A Sea Voyage

Writers: Jelena, Mirren
Date Posted: 5th May 2012

Characters: Naton, Rosheen
Description: Naton takes along Junior Journeywoman Rosheen for her first Patrol Duty.
Location: Dolphin Hall
Date: month 8, day 4 of Turn 6

Naton dropped his small bag of clothes at his feet as he looked out at
the ship that was preparing to leave the dock. He had heard good
things about the ship's captain and crew, so he was fairly certain the
trip would make a good first experience with fleet duty for Rosheen.
It was only a short trip, as well, so he wouldn't be away from the
Hall for too long, which was nice. He usually wasn't so home bound,
but lately, he felt he had something - or rather someone - to come
home for. And that was the most incredible feeling.

When he spotted his protege for the trip coming his way, the Senior
Journeyman waved at her eagerly. "Over here, Rosheen!"

Slim and tanned with dark hair tied in a long braid, Rosheen gave a
brief wave back and pushed her bag higher up her shoulder. She was
feeling somewhat less jovial than Naton seemed to be. Oh she was
excited, but she was nervous as well.

"Morning," she said by way of greeting."

"Morning, miss," Naton said with a smile. "You ready for our trip?" he
looked her over for a moment, realising the adventure to come might
have the girl a little on edge. "Don't worry, it's okay to be nervous.
You'll do great, though."

"Who me, nervous?" she waved a hand in dismissal. "Not at all!" Not
that she'd admit to anyway! She was far too proud for that.

"Perfect," Naton said with a grin, knowing a big fat lie when he saw
one. He couldn't imagine her not being nervous, but he chose not to
prod. "You're in luck, too. The Starsong crew is a good one, fine
captain too, we'll have a lot of fun. Have you ever met any of them?"

"No," at least she could admit that. "I'm looking forward to it. As
long as they don't mind having a woman on board." Some men could be so
silly about females! She rolled her eyes.

"I believe they are good with lady dolphineers," Naton said after a
moment of thought. "There will always be some Seacrafters who think
it's bad luck, though, you'll just have to prove them wrong."

"Or right," she said, but she grinned. "Not that I'm a lady," she added.

Naton raised his hands in mock-desperation. "What is it with you women
that you can never call yourself a lady?" he sighed dramatically. Then
he motioned to the ship. "Let's go meet the crew."

She snorted. "It's called reality," she said lightly, but followed
along, the excitement of a new adventure getting the best of her. As
long as she didn't get sea-sick.

"Hello there!" Naton called out as he neared the docked ship. An older
man turned around on deck and gave them a wave. "Come on up!" he
called out as he saw the knots on the pair. Naton gestured for Rosheen
to go first. "Ladies first," he said with a teasing wink.

She went first, but gave him a light punch on the arm as she went
past. She wasn't going to let him get away with calling her a lady!
The ship rocked under her feet, but she knew to stand with her feet
apart a little for balance.

"Junior Journeyman Rosheen, I take it?" the older man asked as he
moved over to her, hand outstretched for a firm shake. "I'm the
captain of this fine ship, call me Tarlon." Naton followed Rosheen
aboard soon after and exchanged his own greetings with the captain.

"So, are the both of you ready to get going?"

Rosheen respected a man who wasn't too proud or hidebound to shake
hands with a woman. She shook his, as firmly as strength and decorum
would allow. "Well met Tarlon, I'm ready." She looked to Naton, one
eyebrow raised in question.

"Me too!" Naton replied cheerfully after he shook the captain's hand
himself. Tarlon nodded. "Alright, Tirdit here will show you to your
bunks. It's not much, but I'm sure you didn't come here with high
expectations." A young cabin boy looked at the dolphineers in wonder,
cocking his had slightly at Rosheen. "Are you married?" he asked,
coming to the only logical conclusion, as he saw it, to the older
dolphineer bringing a woman on board.

Rosheen snorted. "Shards no!" She never intended to marry anyone.
Ever. "We just work together."

"Well, you don't have to sound that offended!" Naton chuckled softly,
before turning to the boy. "But Rosheen is right, we work together."
The boy eyed Rosheen curiously still, but then got moving to show them
to their bunks.

"It's not personal," she retorted. If he was going to be that touchy
it was going to be a long journey! "I have no interest in being tied
down to anyone." She followed the boy and tried not to groan at the
tiny quarters. And then, "We have to share?" Not the bunks, obviously,
but the tiny cabin.

"Yeah, I'm sorry," Naton said, grinning slightly. "And I'm sorry to
say I do snore on occasion." The boy chuckled softly at that. As far
as he knew, all men snored. It was something you learned to ignore if
you lived your life on the sea, though.

She gave him a scathing look. "It's just well I'm not a lady or you'd
be sleeping on the deck." Of course, that _was_ still an option!

"Lucky me!" Naton grinned at Rosheen, wondering how she was taking all
the teasing. Hopefully she would get used to it, because he hadn't met
many sailors who didn't joke around as much as he did.

She looked back at him and his cheeky expression and wondered if he
ever took anything seriously. "I doubt you'd say that if it rained!"
but she did smile now.

"Hmm, I'm used to getting a little wet," Naton replied with a shrug.
"But if it makes you feel better, I will pretend to feel terrible
about it."

She tilted her was to the side slightly. "I prefer when people just be
themselves," she replied coolly.

"I agree on that," Naton replied. "Aw, come on, don't let me bother
you too much. I'm just the Hall's clown, after all." Dropping his
carrysack on his bunk, he turned back. "Let's go see if our dolphin
friends are ready for the trip." He had found Bit and Capey were quite
eager to follow the ship around for a week.

"So I've heard," she sighed. She followed, happier to be out in the
air than in the tiny cabin. The breeze was fresh and ruffled her hair.

Back on deck, Naton whistled a happy tune out across the sea, which
was soon met by the enthusiastic clicks of two young male dolphins.
"There they are," he smiled. "Have you met Capey and Bit yet?"

"No, not yet," her smile at the sight of the animals was genuine. She
looked out across the waves but she didn't see the familiar form of
her dolphin partner, Cam. No doubt she'd make an appearance later. The
deck rocking, she made her way to the side railing and looked over.
"Which of you is which?"

"The one with the scarring on his melon is Capey, the slightly lighter
one is Bit," Naton happily filled Rosheen. "As you can tell, they are
excited about the trip!"

Rosheen laughed softly. "They're dolphins, they get excited about fish
guts. Of course they're excited about this!"

"Well, aren't fish guts exciting?" Naton asked with a grin. "They are,
right guys?" he then asked the two dolphins, getting a lot of cheerful
squees and clicks in reply.

She laughed. "Not as exciting as fish eyeballs!" she commented.

"Oh, right, must not forget those!" Naton grinned, feigning instant
enthusiasm. He looked around and saw the crew was preparing to take to
the waters. "Well, it looks like our journey is about to start!" For a
moment, he turned more serious, as he was coming along to help Rosheen
in her new duties, after all. "Now, would you rather I explained stuff
as we go along, or do you prefer to take notes in advance?" Even with
all his joking around, Naton was a very capable teacher and he was
quite able to adapt his teachings to the wishes of his 'pupil'.

"As we go along is fine. It'll save you from having to repeat yourself
later anyway." Her hands curled around the railing, the only sign that
she was experiencing any nerves.

"Alright," Naton nodded. "Well, then, as soon as your dolphin partner
gets here, ask her for any news from up ahead, the weather, currents
and if there is anything unusual. Report it to the captain before he
has to ask for it, that is always highly appreciated."

Rosheen nodded. "I can remember that." She looked out over the water,
wondering where her partner was. Then finally she saw a familiar fin.
She grinned. "She made it at last." Just then Cam's head bobbed up
from under the water.

"Ah, there she is!" Naton said with a smile. "I really do think she is
beautiful." Then again, Naton found beauty in each and every dolphin.
They were by far the most gracious creatures he had ever seen.

"I agree," Rosheen smiled. "She's the most beautiful dolphin on all of
Pern!" It was obvious that she adored the creature.

"I know more than a few people who would challenge that, but I guess
most of that is just being proud of your partner. She really is a
pretty one." Naton looked at her for a moment longer, before nodding
decisively. "Well, let's get to work!"

She snorted softly. "I don't need them to agree to know I'm right,
yes, let's get to it!" she turned her face to the wind and smiled.

Last updated on the May 15th 2012

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A Sea Voyage