nautical

[aetheling]

Cymbeline doesn't really like boats, but they're the only way to get anywhere in a reasonable period of time, especially when "anywhere" isn't on the mainland. Today he is sailing to Vectis, to oversee the change of governorship; his father the king is needed for courtly matters back home and his mother the queen, despite being the source of his royal blood, declines to involve herself in affairs of state when she can avoid it. Zoyah takes more after Ranae than after Charles in this department. So, it falls to Cymbeline.

Walking on a boat is even more difficult than walking on land, and Cymbeline is no great shakes at the latter to begin with. Unfortunately, neither he nor Kerem, the court magician and Cymbeline's confidante, have been able to figure out how to apply the principles of practicable magic to alleviating princely clumsiness. So Cymbeline is clinging to the railing of the boat, watching the waves, trying to avoid having to walk anywhere.

Comments

[treasuresuntold]

She studies the steps eagerly, then tries to get to her feet and follow. Her legs tangle up in the skirt and she falls on her face, then spends a short while cursing viciously in absolute silence.

[agnatic]

Zoyah offers her a hand to help her up. "You must've got, like, really thorough sea legs if you can't even walk anymore. Or maybe you're dehydrated? I hope you didn't drink the seawater."

[treasuresuntold]

The stranger takes Zoyah's hand and, with its help, manages to get up on both feet. She wobbles. She takes a step. She takes another step.

[agnatic]

In this way, they may eventually make it all the way to the palace!

"Mother! Father! Cymebliiiine!" calls Zoyah. "I found a lady with gills and cosmetic transfers and she doesn't know Loegrian or Aquitiniais or Latinitas and I dunno what to do with her!"

[aetheling]

Cymbeline is the first person to respond to this call. He comes out the side door and looks quizzically at his sister and the green lady.

[treasuresuntold]

The green lady beams and waves at him.

[aetheling]

Cymbeline waves back. "¿Habl'Iberiola?" he tries.

[treasuresuntold]

She blinks uncomprehendingly.

[aetheling]

"Okay, well..." He points at himself. "Cymbeline." He points at Zoyah. "Zoyah." He points at the green person.

[treasuresuntold]

The green person shrugs.

[aetheling]

"Okay, well... do you want to come inside?" he says with a corresponding inviting gesture. "We can show you to Kerem, he's better at some fiddly stuff than I am..."

[treasuresuntold]

The green person shrugs again, agreeably, and takes a few tentative steps towards the palace.

She falls over. (It's been happening a lot.)

[agnatic]

"She's worse at walking than you, Cymbeline," says Zoyah.

[aetheling]

"That's an accomplishment." He helps the green person up and puts his arm (quite chastely) around her.

[treasuresuntold]

She snuggles right up, beaming again.

[aetheling]

"Kerem!" calls Cymbeline, leading her into the palace.

[pleasantsurprise]

"Coming!" Kerem calls back, and presently he appears within view. "Goodness gracious."

[aetheling]

"We've tried all our languages," Cymbeline says, nodding in Zoyah's direction, "but you've got a few more?"

[pleasantsurprise]

"Yes, of course," says Kerem, and he tries a few more languages.

[treasuresuntold]

The green woman just blinks at him. And leans on Cymbeline. In a way that might be described as 'overly familiar'.

[aetheling]

"...Okay... Now I'm wondering if she's deaf. Zo', go behind her, shout suddenly?" suggests Cymbeline.

[agnatic]

Zoyah obeys. "HEY!"

[treasuresuntold]

She flails and yelps. No sound emerges from her mouth.

[aetheling]

"Not deaf," concludes Cymbeline, propping her up again from where she fell on him. "...Possibly mute. Probably mute." He sighs and starts leading her to the study, where he tries her on some pen and paper.

[treasuresuntold]

Ooh, pen and paper. She figures those out in short order, and starts drawing.

She draws:

- a recognizable silhouette of a ship, with a simple figure, just two arms and a blank head, peering over the side

- a big wobbly up-and-down scribble overtaking the ship

- a figure with arms and a head and a dolphin's tail

- an arms-and-legs human falling over the side of the boat...