Gi comes out on deck to find that something must be wrong with time inside the ship. The sun was far higher up in the sky than it should be, it was almost up into high noon.  The wind of the ships swift passage across the waves away from the island was stiff, and the island itself was now but a tiny dot on the horizon.

Drizz slips out again, that Pixie was too alert at the moment to eat, and goes in search of some fish, a bilge rat or something to snack on.  His path takes him in the direction of the sound of hammers striking metal.

Over at his cart, Almeth, still worked at his portable forge while Alani hung out nearby. There probably were no edible animals near her but that was not stopping Drizz from checking around her first.

The Dread Pirate and his companion were in the Aft Castle, where the wheel was and were busy looking out at the sea ahead.

That left the Forecastle, a raised area of deck at the front of the ship, barren of anyone and with no one looking that way. As perfect a place to go to be in private as was to be found on the ship.

In reply to The Dread Pirate Roberts (msg # 1):

Gi took in the new information with a furrowed brow, but said nothing.  Magic ships were magic ships.  Maybe later she'd ask about the magic entwined in this one.  But, how did the magic work on it here?  They were still within the barrier, right?  For that matter, how had it popped up at the dock from underneath, yet dry?  Did it have something that blocked the barrier's effect?  That was something to ponder.

Gi turned towards the Forecastle, seeking what hint of privacy one could find on the ship.  There were boats nearby, for rowing or fleeing or whatever, she was sure.  It might not draw attention, but that might put her too near the others up on deck when she wanted a little time alone with her thoughts and a good book.  Instead, she took refuge on the forecastle, sitting in a little nooked area.  She pressed her back to the wall - was that the correct term? - of the bow, her head still dipped below the railings.  She rested her bag beside her and withdrew her cloak to keep out any chill.  Then she opened her book and attempted to get settled in to the narrative.

Cruelly, Gisela has just enough time to get comfortable and into the story before a shadow begins to slide by her just to the side; close enough to know that this "someone" is there for her but over just enough not to shade her pages.  "How's the prose," a familiar female voice asks.

In reply to Isla (msg # 3):

"Give me just a moment... There," Gisela says, marking her place with her finger.  She looks up to find Isla standing there, glances passed to see if her usual posse was there.  "It's not bad, but I've read it a few time.  Books are limited on the island, so...." Anyone who bothered to look would notice that, but she tended to be one of very few who cared.  "Oh, feel free to have a seat, if you'd like."  She offered a friendly smile to Q's second in command.  She didn't know the girl well, but they'd spent some time together once before.  She liked the girl well enough.  She waited for the girl to sit, or not, before adding, "And to what do I owe the honor?"

"The honor is all mine Your Highness," Ilsa replies in a formal tone and a deep sweeping bow; a gesture not seen all that often on the Island, at least amongst it's children.  The entire thing lacks some substance, like a stream only a few inches deep; but while the entire scene may not be entirely genuine it also lacks a mocking air.

"I only need a few moments of your time," the red-head commented after she was finished.  "Just a quick chat and...friendly advise, from Q; if you care to hear it?"

In reply to Isla (msg # 5):

She's grip on her book tightened at the bow, though her smile never faltered.  Instead, it became almost plastered.  "What are you doing, Isla?"  None of the island kids tended to bow to her, except in mocking.  Or fear of her mother, whom Gi is certain is nowhere around. "Audience granted?"

"Practice," Ilsa shrugged innocently. "I suspect it's a skill that might need a little polishing before we hit the mainland."

"Speaking of the mainland," she segued deftly, "Q was just mentioning how much he liked your dress," Ilsa smiled.  "And that he thinks you should...change it...soonish...," she continued to parlay carefully choosing her words.

In reply to Isla (msg # 7):

"I would have thought you would have mastered that while managing his mother," Gisela replied thoughtfully.  She didn't interact with Heart's mother much, but she had a reputation for sure.

"So, did he say why I should change or did he just think it was more his style?"  It wasn't mocking, but there was jest.  It would never suit Q and he would never, she hoped, be caught in a dress, much less this extravagant mess.  And why would he send his second in command to tell her this?

"Just like any skill; if you want to stay good at it, you have to practice constantly," Ilsa offered with a slight smile.  "And don't let Q catch you say that...or Shan...or anyone really," she answered with a raised brow.  "It's far too much work...," Ilsa cleared her throat and paused.

"It's more friendly advice that this isn't the dress you want to be wearing when we hit the mainland, or before we hit the mainland really.  It is a lovely dress, don't get me wrong," the young woman smiled as she complimented Gi' wear.  "One might call it the fairest of all the outfits on one's ship- if one were of a mind to ask that question.  On a completely unrelated note," the young woman followed up quickly, "about how long till we hit the barrier.  I know others were asking questions..."

In reply to Isla (msg # 9):

Gisela considered Isla's words a moment before muttering, "Mirror, mirror."  Fairest of them all.  She isn't sure if Eva will have issues given their different styles, but she was very attractive and that could lead to the possibility of being given a special-baked apple pie.  She hadn't considered that they could be in competition for looks or anything.  And it was ironic, given their stories both tied to Snow White.  Not that Eva knew as much.

"The warning is appreciated.  I only have one alternative outfit, however."  She had never wanted to wear this dress anyways.  She'd only changed since she'd needed an excuse to get AJ away from Q at the time.  She absently noted that there were entirely too many names shortened to letters, such as AJ, Gi, Q, and CK.  She was surprised by the question next posed, as she'd answered it earlier, to Missy.

"The barrier is as I stated earlier:  It will probably be overnight.  Late night or early morning.  If I recall correctly, I felt it when I crossed the barrier, so everyone else probably will as well."  She only had her own experience to o by, but she wasn't a natural mage, so everyone must feel that way.  She hadn't ever touched her mother's book at that point, so there wasn't that exposure, either.  "The air is lighter feeling, more energetic.  You can almost feel the magic, depending on which country you're passing through.  The Royal Port will be heavy with magic, magic felt in one's bones.  It's older magic.  My homeland is much the same."

Gisela paused a moment, her lips pursing as she thought.  Q had given her a warning.  Was that with or without strings?  She knew better than to let things sit with anyone thinking that she may owe them.  "Do you have any idea the questions Heart had?  Or did you have others?"  It wasn't pushing the other away as much as finding out which direction to take it and possibly tying up loose ends with Quentin.

"Oh I think Q was just trying to get a sense of the kind of ambu...ahem...reception we might face when we arrive," Ilsa shrugged.  "He's not expecting it to be all puppies and rainbows if you know what I mean.  You might not know, but you'd know more than the rest of us..."  The young woman takes a second to surreptitiously glance over her shoulder before lowering her voice.  "The Queen tends to be somewhat of an unreliable narrator concerning such things."

"In any event, I should let you get back to your book.  If you do want to change into something more subtle, I'm sure we can find you something appropriate, all you need to do is ask."

In reply to Isla (msg # 11):

(Feel free to continue this thread, but I'm progressing to the next scene for the others, and you, k?" :-p

In reply to Isla (msg # 11):

Gisela nods her understanding of people being unreliable.  Her mother could be relied on to give a fairly reliable rendition of things... When she was lucid.  When she wasn't, though, all bets were off.

"It won't be hugs and puppies.  He is right about that.  The best I think we can hope for is rigid, icy civility.  There will also likely be an increase in the guards.  We'll be going through the Royal Port, meaning it is very likely that there will be ..."  She considered the words.  "Guardians assigned to the group.  They will be intended to keep us in line as well as to keep us from being pelted with the various vegetation around."  She couldn't help but recall the vegetables they'd thrown at her and her mother when she had been sent away.  How different will it be when they arrive?  She had no doubts that they weren't welcome.  She didn't want to contemplate it, though, and switched to the other offer.

"No, that is not necessary.  I hope Eva will accept the green dress as middle ground.  Besides, I doubt that anyone would have something appropriate for me."  She was five-ten, with decent curves on an otherwise slender form.  Clothes that fit were harder to come by.

Ilsa seemed less than convinced but simply nodded.  "As I said, just a friendly suggestion.  In any event, enjoy your book. I should be getting back."

In reply to Isla (msg # 14):
OOC: This Thread now contains only Jack White, Alani and Alameth.

IC: Alameth stunned by the idea that someone down there in the crew hold had just stabbed him unceremoniously in the hand was easily surprised and knocked aside by the gigantic length of a tentacle coming up out of the ocean to probe the same stairwell he had just had his arm in.

Water surges across the deck as it sleuths off the tree trunk thick, sucker studded, rotten fish smelling serpentine limb.  It had to be something like a hundred or more feet long as it breached the sea, came up three decks and slapped across the top of the ship and all the way down into the open crew hold.

Alani is also caught by surprise at the sudden change of events while the ship lurches under the powerful grip of a monster.

The second tentacle that slapped down on the aft castle near Jack and the Helmsman, who had probably just added his own pee to the seawater washing over the deck, started to withdraw and drag a cannon and debris over the side into the moonlit ocean...
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:42, Thu 20 July 2017.

Alameth stops knocking on the stairs but a moment after being stabbed. He just recovered before he gets pushed out of the way as the giant tentacle pushes him aside. He starts looking at it trying to find the best place to strike as the ring that had been floating next to him changes quickly into a staff. It now looks as is there is a wolf bone head atop a dragon bone body with the eyes of sapphires and the tips of the wings in different gem colors, matching the ring it originally was.

He looks astonished for a moment before looking back at the tentacle. Something goes through him as he is thinking and again as he starts to reach out to strike at it. Instead of striking it though, his body seems to try merging with it. His arm moves towards it and ripples are met where he strikes before he notices he can't pull his arm out. He tries, a face of fear as he tries to pull away yet gets sucks closer towards it is quite appropriate in his situation.

(OOC: DC 18 Drain (Will Save) with Will Save then DC 18 (Possession) with Will Save. Need a save in that order)
This message was last edited by the player at 05:06, Wed 26 July 2017.

In reply to The Voice of Reason (msg # 15):

"Ewe,Ewwwwwe,Ewwwwwe!!!!" Alani tries to run around the tentacles and find her below deck. She tries to claw a tentacle here and there to avoid getting caught. She thinks to herself why the hell couldn't we have flown!!!!! she is so stressed she is shedding on everyone on deck.

The Krakken had just dragged Morgan out by the leg from the passage down into the crew hold. He dangled in the air from a bleeding tentacle but that limb was suddenly still as if waiting for some command....

In reply to Krakken (msg # 18):

AJ had just had a slow motion moment over Morgan and she was not about to let some sea beast with bad breath take him away like that.  This needed exploring!  So she dove up the stairs and burst out just behind him with her pistol now drawn and ready to blast the end of the tentacle holding him clean off.

She pauses to draw a bead on the damaged part as it sways above...

In reply to AJ Rourke (msg # 19):

OOC: Chance your up!

In reply to GM (msg # 20):

Chance dodges around while coming up on decks... He wears a very sour expression.   The man comments, if only to himself, "In the hour of sleep, where the sheep hold sway... Now reprisal we seek... and Hell to pay."    At which point, he deals another card for the large creature...

One he punctuates by zipping it at another tentacle.

(Throw another card, roll incoming)

In reply to GM (msg # 20):

Alani runs up and attempts to attack the nasty thing on one of its arms?

Ooc rolled a 14 to attack, for three damage.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:00, Wed 06 Sept 2017.

In reply to Alani (msg # 22):

Ooc : um Alameth merged with the kraken remember? He is not there anymore to hide behind and talk to unless your yelling at the Kraken he just possessed...

In reply to GM (msg # 23):

Ooc: Sorry, I guess that wasn't clear Because it just seemed like a mind thing. Info could have been given that he vanished though. I will edit my post.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:00, Wed 06 Sept 2017.