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Cymbeline doesn't really like boats, but they're the only way to get anywhere in a reasonable period of time, especially when "anywhere" isn't on the mainland. Today he is sailing to Vectis, to oversee the change of governorship; his father the king is needed for courtly matters back home and his mother the queen, despite being the source of his royal blood, declines to involve herself in affairs of state when she can avoid it. Zoyah takes more after Ranae than after Charles in this department. So, it falls to Cymbeline.
Walking on a boat is even more difficult than walking on land, and Cymbeline is no great shakes at the latter to begin with. Unfortunately, neither he nor Kerem, the court magician and Cymbeline's confidante, have been able to figure out how to apply the principles of practicable magic to alleviating princely clumsiness. So Cymbeline is clinging to the railing of the boat, watching the waves, trying to avoid having to walk anywhere.
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aetheling
agnatic
Zoyah holds up her hands in a nonthreatening gesture and moves to button the skirt for the strange green person.
agnatic
After the buttons are done, Zoyah says, "Okay, so, um, do you want to come to the castle with me? Kerem speaks like fifteen languages, I bet he knows one you know." She accompanies this acknowledged likely-pointless speech with a gesture and a few steps along the beach.
treasuresuntold
She studies the steps eagerly, then tries to get to her feet and follow. Her legs tangle up in the skirt and she falls on her face, then spends a short while cursing viciously in absolute silence.
agnatic
Zoyah offers her a hand to help her up. "You must've got, like, really thorough sea legs if you can't even walk anymore. Or maybe you're dehydrated? I hope you didn't drink the seawater."
treasuresuntold
The stranger takes Zoyah's hand and, with its help, manages to get up on both feet. She wobbles. She takes a step. She takes another step.
agnatic
In this way, they may eventually make it all the way to the palace!
"Mother! Father! Cymebliiiine!" calls Zoyah. "I found a lady with gills and cosmetic transfers and she doesn't know Loegrian or Aquitiniais or Latinitas and I dunno what to do with her!"
"Mother! Father! Cymebliiiine!" calls Zoyah. "I found a lady with gills and cosmetic transfers and she doesn't know Loegrian or Aquitiniais or Latinitas and I dunno what to do with her!"
aetheling
Cymbeline is the first person to respond to this call. He comes out the side door and looks quizzically at his sister and the green lady.
aetheling
"Okay, well..." He points at himself. "Cymbeline." He points at Zoyah. "Zoyah." He points at the green person.
aetheling
"Okay, well... do you want to come inside?" he says with a corresponding inviting gesture. "We can show you to Kerem, he's better at some fiddly stuff than I am..."
treasuresuntold
The green person shrugs again, agreeably, and takes a few tentative steps towards the palace.
She falls over. (It's been happening a lot.)
She falls over. (It's been happening a lot.)
aetheling
"That's an accomplishment." He helps the green person up and puts his arm (quite chastely) around her.
pleasantsurprise
"Coming!" Kerem calls back, and presently he appears within view. "Goodness gracious."
aetheling
"We've tried all our languages," Cymbeline says, nodding in Zoyah's direction, "but you've got a few more?"
pleasantsurprise
"Yes, of course," says Kerem, and he tries a few more languages.
treasuresuntold
The green woman just blinks at him. And leans on Cymbeline. In a way that might be described as 'overly familiar'.
aetheling
"...Okay... Now I'm wondering if she's deaf. Zo', go behind her, shout suddenly?" suggests Cymbeline.