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.