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[[OOC: 4th Wintermarch, morning, the Waking Sea towards the Amaranthine Ocean]] Celeste Monroe
Nicolette had not known any of the crew members on the Wicked Grace more than a few weeks, but even if it had been only a matter of days she would have noticed the general lift in spirits ever since they had finally cast off from Kirkwall. When the final rope had been thrown and the small pilot boats started to tug them out towards the harbour entrance, every breath on board had been held, awaiting some last minute disaster; the masts to fall, the rudder to stick, the – she did not know enough of the terminology yet to guess at whatever else might have gone wrong.
And yet nothing had; they had sailed cleanly through The Twins, and they had slipped through the imposing bronze giants and the first ocean breeze had caught the sails, an almighty cheer had gone up. Celeste had not been the only one affected by the lengthened stay in Kirkwall, and as the usual jobs required to get a ship skimming across the waves took place, there was a general lifting of spirits that had been evident in every move of every sailor. Delighted by the rising energy, Nicolette had started a shanty with lyrics that were easy to learn for a call-and-response, and as the city had shrunk behind them everybody bellowed along and set to their jobs with a new vigour.
A vigour shared by their captain. Nicolette had slept a little later than Celeste this morning, having spent a good portion of the night enjoying the benefits of sharing the captain’s cabin and therefore having Celeste in arm’s reach. Celeste had met her enthusiasm with equal measure and it was with a happy languor that Nicolette finally stirred, taking a few extra minutes to relax in the warmth that the captain had left her with before finally dressing and preparing herself for the day.
It was still quite early. The crew not on night duties were still dozing beneath decks, and the dawn was partway through blooming, pink clouds crowning the golden disc of the rising sun. As they sailed north it would come earlier, and it would get warmer. Warmth! After months in chilly Kirkwall, it would be a blessing.
Speaking of blessings…
Celeste had taken to the helm, and Nicolette climbed the steps towards her. Gold strands of hair flickered around her face and the vivacious green eyes were as alight as Nicolette had ever seen them. She was truly in her element, at last.
Nicolette came up behind her and wrapped her arms around Celeste’s waist, loosely enough that she would not impede the other woman if she had to make a sudden move, and purred in her ear. “Good morning, my captain.”
Nicolette had not known any of the crew members on the Wicked Grace more than a few weeks, but even if it had been only a matter of days she would have noticed the general lift in spirits ever since they had finally cast off from Kirkwall. When the final rope had been thrown and the small pilot boats started to tug them out towards the harbour entrance, every breath on board had been held, awaiting some last minute disaster; the masts to fall, the rudder to stick, the – she did not know enough of the terminology yet to guess at whatever else might have gone wrong.
And yet nothing had; they had sailed cleanly through The Twins, and they had slipped through the imposing bronze giants and the first ocean breeze had caught the sails, an almighty cheer had gone up. Celeste had not been the only one affected by the lengthened stay in Kirkwall, and as the usual jobs required to get a ship skimming across the waves took place, there was a general lifting of spirits that had been evident in every move of every sailor. Delighted by the rising energy, Nicolette had started a shanty with lyrics that were easy to learn for a call-and-response, and as the city had shrunk behind them everybody bellowed along and set to their jobs with a new vigour.
A vigour shared by their captain. Nicolette had slept a little later than Celeste this morning, having spent a good portion of the night enjoying the benefits of sharing the captain’s cabin and therefore having Celeste in arm’s reach. Celeste had met her enthusiasm with equal measure and it was with a happy languor that Nicolette finally stirred, taking a few extra minutes to relax in the warmth that the captain had left her with before finally dressing and preparing herself for the day.
It was still quite early. The crew not on night duties were still dozing beneath decks, and the dawn was partway through blooming, pink clouds crowning the golden disc of the rising sun. As they sailed north it would come earlier, and it would get warmer. Warmth! After months in chilly Kirkwall, it would be a blessing.
Speaking of blessings…
Celeste had taken to the helm, and Nicolette climbed the steps towards her. Gold strands of hair flickered around her face and the vivacious green eyes were as alight as Nicolette had ever seen them. She was truly in her element, at last.
Nicolette came up behind her and wrapped her arms around Celeste’s waist, loosely enough that she would not impede the other woman if she had to make a sudden move, and purred in her ear. “Good morning, my captain.”