As he was fuming earlier, Dhaavan ripped the arrow from his shoulder, throwing it across the alley where it clattered off, turning away from the others for a moment, presumably to calm himself, still cursing in infernal using what may be nonsense words, under his breath.
so to even notice exactly what hes mumbling will take a 23 perception...
At Variel's orders as to what the captain intends to be done with the bodies, Dhaavan returns, cracking a wicked grin of approval, and joins in the searching, in distinctly less foul humor.
"That is an interesting mark they got there..." glancing at Jiro as he explains the meaning of the mark and tactics of the ninja, he adds "and it makes me even more curious as to the meanin' o' Shanxia. Seems yea got a interesting history for yerself there Cap'n."
After the looting is completed and as FLynn is returning to the group from the water, hopefully with a wand, Dhaavan takes a moment to the blood from his shirt before it stains, grumbling, "Wish I had a mending spell for this. Maybe I can get someone to stitch it back up for me nice back on the boats. I like this shirt..."
"I can fix that for you, Dhaavan," Seijiro says simply and touches the punctured spot, muttering a few words.
He grins when done. "There you go, all fixed."
As you get into the water you see that you are going to need an insane amount of luck in order to find the wand. Not only is the water virtually opaque from the silt but you feel several currents beneath the water that could have pulled the wand away from straight down. You reach the bottom, your lungs and ears screaming from the pressure, where you promptly sink thigh deep in sediment and muck from hundreds of years of debris from the city. Thrusting your hand in and trusting to fate you feel a stick like object and pull it out. It turns out to be just a stick. You search around for a bit longer before you feel you absolutely must surface. Reaching the surface and taking a huge gulp of air you head to shore to clean the muck from your boots so that you can make another attempt. Looking down you feel something poking you in your boot and see the wand.
Camm will let Cyclone "enjoy" his kill while deciding how to precede.
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Variel's blood was just beginning to cool as he reached the street level. He nodded his thanks to Flynn as Flynn healed some of his wounds and smiled when Rain offered to heal the rest. Aye, Rain I could use a bit of your touch to restore me.
As concerned as he was with his own welfare, he almost missed what Jiro and the others said. If it wasn't for the looks he was receiving he was sure he would have missed it. Shanxia, there is was again haunting him. It wasn't enough to haunt his past and cloud his future, it had to ambush him in the present. That and it was always just him it affected, now it was everyone else and more importantly Rain as well.
He thought back on the fight and what Jiro had said. It seemed as if this was a test and not a true attempt on their lives. Yet he was never targeted until he brought the fight to them. Would he have been spared and not attacked if he did not push the issue? With them dead or gone there was no way to find out.
Breaking from his reverie, Variel responds quickly to the others. Yur right Dhaavan but what it all means I don't know. I agree with Flynn though that we should check the ship right away and discuss what to do next.i doubt another attack will be forthcoming tonight. So if some still want to be in town for the ipnight I understand. Flynn, I want the entire bodies brought so there is no mistaking their identity. After you grab the wand let's head to the ship.
Even though Variel says he doesn't think there is a other attempt likely tonight, he still draws his cutlass and affixes the weapon cord. Standing next to Rain Variel is ready to head out once Flynn returns.
"Nightstorm - you know any connection to Drow? It may be coincidence, but than again..." he trails off, glancing at the buildings around him, holding his weapon loosely in his hand as he moves off toward the ship.
"Oye, Camm - you coming?" he adds to his friend.
Rain sheathes her cutlass and then gently lays her hand near the remaining wounds sustained by Variel. The ancient words flow softly from her lips and a blue light courses from her fingertips and moves into Variel's wounds, knitting and healing.
There was one cut remaining but it did not look deep or lethal and with some rest it would heal well enough.
"You are not completely healed but with some sleep and rest, you will be fine in the morning, Var." Rain's voice and tone are soft and gentle.
She pulls out the pike from the strap at her back and holds it now as they wait on Flynn as he rescues the ninja's magical wand.
You will manage to get back to the ship without incident.
Once back at the ship, Seijiro makes an accounting of all the items found and lists them in his ledger, not worried about the split yet.
He isn't happy about something but says nothing to the others, just being quiet and introspective.
Once back at the ship, Seijiro makes an accounting of all the items found and lists them in his ledger, not worried about the split yet.
He isn't happy about something but says nothing to the others, just being quiet and introspective.
Horatio will get on the ship and speak to Piper, ordering her to make a full search of the ship for any unusual discrepancies – if any.
He will inform the deck watch to be extra attentive, but doesn’t give any particular details on what is going on.
After that is done, he’ll get himself a drink and pours another and offers it to Camm.
Glancing at Seijiro and noticing the easterner is not in a mood to talk, Horatio will politely give him space.
Rain will check in with Sandara or Ratline to see if anything untoward had happened onboard while she and the others were on shore leave.
Once she is done, Rain will find Jiro, and even though she has been quieter than usual since the ninja ambush, she notices he is keeping to himself.
Rain draws closer to her kitsune comrade and quietly asks him, "Something troubling you, Jiro?"
"Oh, hi Rain... nothing major... I just.. well, miss home. Those men today have me thinking of home and my family. I wonder if they still miss me or wonder if I'm alive even. I miss them. It's nothing major. And I'm a little unhappy about Variel's plan for stringing up the bodies. It's, well, disrespectful of the dead, and they ARE Minkaian. I think they should have been left for proper funerary rights. But it's not my call and everyone agreed to it, so I'm not gonna say anything about it. But I appreciate you listening. Thanks." He still looks, if not exactly troubled, still introspective.
"I'm also concerned about this Shanxia business. I thought this had something to do with Variel's past and it seems perhaps someone doesn't want him pursuing this any further. It must be an important secret." He smiles slightly. "I am intrigued to learn more, as I'm sure Variel is. If they were trying to put us off the path, they succeeded in doing just the opposite, I think."
Getting Cyclone settled, Camm follows Horatio below decks."You know, I could have helped you retrieve that trinket you leaped afterif you were not such a madman, hahaha. Impetuous as ever. You haven't hurt yourself have you?"
"I have to respectfully admit that I do not care about these assassins' afterlife, but if giving them proper Minkaian funerary rites is important to you Jiro, then talk to Variel. He may be calmer now. I have not seen him so furious over an attack before. He made the decision in a highly emotional and mental state - not his fault as he took the brunt of the hits from these assassins. Which leads me to believe he may have been their main target over the rest of us, especially with this 'Shanxia' business. I will be keeping a closer eye on him and those around him when we venture back out into Bloodcove in the morning. I do not like this test or whatever it was meant to be, tonight."
She wondered where Cyclone was going to be stabled - nothing had been settled between the Skylord and Variel. Both man and mount had aided them in the alley and she was grateful, especially to the hippogriff who ferociously aided Variel on the roof after the ninjas had flanked and attacked him.
"Perhaps during our meeting we can discuss the path we will all be taking in this. And we have to come together if we have any chance of succeeding without too great of consequences."
Getting Cyclone settled, Camm follows Horatio below decks."You know, I could have helped you retrieve that trinket you leaped afterif you were not such a madman, hahaha. Impetuous as ever. You haven't hurt yourself have you?"
Horatio grins a bit ruefully.
”Nothing wounded but my pride, I guess,” he adds, quaffing the drink.
”But no, I’m fine; but thank your for asking on it,” he adds with a lift of the cup.
”Right… well, you’ve already been about a bit before when I brought you on and already seen the lay of the ship, so there’s that.”
”She’s no Chelaxian corvette, not by a long shot – but she’ll do in a pinch.”
He glances aloft at the rafters above them.
”By rights, when we make the cut of the loot – you should get equal share, of course. I’ll mention it when we go back aloft, seeing as how the others haven’t been very forthcoming in saying anything that comes close to half-way decent to you; but I’m sure that’s on account of the stress of battle and all. Give 'em time and I'm sure they'll warm up a bit.”
He frowns a bit.
”You got food and other grub packed? I know Piper gave you the survival pack before – but as for actual food, I wondered…”
”Thing is – the Stealthy Ones – they call ‘em ”ninja" – those lads deal in a lot of things; including poisons.”
”You’re in it now, whether you like it or no – bad luck on that account – but if you go into a tavern and order a brew, you may find it mixed up with some unsavory concoction, if you know what I mean?”
”I’ve already passed the word on to a few trusties on board, so we’re safe enough here with no problem. And like I said before – don’t worry much on where Cyc needs to bunk out. I’ll build a gods damned stable for him, if I need to – and pay for the gods damned thing, too – if needed.”
”You did good there, mate – and I know you’ll do equal good in the future. I want that skill on my wing every time, if you’re interested and a pox on them that aren’t,” he mutters, almost to himself.
He sighs, than brightens a bit.
”Still, I wouldn’t worry about it. We’ll figure something out. On the last package we sailed on they had a whole bloody pig-pen on the ship, which I’m sure every one of those others would have remembered, if they thought about it. Hell, if we can put a bunch of pigs on a ship, than it’s damn sure we can find a spot for a lad as smart as Cyc, sure as thunder.”
He leans against one of the beams.
”You still down with hitting the slave pens tomorrow night? Or did all the action tonight wear you out?” he adds, curious to know what Camm will say.
”Meantime, I’d like to know more about that attack… we got three corpses, it seems, if we went to a cleric and paid for the spell “Speak with Dead” that may cost as little as 150 gold pieces, assuming a cleric in these parts charges normal rates… We might get some answers, if they were willing to gamble a little. But who knows? I asked them twice – they ignored me on it, so I doubt we’ll get it done unless we do it direct ourselves…”
Horatio ponders a bit on that last point, than looks up at Camm, staring at him.
”I got more to say on that last point – and the others – but that needs a bit to articulate it better…”
|
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Responding to Flynn about the Drow, Not that I know of. Of course if the only connection is the poison, who knows where they picked it up and it could be from a third party. If you think we should try to find out from a cleric be my guest. I will take the expense out of the ship's funds to pay for it. Of more import though is who sent them. If you can find this out first then go ahead and proceed with the Drow connection. Perhaps tomorrow you can do this while we are in town. I know Dhaavan will still be selling the loot we obtained. I will be going around talking about what happened last night warning people not to mess with us.
In the temper he is in, Variel does not notice Jiro's silence. He is too consumed with his own thoughts and turmoil at the moment. If Jiro approaches him later though Variel will be more than willing to listen.
Responding to Flynn about the Drow, Not that I know of. Of course if the only connection is the poison, who knows where they picked it up and it could be from a third party. If you think we should try to find out from a cleric be my guest. I will take the expense out of the ship's funds to pay for it. Of more import though is who sent them. If you can find this out first then go ahead and proceed with the Drow connection. Perhaps tomorrow you can do this while we are in town. I know Dhaavan will still be selling the loot we obtained. I will be going around talking about what happened last night warning people not to mess with us.
In the temper he is in, Variel does not notice Jiro's silence. He is too consumed with his own thoughts and turmoil at the moment. If Jiro approaches him later though Variel will be more than willing to listen.
”Alright then,” Horatio says watching Variel for a moment, sensing the elf’s tension and feeling somewhat sorry for him, knowing that whatever curse was haunting him hadn’t died but was still pushing at him even now.
”Oye, don’t worry – we’re all mates here… I know what it means to deal with an issue of blood,” he adds gently, recalling vaguely that Variel’s touchiness about his mother was something that had bothered the elf, and recalled also that “Shanxia” had something to do with his past.
I wonder if what those two parts are interlocked? Best not trouble the lad about it; he nearly died tonight by those wounds. Likely he’s still in shock – and anyhow, that’s something he can volunteer when he’s feeling better. Give him some space and a little breathing room and he should be alright soon…
”Do what you got to do and keep your head about you, eh? And I reckon you know that we can all lend you a hand, if you need us,” he adds, clapping Variel gently on the arm and trying to be as compassionate as possible, hoping that Variel would be better soon, once he had a moment to decompress.
Horatio will leave Variel to his thoughts, and beckons to Dhaavan a moment –
”Listen – I’m reckoning you didn’t tell the others yet when I asked you to get things settled with the hit we make tomorrow on them damn slavers, eh?”
He sighs, thinking a moment.
”I’m still going to give it a go; but when we get the chance to talk direct tonight as a group – I’ll lay it all on the line myself regarding the plan. Don’t trouble on it anymore. You’ll be plenty busy tomorrow dishing out the hash in the streets about how we slaughtered a dozen assassins, or whatever you decide to say.”
He ponders a moment.
”I’m going to put it to the group tonight on maybe taking these corpses to a priest tomorrow and getting them to try prying the truth out of that scum, you know; see if anyone has any specific questions they want answered, eh?”
”Can’t promise much – but if we can at least get the name of who hired them; or what their goal or purpose is… well… that’s something.”
”Hell, I’ve seen enough priestly services with my mum to know they can at least do that with the dead – and a lot more,” he adds somewhat darkly.
Shaking his head, he continues.
”While we’re at it, I’ll be trying to offload the gear we pinched tonight to some vendors. We should have a pretty good haul – the weapons alone will fetch a fine price; not to mention the armor.”
”I’d ask you to help; but I know you’ll be busy. Anyhow; just letting you know when we meet tonight to talk things over, I’ll be telling them direct about my plan to bust out some slaves and get us some more lads to lend a hand.”
”Well, talk to you later. Right now I’m heading below with Camm to have a drink. Do what you got to do,” he adds politely and heads below.
"I have no doubt that Cyclone will find a fine place to bed down. The sea bird in him has given him an unnatural ability to withstand the effects of being exposed to life at sea. But, it is the mission that this hulk is on which intrigues me most. What manner of riches does she seek?"
"Some o' that gear is mighty nice, I gotta say. But whatever we don't keep, I'll be able to sell tomorrow, for sure. I'm already dealing weapoons. I'll toss these in as a bonus bit available, some quality gear, right? "
"I think getting a priest to magic these bastards into spilling their guts'd be a good way to go. Maybe bring the Cap'n with you while doin' it, so he can ask questions in case he's reminded o' some obscure detail of his past what's relevant to whatever these ninja say."
"Since we're planning on heading out for a while, I'd say a slaver-camp's supplies would be a nice addition. Plus after freeing a mess o' captives, I'd bet that at least a few would be willing to join up our crew after. We are hurtin for sailors."
"With the element o' surprise, I can send birds to attack their guards right quick and quiet, then drop a Hound in the middle o' their yards. With Flynn and Camm dropping in from above, anybody else what is in on it can bust in and clean out the rest."
"We can get ourselves a few more bodies, some gear and supplies for when we go out to hit the shipping lanes, yeah? Wiht a few words I'll be able to keep authorities out o' our hair, especially if we give up a cut o' the haul."
Dhaavan's going to be working, but I felt like bring it up as a group venture. He'd be willign to do some Diplomacy so we are ok after it's over.
"Some o' that gear is mighty nice, I gotta say. But whatever we don't keep, I'll be able to sell tomorrow, for sure. I'm already dealing weapoons. I'll toss these in as a bonus bit available, some quality gear, right? "
"I think getting a priest to magic these bastards into spilling their guts'd be a good way to go. Maybe bring the Cap'n with you while doin' it, so he can ask questions in case he's reminded o' some obscure detail of his past what's relevant to whatever these ninja say."
"Since we're planning on heading out for a while, I'd say a slaver-camp's supplies would be a nice addition. Plus after freeing a mess o' captives, I'd bet that at least a few would be willing to join up our crew after. We are hurtin for sailors."
"With the element o' surprise, I can send birds to attack their guards right quick and quiet, then drop a Hound in the middle o' their yards. With Flynn and Camm dropping in from above, anybody else what is in on it can bust in and clean out the rest."
"We can get ourselves a few more bodies, some gear and supplies for when we go out to hit the shipping lanes, yeah? Wiht a few words I'll be able to keep authorities out o' our hair, especially if we give up a cut o' the haul."
Hearing Dhaavan's thoughts about the slaves likely joining the crew, and also the need for more sailors, Horatio cocks an eyebrow at Dhaavan.
"Aye - I know that... that was kind of my plan when I suggested it," he says a dry grin.
"But either way it falls out, I figure we may need to get the local authorities off our backs. That was kind of what I had hoped you would do... you know, maybe having to bribe them. I thought the "bribe" would be easy; we could just let them take a piece of the loot from the slave dens which he hit which we'd conveniently leave behind for them."
"The only folk involved are members of the Bekyar tribe of Mwangi; there's not much of them in town, and based on what I've seen, they likely don't have a lot of resources or pay-offs with authorities as I've already scouted it out and the whole operation looks pretty small time."
"I figured that why would the authorities care one wit if some small-time slavers get hit by a rival or another gang, eh? Especially if we give the authorities a cut of the pay-off, and all they have to do is promise to come real slow and do a sloppy job investigating things. Hell, that works well for them, too - because if they came fast, they may end up fighting us, and neither of us wants that. They can take a couple days or even a couple of weeks to figure out who did it - if at all, right?"
"But even if they pin it on us the very next day we left town, who cares? They could blame the whole thing on us and I would be just as happy. More so, actually, on account of having a reputation for being lads who free folk from tyranny and oppression was, I thought, a good thing and helpful for our reputation in the long run as it may make more folk who hear of us eager to deal with us," he adds, casually lighting a cheroot and taking a pull from it.
"As for the supplies and coin we find, it's something else I hoped on, too," he adds.
"Finally, I reckoned that explaining all this to the others would be a problem. I had a hunch there would be issues on it. I know you got a better relationship with them than I do, so I figured you could smooth things over better than I could."
"But after the fight with those assassins just now I thought that maybe it would be better of me to be more direct and up-front with them. I figured they'd be more open to talking with me, rather than not. In fact, I kind of hoped that we may have gotten better bonded, rather than not."
He lets out a long exhale of the smoke.
"But who knows? Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe I try talking to them up front, direct, open and honest and it won't do no good anyway because they'll just say "no" on the plan outright. That's fine; but it won't stop me from trying to help folk in bondage."
"Of course; whether they back me or not, I reckon I won't know unless I try talking to them about it," he adds with a shrug.
"But I figured that wouldn't happen until we all sat down together and hashed things out."
He glances at the moon.
"But it's getting late already - maybe that won't happen, maybe it will. I said I'd wait to hear if they wanted to meet and talk, figuring they'd want to meet private-like and talk about stuff privately first and than we'd all meet as a group to figure out what's next. But who knows? Maybe that won't happen after all."
"I have no doubt that Cyclone will find a fine place to bed down. The sea bird in him has given him an unnatural ability to withstand the effects of being exposed to life at sea. But, it is the mission that this hulk is on which intrigues me most. What manner of riches does she seek?"
Horatio gives Camm a flat smile.
”Gods if I know what riches this ship seeks,” he returns.
”When it came to talk about riches in the past, I suggested lots of ways we could get loot; smuggling arms to Reb’s up in Cheliax, for example… or moving contraband gear from Osirioni to other ports around the Inner Sea… maybe paid contract work to do some bounty-hunting on especially dangerous or bloodthirsty scoundrels.”
”All of that pays really well. All of it can be done with a ship – which we have. All of it is pretty exciting, adventurous and, I reckoned, engaging work.”
”However, the others weren’t having none of that. They only wanted to pirate ships; that’s it, and nothing else I mentioned.”
He glances to the beams above.
”You know me – you know I always thought piracy alone was a terrible way of life; no honor in it, you know? I figured it may happen from time to time – but we wouldn’t have to limit ourselves to just that.”
”But we do. So I said; Okay – piracy only it is.”
He shakes his head.
”But to what end? I mean – are we in it for the excitement? Maybe; but there’s lots of adventures on the high seas to be had. But they generally don’t like specific adventures, so I thought maybe they're wanting to be pirates for the coin, right? After all, everyone likes loot, right?"
"Great. Loot it is - but if we ever got it, what would we do with it?”
”Well, I know what I would do with it, but when I asked what they would do with loot, that conversation was kind of a wash, too.”
”Right before we pinched our ship from some basterd named Plugg, we were all on a beach and I asked them what they would do with lots of coin, once we got it.”
”Funny thing is, they didn’t seem to care about money, if they got it. And they seemed even less interested in what they’d do with it, if they had it. In fact, it seemed like they thought I was being a wee bit materialistic to care only about money.”
He shakes his head in confusion.
”So I reckon you’re asking the wrong guy. They want to be on the high seas – but not for any adventures, just for piracy.”
”Meantime, pirating a ship gets loot and glory – but the glory comes when you’re linked to being a bloodthirsty pirate, but they don’t like being “bloodthirsty”, preferring a more merciful approach.”
”And as for the loot itself, they don’t like loot for it’s own end, because they’re not really in it for the money…” he says slowly, as if trying to understand it himself.
”I got to the point where I just stopped asking questions. I got a stake in the ship, and I tag along for the ride. If they want to be just pirates, that’s fine – they can do that. I’ll pitch in and help, unless we attack innocent women and children – that I ain’t doing,” he says a bit emphatically.
”But other than that, I’ll do whatever I can to help out. That’s a sure thing,” he adds.
”But I got my own ideas on what I’d do in the long run,” he adds a bit wistfully.
”I’d like to have my own ship, and maybe my own piece of land. Nothing fancy – just enough to have a small berth and a place to refit or careen the ship.”
”I’d need a couple of likely lads or lasses on the ship – but I only want it so I could sail the world over. Maybe visit the tombs of the Pharaoh Kings; or see the lands of Quadira; or maybe rub shoulders with the lords of Absolom, eh?”
”I need enough capital to get a ship, and folk to con it and sail it – beyond that? The world’s my oyster.”
”I also reckoned on having a safe port. I thought about maybe working for Sargava directly – taking coin for specific missions to hunt down enemies and scum and earn fame and glory.”
”However, that’s not in the cards I was dealt. As of now, I still want a safe port – but I reckon the best thing for it is maybe finding a wee little island and setting up shop there with some lads or lasses.”
”Saw one earlier that looked okay, thought it might be decent to set something up on. But then I heard tell of this “Tidewater Rock” place.’
He shrugs.
”Rumor has it it’s kind of right what I’m looking for. A fortress on an island, with land to grow crops on for them that guards the port.”
”Who knows? Maybe it is, maybe not.”
”I don’t really know; I only know that right now I’m with this crew. And you know me – when I call a lad or lass “mate” – they don’t get to mitigate my friendship with their actions. I’ve had friends who have been outright basterds to me, but I still call them “friend” because everyone’s got a bad day or so, myself included.”
”So I stick by friends and help them, even if I don’t like them much, because if you turn your back on a friend just because they piss you off one day, than they weren’t really friends to begin with.”
”For better or worse, these folk are my mates – so I’ll stick by them and back them on the missions they say we have to do when we’re sailing.”
”But,” he adds, glancing up at Camm with a slow smile ”that’s when we’re sailing. Right now we’re in port – doing what the hell we want to do. For myself? I intend to find more lads, gain more loot, and spread the word that the crew of the poxing ”Dread Lady” don’t truck with tyrants or slavers.”
”Any who want to help me do that, I’ll happily run with. If not; that’s another story… but I’ll still give it a try.”
”Anyhow – I talk a lot, but you know that.”
”Hearing all that hash, what do you got to say?” he ends, looking at Camm expectantly.
Seeing you on the ship, Piper will approach you shyly and offer you a small package.
If you open it, it looks like the size of a large kerchief. But unfolding it you discover a red silk jacket, similar to the one that Horatio is wearing; with the crest of your flag upon it's back. However, it is made for Tomo; and is his size.
Piper got the measurements from Horatio via the armor he had commissioned for Tomo, and made them with the scraps left over from Horatio’s own “Silken Ceremonial Armor”.
They don’t offer Tomo more protection than the little suit of armor that he was already given; but if we elects to wear it he will look much cooler than the other monkeys ;)
Seijiro thanks Piper for the gift, his eyes rimmed with tears, which he blinks back, blushing, and tucks the small piece of silk away to give to Tomo later. He stands by the railing looking out over the lights of Bloodcove for some time, waiting to see if Variel will call an officer's meeting or not.
Seijiro thanks Piper for the gift, his eyes rimmed with tears, which he blinks back, blushing, and tucks the small piece of silk away to give to Tomo later. He stands by the railing looking out over the lights of Bloodcove for some time, waiting to see if Variel will call an officer's meeting or not.
Piper seems a bit embarrassed by your reaction, not sure how to react.
”Oh, well – I’m glad you liked it,” she says, folding her hands behind her back and shuffling her feet a bit.
”I thought you may be thinking it was a bit too forward and all… but, um, anyway… well, you know – I really monkey’s – and Tomo is really cute, and I thought he’d like it, and I thought you wouldn’t mind, so… well… you know,” she adds awkwardly.
”Anyhow… I know you’re from out of town, as it were… but where I grew up we had a custom between pals… um, you know – we’d like to get comfy and have cakes and tea.”
”Anyhow, I don’t know much about your folk – but, uh – do you like drinking tea where you come from? I got some fried pies with diced pineapple and some shredded coconut on it; and the chief got me a tea set, so I can make tea... I can get you cup, if you want one, that is... and some pies, too, if you like fried pies?” the Halfling asks shyly.
Seijiro thanks Piper for the offer, but declines the tea for now, maybe another time.
Seijiro thanks Piper for the offer, but declines the tea for now, maybe another time.
Horatio stares across at Camm, listening to what he may have to say, than quaffs his drink and claps his friend on the back, leading him aloft.
”Well, enough of this jibber-jabber,” he says with a friendly smile.
He sees Piper flirting with Seijiro, rolls his eyes and shakes his head.
”Oye – Piper – go make yourself useful below, savvy?” he says with a jerk of his thumb and a bemused voice as she turns an annoyed look in his direction then stomps below deck in a huff muttering something about Stupid chiefs under her breath.
”Jiro-san; the night’s young, but I reckon we got a lot of hash to get sorted out before we hit the hay, eh?” he says with a friendly nod to the kitsune.
”Come on, why don’t we get comfortable and chat about what we saw and what comes next?” he says with a purpose, striding aft toward the captain’s quarters.
”Dhaavan lad, come on, let’s go sit down, have a cold beer and figure out what we’re doing next formal-like,” he adds as he swings the door open and moves inside and grabs a chair.
"Rain, Nightstorm - you coming?" he calls out after the two elves as he takes another pull from his cheroot, blowing a stream of smoke toward the doorway.
Stretching out his legs he gets comfortable and glances around the cabin at anyone who was ready to talk.
”Right… so, first things first – you all saw my mate Camm in action, and our mutual pal Cyclone do he job on those sodding whores back there? What do you say we get him settled with us as a proper lad on this ship? He can do the job, you all saw it – and anyhow, on no fault of his own, he’s now mixed up in our filth just for doing what it takes to back us in a fight."
He glances at the others, curious to know what they have to say about both Camm and Cyclone; what they thought of him, and when he can formally be a part of the crew.
Seijiro sighs and heads to Variel's cabin, finding an inconspicuous spot to curl up and watch, listen and still contribute when the time comes. He has his logbook with him. He wrinkles his nose slightly at the smell of the smoke but makes no other indication that it bothers him.
He shrugs at the idea of adding Camm to the crew, not particularly against or for it, just accepting of it as if it were a foregone conclusion.
"There's the issue of what to do with such a beast on board the Lady. We're down half a hold already for your personal quarters... the rest of the ship is pretty much spoken for as far as space, and there's little enough on the deck for the sailors when they're working. Other than that, I have no objections. Your friend seems capable enough. What would he like to do on the ship, in terms of a position? What's he good?
"Wouldn't worry about where I bunk so much, lad - my space is smaller than you keep making it out, he says with a dry grin.
"As for Cyc? If I can build a poxing fighting top and jury-rig gun ports for the bleeding balista I can easily craft a place on the main deck for him to snuggle down in."
"Besides, Camm already said that a hippogriff's more used to the wind waves than a whole ship-ton of wako. And if we still can't find him a spot - he can take my former berth in the "officer's quarters"," he says with a wink.
Hoartio pauses a bit from his relaxed and easy-going manner, and suddenly observes Seijiro’s ambivalence toward Camm, his eyes narrow a little.
His mind ranges back over the fight, and he thinks about what happened, and what didn't happen afterwards.
Glancing at the others he watches them a moment.
He turns directly to Camm and speaks in a formal and somewhat loud voice.
”Camm; through no fault of your own, you got mixed up a fight that wasn’t of your choosing. You were attacked and you could have simply run off; but you didn’t. You stayed and fought, and did what you could to pitch in and help, without thought of reward or acknowledgement.”
”On top of that, your pal Cyclone came to help at the last minute, and if he hadn’t shown up when he did, it’s likely that Nightstorm would have got chopped by those bloody assassins, and maybe us, too.”
His eyes flick toward the others a moment, than he turns back to Camm.
”On behalf of the bloody cadre of officers on this ship I want to say formally “Thank you” for your risking your neck, for being ready to bleed with us like a brother, and for doing what you could to help out instead of just running off.”
”Or – if you prefer – domo arigato – that’s Minkai talk for “Thanks very much”.”
”Or if you prefer – Iasatar – that’s elven for “thank you”, too.”
”I figured you maybe want to hear how it sounds – all things considered,” he adds.