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Post by Asinity on Jan 5, 2018 19:55:34 GMT
Try as she might, the auburn-haired woman couldn't break the manacles. Cold sweat covered her form as she burned every muscle and pushed against the iron that dug into her wrists. It was useless. No matter how much she bared her teeth, how deeply she dug into her will, how badly she fought against the restraints, nothing ever worked. She could expel every ounce of energy and still make as much headway as a snail across a desert.
It was hopeless. She was a wife, not a warrior. She had strength to roll flour, not break iron manacles meant to hold brutes and brigands. Yet as tears streamed down her face, the young woman pulled at her shackles until her wrists bled. A hot fury burned within her chest and refused to be put out. With her last pull, the auburn-haired woman growled like a wolf mother protecting its pups.
You'll never break me.
Rooney's body jerked uncontrollably as she awoke in a rush. Her eyes shot open, and she gasped in shock. Where was she? Left, and right. She's on a bed. A bed...in a tavern room. In Orleans.
The admiral's chest emptied, and she closed her eyes. You're fine.
After a short moment, Rooney got up from the bed and moved to get dressed. As she pulled on her trousers, the woman groaned at nothing. The nightmares weren't as frequent as they used to be, but every now and then they liked to pay her little visits. Their return this morning felt out of place, following a rather merry evening the night before. Her crew would be able to tell right away that it had been a bad morning, but today Rooney would try much harder to shake herself from the bad thoughts.
A waft of salty air filled her lungs as Rooney stepped out of the tavern. The sea glimmered in the mid morning sun, and already her crews were stumbling into the Rumbrave vessels. Checking knots, looking for leaks, and oiling the weaponry. Her head was still a bit groggy from slumber, but Rooney had sailor's feet. The motion of the waves didn't bother her as she stepped onto her flagship, the Bruiser. A heavy carrack designed and sold by a Luskan merchant, it was purchased by Rooney specifically to serve as the helm of her fleet, and as a symbol for their entry into the privateer business. The previous captain's ship was consequently burned at sea off of the Rjillish coast, with little ceremony.
She ran her hand along the polished dark wood of the railing, and inhaled deeply. Salt, oil, and fish were thick upon the air, and the familiar scents helped calm the privateer admiral. As she looked out at the other ships, the Zephyr, Commodore Bellon's flagship, came into view. A mighty vessel in its own right, the ship wasn't docked too far away from her own. Perhaps a mid morning visit to the commodore would help take her mind off of things, and show solidarity with her new client. And, of course, give Rooney an excuse to get a firsthand look at an Alendronian war vessel. The woman smirked as she turned on her heel and made her way off of her ship.
Orleans was organized enough, for a heavily-trafficked port. Of course many newcomers wandered aimlessly on the docks as they tried to get their bearings, but many filed along the planks with purpose in their steps. Rooney was one of these. After she finally reached the Zephyr, the guards seemed to recognize her almost immediately, and she was allowed on board. Even further, she was escorted all the way to the Commodore's quarters. The privateer admiral was a bit slow going, and the guard had to slow his pace several times as she took long gazes at various parts of the vessel. The walk, however, was helping to put a smile on her face.
When the man opened the door for her, Rooney carried her warmed smile through the doorway and entered the room with her hands clasped together behind her.
"Mornin' commodore," she greeted, and nodded her head respectfully. "Hope I'm not intruding on anything."
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Post by Zoilus on Jan 5, 2018 22:43:51 GMT
Bellona sat in her office, trying to recover from her meeting with Rackham and his disgusting confederate. She was starting have doubts about authorizing this infiltration at all, but in for a penny, right? There were still some reports left to complete and inventory to manage before the fleet set out, but before she could get into her work, Bellona heard the sound of boots on the deck, marching right for her door. Which idiot captain was it now? Raoul? Apion? de Rochelle?
It was quite a surprise when Admiral Rooney steeped through the door. Bellona gave her a warm, but professional, smile. "Morning to you too, Rooney. You aren't intruding at all, I'm still recovering from Rackham's briefing, if we can really call it that." Bellona rolled her eyes.
"You are an unexpected surprise, though. What did you want to discuss?"
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Post by Asinity on Jan 8, 2018 21:50:32 GMT
The privateer admiral raised her eyebrows in visible amusement, and smirked knowingly.
"I don't think I could stand him as long as I could smell him," she rattled off, reassuringly. "Hope it went better then it sounds."
Rooney took a moment to glance around the commodore's quarters, as the woman asked why she had come. Her own quarters weren't nearly as organized as the scene laid out before her, but it was clear that both of the women had their business in order. Perhaps if the contract paid well enough, she might hire someone to get her quarters as tidy as Bellona's, or at least give herself the time to personally attend to the task.
"Well I'd be lying if I said I wasn't trying to get a look at your ship," she admitted, as her gaze fell back on the commodore. "But I wanted to see if you'd like to inspect me fleet, if you had a fancy. Get an idea of what you've got to work with. The Bruiser's docked just down the way, and me crew's already giving her a once-over."
A thought entered Rooney's mind that perhaps the meeting with Rackham may have put Bellona in a sour mood, so she tried to sound as professional as she could.
"Of course if you're busy, that's well and good," she added. "I was going to make the rounds today and then see about getting some better equipment while we're in Orleans."
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Post by Zoilus on Jan 8, 2018 23:02:06 GMT
Bellona was intrigued: she didn't let her subordinates leave port without inspection, but few outright invited her to come and take a look. Initiative and confidence like this were unfortunately rare among her own officers, but that's why she was the Commodore and they weren't, eh?
"Hardly too busy, Rooney, hardly," Bellona said with a grin, "I had intended to see your ships for myself anyway, an offer like this is convenient and appreciated. And don't worry about supplies, Rooney, send me a list and I'll have it all requisitioned for you. Unless you're looking for something...custom?" Bellona thought it over, "If that's the case, I can recommend you to several discrete and efficient suppliers. They'll give you the proper discount for a friend of commodore. Now...."
Bellona had noticed Rooney inspecting her cabin, and decided to humor her a bit more. Trust in this business was important. "Before we head off...there's quite a lot you can tell about a woman by looking at her ship, eh? The Zephyr open to an inspection from you now, if you want it. The better we understand each other, the better the campaign will operate, I think."
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Post by Asinity on Jan 10, 2018 4:49:04 GMT
Rooney could hardly believe her ears. By how professional the business went the day before, the privateer had been certain that her relationship with the commodore would be fairly distanced. An offer not only to have her crews supplied at no cost, but also a firsthand look at a strong Alendron carrack...the auburn-haired woman couldn't help but feel something happening between herself and Bellona. She wasn't sure just what it was, but clearly the woman was being more than a little accommodating, to say the least. Rooney did her best to hide her surprise, though her cheeks reddened a little of their own will.
"My thanks for the supplies, commodore," she enthused, with a warm smile. "And if you're offerin', I'd love to have a look around. I can already tell you keep a tight ship."
The words almost felt awkward as they spilled from her lips, but Rooney tried to ignore the feeling. As she waited for Bellona to make her way over to her, the auburn-haired woman took a glance at the captain's quarters of the vessel. On the walls, she noticed some medals of some kind, and a painting of a red-haired girl. Some sparse decoration as well adorned the floor and the woman's desk, and a small bit of paperwork was in front of her. Simple enough, but the painting stood out to Rooney as something more...personal. A moment of conflict passed as Rooney wondered its significance, but the art itself was of extraordinary quality. She'd be hard-pressed to recall seeing something similar.
"Pretty painting," she thought aloud, her hands still clasped together behind her. "Been meanin' to get something like that for me own quarters. Hard to find a piece like that, though."
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Post by Zoilus on Jan 10, 2018 19:41:51 GMT
Hard indeed. The painting had been a gift from Jove -Iudicael-, about a year ago, commissioned from one of the rising artistic talents of Avindril's university at what had to be an immense (but still unspecified) cost. The only problem he'd mentioned in the letter was getting poor Oriana to sit still long enough, though, and how did he put it? The results are worth it, no?
They had been, yes.
Bellona shook her head, focusing on the present. "Yes, thank you. That's a portrait of my daughter, a gift from her father and, ah, stepmother. I don't get to see her as often as I'd like, but this helps keep her on my mind, you know?" Bellona gave the painting a wisful look, and turned back to Rooney, "What sort of painting were you looking for? Once we've succeeded, you'll be able to afford to commission any artist in Avindril. They may do it for free, if we pull this off well enough."
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Post by Asinity on Jan 12, 2018 3:20:51 GMT
She's a mother, Rooney thought. Bellona was turning out to be quite the unique individual.
Almost immediately the privateer admiral thought of her own children, and imagined a portrait of them hanging in the captain's quarters of her own ship. Her heart immediately ached, and she felt her pulse begin to beat a little faster. The woman bit her lower lip for a moment as she suppressed the feeling, and inhaled a deep breath. She pushed through the feeling and put on another smile.
"S'pose I'll have to think on that one, Miss Bellona," Rooney expressed, and put her hands on her hips. "I'll think on it on the way to Bassania."
The woman turned on her heel slightly, as though getting ready to go outside and look at the ship.
"It seems like we're proper ready for this, aye?" Rooney thought aloud, conversationally. "Rackham is an off card to play, but if the word is true, he'll get us what we're looking for."
She had no idea, of course, if the word was actually true. But if he was crazy enough to actually try it, only a pirate such as him could make it work.
"Is it just us that you're hiring?" the privateer asked. "Didn't think you just sent a letter to me, but I'm curious if there are others."
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Post by Zoilus on Jan 12, 2018 4:31:35 GMT
Bellona smirked, "You want to know if you have any competition, Miss Rooney?" and gave a knowing look before continuing, "Don't worry, you're our primary hired naval component, and frankly, that makes you the most important of the mercenaries. Free companies are easy to come by. Fleets like yours? Less so."
She turned around, pacing over to give one of her medals a better look. "Your confidence in Rackham is reassuring, but I'm not sure I share it. I look a gamble with him, and if things get out of hand before we arrive...Things will be more difficult. We certainly won't be defeated, but it will be more difficult." She sighed. "But that's out of our hands now. Best we can do is prepare...and that's what you're here to do, yes? Getting to know each other's fleets will be excellent insurance."
Bellona walked out the door to the ship proper, leaving it open for Rooney to follow.
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Post by Asinity on Jan 16, 2018 5:21:47 GMT
Rooney couldn't help but admire the woman's forward nature; Bellona wasn't only someone she could model herself after, but the commodore's confidence was reassuring, at the very least. Attractive, at the most? There was kind of feeling there, though presently it was like a clam in the drift. She was indeed a beautiful woman. The privateer couldn't imagine why her husband had let her go. Perhaps the confidence had been too much for him? Rooney shrugged off the thought, though the woman calling her "miss" did make her grin.
"Well I'm flattered," the auburn-haired woman admitted, as she walked out onto the deck. "But glad to hear me and the boys' reputation has been well-received. Wasn't easy to turn 'em into what they are now, but...well, it's been a road, that's for sure. Or a course. Whichever you prefer."
The privateer admiral grinned genuinely as she inhaled the salty air once again. She looked out at the long deck of the carrack, and braced her hands on her hips. Bruiser was a fine ship in and of itself, but the Zephyr was another breed entirely. For a moment, the thought entered her mind of what it would be like to command such a vessel. Be some kind of medal-wearing, tight-suited captain of a national navy. Not that her work wasn't honest, of course, but working for someone else with the titles, duties, and everything else that came along with it...that was something completely different. If she was being truthful, Rooney might sell her fleet to the last penny for a job like that. Sure, it'd be stuffy enough and come with its own baggage, but along with that came security. A home. Time off. The woman smiled.
Would be nice.
She glanced over to Bellona, not yet realizing the grin was still on her face.
"She's definitely a flagship," Rooney enthused. "Reminds me a little of her captain. Clean cut, polished. Crew looks proper. How's she sail?"
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Post by Zoilus on Jan 16, 2018 23:47:50 GMT
The Zephyr was all that and more. Bellona was first assigned to her as Lieutenant, right out of the Academy, when it had still been Vice-Admiral Aleagand's flagship. He had done his best to run a tight ship, but with the war and the other vessels under his command, he didn't have the time or inclination to keep her in order: that was for the officers below his paygrade. Bellona had done everything in her power to keep it that way too; the less Aleagand had to worry about, the more he could focus on the big picture, and the more pleased he'd be with his subordinates. She had managed to take charge of every part of the ship but his office, and when he...passed, the ship passed to her without much trouble. This ship was her life, nearly an extension of herself. So, Rooney's comments were gratifying, to say the least.
"She is indeed. I've served on her for eleven years or so, first as one of the deck officers, if you can believe it," she said, with a hint of wistfulness. "In all that time, she's sailed like a dream, despite the circumstances that occasionally pop up in our profession. Storms, enemy fleets, damn scurvy once, but she's always kept together. She does require maintenence, of course, along with trained crewmen and the...right," she glanced at Rooney, "commander, but it all comes down to treating her well. Do that, and she'll sail the length of Trevast and back, fighting all the way."
Had it been her imagination, or was Rooney looking at her a little...differently? Rooney was impressing her more and more, but if there was something else, well, best to let it play out. She had an air about her, a brusque but informed confidence that was all too rare. Bellona was curious how that would change on her ship?
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Post by Asinity on Jan 18, 2018 19:24:04 GMT
"Sounds like you've got a good handle on her," Rooney thought aloud. "Eleven years, too, that's quite a while. Same crew for all that time?"
The auburn-haired woman ran her hand along the railing of the ship, and looked down toward the far end. Not much bigger than the Bruiser. Both would serve well in the coming days. She had only a faint idea of what the pirates might bring to bear in terms of the quality of their fleet, but she imagined the fighting could get bloody. Her own crews were trained in close combat as well as how to operate the springalds and mounted crossbows, but on their home turf the Bassanians might fight a little harder. Play tricks, or use defensive maneuvers. The Rumbraves would be put to the test.
Rooney inhaled a deep breath, and let it go. She was eager to get underway. The planning stages were important, and the more information they gathered would help them all in the long run, but the Rjillish woman always felt restless during such times. Like a hungry wolf awaiting its chance to snatch a hare up, for its first meal in a long time. Her crews would be the same. They wanted to get paid above all else, and the opportunity for plunder, or a bonus of some kind, helped to drive their appetites. Most of the time this was good, though Rooney had to step in on a few occasions to reprimand overbearing crewmen. With her, it didn't take much.
With a smile to help contain her eagerness, the privateer admiral gestured to a Luskan carrack about a five minute walk away.
"If you're ready, I'd be happy to show you the Bruiser," she offered. "And the other ships in me fleet, if you're so willing."
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Post by Zoilus on Jan 18, 2018 21:44:34 GMT
"There aren't many that have been with the Zephyr as long as I have, let's put it that way. The officers get promoted, the crew retire or get shifted around, and we've been in some good scrapes. Lost more than a few." She remembered Aleagand with those bolts in his face, the old cook burning....different crew, yes.
When Rooney gestured to her own carrack, Bellona was a bit surprised. The Habormaster hadn't informed her that the Rumbraves were this close to the bulk of her own forces. Still, it made sense: Rooney would need to be brought up to speed, included in planning, and integrated as well as possible into the task force in the short time they had before they set out. Bellona certainly didn't mind being a bit...closer to Rooney, but she was concerned about how the Alendronian captains and officers would react to this. She knew many of them resented the mercenaries' presence, believed that hiring them was a slight against them by the admiralty....it was a problem but not one that could be solved today.
"The moment arrives, then?" Bellona gave the Bruiser a better look, "I've become quite curious about your ship, seeing it should be very enlightening. Now, which other ships in your fleet would like to show me? The stand outs?"
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Post by Asinity on Jan 22, 2018 2:40:30 GMT
"Sounds like my crew," Rooney admitted, and clasped her hands together behind her. "A few of the original members still sail with me, but most have gone their own way."
The auburn-haired woman followed Bellona's gaze onto her flagship, and she narrowed her eyes upon its form. Her crew was still going through the necessary inspections, though they would be finishing with them shortly, so now was as good of a time as any to show the commodore what she had to offer. Briefly, Rooney gave pause to think upon the other ships that might interest Bellona. The only other she could think of was the heavy carrack that had been with the Rumbraves the longest. A sturdy Routaille vessel that its captain had named after a women, as most men are wont to do. The thought made her grin, faintly.
"There's one or two I could show you, aye," the woman admitted. "After you see the Bruiser, might take a short walk to the Louisse. First heavy carrack I bought for the Rumbraves, an' she's still in great condition. Took a few bolts to her side when we took on pirates, but I didn't wait long to fix her. Her captain's a decent seaman, makes sure he keeps her in good shape. He know what I expect."
Rooney looked back toward Bellona, her somewhat wild hair lifting in the sea-swept breeze.
"Think you'll be happy with what you see, commodore," the woman declared, her eyes narrowed to shield them from the rising sun.
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Post by Zoilus on Jan 23, 2018 0:11:00 GMT
"It's as good a view as any from here, Rooney," Bellona smirked, "but a ship always has a few hidden surprises for those who look close, no?" Bellona walked over to the Zephyr's gangplank, motioning Rooney to follow. "We can start making our way now, if there's nothing left here you want to see. I am eager, but won't deny any reasonable request while we're still aboard."
Rooney hadn't spoken much about her captains and officers, other than assurances on their talent, and meeting one of her more trusted subordinates might be a better gauge of Rooney and her fleet than just an inspection of her flagship. The Louisse. Routais? A revolutionary defector, perhaps? Bellona new exactly what to expect from their type, given the significant number the Alendronian fleet decided to take in: arrogant, aggressive, more concerned with promotion than performance...ugh. A few had been rehabilitated, but it took time.
Hopefully not one of them, then, she thought. She took a deep breath, tasting the sea air, and turned back to Rooney.
"Stay or go, then?"
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Post by Asinity on Jan 25, 2018 5:05:15 GMT
The auburn-haired woman hesitated on the edge of the ship, and a smirk found its way onto her lips. With a hand on her hip, she looked appraisingly at Bellona. Hidden surprises, she thought. Rooney's countenance betrayed her curiosity, though the woman seemed to tense up slightly in her posture.
"I can't turn down a surprise," she declared in a measured, but intrigued tone. "Fleet's not going anywhere. We've got time...I've got time."
What was she saying? Rooney felt her heart beat a bit faster, and took a brief glance at the Zephyr's crew to see if anyone had been looking her way. Part of her felt a bit vulnerable at that moment, in the presence of such a confident, forward person like Bellona. Not that she wasn't similar, of course, but never had she met someone who fit such a form. Rooney stepped to the side, and smiled at the white-haired woman.
"Lead the way, Commodore," the privateer admiral enthused, while keeping eye contact with Bellona.
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