe kitchen. She speaks purposely with the waitress. Sweiza’s eyes perk when the waitress looks over at Sweiza once, then to Verdandi; the waitress can’t hide the fact her eyes look over at the girl once more. In Sweiza’s mind, this can’t be good.
Sweiza watches them for a few minutes more. She hears a voice…
“You never did know when to mind your own business.”
She looks up and over to her right and sees Sprite.
“Dew… Sprite…” She trips over her words. He bobs up and down slowly. She can’t figure out if it is in amusement or not. She finally barks at him. “Since when did you ever -not- pay attention to matters that didn’t concern you?”
He motions his right hand in a come hither motion. She knows what she wants. She reaches into her rucksack at the base of one of the table’s legs. She pulls out the jar of Valhallan Honey. Sprite flinches at it. Sweiza quickly puts it back in her rucksack.
“You were a pig with this stuff yesterday.” She points an accusing finger at him and then flicks it and her hand away from him. He blushes and turns away. He knows in his mind he -was- a pig.
“You can help yourself to some -real- food for once. It’ll give you a chance to recover from yesterday. Don’t think I didn’t notice you weren’t flying funny.”
She widens her eyes at him (briefly) as she says it. He nods in approval and lets out a low click in compliance. He knows exactly what she means - this wasn’t the first time he had pigged out on food. Some healthy food might do him good for once. Sprite jumps to attention at as the sound of metal footsteps approach. He quickly bolts behind Sweiza just as her head turns over to see Verdandi standing next to them. She folds her hands together in front of her as she looks down the girl in front of her. She has a look of of calmness, but longing about her.
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“Well then.” She bows her head ever so slightly as she grabs the chair adjacent to Sweiza. She sits down without a second thought. Her chair and body eerily facing Sweiza. Sweiza slightly frowns as she purses her lips. Verdandi’s arms cross as she supports her elbows under the table.
Sweiza says nothing.
“Well then Miss Serif.” Verdandi says it again, this time her right hand wresting the table, tapping her finger ever so slightly. Sweiza looks away from her.
Sweiza feels a metal greave tap her right leg ever so slightly. Sweiza takes in a quick breath and tries to calm herself down. Her anticipation grows and lightly touches anxiety. Verdandi is having a good show of unnerving the girl.
Verdandi’s eyebrows perk again and then return to their resting place. Sweiza feels as if Verdandi stares at her for an eternity. Verdandi finally pulls both her elbows up to the table and supports her head with folded hands.
“So…” Sweiza says it quickly and clipped with doubt.
Verdandi blinks her eyes deliberately at the girl.
“Would you stop it?!” Sweiza barks it at her.
Verdandi drops the act. “Concerning your punishment Miss Serif.
“I am to be punished then.” Sweiza says it with the doubt leaving her voice.
“Oh count on it.” Verdandi says it with contempt at the girl. Her mood suddenly lightens. “However, in the spirit of you acting remorseful of your behavior yesterday, and then some…” Verdandi’s eyes widen at the girl and return to normal. Sweiza shifts uncomfortably in her chair. “I’ll allow your Sprite friend to help you…”
Sweiza looks from Verdandi over to Sprite. He opens and waives his hands at her uncertainly.
“…and rather than just locking you in the bilge, you will be allowed to come and go as you please. This is something that you may do as your liesure; that doesn’t mean you are getting out of cleaning. Is that clear Miss Valkyrie?!”
Sweiza can’t hide her frown, if however slight. She nods her head.
“Wipe that look off your face Miss Serif.”
Sweiza quickly complies with the Valkyrie. Verdandi points and shakes her finger at the girl sharply. “You are lucky this time. Is that clear?!”
Sweiza again nods.
“Regardless…” Verdandi closes her eyes as she speaks, “The bilge is a duty -we- would be attending to at some point anyway. Therefor ‘I’ will also be assisting you, also at my liesure.”
Verdandi turns her head slowly and gives her a sharp eye. “If you were smart, you would do this together with someone to speak with to make it go by quicker.”
It takes the girl a minute to process what was just said. This isn’t much a punishment as much as it is a duty that would be assigned to her anyway; only it is made to sound like a punishment.
Sweiza bites her tongue, then responds, “Yes ma’am.”
“Good. You will still be cleaning the brig as well as assisting the crew and performing cuts under my watchful eye.” Verdandi shakes her sharply at the girl in disapproval and then lightens her mood.
“Now do you have anything to say for yourself Miss Serif?”
“You’re not going to make me pay the bill are you?” Sweiza feels her heart lurch as she asks it. Verdandi smirks and shakes her head lightly at the girl. Sweiza feels the blood return to her body. She lets out a breath of relief.
The waitress behind them interrupts them. Verdandi looks over and behind her. The waitress has a large tray with several entrees : hashbrowns, with fish, fries, mashed potatoes and gravy. The waitress sets them on the table. She however, does not excuse herself. She stands there staring at Sweiza; her hands remain cupped together in front of her, just shy of the table. Verdandi slowly turns her head towards Sweiza.
“Oh yes…” Verdandi says it half jokingly and with light sarcasm, “Miss Brynhilde is most intrigued, as well as gracious enough to decline a tip, providing you would of course, perform a reading for her.”
Sweiza flinches at Verdandi. Her lips purse to a frown as her head turns from Verdandi to the waitress. The waitress looks at Sweiza longingly and hopeful.
“I don’t normally perform readings for strangers. It’s unorthodox.” Sweiza says it with disregard at the waitress.
Verdandi clears her throat at Sweiza. Sweiza remains adamant and shoots a sharp and disapproving look at Verdandi. “Then perhaps you would be willing to pay for our meals as well as tips for the duration of our trip?”
Sweiza laughs nervously as she backs off. “I think I can make an exception…” She looks over at Brynhilde, the woman still with hope in her eyes; she then looks over to Verdandi, “Just this once.”
“That is very kind of you Miss Serif.” The waitress bows again before excusing herself.
The rest of their breakfast goes as usual. For the first time an unusual amount of politeness and respect fills their words with each other. However, most of their meal is spent in silence as if to reinforce this fact. Even Little Sprite behaves himself (at least as far as he is concerned) as he helps himself to a hashbrown and then some coffee. Sweiza tuts at him when he barely has any; he knows what happened the last time he had too much. Sweiza’s mother was -not- happy about the mess he made in the kitchen.
Just as the two of them are finished, one of the decksman runs into the cafe. Flustered, he speaks to Verdandi, “If Valkyrie Strife is so inclined, your presence is urgently requested at the bow of the ship.”
Verdandi looks over at Sweiza, she looks back at Verdandi, “I think we were just finishing up Valkyrie.”
Verdandi nods as the two of them leave their meal behind.
—
At the bow of the ship a peculiar sight unfolds. A crowd of the Captain, his crewman, and several passengers have circled around something of interest. It takes Verdandi and Sweiza some effort to push their way through the crowd. As they finally make their way through, they see what is causing so much upset.
A woman in a very minimal looking, but white dress. It appears to reflect the sunlight. There are five armed men on either side of her. They are clearly the same race, with pale skin and their hair a gradient of varying shades of blue and green.
“Undine…” Verdandi says it under her breath and to no one in particular. She forgets about Sweiza as she spends a few seconds in her thoughts, deciding what to do. However, Sweiza is more preoccupied with something else. Verdandi is suddenly interrupted and brought back to reality as Sweiza lets out a cry, “My diary!”
Verdandi watches bewildered (as do several others) as Sweiza marches forward to the group of Undine. Now oblivious to the guards, her attention is solely on something in the Undine female’s left hand. Sweiza storms up and makes a nasty face at her. She grabs the woman’s hand and holds it up in front of the Undine’s face.
“This doesn’t belong to you!” Sweiza shakes the Undine’s wrist in front of her several times to make her point. She then uses her free hand and rips the diary from her hands. Sweiza mentally grimaces at the fact it is soaked in water. However, she preoccupies herself making a very nasty face at the Undine. “Keep your hands in your own business, you worthless…!”
Sweiza is however, interrupted by Verdandi clearing her throat. Sweiza realizes she has lost her composure and tries to stifle herself. She lets out a quick snort of disgust at the Undine. Sweiza quickly does an about face to meet Verdandi and then quickly bows, fear filling her. Verdandi slowly shakes her head at the girl. Sweiza flinches and then quickly joins Verdandi back by her side.
By this time she sees at least two of the guards looking nervous at her. They have moved (further behind) from their previous position. She hopes she isn’t the cause of them doing so. Sweiza turns her gaze back to Verdandi just in time to see the Valkyrie flick a strand of her hair. Sweiza assumes she has a plan of how to deal with this; she assumes right. Verdandi walks toward them.
“Which of you is in charge here?” She says it in a low, but personal tone.
One of the guards, dressed in higher grade armor, lowers his spear as he speaks. “I am.”
“To whom am I speaking?” Verdandi says it as she clicks her heels together. The guard’s eyes shoot down to Verdandi’s heels and then her. He seems rattled by the gesture, but otherwise remains unphased.
“I am Ira. I am here on business with this treacherous filth.”
Woman in the midst of the five guards shuffles backwards as Ira speaks. Sweiza assumes he is referring to the woman.
“Of course. I believe the punishment is death, or at the very least, banishment, is it not?” Verdandi’s face remains stoic, but she otherwise uses her left hand and flicks some of her hair near her left ear. Sweiza notes the gesture, and begins to wonder why she does it so often.
Sweiza’s attention shuffles back to the guard, but she is surprised when Verdandi turns around to face her.
“What do you think Miss Serif?”
“Hmm?” Sweiza muffles it, still surprised.
“What do you think?”
Sweiza shakes her head and shrugs. “I don…”
Verdandi stamps her foot on the ground. Sweiza stiffens up at the gesture.
“Miss Serif, what do you think of the crime of stealing another person’s belongings?”
“You mean the same way you took what is -mine- and threw it…”
Verdandi stamps her foot on the ground again, this time louder and more forceful. Sweiza gets the point.
“She should be punished!” Sweiza shakes her diary at the woman. “This is mine, even if it is at the bottom of the ocean!”
Ira steps forward. “We do not tolerate human belongings in our world. You will…”
Ira visibly grunts and drops to his knees. It takes Sweiza a second to process what just happened. Verdandi’s blow to him wasn’t a lethal one; however, she points her lance down at him.
Verdandi speaks to Sweiza again, not taking her gaze off of the guard. “Miss Serif, this woman will meet a terrible fate if you don’t intervene.”
“Why should I help a thief?” Sweiza stamps her foot to the ground in defiance. Verdandi smiles at the gesture, still eying the guard.
“It is your duty; you are a Valkyrie and you choose the slain.” Verdandi inches her lance at the guard, terror filling his eyes as he looks up at the woman.
“I don’t believe in killing.” Sweiza says it stepping forward killing. “For the same reason you have no right to kill this man.” Sweiza says it, stepping forward. She shoves Verdandi’s lance out of the way. To her surprise, the lance disappears and Verdandi’s hand rests back at her side.
Verdandi eyes the guard and speaks in a harsh tone to him and his entourage. “This Valkyrie has spoken by Valhallan law. Leave.”
The guard stands to his feet. He is about to say something until Verdandi barks at him, “…or perhaps you would like me to invoke Valhallan law for trespassing?”
The guard projects his composure and about faces and waves for his group to follow him. Sweiza gasps as they head towards the bow of the ship and dive overboard. She runs past the woman and Verdandi, up to the bow and leans over the rail of the ship. She looks down and sees nothing. She turns back over to and shakes her head at Verdandi.
She approaches the woman left behind. Verdandi also takes a few steps towards her and speaks, “Raise your hands.”
The woman looks at her blankly. Verdandi barks at her, “Now!”
The woman complies. Verdandi is quick to raise her lance and clips one of the chain links, breaking it.
“I don’t want any excuses out of you. I know what you are. Regardless, you are my prisoner. Is that clear?” Verdandi’s words fill the woman, she visibly shakes, but attempts to nod. Verdandi speaks again. “As such, you will wear those anklets and those shackles shall remain on until I see fit. In the meantime, you will use your abilities to clean every inch of the exterior of this ship. You will earn your keep, is that clear?”
The woman nods. She walks over to the bow of the ship and falls over. Sweiza dumbfounded, shifts her head to Verdandi.
“Sweiza, come. I’m sure you have questions.” Verdandi says it sharply at the girl. Sweiza is baffled at the hint of caring in Verdandi’s voice.
“What just…” Sweiza is interrupted by Verdandi.
“Miss Serif, no more delay; we have breakfast to attend to!” Verdandi stiffens her body, clicks her heels together and about faces and marches to the cafe. Sweiza ignores the crowd and follows after her.
Captain Dillon is also there. He goes to speak, however, Verdandi only passes by him and shoots a wry smirk at him as she walks towards the cafe. Sweiza walks by, stares at the Captain with a flustered look on his face. Sweiza opens her palms at him and shakes her head. They both say nothing and she follows after.
—
Once inside the cafe…
“You pig, you were here the entire time?” Sweiza lets out a snort at the Sprite. He simply looks up from his sitting position on the table and grins at her.
Verdandi looks down at him unimpressed. “You have quite the appetite.”
The Sprite looks up at her sheepishly and nods.
Verdandi speaks again, “Am I to assume right that most of what you eat is channeled into, ‘magic’, for lack of a better word?”
The Sprite looks down at one of the hashbrowns and then back up to the Valkyrie and nods slowly at her.
Verdandi’s head turns to Sweiza. “I would imagine that creature…” Verdandi says it to Sweiza who rocks her head at the word creature, “…my apologies Miss Serif, your familiar… He seems to be like a hummingbird.”
“I don’t think that is far off…” Sweiza looks down at him with her eyes raised and unimpressed.
“Sir Herschel, magic and enchanted creatures are forbidden within the gates of Valhalla. However, as a familiar to a Valkyrie, there are certain perks and privileges that are entitled, especially when invoked by a Valkyrie. Is that clear?” Verdandi looks down at him, dead serious.
He looks up at her, not sure what she means. “So I can wait outside or hide in her rucksack.” He motions at Sweiza, then helps himself to another hashbrown, but drops it when Verdandi smashes her gauntlet on the table. It is enough to rattle him and make him jump from the table. He flies backwards slightly.
“No doubt Huginn and Munnin have graced Odin’s castle by now, so listen well little one.” Verdandi says it sharply at the Sprite. He simly holds position in the air. “Odin doesn’t like your kind, and those ravens of his will have most assuredly squawked their wretched song to him. As long as you are her familiar…” Verdandi points her finger at Sweiza. Sprite looks from Verdandi, to Sweiza and back. Verdandi continues speaking after her point is made, “Your presence will be tolerated in Valhalla. Do not make a pest of yourself within the gates, is that clear?"
The Sprite tenses up a bit, but otherwise nods. Verdandi’s voice turns to something more pleasant. “Very good Sir Herschel.”
“Now then…” Verdandi puts her hand on a chair, “Let us enjoy our meal and discuss events most recent.”
Sweiza looks up to Sprite and shrugs briefly before pulling up a chair. This will most certainly not be a boring conversation.
—
“She’s an Undine?!” Sweiza stands up and rests her weight on her hands as she braces herself by the table. The chair pushes back in an irregular fashion.
“Indeed Miss Serif.” Verdandi waves dismissingly at the girl, “If you could calm down and retake your seat…”
Sweiza looks back behind her at the chair and quickly regains her dignity at the table.
“Now then, Miss Serif…” Verdandi waves her finger at the girl once, just as Sweiza opens her mouth, “Don’t interrupt and let me finish.”
Sweiza ignores Sprite’s snickering.
“I’ll keep a long story short. Undine in this region maintain an isolationist attitude. They were neutral in the Muspell-Valhalla War; since then they maintain non-aggression and non-intercourse treaty with both governments. Am I clear on this?”
Sweiza shakes her head, not knowing what the woman means.
Verdandi closes her eyes and sighs with a grumble. “It means Miss Serif, that our interactions with them are to be kept to a minimum and only with government personnel. We Valkyrie easily qualify. However, I’m sure as you have noticed, Captain Dillon is less than happy with having skirted our longstanding lack of relations with them.”
Sweiza nods, understanding, kind of.
“Also, Undine are not allowed to possess human objects, let alone from Muspell or Valhalla. Does that make sense?” Verdandi leans forward and supports her elbows on the table and her chin over her clasped hands; a wry smile adorns her face. She waits for it to click with the young girl.
“You did that on purpose!” Sweiza stands up again, same motion as before, nearly knocking the chair over and bumping the table. Verdandi stifles a small, but giddy chuckle.
“Now Miss Serif…”
“No, you listen! You took something that didn’t belong to you! That woman could have lost her life!” Sweiza slaps her hand on the table. Sprite jumps up from the motion and peaks near the ceiling for safety; Sweiza gives him no attention. Verdandi lets one of her hands drop and rests her head on her right arm and continues to prop it up with her elbow. Verdandi fakes a disappointed smirk at her.
“Were you done?” Verdandi uses her left hand to stir part of her drink.
Sweiza drops to her chair, scoots forward and glares at the woman.
“Miss Serif, the Undine forbid any human objects in their possession. If she knowingly took something that didn’t belong to her, that is on her. It is just their way.” Verdandi continues to stir her drink. She eyes ‘Miss Serif’ diligently, then reaches for the glass, closes her eyes and dips her mouth to it. She flinches.
“It really could use more sugar.” Sweiza mocks it in a disgusted and sassy tone.
Verdandi ignores her.
“It really could use more sugar.” Verdandi sets the cup down and resumes lecturing the girl.
“Sweiza, pay attention.”
“Hmph!” Sweiza crosses her arms at her.
Sweiza gets sharp with her, “Regardless of how you feel about it, that Undine will make a powerful ally. I suggest you earn her friendship.” Verdandi adds more sugar to the drink. A certain Sprite flies up close and eyes the sugar cubes with hunger.
“Oh take whatever you want, you filthy thing. I’m done with them.” She shoves the small bowl of sugar cubes towards him. He promptly divebombs them. Verdandi shakes her head at him.
“Is this all some form of plan?” Sweiza eyes her with suspicion.
“Miss Serif, I am a master negotiator and a great strategist. I may not be the best, but Odin keeps me around for a reason.” Verdandi says it hautily while grabbing a biscuit.
“You mean despite your treachery and your failure!” Sweiza grabs the whole plate of biscuits and muffins and dumps several onto her plate.
“That’s quite enough Miss Serif.” Verdandi butters said biscuit, “On both accounts. You will become a great Valkyrie by my hand. Most Valkyrie would face the coliseum itself if it meant being my student.”
“I’ve tried for five years.”
Verdandi turns around, and Sweiza looks over. The voice is that of Brynhilde.
“And if you weren’t so self entitled, perhaps I would consider it.” Verdandi turns back around and ignores the woman. Sweiza stares between the two of them blankly. She looks up at Sprite.
“Are you two enjoying your meal and can I help you with anything else?”
Verdandi flinches while stifling a laugh. “I think that will be all Brynhilde. Thank you for your hospitality.”
Verdandi sips the cup of tea, but is interrupted by Brynhilde clearing her throat.
Verdandi sighs as she reaches her hand into her pocket. She pulls out a slip of paper and hands it to Brynhilde. Brynehilde’s face changes to delight as she bows and then heads towards the kitchen.
Sweiza looks at Verdandi blankly.
“What was that?” As if it never happened, Sweiza is distracted from their conversation before.
“She’s been collecting those from me for some years now. Verdandi says it as a matter of factually.
“Whatever.” Sweiza wishes no further involvement in this and eats the rest of her meal in silence.
Towards the end of their meal…
“Miss Serif, concerning the ship’s bilge…” Verdandi pipes up and Sweiza flinches. “Good, I have your attention. You should consult one of the deckhands about a change of clothing. You wouldn’t want to ruin that outfit of yours.” Verdandi motions at it and Sweiza frowns at it. The girl excuses herself and leaves with respite rather quickly.
“She’s the one I’ll be working with?” Brynhilde makes herself known again.
“Perhaps. Then again, maybe not. Thank you for the wonderful meal Svava.” Verdandi stands up and excuses herself. Brynhilde simply bows. As Verdandi leaves Brynhilde narrows her eyes at the Valkyrie’s back; Brynhilde curses her luck.
—
The decksman are relieved at the changing of the guard; Sweiza is less than amused at the task at hand. They describe how to clean it. A water pump is the main device to operate, but mildew also needed to be scraped and scrubbed off the walls; then the actual floor of the bilge also needed to be mopped. However, what really gets her is the smell, pungent like it hasn’t been cleaned for awhile. However, her outcry on the matter is that it always smells like that. She immediately leaves the bilge for a time to get different clothing on, finally heading Verdandi’s advice.
After a change of clothing, Sweiza spends some time down there. Thankfully, Sprite is there with her to help pass the time. The smell as he puts it, does not bother him. His enchanted abilities also make cleaning the bilge easier. How he doesn’t tire from it, she isn’t certain. At some point the Undine from earlier also makes an appearance.
When Sweiza enquires, the Undine merely replies that “I felt the ship’s pollution in the water.”
The Sweiza’s surprise, the Undine offers to help; further to her shock the Undine can shoot jets of water from her hands and turn into a puddle and pull up debris and dirt from the ground. The Undine thinks it is nothing, and finds it odd that Sweiza herself, nor her Sprite friend, have such an ability. As Sweiza knows, Sprite has some water abilities however slight, but they pale in comparison to this being.
Sweiza finally musters up the courage to ask the Undine her name.
“Uma.”
As it turns out, Undine do not have last names, some have no names at all.
It takes some three hours, but the bilge is completely cleaned, dried and pumped; further the air is less stagnant than it was before.
Sweiza finally sits down on a clean spot, brushing sweat from her brow. The Undine walks up and deliberately jars the shackles together in front of Sweiza.
“I would like these removed.”
“Aren’t those enchanted? I’m not sure I know how.”
The Undine looks up at the ceiling and sighs in disdain.
“The Valkyrie from earlier…” The Undine mentions it casually.
“Wouldn’t you rather have lunch first?” Sweiza pipes up, realizing she didn’t eat much for breakfast - her mentor being part of the reason.
The Undine looks rather depressed at the thought. She clacks the shackles in front of her.
“Perhaps if there is a mage on board, you can take care of these for me?”
“Lunch first! Uma, I’ll race you there!” Sweiza bolts up the stairs leading to the next deck up. The Undine looks up at the ceiling and puffs air at her hair.
—
As Sweiza just enters the cafe, she sees the Undine standing there in the center of it, looking around.
“Uma!” Sweiza approaches her. The Undine, startled, quickly dismisses Sweiza’s disturbance and turns around.
The Undine again clacks the shackles in front of the young Valkyrie.
“Maybe Strife can do that?” Sweiza muses about it, and then lets out a giddy frown at what she just called Verdandi.
The Undine woman sighs and shakes her head and walks out the door, her ankle shackles clacking along the way.
Sweiza’s hands go to her hips. She looks over at Sprite, whom has followed her thus far. “It’s her loss.”
Sprite looks to her and simply nods. However, his points over to the kitchen. “Food.” He says it, it is all he says. Sweiza understands.
—
It is some twenty minutes later as lunch is finished and Sweiza and Sprite are chatting amongst themselves when a set of shackles is dumped on the table in front of them. The noise is enough to disturb them. Sweiza looks over and sees a very unimpressed Verdandi.
“The Undine,” Verdandi looks over back at the Undine behind her, “My apologies, Uma as she calls herself…” Uma smiles at Verdandi, “…has informed me that the Bilge has been cleaned, much ealier than I anticipated.”
Sweiza wolfs down the piece of toast she was eating, “Of course. You expected anything less? We didn’t need your help either.”
Sprite sticks his tongue out at Verdandi for good measure. Sweiza clamps her lips down to stifle a giggle. Verdandi turns around again at the Undine and sees her smiling an attempting to prevent herself from shaking.
“Miss Uma, may I ask what you are doing?” Verdandi’s cocks her head slowly at the woman. However, she finally can’t contain it anymore and bursts out laughing.
“I’m so sorry. I…” The Undine continues to laugh. Sprite’s snickering is quickly met with Sweiza’s. The Undine finally covers her mouth and regains her composure.
Verdandi shakes her head. She turns around to Sweiza and Sprite. “Well done on cleaning the bilge. Your meal is free, this time. Next time if you are so presumptuous, you will pay for it yourself.”
Sweiza’s smile quickly disappears.
“Miss Serif, Dillon had already okayed it.” Verdandi’s crosses her arms at the girl. “However, I’m sure Miss Brynhilde will forego a tip if you give her that divination later.”
Sweiza looks from Verdandi to the kitchen nervously. Lady Brynhilde is there, eying them with anticipation. Sweiza simply waves, trying to posture herself and hold back her nervousness. She faces Verdandi, “I’ll think about it.”
“Very good Miss Serif. As for the rest of your punishment, you will be cleaning the brig. It shouldn’t take to long with your entourage.” Verdandi motions her hand at Sprite and then to the Undine behind her. Verdandi clicks her heels together, about faces and walks towards the door. “Oh, and Miss Serif…”
“Hmm?” Sweiza perks up from her food again.
“It is rather rude to have lunch without your mentor. I am the one negotiating our way on this ship.”
“Oh…”
Verdandi’s greaves clicks the ground, quite deliberately as she marches out. Uma’s gaze follows the Valkyrie as she does so. Her eyes widen in surprise and then she faces Sweiza. “Is she always like that?”
Sweiza nods.
“Oh my.” Is all Uma can muster.
“How about lunch?” Sweiza beams holding up a piece of toast at the Uma; the Undine looks rather dismayed at the offer.
—
The brig (as Verdandi called it) is nothing more than a jailcell. Sweiza scoffs at it and wonders why they don’t just call it ‘jail’. Sprite shrugs at her musing. As it stands, cleaning the brig is a very easy affair. Uma like most Undine, has the ability to clasp onto walls and filter off dirt and other particles and well as Sweiza has already learned, shoot streams of water. However, as the Undine explains to the girl, the ‘shackles’ from before, greatly hindered her movements, as well as serving as a sign of humility amongst her people. Sweiza merely nods at the fact, trying to fake understanding - yet being still clueless. Cleaning the three cells and the adjoining hall to them within the brig takes about an hour.
“I’m ready for my old clothing back.” Sweiza says it to Uma and Sprite.
“Old clothing?” The Undine looks at her curiously.
“I’ll show you!” Sweiza jollily to the door and outside hall.
“Actually, I should speak with the other Valkyrie. I’ll meet you by her.” Uma pipes up. Sweiza has just enough time to turn around and see the Undine turn into a puddle and sink beneath the floor. Sweiza walks over to Uma’s original spot and bends over to see the cracks the woman has been using to move throughout the ship.
“So that’s how she does it. That is so weird!” Sweiza says it to Sprite, whom simply shrugs.
—
It is some half an hour later and Verdandi and Uma are at the bow of the ship talking amongst themselves. Sweia appears behind them. They give her no notice. She she clicks her heels together, but they again give her no attention.
“Hey!” Sweiza raises her voice. The two stop talking and finally look over. Sweiza bows, now in her original outfit. “Verdandi, I have completed my assignments for the day.
“Have you performed one thousand cuts?” Verdandi says it, now with her hands together in front of her.
Sweiza jolts and freaks. She turns around and trudges off. Sprite looks between Uma and Verdandi.
He however, does not follow after Sweiza.
“What do you want, young one?” Verdandi asks him with disdain.
“I was curious about the Undine” He says it, getting Verdandi to raise an eyebrow at him when he zooms up to her face. At his remark ‘The Undine’, Uma, now eyebrows up, closes her eyes while frowning.
—
It is some half hour later and Sweiza again presents herself to Verdandi and Uma.
“I… did what… you asked, Lady Strife.” Sweiza says it breathing heavily, she clicks her heels together, much to Verdandi’s approval.
“Very good Miss Serif. Consider the slate clean.” Verdandi waves a finger at her, “However, -don’t- do it again.”
Sweiza’s eyes widen. She looks at Uma and then Verdandi, nervousness written on her face.
“As for the Undine, she is to have full reign of the ship. She may -not- enter with us into Valhalla. Is that clear?” Verdandi raises her head at the girl. “I don’t believe I should have to explain why?”
“Y… I mean no, ma’am.” Sweiza say sit shaking her head.
“Good. Miss Uma here has been banished from the Kingdom of Mantara law. Do you know what this is?” Verdandi shoots Sweiza a sharp look.
“I overheard something about death or banishment for being a thief.” Sweiza says it, looking over at Uma. Uma takes in a deep breath.
“Possession of human artifacts is a punishable offense to any citizens of Mantara. Most choose banishment, in extreme circumstances, such as -very- illegal contraband…” Verdandi darts her head at Uma and scowls at her. Uma’s shoulders raise up and she sinks into herself as she cringes. Verdandi continues, “…according to Mantaran law, is punishable by death. I have decided to grant her amnesty. Effectively she owes me a life debt. However, as I have no need of a servant, and and the contraband in question belongs to you, I am transferring her life debt to you.”
Sweiza crunches up her right cheek at Verdandi’s words. Verdandi planned this whole thing and is finally admitting it. “You…” Sweiza is cutoff by Verdandi.
Verdandi stamps her foot on the ground and raises her voice, “Don’t interrupt your mentor. This life debt is a custom of Mantara custom. Once she has done enough service, she will be allowed to return.”
Sweiza’s face flushes red. She puffs up her cheeks as she bends forward and sticks her tongue out at Verdandi.
“Is she always like this?” Uma says it in a light voice at Verdandi.
“Uma, before you enter service to Miss Serif, could you be a dear and clean that diary of her’s up? It has taken on a bit of water, and I’m sure she has some unclever things she would like to write in it.” Verdandi sas it, darting her eyes once at Sweiza. Sweiza shakes as her face flushes red again.
“I can do that. Thank you for your gracious hospitality Miss Verdandi.” Uma bows gracefully at the woman and slowly turns towards Sweiza.
Sweiza digs for something in her pocket and pulls it out. It is a biscuit. She holds it up to the Undine. “I saved you part of lunch.”
The Undine cringes.
“I can’t eat human food.” Uma says it with discontent as she looks down at the biscuit.
“What?” Sweiza says it with confusion, also looking down at the biscuit.
“It’s to strong for my stomach, I’ll get sick if I do.” Uma says it, approaching Sweiza and ignoring the offering. Sweiza looks from the biscuit to Uma and then looks for Sprite. She doesn’t see him. She shoves it back in her pocket.
“Your loss Uma. Come, you have a diary to repair.” She waves her hand as she sets for the stairs to the lower deck.
Uma follows her, but she turns around once more at Verdandi and bows, before turning around again to follow the girl.
Verdandi raises her eyebrows unimpressed. Sprite flies up to her.
“She is not going to be happy with your plans Sir Herschel.” Verdandi says as a matter of fact while looking up at him.
Sprite simply nods his head.
“The item you seek little one, is a small room in the back left of the kitchen. There is no door. I suggest you find a safe place when you are done.” Verdandi raises her eyebrows at him when he nods, “…I won’t be held responsible for what you are going to do.”
“You won’t. But perhaps I will get more say when dealing with her.” He darts off towards the kitchen. His plan will work, or so he feels his life will depend on it.
Verdandi shakes her head and turns around, pulling out the spyglass again.
—-
Sweiza returns with Uma to the cabin. Uma looks around; in her mind it is a bare minimum of furnishings with a single bed, dresser, desk, table and some shelving. The closet next to the bed doesn’t go unnoticed by her. Sweiza notices her looking around.
“Comfy?” She says it with some giddy curosity.
“Austere.” Uma says it in one word before facing the girl. It is not the response Sweiza expects. She ignores it, and instead heads for the closet. She slides open the door and pulls out her rucksack. It immediately has Uma’s interest.
“These are your personal things?” Uma peers at it with more than enough interest to get Sweiza’s attention.
“You mind yourself, do you hear me?” Sweiza says it, her tone changing.
“I meant no disrespect… you’re name was Serif, wasn’t it? Verdandi called you that?” Uma says it with some level of earnest.
“My name, is Sweiza. S, w, e, i, z, a. Got it?” Sweiza’s tone again lowers, her level of patience and enthusiasm waning.
“Understood. I meant no disrespect Sweiza.” Uma bows her head at the girl.
“I’ll forgive it, if you can fix this.” Sweiza pulls out her diary from the rucksack. A smile pulls alongside the Undine’s face.
“Is something funny?” Sweiza pulls the diary up to herself.
“Your book is enchanted.” Uma seems drawn to it and her hand reaches out towards it.
“Hmm?” Sweiza pulls the diary away from Uma further.
Uma pulls her hand away, “You can’t feel it?”
“No?” Sweiza frowns at Uma.
“That book has an air about it, I can feel it.” Uma reaches for it again. Sweiza reluctantly hands it over, knowing she will have to do so anyway.
“Where did you get it?” Uma says it, reaching her hand over it and pulling open the cover. To Sweiza’s amazement, when Uma passes her hand over the first page, it flattens as if it were new.
“How did you do that?” Sweiza says it, stepping closer and peering at the book.
“I am enchanted.” It is all Uma says, as she repeats the process to the next page. Upon closer inspection, Sweiza sees the page is dry and the writing legible. Sweiza mouths ‘amazing’, but it goes unnoticed by Uma, whom is distracted by the book and her task.
It is some ten minutes later and Sweiza is stuck peering over the book as Undine continues fixing each of the pages, slowly and meticulously. Bits and pieces of Sweiza’s life come back to life as she reads lore from her life. After some time, Uma finally speaks up, “You have a very interesting life Sweiza.”
“You’re reading it? Mind your business Uma!” Sweiza’s tone again changes.
Uma isn’t phased by it, “I’m happy fate threw us together Sweiza.”
Uma continues fixing each page. Sweiza mock smirks her left cheek in disgruntlement, but does so in a way the Undine doesn’t see her. Sweiza’s hands go down to her hips, watching Uma work what can only be described as magic.
After roughly thirty minutes, the last page and cover is repaired and Uma hands the book back, gently to Sweiza.
“I hope you’ll let me read your life story someday Sweiza.” Uma says it, bowing.
Sweiza is taken aback by the gesture. She takes the diary and puts it back in her rucksack and sets it on the floor, scooting it back in the closet and sliding the door shut.
“I got the book from my grandmother. She gave it to me on my twelfth birthday. I was told to take good care of it. And I did…” Sweiza trails off staring at Uma.
“I see.” Uma steps closer, “Did she know a witch?”
A loud pop rings throughout the room as Sweiza raises her left hand and smacks Uma across the face.
“You piece of filth. Get out!” Sweiza raises her voice and points her finger at the door. A trembling Uma lowers her head and makes a shaky, but hasty retreat.
—
It is sometime later while wandering the ship that Sweiza finally has a chance to cool her jets. With little else to do she spends her time gazin out at the sea from the 'back' of the ship. BVy Sweiza's reckoning, she does not want to give Verdandi a reason to give her more work to do at the front of the ship playing lookout. However, upon reflection the girl realizes she may have a way to win th eValkyrie over. She heads down to the cafe and consults with VBrynehild. Indeed, as it turns out, reservations can be made at specific times for specific tables. However, it would require a payment up front. The deal is done and Seiza spends the rest of the morning looking for Sprite. She does not find him. All of the normal places she might expect to find him, and indeed the places that she normally saw him on the ship, are stragngely vacant. She wonders to herself were he could have hidden himself or if this was some form of punishment for her where he means to get his way. She scratches her head and then shrugs at the thought. Her main attention after an hour or two is Verdandi. The woman likes to have tea for brunch, so sweiza wants to be prompt about it, or at least to cut Verdandi off from doing so.
Once at the bow of the ship, Verdandi again gives the girl no attention. Sweiza clears her throught. Verdandi's eye twitches. She deliberately ignores the girl. Sweiza again clears her throuat, this time just a bit louder. Verdandi again ignores the girl. This time sweiza leans to the side and in front of Verdandi; her face blocks the spyglass and Verdandi frowns in contempt.
"What do you want Miss Serif, cannot you see that I am busy?" Verdandi says it quite miffed, making it quite known to the girl how she feels about her interfering with her duties.
"Strife, why are you alwas spending the bulk of your time at the bow of the ship scanning the horizon?" Sweiza says it curious, but enthusiastically. The tone is enough to lt Verdandi know the young girl is up to something.
"Do you intend to relieve me MIss Serif" Verdandi finally rests the spyglass at her side. The girl shakes her head. "Then what, praytell could possibly be the matter?" Verdandi raises her finger at the girl and shakes it at her. "You should kno when to mind your matters. You are wearing on my patience."
"Strife, tea will be avavailable for us shortly." Sweiza closes her eyes at the woman and smiles. "We shouldnt be late."
"Miss Serif, I can't leave this spot." Verdandi says it forlorn.
"...and why not?" Sweiza says it disapproving.
"The whole point of being granted passage was due to my superior negotiating skills. However, it comes at a price. I am to guard and protect the ship from any pirates; and if none show themselves, I am to function as a morale booster for the crew due to the notion that I -am- at least here incase such an event should occur. Do you understand?" Verdandi says it quite as a matter of factually speaking and quite serious. She hopes her tone will get through to the girl. It fails miserably.
"Strife, I have tea reserved for us. I paid money. Money that you gave me. Surely you don't want it to go to waste!" Sweiza says it leaning forward at the woman.
Verdandi simply shakes her head and raises the spyglass up again. She raises her left hand and users the girl towards the cafe. "Miss Serif, all sailors are on duty; those that are not on dty either have the day off or are offduty and will not take my place. You should consult with me about these things before hand. You would make less of a burden and foolish choices of yourself. Go talk with Brynehilde. I'm sure she would love the chance to converse with someone of Valkyrie intent, if not =in training. I believe she might also like that diviniation that you promised her."
Verdandi says nothing else. Sweiza stammers. Verdandi clicks herheels together and simply says, "Miss serif! GO!"
Sweiza freezes and stands to attention. She about faces and power walks with haste towards the cafe. SsSweiza thinks that the Valkyrie mentor of hers can be quite scary when she wnts to be. Sweiza shakes her head at the thought. would she, herself (Sweiza) Become as scary and forebody as the woman called Strife? She tries to push it out of her mind as she approaches Brynhilde.
Sweiza walks up to the waitress she knows as Brynhilde. Brynhilde tries to shoo heraway, but at Sweiza's behest, she hears her out. Brynhilde begrudgingly agrees to 'assist' Sweiza with teatime. Not that Brynhilde wants to be rude, but she has matters of her own to take care of. Her only interest in Sweiza, is to get a divination.
---
Sweiza passes a biscuit to Brynhilde. The waitress, now temporarily offduty, takes a sip of tea before grabbing the biscuit. However, her attention is focused to how bitter the tea is.
"It really could use more sugar right?" Sweiza asks it with some enthusiasm, remembering the phrase that Strife always uses. However, muc to her surprise, Brynhilde disagrees by shaking her head.
"II'm not a fan of this variant of tea. I come from nobility, so ours is imported." Brynhilde squits as she takes another sip of the tea, attempting to keep her face straight and her composure fresh.
"Strife is of nobility!" Sweiza say sit, not understanding Brynhilde's words or her intent. Brynhilde refrains from disdain with the girl, but casally explains that Strife is a special case in Valhalla and her tastes are somewhat 'unique' Enquiring on the matter simply gets ignoers aas Brynhilde refuses to elaborate further.
---
After tea and the table is cleared, much to Brynhilde's delight, Sweiza pulls out her deck of tarot cards'. Sweiza nonchalantly shuffles them. After cutting them and spreading them out ton the table, she asks Brynhilde the question that she (Brynhilde) has been waiting to hear.
"What exactly do you want to be read?" Sweiza stares her in the eye intently, a certain giddiness to her.
Brynhilde darts her body forward in her chair at the girl, "Will I have a great trial ahead of me?" And how soon?"
Sweiza pulls from several piles. The cards get laid flat, four of them. Sweiza cocks an eyebrow and then reshuffles them into a single deck again. This goes on several more times with several iples piles and refhusffling the deck with the same cards drawn each time. Sweiza scowls and then affirms to Brynhilde that the woman will indeed have a great trial ahead of her.
"SPleindid Miss Serif." Brynhild smiles before standing up and excusing herself.
"Brynhilde, my name is Sweiza. I don't know why Strife insists on addressing me as MIss Serif and having everyone the same."
"Very good Sweiza. Consider your meal on me. Come by whenever you want to have a eservation and we'll use your advanced payment to cover it. I'm sure Lady Strife would be more than delighted." Brynhilde waves her hand and walks back to the kitchen. Sweiza is in awe at the woman's manners and speaking style. If only Lady Strife could be more like that; there would be less friction between the two of them.
---
Sweiza has a gambit up her sleeve. While discussing tidings, happenings and whatnot with Brynhilde, the matter ofhow to win Strife came up. Brynhilde simply remarked that Sweiza needs to demonstrate her worth tyo Strife and she might consider giving the girl more leeway, if not a few more precious moments of her time. Sweiza doesn't understand. Brynhilde had to explain that Strife is old, she has been alive for at least two centuries, most of that time as a Valkyrie and she has probably seen the world; Strife is probably very tired and unamused at the ramblings and enthusiasm matters of someone young. Sweiza was still confused. Brynhilde suggests that sweiza makes herslef useful to Captain Dillion and the crew and then report her (Sweiza's) hard work to Strife as a first f foot forward in winning Strife over.
---
Captain Dillion is more than willing to help the girl out. The helmsan has not hada break for several hours. Her first assignment is to steer the shi straight. A rather boring affair to the girl, but worth it if she can have some standing with 'Strife'. Sweiza begins to wonder if in fact Strife is named as such because she cuses others strife or not. She dismisses it and muses the time away, wondering where Sprite is. As a matter of import and praxcticality and to keep them from being slippery, the loer deck floors are not mopped unless it is bfore or after a voyager. However, Dillion will be most appreciateive if Sweiza will be kind enough to mop them; However, this comes with the added task of immeditaly drying any area of the floor, section by seciton, a li little at a time, while she mops. Sweiza happily agrees. Mopping the floors takes several hours. When summoned, Captain Dillion is delighted at the cleanliness. His next and final task for the girl is to fish (ship supplies provided) off the back of the vessel and catch as much dinner as she can for the crew. Thankfully they are biting. WHen she asks if she needs to clean or prep them, Dillion simply shakes his head. The crew will take care of the rest, ut the main reason behind her fishing was to save a little money. The Sterling Blue is a bi g ship and expensive, and even a few units of measure taken off of money concerns helps. Several bucket fulls brough tto the kitchen and Sweizas tasks for the day are done, or so she thinks. Dillion has one more task for her - go to the crow's nest and play lookout for the next few hours. While it is true that Strife is playing lookout also, she is primarily at the front of the ship. Someone in the crow's nest cn see just as far, if not farther, but Sweiza's task has her looking out towards the back of the shilp. This goes on for several more hours before she fnally gieves up and is ready to cxall it a dday. Dillion approves of her work and willingly offers to leave a good word with Strife about Sweiza's performance.
---
Towards evening, Sweiza hurries towards the bow of the ship. This is the moment she is waiting for - Verdandi is swapping guard duty with one of the crewman. Sweiza watches as Verdandi bows her heda to the sailor and then heads towards the bow steps. Verdandi stops momentarily while she catches a glimpse of Sweiza underneath one of the masts. Verdandi's pace continues shortly after and she appears (to Sweiza at least) to make a beeline towards her direction. Sweiza becomes more uncomfortable as Verdandi draws closer. She freezes as Verdandi is just a few feet from her, but is surprised as Verdandi seemingly ignoers her as she walks by. Sweiza takes in an involuntary breath and her body forces it out in embarassment. Verdandi stops about seven feet in front of the girl. Sweiza attempts to open her mouth, but her body locks up and she stammers. Her hands fall behind her and she leans forward as she tries to force it out to no avail. Verdandi's left leg suddenly raises slightly sideways and then clicks against her right heel. She turns around ever so slightly to look behind her, her head doing most of the work. Her eyebrows shoot up in a way that Sweiza cannot tell if they mean to be approving or disapproving.
"Well done Sweiza." Verdandi turns around and continues on her way ignoring the girl. Her destination appears to be the cafe.
"Wha...wait!" Sweiza hurries after her.