The Furry Forums
Creative Arts and Media => Roleplay => Serious RP => Topic started by: Hunter_Tier on April 01, 2011, 09:36:59 PM
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Aboard the ship Barque Ingram Captain Allen's crew moved about in no real rush with their tasks. Things were going well for the freight ship captain and he was in good health with a trustworthy crew and a good ship. He was a tall and muscular male Lion who wore a sabre though never used it. Pirates rarely ever traveled the waters he frequented and if they did he and his men was prepared to not go down without a fight. His haul this time was some spices, a few supplies to some outlaying military posts and some travelers who were looking for a safe passage. Allen stood at the helm of the ship gently turning the wheel this way and that with the wind. tacking and weaving the ponderous vessel with the wind and bringing them closer to their destination. He looked out onto the deck and smiled and waived at one of the travelers. They were good creatures, a little odd and kinda ragtag none of them really having anything in common except for a couple but nothing to be overly concerned about. It was a beautiful day and the find was fair and with them.
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A feline who was leaning against the railing was looking off into, well the vast ocean. He took a glance behind himself to remain tentative to his surroundings periodically and took noticed of the captain who was waving. He returned it with a slightly lazy one as his gaze turns back to the see with a grimace. “Oceans…” he thought to himself in discuss “Water is a good thing, when you’re not spending over a week or two floating across it like an endless hell. It’s salty and not even drinkable unless you’re tempted enough to boil the water for vapor.” Shaking his head, he pulled away from the railing turning around without so much of a glance back. He then takes a moment to adjust his bandana that was tied to his head keeping most of them hidden, at least mainly the more critical areas, and moving away for a walk.
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Maleficent stayed somewhat separated from the other travelers as they all gathered. The liked to observe rather than to actually engage herself. The only thing that was even remotely bright about her day was that it was beautiful outside. She curled up on her own body, lazily bathing in the sun and listening to conversation among both the crew and the travelers that were on the boat with her. She had traveled by sea before, so she was fairly comfortable on the ship. The snake yawned, her fangs extending as she did so, then retracting as she closed her mouth with a grin. She rested her elbow on her body, then her chin on her elbow, merely watching.
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marco looked around silently, watching over both the other travelers on the ship's deck and the horizen, anxious to reach port. "OI!! get down from there!!" yelled the sailor in the crows nest at marco who was seated on top of the mast at the front of the ship. he sighed at being disturbed and stood, never looking across at the sailor. he held out his arms to his sides like a large cross, he fell forward, kicking off at the last second. he landed softly in a pile of tarp and rope a second later. he slowly walked away from the, now flater, pile and walked over to the railing near what looked like a giant snake. barely a thought of his brother in arms, forced apon him by his masters.
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Some of the crew who were fortunate enough to catch it watched the antic performance of Marco's as he leapt and landed relatively safely. Some laughed while others cheered him on or clapped him on the back in congratulations as they passed. "Ha! I bet a whole days slip of rum you couldn't do that!" "Me?!? Oh hell no! Not on your life! Now a weeks worth that might be a different story." "Are you go bucko! Show em' 'ou it's done!" Amid the general joviality of the crew Captain Allen watched slightly concerned but breathed a sigh of relief when things didn't go badly. "Performers." He said chuckling to himself. He sighed and breathed in deep the salt air. To him there was nothing like it. The freedom of the endless expanse. The giddy feeling of danger that came with being out on the open ocean and at the mercy of the wind and the waves. A feeling of bliss indeed. Night was beginning to fall and he gazed out across the sky painted in it's paint pallet of purples and golds and deep blues. The Cook was probably belowdecks right now prepairing tonight's meal for everyone, and since it was such a diverse crew he said something about fixing a special meal just for everyone. Jonathan was good like that. He loved cooking different dishes as he often complained that a single style dish for an entire crew was too bland. "There's no flavor! No spice of life!" The heavy set Sea Otter would shout. Captain Allen would stay where he was until everyone else had went belowdecks and got settled before he would appoint a night watch with the promice of bringing them their food.
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Leo couldn't help but to look up, only to catch a man dressed in white fall from such a hieight and land safely. He contemplated congratulateing the man for not breaking his neck as he rose his hands up. However when the man got up he hesitated remembering someone trying to kill him dressed in the same gear, only to be finished by the feline. He slowly lowered his hands and turned suddenly hopeing to avoid eye contact as he heads back to the rail nervously.
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drawing his sword shadow assisted Marco in the fight with the giant snake. saying a in chant his sword glows. shadow begins to fight
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"shadow, is that anyway to treat an inocent?" marco said turning around calmly, his own weapons consealed cleaverly in his armour. he walked over and calmly lowered shadow's sword with his hand before pressing his hands together and bowing to the large snake like creature. "i am sorry for my friends straight forwardness, he tends to act before thinking sometimes."
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The snake grinned, allowing her fangs to show, "I'm not worried about a little pest like that. I've had my share of brutes in my day. It all ends the same... A lot of loot for me and well... A mess for someone to clean up." She shrugged nonchalantly as if it wasn't such a big deal.
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Putting back his weapon , Shadow lowered his head and said. " Iam sorry, please forgive me" . Extending both his paws to show there are no weapons and as a sine of friend ship Shadow said " Nice to meet you, iam Shadow."
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Members of the crew began to look concerned and act nervously. Many of them didn't have much in the means of weapons but if two of the passengers were about to tie into it they were going to let them have it. Law of the open water. The person who is right is the one still standing. They were all slightly relived when the passengers lowered their weapons and everything looked like things were going to calm down. Captain Allen breathed a sigh of relief as well. He decided as soon as they were done talking he would step over and invite them all to supper below.
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"well i asure you, we carry very little in the means of loot. i am marco. and who might you be fair lady?" he said taking the serpants hand and kissing it lightly. unsure if she got a glimpse up his sleave at the covered up part of his metalic gloves which housed his hidden blades.
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Leo sighed seeing how a battle was soon avoided, and recontemplated wether or not he should come close at all. He glanched up and down the man seeing how he just might, just might not pose a threat to him and decided to come closer to the small group. "Good evening." he greeted with his hands behind his back, an old habbit of his.
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The serpent pulled her arm back, quickly, not much like being touched. "Maleficent Nightshade." She crossed her arms, eying him suspiciously. Something wasn't right about him, but maybe it was because he was being nice to her. She felt as if his niceties were a forced kindness. She nodded as if to greet them. "Marco.. Shadow." She then laid back again onto her coiled body, watching the others.
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Shadow nodes at Maleficent Nightshade. " is something wrong?" Turing slowly Shadow looked at Leo and said " good morning, nice to meet you. Iam Shadow."
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"Leo Cyrule" replied Leo with a simple curt in return, keeping his hands together behind himself. His eyes glanced over the group first the snake then the two others. "What was this bout about?" he asked curiously turning back to to shadow.
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"Oh, I don't know. I was here minding my own until this fellow pulled his sword on me." She grinned again. "Maybe he just doesn't like my speciessssss." She said exaggerating her 's' and flicking her tongue as she did so. Now that she was no longer feeling lazy from sunbathing, her tongue began to flick in and out of her mouth as she gathered everyone's scent. She rose off of her coils and finally got to what looked like a standing position.
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Shadow said." its nothing. I tend to act to hostel some times, rather then that iam a nice guy." He stuck his paw out to shake it with Leo.
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marco wandered off, to many people were paying attention to him. he wound up next to the captain. "how long till we make land? and then how long till your heading back?"
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Captain Allen chuckled and smiled. "Oh it will be quite some time I think. Possably another day or two if the weather turns bad but I don't think it will." He said with his deep rich tone. He nodded to the others and raised his eyebrows as he spoke in a lower tone. "Though I think some of our guests will be none the less sour if the fates speed us along eh?" He began to chuckle happily and waived everyone over for their attention. "Hoi! Everyone! Now it has come to my attention that we've already been out at sea for a couple of days now and I understand a ship gets pretty tiny out on the ocean after a while. That's why I asked our cook to prepair a grand meal for us all to help brighten our spirits a little. He was the fellow who was wandering around a little while back asking about certain foods you all like. Well, I've heard he's done the best he can with what he's got to prepare special meals for us all. Also, as far as the trip goes we should make landfall sometime tomorrow night if not midday the next day. Now, everyone, come and join me at the mess table. I'd like to get to talk with you all during tonight's meal. Night crew, you all know your duties, I don't have to remind you." And with that he turned around still smiling good naturedly and went to the door that led below decks.
In the galley Cook was putting the final touches on a dish that he was quite proud of. Grumbling darkly his assistants avoided him moving plates from the kitchen to the table until he raised his fists high into the air and shouted at the top of his lungs. "WHERE IS MY GODDAMN RED PEPPER! GODDAMNIT IF I FIND OUT SOMEONE PINCHED MY GODDAMN PEPPER I WILL PERSIONALLY ***Auto-Censor*** THEM UP!" Captain Allen poked his head in to view the fuming sea otter and asked calmly. "Hey, Cook, what's going on? Why all of the shouting?" Cook threw his hat on the floor and stomped it still pissed. "Someone pinched my goddamn red pepper! I just know it! When I find out who did it I'll string them up from the yard arm! I'll skin them alive with my carving knife! I'll-oop!" He said slipping and falling backwards rolling off of a can of red pepper he had in his hat. Captain Allen laughed until tears rimmed his eyes at the astounded sea otter. "The-there's your pepper Cook! I-I think you found, found it! Oh, ho, ho, ho ,ho!" Cook gave Captain Allen a look that would sour milk and snatched up the pepper and his soiled hat. "They moved it!"He said darkly while the Captain was too busy shaking his head and wiping tears from his eyes. "Ha, ha, ha. Go ahead and laugh it up. This pepper is for your plate though! If you want those fajitas to taste any kind of right you might want to quit." The Captain wiped his eyes still smiling and letting out the odd chuckle and apologized. "I'm sorry my friend. It was just so funny. So everything's nearly done then?" "Nearly? No, everything is done, and done right! This will be my masterpiece of meals! Go ahead! Go take your seat. I'll bring this out to you when it is done." The Captain smiled and nodded to his Friend and walked over to thelarge serving table ant took his seat at the head of the tableand waited on the others. Cut strips of cloth had everyones name on them and was placed on their seat for their meal.
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Maleficant nodded her head at the others, then slipped away, heading below deck. She didn't have to be told twice to go to the dining room for a free meal. She slithered down the stairs, hesitating when she heard a commotion going on, but eventually moving along after it seemed to be over. When she arrived in the dining room, she looked it over. It seemed rather nice for pirates, but then again, she knew pirates would get anything they wanted if they wanted it bad enough. She crossed her arms, taking note of the captain with a nod, slithering down the sides of the table until she found her seat.
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marco followed a few others below deck, he quickly found his seat and sat down noticing he was directly across from maleficant. he lowered his gaze and closed his eyes in a sort of prayer that he had made part of his daily rituals.
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Shadow goes down to the dining hall and takes a seat.
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marco watched as his proteshe sat down fairly un-cerimoaly. "shadow, so how are you enloying your first trip outside of the confines of the monestry?"
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Captain Allen looked around to see that everyone had gathered and smiled to them. Raising his glass in a toast he tried speaking above the talk and laughter around the table. "Everyone, everyone, I'm sorry but I just wanted to tell you all what a pleasure it's been having you all aboard. I don't know if one of you all are good luck but we've never seen fairer weather in these parts and never before have I had better company than you all. Whenever we left port I honestly had my doubts with talk of pirates and sea beasts these days but here we are not even a days way away from our destination and we're fit as a flea and twice as ornery, eh?" He said with a light hearted chuckle before going quiet and looking at everone seated and nodding to them. "I just want to tell you all what a good time I've had just in case I don't get the chance later. Now, I'm finished rambaling. Dig in!" The meals were brought out by the kitchen aids and place before their respectful owners to be uncovered before them. Foods from strange and exotic lands filling the room with a mixture of mouthwatering aromas permeated the room while Cook brought out Captain Allens food to set before him. The Captain had requested a Southern homestyle meal of meatloaf, mashed potatoes, fried okra, and mustard greens. All served with butter and spiced with cayenne pepper to give it that special Cajun kick that Captain Allen loved so much. He took his fork and picked up a bite of meatloaf and chewed reflectively in silence. Finally he reached over and wiped the corner of his mouth and looked up at Cook and smiled. "My friend, you have more than outdone yourself! Thank you!" Cook beamed and quickly turned serious as he hurried out of the dining room to hide his happiness. "Ya, well... just clean your plate! That's all the gratitude a good cook needs. Makes it easier on washin' dishes!" He called before slamming the door to the kitchen and disappearing for the rest of the night. Captain Allen shook his head in merriment and looked to everyone seated. "Ah well. Enjoy everyone!"
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Shadow nodded at Marco and said" Its better then i expected so far." Shadow rose his glass in a cheer " To the captain" he said.
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Leo rose his own cup nodding to the captain "To the captain" he started before adding after nodding to the cook "And the cook!"
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Below deck, in storage, Katie awoke and, irritated, grimaced at the sound of footfalls and noises above her. She readjusted her pillow in its spot against a rickety crate, checked to make sure her hammer and bag were still close by, and laid her head back against it with a thud. Not all gypsies were nocturnal, as not all chinchillas were either...but she certainly was of the night variety herself, and had been sleeping through this day, accommodated by the heat and the steady whurr of waves passing just below. Dinner could wait until nightfall, when she could politely beg for leftovers. Katie batted her eyes torpidly, thinking of the things she had left behind, the people she had abandoned to never see again, and of the Cards and the things they had told her...
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The snake had not been a very enthusiastic conversationalist at dinner. She didn't speak unless she was spoken to, and even then her replies seemed to be vague or paradoxical as if to shroud her true intents. The food was wonderful. She had very much enjoyed her plate of steak. She had no vegetables or other side items to speak of, just several slices of the meat itself. It was probably one of the best meals she had in a while, though part of her couldn't help but wonder if she should be weary of the Captain and his almost sugar-coated boat ride across the sea. If there was one thing she had learned as a rogue, it was that she always needed to be prepared and expect the worst of people. Often, if she could think of a way to rob someone blind or worse, she expected it knowing that she wouldn't put it past her own person if she was in the right position.
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Shadow ate the food that was provide happly, enjoying the fish the most, he drank his wine and joined in conversation. Shadow looked at the snake, " you seem quite, is something wrong?" he said. Finishing his wine he singled for more.
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Captain Allen blushed at the prase and smiled shyly looking down at his plate. He was unused to compliments of that scale, though it may seem small it was the little things that Captain Allen loved so much. When he had finished his meal he sighed contentedly and stood up after wipeing the corners of his mouth with a handkerchief. "Well ladies and gentlemen. I'm going to go to bed, I'll see you all as soon as we make landfall or you'll see me at the ships wheel at first light, which ever happens first. I bid you all goodnight." He smiled to them and nodded before taking his leave and walking out of the dining room to his quarters and shut and locked the door from the other side.
Above decks the night watch and crew looked worriedly over the waters. A storm was brewing and it didn't look good at all. With luck they would just get tossed about a little but be none the worse for wear but this one looked pretty rough. "Hmm... look at that. Whada ya think?" "Dunno." Two crewmembers spoke idally leaning out on the gunwall to peer out at the clouds. "One thing's for certain, if things get too bad go get the Cap'n. I think we'll be alright. But if not he'll know what to do." The other nodded and they both went about thier tasks for the night. Thunder rumbled and lighting streaked across the sky as the wind was just beginning to pick up around the llittle ship out in the vast ocean.
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Katie was agitated awake a second time by the newly intemperate waves beneath her. She got up, got dressed in her purple dress and adjusted its sleeves. She made sure her knife and cards were still on person, but hid her hammer and bag in one of the crates. The gypsy trusted this crew enough to not have to carry her heavy weaponry all the time. She climbed above deck groggily, finally awakening when the sight of the stars and clouds and the smell of sea salt slapped her in the face. Silently she observed the night crew and paid some of them a slightly flirtatous yet respectful nod, making her way to the railing.
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marco watched silently as the captain left, shortly after following suit he rose and went back above deck. he walked into thenight air without making asound and casualy passed a gypsy he had notticed a few nights ago. he did his usual polite bow that didn't seem to suit him when he spoke. "it's a beautiful night tonight, pity that storm shal disrupt it."
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Leo sure enough followed the rest upstairs onto the deck. He glanced around the horizon, not entirely joining the sight due to the sea. And of course to make matters worse was the evedent storm in the distance that seemed quite threatning from what the crew members implied.
Upon hearming Marco's comment Leo's eye's rolled as he came to a stop to look at the man. "Beautiful night? I sincerely apologize for my... soon to be derogative comment... but its the same night sky... every night... for the past weeks we have been on this not quite different, but the same ship, in the middle of the bloody ocean!" Obviously the feline detests the ocean.
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"beauty is in the eye of the beholder. to some a repeditive cycle of light and dark, to others, the peaceful transision between two times of war and suffering. a time where the world is still, silent, undisterbed."
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"Nothing's wrong at all." The snake said, sitting her utensils and napkin on her plate as she finished her meal. She got out of her seat and slithered upstairs, half wondering where their cabins were. She was somewhat tired, but as she entered the deck, she listened to the others' conversations. Most seemed to be absolutely fine, somewhat hopeful, however one feline was already sick of the ocean. She shrugged, silently chuckling to herself, moving towards the bow of the ship and leaning on it.
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Finshing his meal Shadow puts his fork and knife down and gets up, walking out side he looks up at the night sky and sees a storm coming.
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Swells began to rise and gusts of wind buffeted the sails as crew scrambled to secure them in the rigging. "Hurry! Go get the Captain!" A voice could be heard as the first rain began to lash the deck. A crewmember ran below bumping into others and excusing himself as he went. He stopped at the Captains cabin to raise his fist and have the door open on him. Captain Allen walked out in his heavy sea boots and blue frock coat and stepped for the stairwell that led to the main deck. "I already know." He said to the crewmember and looked at him with a worried gaze. "I need you to stay beside me if anything goes wrong. It will fall to you to make sure everyone is safe while I guide the ship." He opened the door to have a gale force wind blow in it's pushing wind and stinging rain. The captain stepped out shielding his eyes against the rain as it began to fall down in sheets and saw that nearly everyone was already outside. "Get below! Hurry before any of you all are swept away!" He shouted at them sweeping his arm and holding onto his hat with the other. He walked over the the ship's wheel and relieved the boatsun as the ship began to pitch and yaw enough to make even the most able bodies seaman queasy. "Look to the passengers! Make sure they're safe!" He shouted over the wind and rain to which the crewmember nodded vigoursly. "Aye, aye Cap'n! Oy! You lot! Come along, tis no place fer standin' about eh? Let's get you all downstairs where it's a bit drier." Lighting flashed illuminating the deck as Captain Allen fought the wheel with both hands to keep the ship on a safe course. Huge swells gave way to deep valleys on the churning waters sending salt spray washing over the deck and causing the crew to scramble to their tasks with a quickness that belied their laziness earlier that day. Oh God, please hold together. "Come on old gal, you can do it, you got this..." Captain Allen prayed under his breath as the ship took another dive to slam jarringly into another wave and right herself again to ride up another. Captain Allen was big, even for a lion. He had fought pirates he had fought storms but this was truly terrifying. It was one of the few times he truly felt fear in his life. "Have them lash themselves down..." He said to the man beside him. "Sir?" Allen looked at the man his hat long gone blown away by the winds. "Have them lash themselves down to anything that will float. Tell them to gather only what they will need and find a secure place. I'm afraid I don't know if she'll hold together much longer." The man blanched understanding what his Captain was telling him and nodded dumbly. Running he met the others and stopped them. "Cap'n says... Cap'n says... fer you all to get your things and lash yerselves down to somethin', anythin' that'll float. I don't think the Cap'n can hold 'er together much longer." Another resounding boom drowned out any sound as the ship shook from bow to stern as it hit another wave. A scream could be heard from somewhere below. "S***! S***! S***! We've cracked a timber! She's takin' water!"
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With all the chaos, Maleficant headed down below deck like she had been asked, though again, she didn't have to be asked twice to have go go on account of the weather. She quickly coiled her body around one of the posts to the mast that went above deck. She didn't like how violent the storm was getting and couldn't keep in tune to conversations as people rushed around. The only thing that should could do is keep tabs on the men above deck because of their body heat. She sensed a lot of panic, and when the man came below decks telling them to tether themselves to something, she rushed back up, getting close to the captain. Rain was stinging her scales as she did so, but if she was going to be tied to something, it wasn't going to be below deck where she could be crushed. She only managed to get herself to the captain by using her long body to coil around things until she could reach him. "Captain!" She shouted, though she was sure he couldn't hear her. She coiled her body around a few barrels, tying her lower body to them to be sure that she would float along with them if she was knocked unconscious. Just as she reached to grab the lower part of the Captain's coat to get his attention, another barrel was blown and struck her on the side of the head. "Captain! What if we're.." She drifted off, darkness dancing on the edges of her vision.
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marco was above deck before some of the others had finished going below, all his equipment in it's place as he diapeared up the ropes. he stood comfortably holding onto the post from eirlier. "from sea to sea, land to land, nature is nature, death is death. fate is pending, sealing your fate. none are above destiny!" he laughed manicly, daring the winds to chalenge him. dareing nature to best him like no other had been able to.
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Katie was below deck fetching her things at the first words to do so. She tied up her sleeves and dress so they wouldn't be a problem or danger, then grabbed her bag and slung her hammer on her bag. She then ran back upstairs and saw everyone tethering down like a great emergency....speaking a quick prayer to guardian spirits she stood near an emergency boat and tethered herself to two barrels, placing her bag inside one, and realizing if she only tied to one barrel her hammer would be too heavy and sink her if they indeed met the water.
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Leo hopped onto a nearby railing to avoid a powerful wave that threw it's self onto the deck. He stood perfectly ballanced on the railing as he hopped off once again onto the lower portion of the deck. Hearing someones voice from above causeing him to look up. "Get down from their you crazy fool!" he yelled at the top of his loungs to the assassin, before running for the door way that went below deck. He skidded to a hault seeing the snake person had been knocked unconsious so he ran to her side and slid to his knees when he was close enough.
((Assuming she is unconsious here...)
He first through his arms underneath both of the others arms and dried to drag her off that way, however he was cought by surprise from the reptiles weight. Now panicing a bit he slid his left arm underneath the stakes torso and then his right and carefully propped her up. When he had enough room he quickly moved his upper torso under the little hole and pulled his legs underneath him and pushed up, riseing to his feet very slowly, so the snake's upper body stayed on his shoulders.
Now very slowly he made his way down below the deck, struggling with the Maleficent's rediculous mass.
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Some of Shadow fur begine to puff up, " I hate it when it gets like this, were going to have a bad storm. " Shadow tried to find some one to see if they would help take down the sails , to use them to cover the ship so most of the rain will stay out.
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Captain Allen had tied himself to the ships wheel and had fought the storm bravely but he knew he was loosing. The large merchant vessel was just not built for this kind of abuse. Water began filling up the bottom deck and with all of the sloshing around controlling the vessel was becoming more and more difficult.
They say that right before you die things start to slow down, it's like you're watching a movie only you're part of it and there's not a whole lot you can do. I can tell you this, a since of calm settels over you. It's like all of the destruction and all of the trauma you are going through and things just... go away.
Captain Allen felt that calm as his ship trudged up the next wave and he knew it wouldn't make it. The water in the hold had rolled to the stern of the ship and was causing it to drag heavily in the water and tilt backwards. The wave pushed the ship over and smashed it into the water breaking it in half where it had already begun to tear from the hole that had stove it in earlier. The captain looked around seeing glimpses of his once beautiful ship floating around him and tears came to his eyes to mingle with the salt water. He looked before him and saw the blackness of the abyss and smiled serenely deciding not to untie his hands and guide his vessel all the way to her destination on her final voyage.
On the churning sea just about everyone was being tossed about like a rag doll. Shadow and Marco had become wrapped up in sailcloth and when part of a mast broke they found themselves floating somewhat safely, probably angry but safe for the moment. Leo and Maleficant had become tangled in ropes and empty rum barrels to be tossed about on their little boat, while Katie was in pretty much of the same shape. The waves ferried them away from the sunken vessel and the grave of her crew toward an island shrouded in the howling wind and stinging rain. They all washed up along the shoreline some conscious, others not. Shouting in a strange language reached their ears and a rough set of hands took them to drag them further onto the shoreline where much gentler ones worked to carry into the woods and further into a camp where lean-to's and ram shackle shacks offered some protection from the elements and warm fires were to ease the chill in their bones. "Look! Look! It's one of our sisters! Captain they are traveling with a Gypsy!" The smell of cinnamon and ashes permeated the little single room shack where the survivors were brought, but there was another scent on the air from this creature, not that of wet fur or leather but something base and coppery smelling. "Then they are fortunate. See to it that they all live. Had they been without her I would have slaughtered them all for meat." A little while later a soft voice could be heard. "He's f*****' creepy." "I know, but he's one of the last ones who's willing to help us. I think he- look! One of them's coming around!" A male and female Gypsy watched the pitifully small number of survivors as they began to stir. Five people out of a good forty something. Five people who made it. "Shhh, be calm, try not to move too much, you're safe now. We found you and your friends just a moment ago and rescued you from the sea. We've set you all's things by the fire to dry." The male said. He was a colorfully attired badger while the other was a pretty young mouse maid. "My name is Jo-Mar, and this is Vikki. We're Gypsies and are not out to harm you, you're ok, you've been through a lot by the look of things."
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Katie awoke in cold pain, still a bit shell shocked from the experience, and it was obvious she was traumatized and/or that her nervous system was tweaking from the way she jerked as she set up, the way her face twitched. She began automatically looking for her things and saying internal prayers to the gaurdians, not seeing anyone else at the moment.
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Leo's body fidgeted around as the feline finaly came to. When he was consious enough he felt a horrible burning within his longues and throat and immediately, his body reacted with a violent twitch as he rolled onto his side and hacked up a mouthful of ocean water. Slowly he wrythed onto his stomach away from the puddle all while grabbing his throat coughing looking around. "Where.... the heck" he started as his vision finally went back to normal and adjusted to the light. "Are we."
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Jo-Mar handed Leo two wine skins one of warm wine and the other of fresh spring water mixed with pulverized oats and just a little dab of honey and nodded to him. "Here, drink one of these. It will help sooth your throat. You are on what they call Rock Island. Good thing it's not all rock hungh? We were traveling when our Captain put up here for port. He's the one who rescued the better portion of you all. He'll want to meet you all later actually, he'll be over on his ship. Personally I'd wait a bit and let my body adjust a little more but it's really up to you." Vikki walked over to Katie and guided her gently over to her supplies. "Right over here hun, we set everyone's things here so they could dry and we didn't get them mixed up. Here, you should try drinking this, warm wine or oat water. Works wonders when you try to drink an entire ocean." She said sweetly. "I'm Vikki and that's Jo-Mar, we have no Bandoleer but we do have a Captain who goes by the name of Tier. Who is your Bandoleer sister?"
Away from the Gypsy camp there was an inlet thatwas sided on all sides by large consealing monoliths of stone. Rock Island was only a partally true name for the island, a bout a quarter of it was dense jungle and beach while the rest was large boulders and stone. Tier sat in his quarters aboard his ship. A former naval frigate he had her repainted a bluish grey and refitted with long range cannons and ballasts and heavy ballasts. The Vulpa opted more for stealth and suprise attacks and painting a vessel in such a manner would conseal it for a long time. Silent long range weaponry could be used to cause panic and chaos giving his crew a more keener edge while the name of the vessel, thought up as more of a joke, the name "She's One of Ours Sir!" was thought to be able to give them at least a couple seconds of confusion when they'd start firring on an enemy vessel. Tier's quarters were paneled and furnished in dark mahogany ebony "ghost wood". A bed, table strewn with maps and writings, two chaires, a bookshelf that dominated a wall, and a weapons and armor stand. He sat at the table the light of the lamp playing across his features as he brooded over the maps and manuscripts contemplating his next move. Tier was a pirate,everything he had gained had been through some form of bloodshed. His white shirt, red and black jerkin, black trousers, tall black leather seamans boots, and the numerous belts he wore all accentuated his look. Along with the numerous pistols he carried and the Brigandine armor he wore under his jerkin and the two sabres he wore. He was every inch of the once feared Vulpine pirates now long gone and most believing that they were nothing more than a myth dreamt up to frighten young cubs to bed.
He sighed and rubbed his temples. He had been walking on the beach to try to clear his mind when he saw the bodies floating out at sea. It had been him who had yelled for the Gypsies to shift themselves and help him rescue them from the sea before they drowned but now he was worried if he had made the right decision. What if one of them was an Imperial? What if one of them saw him and realized what he was and tried to kill him thinking they were "Slaying a demon" or "Doing their god's work"? He rubbed his face with the palms of his hands with a groan and looked around in his empty room. It mattered not. Time would tell soon enough.
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Maleficant rolled onto her side groggily as she came to. The smell of saltwater was heavy. She shook her head, everything seeming a blur, not quite sure where she was. The last thing she could remember was the storm. The captain must have straightened out the boat. If he did, I can't believe we survived. She snake rolled back to her back, staring upward, her vision still unadjusted. I hope this isn't anything permanent, I'd like to see. The barrel must have clobbered me good.
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"Sister?" Katie stopped a little, then looked for real. She realized the woman was a gypsy as well. "Oh, how rude of me, sister," she said bowing a little. "Blessings of the spirits....I...I know of no Bandoleer. I was merely stowing aboard the pirate vessel, stayed underground, paid little attention to names." Shaking her head a bit shamefully, she slung her hammer over her shoulder, picked up her supplies and cast a glance at poor Maleficant..."That one was truly hurt. She needs attending to more than anyone."
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marco groaned back to life. a still drenched hand reached up under his hood to rub his hidden forehead when he noticed his arm was to light.he sat up slowly, missing the slight pressure on his back that told hhim how many throwing knifes he had left, meaning there were none there. the next thing he reached foe was his swords, they were gone to. he coughed slightly, his throat raw and aching, "whoever took my blades....had better give them back......." he said as calmly as he could. not turning around but rather just staring out to see.
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Vikki smiled to Katie and nodded then looked to Maleficant when mentioned. "Oh my goodness! You right! Here hun, try not to move so much, let's get you by the fire where you can warm up, you must be chilled to the bone after being in that ocean." Gently she helped the snake over by the fire and laied a warm blanket over her to get her body temperature up. She knew Reptilians were of a cold blooded breed and relied on an external heat source for warmth and energy. Jo Mar looked over to Marco and chuckled. "Welcome to the land of the land of the living! Ha, ha! You all are a tough bunch! Don't worry Sai, your equipment is drying by the fire, we didn't want you all's things to be ruined by the salt water so we cleaned them a bit and set them out to dry. No harm done, we're only followin' orders and tryin' to help. Here, take a drink. T'will help clear your head yes? Though don't drink too much of the wine or you might find yourself right back in the same shape! Ho, ho, ho!" "Jo Mar! Not so loud, some of our guests are hurt you puddin' head!" Vikki said with mock severity. Jo Mar chuckled and nodded before taking a drink of the wine himself. Another Gypsy walked into the little shack and bowed to the two attending the group. "Captain Tier said that whenever they're ready have the ones who are fit enough to travel to walk down the path and see him on his ship. He said he wants to meet them properly in his quarters where he can explain to them a proposition that would benefit everyone involved. He told me to lead them their when they're ready."
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Maleficant layed under the blanket, still groggy. She was very appreciative when she was moved near the fire. While it didn't cure her general cruddy feeling entirely, it did improve it somewhat. She grabbed the blanket and curled up into it, further recessing into the coils of her body as she did so, taking on the appearance of a pile of blankets. She sighed. Her vision was coming back to her, but she didn't like this new place. She could feel people who were unfamiliar to her through her heat sense.
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Shadow woke up, he looked around and saw the rest " w..here... a..rr.ee w.ee" he said as he coughed up some water, i cant remember what happened.
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Leo sighed and opened one of the skins he was givin and took a quick sip only to nearly spit the contents in his mouth out when he was cought by surprise from the wine he mistook for water. Covering his mouth as he finally calmed down he swallowed the wine and took another swig from it. When he was done, he resealed the wine skin and gave an appreciative thankyou. "Who is this fellow that wants to see us again?" he asked rubbing his neck as he could still feel the scratchy salt left behind in his throat.
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The Gypsy shifted nervously from one foot to the other. "He is... our Captain. You see, we Gypsies follow a leader called a Bandoleer, well... this creature shows up one day and calls upon us using the old code. His kind pledged a life debt to ours centuries ago, and it is the same with Gypsy ways. You treat thoes good who treat you good yes? Well he called upon us and we followed. Our Bandoleer... Sai Jo Mar." To which Jo Mar nodded in acknoledgement. "Agreed to follow. I cannot say for sure what he is but he's not normal. He outlined his plan to us just as he will to you all and possably give you all a deal similar to the one he gave us because he... you'll just have to see him for yourself. It's hard to explain." The Gypsy said looking more and more nervous by the miniute. "When they're ready, when they're ready." Jo Mar said calming the youth down and shook his head. "Young ones thies days."