The Siren's Call, Fandom Docks, Early Monday Afternoon

[goodforsix]

Random encounter with a girl in need of serious help aside, Isabela had had a remarkably pleasant weekend, and was taking advantage of her lack of classes today to head down to the Siren's Call.

She'd managed to find a book on ship construction and was wandering the Call comparing the diagrams to various sections of the ship. She mightn't be able

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[cracksmostly]

Most people might have wandered by here on the way to or from the beach for the cookout. Merrill just ended up here by accident, and really would have just wandered on past if she hadn't spotted Isabela.

"So this is your ship!" she exclaimed -- almost squeed, really -- from the dock.

[goodforsix]

Isabela'd had much the same squeeful reaction when Luis had launched her, hence why she'd taken it after his fortunate run in with Zevran's blade.

"Indeed it is, kitten," she said, subtly putting the book down somewhere safe. "Would you like to come aboard?"

That way she could be properly sad when she found out that the Qunari storm eventually sank it.

[cracksmostly]

It would also be a nicer first encounter with ships than heading to Kirkwall to escape the Blight.

"Could I? I've never been on board a ship before!"

From the way Merrill was already bouncing on her toes with excitement at the edge of the dock, that was fairly obvious.

[goodforsix]

Especially since it'd be very hard for her to get seasick when the Call wasn't going anywhere fast.

"Of course you can," she said gesturing extravagantly to the gangplank. "Just head on up."

Isabela thought about it a moment longer, then quickly headed for the gangplank without making look like she was hurrying or afraid Merrill would fall in.

[cracksmostly]

"Oh, this is exciting!" Merrill gingerly started trotting up the gangplank, and while she wasn't in any immediate danger of falling she kept turning from side to side and looking down, so it looked like she could very well fall in. "And it's a very pretty ship, too. You don't live on it, do you?"

[goodforsix]

Isabela 'casually' leant against the rail, though she was prepared to lunge forward at a moment's notice if she needed to.

"No, kitten, I'm living in the dorms." Because she was hardly immune to the allure of hot running water and indoor plumbing. "I will, eventually, once I get a crew."

Once she figured out how to get a crew.

[cracksmostly]

"Oh. Well, it is nice in there, isn't it?" Merrill was rather fond of modern amenities herself. "Even if I'm not used to being so high up."

She made it all the way up the gangplank, but had to put her hand on the rail when she got up on deck. The ground didn't move under your feet like this.

"It does seem like a lot of work to do all by yourself," she said, staring up at the rigging.

[goodforsix]

She'd get her sea-legs soon enough,

"Certainly better than a few places I've slept." And there were few enough restrictions as the cost.

She bumped Merril with her shoulder, gently, so as not to unbalance her. "That's why I need a crew." Especially since she wasn't even sure what work exactly was needed.

[cracksmostly]

"Sailing seems so glamorous," Merrill mused, and yay for her not losing her balance! "Even if I don't know the first thing about it. Would it be hard to learn, I wonder?"

[goodforsix]

Isabela certainly hoped it wasn't. "It's an amazing feeling of freedom." That much she could say with authority. "The wind in your hair, the feel of the deck moving under you."

[cracksmostly]

Well, guess who was going to make sure to at least try and be on deck on that future trip across the Waking Sea now.

"It sounds so romantic when you put it that way." Merrill leaned forward just slightly to peer over the side and watch the water slosh against the hull. "But being surrounded by nothing but water, that I'm not so certain of."

[goodforsix]

That was a very wise decision on future Merrill's part.

"Well, there are downsides, kitten." Like your crew buggering off without a word because they wanted more coin than you could give them. "It also helps if you know how to swim."

[cracksmostly]

Well, at least she'd have one wise decision on her record in the future, then.

Merrill turned around and leaned against the rail, looking at Isabela curiously. "I've never learned. Is it hard?"

[goodforsix]

She could share it with the rest of Hawke's friends.

"Not particularly, though maybe try learning in shallower water. The phrase sink or swim exists for a reason."

[cracksmostly]

Aveline would probably make sure they shared it fairly between all of them.

"Oh, there's a pool in the basement of the dorm, did you know that? I found it by accident the other day," Merrill blurted out. "The water smelled a bit funny, though."

[goodforsix]

"I think I heard it mentioned. Smells funny how?"

Please tell her you didn't drink the funny water, Merrill.