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Post by Zoilus on Jan 18, 2018 21:26:12 GMT
Vigo took a vigorous bite of the apple. Sour. Just how I like it.
"Don't worry about Talcary's coast. I grew up on those waters, know the natural dangers like the back of my hand, and the unnatural ones...I can see coming from a mile away." The second question had more merit. Vigo had left Bashny long before it had become a pirate haven, but judging by his experience down south, "It depends. If we come in from too far east, we can look suspicious too, trying to be too inconspicuous. Come in hugging the coast, we can say we snuck around the Alendronians, if your reputation could carry such a claim. Our merchandise will also be an issue: valuable or useful enough, and they won't put much scrutiny on us either."
"So," he said, smiling, "what'd the Commodore give you?"
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Zoz stared at the southern whore, mouth agape. Was this...really happening?
She looked at some of her own old crewmen, and they were having trouble keeping their mouths shut too. Something had to be done. She nodded to her old crew, giving them the signal to follow, spat on the southern bitch's feet and stalked off. Something would be done.
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Post by Fyremage on Jan 18, 2018 21:41:01 GMT
"Oi'll show yew moine if yew show me yours." James said with a coy grin on his face. He was just about to speak again when he could hear a commotion on the deck. He reached over and grasped his crossbow, seeing as he he didn't believe in leaving such a weapon readily accessible to a brigand he hardly knew while his back was turned, along with his quiver of bolts (which he slung across his chest), and strode over to the door of his cabin. He opened the door and proceeded out to the deck, his voice booming over the din whilst he rested his crossbow against his dominant shoulder.
"What seems to be all o' the commotion about lads?" His eyes flitted over to Smitty, who had obviously done little to defuse the situation.
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Post by Retrograde on Jan 18, 2018 23:05:54 GMT
As the captain came on deck, the crew ceased their singing. Several men were red with laughter, tears having streaked their cheeks. Rutgardt himself was grinning broadly, and rubbed his chin, looking down at the Captain from the helm. He took a moment to catch his breath.
"Nothing terrible, Cap'n. Just a bit of a dirty sea shanty to liven the crew's spirits. The Good Ship Venus, if I remember right," he said, smiling. "Good for morale."
Nawida watched the others, having calmed herself down. She had smacked the retreating woman's bottom as she walked away, but was now content to let things lay for a little bit. The stunned look on the woman's face was something special, though. She was going to remember that for years to come.
She wetted her lips, hoping somehow that the Captain wasn't a deluded egotist and had something of a sense of humour. Then again, men in power so very rarely did.
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Post by Zoilus on Jan 18, 2018 23:17:03 GMT
Vigo watched Rackham leave, and then rushed over to the lamp, and gave it just the right tug: his favorite dagger popped out of the wall, along with a small pouch of gold. He quickly readjusted the lamp and put the items in his coat's hidden pockets, and then followed Rackham outside. Had he heard the tune of his favorite shanty...?
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Zoz was getting ready to tell the boys how long they should make that southerner's death last, when the drunk finally came out of the cabin, crossbow in hand. Well, about time someone put these layabouts in their place, but it was certainly inconvenient timing for her. Ah, well. The voyage would be long, and opportunity ever abounded on this ship. No one could get away with what had just been done to her.
No one.
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Post by Fyremage on Jan 19, 2018 14:35:39 GMT
The Captain remained silent as he surveyed the crowd, a stern expression on his face as he seemingly inspected each seaman within eyesight. When it was clear he was commanding the attention of the majority, he broke his silence. "Then why did you lot stop singing, eh?!" He slapped the shoulder of one of the men nearest him, with a chorus of chuckles answering in response. James stepped further out on the deck, his right hand still on his crossbow (albeit a bit more relaxed) and his left hand resting atop his hip. "In fact, to celebrate our first day at sea, I'll see to it the group o' men who can make these fair ladies blush with song get an extra ration o' rum for the 'ole day!"
A cacophony of cheers erupted on deck, with a handful clapping the captain on his back in due course. James began with the opening verse of the next song, his voice ragged but not unpleasant to listen to, especially for the voice of a life long seaman. "There once, was a maid, from Alen-dron."
The crew soon chimed in: "Whose eyes, were as deeeeep as the sea!"
Soon enough James' and the crew's voice sung in unison the rest of the way. "Erry night the wind blows, and the seas roar aloud: I can 'ear her voiiiice calling meeeee!" The pitch seemed to rise exponentially as the chorus was broached, with the crew adding gusto to their voices:
"OOOHHH YOHO, COULD HER LEGS PART THE SEA!" The crew set about singing through the rest of the song, while James smiled broadly and returned to Vigo's side, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Shall we get back to the task at 'and, mate? The sooner we set off, the better aye?" He shot Vigo a wink as he added: "Oi'll see ifn' I can coax the sod of a cook on this boat to make us sommat proper to eat asides from apples."
He turned his attention to Smitty, and shouted loud enough to where the first mate could hopefully hear him over the song: "'AVE SOME STEW OF SOMMAT SENT TO US STRAIGHT AWAY SMITTY! AND GET US READY TO SET OFF AS SOON AS WE 'AVE A COURSE!"
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Post by Retrograde on Jan 22, 2018 2:57:01 GMT
Nawida didn't blush, but she did smile and roll her eyes, folding her arms and resting against the side of the boat. At the very least, the Captain had a sense of humour about himself. It briefly made her regret the fact that she was going to have e to end his life.
Still, she sauntered over to Rackham, smiling brightly at him "I have checked zhe rigging, Captain, and I would like to report zhat after some adjustments, it shall work just fine."
She put on a face suggesting she was eager for his approval, making herself look more innocent and pliable.
"Do you have any ozher jobs o should do, Captain?"
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Post by Zoilus on Jan 22, 2018 23:55:48 GMT
The southerner sauntered up to Rackham, her words all drenched in honey, and Vigo could only roll his eyes. It was all so transparent, wasn't it? Did she really think one captain at the lowest point in his career was really the best friend she could make, looking as she did? How desperate was she?
But whatever. She was a matter for another day. "That would be for the best, yes, this was a nice little distraction. Really put the wind back in my, ah, sails, you know? Though I thinks some real stew will do a better job!" Vigo was just about turn around to head back the cabin, when she caught his eye. Zoz. His first mate, wife and co-conspirator of many, many, long years, and she had a look in her eye that was unmistakable: cold, murderous fury.
Vigo sighed. This was going to be a long, difficult, trip.
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When Zoz caught Vigo's eye, she expected more than just a sigh. Who the hell did he think he was? They needed to talk, and he was crawling back into the drunk's cabin? Fine. Whatever. If he wanted to play the coward, that left all the more room for her to step up.
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Post by Fyremage on Jan 24, 2018 14:55:29 GMT
James clapped Vigo on the back once again as they made to proceed back into the cabin. Yet, James had noticed a change in Vigo's demeanor as he locked eyes with the Southron woman that seemed to be the recipient of the crew's jesting. He smiled broadly and leaned in to Vigo, speaking in a hushed tone: "I think she knows yew, mate."
His attention was redirected to Niwal who addressed him, asking for any further tasks. He nods over to Smitty: "He'll get you squared away, love." When she turned to face the first mate, he gave her a brief slap on the arse JUST before he strode over to the woman, stopping a few feet away. He gave the woman a nod, and said: "A pleasure to 'ave such fine company on the ship. The name's Captain James Rackham."
For some reason, his grin just wouldn't go away. "Who mi' yew be, love?"
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Post by Retrograde on Jan 24, 2018 18:18:06 GMT
For the briefest of moments, Nawida had felt the slightest sliver of pity for James Rackham. There had even been a part of her that had considered cancelling her contract to kill him. That was all withered into dust the moment that he struck her bottom. A surge of seething hatred bubbled up inside her, and it took every ounce of restraint not to free the dagger from the inside of her shirt and filet the man. How dare he ever touch her in such a way? She was the daughter of the Hand of the Dragon!
She forced herself to calm down, taking the moment to breathe before she moved over to the Captain’s first mate. Idly, she rubbed where the Captain had slapped. It stung, although he hadn’t hit that. No man had hit her there since her father had spanked her as a child for disobeying him. It made it all the more humiliating that the Captain had felt it was good to do so, especially since he was not all that much younger than the Hand of the Dragon.
Rutgardt looked up at her, and then blinked. “Why’re you poutin’?”
She shook her head. “It is nozhing. Please, do you have any job for me to do?”
He mused for a moment. “Well, most of everything’s being taken care of. Still, you’re a southerner, right?”
She nodded briskly.
“Well then, why don’t you help out with the maps, if you can. If you know the waters.”
A slow smile spread across her face, and she nodded vigorously. “Zhis, I can do.” With that, she marched off towards the captain’s cabin where the maps would be.
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Post by Zoilus on Jan 24, 2018 21:28:19 GMT
"Well, I've been to a lot of ports in my day. With a face like mine," Vigo gave Rackham a grotesque smile, "you leave behind a few broken hearts!" He let loose a cackle and stalked back to the maps, ready to get back to work. He was quite surprised when it wasn't Rackham that followed a few minutes later, but the southerner, the runaway concubine.
"Well...you had to sail far to get here, no? You must know something about these waters."
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Zoz watched the drunk approach her, apprehensive. What could he possibly want with her? Besides the obvious, of course. And then he asked. Her name? Easy enough.
"Zoz, once of Izhen, now a conscript on this mad mission. That's who I am. Or it's what's left of all that I used to be." She gave him a scowl, and tilted her head. "Enough for you?"
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Post by Fyremage on Jan 26, 2018 14:57:35 GMT
His grin grew all the more wider. This woman, named Zoz, wasn't nearly as attractive as the other woman, Siracha-zihadi, but she had some fight in her as could clearly be seen. "I rarely 'ave enough, love." He paced around her slowly, his eyes scanning all about her. As he nearly completed the loop, he asked again: "And what is it you used to be? A dancer? A fisherman's wife? A..."
His voice dropped to a more roguish tone, leaning closer almost instinctively. "Courtesan?"
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Post by Retrograde on Jan 26, 2018 19:05:13 GMT
Nawida looked to Vigo, sizing him up. She was still furious that Rackham had decided he was allowed to touch her person in such a way. The things she wanted to do to him were beyond cruel. There were techniques she learned that would keep him alive for days even as she took him apart piece by piece. But no, the method of death was specified by her client and besides, she didn't have her tools with her.
"Yes, the sout' is known to me. I had to take a boat up from my home in Pherai." She saw no problem in sharing her actual home city, doubting the man could piece anything together. She knew the southern waters well enough, and it helped she had pilfered a map some time ago from a drunk back in Shtokol of the treacherous water ways. Of course, there were many fakes out there, so there was no guarantee anything was certain.
"So it seems we shall be working togezher, no?"
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Post by Zoilus on Jan 26, 2018 19:40:10 GMT
Zoz could not believe what she was hearing. What had she done, that Artis would inflict a day like today on her, such people as the Beetle's new crew? It was beyond torture, a glimpse of hell itself!
"A wife, yes, and that's all you need to know. Do you insult all your new crewmates so? Do you think my honor is so cheap?" She really was furious now. "If you'll excuse me, captain, I still have work to do." And she stalked off: arrangements had to be made.
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"So it seems," Vigo said, taking the peace offering. But she seemed to really be enraged, and it wasn't hard to guess why...he'd seen the little scene with Rackham. Perhaps she could help with more than cartography?
"You know, I saw what Rackham did to out there. Disgraceful display. And you what else? The Alendronians took this ship from me, and gave it to him." Vigo licked his lips, "So: what would you say to teaching our dear captain to keep his dirty hands off what doesn't belong to him?"
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Post by Fyremage on Jan 26, 2018 20:03:51 GMT
The Captain stood there and watched as the woman stormed off, glancing over at Vigo and Serattaziati, who seemed involved in conversation. While it was clear some in his new crew carried a poor opinion of him, it had seemed it was to his desired effect. Contrary to the thought he was a complete dolt, he had actually learned quite alot. From the deadly stares Zoz had given the good Navigator, to the fact Vigo was still staring at him - it was clear by the woman's response that the pair were man and wife. And while that was all the Captain could surmise at this time, something had set off his instincts about the pair. Were they in league with Ms. Spaghetti Ziti? Was she perhaps so interested in joining the crew to set them free? Or perhaps something else?
He didn't know much else for now, but he would truly be a fool to do nothing about it. He casually strolled over and up to the Quarterdeck, walking up to Rutgardt and leaning in with his usual smile. He got the man's attention, and shugged over at the Izhen woman named Zoz: "Yew see that woman there, mate?" He said in a low enough tone to not be overheard, but loud enough for Smitty to hear him. "Oi go' a bad feeling about 'er and the pair conspiring at the cabin door."
He nodded over to Vigo, but in a manner that wouldn't necessarily draw attention to anything other than perhaps the Captain was speaking about some section of the ship that needed attention. "Have someone yew trust keep an eye on them two, and the Southern woman too. Sommat smells rancid an' Oi don't intend to repeat what happened to us in Dramarch, you can lay to that. Mayhaps... discretly look to see if anything be unusual in their luggage?" During this conversation, James' body language remained his usual self.
He nodded at Smitty, and turned about, walking toward Vigo and Sicariazohadi. "Well then, shall we get to it then?"
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Post by Retrograde on Jan 26, 2018 20:48:00 GMT
Nawida analyzed the man for a moment, and her spite almost got the best of her. However, she reined it in at the last moment, and she smiled at Vigo. It was useful to know at the very least that she had another resource. Still, he was a resource that clearly had to be guided, to be managed or else things could backfire.
“I would be very careful about what I say out loud, mister,” she said quietly. Gently, she tapped the side of her nose, and watched as James Rackham approached, her mouth forming into a smile.
“Yes, Captain, I am ready to get started.”
She waited for one of the men and decided to expedite her plans for removing the captain from this plane of existence now that she knew the former master of the ship was on her side. All she needed now was something to drink and the plan could be put into action before anyone could suspect a thing.
It would be good to see Rackham choke to death.
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Rutgardt nodded to James, and called over two of the boys, Bunker and Stahl. Both were as thick as a rock with a head wound, but they had been with him since the days in Rjillund and they were able to do what they were told. They looked at him expectantly, and seemed to at least understand what he was asking of them. They were to inspect the luggage of the suspicious persons aboard the ship and report back to them. For Bunker, it was Zoz and Vigo. For Stahl, it was Nawida.
They moved quickly. Bunker disappeared into the quarters, and went first for Zoz’s. She was a pretty lady, maybe she had something sexy in there. He crept through the darkness, keeping to the shadows of the ship’s belly. He had been a mugger once, and knew how to keep himself quiet.
Stahl, on the other hand rushed for Nawida’s things. He told himself that he was lucky, he was a right professional, and that it was like being in one of those adventure stories. He crept towards the hammock, knowing he was safe as long as the woman was with the captain. Her things were not hard to find, being a simple black bag next to her assigned hammock. He dug into it, pulling out objects.
There were a few pairs of breech-cloths, and more than a few pretty looking outfits. Nothing suspicions in that. Then he came upon a box. He thought he had found the jackpot. He opened it up, and was saddened to find it was only a make-up kit. He frowned, looking over the contents, and sighed to himself. At least he could have a little fun, no? He took the eyeliner brush, and started “applying” the eyeshadow (it seemed to have no actual makeup on it). That’s when he felt something prick his eye. He stopped, and dropped the eyeshadow brush.
“Oi! Wh—” That’s when it gripped him. The sensation of suddenly being very, very drunk. It came on him so fast. He stumbled, the room swirling, at which point he felt himself drop onto the hammock. He was glad. He didn’t want to fall on the floor and hit his head. He realized then that perhaps he should sleep it off.
He passed out.
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