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They were taking the Misty Maiden out a little ways into the harbor today just to test her strength after receiving some more updates. The ship herself was looking beautiful in Ephrym’s eyes, perhaps because of a little bit of bias, but he was confident that she could easily skirt any foreign waters now. Kahikana here we come! Ephrym grinned as he leaned over the side of the ship to watch the turquoise waters licking along the edges of her silvery hull. Any previous damage that had been on her when he first acquired the ship almost two years back had been sanded down and made fresh with the materials that he had bartered for over time. “What do you think, Yokka?” He called out as he turned around to find his carpenter through the few select crew who had come to help with today’s small excursion. “Ready to go travel to that smaller island across the bay?”

[Ephrym 1]

Ephrym grinned at the sight of the thumbs up. "Alright then!" He raised a victorious fist before yelling towards the others. "Raise that anchor, mates!" He was even dressed for the occasion with leathers and a white billowy shirt that was mostly unlaced but instead of some captain's hat there was only a bandanna tied tightly around his green curls, the edges lined with beads that clicked together whenever he rushed across the helm where the captain's wheel awaited him. There was a captain's hat in his cabin that was gifted to him from his flamboyant father but even Ephrym wasn't quite ready to wear that one just yet and so he settled for his collection of bandannas and a few simpler hats should the need arise. Emphrym hesitated before finally taking the wheel in his hands, his eyes closing for a moment almost as if in prayer to the ocean spirits, and then before he knew it they were moving through the waters. Everything about the moment was glorious and Ephrym couldn't resist grinning over his shoulder towards Yokka. "I think you made it too smooth! Am I supposed to know if we're actually sailing or flying at this rate?"

Pride swelled in Ephrym's chest as the ship cut through the waters. His spirits were soaring as they flew across the ocean waters, his excitement reflected in the whole atmosphere of the crew. A laugh escaped his lips whenever he watched Yokka's own reaction and Ephrym was so thankful that he had such good companions at his side during these ventures. "You're not wrong!" He called out in return before giving her a nod of acknowledgement as she disappeared below decks. Ephrym was keeping an eye out on the coast, his arms tightening as he spun the wheel right so that they could coast through some of the lower waters that led towards the smaller island and bay that wasn't quite too far from the actual docks. They would probably be at their destination within an hour which quickly went past without much problem. Ephrym was almost remorseful when he had to give the command to lower the sails so that they could start slowing down and prepare to anchor in the shallow waters near their destination.

[Ephrym 3]

"Not bad at all then." Murmured Ephrym as he listened to Yokka's report. It really looked like they were almost ready and the anticipation was making him feel antsy. What would it be like to go so far across the ocean? Ephrym closed his eyes at the thought, the gentle touch of the ocean breeze bringing a smile to his face. "Well how do you feel about taking a small adventure?" He turned his gaze towards Yokka and grinned mischievously. Why not take a moment to enjoy the island now that they were here? The rest of the crew could take a moment to check on things and to enjoy themselves as well. "We can test out one of the lifeboats." Ephrym gestured and walked towards the edge to peer below where a small wooden boat was secured to the side. It would be nice to get out and see what all was out there along the island. Maybe he could even pick up some of those fruits that grew along the coast to send back to his sister since she enjoyed them so much.

[Ephrym 4]

"Who else?" Ephrym teased with a wink. "Consider it a perk of being the head carpenter." If anything at this rate it felt like Yokka was slowly becoming more of a first mate but Ephrym wasn't certain how she would take to the idea. His train of thoughts were discarded whenever she threatened to leave him and the hybrid quickly jumped into action. "Don't you dare!" He called back playfully before helping with the ropes on the other side and then gesturing for some others to help lower them down once he got into the boat. When the boat splashed into the water, Ephrym grinned and held up an oar. "Ready?"

What he didn't notice was the shining movement just beneath the shallow surface, various rainbow crystals going up and down with the rolling waters. Whenever Ephrym stretched out his hand across the waters, the digits trailing lightly across the cool surface the crystals froze and slowly turned towards him. Of course the captain was totally obvious as he just continued enjoying the feeling of the water against his skin while waiting on Yokka to settle into the smaller boat.

[Ephrym 5]

"Hmm?" Ephrym pursed his lips in confusion before following Yokka's motion towards the glowing area of the water. "I'm sure it's nothing..." He began before the first nibble caught his attention. "Oiy!" Ephrym let out a yelp before closing his fist around a smaller lizard creature with a long thin mouth, his fingers showing little red pricks from where tiny teeth had snagged him. Gargetiums? Baby ones? Ephrym actually chuckled as he held out the little lizard towards Yokka. "See not a big deal at all!" He teased as he pet the top of the water lizard's head, its little snaps not worrying him at all now that he saw how young it was. Who knew that they would encounter such a creature even before really reaching the island? Ephrym grinned as he slowly let the baby fall back into the water. "Nothin' ta worry about, right?"

[Ephrym 6]

"My damn mouth." Ephrym cursed before carefully making certain that all of his digits were away from the water's surface. A baby was one thing, but an angry mother? That could cost an earthling his hand on a good day! Of course he would have to jinx it by saying that everything was fine. Ephrym let out a sigh before nodding towards the oars. "I suppose we should just row ourselves to the other side of the coast over that ways instead of stoppin' here then." He joked lightly before starting to move away from the creature that was staring them down despite the little body wiggling closer towards her. Ephrym flushed slightly as he glanced towards Yokka sheepishly. Hopefully once that would be their wild encounter for the day! Probably best ta not say that one out loud. He noted before slowly and carefully steering their boat away from the gargetium and her babies.

[Ephrym 7]