Closed Pirates of the Hard Nox [archive]

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UMBRASIGHT

“She’s been taking the long way back I think. Fruit on the lower isles turning ripe this time of year and he’s getting tired of dates.” Though thinking of, hadn’t Soren been handing out apples half a week ago, back before the raid? Shame him, but it wouldn't be a waste to see if there was anything worth pulling out of the stores from his last stocking of the larder. “Think of, should add that to the list, see how he likes some dried apple, likes the fresh well enough, practically licked your fingers off that one time.” She flashed a toothy grin, for just a moment before it vanished. Nessa picked her way easily through the chains, though she kept her pace to the one that Juniper set.

Nessa stepped out onto the deck when Juniper asked about her mother, her face tightening though that could have just been the sunlight. She took her steps a little longer as she headed for the gangway, though who's to say that wasn’t just her distaste for being in the sun? She looked back over her shoulder to Juniper, a slight squint to her eyes as she looked over the sorceress’ face. Nessa nodded faintly, seeming to have decided something.

“She’s well. Trying to learn her letters, sent her coin for it ‘while back. Been saving to move lately, west side’s been rough the last few years.” Nessa’s expression soured, and she looked at the gangplank. “Merchant-Barons always after more than their worth.”
 
SHODDYPRODUCT

The small grin, brought on by the memory of Nessa's small companion, faded as the conversation continued. They weren't sure if it was their expression, their tone, or... Something else, but the energy had most certainly shifted. The point that truly drove it home was the remark on the Merchant-Barons of her home. They had heard of their greed, their disregard for life. As they drew even with the woman, Juniper paused at the gangplank, half turning their head to look at Nessa. With a sigh, they nodded.

"It seems some people are just like that, and there seem to be more and more of them as of late. Suppose that's why we exist, though. Hard to be a merchant, or a baron, much less both, when you've had all your coin ripped from your possession," they said with a shrug, before taking the first steps down towards the beach. "If there's any sort of justice, we'll head to there sometime soon. For now, though, I think you're doing the best you can to help your mom. I'm sure she appreciates it." They flashed a smile again, hoping to lift her spirits. Nessa still had family, and if they could help it, she would get to treasure that family for much more time to come, even if from a distance. The weight of what money she did receive from the Fen Manor raid pulled on their belt, and for a moment, they considered pitching in to Nessa's fund. Something to bring up once they had finished the time in town, they supposed, considering they were not fully certain what all they would be getting, or how expensive it may be.
 
HIGHVOLTAGE

He had no doubt that the Captain’s orders had not been to expressly give the mongrel Lucien’s clothes, but Caleb certainly had a way of twisting orders to suit his own ends. Lucien raised an eyebrow slightly at Caleb’s answer, his supposed brilliant plot to allow the Hard Nox to escape from the clutches of Solomon King.

“Of course, only a talented quartermaster could successfully pull off such a bold move.” Lucien’s praise rang hollow, the knowing glint in his eyes matched with the smirk tugging at his lips.

The mutt piped up from the back, barking at Alys about granting him his freedom. The vampire rolled his eyes. Perhaps they could sail early, and leave this one in town. After he had gotten his clothes back.

“Although I will admit,” Lucien’s voice dropped. “I do not envy your position of handling the pup.”
 
ILLIRICA

The crewmates chatted amongst themselves as they made their way towards the city. There were times when Sinéad would have joined in, but this particular trip she stayed quiet, merely listening. There was discord being sown, here and there, and she needed to be aware of it in order to keep things under control. The animosity between Caleb and Lucien was growing ever stronger. Ordinarily she'd suggest both of them go get laid and get it out of their system, but that hardly worked for Lucien, and it just made Caleb smug.

Perhaps she should have discouraged them, but if they didn't have each other to take shots at, they'd both be taking shots at her. A necessary argument, in favor of self-preservation.

Leo seemed to be fitting in better than she had expected, given his initial introduction. She'd been concerned he was going to proposition half of the women on the ship and end up having Alys and Nessa conspire to hang him upside-down from the main mast until enough of the blood drained out of his nethers that he wouldn't try it again soon. The boy was like a puppy, though. People always felt bad about kicking puppies, and preferred someone else do it while their backs were turned.

Juniper seemed to be doing better - that was one thing to the positive. Sinéad had noticed the caster's near-despair when they had returned from the Truth Teller, but over the last few days they seemed to be healing from whatever invisible wound they had been dealt. She was keeping an eye on them anyway, out of concern, but they seemed to be mending for now.

And Emer and Emryk were likely to be married by sundown at this rate. She found that amusing, although if Emryk stole away her best medicine woman, Sinéad was going to have to raze what was left of his lands. From the sound of it, it would be an easy job. She had learned a great deal about Emryk in the last few days, mostly because one of the things that they had stolen from the Truth Teller had been his journal. She'd read through the whole thing, of course, angsty teenage moments included. It had given her a few ideas on how to handle him, and what he might be interested in. Baron though he might have once been, they both had a few things they might agree on.

The foliage of the forest broke, revealing the roads and streets of Allegria, all of which were busier than usual, and currently being bedecked with ribbons and streamers and the first early festival. This was not at all what Sinéad had expected to see, but a quick glance around offered the suggestion that this was a standard spring festival that they'd stumbled onto.

"Well, here we are," she announced, garnering the impressions of her crewmates. "Good timing, I think. I'll have to thank Sol for his assistance."
 
FANG

Leo plucked the offered prize from Alys’s palm and rolled it over in his fingers as he looked into the branches of the trees. ”I clean, no need to thank me for it. His gaze fell to Caleb and his companion, their surreptitious glances noted silently. Absently Leo rolled the glass over his fingers and turned to Alys. ”Who is that man with Caleb?” Leo looked down at his clothes for an instant. ”He moves like me; like a predator.”

Despite the aristocratic air Leo could see the measure of the man’s steps, the way his eyes scanned the trees just as Leo’s did. Where Leo found curiosities the pale man looked only for his prey, though Leo couldn’t guess what his prey might be. The clipped way that he spoke to Caleb, eyes darting around and hand resting ever near the blade at his side; they all told Leo to be wary.

”If I didn’t know any better,” Leo started, covering his study with more words. ”I would think he’s on the verge of killing us all.” He couldn’t help but wonder how often people thought that of himself. Emerald flashes darted between his fingers as the glass rolled over and between each digit, forgotten as the wind stirred the branches and scattered the sunlight.
 
DELFI

Truth was, whether he cared to admit or not, Caleb was growing fond of Leo. He was just like a pup, like Lucien said, and the overheard compliment about his generosity fed the quartermaster's considerably large ego.

"He's a quick learner. Not the worst company on the ship." Caleb said, ending the conversation right in time for them to reach the edge of the city.

Allegria had never looked more joyful. The streets were crowded, decorated with ribbons and flowers, stands taking over the pavements and making it known the spring festival was in town.

"Leo! Come with me." Caleb called, gesturing towards a narrow street that would lead them away from the townsquare. Despite being the longer path to the blacksmith, it'd be too easy for him to get lost if they made their way through the crowd. "You'll get to see everything later I promise, there's just something I need to take care of first."
 
QUIRBLES

"Yes, well, I doubt it compares to the life of a pirate." The Baron replied earnestly as the pair emerged topside. "I can imagine the grand adventures you've been on... morally dubious as they may be, at times." This was a pirate ship, after all, and he hadn't the faintest idea of what they might've gotten up to before he'd arrived. Emryk would have to interrogate that uncertainty; all earth was to be inevitably moved, after all. Even the largest of boulders and tallest of mountains. The sooner he asked, the less it would come as a shock that many of these men and women have killed at some point in their lives. For Juniper and Leo, the veil had already been lifted-- he had seen what each were capable of, and it did not sit well with him. He would need to talk to both, at some point. Preferably alone. Were there those that wished to indulge in violent fantasy aboard the ship? Almost certainly, and Emryk had to ensure that encouragement came only from him. A voice of reason, and not one of emotion.

But, for now, he was content to indulge in relaxation. He'd spent 46 days afraid for his life and defiant of evil. A day or two of respite before that began anew wouldn't kill him. Pleasantries were given as the duo moved to the gangplank-- small nods and smiles of welcome towards the different crewmates of the ship, some still elusive and others a familiar face. The cyclops Caleb and an unfamiliar face talked lowly amongst themselves as they watched Leo, who was currently talking with the woman who'd saved him from the Truth Teller; Ciaran seemed to be absent, at the moment, and he dearly hoped the lad to be alright. The master gunner had given off a good impression, as had Caleb. He hoped neither would comrpromise that image over the next few weeks. Juniper talked with another unknown, a smaller girl, and the pair seemed placid enough that Emryk resisted the urge to give the pair a greeting. Best to let them alone and enjoy themselves, he'd thought.

And, of course, there was the Captain. Not much to say about her, yet, other than her curt nature and the odd temperament. The Baron watched her a moment as they all descended the gang-plank, and then looked to Emer, smile returning.

"Watch your step, madame." Emryk muttered, hopping from the steep angle of their wooden bridge and giving his hand to the doctor to allow her a controlled descent onto the beach. When she touched down, he bent down upon one knee and dug a hand into the earth-- withdrawing it after a moment and feeling the grains beneath his fingertips. Like an explorer setting foot upon strange lands, the Baron glanced around with a look of contentment in his eyes at the sight of solid ground. Home.

"Apologies, just-- happy to be back upon the earth." He muttered, looking to Emer as he stood with a dull slap of his boots upon wet sand, their walk to the town resumed. "The Isles had beaches like this. Never this warm, though, this is... well, a bit too hot for my tastes." Of course, he wasn't about to complain. He'd take a desert retreat over the cages of the Truth Teller. "I've always enjoyed the sea breeze at your chest and the chill of the water-- helps hone the mind, and heal your wounds." With the Ashtavan Isles being the tundra-laden rock that it was, he'd always felt more at home in the cold. In the Spring and Summer months, the short-lived heat had always been broken up by wind and chilled nightfall. The shoreline made him a bit wistful for his homeland, but the earth was his home, and so he would embrace Allegria all the same.

And it seemed the town would do the very same.

"Oh, a festival." Emryk muttered, looking to Emer a bit excitedly. "Haven't been to one in ages, I think. Much too busy around the estate to probably attend one."

Sinead's remark about thanking Solomon for the boon did not go unnoticed, and the Baron gave a hearty chuckle.

"Perhaps we'll find him here. Care to make up by dancing around the maypole, then?"
 
ANNASIEL

"I'm not quite the adventuring sort," Emer replied back. "I tend to leave that to the others. The greatest excitement I can tolerate is two cubes of sugar in my tea."

She gave passing greetings and smiles as they moved across the deck, her hands folding beneath her shawl. While the breeze was cool, the sun overhead was warm, and the longer she stood in it the warmer it seemed. After some seconds, she pulled her shawl off her shoulders, leaving them bare as she tied it around her waist.

At Emryk's offered hand, she raised an eyebrow, but she took it, leaning into it as she stepped down the gangplank.

She stiffened a bit when he mentioned a festival, but she didn't respond, and her smile didn't falter.

"You grow used to the sky. Myself, I've learned to far prefer it. There's something - peaceful about the open expanse, about nothing to clutter your view, and in seeing the land far below you, far from stress or care."
 
GOLDEN

As much as she fought to hide her surprise, one of Alys' slightly darker eyebrows rose, betraying her attempt. Maybe Leo was naive, but he certainly wasn't stupid, especially when it came to identifying real threats. Perhaps that's how he'd survived for so long. A smile crept along her lips and her gaze bore into the back of Lucien's head.

"Lucien. Vampire," she said in a quieter voice. "You're right, he could absolutely kill all of us right now - if he wanted to. Thing is, he hardly ever leaves the Captain's side. And he does everything she asks."

Alys couldn't even begin to understand their relationship, or Lucien's true motives. In her mind, if he had it his way, they'd all be long dead, drained of blood, a mere afterthought. Sometimes she wondered if he had a debt to pay, a reason to not slaughter the crew and move on, something that prevented him from giving into his psychopathic tendencies. That, or Sinead was very good at playing a very dangerous game; after all, if she didn't keep him in line, she wouldn't have a crew.

"My advice: be cautious when you're around him," Alys concluded, looking up at Leo with a somewhat serious expression on her face.

Silence fell over them as they continued to walk, arriving at the edge of the city not a minute later. The sound of music and distant laughter caused her smile to return. It appeared as if they'd arrived for a spring festival - how absolutely marvelous.

As Caleb called for Leo to join him, Alys turned to face the man once more. "Remember, you're a free man now. And free men don't have to follow every single order," she said mischievously, shooting him a wink before setting off towards Sinead. As she passed Caleb, her gaze finally met his, and a ghost of a smile lingered on her lips. Perhaps Leo would make his day eventful.

"I heard something about baths and dessert. Some of many ways to a woman's heart," Alys said to Sinead, upon reaching her side. "Hope you don't mind the company."
 
ILLIRICA

Sinéad had to wonder how many festivals had actually been held around Emryk's estate of recent years, but she wasn't about to corner him on what she knew about that just yet. No, that was a conversation better held in private, or at least not in front of Emer. The healer had done a great number of things for Sinéad over the years, and at the very least had earned the right not to have a front seat to that show whenever it happened to go down.

The other comment, though, well, she wasn't one to let that one slide. Emryk did know the tradition behind Maypole dances, didn't he? Fortunately - or unfortunately, depending on one's opinion of such things - her return came as quickly and easily.

"I don't think King could get one erect."

Alys came up beside her, with a comment about the ways to a woman's heart. "I always thought the best way to a person's heart was a sharp knife to the chest. But the company's quite welcome regardless. I doubt it's my heart you're after."

Sinéad gave Emryk a last parting glance, as he and Emer prepared to go find whichever herbs she thought she needed. "Make sure you bring Emer back in good condition. I'll hold you responsible for her safe return." Both for her safety and her return, and Sinéad felt like at this point she had learned enough about Emryk's abilities to pick up hints that he'd catch both meanings. "You and I should talk some time."
 
UMBRASIGHT

Steam whirled in little eddies above the tile floor, their rest disturbed by the opening of the door. From deeper in the building came the sound of water flowing, accompanied by the smell of dampness laced with something sweet. Nessa tapped the toes of her boots against the ground before she entered, knocking off some of the dust from the road. A young man looked up from his counter as Nessa rolled her hood off with a shrug, shooting her an odd look before a more professional smile graced his lips.

“Welcome, welcome, ladies. That’ll be three pennies for the baths.” The man said. Nessa raised an eyebrow.

“A silver for the rest then?” Nessa said, fingers vanishing into her coin purse and fishing out a pair of silver coins. She placed them down onto the table, with her own smile. ”For myself and my friend”

“Ah, that’s, the service is—” the man started. Nessa tilted her head to one side as she put on her best puzzled look.

“It was a silver each last I was here, don’t see why it would change.” Nessa said. She looked back over her shoulder, flashing Juniper a grin. ”Any scent you’re wanting? I was thinking rose myself, but the mint looked like it would be quite refreshing.”
 
FANG

“…free men don’t have to follow every single order.” Leo smiled after Alys as she caught up with the Captain, his eyes falling to the forest floor before they chanced upon Sinead’s orange gaze. He was still uncomfortable with the idea of facing the captain after their introduction. Slipping the stone in his right pocket Leo turned away, running after Caleb just as he pointed toward a narrow side street.

Leo looked to the crowd, the stalls and the raucous laughter and merrymaking, then back to the dark, narrow alley. ”You’ll get to see everything later, I promise. There’s just something I need to take care of first.” Caleb had an uncanny knack for reading Leo’s mind.

Leo hitched Caleb’s bag higher on his shoulder and jogged over to his keeper, the slapping of his bare feet against the paving stones uncharacteristically loud. As Leo drew nearer he spoke up with a grin. ”I will hold you to that, One-Eye. What could possibly be more tempting for you than fun?”
 
DELFI

Despite being able to listen to Leo's words about Lucien loud and clear, Caleb didn't have the same luck with Alys, who knew how to keep her voice low. When she walked past him with the corners of her lips curled up, he could tell she'd said something to Leo that she shouldn't have.

"Call me that again and you'll be called No-Tongue." Calen grunted, walking ahead of Leo, expecting him to follow. "If you are to be a part of this crew you'll need a weapon." He answered, looking back to see if the idea brought him any sort of excitement, before his gaze trailed down to his feet. "... And shoes."

The quartermaster waited for them to be far enough from the group before popping the question.

"What did Alys say to you back there?"
 
FANG

Leo frowned and looked at his feet. Apparently only some people liked being called by their appearance. Maybe it was just that Alys was proud of her beauty and Caleb ashamed of his failings. Either way Leo wasn’t intent upon fighting Caleb over a name.

The prospect of weapon did bring a smile back to Leo’s face, if not the idea of wearing heavy boots upon his feet. That part would take some adjustment, but he understood the necessity when he thought of the different places they might end up. ”I want some clothes, too!” Leo managed to say before Caleb asked of Alys’s words.

”She told me that sea glass can be found on most beaches,” Leo replied with a sage nod of his head.
 
DELFI

"You can buy clothes when you get your own cash." Caleb brushed it off, returning to the topic he was actually interested in. "Was that all she said?"

Caleb really meant what he said earlier about Leo being a fast learner. It wouldn't take him long to get a grasp on what he should and shouldn't say, and he had to take advantage of the naivity the manchild still had, before it was too late to get him on his side.
 
FANG

His own cash? Leo had no idea how he was supposed to do that, so occupied with cleaning the Hard Nox as he had been. Something else to keep in mind, he supposed as he brushed the thought aside. Leo placed a finger to his chin as he thought about what Alys had said.

”She said she should thank me for cleaning the girls’ room. It really was very bad. Smelled as bad as the Truth Teller, and some weak bellied moron made it worse by throwing up right in front of the door.” Leo paused and looked to Caleb, checking to see if he had given him the right answer. Although the fairy responded it didn’t seem that was what Caleb wanted to hear.

”She also told me that pale man you were talking to is named Lucien, and he is dangerous, though I knew that last part. She said he was a vampire? And he is usually at the Captain’s side. Is he your boss?” Leo hoped he had found what Caleb was searching for, after all the conversation with Alys was quite brief. Perhaps he was wondering if she spoke of him? Leo could understand why the One-Eye would be interested in Starbird.
 
QUIRBLES

Emryk was no stranger to a bit of innuendo, nobility as he once was, and his reply was prefaced with a soft chuckle-- more a scoff, than anything else, but filled with mirth. Like a bit of a volley, the banter came with its own rhythm. Perhaps he and Sinead should've gone on the road as a travelling comedy act, quick as his riposte came in the moment.

"Yes, though Captain King was many things, a charmer he most certainly was not." His remark was dry, and fairly cold. Plenty for her to chew on, though, with the gristle in his words and the bitterness of the tone. "Not through charisma, at the very least." Emryk had seen what he'd done to the bodies of the fallen, and it most certainly had not been consensual. Not wanting to sour the mood any further with his recollections, however, the Baron quickly gave a smile and nod to Sinead, sidestepping talk of King to discuss the wisewoman by his side. A delicate dance, and one that forbade missteps; the Captain seemed wary of his intentions with Emer, and it was quite clear in the less-than-subtleties of her instructions. Emryk gave a slight bow of his form, ever-polite. The waltz continued. "I shall guard her with my life. That, I swear upon, Madame Oiche. And-- I would be happy to sit down for a more intimate tête-à-tête, when the moment allows. Perhaps after we've finished fetching, ah..." At that, the list he'd carried with him was raised, eyes squinting somewhat to read the shopping list. Unfortunately, it was Emer's portion, which... hm. He would be happy to provide penmanship lessons at a later date. "... Bloodleaf. How forboding! I do wonder why it's called that."

As the pair walked away and Emryk gave a wave of goodbye to the Captain and the woman by her side, his stocky frame leaned down somewhat to murmur, like a great oak craning in a hurricane. "... why is it called that, if I might ask?"
 
GOLDEN

"Hmm, interesting perspective."

Speaking of hearts, Alys' began to beat wildly against her ribcage, causing a faint blush to appear across her cheeks and the upper portion of her chest. Fuck, she knew. She had to know. That was too specific of a comment, right? Her mind raced as she tried to make sense of it, of what the hell she was supposed to do now that she'd trapped herself into going to the bath house with the Captain. Thankfully, Sinead was preoccupied with Emryk and Emer, so perhaps she was able to hide her initial reaction.

The faerie moved away from the group as they conversed, taking a couple paces down the avenue, magnifying her interest in the spring-themed decorations and the windows of nearby shops. She'd been so excited for this festival not moments earlier, but now dread filled her stomach, causing it to lurch uncomfortably. Inhaling deeply and slowly, Alys tried to push that feeling away, and tame her beating heart.

As her body began to calm down, she found it easier to think. She was still alive, and if Sinead knew, that had to mean something. As much as she would've wanted to enjoy her time here in Allegria, being here made it that much easier to simply slip away and disappear. She'd done it before, and in the back of her head, Alys knew she would've had to do it again at some point.

As Emryk and Emer took their leave, Alys turned and waited patiently for Sinead to join her.
 
ANNASIEL

"I don't need protection, Sinead," Emer replied with a slight roll of her eyes. "I handled myself before coming to this ship, and I can handle myself now. Besides, I've little to fear from a place like this. You are warning me of sheep and lambs."

There was a little strangeness to the captain's tone, and to her pointed questions. Emer would have to ask later - perhaps when they were alone. Whatever the case, best to focus on the task at hand, and to let later troubles trouble later.

"Bloodleaf," Emer explained, "Is a twin-leafed stem plant found often in loamy soil. While its flesh can empower any cure-all for general health, the roots specifically are of great value - they help the body replenish heat and vigor lost to bleeding."

She followed beside the stooping Baron, excitedly listing off various preparation methods and applications of bloodleaf as they made their way through town.
 
DELFI

Alys wouldn't have judged him so harshly had she been there when Hester built her construct. The memory still made him nauseous. The quartermaster's eye widened at Leo's suggestion that Lucien would be his boss. How did he get that impression?

"Of course not!" He let out, before pulling himself back together. "If anything, I'm his superior. I'm the quartermaster, which means the only person above me in the Nox's hierarchy is the captain herself."

The noise of the festival dissipated the further they got from the main plaza. They'd turn left and get to Malta's Avenue, nearing their destination.

"No one knows for sure why Lucien is always following her around." Caleb continued. "I think he gets off on being bossed around by a hot woman. Or because he gets to eat her leftovers. Do you know what a vampire is?"
 
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