Fantasy Pirates {Main Thread}

[MarieK]

She had spent a good portion of her years roving the waves with quiet submission, but that time was over.

Black boots scuffed the captain's mahogany desk as she leisurely tossed her legs on top of it and reclined back in his chair. The cushion beneath her was cool and soft, and the chair was the perfect height and curvature as if it were built with her in mind. And the captain's rum wasn't that bad either.

Mutiny had never tasted so good.

Sure the captain had been her savior, rescuing her from death's threshold when she was a mere child. Thief, is what they had accused her of being, but where they had seen a pesk, he had seen potential. It hadn't taken long for her to learn the ropes of manning a ship and she had been immediately accepted by the crew, taken in under their wing. Yet, she could not deny the desire for more. Like a wolf, it stalked her every waking moment and skirted her dreams.

That night was to be the mark of a new life for her. She would never be second again.

There came a knock at the door and Samuel appeared, carrying a sword in one hand and a lantern in another. The soft glow emitting from the small sphere of light made his cheekbones more gaunt and his eyes more sunken.

"It be time, Cap," he said, holding the door ajar for her.

She issued a sigh and rose to her feet. "Thank you, Samuel. Would you do the honors of waking the crew for me?"

"Aye, it will be a pleasure." He flashed her a savage grin, one deprived of several teeth, before leading the way to her destiny.

~

A thunderclap signaled an approaching storm as the first mate soaked in the sense of triumph she felt at seeing the captain kneeling at her feet before her, surrounded by his helpless crew. Not so much helpless in the way that they were incapable of putting up a fight if it called for it. She wouldn't need their skills if that were the case. Rather, they were helpless to resist the men she had swayed to join her cause. Their captain had died recently and she had overheard them at a tavern two weeks before discussing how they planned to fill the position. She pegged it as divinity and persuaded them to go along with her plan. In return, they'd have two ships at their disposal, a captain, and the opportunity to become rich should they uncover the ancient relic.

And they would. She wouldn't stop until they did.

"If you don't wish to join us, feel free to walk the plank," she told the crew, raising the blade and pointing it at each one. "So what do you say? Do you want to go on an adventure or take an evening swim?"

There was no sense of remorse as she issued the threat to the crew members who had become more like a family over the last decade or so. And why would there be? Scarlet was leading them in a direction of greatness and adventure, something the other captain deemed as foolish and a waste of time. She was certain they would see the reasoning and side with her. Even so, she couldn't bring herself to throw the tied captain overboard. Instead, she planned to keep him tied up somewhere below deck where men she could trust would guard him to ensure he wouldn't attempt to malign her leadership.

"Come on," Scarlet called to the crew before her. She spread out her arms, inviting them to accept her offer. "You know you want to find the staff just as much as I do and deep down, you're itching for something more than raiding ships and stealing just enough to get by."

"This captain," she gestured to the one at her feet, "has failed you. But I intend to carve our names onto the palms of history and the heart of legends. Why settle for scraps when you can have it all?"

Her own passion seeped into her voice, causing it to rise above the thunder in the distance as her eyes glinted with hunger, unsated. Scarlet paused in her speech and raised her brow pointedly at the crew, waiting their response.
​

 

[AriAriAbabwa]

Edelmira relished in the cool breeze of night, basking underneath the moonlight as she sat in the crow's nest. As far as she was concerned, none of the other crew knew about her nightly outings up to the perch. There was something enchanting about sneaking out alone to a secret haven to soothe the soul. One of the few moments of her life on board where she could have her thoughts to herself. And right now, her thoughts lied with the reason she was here: the captain. Maybe whenever I can go to a town, I can buy something for him? Come to think of it, it was his patient pushing that taught her to climb the crow's nest without fear. Blissfully, she sighed, staring out at the moon. Sitting out here, it felt like nothing could go wrong.

Except for the ever-so distracting rumble and tumble that went on below. With her train of thought derailed, she rolled her eyes. Another late night party? Edel leaned against the pole with a sigh. It was at times like this she wished she asked her parents about their skill of selective hearing; how they dodged the droppings of criticism at the balls they always attended. I should ask Scarlet if she can quiet everyone down for tomorrow night.

But there was none of the cheery shouting and singing that always protruded from said parties. Instead, there was only a surplus of footsteps and low mutterings. Like the pre-party preparations just before the guests arrived for the Ise family's many parties. Are they upset because another of Jerome's tricks? Edel looked over the edge and down at the deck. One day he's gonna get himself—

What...? Scarlet...? It definitely wasn't a party. Was it a meeting? Were they planning to plunder another evil place? And why is the captain laid under her feet?

Something didn't sit well with Edel, and it swirled in her stomach. Especially when the "loyal" First Mate pointed her blade at each of the crew mates—all people she'd known for years at this point, like them or not. Not to mention the abundance of strangers on board the ship. Sealing her lips, Edel fell backward in the crow's nest while her gut twisted and squirmed.

What in the world is happening?​

 

[Vrai]

Yeka hung to the back of the group, standing slightly behind the rest of the crew. She had never before seen everybody all crowded on the deck standing still like this. If she looked very carefully, she could notice the heads of her group rising slightly above the heads of the other group, and then back down, in time with the ship's movement. She started to feel slightly queasy for the first time in a long time, so she looked away.

Yeka had been awake, but she hadn't known that they were being boarded. She had found two more rats today, a family of field mice, and, somehow, a snake. Afterwards she cleaned her claws carefully with her spit and a cloth, and re-braided her hair in order to go to sleep. Her hair and her skin were about the same shade, a tawny color like that of wet sand, and she had only gotten to the one braid that lay over her right shoulder before she heard the yelling and ran above deck.

The first mate - she was Hat Woman in Yeka's mind - turned her sword on Yeka last and looked directly at her. Yeka felt her stomach drop. Standing off from the rest of the crew, she felt vulnerable. Then Hat Woman moved away, and addressed the group again.

Yeka glanced around her. Sky Girl hadn't been in the bunk next to her as Yeka was getting ready to sleep, and now Yeka couldn't find her in the rest of the group, either. This worried her. She looked through the other crew, but some of them were standing in front of each other, their number was so great.

Nobody in the rest of the crew had done anything yet. The captain was tied up. Yeka didn't want to go any further in a ship than she had already gone, but she didn't want anybody to be hurt either. She had been awake and hadn't gotten the cannons ready or anything.

Hat Woman was looking at her again. Slowly, Yeka raised her empty hands. She stepped forward, chin down, making no doubt of her intention, even though she didn't plan on swearing anything aloud.​

 

[Key of Stars]

Darin shot up from his rather uncomfortable bunk, the commotion above deck waking him up near instantly. He grabbed the sabre off the ground next to him and strapped it in at his left side in a single trained movement. The two knives he always carried were already present on his right hip, he didn't remove them even while sleeping. He glanced around the cabin and, to his annoyance, found several of the crew still sleeping through the commotion. He swiftly pulled out the sabre and banged the grip hard against a steel strip on a support beam. "Get yer asses up! You bunch of lazy bastards!" He barked out with a volume trained to rise above even the loudest storm. He shifted his attention to the stairs leading to the upper deck and started walking over, sabre in hand and subconsciously forming scales on his arms.

"Dogshit." He muttered under his breath. Darin had surrendered almost immediately when he came face to face with Scarlet and the fifty or so heavily armed pirates behind her, he was reasonably confident he could have taken out a few if he decided to put up a fight but going up against fifty opponents at once was a fool's errand, it was better to wait and see what scarlet planned to do with them. If she decided to kill them all off Darin would make sure to take at least a few of the bastards with him.

Even so, the situation still pissed him off more than a little. They had been doing the same shit for the last four years already and now they would be doing the same shit for many more years to come under a new captain. Darin seriously considered just fighting until he would inevitably be killed just to avoid having to do the same old shit again. Sure, plundering the wealthy and fighting the navy and other pirate crews was pretty exciting at first but it got repetitive real fast.

Darin raised his eyes from where he was fiddling with the handle of his sabre when Scarlet pointed her sword at him at the same time she mentioned adventure. He was still a bit wary, for all he knew Scarlet could be talking about raiding ships as an adventure.

His hand stopped fiddling with the handle of his weapon completely at the mention of the staff. He let out a dry laugh. "Fuckin' finally someone gets it, why didn't you say so earlier? For a moment there I was afraid you'd have us go through the same dogshit cycle we've been stuck in for four years now! Say no more captain, my sword is yours." He said, voice booming above the storm. He slightly raised his hands to show the men behind Scarlet he didn't plan on fighting and walked over to stand behind her.

Sure, this was mutiny and right now he was participating in it but Darin hardly cared. If it meant sailing under a captain who had the same goal he had he wouldn't hesitate about killing any of his old crewmates should they try to put a stop to it. He might be demoted from his position as the second boatswain and replaced by one of the men behind Scarlet but it would be worth it if he could finally actually go on a thrilling adventure. Besides, he was confident enough in his skills that, should he be demoted, he would be able to get his position back soon enough.

Until his new captain told him about his new position though, he would be acting as the second boatswain. He leaned in near Scarlet ever so slightly, making sure to hold his hands up high in case the men behind him understandably so didn't fully trust him yet. "I'm sure you're aware but your new men have missed a few crew members while rounding us up." He said just loud enough for Scarlet to hear.

Interactions: MarieK

 

[Mikotsuhime]

Mutiny.

The Captain had lived for many, many years, and yet not once had his crew ever mutinied. He did his best to be fair to them, to make sure they were taken care of and got their own cut of whatever things they took. He had learned over the years he had little need for riches, but it kept his crew happy, so he would steal and plunder as much as they wanted. He was generous, but also formidable, and a skilled sailor. Few crews had ever seen the reason to turn against him when he kept supplying them with gold and glory.

So this came as a surprise. It shouldn't have, he realized as he was subdued, because the signs had been there for ages now. He was not as adventurous as he once was, and some of his crew were growing restless. He should have realized that things would come to a head, and he would be taken over. The fact that he had been oblivious stung almost as much as seeing a woman he'd loved as a daughter point a sword at him. His pride took a major hit.

But, well, he was growing old. He wasn't quite as sharp as he used to be. Maybe it was getting close to the end.

Or maybe this was an all new experience. Having his power wrestled away and his ship taken from him was unlike anything he'd ever been through before. It hurt, but a flame of excitement lit up in his chest.

Would his people kill him? The possibility made his heart race, though from fear or exhilaration he wasn't completely sure.

They made a spectacle of him, at least. Brought down to his knees, tied and humiliated. He had never been so disgraced, and the experience was novel. Scarlet definitely knew how to put on a show, if nothing else. Her ambition was both admirable and a little frightening, and he only hoped that it wouldn't get her into trouble.

If it did, there was nothing he could do. Children had to make their own mistakes to learn and grow, and as a parent, he couldn't always fix things for her. But the others, those who hadn't chosen this fool's errand, did not deserve to go down with her.

"Oh, there's no need for those dramatic threats," Captain said with a sigh. His voice was light, but there was a warning hidden deep down. She could do whatever she wanted with him, or with the ship itself, but threatening his people was not an option. She could break away from him if she wanted, become independent and lead her own crew however she saw fit. But if she tried to kill what was his then he would rip her limb from limb--

No. He wouldn't think like that. Anger would only worsen the situation, and he was determined not to let it control him. His face stayed a placid mask as he wrestled his emotions back under strict control.

"You heard the lady," he called out, raising his voice so everyone could hear. "Seems this ship has had a change in leadership. I'd strongly advise going along with what she says."

He would not, after all, let this turn into an unwinnable battle on his behalf.

"But my, aren't you ambitious. Ruling kingdoms, huh? That sounds like a lot of work. Are you sure one or two little ships is enough to take that on?"

His smile was placid and vaguely amused without a hint of fear. Grovelling and snivelling was pointless, and he refused to indulge in terror.

 

[GreedyBoy]

Jerome was dozing up in the rigging, drool creeping down his chin. He woke with a start as he heard raised voices from below him, "hnn..." He groaned as he rubbed his eyes, looking down in confusion at the crew gathered out on deck. Why the hell was everyone else out this late? Jesus, all he wanted was peace and quiet- he caught the tail end of what Scarlet declared and his amber eyes finally landed on the Captain on his knees in front of her. His blood ran cold. Mutiny? He'd of course known the extent and the definition of the word but he'd never expected his fellow crew to engage in it. The rigger didn't know what to do but sit there and stare as a few of his crew walked to join Scarlet. He leant his head back, sweating despite the cool night air. Jerome had to do something but...he shook his head and looked out into the unforgiving expanse of the sea. He wasn't ready to die today.

Jerome whistled through his teeth, calling out, "Oh, Scar..." With a cheeky grin, he fell backwards from his perch. The wind whistled in his ears and he let out a breath before the rope he'd tied around his ankle tightened and he came to a sharp halt hanging upside down in front of the former first mate. "You expect me to rebel against my own father, is that right?" His expression and tone didn't reflect the gravity of the situation at all. The rigger had more or an amused smirk on his face, "I know I'm scum but god, aren't we all?" The pirates flanking Scarlet had had enough of Jerome's toying around and swung at him. Blades cut through air as Jerome swung up and pulled loose from the rope, spinning and landing on his feet, gracefully, in front of the former Captain. He was unphased by the heavily armed men and women around him, mumuring as to whether or not they should let Jerome continue with his little spectacle.

The young man crouched down until he was at eye level with the Captain. There was a soft rustle and Jerome had the tip of one of his blades pressed against the Captain's cheek, "One reason. Give me one reason why I should in any way stay loyal to you." His voice was steady and cold, a low growl, "You're the only real family I have on this ship and even then, we're not tied by blood." The words coming from his lips weren't guided by any concious thought, only by the part of him that had wanted this for so long, "Just...one." A few of the crew came behind him to lift him away from the other man but Jerome then pointed the knife to them. He wasn't going to budge until he heard it. The one reason. Just a tiny bit of sincerety from a man he had never gotten from, the only man who owed it to him.

Interactions: Mikotsuhime | MarieK ​

 

[Tetro]

Elijah was awake, working through another night making salves and mixtures. He had his compass open on the table, and the picture of his wife inside stared at him while he worked away. A commotion broke his concentration. Instead of resuming his work as he usually would, Elijah clothed and armed himself. He could feel something was off, and as soon as he put his compass in his pocket, he could hear the rest of the crew moving about.
~
Elijah stood with many of the others, outnumbered and outgunned, with their captain on his knees. The doctor stared at Scarlet as she spoke to them all, arms crossed while he listened.

"You know you want to find the staff just as much as I do and deep down, you're itching for something more than raiding ships and stealing just enough to get by."
"This captain," she gestured to the one at her feet, "has failed you. But I intend to carve our names onto the palms of history and the heart of legends. Why settle for scraps when you can have it all?"

Her words held great promises, and it didn't take long for Elijah to see a few of his old crewmates go to her side without much of a fight. But Elijah knew better. He had seen that look in her eyes before. It was the same one the pirates had all those years ago. It was the same hunger that took his wife from him. She wasn't a captain. She was an animal. Elijah didn't fear the death she promised if they didn't join her. And seeing the man who gave him a second chance kneeling before her was unacceptable.

He knew what he had to do. Elijah was prepared to take Scarlet down with him, unsheathing his sword with a cold and unwavering expression of acceptance. Before he could step forward, the captain spoke up, causing him to stop himself. Several swords were drawn for Elijah and pointed at him, and just like that, his opening was gone. Elijah held his sword downward, stabbing it into the wooden deck beside the kneeling captain, "as you command.". It was a gift from him when Elijah first joined, and one Elijah could no longer keep in good faith. He crossed his arms, stepping away from the rest of the old crew and accepting Scarlet as the new leader.

Elijah watched Jerome put on quite the show. At least the boy wasn't so easily swayed to join the cause of the madwoman. Still, it bothered Elijah to see how some of the crew were harboring such feelings for the captain.

 

[ressie]

The murky-haired boy tossed and turned about in his cabin bunk. Packed with sleeping bodies that reeked of sea, sweat, and certainly not sobriety, the old ship bunker was a far cry from what any landlubber would call "comfortable". It must have been, oh... halfway through the night? Three-quarters?, the boy wondered. It was so hard to tell in here... The only light he could spot was the irregular white flashes of lightning beneath the cabin door, each bringing the distant crash of thunder in tow. Had he view of the stars overhead, the answer would be crystal clear.

Nokky rolled over once more, finally settling on a view of the splintered wooden boards of the lowly little ceiling above. Had the boy possessed a lick of self-awareness, he might have been more considerate of his ceaseless squirming, but the truth was he just couldn't sleep. He never could. It was one of the more puzzling things about the roguish crew of pirates that never quite set with Nokky: Just how long these people slept for. Sometimes 7 or 8 hours at a time. And when morning came, half of the day was spent drinking noxious liquids that smelled something awful, only for everyone to fall unconscious again after dusk. It was a bewildering lifestyle, and no matter how the young boy approached it, it that didn't make any sense to him. It was as if these people enjoyed sleeping.

The bellowing shout from a familiar voice snapped Nokky to attention. It was the blonde one they called "the Fool", hammering the butt of his sword against the steel framing. Nokky shot up in his bed. He hadn't even heard the commotion above deck until now. A pathetic blunder for someone who needed hardly an hour of shuteye a night, but that was a fault to mull over later.

The boy slipped out of bed, and immediately the packed cabin felt ten times more full. Groggy, scared, and confused crew members pushed and shoved about the dark room, and eventually, through no conscious routing on his part, Nokky found himself above deck amidst the crowd of sailors. Dark blue eyes glanced upward, and for a fleeting moment, the young boy felt a wave of ease.

The stars.

But as soon as the sigh of relief began, his breath caught. The reason they were brought up from below deck, the reason their Captain knelt with a knife to his cheek- This was a mutiny. Nokky made sure to hide himself behind the larger crew members, a task not too difficult considering his size. And it was a good thing he did hide, else he would have found himself face-to-face with the tip of the fearsome Scarlet's sword.

Nokky was surprised to hear some of the the crew members actually take sides the the woman who had their Captain at the knee- especially after she brandished the blade on some of them. It wasn't that Nokky had grown much of a fondness for the Captain. Quite frankly, since his own induction into the crew, Nokky hadn't really grown a particular fondness for anyone. But there was a certain intimacy of polishing someone's living quarters for two months. The Captain liked things done a certain way, and Nokky learned to deliver. He did his job. And he was good at it. And had the threat of being hurtled off the side of the ship or being sliced into a million little pieces not been looming over his head, it might have been his biggest concern.

 

[AriAriAbabwa]

Darin...? But why? Growing up in the noble household, her parents constantly taught her how loyalty stood above all. It was unfathomable any such betrayal to occur before her eyes, and now... Edelmira pouted, eyeing him specifically. You really are the Fool... During her time spent on this ship, she'd never wanted to call the boy by his moniker. She felt it was too rude to do so. Now, though, he was really living up to the name! As further ingrained in Edel's mind when he pointed out the absence of a few crew members among the hostages.

Edel instinctively ducked her head back as he did so, clutching her hat against her head. The crow's nest neatly hid her from their sight, but how long would it be until they climbed up and found her? She knew she had to move, but there were only two routes: the ladder down to the middle of the mutiny, and the yardarms to the side. And so, the plan was, using the footrope, to sidle across the yard and to the yardarm, then reaching the ratlines where she would climb down hopefully unnoticed. But to only be so high up, and donned in her distinct white and gold attire, the likelihood plummeted. Still, there wasn't another choice, was there?

And as for the plan if she made it to the deck? She hung her head for a moment. I'll cross that bridge when I get there.

Edel only lifted a leg over the crow's nest and rested it on the shaky rope when a bigger commotion sounded off below. While she clutched the yardarm, trying to balance her lower half on the rope, she saw one crewmate in particular speak his piece. She breathed a short-lived sigh of relief, believing it to be a spout of loyalty. He expertly swung around the boarders, landing in front of the tied Captain and... putting a blade to his cheek?!

She winced, expecting the worst. But the Captain did not go limp. Instead, a hemispheric silhouette floated down from above Edel's head: her cap. She lunged for the garment just as it fell barely out of reach, much to her horror. "Stupid, stupid, stupid!" Edel winced again, watching the cap flutter down.

But, be it an act of mercy, the wind stuck it on the railing of the quarterdeck, just out of the view of Scarlet or her goons. As for the captive crewmates, the event was not as inconspicuous.

Even as the Rat hadn't yet cut Captain, and her cover wasn't entirely blown, Edel still had to blink to force a rising blurriness and warmth away from her eyes. What happened... What happened to the past years we spent together? Everyone seemed so happy and normal just the other day... Was nothing really as it seemed? It was perhaps too idealistic for Edel to see it that way; as everything being fine and dandy.

She kept moving, eventually reaching the ratlines. With far lesser skill than Jerome, she latched on, trying to not think about the worst. Just you wait, Cap'n, we'll find a way out of this! she confidently thought. There had to be some people still loyal... Maybe Yeka...? After all, he was the Captain. There wasn't ever a time where he would face defeat...​

 

[Vrai]

As the storm crackled in the distance, Yeka had a premonition that they were still on the verge of something...disastrous. The scene was starting to collapse into chaos. Members of her group were starting to mingle with the other group. Among those still observing, everybody was tense. It was like a group of barrels wound too tightly together in one of the stock rooms - only one needed to snap the rope for the lot of them to break free and start rolling loose.

She flinched as Jerome descended from the ropes, where of course he had been, and was startled when he bared his blade towards the captain. Maybe that was all of us to begin with. We were wound too tight and I didn't notice.

From where she had moved up, still raising her hands with a distinct lack of commitment, she heard the blond boatswain talk to the Captain. Right now, he had become Scales Man, the pattern on his skin glinting in the moonlight. But for the most part, Yeka thought of him as Poison Man, due to the little vials of potion perpetually strapped to his belts.

The ears atop her head perked. He was keeping his voice low, but Yeka had good ears like she had good claws, and she could hear him. "There's nobody missing," she blurted. She was thinking of Sky Girl, who she feared had been captured by the other crew already, but there was a chance Edel had slipped off somewhere on her own.

As Yeka spoke, she felt tight in her chest, like the rope holding them all in place had made an extra loop around her lungs. Now they'll go after you! But she pressed on. "Nobody. Can't you see? You went around loudly waking everybody up. Nobody could miss that." Her hands clenched, nails pressing against the heel of her palm. She took a deep breath and lowered her arms. "The Captain said go along. We're going along. So just because our crew looks small next to your new crew doesn't mean you have to...make fun."​

Interactions: Key of Stars

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[MarieK]

Interacts with: Vrai Key of Stars Mikotsuhime GreedyBoy Tetro

Yeka was the first to come forward, making Scarlet smile as she relished in the delicious sense of victory. The girl was quiet, a forlorn silhouette carved out from the soft glow of hanging lanterns and moonlight with hands raised in surrender. But Scarlet hoped to be a good leader and make the girl glad to have surrendered. As the thought crossed her mind, she raised a measuring gaze to the rest of them. Could they sense that she would strive to be the captain they deserved? The treasure was destined for them to find- they had to feel it in their bones just as she did.

The next crewman was Darin. He seemed the most willing to alter loyalties to his new captain. Appreciation for his sense of adventure shown in her eyes. Pursing her lips, she heeded his observation and did a mental headcount of those present and found that his statement had been accurate. Her eyes immediately went to up to the crow's nest above their heads. Instead of weeding out those who were hiding, she raised a thoughtful brow at Darin.

"Weren't you a bosun or a boatswain?" she asked, with a single, decisive tap against the hilt of her sword. "I'm in need of a first mate if you'd be interested."

"Oh, there's no need for those dramatic threats."

Scarlet's attention shifted to the kneeling captain as her ears registered his words. Giving a throaty chuckle, she shook her head at the man. Here he was bound and faced with the possibility of death, yet he remained stoic and untouched as if the turn of events hardly bothered him more than a splinter.

"I assure you," Scarlet told him, voice lowering so only those near would be able to decipher the response. "This is not dramatic."

There was a malicious quality to her smile as she stared him down. If he wanted dramatic, what kind of first mate would she be if she did not oblige him?

Gaze darting to the sea that had become more unsettled with the tempest stirring in the distance, she waved Samuel over and whispered something in his ear. His eyes went wide as he let out a low whistle, but his nod was animated with excitement. Turning away, he bounded across the deck and disappeared below deck.

Scarlet ignored the next comment that was aimed at her by Captain, but by the way her jaw tensed, the words had irritated her. He underestimated her just as he always had. They would find the Magician's Staff and if they failed, she would find another way to make the kingdoms bow just as Captain had done. She would rule one way or another.

Out of the crowd, Elijah stepped forward. Hurt at the sight of his drawn weapon, flashed across her expression before she could think to cover it up, as if he had betrayed her instead of the other way around. Doc had been someone she had respected and looked up to. Yet, now, he stood ready to wound or kill her. She raised her own blade as the other men drew theirs, but Doc accepted his fate and relinquished his weapon before stepping back. The ice in her gaze told him that she would not forget his betrayal.

The 'thump' of Rat's feet against the deck distracted her from Doc and her smile returned. Men behind her turned their weapons to him, but she did not make a move a muscle. Scarlet responded to his question with a quirk of her eyebrow as if to say, 'of course.' She had done so, after all. Though not by blood, the captain had been like a father to her. But this had nothing to do with lineage or attachments. It was strictly business.

Scarlet rolled her eyes when the men lunged at him, swords drawn with murderous intent. Raising her hand she signaled them to stand back, but it was evident that they itched for a fight. They may yet what they wanted.

At Yeka's outburst, Scarlet looked to where the girl stood as a frown tugged at the corners of her lips. The girl was lying. Possibly for fear of what would happen to the crew who refused to show themselves and for good reason, too. Scarlet shook her head and clucked her tongue in disappointment.

"I'll admit I was not expecting such a hostile response," Scarlet sighed, gaze darting, pointedly to Doc before returning to Yeka. "I was hoping you'd be excited, happy even, that I would risk so much to give you what you all deserved. We're pirates, aren't we? Adventure and treasure should be apart of our legacy. Instead, your loyalty appears to be divided still, but I wonder if that would change if something were to happen to your captain."

At the wave of her hand, Samuel stepped forward, carrying a dusty vial filled with a black liquid. She took it from him, uncorked the lid, and handed it to Darin.

"Would you be so kind as to make the old captain drink this? I think others will be more willing to show themselves if they knew they were putting their poor captain at risk."

There was no denying that it was a test for Darin as much as it was for the rest of them. She needed to know she could trust her first mate.

Scarlet looked askance at Rat, wondering if he would attempt to intervene or if he would choose to surrender to the new captain. The poison was not lethal, but it would make the man writhe in pain until it ran its course or an antidote was offered. It could make Rat fall off the wrong side of the fence, but she could not chance there being anyone yet hiding or unsure of whom to pledge their alligienance to.​

 

[Mikotsuhime]

A reason to stay loyal.

The captain's lips turned downwards ever so slightly.

He had never needed to give a reason before. He had never been mutinied before, and wasn't entirely sure what to say. Perhaps in the old days he'd been harder and more reliable. Maybe he was just getting old.

But he felt bad that he didn't have an answer.

Some of these people he had known for years. To some of them, he was indeed like a father. Even to someone like him, who collected attachments but often didn't understand the finer points of human relationships, it was clear that this moment was important. He had to say the right thing.

But he hesitated.

There were too many men here for him to overwhelm. The ship itself and its mechanisms could only help so much. If a fight broke out, it was likely she would sink, and Scarlet and her ilk would retreat with the new crew.

He protected his people. Even if they weren't loyal to him, or if they switched sides, that wouldn't change. Fighting here, now, would only endanger the people that he had chosen to protect.

"I don't have one," he said, his voice a bit strained. "If you go with Scarlet, your safety is ensured."

He cast his eyes up at her, and for a moment there was a hint of something Other in them. Something very, very old, something that would hold a grudge for a very long time.

"The crew will join you, in exchange for their continued safety," he announced, his voice louder now so that there were no misunderstandings. "You can have the ship, if you can handle it. You can even go on your fool's errand, and I will do nothing to stop you."

He laughed, leaning back once more, looking up at her with a lopsided smirk.

"Although if you had wanted more responsibility, Adelaide, you could have just asked. This whole performance is unbecoming, and frankly, I don't care for it," he said, his tone light, as though they were discussing the weather and she had not just threatened to poison him.

If she wanted to have a pissing match in front of everyone for pride's sake, he would oblige her.

He had been poisoned before, in his long life. It was not an experience he enjoyed, and he knew that this would be excruciating. But she would not get the last laugh.

"Come on, give it to me, then." He sighed, as if he had gotten bored with the affair. "Might as well get this over with."

(Interactions: MarieK GreedyBoy Key of Stars )

 

[GreedyBoy]

"why did I expect anything different?"

Jerome didn't want his voice to waver but it did. The wind blew his striking white hair into his eyes and he ran a hand through it. The rat slipped his knife back in his holster and stood. He looked to Scarlet with a deep breath, "Well...at least I know your name, that's a step up." He smiled, "Honour among former thieves, cap'n." He cast one last glance down to the captain before walking to join Yeka. He leaned down to whisper to her, "Can we sneak to the rum barrels when everything's quietened down? I need to drown a lot." Healthy. Very healthy. One could argue he learned a lot of valuable things at sea. Rope work, bravery, comradery...well, maybe not so much that last one. But there was one thing he did pick up that wasn't entirely helpful. A dependable on alcohol. Sure, it helped in the short term but in the long term... There was a reason Jerome didn't sleep too well at night.

Yeka's outburst about the rest of the crew seemed out of place. He frowned, looking around at the other tall sailors, "Aw, way to draw attention to my height..." He tried and failed to puff out his chest somewhat and slumped. He didn't know how the captai- former captain did it. How he could look so damn tall...

Jerome wished he was back up high. He reasoned that he wouldn't be needed down here a lot so...it wouldn't make a difference. He looked up at the riggings and ratlines- and froze. Still as a corpse, the boy stared at Edel. He blinked once, twice. He looked toward Scarlet and Darin. Poison. He paused. Nah, he didn't care. He'd bottle all that hatred and despair up until he could drink it away.

The rigger slipped through the crowd of sailors, who were more than preoccupied, and climbed up the ropes. Jerome never stumbled or lost his footing, even the blowing of the wind shaking the rigging didn't phase him. He'd climbed this rope in storms. However he had a feeling if he fell, there was a little more at stake than just a loose sail. He looked up and locked eyes with Edel. The boy looked back down to the crowd and the whipped his head to the girl, holding out his hand. Jerome felt way to fucking mushy helping her out. He shook his head lightly, "Come on, before you hurt yourself. We've got to find a place to hide you."

Interactions: MarieK | Mikotsuhime | Vrai | AriAriAbabwa ​

 

[ressie]

The cagey slander among the group of thieves persisted, and quite frankly, Nokky was following none of it. "Politics" was a strange new word he had heard at least a dozen times a day aboard the ship since his arrival, and though he didn't fully grasp its meaning, he understood enough to recognize that this was probably a politic in action.

Dreadful... the boy thought to himself. A slight expression, closely resembling a grimace crossing his face. He never exactly felt "appreciative" for being the lowly rank of cabin boy on the ship, but for the first time, Nokky saw just how much simpler his position was compared to the higher-up alternative. Theatrical slander following snide remarks and nobody was getting anywhere.

Just dreadful...

Passive-aggressive was not his nature, and in matters of life or death, Nokky saw no place for such senselessness.

He knew what he needed to do.

While the lot of the crew was busy throwing, insults, threats, and doubts into the minds of the feeble, Nokky slipped away from the group. Quiet as a ghost, he scurried off to the Captain's quarters, now, starkly unguarded, now that the Captain himself was bound and bowed before his mutineer.

It wasnt until he was halfway finished rummaging through the Captain's possessions in the darkness that Nokky recognized just how polarizing his singular action was. For a brief moment, he stopped and looked at himself. Really looked at himself... He never disobeyed. Anyone... If someone outranked him, Nokky new better than to resist. Whether it be skill, seniority, or parental relation- it didn't matter. Nokky was a subordinate, and he knew that. He took comfort in it. But now that the tides had apparently turned, and all direction of seniority was apparently up in the air, it... seemed like... it was his decision?... Was this his moment??

Tossing aside the last few possessions of whatever-the-captain-had, Nokky finally found what he was looking for, and just as quickly as he slipped in, the boy dashed out.

The crew members and crew-defiers were still clustered around the Captain, and Nokky could only hope he wasn't too late. The boy clambered down to his knees, and crawled his way through the crowd of crew member legs until he was merely a foot or so away from the kneeling Captain. He rose a pale, wiry hand in earnest. He would do it. For once, he would make a decision all by himself. He would take matters into his own hands.

The boy looked up his esteemed Captain, in his grip, a loaded pistol.

Interactions: Mikotsuhime , probably MarieK , and potentially more...​

 

[Tetro]

Elijah didn't take his eyes off of Scarlet. Even when she gazed at him with a cold stare, he didn't blink. He didn't need to say anything big or voice his opinion on whether or not he agreed with her as the others did. He would obey Scarlet as captain now, though not out of loyalty. When Scarlet mentioned how she wasn't expecting a hostile response and shot a look at him, Elijah remained still as a statue. She was already losing his respect with each passing second. How could she not expect him to cut down a traitor? As a captain, wouldn't Scarlet expect the very same thing done for her?

She built the foundation of her plan and aspirations on the sands of desperation and betrayal. She was trying to make a future that would crumble and collapse on her and everyone else who stayed by her side if she kept on this path. Despite this, Elijah hurt for her. He wished there was something he could do to help her see a better way of things, but he wasn't so foolish as to believe he had what it was she needed. Scarlet was on a path of her own making and thus needed to fall before she could rise. Hopefully, all Elijah could do was protect and provide for as many as he could while Scarlet dragged everyone along for the ride.

She was the new captain, and Elijah was no mutineer. He was at her command now. And the man kneeling at the captain's feet was their prisoner.

When Elijah glanced down at the prisoner, he noticed a small hand holding a large pistol out to the prisoner. Elijah uncrossed his arms and walked calmly in front of Scarlet, in view of everyone. He reached down and quickly grabbed onto the pistol Nokky was holding out, taking it out of the cabin boy's hand. Elijah put the confiscated gun into the free hand of Scarlet. He was face to face with her, looking down at the woman. "My loyalty is to my captain, captain. That blade, and this loaded gun, are a testament to that. And it is the very thing that has saved your hide twice tonight. You be careful now, Adelaide." Elijah whispered his words, so only a few around him and Scarlet could hear. Elijah didn't want to put on a show; he wanted to do his duty as the ship's doctor and let Scarlet know he was his own man. His loyalty beyond what he gave her out of duty had to be earned.

Elijah stepped away, "I have work to finish. if my services are needed, you lot know where to find me." He spoke loud enough for everyone to hear before walking back below deck, not caring to see the prisoner tortured or any of his old crewmates potentially thrown overboard.

MarieK ressie

 

[Joytex]

The flick of a wrist, glint of a knife sailing through the night's air and the vial of poison shattered.

No.

Twenty years ago maybe. Barny wouldn't of even thought twice about it then. But he found now that his hands were worn out, reflexes untested, aim unsteady. And he was surprised to discover that he was afraid.

The old cook had risen stiff and grouchily when it seemed he wasn't allowed to ignore whatever was going on. He'd made a point to swear at anything that moved on his way up to the deck and he had just decided it would be extra stale bread for the crew's breakfast when he realised something was very wrong.

He was surprised at how fast some of the other's switched, but then again he'd seen crews turn vulture before. Barney had wanted to draw his sword alongside Elijah. The Captain had treated him well enough he supposed, let him get on with things. But Barney only had a bread knife at his belt these days. He supposed he would have to rely on his head instead and that had never really gone well for him in the past.

"Come on now Scarlet." Barney stepped forward with his hands in a peaceable gesture. "You've won the ship haven't ye? There's no need to be bringing out poison, just what good will that do anyone?" He couldn't help but feel ridiculous, short, fat old cook against the vicious looking crew Scarlet had found. Cocky scallywags he thought to himself, if they'd seen the man he was at their age they'd of pissed their breeches down to the last man. "He's no danger to you now." Though Barney didn't believe that.

 

[Key of Stars]

Darin looked at his new captain, surprise evident on his face, before his lips curled into a smile. "Of course I'll accept, at your service captain." He answered with a small bow. This was way better than he had ever hoped. Not only did he not get demoted, he actually got offered to be the first mate. Darin was forgetting the gravity of the act they were committing by the second, as far as he was concerned right now, this is how it always should have been.

Darin turned to face her after Yeka's outburst. "Do you think I'm an idiot?!" He barked at her. He listened with an annoyed expression as she continued her charade, cutting her off before she could go even further. "I suggest you shut yer mouth now and get back in line," He said, resting his left hand on the handles of one of his poisoned daggers. "Everyone here can see that someone is missing, you say you're going along but to me it seems like you're disobeying the captain already, stop spouting shit." He said with a sneer.

He backed off from Yeka a bit, raising his voice to rise above the whirling storm. "Come on out Edel! What do you think happens next? We'll find you soon enough if you stay as a stowaway so how about you show yourself already!" He shouted at top volume. "Unless," He continued with a wicked smile, raising his arm up above his head, rain-soaked scales shining in the moonlight. "You think you can beat me in the water."

Darin stared at the small dusty vial for a moment before taking it with a slight grin and a nod. "I'm sure you're watching from somewhere Edel, how about you come out before I give this poison to your precious former captain? I didn't make it myself this time but I can tell you at a glance it's nasty stuff." The last part was a bluff, even as a poison expert he had no way of knowing what the vial contained at just a glance. It hardly mattered to him though and of course he had no intention of waiting for Edel to show herself either.

He crouched down in front of his former captain, vial in hand. "It's good that you're so cooperative but don't think for even a second I would have hesitated if you weren't." He brought the vial to his former captain's mouth and for a brief moment, he paused, a look of pity flashing across his face, a glimmer of regret as he looked into the former captain's annoyingly calm eyes before he steeled himself and poured the liquid into his former commander's mouth with a determined expression.

He held the man's jaw shut tight with considerable force until he was sure he had swallowed. "You may act like you're going along with all of this but only a fool would swallow poison voluntarily." He said, releasing his grip on the captain's jaw.

He stepped back just as Elijah stepped forward and grabbed the gun out of the small cabin boy's hand. He sighed, grabbing hold of the sword that Elijah had plunged into the deck earlier and pulled it out in a fluid swift motion. He walked over to where Nokky was still on his knees and stabbed the sword down mere inches from the small boy's hand. "Back in line!" Darin bit out. "The next time I won't miss on purpose." He said, pulling the sword back out and walking back over to his captain, holding the sword out for her to take.

MarieK AriAriAbabwa Vrai Mikotsuhime ressie

 

[MarieK]

Interacts with: @Mikotsuhimpo GreedyBoy Tetro ressie Joytex Key of Stars

The poison would set in after a few minutes, but it was not Scarlet's intention to let the man suffer. Her plan to draw out the ones yet hiding had been ineffective. She had thought they would have come immediately when she had threatened him, but they hadn't. It was her worry that they would hide only to try to find the captain and free him. Sure, she would have pirates stationed outside his door, but she had no doubt in the crew's abilities to see such a plan through. They were motivated enough to turn desperate and desperation made a person unpredictable and deadly. She would have to think of another way to draw them out.

"More responsibility is not what I'm after, Cap," she muttered. It was power. But as to why she longed for it remained a mystery, for the woman was not inclined to let anyone close enough to discover the reason.

Scarlet's mood was slightly uplifted by Rat's acceptance of her new status, but whatever gain was lost when the boy, Nokky, broke away from the crowd with a gun. But Doc was quick to take the matters into his own hands and was able to disarm the boy before a tragedy could unfold. When the weapon was passed along to her, she handed it to Samuel. Doc's next words gave her pause, but an emotion akin to excitement glinted in her gaze as she met his own.

Call it divinity or fate, it was her destiny to lead this ship and its crew to greatness. Nothing would stand in her way of that. Doc's warning showed that he might not think her capable of doing just that- but she would prove herself and when she did, he would be thanking her. Everyone would.

Barney's pleading did not go unnoticed, but she knew better than to show any weakness. Instead, she barked a hearty laugh that rivaled the crepitation of the storm. Then, she stepped near and placed a hand on his arm and gave it a subtle squeeze of reassurance.

"Dear Barney, if I didn't know better, I'd say you have grown quite soft in your old age. But," she sighed and paused for a dramatic moment, "I suppose you are correct."

Scarlet watched from the man's side as the dose of poison was given to Captain. She didn't make a move to stop it. Instead, she watched to see if her first mate would go through with the deplorable act against his former Captain. Once he had, she smiled.

"Thank you, my loyal pirate," she said to Darin, stepping away from the cook and meeting Darin halfway to receive the sword he had grabbed, standing between him and the boy before he could swing it at Nokky. Her gaze met his meaningfully, silently translating that they were not to threaten him.

She'd stacked the tiles high that night, and she knew they were teetering, threatening to collapse before her plans to unfold. What was more, the new crew were not yet trustworthy. She sensed their bloodlust. If they gave them any reason to fight, they would slaughter anyone in their path. Sure, she had approached them in the bar, but-

"Doc," she called after the man before he could walk off. "You've proven yourself trustworthy enough. Here."

Scarlet tossed him the blade, lightning igniting the metal with a venomous glint as it sailed in the air.

"First Mate, would you be so kind to give Cap the antidote?"

Samuel hesitated before stepping forward and handing Darin another vial, muttering incoherently beneath his breath. The malice in his expression suggested that he would rather see the captain writhe in pain for a time.

"Whoever is still yet hiding, you will be expected to show up to your usual chores on the morrow." she yelled out, not bothering to look up. Placing a hand on her hip, she sheathed her sword and smiled at the people. "Welcome aboard. We start for the Magician's Staff immediately."

With that, she spun on her heel and went into the direction of the Captain's quarters. The men from the other crew had orders to see the former was kept in the supply room below deck. As soon as she was gone, they would follow through with those orders. ​

 

[AriAriAbabwa]

Edel eyed the approaching Jerome with suspicion. Not after the stunt he pulled, then just leaving Captain to the hands of whatever vial Scarlet threatened to feed him. When he offered to hide her, she glared at him as if his suggestion were unrealistic.

"If you think I'm leaving Captain to die, then your brain is as dry as the remainder biscuit after voyage! And you, Rat! What business did you have with your blade against Captain? Much like those invasive worms on our ship!" Come with him? "I refuse to be thrust into capture so willingly! I see straight through you, you lily-livered boy! Heaven truly knows that you are false as is hell!"

Brushing past the boy, she climbed down the ratlines hastily at Scarlet's threat. Faster than what would be expected of a former noble girl. After three years on board, she was bound to pick up something. Soon, she reached the side of the deck, planting her feet on the wood.

"Captain!" she yelled, darting past anyone who stood aside. She came to a full stop, kneeling at his side, putting her hands on his body. He'd already been force fed the black vial; the man she'd looked up to for so long was stuck on the floor, writhing in pain. To see someone idolized now moaning in total agony... Despite the Captain's remarks to go along with the first mate's mutiny, there was simply no way she could go along with such sadistic people.

Teary-eyed, she looked around. Her old crew, the boarders, the traitors. Every foul word of the nobility's dictionary flushed through her mind. Against all better judgement. To the boarders who Scarlet had convinced. "Bloody, bawdy villains, the lot of you! Remorseless, treacherous, lecherous, kindless villains!"

And to the first mate, who in a million years Edel would not have expected to turn head so fast. "And you even leave Captain to writhe in pain like this?!" she called out, sure to make her stop in her tracks. "Dissembling harlot, you are false in all..." She still tried to ease the Captain to no avail, instead glaring at the one responsible with a tear-ridden glare full of pain and hurt. "There is no more faith in you than in a stewed prune! And if you happen upon the 'treasure' that has wormed into your mind, then what else is in your possession? She who has more hair than wit, and more faults than hairs, and more wealth than faults. You poisonous bunch-backed toad!"

She then looked to Darin, the newly appointed first mate. Her flooded eyes flashed to that of rage. "And a weasel has not such a deal of spleen as you are tossed with, Darin. You—false, disloyal man—wield nothing but the rankest compound of villainous smell that ever offended nostril. You starvelling, you elf-skin, you dried neat’s-tongue, bull’s-pizzle, you stock-fish! You tailor’s-yard, you sheath, you bow-case, you vile standing tuck!" Water streamed down her cheeks as she continued trying to help the Captain feel at ease.

GreedyBoy Key of Stars MarieK Mikotsuhime​

 

[Mikotsuhime]

Captain immediately knew he had made a mistake.

He made a lot of those, he thought with a sigh. This generation had been the first time he'd taken on children. Before, his crew was wayward adults, all cast aside in their own way. Giving them a place to belong had felt good, in a way he couldn't describe. Being with others, surrounded by life, had eased the pain and emptiness inside of him. Surely raising children would be no different, would it? They were all people in the end. The children had nobody to rely on, so he felt justified in taking them on. Being a father had seemed like a fun distraction.

He had just made a mess of things, it seemed. He refused to regret his choices, because every person he chose was his and always would be unless they chose to leave, but something inside his guts panged at the look on Jerome's face.

He opened his mouth, then closed it once more. What could he say? He was terrible at saying the right thing. He was better at actions. Gifts and tokens were easier than words, which was why he'd chosen a life of piracy in the first place. People were always pleased when given things.

"Don't drink so much you're useless the next day," he called out, because it was how he always worried.

One of his other people, a first mate from over a century ago, had told him he was a fretting mother hen hidden behind a harsh and unfeeling surface.

He stared back up at Darin, a smirk coming to his lips.

"Oh, I would never underestimate you, Darin," he agreed, and downed the concoction without hesitation.

It was terrible.

It burned on the way down, searing his throat and leaving every nerve raw. He crumpled forward, grunting in pain. His muscles flexed in an attempt to get away from the pain, but it was useless. His strength was sapped, as effectively as if he had been thrown in iron shackles. His vision blurred, and he groaned.

But then Edel was there. Edel and the little boy that they'd saved a few months ago, both of them trying to help him. It made his stomach squirm for a different reason, and he tried his best to keep his pain under control.

Loyalty like this was not something he was unused to, really. He was a captain, he demanded loyalty. But he'd told them not to, and they still cared. It was kind of... nice.

"It's ok, my girl," he said to Edel, his voice strained and scratchy with pain. The affectionate address he'd often used for the children when they were young came easy. "This is-- ngh -- far from the worst I've been through."

He wasn't even lying. He knew that he had been through something far, far worse than this, even if he didn't remember it.

"And if any of your crew hurt that child, Adelaide, I will make you regret it," he snapped, his throat wet as blood bubbled in his mouth. His throat was lacerated, and his voice by now was hoarse.

A pain. The poison was meant for humans, and even if he was in a human guise, human he was not. He was unsure if the loss of his voice was a common side effect or a result of what he was, but it would be annoying. At least he could speak quietly.

"But he's right," he said, a rough sigh escaping him as he laid his forehead against the deck. Sweat soaked his hair, and his clothing was starting to dampen with it. "I'm no threat to you now. You've staged an excellent rebellion. I hope you're ready for what lies ahead."


(Interactions: MarieK AriAriAbabwa Key of Stars GreedyBoy Indirectly: Joytex ressie )

 

[GreedyBoy]

Jerome jumped down at, an admittedly bad moment, "Edel! I was trying to help you! You royal, prissy little-" he froze. Ah tears. Edel was crying. He...wasn't good with tears. He looked to the captain, the real captain. Blood bubbling and frothing in his mouth. Then Jerome quickly understood Edel's tears as he blinked back his own.

He looked to the girl he thought of as a sister, "Edel, I know you ain't helpless but I gotta take care of you like Cap'n took care of us, okay?" He held her shoulders and tilted her face away from the pained captain to look into his amber eyes, "Okay? It's gunna be okay." He felt like he needed to take that responsibility. The Captain had declared it. He was no longer a threat. So...the rat had to do something. He couldn't completely rebel, he was no use to anyone dead. All he could do was just look out for the children. Not protect them nor baby them. The Captain didn't raise such sailors by holding their hands every step of the way, "Darin's an idiot, it's fine. He won't do anything." He paused, turning to the former boatswain, "Oh sorry, I was a bit quiet. I said, Darin's a blathering, ginger idiot and he won't do nothing!" He smiled at Edel, but his smile was forced. He didn't know what was gunna happen. Even though he'd known everyone on this ship for years, he knew that it would be a while before they became a family again. He had to hold on to the few he had left. And remember to ask Doc to redress his bandages because the sweat from the exhilaration alongside his hurried climbing did nothing to help his hands.

"Nokky, c'mere." He held out his hand to the small pale boy. Sure he wasn't the eldest and by no means the bravest but he'd try. Jerome felt like he hadn't done enough. He'd let his emotions over take him. Edel and Nokky had actually done something. He had to swallow his pride and just... he smiled. Try not to drink so much you're useless the next day. A rigger boy was no use when he was hanging, red-faced and giggling from the ratlines. The Captain knew that well.

Interactions: AriAriAbabwa | Mikotsuhime | Key of Stars | ressie
Mentions: Tetro ​

 

[Vrai]

She thought she had bluffed in a way that sounded as natural as possible. But it seemed as though she couldn't sound natural even when she deliberately meant it. Poison Man saw right through it, and saw fit to yell at her. Yeka fought the urge to shrink back against his words. Do you think I'm an idiot?! he demanded. Yes, she thought. But the captain had told them to stand down. It took Yeka a second to realize that when Darin next mentioned "the captain," he was talking about Hat Woman.

He knew it was the sky-staring girl that was missing, and Yeka had nothing more to say. She turned to look after Jerome, who stormed off back to the ropes where he was most at home. She'd let him go off without responding to his invitation, because how could she say anything to it right now? He knew she didn't down alcohol for its own sake the way he did.

In a different situation, she would have followed him, racing to see if she could beat him to the shrouds, then scampering up the sails behind, ready to either laugh or to help if he ever slipped, depending on the scale of the mistake. She was the ratcatcher and he was a rat. It had been funnier when they were a little bit younger, and Jerome was her same height. But now he was turning into a Man, shorter than some of the older men on board but still taller than she was, with breath that stank of too much booze like the man in the city who hired her to work the loom. And Yeka did not like it.

Nor did she like the scene that was escalating before her, despite her feeble attempts at holding on to some kind of calm. The captain, having been fed the vile bottle of whatever-it-was, was twitching in pain. And then - there was Edel, as of yet unharmed, throwing herself to the deck to embrace him.

"Edel," Yeka tried to say as a flurry of complicated words came from their navigator. It scared her, both Edel's distress, and the idea that the mutineers would take her away for this. "Edel, please -"

Jerome appeared then, and Yeka had to conclude that he had gone off to fetch her. Yeka took a deep breath. The captain looked better than he had before, but he was still suffering. The new captain - the Hat Woman, Scarlet - said they had an antidote for him, didn't she?

As Jerome comforted Edel and now the child she called Ghost Boy, Yeka drew herself to her meager height and looked towards the mutineers. The trick was to look through them rather than staring any one in the eye; that way, she would not be intimidated. "Doctor," she said aloud, "you should take the old captain below deck and look at him. The new captain said she wasn't going to have him die, after all."

The moonlight had grown dim. She felt the first sharp, heavy drops of the storm on her exposed shoulders. "The storm is here," she said to the group at large. Turning back to the mutineers, "Are you all going to stay on this ship, or are some of you going to go back so that we don't keel over?"

Interactions: AriAriAbabwa Tetro MarieK (?) Mentions: GreedyBoy Mikotsuhime Key of Stars​

 

[Key of Stars]

Darin turned to Edel with a sneer at the stream of insults. "Oh get over yourself and your damned morals! We're pirates, we're a ragtag band of criminals, the tossed out scum of the world." He shot back, annoyance evident on his face. "It might be hard for someone who grew up with a silver spoon in her mouth to understand but for most of us a chance to change our lives only comes once, you better grab and hold on to that chance because before you know it it's kicked away from you and you get spat in the face for good measure."

He turned to his captain as she addressed him and took the vial from the man behind her with a small nod. The hostility and displeasure in the man's expression didn't escape Darin's notice, perhaps not surprising since the man was doing absolutely nothing to hide it. Whether it was because the man was mad about him becoming the first mate or simply because he had been looking forward to slaughtering their original crew was something Darin didn't know but he would keep an eye on the other.

He walked back over to the former captain and kneeled down, shoving Edel out of the way firmly but with as little force as possible. "Get out of here already before one of those guys back there decide they would rather see you dead after you insulted them." He bit out, now that his old crew had submitted to the new captain and they wouldn't get in the way of his dreams of adventure anymore he wasn't planning on letting any of them die even if some of them undoubtedly wanted him dead now.

He turned to the captain, bringing the small vial to the other man's mouth. "Come on, captain's orders." He said, pouring the antidote into the former captain's mouth. He didn't make sure the man swallowed this time, there was no reason for the old captain to not swallow the antidote after all.

"Oh stop talking dogshit Jerome, if you want to fight we can settle this right here." He sighed and spat on the deck. "I'm following orders and doing my job and you're in the way. Just take those two crybabies with you and get out of here already." He walked over and came to a halt right in front of Jerome. "Those guys behind me are only looking for an excuse to slaughter every single one of you and believe it or not, I don't want that to happen either. Just don't get in the way of my dream." He kept his voice down enough that only Jerome would be able to understand but there was still a considerable amount of venom behind the last line.

Darin watched Jerome and his group leave with a stern expression. He had undoubtedly burned some bridges today but he was fine with that, he hadn't joined this band of pirates to make friends in the first place. He had come here in hopes of going on an adventure worthy of telling stories about and now, that chance had finally come. Losing some people who considered him a friend was a small price to pay for a lifelong dream and he would do whatever necessary to protect that dream.

He took a final glance at where the men Scarlet had come with were now about to transport the captain below deck before turning around and setting off for the crew's quarters.

AriAriAbabwa GreedyBoy Mikotsuhime

 

[MarieK]

The Next Day

The wind kept shifting from East to West, causing the ship to rock precariously. From her position, she could see nothing but sickly green skies and waves as high as the sails. The ship was holding her own, riding the waves despite the powerful bursts of water that tormented the wooden sides. Instead of easing up, the storm had intensified over night- a sign that they were approaching the Edge of the World, or as called by some pirates, Hades' Falls.

Crewmen ran around frantically.

The storm was relentless in its pursuit to see them all doomed to Davy Jones' Locker. Lines snapped, sails ripped, and water filled the deck.

The ship teetered, forcing her back a step, but she held onto the helm, managing to keep herself upright. Rain pelted the ship, impeding her vision, but she focused on the compass in her hand. This particular one would lead her to the Magician's Staff, while the other that was tucked in her pocket would lead them away from danger. They had been pointing in opposite directions since yesterday, letting her know they were right on course.

Lightning rent the heavens, splitting the darkness with a defeaning crack. Just then, the ship groaned as if the sea was trying to tear it in half, but Scarlet did not relinquish her hold on the wheel. Fear would not cause her to turn back now. And the ship was sturdy enough to hold up in a storm with supernatural strength- wasn't it?

Samuel shuffled forward, slipping and catching himself just before he could fall flat on the deck. When he managed to finally make it to her, his expression was full of terror and distrust.

"We be in the thick of it, we is, I think." He held to the helm at her side as he yelled over the storm. "Crew is gettin' restless."

"Well, tell them to take a nap. It will be a while before we are through it," she clipped. There was nothing she could do. They would simply have to wait for the storm to subside.

He sneered. "I'd be careful if I were you, Captain. Men aren't too 'appy, losing our main ship and all."

Scarlet gritted her teeth and looked directly ahead. They had lost sight of the second ship sometime then night before, during the storm. She had known then that the new crew would be upset and may stir up trouble.

Another moan sounded, but it did not sound like wood being tested by the fierce gale. Nay.

This sounded animalistic.

Her stomach churned as she unsheathed her sword and watched the waters ahead. She could see nothing through the veil of darkness. Lightning struck again, illuminating what appeared to be a giant tentacle. She thought herself mad until lightning flashed once more and she could see the head of an octopus-like monster, looming over them.

Then came the strike of its tentacle. The strength of it shook the ship and she was swept off her feet. Screams resounded across the ship as the creature began wrapping its inky black arms around the ship, tilting it in the process.

"Attack!" she ordered, not knowing if the word would reach those across the ship.

She pushed herself up, sword in hand, and ran to the nearest tentacle, striking it four times in quick succession. The creature wailed and retracted its tentacle. For a moment, she thought she had scared it off, but more tentacles appeared, plucking men off the deck and tossing them into the sea.

She had merely angered it.​

 

[Tetro]

Elijah turned when Adelaide called to him. Without hesitation, he caught the cutlass by its handle. The blade was red and steaming from the lightning, and he could feel the residual static dance across his body. He looked it over, then at Adelaide. Elijah brought the blade close to his face and whispered to it, staring at Adelaide while doing so. He could feel dark magic surrounding the sword almost immediately. Before he could continue his leave, Edel's outburst caught his attention. Elijah felt guilt and pain that he couldn't be there for her, to make her feel like she wasn't alone. He knew he was just as much a part of the problem as anyone else. Elijah didn't know if Edel felt the same, but he saw her almost like a daughter. They both came from wealth, from a particular lifestyle that the others didn't, so he found she could relate to him more than the others. In all honesty, Elijah didn't know at that moment how any of the others might feel about him. Especially the ones he cared for so deeply.

But hearing Darin's response was enough to replace those feelings of pain with bloodlust. Elijah remained where he stood, staring at the fool with a calm expression. When Darin began walking, Elijah considered cutting him in half. But doing so would only drive the animals that Adelaide brought to begin killing. Elijah sheathed his sword and stepped to the side, letting Darin pass without any issue. It wasn't easy behaving himself while everyone else shouted and spoke their mind and heart openly. Only the old captain ever really talked with Elijah. He wondered if anyone would so much as look at him anymore unless they needed medical treatment.

It would take more than some magical staff, or riches, or adventure, to get Elijah's respect. The old captain knew that. But who knew what Adelaide knew?

The Next Day

"Attack!"

Elijah heard her loud and clear, unsheathing his cutlass with one hand, and his dagger in the other without any wait. The cutlass blade burned red hot, steaming from the difference in temperature and rain around it as Elijah held the handle with a firm grip. Keeping his footing had been difficult, but Elijah had no trouble getting around once the beast kept the ship from moving, despite the tilt they were on. He stabbed and dodged and ducked with as much precision as he could muster. Watching the animals Adelaide had brought along get picked off didn't phase him. It brought a smile to his face. Weeks passed since he had a reason to smile, and now was a good a time as any to do so. Elijah's main concern was keeping the tentacles from snatching away the crew he cared about. He wouldn't bother trying to 'kill' any of the tentacles and instead resorted to damaging any that got a hold of the others, forcing the beast to release them long enough for them to escape temporarily.