Post by Terra on Jul 16, 2008 0:32:52 GMT -5
----TO THE ETERNITY---
Aerindir stumbles back to the ship, still carrying that pack he's taken into the city with him. Now however, since they parted, the elven male is bruised, appearing to have gotten into a few fights during his passage through the city, though his attackers got far worse. Despite this, he grins, nodding to Leoxander, while saying, "Who else has returned? Anyone?" a bit of worry now heard in his voice.
Hume careens down out of the skies, overburdened with sacks bursting at the seams with all manner of glittering trinkets, coins and treasures. Touching down heavily on the dock, and furling his massive Jaden wings, the rough planking complains with a creaking squeal at the added weight. He shrugs off his baggage, piling his ill gotten gains in a corner by the moorings. Dusting off his hands, he approaches Leo, "I take it you're the captain of this fair vessel, and I'll ask you permission to board. We'd not been properly introduced back in the Corpse. My friends call me Hume."
Leoxander continued to wait, until that precise moment when Hume should make his appearance. His thieving eyes didn't miss the loot the dragon - no matter his form - was bringing. He'd take a step forward and speak. "I ain't all that sure what you consider a friend, mate, but they call me Leo." It was simple enough, and for once, he wouldn't even try to steal a thing off this new person. Not much for rules, the Captain would be brief. "Don't touch anything you ain't supposed to. You stock what you need to and make sure everyone who needs to be aboard is, and damn well soon. I ain't stayin in this cove for long." A rough nudge of his jaw toward the privateer vessel, and the small ferry that would take them to a ladder slung down the hull, and introductions were as done as they'd need to be. One task was clear to the lycan: escape. A respectful nod given to Aerindir, but he has already given clearance to the elf to board the Eternity.
Leoxander really needed to work on his grammer, but this was nothing new.
Leoxander also made it clear what he 'aint' doin'.
Hume turns to cast a look down the quay, noting Aerindir's and Terra's appearance he favors them both with a smile, partners now in crime. With a significant grin at the ranger, he clears his throat and remarks as if offhand in an afterthought, "A large portion of the Cenril guard is likely hot on our heels. There were some... fireworks... we found unavoidable and irresistible to use in coaxing open the merchant's vault. Perhaps we should make haste to be running before the wind?"
Terra didn't lift a finger to do any of the heavy lifting - that would never be in her nature, quite frankly. However, she did have help in that department in the form of several reptilian creatures, each one recruited by Asher, her compulsive lizard companion with a habit of talking too much. Even the crocodiles left in the swamps of Gualon for a reason would come forward, various sized bags 'pon their scaly hides. Unfortunately, they could not climb and so Ter would call from down below, hands cupped around her mouth in attempt to be heard. "A little help down here!" She was incapable of hefting those bags up the ladder and onto the ship, and so she would wait with a tapping toe. Likely she'd need help getting up the ladder as well, for leather simply wasn't made to maneuver in, especially when it came to climbing things. "And Leo, doll, your prize will have to wait. I got hungry..." Slender shoulders would shrug as she'd continue to wait. She heard Hume's call to hurry but really - what could she do? Hopeless. She'd also doubt that Shishi, who had trailed after her parade of reptiles, would be of much aide.
Shishi had wandered into the cove closely trailing the band of reptiles sent here from the weapons shop in Cenril. He's not really sure why he followed them other than some idle promise from Terra, he hadn't really needed to escort the creatures, they knew where they were going better than he did. The vampire feels a bit out of place and ill-informed. Shishi shoots a few curious glances about the area to the others, the longest look given to Terra, "Eh... Cenril guard?"
Terra would smile towards Shishi, watching her "friends" dismount their prizes and creep away, some even diving into the depths of the water the Eternity hovered 'pon. "Uhm... I may have taken a few ... liberties, mate."
Aerindir returns the nod offered to him, and after seeing Terra finally show up, is moving ot help her at once with lifting her spoils onto the ship. As he does this, and hears Hume's words, the male is saying, "I made sure to paralyze them all.. and they'll wake up with headaches, wondering what exactly happened." the words said casually. Only when he has managed to help the vampriress with her task will he then head onto the ship itself, via the transport which waits, and not a moment before, since he doesn't leave comrades behind.
Shishi eyes the prizes carried by the lizards, examining them more closely that he had before, a few confused blinks are sent Terra's way, "Took a few liberties from your own shop though, yes?"
Leoxander said, "Oh, I'll take care of them." The lycan would reply with a somewhat... devilish grin. To be honest, Leo was craving some bloodshed, a little hunt for the sport of it, some violence to soothe his frayed nerves and quell the beast inside him. His feral, different colored eyes... one tinted red, the other blue... moved into the distance where he could swear he heard the footsteps of several. "Watch the dog, don't step on 'em when you get up there. An' I bloody swear if you touch a damn thing..." Well, he'd leave that to the imagination. He wasn't exactly the easy type to mess with. For as dishonest as was, serious matters like these? He never went back on his word. "Where're the rest of 'em?" OH, there they were, Terra in particular delivering bad news about his going empty handed. Was that so? She was in fact ready to board his ship. "Jess' get your (censored) on board, will ya?"
Hume waves dismissively and reassuringly at Shishi's questioning remark, covering, "Merely a... er, honor guard, to make haste this precious cargo out of Rynvale. Wouldn't want such valuable goods to fall into the wrong hands, you know. Should they arrive and find us still dawdling on the docks, I fear we'll never live it down, we promised delivery of the cargo faster than any could overtake us." Taking up a ragged large bag laden with precious metal and the odd jewel used for a particularly large purchase, he slings it over his shoulder, casting a glance at the leather clad vampiress, "Terra! Get aboard, unless you want to be hoisted in unceremoniously with the sacks!"
Terra coughed, looking sheepish and muttered "something like that" Shishi's way before scowling up to where she assumed Leoxander would be. "I should poison your food, honestly." Sighing, though it was good-natured for the most part, for who couldn't be pleased with pulling off a robbery? Aerindir, for his aide, was given an appreciative glance and eventually Terra would work her way up the ladder, uncomfortable the entire way. Upon boarding she'd readjust, scowling at Leoxander but moving towards him all the same.
Aerindir is carrying what's left of Terra's haul, as well as his own, contained within the pack that's far bigger on the inside than it should be. No comment is made on this however, and instead he's moving to get on board the ship as well, scarcely weighed down, though he is quite weary physically at this point.
Shishi unconsciously bites the inside of his cheek while listening to Hume's lie. Who knows whether the vampire believes Hume or if he's just feigning gullibility, but either way he'll provide Hume a convinced smile and a nod before climbing his way up onto the ship after Terra, she had, afterall, promised him a boat ride.
Leoxander waited, silhouetted by the mass of a dark ship in the background, it's pirate sails displaying the same grinning Jolly Roger that his armor might in less obvious tones. "Oh dun' be like that, pretty." He'd call after the vampire with a grin that he just couldn't hide while she made her way up the difficult ladder. "Just don' step on the dwarf!" He'd call a little louder toward the lot of them, silently counting those that he had on board, who would be subjected to a pirate's lifestyle for a short time. Who would survive? It was hard to say at that point.
Terra cleared her throat and began to tug at her skirt, feeling quite unsure in this moment. Disregarding that for the moment, she'd look to all those involved. "Thank you." A sincere gesture for unlike --some--, she could be grateful. Towards Leo, she'd make faces. "I'm here for Jack, y'know."
Terra is all about being in the moment...
Terra was starting to feel awkward with the silence and all...
Hume dips his wings in acknowledgement of Terra's thanks and speaks to her, "The thanks is mine and ours, for bringing us," he looks to the ship slowly riding the waves, "aboard in this plan of yours." Dipping a finely scaled hand into one of the bins of baubles, he pulls forth an emerald he noted back in the shop. Holding the jewel to his eye, he says lightly, "This is all the share I claim. For the hoard. You know. My reasons for striking the shop were more that of exacting vengeance than amassing riches. The rest of my share I leave to you to divvy as you will." With that, he spreads his wings, catching the salt air and rises into the starry night.
Aerindir is a few rungs below Terra on the ladder, not metaphorically either, but literally. But, he's not looking up, which would be improper, or down either. Instead he's just looking ahead, while waiting for her to finish climbing. Appearing on deck, not long after her, all the loot he's been carrying with his right hand, and in his pack, is dropped, his attitude quite relaxed at present.
Shishi stands off to the side, perhaps so much so that Leoxander hadn't even counted him in his silent musings. The vampire stares at each one of these 'pirates' in turn, fairly sure he hasn't been told the whole truth, and wondering what exactly he's gotten himself into.
Terra waved towards the departing Hume and continued to squirm in the silence...
Leoxander would eventually turn, perhaps not counting the stranger to board his ship. It was hard to say with the way he abruptly moved and ventured his way to the hull of the ship, where he'd climb an endless ladder. A glance into the distance would keep watch for Cenril affiliates, but were they really so stupid to venture into a pirate's cove? Not entirely worried, Leo made his way onto the deck of the ship.
Terra followed Leoxander, as was the obvious thing to do. Shishi was offered what she hoped was a reassuring smile.
Terra trailed after Leoxander and by this point, she was talking to herself. The silence was making her more nervous than the possible Guards on their trail, to be honest. "Oh, yes tonight was fun. Went over quite well. This dress is uncomfortable. I'm probably too pale for it. Wonder if Leo could pull it off? I'm sure he could. I need to fix his eye, I think. And Shi! What a sweet guy. Too bad I got him into this..." She'd continue on until someone stopped her. It was necessary.
Leoxander was already preparing. Pulling in rig ropes, spreading the smaller sails, tightening knots here and there. Barrels and crates of supplies were already stocked aboard and he was fully prepared to flee from the law, no matter the reason. Remaining on the deck of the ship for now, he moved to the railing, listening to her rant with a glance over his shoulder before rough hands gripped hold of the frayed rope. He'd hoist one anchor up one pull at a time, but he had another to deal with before they actually started swaying on the vessel.
Leoxander would look at Shishi before his attention turned to Terra to answer her question. A motion made toward the back of the ship. "Get to the stern and bring me those extra lines. I'm gonna need an extra man for the mainsail. Please tell me we've got everything stocked on dock aboard." This last question was a mutter under his breath once he'd tied the sail rigging to the peg jutting from the mizzenmast. It was all about getting them out of their as quickly as possible, but it would take more than one man, or one lycan in this case, to sail a ship. "Is this everybody, Miss?"
Shishi shrugs up his shoulders protectively, his aquatic scarf rising up, overlaping the bottom of his mask, the Goatfish inside the mystical cloth swims contently infront of the vampire's covered face. The assassin taps his foot lightly, speaking again, "So you stole this stuff..." his voice is a bit muffled beneath the mask and scarf, but he's still audible. Shishi doesn't seem that concerned about the illegal activity they've participated in and he abruptly asks, "Ah~! Can I do anything?" He's already here, might as well help and he's not about to turn in his 'friend'.
Terra had left Aerindir to do the stocking, which he handled swiftly, thankfully. The language Leoxander now spoke in certainly couldn't be common, but she'd heed his directions and chase after the extra lines. They'd quickly be offered towards Leo, the vampiress unsteady 'pon the boat and uncomfortable in her current attire. "Uhm. Here." They're shoved at him, confusion wrinkling her brow. "Yes. Everybody."
Leoxander wouldn't be surprised if Terra brought him a gathering of rope, because that's exactly what he'd asked for. He cracked an amused smirk before dropping the pile along side the mask jutted out of the schooner, which meant it was a two or three-sailed ship. In this case, three, but only one black sail was open, thus far, and it wasn't catching much wind. "If I can get us out to sea by morning we might catch the breeze and be gone. I hope you're bloody prepared for a journey, healer. I only got so many rations on this ship." Of course, Leo was actually stocked to the brim, always prepared to hide out when the need arose, and this could be considered one of those favors called in. You could bet the thief wouldn't forget it. A glad bark and from behind twin doors, Jack would appear briefly, just to greet Terra. Because she was a familiar face. "You comin' along then?" This question presented to Shishi, but by this point, he hardly had a choice. Unless... he could fly like the last fellow.
Myrall shouted, "*Groans and rolls over pulling her cloak tightly round her body, her head pounding and her mouth dry."
Terra murmured something about eating him if the need became such a strong threat - though it was a hollow threat. "Are you always so nice to company, Leo?" Sighing, she'd glance towards Shishi and offer him a fond smile. "You're ... too good for me somedays, Shishi." And all thoughts or concerns were dropped when Jack was presented, the unease immediately gone. If Jack were onboard, Terra would be just fine. "Oh, Leo..." She'd wait 'til he came near, or atleast closer than he was now. "Thank you."
Leoxander heard the groan. That was his cue. He'd jog to the other side of the ship with the dog loping in behind him, gripping rough rope to hoist the last anchor, and free the Eternity from her perch. A glance at the cove was given as they would barely start to drift, and Leo would take a cleansing breath.
Shishi indeed had no means of flight, so the question was met with a couple of unseen blinks behind the white mask on his face, "Umm... yes, I am along for the ride." a polite grin is provided, but it too is invisible behind the vampire's disguise.
Terra stiffened at the groan, and glanced towards the other males on board with her. Shaking it off, she'd simply smile.
Leoxander brought the wet, sea weed collecting anchor onto the deck with one last tug before he turned and paused beside Terra, long enough to hear her words. All that she'd get in response was one of those familiar smirks. Oh he'd get his share of this mess. Terra had no where else to be but his ship for at least a few days.
Terra was frightened of that smirk - it could mean so many things. "Uh, Leo ... you'll be nice to me, won't you?" Afterall, they were stuck on this boat for a bit. "And you'll give me ... some clothes?"
Leoxander said to Terra, "Clothes? Bloody hell, Terra..." He was still at work on the upper deck, making necessary preparations to cast off while the huge vessel would start to bob against the evening tide. Of all things to forget. "Maybe Tenebrae'll have somethin' more appropriate for you..." This was all he could offer though he knew the merciful one would probably end up wandering around in what clean, untorn clothing he had stocked upon that ship. So focused upon his work, he'd motion her off with a gesture, a glance toward several crates and barrels. "Those should be brought into the belly. An' maybe give a check on the dwarf, make sure she stays asleep if you can. Poor thing drank 'er rump off las' night. Best she sleep it off...." He'd casually jump over Jack in a failed moment when the dog got in the way, and the canine only grinned at the lycan's choice of avoidance."
Shishi idly wanders about the deck, looking over the side down at the waters below them, they were going out to sea. The vampire panics beneath his mask, how long would they be unable to return to shore, his thoughts are racing to his children, they were peacefully sleeping where he left them now, but would he not be there when they awoke, would they be alright without him, and how long could they stay safe while not with him? The vampire looks towards Terra and Leoxander, his mask no longer providing him with any confidence, "Ummm...?"
Terra inched away from Leoxander, knowing quite well that his were not the buttons to press. Instead she'd catch Shi's eye, beckoning him over towards the stock of barrels and crates. "Help with these? We'll take 'em down below." Atleast, that's what she assumed to be the 'belly' of the ship, considering it was the only likely option. One last look was spared for Leoxander, and one might say it was actually a saddening gesture. "I'm guessing this dwarf is down here..." She'd lead the way for Shishi, a few crates balanced in her arms. "We'll talk down there, Shi?" Without further ado, she went down.
Terra carefully made her way down the stairs, a carefully arranged stack of crates keeping her from seeing what awaited her in the underbelly. They're placed near the locked boxes, neatly situated as not to be in the way. With hands on hips, she'd admire her work, waiting on Shishi's bundle.
Myrall , jolted into semi wakefulness by the noise of close by movement, groans once a again, the deep mournful sound of a being in pain.
Shishi waddles down below the deck to the underbelly, following behind Terra, a barrel held in his arms with a couple crates balanced atop it. Speaking form behind his white mask he'll ask, "Where do you want these?"
Terra gestured him over to where she stood, easing the weight by taking the crates and stacking them atop one another. It was during that moment she'd hear the groan and pivot, glancing towards the source --Myrall. "Queen?" The vampiress would approach the dwarf to see what ailed her. "Are you alright?" To Shishi, she'd whisper, "Poor thing got a bit drunk."
Shishi nods, setting the barrel down where he was directed by Terra. The vampire's gaze follows Terra over to the sick dwarf and he replies without much interest, "I see..." his thoughts still on his children. Little does he notice that the 'poor thing' is the healer that had replaced a lost chunk of bone in hand a few weeks before
Myrall turns her aching head and opens her bleary eyes, blinking furiously against the light of the cabin, she tries to remember where she is and why. Her cracked dry lips can not quite manage to frame any coherent sounds, so instead of the much desired questions her mind was trying to process all that came forth was a very weak and pitiful. ?Huh??
Terra smiled softly at the apparent hung-over Myrall. A light, cool hand was pressed to her forehead. "You'll be fine. We'll be home in days, I'm sure. Shi - you mind watching her? I'm going to get the rest of the things." Never one to sit still, she'd venture to the upper deck.
Shishi blinks and repeats, "Days..?" he doesn't have time to protest as she exits and leaves his gaze to fall back onto Myrall while his mind wanders miles away to worry about his little ones.
Terra was merely coming up to collect the few items that remained, soon to be brought to the underbelly as those before them. Stacking the few remaining from their trips, she'd head down and load 'em there.
Myrall 's brow forrows as the word 'home' filters through the bemused haze that is her reality. "Wh...wh...what do you mean....home?"
Terra was careful as she came down the stairs once more, carefully balancing the items in hand. The last think she needed was for Leoxander to be upset over the loss of these items - whatever they may be. As the others, they were stacked against the wall, neatly arranged. She'd then collapse into one of the nearby seats, her harlot disguise cause her to be careful of the position as she'd watch Myrall and Shishi.
Terra grinned at Myrall. "Back to the lands, of course. We're on the Eternity. I'm supposing Leo was nice enough to pick you up after your drunken collapse, Ma'am."
Shishi huffs lightly, plopping into a chair himself. His mask is removed completely and placed gently onto his lap. The vampire is at a loss for words due to how quickly he was swept up into this heist and boarded the ship without much thought, afterall he had pleanty of chances to get out, but all had been passed. A nervous glance is sent towards Terra followed by a thoughtfull look towards the bat on his shoulder...
Myrall tries to struggle into a sit as the word ‘Eternity’ echoes violently like a Claxton in her mind, but her cloak still tightly wound round her body prevent this, and she slumps back again. Licking her still parched lips she stutters “D…d…did you say E…e…e.eternity? That damnable bark? That torturous vessel, that accursed hell on earth he calls a ship? How, how could that be?” Leo would ne’er bring me here, he knows I detest the very sight of it.”
Terra looked sideways to Shishi as the fellow Cabal member sat next to her. She'd give his knee a gentle squeeze and offer another smile. "You okay, Shi?"
Terra scowled at the description of the Eternity, afterall, it was also a part of the Cabal - a placing that she regarded highly. "Aw, c'mon, it's not that bad. And really ... shouldn't you have been more careful? All that drinking would just leave you in trouble... and now look at you!" She'd sulk back into her seat now.
Shishi gives Terra a forced smile, he is unable to hide the worry on his features. He offers a weak laugh, but that too does nothing to mask his concern, "Heh... the kids'll expect me back by morning... but I'm sure they'll be alright..."
Terra winced at the man's obvious concerns, and offered yet another reasuring smile. "Leo will go as fast as he can. He'll likely not want to be stuck on here too long with all of us, y'know?" Shi's bat is also given a glance. "Send a note?"
Shishi nods once to Terra, his smile shifting into a more sincere one, "Yes, I was considering that... It'll make me feel a little better, at least..." Wakka is given a sideways glance, "You're going on a trip, pal!"
Shishi squirms, "Well... a trip away form me... we're already on a trip, I guess."
Myrall manages to disentangle herself from her cloak and struggle to a sit, swing her legs gingerly over the side of the bunk. Fear and anger now replacing her previous malaise and returning her voice to her. ?I mean no disrespect to those meant for the sea, but I am not one such being. The caves of Craughmoyle, the mountains of Xalious, these are where I belong, not set adrift in a leviathan infested pound on nought but a floating splinter.?
Shishi looks towards the stairs back up to the deck before plucking his mask from his lap and replacing it atop his head for no other reason than he has nothing else to do with it. With that, the vampire stands and ventures back up to the deck, snatching Wakka off his shoulder on his way up and whispering something to the bat.
Shishi exits up.
Myrall ’s brow knits together in consternation and fury, her previously fogged eyes become bright with anger. Shaking her long mane vigorously she hisses. “Nay, no mere ale could cause me to be rendered insensible, nor would those I was in the company of think it a good idea to consign me to this floating coffin. There are other forces at work here, mark my words, and I’ll find out what they be afore I drown, then Sven help the soul behind it, for he will breathe his last afore I do.”
Terra is not any happier with the dwarf than she appears to be with her. Terra's fist clench and she's had just about enough! "That's it. You can just ... just sit here by yourself for a bit. I hope you get sea-sick, you mean old woman!" Her arms cross over her stomach as she prepares to return to the upper deck. "Until you find this 'grand conspiracy' behind your words, you'll not speak badly of the captain of this ship or the Eternity. The more you do, the less I'll feed you. Hmph!"
Shishi returns to the underbelly, the black bat gone from his shoulder, cast off back towards land, who knows if the note will be delivered properly despite how many threats Shishi provided the black bat with. The vampire lets out a light sigh as he flops lazily into a seat, nervously removing the mask from the top of his head again.
Leoxander was enjoying this leisurely time, drifting out from the cove to catch the first wind that should offer itself to their cause. He and Jack came trudging down the steps in time to hear the argument happening down below. A dangerous glance cast through those enclosed quarters where they would all be stuck together, and his mismatched gaze landed on Myrall. "Oh good, you're awake. It's about damn time..."
Terra murmurs, "Awake and on the wrong side of the damned bed."
Myrall gives a very dwarven “Hurumph” to terra’s out burst, before turning her anger on Leo. “Do you think you could possibly manage to do me the curtsey of explaining exactly what I am doing on this god-forsaken craft?” She pauses glaring venomously at him. “And do not sir, try and fob me off with platitudes and excuses. You know as well as I that I would have been quite safe where I was, that there was no need to remove me to this hell hole. So I ask you, in Sven’s name why?”
Terra glares at Leo as well, awaiting his answer.
Terra said to Leoxander, "Tell her she's senile in her old age... And that beards don't always make you smart! "
Myrall oocly is also icly sulking at being called old as at 56 she is in the prime of her dwarven life. *laughs*
Terra frowns at the dwarven lady, now glaring at the wooden floors.
Shishi nervously scratches the back of his neck, watching the three converse. Now without his bat he feels quite alone on the ship and the hostility between Myrall and Terra isn't much helping his nerves.
Leoxander was a little bit amused to see this side of Myrall. Oh she was a fighter, that one. She'd do just fine on the ship. "Well bloody hell, healer. Don't you remember what happened last night? You wouldn't stop goin' on about your want to sail the seas, live the good life, maybe do a bit of explorin'. Jess' so happened I could use a hand, myself." An award winning grin offered her way as he went for the stash of rum, and of course, some of Fertangle's private reserves. "Well I sure ain't a magician but looks like a dream come true t'me." He'd busy himself, conceal his smirking expression by enjoying a drink of that rum. "Sit back and relax. Should be the trip of the century..." This added with a slight roll of his already glazed eyes. They still had another vampire and a corpse to deal with, somewhere aboard the floating vessel. The god-forsaken craft, as Myrall would refer to it.
Terra looked to Myrall, and it seemed to say 'See, you paranoid individual!' All the while, she'd settle on the floor near Shishi, shrugging up at him. "Tired, yet?"
Shishi sends a shrugs right back down to Terra, "A little bit... although the reason I was in that city and ran into you has left me with a good amount of energy to burn..."
Myrall slithers off the bunk, landing on the wooden deck with her legs planted firmly apart, though even this precaution does not serve to aid her balance as the ship gently rolls from side to side. Reaching behind her she grasps the edge of her erstwhile bed before continuing with her diatribe. “Sir! That is the biggest load of hogwash I have heard since the gnome Vuryal tried to tell me that he was invading Gualon in the name of peace, and I did not believe him either!” She stops momentarily to draw breath and calm her rising temper. “There is not enough ale in the whole lands as to render me so insensible as to think that putting to sea in this monstrosity a good idea, so I ask you again before I fling myself over board and consign myself to the mercies of the gods and the beasties, who is behind this vile crime?”
--To Be Continued?!-