She's pulled into dock on the edge of the woods. There's no one else there, which isn't too unusual, just the edge of the world behind her, the soaring cliffs before her, and the forest spilling down either side like tumbling locks. It's nighttime, and she takes a moment to look up at the wandering stars. What this island loses on remoteness it makes up for in scenery, and the rooms carved into the cliff face are generally comfortable. And free. A port without fees is always nice.
"Engines are faster than using the wind or rowing. We should tell ship people about this when I go home."
"Yeah!" Lessons are captivating enough that she doesn't want to go explore the ship and play around for at least a couple of hours.
Sarati remembers enough of her early lessons to piece together something age-appropriate, though she occasionally mentions concepts probably past Grenadine's level.
She is a clever, if not brilliant, child. Plenty of it goes over her head but she learns plenty as well.
Sarati occasionally has to get up to check on something in the engines, but is otherwise focused on filling out Grenadine's physics education.
After a few hours, the view outside the port changes as the star-flecks press closer. The low moaning rises to a howling, and the ship starts to shudder. Sarati stands, says to Grenadine, "There's a storm coming, get yourself buckled in," and puts their papers inside the box forming the table.
"A way of securing straps, so you won't fall down if the ship moves too much. Here - " She leads Grenadine over to the side of the ship, and points out the straps. "I'll help you get secured, okay?"
She settles in next to Grenadine. "This looks like it'll be just a small storm, but I'll need to be steering the ship directly. Do you want me to close the view port?"
"Only if you want."
She looks decidedly uncertain, but... Afraid would not be the right word.
"Okay." She leaves it open, and buckles herself in, then plants her hands on the ship's hull and closes her eyes.
Steering the ship through the storm is tricky; even with one as minor a this the air fills with a sound like static electricity, and the ship keeps pitching forward and back and shaking and shuddering, sometimes rather dramatically. Everything is tied down tightly, though, so while the passengers get jostled the boxes all stay in place.
The view outside brightens, swirls of colored light competing with the rising mist. The frozen lightning grows closer and bigger and some of it starts to move. The ship passes under a few arcs, delicately threading through the tendrils.
Sarati knows what she's doing. Sarati knows what she's doing. It's just like the Witches - don't worry, she's trying to be safe too.
The storm ends after about an hour. Sarati relaxes with a sigh as the view returns to mostly normal. "We're clear. You okay?"
"I need to go downstairs and check on the engines. You okay staying up here, or do you want to come with me?"
"Sure."
She heads downstairs, and shows Grenadine the steps of checking the engine for damage or strain. The engine's in good condition, luckily, and doesn't need any maintenance beyond the basics.
All that whirling metal is kind of intimidating. But neat.
"Those glowy things have magic in them? I wonder if I should try charging one..."
"I'm not sure it's safe to do so while the ship's running, but once we're stopped, certainly."