(2024-02-10) A Gift for the Fleet

Details

Author:	Alli
Summary:	Before the trip to Icecrown, Lena introduces Terrineth/Rozalin to Siamus. Rozalin has arranged for a surprise, in an attempt to make a good impression on the Vice Admiral! ~2100 words.
Rating:	T for Teen

Lena dismounts from her gryphon in Moa'ki harbor and spots Siamus. She waves, and then turns to see if Terrineth is landing behind her.

Siamus is gazing out at the harbor, looking distantly preoccupied. At the movement by the gryphon master, he turns his head and spots Lena. He smiles at her.

Terrineth hops off her gryphon and stands shoulder to shoulder with Lena, a mischievous grin on her face.

Lena smiles at Terri and then turns the smile to Siamus. She reaches for Terri's hand, and leads her over to her sometime employer. "Vice Admiral, good to see you again."

[Siamus]: Miss Coit, a pleasure as always.

Siamus surveys Lena warmly, and then turns his attention on Lena's companion.

[Siamus]: And I've not yet had the pleasure, I don't believe?

Terrineth takes Lena's hand and greets Siamus as well, "Not yet. Er– not formally anyway I guess. Seen ya a couple times."

[Lena]: This is my, um, my girlfriend. *Lena nods encouragingly at Terri.* I reckon she's my next of kin, of a sort, if somethin' happens in Icecrown, so I figured I should introduce.

Terrineth squeezes Lena's hand, "Yeah. 'Sides, I gotta see who this fancy captain is that my girl's been spendin so much time with.'' She jokes to both of them and winks at Siamus.

[Siamus]: I see. Well, glad as I am to meet the lady, let's trust I won't need reference to your next of kin. But a pleasure to meet ye, Miss…?

[Terrineth]: Rozalin.

Lena blinks in surprise, and then her smile widens. "Yes, my girlfriend Rozalin."

Siamus smiles at Terri, a gleam in his gaze. "Rozalin. A pleasure. Ye'd be the boxer, then?"

[Terrineth]: When I lose hold of my swords I guess yeah. *she chuckles*

[Lena]: Fighter, anyway. *Lena smiles* I told him about your matches.

[Siamus]: Aye, she did say.

[Terrineth]: Undefeated to this day, hehe. *she grins proudly*

[Siamus]: Well, now, that's a thing I'd have liked to see, and by 'see' I mean lay money on. If only I were a gambling man. *Siamus's tone suggests he is probably a gambling man.*

Siamus nods at Lena.
[Terrineth]: Ha! Well if you ever decide you want in on a piece of the action why don't you drop by in the tram sometime, yeah?

[Siamus]: … on the tram?

[Terrineth]: Not on it. In the !@#$in tunnels.

Lena gives just the faintest warning noise to Rozalin, and says, "Oh yes, that's where they were when I went to see."

[Terrineth]: How would you watch it if it was on the tram?

[Siamus]: I've no idea, which is why I asked ye.

[Lena]: Now that would be a challenging fight, really, on a movin' tram car. More like an adventure novel.

[Siamus]: I'm afraid I'm no' well familiar wi' the Ironforge tram in general.

Public transit is for Poors.

[Terrineth]: Eh, whatever. *she gives a slightly apologetic look to Lena* And pardon my language too. Sorry bout that.

[Siamus]: I'm a sailor, miss. I'll not object to some language now and again, so long as it's no' meant in offense.

Terrineth smiles and nods, "Good to hear, cause it'll probably happen again even if I am on my best behavior."

[Siamus]: I find the behavior's what matters.

Lena grins. "I've been on the ships. If anyone tries to give you a problem about it, I can say it's no worse than the usual."

[Terrineth]: Bout the language, ya mean?

[Lena]: The language, yes. Behavior matters more.

Siamus inclines his head at Lena with a faint smile. She knows.

Terrineth looks between the two of them and narrows her eyes ever so slightly.

[Lena]: Anyway, I suppose we're headed off in all different directions soon enough, so… maybe the last time for a while to be all three in one spot.

Lena notes the look, and says, "Rozalin, was there anything you wanted to ask the Vice Admiral about?"

Siamus raises his eyebrows and turns a pleasant, expectant look back on Terri.

[Terrineth]: Oh, uhh… Well I guess how's Lena here been doing out an about with the navy and all that? From everything I've heard it sounds awful important.

[Siamus]: She's doing very well indeed. She was a hero of our Icecrown expedition, in fact. I've upward of twenty men who'd no'be alive today if it weren't for her.

Siamus nods respectfully to Lena.

[Terrineth]: Damn. I mean shi– I mean… Gee that's really somethin ain't it?

Siamus's mouth twitches suspiciously, but his voice is grave when he says, "It is indeed something, aye."

Lena smiles a little, and nods politely, accepting the praise. "It was a hard expedition, though. We lost more than I'd hoped."

Siamus nods heavily.

[Terrineth]: Bah! She's just bein modest now. *she smiles at Lena fondly* I'm one lucky gal to have a looker like her. And one with a fancy job and fancy friends to boot.

Lena smiles at Terri. "The luck goes both ways."

[Siamus]: Ye are indeed. And we're lucky to have her as well. *Siamus smiles at Lena.* A thing I appreciate about Miss Coit is that she's rarely falsely modest. She knows her worth. She's speaking facts when she says we lost more than we ought have, though it's not on her shoulders that we did.

[Lena]: Really it was… *Lena glances at the shoreline and shivers.* I might've mentioned the kvaldir? They come out of the mist, and they fight like monsters.

The blaring horn of a goblin steamboat sounds in the distance.

Siamus 's expression clouds grimly. He nods at Lena. At the sound of the horn, he glances toward the harbor with his brows knit.

Terrineth blushes at Lena's words, but perks up immediately at the sound and gets a big grin on her face.

Lena frowns, sharpening her gaze on the shore. "That didn't sound like a turtle boat."

[Siamus]: No, it sounds like bloody goblins.

Siamus turns to scan the water, his jaw set.

[Terrineth]: Hehe, nope. That's the surprise I was tellin ya about. Right on time as always.

Lena raises her eyebrows. "The surprise is a goblin boat?"

Siamus glances over at Terrineth. His expression is Extremely Neutral.

[Terrineth]: Naw dummy. *she nudges Lena with her shoulder* It's what's inside. Hang on, the man of the hour's comin up.

Lena shoots an apologetic glance at Siamus, but she still looks a little confused.

Siamus looks from Terri to the harbor again, bemused.

Nack Grappleclamp walks up to greet the group, "Ah good. I was worried you were gonna be late again. How's it going, Roselash?"

Lena murmurs to Siamus, "That's her fighting sudoname."

[Siamus]: Sudo– Ah. I see.

[Terrineth]: Not bad, Nack. You got the goods with ya?

Siamus moves a little closer to Lena, possibly protectively, and surveys the goblin.

Lena waves politely at the goblin.

Nack Grappleclamp says: Sure do. *he gestures to Lena and Siamus* These the guys you're sending it up here for?

Siamus looks to Lena, then to the goblin again, then to Terri. He does not know whether they are the guys. He does not know what this is about.

Lena raises her hands in a vague gesture of surrender. She assumes she's probably one of the guys.

[Terrineth]: Yup. And who says country girls ain't got their own tricks.

Nack Grappleclamp says: Well… I mean I can start unloading whenever, but you might wanna let these two in on the news. They don't seem too fond of surprises right about now.

[Siamus]: I'd… appreciate knowing what this is about, aye.

[Terrineth]: Heh, just a second. *she digs in her bag and produces a mason jar filled with an orange substance* Here, catch. *she tosses it to Siamus*

Siamus catches it and regards it with continued bemusement. He tips the jar back and forth. "Is it — sorry, but this looks like… marmalade?"

[Lena]: Why've you got marmalade? *Lena looks at the jar curiously.*

Terrineth's grin gets even wider, "There ya go. Startin to catch on. I got crates and crates of the stuff in that ship."

Siamus considers Terri neutrally for a moment. He looks at the jar again and then toward the ship. "I see. And for how much?"

[Terrineth]: It's a gift. Tryana show my good will and all that. Make sure ya know Lena and her crew are worth keepin around.

Siamus arches a brow.

[Siamus]: I assure ye I've no intention of letting Miss Coit go, marmalade or no. But — I'll not turn down the gift, either, and the Alliance navy will be obliged to ye.

Siamus nods courteously to Terri. Not to the goblin, though.

Nack Grappleclamp says: The lady and I already worked out a deal for it. It's already been paid for. Although I do take tips. *he pauses for the briefest moment* Kidding, kidding. It's yours.

[Lena]: I reckon that'll be nice at sea. *Lena says, brightening* Don't get so much fresh fruit on a long expedition, and this is a close thing that'll keep.

Terrineth looks expectantly at Siamus.

[Siamus]: Aye, it keeps well, and it's good for the scurvy. No'that Fallon crews have the trouble, but it's worth having aboard, and sharing out wi' the rest of the Alliance ships.

Siamus lifts the jar and tilts his head at Terrineth in a kind of salute.

[Siamus]: A little sunshine goes a long way in Northrend, particularly.

[Lena]: That was real thoughtful, Roz. *Lena grins at her.*

Terrineth places her hands on her hips proudly, "Glad to hear it."

Siamus smiles faintly again at Terri. He does not smile at the goblin.

Nack Grappleclamp says: So is your ship out here? Or should we unload and you can get it up where you need it on your own?

[Siamus]: Four of the ships moored out there are mine. But if ye bring the load in to shore, I'll have the lads divvy it up here and we'll ship some of it off to Valiance wi' my lass that's headed that way, for the rest of the Alliance fleet.

Nack Grappleclamp says: You got it boss. My crew'll get to it then. *he waves and walks off to get to work* Hope it's been a pleasure doin business with Grappleclamp Enterprises.

[Lena]: Shall I stick around and help? I could summon folk carrying crates. I've got the souls for it.

[Siamus]: Ah, seems a shame to spend souls on marmalade when I've got strong lads can handle it. Ye stay and visit wi' your lass.

[Terrineth]: Nah, I'm getting what I paid for outta Nack.

[Terrineth]: Shipping all that here wasn't %^&*in cheap…

[Lena]: I don't doubt it. *Lena nods.* But I think the fleet can take it from here? I am glad I got to introduce you two, before Icecrown.

[Siamus]: There's nothing ships cheap to Northrend, I'm afraid. And aye, I'll see the fleet manages it now. I'll have Berdon look it over wi' me.

[Siamus]: It was a pleasure to meet you, again, Rozalin, and I thank ye kindly for the gift. And for the kind loan of your lady, when she's needed.

Siamus smiles at both Terri and Lena.

[Terrineth]: Sounds good. *she smiles* Maybe some other time I can tell you bout how I got all them oranges hehe.

[Lena]: Sure, I'd like to hear the story. *Lena smiles* But maybe another time.

Siamus steps forward and offers a handshake to Terri.

Terrineth grips his hand firmly and shakes it.

Lena nods with a touch of obvious relief. That went well.

Siamus smiles at Terri again and tilts his head. He turns from her to Lena and offers his hand again. "Miss Coit."

Lena reaches out to take it. "Vice Admiral."

Siamus nods. "Be safe in Icecrown, aye?"

[Lena]: I will, and you too.

Siamus nods and lets go of her hand, stepping back. "Good evening, then, ladies. I'll be seeing ye around." He salutes Terri again with the jar, and then heads down the harbor path.

[Terrineth]: See ya!

Lena turns to smile at Terri. "See? I knew you'd get along."

Terrineth lets out a breath, "Gotta say, I was a little nervous. Glad it went over ok."

Lena reaches over to give her a quick hug. "I think he liked it, Rozalin. This is a good step. Now… let's get somewhere out of this cold."

Terrineth laughs, "Yeah, good idea."