The Star Streak descends through silver cloud toward a crystal-world harbor. Floating barges drift between glassy piers, laden with grain, water, medicinal herbs, and preserved fruit.
Kael remains aboard with Aurora, Sophie, Maisie, Emma, Miles, Anna, and Julia as the crew gathers baskets and casks for exchange. Crystal bells chime softly beneath their footsteps.
Anna
The grain is sound, and these water casks have no mineral taint. We can provision without rushing.
Near the helm, Sophie's crystal ball awakens without her touch. Pale radiance turns within it, threading outward in a thin silver line toward the ship's unseen tether.
Sophie
That is not my scrying. The ball is being used as a conduit, and something beyond the harbor is listening through it.
Aurora
The influence is deliberate, but restrained. It seeks recognition before command.
The floating market continues its peaceful trade around them, unaware. Within the crystal sphere, a second reflection appears: the crew gathered together, waiting for someone to answer.
✓ Quest Accepted
Secure the ship's provisions
✓ Quest Accepted
Bathe in the waterfall and stream
“The crew moves further inland to a forested area to gather provisions when they spot a beautiful waterfall and crystal clear stream. They decide to bathe in the stream with the females going in one direction to undress and bathe and the captain in the other direction. Miles must make a choice to bathe nude with the captain still pretending to be a young man or go and bathe with the female crew as a woman, ending her charade. Aurora gathers the supplies while the other crew bathes.”
SUCCESS (Great Perception, rolled +3)
The crew leaves the crystal harbor and follows a fern-lined trail inland. Beyond a curtain of silverleaf trees, a waterfall pours into a clear stream bright with floating motes.
Aurora gathers grain, fruit, herbs, and water casks with effortless precision, arranging the provisions beneath the trees while the others prepare to wash.
Anna
The stream is clean, and the falls conceal us from the harbor. We will bathe upstream. Captain, take the lower bend.
Anna, Sophie, Emma, Julia, and Maisie carry their garments toward the waterfall’s sheltered side. Kael walks toward the lower bend, where smooth stones form a private pool.
Miles
If I follow him, the charade remains. If I follow them, it ends.
Miles stands between the two paths, clutching her clothing while mist cools her face. The women disappear behind the falls, leaving their invitation unspoken but clear.
Aurora
The provisions are secured, Captain. I will keep watch while everyone enjoys the water.
Quest Complete
Secure the ship's provisions
+ New Item Acquired
Ship's provisions
“The captain stands shirtless in the water with his back turned away from Miles, giving her the opportunity to decide. The captain hears the water splash gently next to him and sees the ripples. He turns around to see Miles in the water right next to him. Her shirt is off but she is up to her neck in water. She still wants to play her game, the captain thinks to himself. They look each other in the eyes for a long intimate moment.”
FAILURE (Fair Diplomacy, rolled +0)
Kael stands shirtless in the lower pool, his back turned toward Miles. A gentle splash touches the water beside him, and widening ripples cross the sunlit surface.
He turns. Miles is up to her neck nearby, her shirt abandoned beyond the pool’s edge. Mist beads on her face as she meets his eyes.
Kael Umal
She still wants to keep playing her game.
For one long moment, neither moves. The waterfall fills the silence, but Miles’s guarded expression makes the stillness feel less like closeness and more like a test.
Miles
You know, don't you? Not everything, perhaps, but enough to stop calling me cabin boy like you believe the disguise.
Her gaze falters first. She shifts deeper into the water, placing the pool between them, yet does not retreat toward the falls or call for the others.
Miles
Ask me here, Captain, and I will answer what I can. But if you ask in front of the crew, the game ends on your terms, not mine.
“The captain continues to bathe as Miles watches him. She closes her eyes. The captain notices her hands moving below the waterline causing the water to ripple around her a bit. The captain moves in closer to her, but she steps back a bit. She still has her eyes closed. The captain smiles and continues to bathe. Miles moves a bit closer to him again, her eyes still closed, the water around her rippling. Later, the other women approach the two covering themselves with towels after their bath. The captain and Miles are already dressed and heading back towards the Star Streak.”
SUCCESS (Superb Agility, rolled +0)
Kael continues bathing in the lower pool while Miles keeps her eyes closed. Her hands move beneath the water, sending small ripples across the sunlit surface.
He notices the motion and steps closer through the warm water. Miles retreats a little, still keeping her eyes shut, her guarded posture preserved behind the mist.
Kael smiles and continues bathing without pressing her. After a quiet interval, Miles drifts closer again, eyes closed as the water trembles softly around her.
Miles
You are very patient when you want something, Captain.
The waterfall remains the only answer. Soon Anna, Sophie, Emma, Julia, and Maisie emerge from behind the falls, wrapped in towels and carrying their garments.
Kael and Miles have already dressed by the time the others reach the pool. They leave the sheltered bend together, following the fern-lined trail toward the Star Streak.
Quest Complete
Bathe in the waterfall and stream
Skill Upgrade: Diplomacy Fair→Good