Still game hunting for the future, now with possible canonmates!

[boatwhisperer]

Nnnn~

No, I don't think so, mundane. I think I shall go where the boat--my boat--will take me. I will go with Ragnar, but I do not think the priest will enjoy my company. [ Not that he sounds even remotely upset about the last bit--if anything, there's a hint of a laugh at the end. ]

The question is where will you put me? A sailing ship must have a course. A place with keys and locks?

[ And, finally, he breaks into an actual giggle ] Just why are you scared of the priest and I interacting?

Comments

[defluo]

Perhaps she knows what you are capable of.

[boatwhisperer]

[ Oh-ho? ]

And what would you think that is? What I'm capable of?

[defluo]

Does mass murder slip so easily from your mind?

[boatwhisperer]

You think I'm going to touch the property of Ragnar?

[ though who's to say he won't. ]

[lagertha]

What is this madness you speak of, Floki?

[boatwhisperer]

Madness? [ His brow raises at that, though the mock confusion is stifled by a small smile on his face. ] No. Exploring other worlds, just like Ragnar wants to do.

[lagertha]

Will my husband be accompanying you on your journey? [ because if he is, then she's totally coming too, jsyk. ]

[fangmodir]

Your boat? We paid for half of your boat, making it as much ours as yours.

[boatwhisperer]

There are whispers on the wind that he might come~

[boatwhisperer]

[ Well hello to you, too, wife of Ragnar. ]

Yes, yesyesyes. Yes. [ Dismissively. ] But I make it float and it will fly on the water.

[fangmodir]

And without our contribution, you wouldn't have enough bolts to keep it from sinking into the water. [ You mean nothing to her, boatmaker, and she intends to make it known. ]

Our boat.

[boatwhisperer]

Our boat. [ Oh dear god, he's practically sulking. He springs back immediately, though. Giddy, even: ] Is it not a beautiful creature?

[fangmodir]

[ sulking is a good luck on you, Floki. See that she sees it more often. She does spare him a smile though, even if it's quirk and tense. ] It is. Ragnar tells me it made its way through Thor's blessing. I'm impressed.

[lagertha]

He had better. [ she smiles fondly. ] Ragnar and I make quite a team.

[boatwhisperer]

[ Oh--yes, yes! He instantly rejuvenates, thin limbs curling into each other looking somewhat oddly proportioned as he tries his best not to skip as he tells the tale. ]

Thor loves my boat. He has given Ragnar's voyages his blessing.

[boatwhisperer]

[ This does earn a giggle from the boat builder, though it shifts into a cackle. ]

I wonder if the priest thinks that yet~

[lagertha]

[ raised eyebrow, flat look. ]

I care very little about what the priest thinks.

[boatwhisperer]

Then why have him join you?

[defluo]

I don't hold you to any word or law. If it suited you, I'd imagine you'd do anything.

[fangmodir]

Our boat. [Her tone is more biting, more severe. He had best take caution not to misspeak again.]

[boatwhisperer]

[ There it is--the high titter signifying that oh yes, whatever Athelstan has said as pleased Floki greatly. ]

Even I have things I can and cannot do. [ Though, after a pause: ] I could sell you for a horse, I'd imagine, but I'm sure Ragnar would not be too fond of that.

[defluo]

You respect that which Ragnar does and doesn't like?

[He looks-- well, perhaps surprised is too strong an emotion. Mildly impressed, at least.]

[boatwhisperer]

[ Floki's only response is a nod and a bit of a giggle. ] We found the west, didn't we?

[boatwhisperer]

Hnnnn~~~

Ragnar is a very interesting man blessed by Odin himself. So--you could say 'respect.' [ A light shrug. ] He's smart enough to hire the best boatbuilder in the land; I trust his head and heart are true.

[defluo]

What do mean, blessed by Odin?

[boatwhisperer]

Odin favours him. [ Obviously. Floki raises an eyebrow. ]

[defluo]

[He gives him a flat look.]

How?

[boatwhisperer]

How? Look at him, false priest, actually look. Open your eyes and stop hiding behind your little book.

[defluo]

I see a man who slaughters and enslaves those whom he might otherwise become allies with. I see a man intent only on-- on petty treasure.

[boatwhisperer]

[ Throughout the entire conversation, Floki is smiling. It's not quite bearing teeth, but there's a certain strangely predatory look on his face. ]

He didn't take the gold, he took you.

[defluo]

[He glowers back at him, defiant, betraying none of his uncertainty.]

As a slave. It amounts to the same thing.

[boatwhisperer]

[ Floki doesn't quite roll his eyes, but he does lean forward to touch the other's hair, ruffling it, scraping the shorter patch. It's more of a gesture of 'oh you're so stupid how cute' than any actual affection ]

You are property, but Ragnar is wise. He's been touched by the Gods. Descended from Odin, people say.

[defluo]

[He scowls and leans back, escaping Floki's hand.]

There is no Odin. And I do not believe any man-- Ragnar or not-- can be descended from him.

[But he will watch Ragnar. He is a leader, even Athelstan can see that.]

What of you? You are named after a god-- or your name is near enough to it.

[boatwhisperer]

[ Be careful, Athelstan. Floki may like Ragnar, but it doesn't mean the curious boat-builder has to like you. Case in point--he's always got a dagger somewhere, and right now it's out and pointed at Athelstan, even if he's not in range. ]

Odin is real, and you should have realized that the moment your precious monastary burned to the ground with Loki's gift of fire. [ He's not warranting the other response with an answer--not right now. ]

[defluo]

[He stares at Loki, meeting his eyes for a few long seconds-- and then lowers his head, giving in.]

[boatwhisperer]

But-- [ And just like that, the knife is away. ] --I am not descended from such. Hehehe, no, I only serve the Gods. Much like you, only mine are not false.

[defluo]

[Though he's still wary of that knife, Athelstan's expression is quite clear: there's little doubt out of the two of them whose gods are false.]

I thought you were a boatbuilder, not a priest.

[boatwhisperer]

I thought you were a slave, not a monk.

[defluo]

Just because I was enslaved doesn't mean I've stopped being a monk. And that doesn't answer my question.

[boatwhisperer]

Maybe I do not wish to answer it.

[defluo]

Then answer this: are there priests here? You have your gods; surely you have means of worshiping them.

[boatwhisperer]

Of course there are priests here. [ Smirk. ] And they know how to fight back~

[defluo]

[His mouth tightens a little, his stomach twisting despite himself-- because there's guilt, of course there is. Perhaps if I'd known how to fight, they wouldn't have all died. Perhaps if we'd known how to fight, perhaps if I warned them earlier, on and on and on, making him very nearly writhe in guilt--

And he's certain that shows in his eyes, but he tries desperately not to allow it.]

Tell me of them. I know they sacrifice to Odin-- what else occurs?

[boatwhisperer]

[ Floki leans forward when he catches it--nothing more, just a hair closer with his head--but he's pretty sure Athelstan is full of guilt. What an interesting thing that the monk seems to have so much of! ]

There are völur and goðar. Many go when they see guidance. The one closet to us has no eyes but can read bones better than any.