The day had finally come. The chosen ones who were to be the first people to leave the island since its inception were to gather. The sunrise was reflecting off the water with hues of gold. It made the long stretch of pier as if a walkway to heaven. Well, heaven curtailed by a rusty twenty foot fence that kept wayward Islanders off the pier.

A large sign hung at the gate that guarded the pier. 'Turn back. No unauthorized access - by order of the king." The gate looked like it might actually be rusted shut, making it all the more impeding. Nonetheless, the chosen ones were instructed to be here bright and early.

As all good little evildoers, they apparently cannot follow directions as the only person present so far at the pier was a filthy and unshorn looking vagrant who was nursing a bottle of green liquor.

In reply to Her Majesty (msg # 1):

Bright and early.  An interesting commandment, as that's obviously what no one wants to deal with at this ungodly hour of morning.   Except Luck LeFay.  Chance's twin brother just about drags his sibling to the pier, the look of completely being awake at odds with the sanguine sleepiness playing across the other twin's face.   An exceptionally wide yawn later only ticks the scales two points towards being some semblance of 'here-ness' ... not the most auspicious start.

Chance finally drags himself out of his brother's grasp and shoves him away, "Give it a rest willya?  We're here... we're here... Not like it's gonna change nothin'.  Hell, even Mean Mr. Mustard over there has the proper way of it.  Better to get drunk at this moment, because they ain't gonna accept us over there anymore than our over exile'ees"    He finds a comfortable box to sit down on, and draws his lute around.   He idly plucks on the strings before continuing, "Hell, they'll probably only like you because you're all Mr. Law and Order... I ~AM~ the Law, over here..."

"Shut up, Chance," is Luck's response, "Just because you always think you're right doesn't make you always thinking rightly.   You'd do to try and get along with them out there because we can make a difference!  Show people have reformed..."

"Hah... yeah... reformed," Chance scoffs, while picking at the lute... Making music without intent.

A rickety rolling sound precedes a tall-ish man with a cart. He stops to the side of the gate before looking up at the ones here. Amongst the miscellaneous items on the cart there is a bowl of what seems to be magma, an anvil, and a furry humanoid curled up on the bottom of the cart in a well cushioned bedding.

Looking towards the two not drinking, he bows and starts motioning some with his hands before he turns to his cart and dips some metal into the magma and pulling it out red-hot. He begins working on the metal.

In reply to Her Majesty (msg # 1):

With the tapping starting on the cart Alana gets the hint that it is ..... morning...
 She hops out of the cart fixes her fur and gets her apron and gloves on ready to help. She waits till Alameth asks for a tool.

Kronk is slowly walking up trying to keep all of Alana's bags from hitting the ground. He sets them all down gently and takes a seat on one of them.

Anyone that had not been comatose for about a hot minute on the island knew that the daughter of Commander Rourke claimed all the limited waters between the barrier and the island as hers. Today was no different as Anne J.Rourke floated out from under the Pier in a dingy.  She had been clearly asleep a few minutes before when all the racket started.

Her huge mane of red hair was bed mussed, a blanket was tossed to one side and a pillow lay in bottom of the hull. Just as evident was that she had had another massive fight with her father because he was the only one on the island that could leave bruises on her like that. One hazel eye was racooned and the lips split on that side too.  There was a bloody bit of bandage taped to her other ear where one of her earrings had probably been ripped out and more bandages on her arms.

Aside from looking like a prize fighter at the end of a tournament she was looking as good as ever though. Somehow she wore the injuries like badges of honor...though she pointedly did NOT look at Chance or speak to him, or wave at him...as she rowed the boat against the rocks and nimbly hopped out on the wet slippery surfaces with her stuffed knapsack over one shoulder, her pistol and sword on her belt, and a some thing that might be a bird cage with a cloth drape over it in her hand.

Meanwhile over near the cart as soon as the first crack of the hammer on steal rings out in the morning air... a Black Cat larger than many small dogs explodes out of his hiding place in the hay with a Hiss to wake the dead.  Apparently Drizz had snuck in and snuggled into the hay next to where Alani had been sleeping but now he stood arched in classic angry cat position all fluffed up fur, bared claws and hissing teeth a few feet from both the cart and Alani.

Though the feline was recently claimed as the pet of Gisela, it could be frequently found just about everywhere at any given time.... oddly it was usually also sleeping at the time. It was kind of like The Angels, those stone monsters that frozen in place when observed but moved if you blinked. Only with Drizz the default was napping cat!

As AJ stood upon the pier, surveying the scene without seeming to survey the scene, the cloth drape moved slightly.  A sound somewhat like what a muffled, tinkling chime drifted out front beneath the cloth.  AJ glanced toward the hidden object in her hand, then laughed.  The chime hit an offkey, dissonant sound, bringing out even more laughter.

The drape shifted, then shifted again.  Whatever bird was in that cage was neither happy, nor willing to remain covered.  Several more diligent moments of work rewarded the efforts, and the drape floated down to the pier.

The object in AJ's hand was not a birdcage at all.  In fact, it looked like a lamp.  Or perhaps several lamps.  At the top of the structure was the top of an old gaslight, its glass still intact.  Beneath it were strapped a pair of bullseye lanterns.  At the bottom of the strange construct, a curving Arabian lamp.  Standing upon the handle was three inches of spunk and spitfire in the form of a fairy.

Nyxia pointed a tiny finger toward AJ and let her have it with another chiming chastisement.  When AJ only laughed again, she stamped her foot and harumphed, but then fell into tinkling laughter herself.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:16, Wed 22 Mar 2017.

At first, it would seem Gisela was late.  Technically, that was true.  She didn’t stand at the pier.  However, others could spot her at a small distance, standing with her mother.  Bluma O’Cuinn, Gi’s mother, wasn’t often seen out and about, but apparently had made this the exception to the rule.

Gisela stood stoically, her posture perfect and demure, mirroring some aspects of her mothers.  Her mother, however, was more animated and dominating than Gisela.  No voices were raised, though, so what was said remained between the two.  This continued for a few minutes.  After that, Gisela gathered up a bag from the ground beside her as well as something not as easy to make out.

Turning down the path, Gisela and her mother headed towards the pier.  Gisela remained quiet as her mother spoke in a low voice.  Several feet out, however, Gisela turned with a practiced smile.  “Mother, I understand.  I’ll make you proud.  But, as you can see,” she gestured slightly behind her, “that I’m already late.  And, it’s only those of us traveling together that are meeting here.  No scandal, and nothing to concern yourself over.”

Bluma’s eyes had followed her daughter’s gesture and a more practiced, yet clearly more fake smile graced her face.  “Oh, dear AJ.  It’s so good to see you again.”  Her attention turned back towards her daughter.  “Perhaps you’re right.  I would so hate to interrupt such a meeting of, well, such worthy people.”  Yeah, anyone with a brain could sense the sarcasm.  “Now, let me look at you one last time.  Hm, well, I guess it’s too late to fret now.”

The disappointment in Gisela as her mother looked her over head to toe was obvious.  Equally obvious was the fact it was undeserved.  Gisela was, as always, a sight to behold.  Exceptionally beautiful, the extra effort was obvious.  The hint of makeup made her gray eyes shine.  Her dark hair was loose, though adorned by a beaded circlet, and waves rolled down her back.  Her gown was wide-necked and scooped, though didn’t reveal much in the way of cleavage.  It was long sleeved and barely graced the ground.   The back of the sleeves and the back of the dress tied to adjust the dress perfectly to her figure. The green fabric was dark and rich, fitting for the princess she was, and the hem and trim was similar in knotwork design of her circlet.

“Here, let me,” her mother offered once more, withdrawing a comb and brushing it through Gisela’s hair as if to adjust it one last time.  Gisela paled, however, falling eerily still.  “Much better.  Now, just remember who you are and you’ll be fine.”

“Of course, Mother,” Gisela says tightly, the smile never faltering.  As if she wasn’t about to lose her daughter to the mainland, Bluma turned and made her way from the pier and back towards town.  Gisela glanced over her shoulder at AJ, her eyes going to her friend’s hands, and shaking her head.  She waited until her mother was out of sight before joining the others.

Apparently, the other item she’d gathered as she’d picked up her pack was a large thermos of sorts, still putting off steam.  She took one look at AJ, however, and sighed.  She set aside the thermos and put the bag down beside her.  She kneeled to pull out a couple of items from the bag.  “Here,” she says simply, offering AJ a small satchel of flowery smelling herbs.  It was cool to the touch, an ice pack of sorts.  Then, without another word, she applied a layer of ointment the skin around the eye and other injuries.  That accomplished, she signs a greeting to Alameth and Alani.


This message was last edited by the player at 04:23, Wed 22 Mar 2017.

In reply to Gisela O'Cuinn (msg # 8):

When AJ received the small head shake from Gi it was because she had loosened the revolver in its' holster,the weapon slung so it would be drawn across her by her off hand and the sword was on the opposite shapely pirate garb clad hip. Her expression had silently asked, "Can I please shoot her as a parting gift?"

But no she did not get to shoot anyone...and Gi slapping ointment and an Icepack on her face was pretty much just like every other gods forsaken monday. She accepted the ministrations in silence then pulls a hip flask of Rum from her belt and handed it to Gi again like this was just a routine they were used to.

Her dad was a drunk, AJ was NOT. She kept the booze mostly for actual Medicinal purposes and not to go get trashed on. Instead she tended to favor the mellow highs of Big B's herbal cigarettes actually or pure adrenaline.... she was well known for starting fights for the simple joy of it and was in fact a rather dangerous customer in her own right even if her father used her face for a mop often enough.

Heart approached the docks, smoking on a small butt and looking a mixture of bored and unimpressed.  Draped in a worn overcoat, the left arm which bore a hand sewn patch that openly declared the young man a member of the Deck, he was flanked by two others.  While his own patch declared his rank in the gang with an embroidered gothic heart adorned by a crown; his two companion’s patches were emblazoned each with a spade.

The young woman, with fiery red hair and a subtle smile, had her spade adorned with as smaller crown.  She stood off to Quinten’s right and whispered something into his ear as they approached.  The younger man had a blatant smirk and cocky swagger as he strode at Quinten’s left.  A cockscomb sat askew atop the spade on his patch and two tiny cat ears peaked out of the mess of hair upon his head.

Reaching the pier the trio paused.  Taking his between between his thumb and index finger Quinten took a long drag as he looked about.  “So,” he began as he blew out the smoke, turning his attention back to what remained of his smoke,” I’m here.  Flicking the remnants directly towards the sign on the gate and nailing the word “King” just off center he turned back to his compatriots and shrugged.  “Now what?”

Gisela wasn't known to be a drinker either.  Still she accepted the offered rum.  She put the container of ointment back in her bag before pulling out three  small cups, well-used, but probably about as disposable as they come.  She added some coffee to each of the three, adding rum to only one of them.

Returning the flask to its proper owner, Gi also passes one of the cups of plain coffee off to AJ.  She took a sip of the other plain.  "Chance," she calls out, offering the third, laced cup of coffee-rum to the twin she knew. The thermos was large, leaving plenty left if others desired.

In reply to Gisela O'Cuinn (msg # 11):

Chance starts using Alameth's hammer blows as a timed beat to strum his instrument to.  He shakes his head as AJ makes her appearance, but keeps his teeth together.  Something of a minor miracle.   However, as Gisela's mother shows her colors... The bard strikes up something of a subtly cutting song in retaliation for the prickly disdain she leaves in her wake...

He starts singing..

Come gather 'round people
Wherever you roam
And admit that the waters
Around you have grown
And accept it that soon
You'll be drenched to the bone
If your time to you is worth savin'
Then you better start swimmin' or you'll sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changin'

All the while the edges of a smug smirk edge his mouth, and he's watching the older lady walk off... However, he stands up while continuing and edges towards Gi to collect the coffee mug...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVUDdQS2UxA

In reply to Gisela O'Cuinn (msg # 11):

A shadowy wolf appears on the docks out of nowhere.  It crosses paths with Gisela's mother and lets out a vicious bark as it passes that makes her jump out of her skin.  The shrill shriek is stark contrast to the song and very keen ears could pick up the malicious chuckle that came from the night-colored wolf.  It was one of G'mork's children to be sure, one called S'ulfr.  One that spent a lot of time with the ranger who lived out near the dark wood, the human son of the Big Bad.  The big woodsman was not there but his dog sure enough was.

"Filthy mongrel," said Gisela's mother in protest.

"Sorry," said the dark wolf, amusement underlying his tone, "thought I smelled a witch."

"How dare you!  Low-born little cur," she said as she gathered herself up and haughtily continued on.  That whispery growling chuckle was easier to identify as he came closer to the group and sat.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:35, Thu 23 Mar 2017.

Drizz finished spazzing at the clanking and slunk over towards the Gi, his pet human, to see if she remembered to bring him any cream. But he shouldn't have worried as a second flask appeared in AJ's hand at his approach.

That meant he could give the approaching Mutt the cat equivalent of a middle finger with his tail flicks and still keep his gaze on that tasty fairy morsel...he had not been able to Catch Nyxia yet but when he did...mmmm she was going to taste SO Good.

In reply to Drizz (Cat) (msg # 14):

A small laugh came out of AJ at the look on Drizz's face as he came up licking his chops at Nyxia. She had remembered the cat's cream and gave it to Gi to pour but she quirked a thumb at Gi at the same time, "Tell Gi what you just told me Nyxia. She will get a kick out of it while we wait on Bigby to get his lazy shaggy ass here already. Even his dog is more punctual than he is."

Nyxia glanced down at Drizz and refrained from sticking her tongue out at the cat.  She kept a wary eye on the feline even was she waved a greeting.  "It wasn't important," she said.  "Hi, Gi.  How, um, flam-- flammable are cats, exactly?"

With all the new arrivals, and the calming of the baby kitten, Alameth begins pointing at Mr. Heart while mouthing something into Alani's ear while signing quite rapidly with his hands. To those that don't know sign it just seems as he is getting very active, but he has only really signed "Hand me the ladle please, I want to make sure the kitten isn't as flammable." before laughing.

After Alani hands him his ladle, he drops his metallic ring that he has been working on into the water warming it up slightly before he takes a large ladleful of hotish water towards both Drizz and Nyxia. He then turns to his assistant again and signs, "Now where are the rest of my playing cards? I only see three of them here and I don't think I can play solitaire with that many."

(OOC: Target area is Gisela, Drizz, Nyxia, and AJ. It's completely freeplay so feel free to dodge/react at will. Take care to realize that the ladle-ful is built big enough to be large enough for a 7' tall 20 strength man making his own tools, so probably several cups of water.)

In reply to Alameth (msg # 17):

When that gob of water came raining down on him Drizz did not spazz out again. He didn't run off or hide or hiss....and it might have been that abyssal silence as he turned his drenched face to look at Alameth that made people remember that he was rumored to be the son of a dark and evil feline god.

He turned a gaze upon that giant oaf a man that would have reduced a wave of rats to crispy orderves. But despite its inability to actually kill the titanic dumb mute oaf because he cowardly hid behind the protection of the magical suppression field...it's message was loud and clear.


This message was last edited by the player at 21:44, Fri 24 Mar 2017.

Nyxia opened her mouth to elaborate on her question.  Certainly all of a cat's fur would burn, but Drizz being Drizz would very likely take poorly to being set on fire.  More than likely, if such a scenario was ever to occur, Drizz would run around like a cat set on fire and very likely other things would catch fire as well.  It would be a terrible situation.

She turned to Drizz.  He was reasonable, as far as cats went.  Perhaps she could convince him to stay still.  The question began to form on her lips.

[Reflex Save: 24]

Then she saw the giant fling the water.  Her wings blurred into furious action and Nyxia was airborne.  She flitted with a twist of her body, dragonfly wings taking her out of watery harm's way.  She let out a shriek of alarm as she moved.  She really wished her diminutive voice sounded less adorable to large people, especially when she was upset.

"Hey," she cried, shaking a finger toward Alameth as she came around the side of her now-dripping home, still held aloft by AJ.

In reply to Nyxia (msg # 19):

AJ... was not as lucky. She had been looking worriedly at the little firebug Nyxia when the tiny cutie shot flying away; and so she had not been looking in the direction of the waters approach.  She was wearing her usual sort of pirate attire, an underbust corset with a white frill necked blouse... and the water caught her square in the chest.

Unfortunately for Chance and the other boys she was also wearing a leather half jacket with elbow sleeves and was able to immediately cover her wet tshirt contest bosom with the leather sides, deftly buttoning it even one handed. She looked back at the blacksmith almost as murderously as the cat had..."Your going to Pay for that in our next sparring match Alameth," She said and signed for the mute....then added a universal and degenerate hand gesture that had nothing to do with sign language.

In reply to AJ Rourke (msg # 20):

Gisela hadn't been looking at Alameth, either.  The mute tended to remain silent, even if the silence tended to be punctuated with hammer on metal and the hiss of flash-cooling.  So, she hadn't realized anything was wrong until after she'd poured the cream and was turning to return the flask to AJ.  At that point, the pixie had darted out of range and she'd barely managed to turn and see what was going on.

And got full-on force of the rest of the water missing the other three.  Luckily, her clothing didn't change opacity.  However, it went from well-fitted to clinging for its life.  Water dripped from her chin.  Hair that had hung loose around her face now hung loosely or stuck to her cheeks.  Shock colored her expression as she took a deep, steadying breath.  Kneeling, she grabbed a small cloth from her bag and wiped her face.  She slid the now-wet circlet off her  head, folding the cloth in half and pressing the circlet between the two halves.  With a free hand, she pushes the hair back from her face, using a small hair clip to keep the wet portions back.

She shoots a look at AJ that pretty much says, 'Yep, my luck.'

"You realize we don't have time to change?"  Gi asks Alameth, knowing his hearing works just fine and it's his responses that require sign.  She gives AJ a rueful smile.  "Guess making a good impression was asking a little too much."

In reply to Gisela O'Cuinn (msg # 21):

Being the lucky sort, Chance steps back from the pair plus two with his cup of coffee just prior to the wetting.  His eyes narrow as he appraises the scene before him, and takes a drag off the cup of coffee.   The teen comments without editorial, "Eight of Ten."  That is, of course, until his twin slaps him upside the back of his head... and a withering glare is the response...

CK let out a shamelessly amused cackle, leaned over and whispered something to Quinn that garnered a sharp look from Ilsa.  Quinn chuckled and smacked CK in the chest with the back of his hand in a wordless retort that was answered in kind.  "I don't know," he called out as he fished around in his coat pocket, producing another short white stick which he held between his lips as he continued to speak.  "Some people might need just that kind of help with impressions," he added with an unmistakable innuendo as his eyes flickered to AJ.

Pulling a match from his pocket he lit it with his thumb, and then lit the stick in his mouth.  Taking a long drag he glanced towards Alameth.  "Play with yourself often don't you?  I would have brought more," Quinn added exhaling smoke, "but we wouldn't want anyone think I was moving on their turf...if you can call this dump turf," he added dismissively as he glanced about.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:00, Sat 25 Mar 2017.

In reply to Quinten Heart (msg # 23):

Wolf came by while Quinten was making his derisive comments.  Here was another man topping seven feet but unlike the big smith was a whisper until he got close enough to hand the girls something: flat rocks.

"Heat them up on his fire and you can use a piece of leather to roll them on your clothes," he said.  He would know.  Staying alive in the wilderness, among other things, meant staying dry. "If you have something else to change into that is."

Alani laughs lightly at the wet cat and then bites it back down (remembering water is no joke) and she would hate for that to happen to herself (water bad). She keeps handing Alameth his tools when he asks for them like a good helper (takes the job very seriously), her ears turned to the conversation. Her huge fluffy tail sways back and forth as she whispers something to Alameth when a snide comment is made. Going about her work she ignores the riff raff and stares at the fairy and her ears twitch intently when it makes its little sounds, Which in turn makes Alani ears, tail and nose twitch.

Before he gets too distracted, Alameth signs an apology to the ladies he inadvertently splashed. He turns back to the friendly cards and signs, "Cards have turfs? I thought they just went wherever the master was playing at the time."

He then goes back to his work. It's coming along quite nicely as he heats, reshapes, cools, and repeats as he goes from a thick metal to a ring that is gradually getting thinner and thinner. Every now and then he scratches Alani lightly between the ears as he waits for the flash cooling to complete.

In reply to Alameth (msg # 26):

Drizz looks at Alani with an "Et Tu Alani?! Et TU?" expression on his face then slinks off to disappear into the rocks hunting for a hot dry spot to sun in until they left.

In reply to Drizz (Cat) (msg # 27):

Aj didn't appreciate the implication that showing off her rack in a wet white blouse was the only way she could make a good impression. She was usually wet, so getting spattered was mildly annoying. Getting told her best quality was her ability to expose flesh and that her chosen territory was crap was much more aggravating and she expressed her anger with a bit of her usual violence. The Rock that Bigby had handed her to hep dry her clothes was nice, flat and smooth...she flung it with the side armed ease of someone who spent years perfecting rock skipping and the thing hurdled at Quinten's gut like a major league fast ball.

AJ was not in fact all that shy when it came to her body despite the immediate reaction to cover herself during the incident. She enjoyed the occasional skinny dip or strip poker game or other Dare that involved nakedness. She also enjoyed sex and had been active if not actually promiscuous since she was probably much too young to be considered appropriate. She was selective about her partners but again...not shy about showing it off either should the fancy strike her.

Her best friend Gi was often horrified by that and would usually seek to reign in AJ's more exhibitionist forays. So Aj knew that there was no way Gi would be willing to change in anything but complete privacy. Gi was wrong about the fact that they could not get changed in time though. The Docksides were littered with the run down ramshackle warehouses that the mainlanders came to fill occasionally with supplies the island could not supply on its own.  Warehouse 13 over there in fact was no longer used at all because of the roof damage from a storm and the complete apathy of the islanders to fix it.

Still Glaring at Quinten in a way that said the next rock would be made of lead she suggests to Gi, "Actually we could probably get into that warehouse and change pretty quick. I just need a new top...and if your other outfits are more elaborate than that dress I can help you into them faster."

Ilsa flinched to the side as AJ launched the rock, clearly not taking the risk it might hit off the mark.  It wasn't clear whether Quinn didn't see the attack or didn't bother to move but he took the rock straight in the chest with a grimace that morphed almost immediately into a snarl.  "You want to dance?  I'll be your partner," Quinn declared setting his smoke on the dock rail.  CK merely hopped back to sit on the rail, an amused spectator finally finding something worth watching.

Before Quinn could move Ilsa was in front of him muttering into his ear.  He attempted to push her out out of the way but she took his arm, continued on with whatever point she was making, raising a brow at it's conclusion.  Quinn's eyes glittered to the gate and then back to his knave.  His jaw tightened and he spit on the dock. "Fine," he replied in concession to the young woman who slinked back to his side.

Taking the smoke back the snarl faded to a sneer.  "Someone's a little touchy.  Quinn remarked at AJ as he took a drag.  "My guess?  The the truth hurts more than a little stone."  Reaching down he took the flat rock, considered it a moment, and tossed it back to the wolf.  "Looks like she doesn't want it," he said with a shrug before spitting on the dock and leaning on the railing with a tight jaw.

It was shaping up to be a very difficult morning, made more difficult by people who didn't intentionally spend time together - or was it didn't spend time together intentionally? - being thrown together.  Between that, a lack of sleep, and her own demons - now scared off - she didn't really wanna deal with today.

Before Gisela had a chance to respond to the chaos presented by Quinten's innuendo, and as a side note assure that AJ didn't need to go out of her way, Wolf was unexpectedly there with his stone.  "I, well, thank you," she states, both grateful and disappointed, though not with him.  She accepted the stone, almost dropping it once before catching it again.  This momentary distraction keeps her from interceding before AJ throws the stone at Quinn.

Gi didn't get a chance to say anything else as Quinten through down the challenge.  She'd shifted towards AJ, intent on stopping her.  She mouthed a 'Thank you' to the Deck's second in command.

"Okay, okay," Gi counters before AJ can step up to the challenge offered by Heart.  And, she knew AJ would if given half a heartbeat.  "If you'll excuse us, Mister Wolf, AJ and I need to go change.  Before...," she leaves it unfinished.  She grabs the bag from the ground, slips her arm through her friend's and turns the other towards the warehouse.  She grabs her cup of coffee with a long-suffering sigh. It wasn't that she didn't trust the others - Chance wouldn't be dumb enough to screw with her and if Wolf had wanted to be a threat, he'd had his chance.  She just needed the caffeine to manage a sleepless night and short tempers.

She started leading the other towards the warehouse, arms still linked.  "Thank you.  I'll need the help," she begrudgingly admits.  "Mother has... expensive tastes," she states.  "You know how she is.  I convinced her to let me wear this as a travel dress.  I explained I would change when we arrived, but had never actually intended to do so," she added, speaking of mundane things to distract the other girl.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:32, Sun 26 Mar 2017.

"Enough!" you all hear the cockney-ish over enunciation just as an empty bottle is thrown and shatters at Quintens feet.

The drunk has staggered to his feet and is making his way over to the group. He pulls back his hood and reveals the face of the shamed knight, Sir Kay; albeit shriveled with age and laden with the telltale creases of his drinking habit.

"Yer highness..." he addresses briefly of Chance, though it DID sound so terribly mocking.

"Pathetic. In my day, we owned Grimmaria. People shook at our names. Now what do we have? A bunch of petulant children having water fights? The lot of you have no idea-"

He is cut off by a female voice. "Oh shut up." The voice belongs to Doctor Faciliers daughter; the mocha skinned beauty with oddly snake-like yellow eyes. "YOUR generation got us INTO this mess," she adds, idly playing with a pair of dice between her fingers. "But feel free to keep talking. I'm definitely interested in hearing more about how things were so much better when you were in charge.... oh wait... You never were."

Kay grimaces and outstretched a bony finger toward the girl. "Arrogant. Just like the shadow man. You aren't the first ones off this rock and you won't be the last. Mark my words..."

He was still muttering to himself as he ambled away toward the ramshackle warehouses near the docks. Miss Facilier appears bored at that point, going to learn on the gate and play with her dice while looking very bored.

In reply to Her Majesty (msg # 31):

Chance watches the interplay back and forth with all the interest of a tennis match.  He takes another couple of swigs from his cup of coffee before commenting innocently, "Funny... I do remember someone actually getting off this rock and actually taking a swing at going after the king.  But a certain someone else was too afraid to follow him."   He smirks at Kay's back, "Although, it does make for a good conversation over drink in the Pub.  But that's all it is... Talk and talk."

He does however, feel that the Voodoo Priestess requires a little more attention, "And there's no reason to see yourself out of this group, Shady Lady... I guarantee the party will liven as the festivities begin.  Unless you prefer a different game of chance?"  At which point, he produces a deck of cards...

Alameth places his newly forged ring on his cart before he runs over to Chance and leans over his cards. He turns around to Alani and signs Hey! I found the rest of QUINTIN's family! We can finally play spades! It's better than playing hearts any day!

He silently chuckles as he goes back to his cart. He keeps a full sized grin on as he takes a mixture of rubies, sapphires, topazes, opals, pearls, diamonds, and emeralds out of his cart and places them atop it. He warms his ring a little as he picks out one gem of each type and places them to the side, the other gems going back in the cart. He pulls the ring out and carefully places each gem into the ring and flash cooling it. Any person watching closely enough can tell he is keeping just as much attention on the people around him as he is his work.

(OOC: Just in case there was any confusion, Alameth only signs since he is a mute. I'll try to remember to put it in blue or something from now on.)

Lola smiles at Chance and shrugs. "I'm not seeing myself out. I'm just getting my seat for the fireworks..."

She gestures with her chin toward the city where it appears a group of a dozen or more of the pardoned ones are finally showing up. There are quite a few familiar faces amongst them.

(See the NPC roster)

In reply to Lola Facilier (msg # 34):

Shan Sang is flanked by two of his own cronies, one male and one female. The male is a brick wall of a man standing a good six and a half feet tall. The female is a slight and attractive Asian girl.

He smiles as he strides up to Quinten. "Heart. I would have thought you'd have lost your nerve... or your head... by now..." he drawls, eying over the assembled lot. He looks to Quintens female counterpart. "Still slumming it with the man who wouldn't be king, eh? Let me know when you come around," he added with a wink.

Both of Quinn's companions' backs straighten as Shan and his crew approached.  Heart didn't respond immediately though.  He took a drag of his smoke, furrowed his brow and muttered, "did you all hear something," aloud.  A moment later his gaze settled on Shan.  "Oh, sorry Shan, I didn't see you for a second; hiding behind your nanny there...as always," he shot back glancing at the brick wall.

"I'm surprised they're letting you out... then again this is all about their benevolence," he declared sarcastically gesturing to the mainland.  "So there had to be room for a few pity cases I guess.  Some chaff among the wheat..."

In reply to Alameth (msg # 33):

Alani leans into the petting and listens to the unfolding fight. She tires and fails to stop laughing at Alameths card joke. She signs back (good jab, I'm up for spades.) She signs for him to come back to the cart. When he returns she debates holding him back from a fight. Alani watches closely waiting for someone to make a move.

Sang scoffed, looking less insulted than genuinely confused. "I'm sorry. I thought one of our families almost conquered a continent and the other got bested by a little girl... or am I and everyone else alive just remembering it wrong?"

The Asian girl at his side smiled smugly. "Don't go down the rabbit hole, Shan. We'll be here all day," she muses.

He smiles slightly. "Droll." He turns to Quinten again. "It's nice catching up with you. I'd forgotten how much fun slumming it can be."

In reply to Shan Sang (msg # 38):

Chance looks at Alameth with mild confusion, it's obvious he doesn't know sign language.  At all.   He looks over at Alana, "Congrats, you get to be his Parrot, if he doesn't use the notebook."   As far as everything else is concerned... he replies to Facilier, "Fine point.  What odds you giving?"

At which point he quickly shuffles the deck of cards, and pulls one off the top... Which he flashes at Lola, "Odds aren't good on this one, my opinion."

[Three of spades]

In reply to Chance (msg # 39):

Between Gi guiding her away and the explosive entrance of crazy drunk Sir Kay all AJ had managed to get ramped up to do was spit and glare at Quinten. Furthering her distraction from the death of a couple cards was the one woman on the island AJ had ever felt like she might switch hit for.

Lola was strangely attractive to AJ, like magnetic. It was a feeling that she kept locked away tightly even from Gi but when that girl started talking all AJ wanted to do was listen...and to go get cleaned up and presentable.  She kept one eye on Lola and one on Sir Kay as she led the way for Gi to the warehouse that should be abandoned and empty.

It was probably also good to get out of there a bit while all the crazies started streaming in, Pot calling kettles black notwithstanding. She could already see more trouble brewing and though she usually loved chaos and fireworks... she would have liked a seat next to Lola for them.... she figured today was not the day because she did not actually want to endanger her chance of getting off this rock.

Henrik, for his part, smiles and strides up to the group like he's showing up for a public speaking engagement. "Fashionably late, as always," he sighs to himself as he surveys the assembling group. "Good morning gentlemen," he pauses, his tone changing into something cringey, "And ladies," he adds, one eyebrow cresting up.

Missy giggled melodically and waved at Henrik from beside Eva. "Hey Henny," she cooed.

Eva rolled her eyes like she might gag. "Don't be pathetic, Mim," she warned as she took out a nail-file and began preening her nails as if completely bored with it all.

Phasma drifted along in her long, black funerary gown next to Morgan. She tilted her head questioningly. "Have you ever seen a cat quite so large?" she asked, glancing at Alani. Clearly she had no filters.

Morgan smiled. "Just one..." he barbed as he looked at Javed. The junior Khan pushed past Morgan, giving his shoulder a deliberate shove as he went by.

Javed seemed to be ignoring the banter for his part, but does give the wolf a stink eye. Perhaps he sees him more as prey than peer.

Lola sucked in a breath over her teeth. "Oh this is going to be a fun trip," she mutters to Chance. "Odds they start killing each other before we reach land?" she asks as she shakes the dice in her palm. "Two to one odds Barbossa throws a punch before we even leave port."

In reply to Lola Facilier (msg # 43):

Wolf caught the rock that was tossed back his way and wordlessly handed it back to AJ.  Hopefully she would want to throw it again.  Though his preferred target would be Henrik based on the sneer that touched his face when he looked at the man.  The big woodsman silently noted the interactions and slid a few paces away, leaning against a post near the nightmarish wolf.

S'ulfr quietly commented to Wolf, "They're friends but they're hiding it," he said cryptically looking between two of the new arrivals.

Wolf nodded, noticing the same thing.  "I'd rather see secret friendships than what's going on between a lot of the others.  It's like watching a bunch of rams horn clashing before the rut."

"The pirate and the tiger you mean," S'ulfr asked.

Wolf nodded again.

In reply to Wolf (msg # 44):

Chance shakes his head at Lola, "No chance.  I'd need better odds to even take that bet."  He takes another gulp of coffee while watching the square off between Shan and Heart.  He idly shuffles the deck with his other hand, before drawing the card off the top, and spinning it around to view the face.   He states, "If Heart hadn't brought his Secretary, I'd bet he'd already be half into a proper row with Shan."

He throws a smile over at Heart's Knave, provided she even picked up on his snide remark.  Otherwise, he continues, "How dead we talking for killing eachother on the water?  Overboard, three inches from the otherside, or just proper black and blue?   I'm thinking three to two on hammered Hell, and two to five for 'Off with his head'.   One to ten that someone takes a swim."   Chance turns the card toward her, and it's the King of Diamonds, "Neh?"

Quinn paid only a passing attention at the other scoundrels and kept focus on Shan.  His face flashed with anger before a dark smile formed.  "I don't know Shan.  The way I hear it from everyone my family ancestors are royalty and your descended from... how do I put this nicely," Heart paused with an evil look that said he was about to be anything but; "...slobbering, mouth breathing barbarians."  Quinn took a drag before adding a last parting shot; "oh, who also got beaten by a little girl.  Doesn't count if she wears boy clothes."

Sang shrugged, rolling his shoulders as he sighed. "Yes well, they may not be as refined as preferred but none of them were stupid enough to hide their shrinking potion in a cake marked 'eat me'."

The cronies to the left and right of Sang both share a snicker.

"Come on. We have more important people to talk to," he says as he moves off toward Phasma who is currently staring blankly out at the water through the gate.

Lola grins at Chance as she watches Sang walk away. "I really should have brought popcorn for this..." she hisses in amusement.

She looks out toward the water and then leans in to speak. "Anyone who goes overboard is dead anyway..." she informs him, strangely looking giddy at the prospect.

Morgan overhears this; apparently not finding it quite as funny to judge by the look on his face.

Heart watches Sang move off before he takes another drag and steps up to Eva and Henrik.  "So anyone know exactly what we're cooling our heels for?  Because there's fashionably late and then there's just late; and I'm not one to wait on the pleasure of others."

Alameth pulls a long chain out of his cart and places it atop before turning to Heart and signing, "I would much rather them be late than not show up at all. We are already working on their schedule. Have been since our parents were stuck here. Unlike some people," He makes a point of glaring at Heart and Sang in particular, "Some of us don't belong on the island and don't know why we're here in the first place. It could also be that they are watching from a distance and waiting for the riff raff to leave or be dropped in the ocean by their peers."

He goes to work on his chain, lengthening it to fit more with his own build. Those who pay attention can tell that he is working a bit harsher with this item than the last, a certain amount of an attitude change obvious.

Alani looks at Alameth confused with the sudden outburst of rage before she turns to the others and quotes to them, primarily Heart, what Alameth had signed before turning to him and trying to calm him while helping him work.

Nyxia flew in circles around the area, partly out of nervous boredom and partly because AJ was gone. The commentary and speculation intrigued her, but she really had no idea. She was here primarily because of her father. While mom was no Princess, she never did anything that bad.

In her eighteen years, Nyx had learned a few things. Well, a few things besides fire is pretty. One of the top things was big people are weird. But also way up there, almost at the top, was that things happened in their time and forcing them always led to worse things. Like trying to fly through a pipe that wasn't big enough for your wings because you thought it would be faster than flying around.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:20, Tue 28 Mar 2017.

While the rest of the group had split off into varying pairs and groups, vying for attention, dominance, and good seats, Gisela and AJ had made decent time in changing their clothing.  AJ was the first to emerge from their self-induced isolation.  Her clothes were similar to the ones she'd worn originally, but she now wore red in place of the white.  Given the prior water fights, it could be considered more practical.

The same could not be said about Gi's new outfit.  She'd made the opposite shift, from dark green to white, though with black hemming and trim along her upper arms. The sleeves were long, tight until the elbow then fluting past the wrist.  Ornate floral embroidery in the same dark hue adorned the shoulders and a smaller one centered on the sweetheart neckline.  While her prior dress had covered her cleavage in its entirety, this one seemed to accent it with added lift and further accentuated by the off-the-shoulder cut.  The rest of the dress was made of silk in a variety of opacity, layered with black hemming.  It hugged her curves nicely, accentuating a long, lean silhouette by unable to hide the slender hourglass.  It wasn't until she grabbed AJ's arm to stop her and turned that one could see that the back of the dress was even more ornate and overstated.  The layers were accentuated and the ties ebony on the white, trimmed on either side of the hooks for the ties.

The dress was far too expensive and the fabrics too much for most to get on the island, even those with money.  Yet, somehow Gi's mother had managed.  It looked amazing on Gisela, though, bringing out yet another aspect of the princess she claimed.  And she had the regal bearing to own it, softened by the friendly smile.  If she'd been given half the chance, she'd have fit perfectly in with all the perfect pink princesses on the mainland.

After a few words, however, Gisela let out a sigh at AJ and fell back in step with her friend.  Instead of allowing the bodyguard positioning to stand, though, she matched her shorter friend's stride.  She paused a few feet out, looking at the new pairings as if to figure out whom to approach.  She apparently settles for staying with AJ, and seeing where she goes.  For now.

OOC:  Couldn't find a frontal picture so here's the back: 
This message was last edited by the player at 21:52, Tue 28 Mar 2017.

In reply to Gisela O'Cuinn (msg # 52):

It was kind of like watching a race... AJ would speed up, then Gi would, then AJ would get the lead again. The athletic pirate was very quick and could probably have kept going; but once her friend in the fancy dress was just about to have to break into a jog she eased up finally and let them just walk together.

Since she was still technically leading the way AJ headed for Chance and Lola. Chance should be used to seeing Gi stuffed into her mothers idea of Royal Barbie outfits..plus Henrick was not over there...yet... AJ gives the creep a preemptive evil glare.

"So you two worked out the odds on everything yet," She asks apparently deciding to finally acknowledge Chance existed even if her question was mostly to the lovely Lola.

In reply to AJ Rourke (msg # 53):

Drizz meanwhile reappears, rather miraculously dry given the short time he was gone. He was fluffy now so maybe wherever it was had included a local cat person with a towel. He slithers around Mims legs and purrs/meows for the crazy girls attention...at which point he drops a few pretty glass bead baubles out of his mouth next to her feet.

Apparently that cat person with a towel had also once owned some pretty glass bead earrings too. Drizz brought presents to his favorite people...and like all black cats he brought ruin and despair to those that he didn't.  He was ordinarily a lazy kitty so that list was usually rather short and contained most of the dogs or dog owners on the island...but Shere Khans kid was one of the exceptions and his presence was usually enough for Drizz to put aside his blood feud with even Bigby for a while.

Drizz didn't like the way the striped savage thought himself king of cats, and Drizz's father didn't much care for it either.

The pocketwatch was a masterpiece, a thing of a different time and place.  The lack of elaborate adornment on its face spoke of an unusual confidence of its maker in his craft.  The stark roman numerals, picked out in jet black against the white enamel face, seemed proud to tell the time.  It bore the unique scars of an implement often used but well cared-for, its few bumps and scratches worm smooth by worrying hands over decades of use.

He listened to the gentle, reassuring ticking, almost inaudible, as the clock struck six thirty eight.  The minute hand clicked with a sharp mechanical motion, quivering with the poise and precision of an arrow stuck in a bulls-eye.  The sound of its motion, a slightly sharper click, made his ear twitch.

He pursed his hare-lip with disappointment in himself.  He hadn't wanted to be late for this very important... appointment.

Tucking the watch in his vest pocket, he pulled the top hat from under his arm, carefully beating his sleeves and trousers with the back of a glove, straightening his long-tailed morning coat and trying to make it look as if he hadn't sprinted the last quarter mile.  Replacing the glove and adjusting his french cuffs, he slung his rucksack over his shoulder and lifted his suitcase, strolling casually through the forbidden gate, ominously struck open before him.

"Well," he remarked, as he came upon the misfit crowd forming at the foot of the dock, "it seems I haven't missed the boat."  One eye, ringed by a liver-colored spot, scanned the crowd, while the other, peering out from his otherwise pure-white pelt, seemingly settled on a few familiar faces.  "Quinten," he greeted, his voice lilting in a complex shade of mock surprise and deeper-spoken utter lack thereof, though he lingered for only a moment before scanning the rest of the crowd.  "What a strange crew."
This message was last edited by the player at 09:02, Wed 29 Mar 2017.

In reply to Jack White (msg # 55):

Chance watches AJ and Gi's odd procession with a mix of amusement and mirth.  However, he does keep whatever comments he's got to himself, as it's probably a good idea provided the Volatility of some involved.  Barring that, he responds, although it's mostly to Gi, "Yeah, the Odds are tallied... and we're both in agreement.  This will be hilarious, and someone is going to take a swim.  My bet will be the King of Spades... considering he's already trying to dig into the King of Hearts.  We're all waiting for the One-Eye'd jack to throw the first punch... and I'm not sure how the second Joker is going to fit into this deck... but, we're not the odd ones here."

He pointedly looks over at the Rabbit, "But, don't worry... Watership Down, we're not all that bad... Except Lola, she's just as deadly as she seems.  Isn't that right?"   He smirks mostly to himself... But that's a standard case.

Henrik seems to have completely ignored anything Quinten said; instead being completely taken with Gi as she returns in her splendorous new outfit. He drifts over toward her, smiling, and bows formally as she goes by.

Eva rolls her eyes and looks completely disgusted with the display. "Don't you just hate when people waste your time?" she replies to Quinten. Her tone left it unclear as to whom she was referring.

She reached out and took Quintens cigarette, taking a long drag before handing it back. "These will kill you, you know?" she asked with a smile.

"Kitty!" Mim squeals giddily as she hoists Drizz up. Clearly he had chosen poorly. He was now going to be hugged. "Awwww you're a pretty boy! Black, just like Eva's soul!"

"I HEARD THAT!" the girl shouts from her place next to Quinten.

Lola smirks at Chance. "You have NO idea..." she trailed off before turning at AJ. "Looks like we're getting off this rock together. I'll bet we have our fathers to thank for this... most auspicious opportunity."

She rolled the dice between her fingers and looked out at the water. The red sun was painting a bloody swath across the horizon and there was still no sign of a ship. "Fortune smiles on sailors when the evening sky is red, but red skies in the morning leave a sailing man to dread..." she recites in poetic rhythm.

Morgan looks over with a frown. "You're not funny," he states.

She ignores him, finishing "For one brings fair horizons and the other leaves him-"

Morgan cuts her off, grabbing her wrist. "Enough!" he hisses, clearly taking maritime superstition very seriously.

Lola just smiles, dropping the dice in her hand. They clatter to the ground near their feet. She casts her eyes downward; her smile growing. "Snake-eyes," she affirms with amusement.

Q gave White a nod of the head as he arrived; then rolled his eyes as Henrik played the fawning schoolboy.  Smirking he took his smoke back from Eva and shrugged.  "Why worry about what will kill you years from now," he asked as he took a drag, "when there's so much that can kill you right now?"  Quinn didn't exactly look to Shan as he commented, but he certainly wasn't referring only to the run of the mill dangers of the Island.

"Then again some of us have nine lives," he smiled giving CK a look.  "As for wasting time," he muttered before he looked back over his shoulder to Alameth and his translator.  "I wasn't actually talking to you but...wait no...that's it," he concluded rather dismissively.

"But seriously," he commented looking between Eva and his crew before glancing at a few others.  "I don't even see a ship.  So I think someone's clock is a bit off."

"Honestly, I don't think half of them make it up the gangway without being dragged home to mommy and daddy,"  he mused to Chance.  He plucked a fleck of gravel from his sleeve, the road debris clinging to him like mites.  He rolled it between forefinger and thumb, examining it as if it might hold some vital clue.  "Frankly, I'm surprised nobody's been knifed yet."

A look of concern momentarily crossed his face at Quinten's offhand comment, and he withdrew his watch from his pocket, looking at it again, "We are most definitely on time." he tapped the crystal with a gloved fingertip for emphasis, before closing the device with a decisive snap.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:03, Thu 30 Mar 2017.

In reply to Jack White (msg # 61):

This was in fact what Drizz was hoping for. He liked the whimsical and unfilter Mim, his purring rumbled through his body and he shamelessly rolled in her arms so she could scratch his belly. It took both arms to hold him to! Despite his ability to somehow squeeze into itty bitty spaces Drizz was not a small cat. In fact he was roughly the size of some bob cats and possibly able to eat small dogs.


His eagerness to be cradled and loved on my have had ulterior motives other than his sincere adoration of Mim however.  Another cat had slinked out of the warehouses, a medium sized but well groomed Siamese glared haughtily at the scene from the edges of the dock area.

In reply to Drizz (Cat) (msg # 62):

She was being really friendly to Lola and by extension Chance, until the girl points out the sailors superstition, AJ took those seriously too and while she does not shush the priestess like Morgan does...she does look worried now.

She turns and shades her eyes with a hand then extends her weather sense on the sky and horizon again...and there it was. Pretty far out and hidden under the curve of the earth for the most part but definitely a fairly nasty squall.

"Fishguts, Well there is the reason for it being late," She says pointing seemingly at nothing. Morgan might spot it too but most of the others would not be familiar enough with seamanship. "That nasty squall just over the horizon is probably what has us cooling our heels. I would not want to be that Captain out there."

She produces a nice looking natural pearl, "Put me down for the creeper getting sea sick first."  She says it glaring at Henrick as he bows to Gi... She really really wanted to just knee him in the face while he had so obligingly put it at the right level...but Gi would want her to be all Sweet and Polite.

Thankfully she is distracted before that impulse can take hold by the appearance of more people at the edge of the crowd of kids. The Goons that had gone with her father to raid Atlantis back before the island was created were not imprisoned here. They had turned over new leaves and made deals to betray her dad so they could stay on the Mainland. AJ did not blame them anymore. Not even a little.

These goons were just that goons. Most of them close to nameless and just as interchangeable as they come. But Anne Jouquet Rourke KNEW why they were here and the comment about Dad's making sure they got off the island burned in her ears when she saw them. Lola's father might have done it so Lola could have a better life or as a way of getting his tendrils back out into the world. Not Commander Tiberius Rourke though... this was Banishment for AJ and she knew it. Those Thugs were just here to make sure she got off the island. Her dad had made that clear last night when he put all the fresh bruises on her and cracked her ribs.

"Hold that thought," She growled dangerously and pulled her sword out to stalk straight past Henrick and up towards those watchdogs. Given the expression on her face, the liquid helium in her tone and the appearance of thirty inches of keen edged steel... Henrick would be justified in thinking he was about to die at least until AJ brushed past him brusquely anyways.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:31, Thu 30 Mar 2017.

"Case in point," he muttered, his ear twitching at the ring of steel.  In a single smooth motion, he unhooked his cane from the crook of his elbow, reaching out to catch AJ's sword arm.  It wasn't a true attempt to entangle her, just to give her pause.

He shook his head, his brows cresting slightly, pleading calm.  After all, some of those here had something to lose if this all went south before the boat even arrived...
This message was last edited by the player at 20:16, Thu 30 Mar 2017.

In reply to Jack White (msg # 64):

AJ looks down at the hooked cane and shrugs it off, "Try that again Bugs...and I will have a new lucky charm."

Seeing the worry also reflected in Gi's face she relents...a little...,"I am just going to go send a pointed perfectly clear probably lead free missive to Commander Rourke. Savvy?"

Alameth signs to Alani, "Get AJ attention, quickly please." before tossing his last unfinished ring for his chain, still red hot, at AJ's feet. Alani quickly hollers out, "AJ, Alameth has something to say to you."

He waits for AJ to turn around before he starts signing, "A strong person doesn't fight unnecessary fights. A stronger person walks away to show their strength. If need be, a stronger person brings allies to show they aren't alone...and that they won't lose." When he is done, he slings his lengthened chain over his shoulder with one hand still holding it.

While he is talking, Alani pulls out a dagger hidden on her outer thigh. It looks more like a decoration with all the jewels along the hilt but the light reflects just right along the edge showing just how sharp it is. Alameth grabs her along the waist and turns with her, making a point to show that they would follow.

Quinn took note of all the recent unsheathing, sucked on his smoke and leaned into Ilsa with a smile.  "And gamblers though the smart odds were on me being the instigator of any violence..."

Turning to Eva, Henrik, and a few of the others not brandishing weapons he spoke up.  "So am I the only one that just assumed the mainlanders wouldn't trust us enough to allow us to bring weapons with us...not that I need them...or is it just me?"

Gisela wanted to avoid and ignore Henrik.  It was almost on par with self-preservation given what she knew of him and the rare interaction.  However, training kicked in and she was curtsying before she had thought it through.  The only satisfaction was the fact that it wasn't as low as his, given that she significantly outranked him.  Technically, she outranked his father as well, even before he'd been banished to the island.  She was much further up the ascension line than even Hans had been, having half the siblings.  At one point, she'd also been the Heiress Apparent in line for her father's throne.

Not that she truly cared about ranking.  She was on an island of misfit children and evil adults.  Being a princess didn't do one any favors there.  Still, it was enough to give her some formal distance from crown-chaser.

This crossed her mind in the seconds between his bow and AJ's change of demeanor.  "No, not savvy," she countered aloud where as others had chosen to sign.  She didn't know if AJ would be willing to slow down and read their words.  And, understanding what they said, it gets the two Al-people a truncated glare.  Either the dress came with an extra set of ... confidence... or she was less timid than she appeared.  "It's reckless and fool-hardy and exactly what's expected of you."  AJ was hot-tempered.  If her father was thinking enough to send the guards for AJ's exile, no doubt he was smart enough to expect her temper to pop off at an inopportune moment.

"It also serves no purpose but to get out a bit of temper for five minutes, but can cost you the ticket off the island.  In fact," she states looking around.  "Any of these displays can cost us all the chance to leave.  So, why don't we put away our weapons," there was a pointed glare at Alameth, Alani, and, finally, AJ.  "Stop throwing things," she says, this time directing towards Alameth and AJ, "and put aside our tempers and egos long enough to reach the mainland?"

"And before you say it will only take a moment and no one will know, AJ, you don't know that.  It's a magical warship.  As far as we know, it could be sitting outside the barrier waiting for any reason to abandon us while keeping their consciences - and fancy white gloves - clean."

In reply to Gisela O'Cuinn (msg # 68):

The gun had come out as attacks and interference cascaded in, a sorrier lot of lily livered yellow bellied codfish she had never seen...but damn it all if they didn't have points.

That did not actually instantly make AJ a reasonable and compliant soul. In fact while she trained her gun on the big mute idiot who  had been THROWING THINGS at her AGAIN...she looked imploringly at Gi, "But... I really really want to gut something Gi? Please?!  What if I drag them out of sight first? What if I get them to attack first!! Then it would all be in self defense. Come on... throw a salty dog a bone here."

"Some of us are trying to get on this boat so we don't have to carry a knife everywhere anymore."

He sighed, as the galloping lance of violence was broken on the pauldron of reason and good judgement.  He reminded himself to thank Gisela for her intervention... though he quietly sighed, tragically used to not being taken terribly seriously.

He looked back down at his watch once more, then towards the horizon, where apparently a storm was brewing.  This ship couldn't arrive soon enough.

In reply to Jack White (msg # 70):

Wolf sighed.  He was not under the impression that the mainland would be some bastion of wholesome goodness.  Even if it were it would be some time before he walked around without a knife.  None-the-less the rabbit had a point.  The big man stood up and put himself in front of AJ's gun.  "If we make it to the mainland you never have to seee these people again."

In reply to Wolf (msg # 71):

Chance shuffles his deck and cuts once before drawing the Ace of Spades.   He sighs and makes the cards disappear... in another feat of prestidigitation.   The man glances over at Heart and responds, "Wrong again, Ol' Q.  I'm just putting odds that Shan's gear will be wetter by the time we make the other shore.  Barbossa, however... I'm guessing Lovely Lola has the way of it there."   He grins and points a finger gun at Morgan, "But, don't take it personally... It's called bettin' for a reason.   Not predicting."

As far as the starting edges of the scuffle are concerned, Chance meanders over to AJ and places a hand on her shoulder before stating, "Eyes on the prize, Hunny Bunny.  We been spending enough time and days over and over and over on this shore... if Blood were we what we wanted, we would keep hanging here.  Our fathers hanging over our heads like Damocles.  Time and time for Raising Cain once we leave.  And may this place rot to it's bones."

In reply to Chance (msg # 72):

AJ only got that damn quirked perfect eyebrow from Gisela in reply to her counter-proposal. Her arms sagged with acknowledged defeat and she took a deep breath; let it out slowly, and put away her weapons.  She looks back along the arm attached to the hand of the one ballsy enough to grab her shoulder after she warned the rabbit about touching her...if the shit head was not so fucking cute on occasion she probably would have killed him long ago in their on and off again relationship.

"You know what I have told you about calling me Hunny Bunny," Is all she says as the cold glare she had meant to throw him melted like usual. It probably would have lacked its usual ferocity anyways with that blacked eye and pulped side of her face. Then she swivels to Bigby and says half cryptically, "It is a good thing that you have big enough balls for her because standing in front of my sights like that proves you don't have enough brains. And your both wrong... This is not the last time I will set foot on this beach."

"This," She stamps her leather booted foot on the little bit of grass fire slowly crawling out away from that once red hot ring of metal the Alameth had so unwisely tossed at her. The duffus and his feline friend were trying to be allies but lord that was the wrong way. "...is MINE. And I will be coming back for it and to pay my father back for every single inch of hide he stripped off me."

She whistles for Nyxia and waves the little faerie close, "Since everyone here wants to be a wet blanket and insists that I not kill anyone, would you be so kind as to go over there and tell my dad's goons not to worry. That I am leaving but that the next time he see's me...it will be over the barrel of my gun. Thank you."

Alani  puts the knife away and her claws come out. She whispers to Alameth, "It would seem any killing will need to be done in private."

Jack folded his arms, a cross expression curling his lip.  This was going to be a disaster.  It wasn't even...

click

He glanced down.

snap

It wasn't even seven o'clock and someone had pulled a gun.  Sides would form by eight.  Fortifications would be raised by eleven.  Break for lunch, and at least three casualties before tea.  At least the Queen had the decorum to wait until midafternoon until she started threatening to execute people.

He sighed, carefully folding his legs to sit on his suitcase, the (apparently wasted) mad dash to the docks catching up with him.

Suddenly, there is a sonorous roar from the water. It had the hollow, haunting quality of echoing whale song, but with a steady groan of metal. The water began to roil up in furious white foam next to the docks. The sound grew in its intensity and the rolling boil of the underwater fount quickened. Finally, a mast pierced the waters surface and a ship began to emerge.

The mast continued to rise, followed by more shorter masts and black sails all drenched in water. As the metal plated hull of the ship broke the surface, water splashed up over the docks and rolled up over the rocks, wetting anyone standing too close.

The ship was coated in pitch where there was exposed wood. The metal was not rusted but instead bearing a patina of green. The sails unfurled fully now that the ship was above water and you notice that the water draining off the sails seems to be running over an invisible barrier around the deck. Some sort of underwater breathing enchantment, no doubt. There was a gilded maiden as a figurehead and matching gilding along the hull announcing this vessel as 'Perditions Queen'.

Morgan sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "It's Roberts..." he muttered under his breath.

In reply to Morgan Barbossa (msg # 77):

Most people would, at most, be surprised by the noise.  Gisela, however, actively cringed, her face draining of color.  Like a rabbit caught in a trap and uncertain of its next move, Gisela froze.  She couldn't take her eyes off the rising ship, despite seeing the theatrics before.

At least she now knew it was no sea-monster about to eat her as she'd thought the first time she'd seen the angry waters bubble up from the depths.  In her defense, she'd been six, and hadn't known what an Exile was.  Overhearing exile, monsters, and being fed to wolves, the child had thought the boiling pool was the Exile, the monster they were being fed to.

Strangely, she'd been less afraid then.

This time, Gisela had been out of the splash zone, probably to the disappointment of many men on the dock.  She cast a worried glance over her shoulder and back towards the center of the island.  She might be able to make it.  They wouldn't be desperate enough to hunt her down on the island, no doubt.  But where would she run to?  Like AJ, she had no home left.  Or, if she did, she doubted she'd last long.  Her mother would never forgive her and would find a way to finish what she'd tried so many times.

And AJ would never let her run.  It was an escape from parents and an adventure for AJ.  Anything to get off this rock.  And AJ was sure it would be good for Gi, too, given that she'd never fit in among the island inhabitants.  But, AJ didn't know the mainland as Gisela did.  And Gi never spoke of her family on the other side of the waters.

"Of course it's Roberts," Gisela says, finally snapping enough out of it to respond to Barbossa.  "Were you expecting otherwise?"  She frowned.  "Fitting," she muttered to herself, considering back to the last time she'd made this voyage and trying to recall what Roberts and his men had been like.  She shouldered her bag once more, grabbing her thermos and her cup of coffee.  She'd not been keeping an eye on either, so she'd not risk drinking it, but she made habit of keeping things clean.

"I'd not worry about the message, Nyxia," Gisela adds.  "And AJ, your father probably knows that as well as any one else does.  And I'll bet his goons heard you state it and saw your intentions."  She smiles.  "Besides, you always wanted to try out a big ship..."

In reply to Gisela O'Cuinn (msg # 78):

"I'm sure she has tried out big ships," S'ulfr commented dryly, apparently also unafraid of being shot.

Meanwhile, Wolf wordlessly picked up Gisela's bag a split second before she grabbed it.  He muttered something like "I'll help" as he did so.

Despite taking a few steps back Quinn still shook a few stray droplets from his overcoat as finished his smoke and flicked the butt down the pier.  "See now that is an entrance deserving of my attention," he stated with a smile.

Turning with an over-exaggerated bow to Ilsa he commented, "ladies first," a few seconds before he caught Shan's gaze and waved him forward so he knew that kindness included him too...

In reply to Quinten Heart (msg # 80):

Gisella and Quinten might as well have been talking to the pigeons on a park statue for all the attention AJ had left to pay them, "Yeah whatever you want Gi. Asshole will figure it out..yep...Why does such a lovely ship have to be captained by such a Wanna-Be?"

The "Dread Pirate" Roberts... was supposed to be the most feared pirate on the seas, but if that were even close to true he would have been on the island with the rest of them. No Captain Roberts, or who ever held the title now, worked for the Good Guys and by definition was no real pirate. Privateer maybe, but even then the more Dread ones of those got thrown in this island prison too so he could not be that bad.

It was like... Zorro with a Boat.  AJ bet she could take his pansy ass... and his boat too. Well maybe after she finished drooling over it. Only ships like this on the island resided at the bottom of the bay. It was were she did her best treasure diving as she dodged sea monsters and sharks to get at the goods still in their sunken holds. The next closest they had were a couple row boats and canoes meant for fishing and laying nets or traps.

Missy was so busy gawking at the ship, she hadn't fully prepared for the splash. This left she and Drizz a bit more damp than was preferable. She frowned sullenly as she glared at the ship. "How rude..." she muttered, stroking some water out of Drizz's fur.

A black clad man appears at the railing. He wears the traditional black costume of the dread pirate, including the black mask and the bandana tied around his head that was failing completely at holding back his wild, curly hair. His mustache bristled with a smile and he waved as the gangplank was lowered.

"Hello, hello, hello" he called jovially in his strange accent as he descended onto the dock. "I, if you did not know, am the Dread Pirate Roberts."

The next person down the gangplank had to be at least seven feet tall. He had curly hair as well and was built solid as a wall. He walked up behind the pirate, grinning. "And I'm Fezzick." He waved, adding, "Hi!"

Roberts sighed. "Just open the gate," he groaned.

The overlarge man nodded and pulled out a ring of keys. He started toying with the lock, trying to figure out which key fit it.

For his part, Jack was impressed.  He rose to his feet again, watching as the ship rose from the depths.  Its shining prow and gilded rails glittering in contrast to the darkened hull lent it a strangely sinister air.

He reached down, picking up his suitcase, clutching it tightly, watching the crew with hardened eyes and an impatient tap of his foot.

In reply to Her Majesty (msg # 83):

Soaking wet...again... in Mim's arms Drizz decided that the only thing that salvaged the whole day was the fair sized fish now hanging out of his mouth while Mim stroked water from his fur.
The shiny silver and blue thing wriggled and struggled...and then was slurped; that was the only possible description for the frightening way Drizz simply made the thing disappear into his mouth.

One second there was a fish bigger than his head and the next that flapping tail was disappearing into his mouth. He licked his lips and decided to go back to purring. Mim or a sun spot out on that ship would get him dry again.

"Well I went from impressed to disappointed in record time," Q muttered to his crew nearby under his breath.

In reply to Quinten Heart (msg # 86):

Like the rest, Chance seems less than impressed.   He deadpans, "Oh Goody..."  The teen puts his hands in his pockets, and decides to be snide, "So, Roberts... It's hard to find good help these days, isn't it?"  He doesn't glance at the Giant... but, it's written all over his sarcasm...

In reply to Chance (msg # 87):

Gi heard S'lfur.  However, as AJ was willing to ignore it and Gi wanted no more conflict, she didn't address it.  As Wolf grabbed her bag, however, she started to protest.  "No, I've got - " Gisela began, though pulled her hand back as it accidentally brushed Wolf's.   She'd thought it was Henrik at first, with his faux chivalry, or one of the others with quick fingers.  But she was fairly certain Wolf was just being nice.  "I mean, I, uhm, thank you, Wolf."  She shifted to stand by him, as he was, after all, holding her backpack.

As Chance spoke, the slight smile that had formed at Wolf's civility - the only true civility thus far - faded.  "Be quiet, Chance.  Or be nice.  Your choice."  He wasn't as likely to be good at the second, or even the first, but it was worth a try.  Still there was conviction there, which would either encourage him to try and refrain.  Or, more likely, to challenge her.  "He's good people," she states.  She studies the gentle giant.  "Though I always thought he was much taller," she admitted.  Then again, someone over seven feet tall would always seem huge to a six year old.

She remembered both Roberts and Fezzik.  She remembered them being kind to her on the trip to the island.  Kindness was considered weakness to most on the island, and these kids hadn't been exposed much to it.  The few times they had, most didn't trust it.  But she remembered unrequired, yet freely given, kindness offered, one of the last few times she'd experienced it.  And she wasn't letting Chance ruin it.

In reply to Her Majesty (msg # 83):

Alani hides behind Alameth as the ship surfaced, Alani is masked by Alameths mass and the only part of her that remains seen is her fluffy tail (which now looks like it is sprouting from Alameth himself). Her ears twitch as she hears keys rattling trying to open the gate.She pokes her head around his hip to see if the wave of water is gone and to make sure there will not be another one. She looks up to Alameth as she stands up beside him, "Spying is not a very goody good quality." She hopes to herself the trip goes smoothly.

Nyxia flitted back to AJ, having finished delivering the requested message.  Keeping herself well above Drizz, she hovered in place.  She popped a thumb into the air as a signal of her success.

"Ooh," She cooed. "A giant. He's enormous! I bet he could take on an entire Brute Squad!"

Alameth places his chain down on the cart again, a silent laugh at Alani showing on his face. "Looks like they finally arrived. Maybe we can finally get out of here. Been waiting for this for a while." he signs after getting Alani's attention.

He doesn't show much of a reaction to the ship's arrival other than prepping his cart and angling it towards the ship and waiting for the time when they can finally board and get off this rock. He does make a quick glance back towards the direction his father resides as if he could see him from this distance. The vision of his father fades quickly and a look of sorrow replaces his emotionless face as he looks back towards the ship.

In reply to Alameth (msg # 91):

When Alani sees Alameth spirit fade she flicks her tail playfully under his nose as she starts to help put things away. "It won't be so bad" she whispers to him.

In reply to Alani (msg # 92):
"Thank you Nyxia," Aj said absently not taking her eyes off her chance to really get out to sea. Those betting on who would take a swim first might want to consider that she would be perfectly willing to just dive in and swim the rest of the way to the mainland herself once they were outside the barrier just for the joy of it.

Then she was seeing the giant man fumbling with the keys and suddenly imagied it was going to take weeks for him to find the right one. That meant she was NOT going to get off this island or even more importantly ....out on that SHIP. On about the third key of maybe forty on that big key chain her cheek twitched, On the fifth one she developed a minor tick... on the eighth key she stepped forward and in a fluid motion drew her sword and cut straight through one of the iron chain links that hung on the kids side of the fence.

In a clattering that did not quite over power the ringing of the metal on metal impact the chain rolled through the fence onto the giants side so he was left holding a lock...and two lengths of chain. Aj was breathing like she was calming down after a fight as she said in a tone that was as close to diplomatically devoid of sarcasm as she ever got, "Sorry. Looked like you could use some help. I am sure your buddy the blacksmith on the cart back there can stick a new link on that before we go."

And with that she picked up Nyxia's home and sidestepped the big man to start heading up the pier....

Nyxia zipped after AJ.  She fluttered close to the sword, examining it for damage.  With a whistle, she wondered if the blade was magic.  To just slice through metal like that... It was probably weak steel on that chain.  And AJ was super strong.  Of course, everyone was super strong when she compared them against herself.

"Hey," Quinn called out to Chance and Lola.  "You still taking bets on the first one tossed in the drink and made to swim back?  Cause I've got a bet!"

Gisela hesitated.  She trusted Wolf more than a good deal of the people on the dock at the moment.  But, he still held everything in the world she held dear.  Did she trust him that far?

Apparently so as she moved from following AJ's friend and redirected over to Fezzik.  She had a few guesses why AJ had so much pent up energy, but she was directing it quite poorly and lashing out.  Although, the fat AJ could cut through the metal so easily with that sword was worrisome and somewhat physics defying.  It left her distracted as she considered AJ's actions, but shook it after a moment.

"Here, let me help with that," Gi stated, trying to re-thread the dirty chain, despite the pure white coloring of the majority of her gown.  Apparently, the princess wasn't afraid of dirt, even though she did her best to avoid getting it on her gown.  "It's that key, by the way.  The longer one with the extended tip and oval handle."  As she re-threaded it, she considered the length and if there was enough or if Alameth's services actually might be needed.

In reply to Gisela O'Cuinn (msg # 96):

Drizz wriggles out of Mim's grip and shakes itself free of some of the water that got splashed on it by the ships arrival.  That fish it slurped up had made up for some of that indignity so  the cat walks quickly up past Gi helping with the chain and even past AJ who was giving the goody-two-shoes crew men a 'You going to come at me bro?' look as the pirate lass headed for the gangplank.

Drizz just went straight for the best sunspot aboard ship and curled up to go to sleep.

"Oh don't get your dress dirty," the giant says to Gi in his throaty baritone as he effortlessly picks up the chain. He smiles toothily and adds, "It's so pretty."

Roberts, for his part, folds his arm and clucks disapprovingly at AJ. "While I admire a woman who knows how to handle a sword, I will have to ask that you keep it sheathed on board my ship."

"You're not going to disarm us?" Missy queries from the back.

He shakes his head and gives an 'after you' gesture toward the dock. "No. I like to run my ship with a measure of trust. Besides, you might need them." There was an ominousness in his tone that made it hard to discern whether or not he was joking. You might assume the joke in it, from his rakish smile.

"Hell holds no surprises for us..." Lola purrs as she slips up next to Gi, clearly ready to get off this rock.

"Aaaaaand there goes the once of respect," Quinn commented to his crew.  CK chuckled and even Ilsa smirked slightly.

Chance walks by the pair and comments to Lola, "You've seen a woman scorned too, eh?"   He grins to himself and continues onto the ship before stating over his shoulder, "Heaven... now... Heaven holds possibilites, though.   We'll see just how long that lasts, however."

As far as the weapons comment goes, Chance holds his hands up while leaning against the opposite rail, "Weapons?   Perish the thought..."

In reply to Chance (msg # 100):

AJ smirked as she sheathed the sword while passing Roberts. The need for weapons was probably sea monster attacks or mobs of Good Lawful Folk demanding they be lynched upon arrival, and she pitied the fools that tried.

Then she hears Chance and she has to smile at his Sarcasm and shoots a friendly barb over her shoulder back at him, "As if anyone would trust you with pointy or sharp objects right."

Jack watched the exchange with disbelief.  His head shook at the dissonance, the venom, the raw contrarianism emanating from the scene unfolding in front of him.

He leaned over, picking up his suitcase, slinging his rucksack over his shoulder.  His cane was hooked in the crook of one elbow.  Carefully avoiding knocking elbows with his fellow exiles, he hurried through the gate.

He couldn't wait to be away from this forsaken place.

In reply to Jack White (msg # 102):

Gisela returns the smile from the giant man.  "As you wish," she replies, turning to locate Wolf and her bag among the other people embarking.  Given some of the characters, she couldn't help but wonder how long it would take for the bets placed to come into play.  Would there be a fight?  How soon?  Would anyone go into the drink?

How long before these pirates gave up and returned them to the island, pardon or no pardon?  Would her father be grateful if that happened?  It would be a guaranteed death sentence if it did.

Gi keeps her thoughts to herself.  She considers joining Wolf, since he was keeping a calm head in all of this.  She almost didn't even care if he was hanging out with G'mork's child.  After all, S'ulfr wasn't any more a threat to her than half the people on the pier.  But, just because he was being nice, didn't necessarily mean she had the right - or his welcome - to hang out with him.  Nor did the fact that he'd helped her once before give her any such delusions.  He was a child of the island and most of them didn't like her much.  Her quiet, bookish ways didn't help that, either.

No, she'd wait until Wolf was ready to dump her stuff and reclaim them.  Then she'd not overstay her welcome and he wouldn't have to put up with her.  Instead, she decided to make her way towards the ship alone, avoiding the bad attitude of her friend and the questionable antics of the rest of the people she knew.  At least, that was her goal.

The collected throng begins to board the vessel with varying stages of wariness. Mim and Phasma, for their part, skip merrily along onto the ship. Mim even curtsies to the pirate on her way up the gangplank. He tips his hat, causing Eva to eyeroll as she shoves past the girl onto the deck.

Henrik offers Gi his hand in escort up the gangplank as his attempt to offer it to Eva was summarily rebuked. Sang gives a rather nasty look toward Quinten as he shoves ahead. "I suppose you've got room in steerage for some of these... mistakes?" he asks of the pirate as he strolls aboard.

Roberts shrugs, his mustache bristling slightly. "The only thing going in steerage is the livestock, but I suppose since you insist on being a horses ass..." he replies smarmily, giving Quinten a wink.

Lola smirks and elbows Chance. "One point for the pirate..." she muses.

In reply to Her Majesty (msg # 104):

Drizz meows something akin to a cat chuckle at the fur searing hit made against Khan. He was languidly lying on a spar up in the rigging already. Since he had yet to actually fall asleep he idly watched the fluttering of Nyxia as if he was considering eating her when he woke up again..in a day or two..if he was dry...

In reply to Drizz (Cat) (msg # 105):

Wolf reaches over Gi takes the offered hand of Henrik instead and squeezes punishingly hard as he gives Henrik a "thanks" for helping him balance his way up the gangplank.  "Guy's a real peach," he says to Gisella, "Where would you like your bag?"

In reply to Wolf (msg # 106):

AJ, having reached the top of the gang plank hesitates before putting her foot on that gently rolling deck. She had gone around in row boats, even cobbled together some small sail boats, but her dream had always been a Ship of the Line like this one.

She sighed in pleasure and turned immediately to run hand down the polished railing and gaze up at the sheets. But even in her joy she had to flash an extra special grin for the interplay between her best friends. They were so oblivious!

She even had a smile for Chance as he came up onto the ship. She leaned on the rail and breathed in the air like it was somehow different on a real sailing vessel.

Chance responds to Lola by scoffing, "Pirate? ... Not sure he knows the like of the word.  A kinder gentler term has to be applied.   Privateer?"   He glances over at Roberts, "You do have the King's signature for this particular arrangement, don't you?"

Unlike AJ, he wears the same smirk he did on land.   There's little here of Mystery aside from a Masked man.  However, even that doesn't hold much interest... They are fashionably comfortable after all.   As it stands, his attention does turn to the previously mentioned teen with a grin, further commenting, "Starting to smell that Freedom?"

In reply to Chance (msg # 108):

"It is salty and cool. The wood and waves, canvas and breeze... they are calling to me," She waxes poetically as she smiles bigger and looks out at the sea they would be heading out towards. She slides over to touch shoulders with the young man she had been in a tumultuous relationship with for years now.

"I can...feel it in my bones, stronger right now than it has ever been before."

Something must have come over her because Aj was not an eloquent woman. Sure she tended to have that classic pirate vocabulary but usually she was not almost spiritual about it like this.

In reply to AJ Rourke (msg # 109):

_{Mine mine mine}mine Mine MINEMINE MINE MINE!

Drizz jerked his head away from watching Nyxia buzz about the ship. There was only one Horror on this god forsaken island that made that sound.

The Seagulls!

Near-mindless, voracious, selfish and downright nasty annoying winged plague beasts who travel in flocks along the island coastline looking for people (And especially cats) to torment! There they were... a cloud of white and grey flapping wings soaring towards the people who still dallied on the beach and that end of the dock.

Drizz hissed at them and in warning to the others!

In reply to Drizz (Cat) (msg # 110):

Their cloaca were full, the flock had just feasted on some poor drunk fellows entire bait bucket and crab catch. Now they just needed someplace suitably aggravating and embarrassing for some other poor lower lifeform (Lower Literally not simply in status) to empty themselves.

There on the beach, clustered around the dock and some big ship were a whole bunch of potential targets!

Mine mine mine mine ('Targets Acquired at 11 o'clock. Descend to optimal release altitude')

Mine mine mine Mine ('Mark the big one and that white cat looking one as your primarys'"


mine MINE mine MIne ('Begin your runs, good hunting')

And the Swarm of Gulls swooped down on the lollygaggers with the big cart... far out of reach and easily able to dodge projectiles they began a carpet bombing run upon their objectives.


The only shelter was the ship... and all who remained on the beach and dock practically stampede up the ramp to find a place to hide while the sky snows big thick sticky stinky drops!

In reply to The Seagulls of Severe Annoyance! (msg # 111):

The white cat looking one jogs up the plank and finds a spot out of the line of fire. She contemplates killing off all birds in the known world. Her tail flicks with annoyance.

Alameth quickly picks his chain off the cart and pushes it towards the gate. Once he reaches the pirate working on the fencing, he hands his over-sized chain over to the pirate with a hastily scribbled note ("Use this chain, old chain useless") before picking the cart off the ground and nearly jogging up to the dock. He places his cart against the rail, tying a short chain to it to keep the cart in place before leaning against the rail himself and sighing deeply. He looks to Alani and signs, "Don't need another run in with those monsters!"

In reply to Wolf (msg # 106):

Gi owed Wolf.  Again, apparently.  She knew that he wasn't harassing Henrik on her behalf, but he still formed a human shield between her and the perfect-appearance prince.  On an island, she could avoid him.  On a boat, she couldn't.  She also couldn't risk causing a scene with him.  Why had they given Henrik a free pass?  Didn't they realize how many girls on the mainland would be in trouble?

"I'll take it as soon as I get on board," she offers, as if just realizing she hadn't responded.  "I'd like to explore before I settle down for the trip," she adds, almost immediately realizing she didn't need to add that.

As if things couldn't get worse, she heard a sound that made her freeze in place.  She knew without looking that those were the evil bird-devils.  She knew it was foolish to be scared of some local seagulls, but given their hatred of her, it was reasonable.  She doubted that they'd risk approaching the boat just to get her, but that did little to reassure her.

Nor did the stampede of remaining young adults.  Wolf was bigger and more aware of his surroundings, probably because he wasn't frequently tormented by the fliers, and had a chance to brace.  At first, that worked in Gi's favor, as it kept her from being completely thrown off the gangplank.  Her general luck took precedence in moments, however.  Shifting to avoid being hit by the cart, she managed to get knocked over the railing.  A hand shot out to grab her before she completely flipped, stopping her fall, balancing her, then helping her regain her feet.  She grimaced and flushed.  "Thank you," she offered her hero's shoes, not quite ready to look them in the eye and admit to being the distressing damsel.

Jack looked up at the swarm in the sky, discomforted by their incessant honking.  Some primal part of him was disturbed by the shadows of birds.

He set down his rucksack, reaching in and producing a parasol, to protect himself from any resultant downpour...

But then there was a woman's scream, at least it sounded like a woman's, Gi might have thought it was her own catching up with her... but it was falling away at the same time that the strong arm of her rescuer pulled her up and roughly urged her up the gangplank towards safety before the birds got there!

A second or so later a big splash turns the scream into a gurgle. Wolf in twisting to grab Gi, had managed to throw Henrick off balance, the oaf tripping over his own feet, and plunging into the drink.

Luckily for Henrick, Captain Roberts did not have the same contempt for him that most of the other kids did and a rope ladder followed him into the water from over the rail.

He would never make it up that ladder though before the birds got there.  The rest of the kids though do seem to make it to enough cover before it snows birds shit for a few seconds all the way across the decks....

Chance comments dryly, "Oh, bother... Roberts, you really should leave the trash in the water... It might grow cleaner with the soaking."   This he says from the cover provided by a doorway to belowdecks.   He also quips, but more as an aside, "Well... atleast I was right that someone was going to find the water a might too close for comfort..."

The air is suddenly split by an ear-shattering boom that leaves the lot reeling. Roberts whips around to see Fezzick grinning ear to ear from behind a smoking cannon. Roberts jaw seems to just stay agape as he searches for the words. Fezzick, for his part, puts down the torch and yells "I got rid of the seagulls! Is everybody ok?"

Lola sticks a finger in her ear and swizzles it about as she tries to regain her hearing. "We are all going to die..." she mutters, electing to go lean on the other railing and just enjoy watching the 'rescue attempt'.

Roberts points a finger at the giant and takes a deep breath. "Fezzick? Go prepare us to sail." He turns back toward the group. "The journey will take a night and a day. We'll arrive sometime tomorrow morning, smooth seas willing. That means you get to bunk down!"

He gestures to a door across the deck. "Living quarters are below. We are running on a skeleton crew but they've graciously given up their accommodations for you. Hammocks are to be reserved for the ladies, if you please. We are pirates, not animals. Gentlemen, bedrolls are in the closet. Go make yourselves comfortable."

(OOC: I will start a separate group thread for everyone. Feel free to RP as you like. If you want to have a private convo, just indicate your character is talking to X person and feel free to start a private message thread should you wish to be uninterrupted. I will give you guys til Sunday night to wrap it all up. Monday is the next big move. Please also take this week to make sure your character sheet is inputted if you have not already done so.)

In reply to Her Majesty (msg # 118):

White Feathers flutter down as the birds scattered from the blast. It did not completely save Henrick... but it did manage to keep him from getting hit more than three times.  He scrambles the rest of the way up the ladder and onto the deck also wiggling a finger in his ear and working his jaw in the way deafened people do.

He does not seem to realize he got pooped on yet...

In reply to The Gulls (msg # 119):

AJ massages her temples and plugs her ears in a vain attempt to stop the ringing. But she shakes it off quickly and takes Chance by the hand as she races from the doorway they had hidden in and for the bunk room instead. Her other hand is full of Nyxia's lantern but she wanted to pick a good hammock out first!

In reply to AJ Rourke (msg # 120):

It was RAINING Cats...well one cat anyways as that cannon blast startles Drizz right out of the rigging and down upon Gi's head below. Given the distance he at least manages to keep his claws in on impact...but he IS a BIG cat!

In reply to Drizz (Cat) (msg # 121):

"Get... off!" exclaims Gisela as she's pounced by the feline.  "Weren't you off torturing some other innocent girl?" she asks, as if the cat could respond.  That doesn't stop Gi from giving the cat some pets before depositing him on the floor.  "You're going to get fur all over me," she mutters irritably at the cat.  Well, faux-irritably.

In reply to Gisela O'Cuinn (msg # 122):

Drizz rubs himself on her ankles, and well her knees too given how big he was, as cats are want to do and purrs. He watches the feline woman over at the cart get settled in...and then looks disbelievingly at the Giant who was insane enough to start stoking a fire and hammering hot metal while aboard a floating pile of kindling soaked in turpentine and pitch...
This message was last edited by the player at 19:51, Mon 29 May 2017.

In reply to Drizz (Cat) (msg # 123):

Gi overhears what's being said down below, mostly because they clearly wanted her to.  "I think that's supposed to be my cue," she says to Wolf, nudging Drizz aside gently.  "Here, I'll take that," she says, reclaiming her bag and heading down.

In reply to Gisela O'Cuinn (msg # 124):

Wolf mumbles something contradictory like he would carry it down but when her hand brushed his he quickly gave it up.  He cleared his throat and shifted awkwardly before reaching for the door handle to the lower deck for her.  It was unfortunately at the same time as her and both pulled their hands back.  That happened again before Wolf grabbed the handle.  He opened the portal but his own big boot was in the way so Gi could not get through.  He stepped back and Gisela was able to get the door herself.  To which Wolf said "thank you" for some reason.

He sighed when she was gone, shaking his head at himself.  He told himself soon they would be on the mainland and there would be plenty of room for him to never see another living soul again.  He turned to look out into the ocean and saw S'ulfr sitting just off to the left.  The wolf with too many teeth grinned and it looked sinister.  "That was smooth."

"Don't start with me."

"I especially liked when you thanked her for opening the door for herself."

Wolf face-palmed, "I mean it, S'ulfr."

"Maybe in ten years you might be able to muster enough vocabulary to ask her on a date."

"Well, hopefully you'll be dead by then and I'll have gotten a new evil dog."