| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Dibbets bites the inside of his lip hard as Jim rolls over and exposes his belly. Blood mixes with the spit inside his mouth and taints his senses with the sharp metallic flavour that the Halfling is all too familiar with. Jimmer's given up on the tub, nei point makin a scene... feckin bloody sh1te. Though his internal grumbles do solidify and resonate around a pointed thrust. Spitting the gobbet of blood soaked spittle to the ground he gravel voiced and intently speaks.
"Roight... so tha Magpie's out, fine... but I'll be fecked if I lets it go tae the feathered feck in even tha sh1te condition she's in now. Word gets out among the Shackles that we rolled over an asked tha feathered sh1te tae take us gentle like I'm reckonin we won't fill a crew wi' any salt worth his skin. I ain't feckin doin it. We yield fine... but Kaul an Lopper gets tae say a percussive goodbye tae the piece o' lumber an leave it in a condition worthy o' tha Grack-arses."
"Second we see to our people... Rafe an Bon Tonny boy, Zoss... feck even Belinna iffin ye needs tae get yer end wet Jimmer - but feck all fer any o' tha fecks that didn't back us o' they own accord. Cobb's orright as well I guess... but we ain't no feckin charity. We take what crew'll come wi' take all the coin an jus leave tha hulk to bird sh1t face an his cuddle buddies."
As dog watch draws nigh, the mates seem to have reached a conclusion, at least as far as gathering their most trusted crew and abandoning Lanteri's ship to the troublesome tengu. What shape the ship will be in and what occurs after still needs to be decided.
"I ken talk wi' Zoss an Rafe - then the boy can see tae Bon Tonny... Any objections tae scuttlin tha ship then say em now. I'm reckonin Lopper could sever tha masts and put a ruddy great hack through the keel."
Kaul whispers to his fearsome hatchet, relaying Dibbs' estimations of the damage it could wreck.
The thug nods;
"Lopps says that ain't no problem. Will bite deep..."
"Ain't nobody ever given me no charity, so I don't see any reason not to leave it scuttled. Kind of a bad luck ship if you ask me anyway".
the Groom will offer a hand to carry and or scuttle, but leaves his friends to settle the ledger with their boat and crew.
Always the voice of reason and conscience of the group, Jim feels perhaps a pang of doubt that the crew will take a scuttling well after all the long hours applied to keeping the Magpie afloat. Nonetheless, he accompanies the hateful two and enabling two back to the ship.
Belinna hails their approach. "Hi, Captain! We're about done and you're just in time for chow. No sign of Stork or Hinsin?"
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Dibbets ponders darkly Feckers can think what they likes about scuttling the ship... same feckers that were happy to see us marooned and moaned about bloody gold when we's got back. Far as I'm concerned theys the reason 'Toly's nei here nei more... feckers get what they deserve. but he leaves it unspoken, letting Jimmer broach the fact that he's decided to yield the ship up without a fight.
Kaul spins Lopper idly, then grins at Belinna's mention of grub;
"Hur. What's onna menu'? Hur."
"Hur. What's onna menu'? Hur."
Belinna shrugs, "Some kinda mess of rice and meat with eggs and gravy on top. 'Stabo says it'll fill you after a hard day of work. You didn't hear anything about our lost mates? I don't know why they would bolt. Do you think something bad happened?"
Seeing an opportunity to fill time while Jimmer finds his words, Dibbets steps in to respond "Stork led Hinsin off tae feed him tae tha Siren - he's nae actually human like, some kinda bird man. He's lookin tae sell all o' y'all out tae his b1tch-mistress."
Always keen to help Kaul chips in;
"She turns folk intae statues! Collects 'em like!"
Belinna nods at Dibbets reveal, "Stork was a tengu? That makes sense."
Jenkie is rather more alarmed. "Hinsin got ET?!"
Kaul's statement only gets confused looks.
Dibbs ponders a half second before nodding "Either body or mind did... might be he turns up bare-arsed an vapid but 'e ain't roight no more. Feckers'll be comin this way next... Stork... or should we says Grackle reckons 'e goan take this ship eh? Feckin bastard." taking a deep breath and readying himself for the road ahead.
"Rouse all bastards and buggers alike - gets em topside... we's got words tae tussle and fro. Futures an all that."
The message goes out that chow will wait and all hands are called on deck. Jim forlornly raises a hand to quiet the speculation. "Listen mates, we don't know exactly what has happened to Hinsin. We only know that the Grackle, er, Jim Stork, meant him harm and I feel somewhat responsible for that. I'd rather not go into details, but I did have a deal with Stork and in the excitement of being elected captain, I didn't keep my word. I think the only way to resolve this honorably is to not be captain."
There are a few boos and some muttering that Jim has to quell before continuing. "No, my mind is made. I imagine Stork will be by to state his case and he better have good news about Hinsin, but as always on a free ship, it is up to the crew to elect their captain."
While Jim has the whole crew's attention, the Groom will position himself to keep a weather-eye on the landward approaches to the boat, making sure they are not interrupted unexpectedly.
Kaul looks disappointed that vittles will be belayed for more chin-wagging.
With a couple of grumbles he joins the parley, taking up post o'er Jimmer's shoulder - a hulking reminder of the potential violence the current Skipper has at his disposal.
Not sure of which way this turn of events might lead, Dingus rushes below and takes his favorite garments and combinations from his bounteous chest of clothing, and transfers them to a more transportable form of transport.
Dibbets doesn't stand for Jimmer's self recrimination, instead growling before thumping the deck with his currently useless boomstick "Bullsh1te an' all. Feck if he thinks 'e had a deal, doesnae excuse tha sh1te he's gone an done since like. Takin a member o' tha crew aside an sellin 'em off ... think o' who's been solid an forthright since Lanteri fecked up enough tae get her deaded... an even afore then."
Chewing his cud Dibbs reads the crowd...
Sense Motive:
Dingus rushes to secure his garments in the face of instability. the Groom moves to the side and keeps a look out.
Drake steps forward, "Nine Hells, I'll be captain. I been on this ship the longest." There are a couple groans which are quickly stifled under the Chelish rigger's querulous eye.
the Groom spots an approaching figure which must be the Grackle in his human guise. The long-nosed gent frowns at the mate in black as he moves up the gangway.
Dibbs hobbles over to put himself by the gangway and sends a gobbet of spit out over the side like a warning shot arcing across the front of the fresh arrival. Neutrally he queries "Man short aren't you?"
"Oh, Handsome is well taken care of. Catnip to the ladies, you know. Ack, I do hate cats though. You were just preparing the crew for their new captain, I take it?"
Kaul flashes a belligerent grin;
"Hur. Birdy best behave... lest Lopps clip yer wings like..."
Dingus comes back on deck just in time to feel the tension in the air. He stops with his head just peeking above the deck, and waits to see what goes down.
I should just jump up and lightning strike him.
Stork glances at Jim and his companions, one wide and one short. "I thought we had come to an agreement or were you just wanting to engage in more vandalism. The Siren was very unhappy about that."
Kaul involuntary tightens his grip on Lopper, as his hairlipped maw twitches.
"Feck her. What she know about breakin'... I'll crack her bones and feast on the marrow... Your's too beaky less you keep me and Lopps out of it. Savvy?"
The brute grins.
Raising his voice so he's heard over his shoulder by all and sundry, Dibbets scoffs and replies "We ain't come tae sh1te... ye had words wi' Jimmer and Jimmer alone. Ain't none o' us know what were said, what were promised an what were agreed. Ye gots words tae say, say em tae the crew - explain yersel..." throwing his weathered and tanned arm around to encompass what's there.
The Halfling then continues "Go on, I'll say nought till yer case is spent... then I'll retort. After alls said an done - we'll let the crew decide eh? Proper like?" grimacing a stained tooth smile.
Stork makes a clicking sound. "Very well," he begins raising his voice to be heard by all the crew. "I've worked with you all some time now. Served under Lanteri and after. You know I'm a competent hand; know the ropes and pull my weight. Good enough, but what do I offer as a captain? Well, I can get us a full crew right off and I know where a treasure lies just ripe for the picking." There are scattered nods of approval.
"Sure, this lot here brought back a couple chests of Red Claw's loot, but from what I hear there was far more. I'm not sure we can trust them to split fair when it comes to the rest of us. Captain Stork though, he'll see you all receive a fair share in all we take!"
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Dibbets takes a deep breath and puts his arms out to the side, facing straight up with his eyes closed. He stays that way for a couple of moments in silent benediction before speaking as he lowers his face and opens eyes to face the crew "'Stork's what he calls hisself, but that ain't what he is. Sailed with ye how long an none o' ye even knew he weren't human." pointing at himself and Kaul by way of contrast "Not that there's nei wrong wi' that but we wears our skin wi' pride rather than hidin inna shadows. He don't even trust ye wi' that."
"A full crew eh? - dinnae need tae ask 'im where its comin from, cos he's beak deep inna trough o' tha Siren. That crew likely come carved o' marble an beholden tae only him. Iffin ye cross him or ye ain't seen as jivin wi' his program - well ye'll end up like Hinsin - gone an either dead or worse."
"He's promisin treasure 'jus ripe' eh? - well... what were Lanteri promisin tha same? - an how many o' yall had tae gi they lives afore tha end o' that sad tale? An which o' these bastards actually pulled tha most o' ye out o' that pit?" gesturing to both his closest crew - as well as Belinna and Zoss specifically. "Ask Zoss or 'Linna whether we could've made off wi' more gold frae Red Claw's loot - ask them what price were paid in sanguine even gettin what we did."
"I'm an open feckin book mateys - it ain't pretty... definitely aint fer feckin kiddies... but I ain't varnishin naught fer ye. Jimmer had a taste o' tha chair an it ain't fer him... it ain't fer me neither... but I also know... it ain't fer this two faced feathered piece o' sh1te either. Ye needs someone who sees tae the rank an file above hisself, an who ain't got airs tae put himself an onna lofty perch. Only one man here that I'd finger wi' that honor... an that's Estabo." pointing out the ex-Captain and waiting a span to gauge first crowd reaction before seeking leave or need to say aught more.
Stork gives Dibbets a dark look, but it's Drake that speaks up. "What, the cook?! What's he know about sailing? I could do a better job than the cook!" Dibbets senses that the rest of the crew are more receptive to his proposal though.
Estabo gives a pained smile. "I am just zee cook, yes? Was a captain on zee reever, but not really too interested anymore. I retire, no?"
Pushing on with his suggestion "Aye, Estabo. An' I stand by it, not just cos he's experienced enough, not just cos he's bout the most honest and trustworthy o' alla us bastards... but especially cos he don't want it." pushing a hand through his scraggly and dreadlocked salty locks.
"Look, ship's got tae have a Cap'n. Got tae have that one man who's words close enuff tae law that us bastards'll listen. But... most o' tha time we's all driftin wi' tha same tide eh? Council an discussion wi' Cap'n Estabo holdin veto iffin the crew cannae decide; that an we nominates one hard-edged bastard frae tha crew tae take us intae combat an speak fer him then."
"Lanteri damn near killed us all tryin tae drive us apart frae one another - less feckin change up an stand side on side fer once eh?"
Zoss and Belinna nod at the halfling's logic. Rafe beams and the Mwangi mute Onzu, just shrugs. Drake throws his hands up, however, complaining, "I can't even tell what he's saying half the time."
The halfling rigger, Ella, notes, "He don't seem enthusiastic about it."
Grund grunts at the cook, "Know where any treasure is?"
Estabo shakes his head, "No, I been in zee jungle ten year, eh? Who goeeng to make ze fud?"
At the mention of combat and basterds, Kaul nods sagely whilst tapping hook to axe;
"Hur. Hard edge? That would be me... Bastard? That is me...Hur-hur..."
the Groom pulls out a rag and sets to polishing his oversized crossbow, occasionally raising an eyebrow at the theatrics or muttering an observation to himself as he works. "Fightin' and Treasure. At least they got their priorities straight."
and
"Sort of know where a treasure is, but the crew ain't goin' to like it, and the Sahuagin are goin' to like it even less." That sets him to his watery chuckle that grows to a hacking cough.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Dibbs settles back on his haunches, piece said and done it was now up to the crew and any other speakers to make their intent known. The Halfling shares a knowing glance with Kaul, the scraggled grommet imploring caution for now... but a hard edged glint showing some steel that might be called upon.
Though most of the crew seem resigned to follow the halfling's choice, there is a tell-tale glint of panic as Estabo's final question hangs in the air. It is clear that the crew will not be eating well if Estabo trades the kitchen for the Captain's quarters. "Zee, I MUST be zee cook," Estabo concludes. "Yes, I was captain before, but on zee reeverboat. Zee sailboat eez vahry different. There no one else do better job zen an old reeverboat man and cook?"
The crew peer about uncertainly. Before Dibbets can speak, Zossrov clears his throat. The dreadlocked gunner speaks up, "What about Belinna? She knows the ship and she knows the sea. She was among us when we returned to the black coral cave for treasure and vengeance. She's brave and smart. She may look young, but remember her lineage. She probably has more experience than anyone here," her fellow half-elf concludes. He glances at Dibbets with a nod.
Dibbs gives Zoss a nod of implicit support, but doesn't speak any further. Best theys jus talk this through themselves like... He does however keep a weather eye on 'Stork' and the general lines of approach towards the ship... just in case shenanigans were precipitating.
Lola squints at the quiet halfling. "Woman can do anything man can do!" she asserts in a challenging tone.
Drake smirks at the tall bonuwat woman. "Lanteri didn't prove it!"
"Belinna is far better than Lanteri," Zossrov quietly asserts. Onzu nods.
"She did help get treasure," Grund allows.
The remaining crew look to the powerful newcomers and the opinionated halfling for assent. Jim Stork frowns deeply, and Dibbets senses that Zossrov has spoken well. Belinna is orignal crew and is far better liked and respected than near anyone aboard.
Dibbets supresses a chuckle Feck me, Jimmer's gone frae Cap'n tae Cap'n's bedwarmer. Well... someone had tae step in now Hinsin's done fer. As to the looks and seeking of assent Dibbets puts his arms wide "Our votes worth same as yours like... we worked round tae a vote then? Candidates front an center" leaving it to Belinna herself to put her name forward... and to Stork to decide if he'll try to fight the roiling sea that's come in against him.
Kaul mugs a grin, and like Dibbs stays frosty for potential trouble that could disrupt the due process;
:
Halfling Ed clambers up to a higher perch in the ratlines. "I'll o-fishy-ate the vote. My vote is sure to be cancelled by Ellie's contrary vote."
"Shut up, Ed" comes the other halfling's usual refrain.
Ed ignores her. "So Belinna, you accepting your nomination?"
The fair half-elf smiles broadly. "Of course, I've always dreamed of being a captain. Imagine, leading you all to mysterious shores in search of glittering treasures! I'm in if you'll have me as your captain."
"Very well. So Belinna, Drake, and Jim Stork have tossed their tricornes in so to speak. All those for Belinna, say 'Aye'!" There is a cheer that obviously includes the majority. Drake scores only himself and Jim Stork only three: himself, Ellie and Grund, who also voted for Belinna.
Kaul scowls at the bird-in-man's clothing; beady eyes narrowing;
Hur. All too easy. What's bird-brain got up his wing, eh Lopps?
Savvy in the signs of violence, the brute-thug attempts to gauge if Stork will go down fighting;
:
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Dingus shyly watches the conflict with little interest. He has more important things like World Conquest and fashion to occupy his thoughts. He watches his shipmates out of the corner of their eyes, and votes as they do.
Dibbets throws his vote in with Belinna and offers congratulations at the end "Aye, a fair vote fairly won Cap'n Belinna. Now Messr Stork... are ye still part aught the crew? or are ye seekin extended shore leave?" the halfling's voice is an attempt at inscrutable... but likely betrays a half-desire to at the least see Stork excuse himself from serving on the crew. Hae tae be careful now like... we ain'ts wieldin tha billyclub nei more like.
"Next ship I'm on, I aim to Captain," the foiled fowl swears simply and hops back down the gang way to depart into the night.
Dibbets watches the tengu retreat, chewing his cud and sending a lob of spittle overboard. Over his shoulder he adds "Nei wantin tae speak our Cap'n's mind like... but less we gots ties keepin us here it might be wise tae make scarce eh? Fecker's got friends an 'olds to a grudge quite handy like."
Belinna frowns, "What about Hinsin?"
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Putting himself in a position where he might talk sotto voce without it being terribly obvious Dibbets explains "Stork took 'im tae the Siren... which means he's one o' a few things... dead, braindead, or there wi' 'is own blessin. Now any o' those is plausible, an none o' em pretty... but see Grackle-Storkle fecker there likes rubbin bat sh1te twixt his pinkies... an when 'e does that peeps start explodin in fire. Now I'd sugges' that since we's onna ship that ken kinda burn like... we's get oursel at least a wee distant... jus in case 'e comes back wi' tha Siren b1tch, muscled nuts an marble arches in tow..."