(Free RP! time following the 'Sitting on the Dock of the Bay' thread)

In reply to Her Majesty (msg # 1):



The Bedrolls mentioned are rolled up and stuck in a lashed down cabinet next to the hull. The hold is wide open though there seems to be some scraps of old Canvas rolled up beside the bedrolls that might be used as privacy screens if hung up correctly.

OOC: Private Conversations should be conducted in PM's or you can ask for a regular thread here. You can select NPC's to have private conversations with as well as other PC's.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:45, Mon 22 May 2017.

In reply to Bunk Room Appearance (msg # 2):

AJ careens into the crew deck and looks around like it was a 5 star hotel instead of a drafty open hold full of hammocks and berolls. Then again...she had spent most of the last year or so living full time in that sea side cave of hers. Before that it had been the Compound which was likely mostly like this with its barracks style living spaces.

She found a good one next to a port hole and hung Nyxia's lantern up on a bent nail and slung her backpack in the hammock to claim it, "Go grab your bedroll Chance. I will see about something for privacy..."

She points at the cabinet for him while she goes to look through the pile of canvas for something to hang up.

Nyxia peeks outside of her lantern.  While it didn't keep out loud noises as well as she liked, it definitely helped to save some of her hearing.  Seeing she was now indoors and hanging from a nail, she squeezed out of her mobile home and fluttered into the air.

Before moving, she swept her gaze around the room.  Drizz was near.  She knew it.  The cat would never miss an opportunity to turn her into a meal.

"Is it gone?  All the noise and terror?"

The question was rhetorical.  She flitted toward the wall of bedrolls.  Normal people bedrolls.  She had a home and didn't need one, but she couldn't help feeling slightly slighted.  She frowned, sniffed and then zipped over toward Chance.

Jack rapped the tip of his umbrella on the edge of the doorframe before descending belowdecks.  He squinted into the relative darkness, surveying the crude hammocks and hard decking with equal distaste.  Moving aside to allow anyone behind him to pass, he shook his head.  "If you think you'll get a whit of privacy in here, you're living in a particularly optimistic fantasy."

He approached the closet, tilting slightly as the faerie flit past, hoping to claim something that wasn't particularly mouldy or filthy, but not holding out much hope.  It was still early morning, though, there was plenty of time to launder such a thing, if the weather cooperated.  And the ship didn't decide to submerge...

"It's a day or two at most.  I'm sure your libido can survive until then."

Chance, even if dragged, wears a bemused expression while being lead.   The man grins completely at the situation, and shrugs as if the world were against him this particular moment.   As it stands, he pulls the hood down off his shirt... an arrangement that occasionally happens to allow Nyxia a place to perch.  It's happened once or twice in the past.

He also can't quipping to White, "And here, I would have thought you'd know all about certain females and Libido.   It's never the man that chooses when and where these things happen...  However, I must agree on your particular assessment.  It will be hard to find a inch without someone's elbow in your ear, I imagine."   He shrugs in resignation, and mutters, "I suspect that won't matter with some people..."

In reply to Chance (msg # 6):

"Who said anything about needing to satisfy my libido on this trip. I just want to be able to change clothes and such for sleeping later," She says gesturing at her blacked eye and other signs of the recent fight with her father, "This crap doesn't exactly have me in a mood for that right now."

She gives Chance a 'Sorry not sorry' look and shrugs before continuing with a lopsided grin, "But that doesn't mean I will make you sleep on the floor."

Even though they had not even pulled away from the docks yet, just being aboard had awakened her in a powerful fashion. She practically crackled with energy and it makes the idea that she might actually go to bed during the whole trip a little bit of a joke.

"I've slept in worse," Quinn commented to his coterie as the trio came down the stairs.

"But not much," Ilsa tisked as she followed behind.

Quinn grunted and shrugged.  Looking about he pointed to the aft wall, "over there. Grab a bedroll CK, I'll nab two."  Once the pair grabbed their rolls they walked over to where Ilsa was already seated.  "Shift one," Quinn state plainly patting his chest, "shift two," he continued slapping CK on the back.

The shaggy younger man waited a second before raising a brow.  "Shift three," he commented wryly; but already expecting the answer.

"Please," Ilsa smirked. "Though a privacy screen wouldn't hurt..."

Alameth looks at the others as they go below deck. He has too much work to go to sleep. He is standing by the edge of the deck with his cart as he starts working on a ring that seemed like it was already perfectly fine.

He signs to his cat, "I'll be here all night. You can go below if you want to."

In reply to Alameth (msg # 9):

Alani grabs her own "bed roll" out from her hiding place on the work cart and rolls it out on the deck she signs to Alameth "you know I love stars, besides it probably stinks down there and it would take forever to get the smell out of my coat."

In reply to Alani (msg # 10):

AJ finds what she is looking for and takes the big scrap of canvas over to hang it from the nails in the ribs forming the roof of the room.  She is short enough though that it proves difficult and she was not stretching too well.  She doesn't ask for help however and moves to walk a wooden barrel over to climb up on.

"Drizz is not down here yet Nyxia," She informs the little pixie, "I think he is probably going to spend a while up on deck ogling Alani."

"Shifts?" Shan asks smarmily as he pushes past Quinten with a deliberate shoulder push. "Scared, are we?" he adds as he pushes a hammock with his foot and watches it sway.

"OH YOU'RE ADORABLE!" Missy gushes at Nyxia, followed by a giddy giggle.

Eva rolls her eyes and sighs as she plops unceremoniously into a hammock. "If my mother was still queen, this heap would have been scuttled for salvage years ago..." she mutters unhappily before pulling out a golden compact mirror and seeing to her lipstick.

Lola chuckles and looks at Jack. "He's got you there. Like a rabbit and all those other sayings..." she muses at the creature. "Whatever you do, try not to do it in here, though. Some of us are already queasy from the sea."

"Speak for yourself!" Morgan decries as he sighs and sinks to the ground against a beam. "I'm home." He reaches into his rucksack and pulls out a green apple, polishes it against his shirt then takes a bite.

"Home INDEED!" Henrik hisses with indignation. He looks like a drowned rat; hair hanging in his face. He grabs a wool blanket and wraps it around his shoulders as he sits. "I'm liable to catch my DEATH!"

"Death isn't so bad..." Phasma retorts in her eerie, soft monotone. She glides down the stairs with an ethereal grace before moving to a porthole to inspect the view.

"Speak for yourself," Javed adds as he plunks down next to Morgan. "Some of us will be quite happy to make it across the sea alive."

Morgan snickers. "Don't worry, Khan. That bumbling giant will just fire the cannon at anything that comes close."

“Scared Shaun?  Nah,” Quinn retorted as he kept his eyes on the other young man.  “But you can never tell when some rabble coward might try to shiv you in the back while you sleep, instead of up front to your face while you’re awake; like a man.  Besides, the Captain doesn’t exactly instill me with confidence.  Let’s hope he doesn’t steer us into some rocks.”

“I mean, it might not be so bad,” Quinn continued with a shrug as he turned to watch the pale young woman at the porthole, “but I’ve got things to do before I take that trip.  People to put in their place,” he added, glancing back at Shaun.

“Speaking of which,” Q suddenly turned to face the main group, calling out loudly so everyone could clearly hear.  “Where is the Mainlander?  I’m…curious what insights she’d like to share about whom and what’s likely to be greeting us when we arrive…”

In reply to Quinten Heart (msg # 16):

So, she'd continue being The Mainlander?  Wonderful.  So, she'd somehow simultaneously end up being an islander and The Mainlander at the same time, no doubt.  It wasn't as if she was delusional enough to think those on the mainland would consider her one of them, either.  No, she was a reminder, same as she'd been on island.  She'd been both, but neither.

Still, inwardly, she couldn't help but be annoyed with Q.  Not just for nicknaming her, but drawing the attention to her.  It was bad enough she was being dragged back to the mainland, but he had to make it public as she was trying to deal with her own demons.  She didn't know yet if she'd be just another islander or if she'd have seven siblings and a father, plus whatever family had been added, out to get her.  Of course, they wouldn't have to deal with it the same.  They wouldn't understand.

"Who says she has anything she'd like to share?"  Gi responds, looking directly at Quentin.  It lacked the wishy-washy aspect she'd shown this far.  It made sense, though.  Her mutable aspect had more to do with the strain of the trip than fear of the people.

Gisela grabbed some bedding.  She made her way towards a hammock near a corner.  She had no intention of settling in there for the moment, though.  She wasn't tired and she wasn't intending to stay down below.  If she didn't bother claiming one, though, AJ would for her and it'd probably put her far too close to the smarmy couple.  All she wanted was a quiet place to escape into a book and forget everything going on.  Was that so much to ask?

In reply to Gisela O'Cuinn (msg # 17):

That huge black cat named Drizz slinks down the stairs behind Gi. He knows where to go for petting, and to maybe get a snack called Nyxia, and trots towards Mim again already purring like a buzz saw.

This conveniently put him out of the way of any thrown books Gi might decide Q needed implanted in his smug face.

In reply to Drizz (Cat) (msg # 18):

AJ finished hanging the scrap of cloth despite her tender ribs just as the row starts brewing.

"Quinten; I know you don't have the brains that the powers of the universe granted to a barnacle, but if you did happen to have those you would know she has not been on the mainland for the vast majority of her life.  She was practically a baby when she got here you lout, and I seriously doubt YOU remember much from when you were that little."


Her hands were on her hips in a classic pose all women knew to strike as they reflected on the inadequacy of the opposite genders mental capabilities.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:56, Wed 31 May 2017.

With all the posturing and verbal venom hurled about with reckless abandon in the Queen's Ward (and that very morning), the sight of someone emotionally affected was almost a genuine shock.  Jack took a step to one side as Gisela stormed past, sparing her a glance over his shoulder.  His cheek pursed momentarily with concern, and he shook his head.

He could not wait for this boat ride to be over.

"Piss off Dock Rat," Q dismissed AJ; "the Mainlander doesn't need a nanny- do you?"  He called that last part over in G's general direction.

"Besides I'm just trying to be cordial," he smirked, "start up a conversation...  See I'm just interested.  And I know CK is down," he stated as he bumped fists with his friend, "and Ilsa's always up for a good chat. Anyone else interested?  Missy- in the mood for a story?"

"Stow it, Quinten."  His ears tipped back with displeasure.  "There are plenty of people aboard who I'm sure are actually deserving of your harassment."

While she had already been high enough to not be gobbled up by Drizz, the appearance of the big cat sent Nyxia zipping up right to to ceiling. Was it a ceiling down here. Surely, it was the Deck above, but that didn't change form and function here below, did it?

She pointed a finger in his direction. A warning that she would do far worse to him than a hairball if he got his jaws around her. She would make sure he had the worst indigestion of his life if he did.

She flitted over and landed upon AJ's shoulder. Safety, perhaps. Though she did not truly think Drizz was not bold enough to try it.

In reply to Nyxia (msg # 23):

Aj smiles at the tiny pixie as she lands, being on the sea had mellowed her and she did not lash back at Quinten. They WERE at sea now, she had felt the ship pull away from the docks and the gentle rock of the water swayed the deck of a ship at sail.

"No she doesn't need a nanny, Q-Ball, but she does deserve just as much respect as you give to your crew-woman there."

AJ had also never had a problem with his female LT, she was after all the only one in the trio with enough brains to fill a thimble.

Missy clapped happily, turning to Gi. "Tell us anything you can! I love bedtime stories!"

Eva rolled her eyes again, getting up and smiling into the mirror shard that hung from the beam next to her hammock. "Mirror mirror on the wall...." she whispered, tracing a finger down the glass.

"That won't work yet, right Gisela?" Missy offered giddily. "The barrier and all..."

In reply to Melissa Mim (msg # 25):

Too much happened for Gisela to be able to address it verbally.  Instead, she reached a hand out to lightly touch the rabbit's arm reassuringly.  It was only there a heartbeat, though, to keep from overstepping too far.  Gi wasn't worried about AJ's reaction, AJ was strong and already mellowing.  Besides, it would only undermine AJ's attempt to stand up for her, misguided as it was.  She was mildly annoyed at most, but not hurt and certainly not defenseless.

"Correct, Missy.  The barrier blocks all magic and is miles out yet.  I suspect it'll be later tonight or early in the morning before we pass through it.  It only really affects those who are magic-born, but I believe that is most of us here."  Gisela's mother had been magical, a sorceress with a spellbook.  Gi had never tried a spell in her life - at least not off island - and hadn't displayed any other affinity for magic.  However, she could feel the difference between the island and the mainland.  It had taken her a long time to understand why.

She pushed aside her bag and balanced the hammock enough to sit in it.  "As for stories... Once upon a time there was once a young man, setting off on an adventure.  He'd always been a leader, surrounded by followers.  On this journey, however, things were different.  He could only be joined by his two most loyal friends.  Along the way, he would also come across his enemy, out on his own journey with own his two closest friends."  She opened her bag, looking into it and sighing.  "They formed an uneasy truce as the were forced into each other's company during the journey.  Others would also be forced into their company, all making similar journeys.  Most maintained a sort of peace among themselves, either being mildly companionable or ignoring each other as needed."

She fished out a book, closed her bag.  "The first young man, however, hadn't learned the wisdom of this.  Instead, he was used to being in control and surrounded by those who would follow him without question.  Or at least those that would fold and give in with the right bait or insults.  Among the fellow travelers, he met a girl with something he wanted.  Expecting her to be like the others, he turns to insults and the like to get her attention.  She was not like the others, however.  His insults were neither new nor unexpected, and the bait didn't work, for she refused to take it.  Instead, she posed a question: 'What is my name and that of my friend?'  It was a simple question, as both were known in the land they all hailed from."

Gisela shrugged, placing the book in her lap and put her hand upon it.  It was a historical narrative written in a tongue other than the common language.  "Now, I've heard two different endings.  The first, he let his arrogance and pride take the lead.  He continued to insult and pick at the girl.  He never gained what he sought - information that might make his journey easier.  Nor did he gain the allies that a little respect and if not kindness, than civility would have granted him.  It was his choice, but he did seem to choose to make it harder than needed."

"The other ending I'd heard is the one I prefer, but..."  She shrugged again.  "He swallowed his pride and remembered that one gained more with honey than vinegar.  His tone became more respectful and he answered the question easily.  He was able to easily gather the information and more.  Over time, he also gained a neutral ally with knowledge and resources  that made his journey and adventures simpler and more enjoyable.  Which ending do you like best, Heart?"

"The ending where everyone gets beheaded, I'm guessing..." Eva mutters, still preening her hair in the mirror.

Missy seems to ignore this comment, smiling at Gi. "I like that story. I like the happy ending though."

"She was MAKING a POINT," Morgan chimes in with exasperation, looking over at Shan.

Shan frowns and folds his arms. "If everyone survives the night, I'm going to be astounded."

Jack backed away, just slightly.

Poetry and prose had an unusual effect on the creatures of Wonderland. Rhyme was equated to reason, and stories had a way of blending into prophecy. Jack himself was something of an outlier, with his close association with the Queen and Court, its sway over the human inhabitants either less powerful, or deliberately flouted.  Still, Gisela's tale made him wary, her dipping into the power of story perhaps perceived as a more implicit threat than she intended, and causing an undercurrent of superstitious awe to seep through his crusty exterior of biting cynicism.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:38, Thu 08 June 2017.

In reply to Jack White (msg # 28):

Sermons make the kitty sleepy.... Drizz hops up with ease into AJ's hammock and curls up to sleep while his owner spins her tale. Soft purring kitty snores soon issue from him.

In reply to Drizz (Cat) (msg # 29):

AJ smiles at the little woman on her shoulder, it crinkles the blue and purple splotch around her eye that looks a lot like the rabbits. But then she finds herself actually smiling at Morgan...who might actually turn out to have the brains it took to pour piss from a boot. She generally only disliked him on principle given his dad and his tendency to invade her "Turf" but he kept up like this and that might change.

Gi had this though so the stalwart defender instead pulled that same barrel she used earlier over to a porthole and sat on it to look out at the sea.

"Not the pretty ones Eva," Q smirked at the young woman before giving Ilsa a wink.

Glancing at Gisela he pursed his lips, a small upturn at the edges.  "You know what?  I'm torn.  I'll have to let you know Princess," he finally responded to the young woman.  "After I've thought on it a bit."

Turning he walked over and leaned next to Ilsa on the wall.  "Worried Shan?  Want to share a shift?  Or you happy if I just tuck you and yours in tonight?"

In reply to Quinten Heart (msg # 31):

Wolf had finally made his way below deck and responded to Shan.  "No need to worry.  I'll survive.  I'm not a very good liar but I'll let everyone on the mainland know what good people you all were."

At that, however, Chance starts laughing, "Good People... Yeah, that's a riot!   Ahh... what a good one.   I love this guy.  Gi, why don't you bring him around more often?  He has the best of best comm..."   At which point he's whacked on the back of his head by his twin brother.

Luck, however, says, "Yes... Chance.  Good.  I'll hear nothing else."   To the rest, the second comments, "It would be best if everyone stowed their personal vendettas until we reach the mainland and see what sort of welcome we receive.   Atleast before pulling out all the petty daggers."   At which point, he glares at Chance.

The other, smirks, "Oh... I know all the petty little daggers I'll be throwing.  Who else here trusts them about as much as the ones we just left?  Have we bettered our situation or just found a different pot in which to stew?"   He leans against the hull, "I mean seriously... Just look at your fortunes..."

The teen cuts his deck, and shuffles twice before dealing a face down card to everyone... Some floating with surprising grace as he spins them from the top...

[You can flip whatever card you like... Even doubles.   Who says Chance isn't playing with a loaded deck. ;)]

In reply to Chance (msg # 33):

AJ rolled her eyes at Luck, Chance's brother. Despite the fact that they were twins... she could not stand Luck. She did enjoy Chance's fortunetelling though...and he was eerily good at it.  She plucked out her cards as he shoves them her direction, "Jack of Diamonds and Seven of Hearts."

In a show of bravery, Nyxia settled more comfortably on AJ's shoulder.  Anyone looking close enough, might realize she was still ready to fly away at the first sign of danger.  Naturally, the first sign of danger would normally be Drizz springing.  She was ready, though.

In reply to Nyxia (msg # 35):

Gisela smirked at Wolf's re-appearance and comments.  Only the book she toyed with saw it, given that she was looking down and studying the leather cover.  She did look up in surprise at Chance's words, however.  She had no real connection to Wolf, barring that they were both close with AJ.  Well, that and the one time he'd helped her out, but that didn't make them ... what, friends?

"Why would I bring him around?" she asked, unable to resist retorting, "I'd be too afraid you'd scare him off." She shrugged.  "You are correct, though.  We will have to stick together and watch out for each other.  I honestly doubt the decree is what it seems."

As Chance offers cards, though, Gisela once again becomes an outlier.  She, too, receives two cards, apparently sticking together.  A third, however, slides from the deck to land face up on the floor:  Two of Hearts.  She looks at him with a raised eyebrow.

"Two of Hearts?  Why pass me the others if you were just going to flip the same one you always do?"  It came up nearly every time he played this card trick with her.  With a sigh, she looked down at the two cards that had stuck together. "Joker and Queen of...Hearts."  Her volume dropped on the last word.  "This just keeps getting better.  Here."  She passed him back his cards, rising as she did so.  Having already marked the bed as her own, she grabs her bag and book.  She waited for the next to receive their card(s) before heading upstairs to find a safe place on deck to crack open her book.

In reply to Gisela O'Cuinn (msg # 36):

Several more of the kids join in out of simple boredom if nothing else.

Eva LeJume- 8 Clubs, 4 Diamonds
Henrik Westergaard-6 Diamonds, 7 Diamonds
Lola Facilier- 10 Diamonds, 4 Clubs
Melissa Mim -Queen Clubs, 3 Spades
Morgan Barbossa- Queen Diamonds, Jack Diamonds

The rest abstain from playing.

"You know what," Quinn commented after a moment thinking things through. "I"m good," he added passing on the game.  Instead Q and his crew moved off to chat between themselves in private; Ilsa eventually peeling off to explore as Q and CK kept up their conversation.

Chance smirks at Q, commenting mostly to himself, "Fate is fate, and fate is a harsh mistress... Losing the mystery of it would be a problem, wouldn't it?   Or would it."  He does shrug at Gi, "Fate is fate, which neither luck nor chance has anything to do with.   I draw nothing but the odds... the great whatever pulls at the deck more than my hands weave the fates of others."

He grins, "But, atleast you know something is consistent... and in that consistency, change is no longer an issue, neh?"  The teen cuts and shuffles the deck a second time, before continuing, "As easily as anything, Meaning is not my job.   Can you see the portents in your cards?"   At which point he looks at the others that have accepted a hand.

AJ looks at her nominal boyfriend like he has once again lost his mind. She had seen him do this trick a million times but the meanings never stuck with her. She made her OWN fate, not some deck of cards.

"Are you doing the fortunetelling or are we," she asks in mild annoyance holding up her cards.

Lola looks at her cards an smiles half heartedly at the cards she drew, "I don't know them like you do Chance but mine are kind of obvious. The 10 of diamonds means the end of one thing and the beginning of another. We are on a boat for the mainland, my old life on the island is over and a new one ahead. The Four of Clubs though means the trip is going to come at a cost, probably a large one and much struggling."

Lola may have known some stuff but all the rest of the kids that drew cards are just as stumped as AJ and stare at the weird twin waiting for him to explain these mystical meanings.

Gi was left her cards behind without waiting for that explanation while the other kids drew theirs.  Drizz followed her silently up onto the deck.