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Time lost all meaning for Variel. It could have been seconds or an eternity. All he was aware of was Rain. All of her, from her lips against his to the heaving of her chest as she breathed. From her hands wrapped around his neck to the swaying of her body against his. At every point where he could feel her contact, the nerves felt as if they were on fire. Variel thought only pain could bring this much sensation to the body. Never had he thought that this much feeling could be had from an embrace.
At some point during the kiss he felt a change. Gone was the proper and reserved Rain. Instead it seemed as if there was something more primal and instinctual. Maybe it was the intensity with which she clung to him, or the way she pressed her body against his. What is was didn't matter. What did matter was the visceral response it had on him. He knew he had a passion for Rain, but this was different, stronger. It was a hunger gnawing at him demanding to be sated. Giving in to the hunger, Variel wraps her hair in his hand, entangling them together, his other hand slowly moving in circles rubbing her back pushing her harder against him. The more tried to fill the hunger, the more it wanted.
When she broke the kiss off, the hunger inside him wanted to force her back to him. To continue fulfilling its demands. Before he could act though, her voice cut through the haze he was in. Her words, cool and sweet, were enough to temper the hunger inside him. It wasn't gone and never would be. That primal energy Rain showed had awaken it and it would never sleep again. Knowing that he had to say something Variel still hesitated. He still held her tight against him, felt her move her hips against his. The sensual motion was telling him one thing, her voice another. His body reacted to her body, his mind to her voice. Although he wanted to follow her body's reaction, Variel knew that Rain wanted and needed more than that. She needed someone who was just as strong mentally as she was. Again his voice was breathless as he whispered to her. None of it was wise, but all of it was meant to be. I will say again that I care not what eyes may see nor ears hear as far as myself is concerned. It is for you that I am worried. You said yesterday that some think you as my exert lover already. What other rumors will be spread I don't know. Yet I would still want to meet together regardless of those rumors. The sounds of the ship and sea will hide us from all but the most dedicated of listeners. If they are that intent on their pursuit of us, then it doesn't matter what we do, they will discover us at some point. My heart and body tell me to throw caution to the wind and let what will be will be. My mind says we must be careful so as to not upset the balance on the ship. The correct path is somewhere in between, because I can not act like nothing has happened between us. My entire life will never be the same because of you, to the better. I will not let that go. as if to prove his declaration, Variel moves to kiss her again. The hunger getting the better of him again. He knows the danger this time, not from her, but from someone else seeing them. If she pulls back the slightest, he will not force the issue.
Her voice, when she spoke again, seemed foreign, deeper. "Aye, the path is somewhere between. I would not endanger the balance of the entire crew for my own covetous purposes." Her fingers stroked Variel's smooth face and then played with the fine, shaped hairs of his small beard, learning him in a different manner. Her heart still beat too fast and her eyes pleaded, yet she could not say what it was they were seeking so intently.
"In front of the crew and officers we are the respectable Captain and Pilot. In private, we are simply Variel and Rain, and we do what we feel is right. We keep our association secret, for now." Her eyes seek reassurance from him, that this path is the correct one and the guile they will need to pursue will not hurt the others.
Upon his declaration of not letting go of what existed between them, Rain exhales slowly, and when he seals his promise with a kiss, Rain drops all restraint and propriety and wraps herself around him, fitting effortlessly into the curves of his body, as though his form was carved to fit her own. The hunger had not disappeared; it was more voracious this time. Her soft moans against his mouth were testament to it. Rain wanted Variel to keep kissing her until they had to separate and return to their respective duties. How she would manage to regain control again was beyond her but in this moment, all thought of that disappeared. All she could feel, sense and taste was Variel.
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At some point, when both of their minds reasserted themselves, Variel and Rain got busy looking over the maps. Variel asking as many questions to Rain about different things, as she asked him to see how much he actually knew. Unfortunately Variel did not have good answers for most of the questions. However, he did learn fast and absorbed the information that Rain gave him without making her repeat it over and over. The key though was if he would remember the information tomorrow.
At mention of her song, Rain levels her turquoise gaze on Flynn and replies cordially, "Thank you. And good work on the ballista. Jiro is correct, your shots were sharp. Every person should be commended."
As Flynn goes through his improvement ideas, Rain listens quietly and then shares her thoughts. "A sick bay could prove useful, especially if there is an outbreak onboard the Lady, not that I would wish disease to manifest any time soon." Rain knows better then the tempt the Fates with thoughtless words.
"In regard to a better bunk, if there is any lumber left over after your projects are complete, I am sure either you or Piper could craft a suitable timber frame with support latticework of rope or leather. The bedding itself could be made too with either straw, down or horse-hair, all of which we can find in the next port. I cannot see it being a difficult task considering your joint skill."
"As for the copper tub, I think such a luxury would be interesting and could aid us with fevered patients so it would do not been a complete indulgent addition. I just wonder at the privacy afforded down below and would the copper bath be only for the use of the officers as a general rule?"
When talk turns to colours and standards, Rain ponders for a moment and adds to Dhaavan's idea. "I do like the embodiment of female on the flag, as the ship is named in honour of Besmara. The colours should be black and red to complement the visage of the Lady in all her fine glory."
With Flynn's suggestion to have a uniform for their crew, in the colours of the ship, Rain is a little slow to warm to the idea. "Your general idea for a uniform has some merit. However, if we wanted to move around from port to port unnoticed, then having colours would be a detriment. If we are instantly recognisable, then we would draw the immediate eyes and ire of other pirates."
"I kind of agree with Rain about the uniforms. I think we're better off being a little non-descript, especially in port. As for everyone bearing tattoos, I don't know about the others, but I'll pass... I am not one for marking my body. I don't know what will happen when I change forms, but I don't want to be marked in every form I take. I wouldn't mind having Jak carve the ivory plate in my harmonica with our symbol when we choose one. I hope that's enough."
"As for a sick bay, why not partition off half of the secure storage and use that for a sick bay when needed, and it will still leave plenty of room for crafting as well in the other half. That way Flynn can be close to the sick and still be there to supervise PIper."
Hearing Jiro thoughts regarding the inking, Rain too remarks on Dhaavan's idea of inking the crew with their ship's heraldry.
"Will you enforce the inking, Dhaavan? It may be viewed as a mark of slavery if we are not careful. In addition, sailors are known to move from ship to ship, so they may not want to bear one ship's insignia on their person for life. I have Besmara's mark on my person. I do not think I would add another if the Officers were expected to bear the same mark as the crew."
"Of course not" Dhaavan tells Rain, regarding enforcing the marking. "It's really more of a mark of pride, maybe even an award of sorts for them what want it. It's something I'll be taking myself and offering to give to them what was with us in the mutiny and them what I see fit ta give it to. That's part o' why I'd want an emblem I'd want ta be marking m'self with."
"Hell of an idea for a flag, Rain lass," he says with a firm nod.
"Dhaavan - putting a tat on skin? Maybe I'll do it - aye! But it'll depend hard on the tattoo when it's made up though," he adds with a nod.
He continues to relax and listens to the talk about uniforms and merely rolls his eyes with a somewhat exasperated expression.
”Look – the thing about uniforms? They’re a bloody piece of clothing, right? It’s not like they can’t be swapped out if we need to be dodgy, eh?”
”Besides – we been over this. What’s the point of having Dhaavan work up some reputation for us if we want to keep it private-like?” he adds.
”But you all do what you want to do – I was just making suggestions is all,” he adds easily.
"Hell of an idea for a flag, Rain lass," he says with a firm nod.
"Dhaavan - putting a tat on skin? Maybe I'll do it - aye! But it'll depend hard on the tattoo when it's made up though," he adds with a nod.
He continues to relax and listens to the talk about uniforms and merely rolls his eyes with a somewhat exasperated expression.
”Look – the thing about uniforms? They’re a bloody piece of clothing, right? It’s not like they can’t be swapped out if we need to be dodgy, eh?”
”Besides – we been over this. What’s the point of having Dhaavan work up some reputation for us if we want to keep it private-like?” he adds.
”But you all do what you want to do – I was just making suggestions is all,” he adds easily.
"Thank you for appreciating my ideas for the flag. Once everyone has a say of what they would like, then we can come to some agreement."
Rain sighs inwardly before calmly proceeding. "Aye, you speak truth. They can be swapped when there is a need for it. I am simply more wary and vigilant than others. My apologies. You have the right to share your ideas and be heard."
"Aye - fair enough," he responds to Rain with a casual shrug.
"It was just an idea, though," he responds easily.
He gives Rain a bemused once over.
"Yeah, I reckon you're right - we are kind of different on being wary. You like being vigilante - but as for me? Hell no!"
"As for me," he continues flinging himself away from the gunwale to move in closer to Rain "I like to just jump in and get in there..." he says begin to dance around, tossing out shadow punches.
"I'll dive into dark waters to pick up my mates; I'll throw myself down into the hold of a poxing ship to go toe-to-toe with a bunch of bloody dire rats; I'll go charging up a hill to fight mess of undead; I'll draw fast and shoot a whoring basterd in his chest without waiting for the cue; and hell - I'll throw myself into the waves to grab a lass who got stabbed up by bloody shanguin and piss on the shanguin and any sharks besides... aye, indeed - 'cause that's just the kind of basterd I am," he adds with a grin and a laugh, than flings himself back from the others and hops back against the gunwale.
"Anyhow - I do my share of dumb things, I'll agree - but so far... hell; my lucks always held enough... well, except on the dance floor," he adds with a wink.
"One thing that may work nice is throwin our mark on a shoulder-pauldron, since everybody's got different styles o' armors what they like, from none at all hides or leathers, for their own reasons, but a marked shoulder-pad'll offer some protection without messing with their style. toss it on as we approach a ship or head to a town where we want to show off who we are." shrugs the sorcerer, vulualizing for a moment their highly varied crew with a Black-winged skull on the right shoulder . don't want everyone to have the same armor if ti don't fit their style.
i'm not even sure where Dhaavan's been sleeping lately... I know he's going to be spending a lot of time in the captain's quarters once we get crafting supplies, but atm, is he in the officer's quarters these days, Variel? Dhaavan is always up and about with the crew while Variel is sleeping. jsut as a point of curosity since it hasn't occured to me yet
"One thing that may work nice is throwin our mark on a shoulder-pauldron, since everybody's got different styles o' armors what they like, from none at all hides or leathers, for their own reasons, but a marked shoulder-pad'll offer some protection without messing with their style. toss it on as we approach a ship or head to a town where we want to show off who we are." shrugs the sorcerer, vulualizing for a moment their highly varied crew with a Black-winged skull on the right shoulder . don't want everyone to have the same armor if ti don't fit their style.
i'm not even sure where Dhaavan's been sleeping lately... I know he's going to be spending a lot of time in the captain's quarters once we get crafting supplies, but atm, is he in the officer's quarters these days, Variel? Dhaavan is always up and about with the crew while Variel is sleeping. jsut as a point of curosity since it hasn't occured to me yet
Horatio nods appreciatively at Dhaavan’s suggestion.
”Aye – a shoulder pad sounds decent – I like it! For me, I was thinking of maybe a tabard – you know, something like you could just slip over your armor in a pinch, or cover up fast – if you need to… you know what I mean, eh?” he adds with a friendly grin.
"We could put the colors on the tabard, and in a pinch we can pull it off fast, or drop it on fast - as needed in dodgy times," he says with a nod to Rain and Seijiro.
Seijiro just shrugs, obviously not enthused, but says nothing negative about it either. He just sighs and looks down at the water passing under the ship.
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know planes
The symbol sounds grand but are people going to get the reference to The Dread Lady? I mean I can get thatt the wings are from an Erinyes, but are others gong to understand that? Or do we even care. Keep the weapon and bone crossed like you have it though, that looks good. The colors sound good as well.
Dhaavan's face turn skeptical as he looks over their rag-tag crew, "I'm not sure if one o' them tabards like what templar, and knights wear is...um...well, we're not an army. A symbol is one thing, but that's a little too much."
To Variel
"Not everyone may catch the reference, but a crossed blade 'n' bone and a skull with black wings is a memorable enough symbol and intimidatin' to boot. So even if they don't know now, the Shackles'll learn o' the Furies," he suggests.
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I like the sound of that. Teach them to know what our symbol means. They will remember it longer. As for a tabard, well for myself when boarding a vessel, have it embroidered to a cloak so it trails behind for all to see. Perhaps everyone should have something with the symbol on it, but not as permanent as a tattoo. Leave it up to the individual how they want to express it.
Horatio shrugs.
”Aye – it was just a suggestion,” he says, his eyes flicking from Rain’s face, noting it with her response. His eyes move over to Seijiro’s own reaction and his eyes flick between them while his mind tacks back to the time when he had suggested other innovations for the ship and had heard their reactions.
He pauses a moment before he continues.
”Anyhow, I’d be right happy to see that we get some kind of device to mark us; if we’re going to put ourselves out there as doing a job on the waters and want to impress folk with our reputation – as I see it the first thing they’ll mark is our colors from a distance. When they see our flag, our reputation’ll do the rest; that is – if it’s worth knowing,” he adds with a tight smile.
He starts to add something, but than cuts himself off – recalling the success that his ideas met with before.
”Now, as for the device? Eh – I don’t reckon what it looks like will matter much until we infuse it with who we are. Once we’ve made a name for ourselves it probably won’t matter what our colors look like, so long as they link us to them – and through them our skills.”
He turns and spits once into the waters.
”As for dressing sharp or looking smart in a uniform with some style or swag? Forget I mentioned it, eh? I thought it was a grand idea, but it seems I’m outvoted. Anyhow - I don’t want no trouble and I’m thinking at this point I’m pretty much done with the idea. Sorry for bringing it up,” he says, offering everyone a grin, then spits the remaining tobacco into the waves and suddenly reaches down and takes a long drink from his hip flask.
Seijiro turns back from looking at the water when Variel speaks and nods, smiling. "I like that idea much more than some kind of uniform. We're not an army after all."
When Flynn had spoken of his reckless, cavalier attitude and her own more vigilant one, it was true. Rain nodded her head to show him she concurred with his assessment. In quiet voice, in contrast to his boisterous behaviour, she proffers the following explanation, "I am my grandfather's only grandchild and heir. I have a responsibility to my house and I cannot act recklessly without thought to the consequences. You and I, we come from different worlds and cultures. You do not answer to anyone and I ...", her voice and explanation trails off.
"If luck and good fortune are on your side, may you continue to travel that way." Rain was sincere in her wishes.
Then talk of tabards and broader discussion on the flag symbol and colours ensued between the officers. Rain had said her peace earlier and so she listened attentively, giving everyone an opportunity to have a say, so none felt outnumbered. From the corner of her eye she watched Flynn for he seemed the most eager for uniforms and unity in colours.
There was a strange look in Flynn's eyes which made Rain a little uneasy. It was not immediately apparent, just something in how he looked at her. But she had no evidence one way or the other of his true feelings.
Rain did not mind the suggestion made by Variel to wear the ship's insignia on a piece of her clothing, visible to all. She did prefer that to wearing a standard uniform. She had not been wholly against Flynn's idea and had said so much, but it seemed the doctor believed otherwise. We are opposite sides of a coin, she muses silently. I do not relish giving my contrary opinion, but I believe the man requires tempering when his ideas are grand and seem to grow more grand with each new thought or idea.
"Flynn, no one said your idea was discounted outright. This meeting is to throw all ideas into the ring and see where it takes us. Do not take it as a personal attack."
He believes we lack faith in him and in turn makes him lack faith in us. Rain did not understand it. If she did not instantly agree with him, she was against him. That was not the case. It never was.
Rain could see he was attempting to remain calm and cordial through the words he was saying. His grins often confused her -- were they genuine ease or practised cover?
Even Jiro seemed to prefer a sewn insignia over a tattoo or uniform. The kitsune and she were more often compatible in their opinions or similar enough. Perhaps that made Flynn uneasy. There was no conspiracy here. How can he fault like minds? Rain silently pondered the communication troubles which upset their accord more often than not.
When Flynn had spoken of his reckless, cavalier attitude and her own more vigilant one, it was true. Rain nodded her head to show him she concurred with his assessment. In quiet voice, in contrast to his boisterous behaviour, she proffers the following explanation, "I am my grandfather's only grandchild and heir. I have a responsibility to my house and I cannot act recklessly without thought to the consequences. You and I, we come from different worlds and cultures. You do not answer to anyone and I ...", her voice and explanation trails off.
"If luck and good fortune are on your side, may you continue to travel that way." Rain was sincere in her wishes.
Then talk of tabards and broader discussion on the flag symbol and colours ensued between the officers. Rain had said her peace earlier and so she listened attentively, giving everyone an opportunity to have a say, so none felt outnumbered. From the corner of her eye she watched Flynn for he seemed the most eager for uniforms and unity in colours.
[dice=Sense Motive]1d20+7
There was a strange look in Flynn's eyes which made Rain a little uneasy. It was not immediately apparent, just something in how he looked at her. But she had no evidence one way or the other of his true feelings.
Rain did not mind the suggestion made by Variel to wear the ship's insignia on a piece of her clothing, visible to all. She did prefer that to wearing a standard uniform. She had not been wholly against Flynn's idea and had said so much, but it seemed the doctor believed otherwise. We are opposite sides of a coin, she muses silently. I do not relish giving my contrary opinion, but I believe the man requires tempering when his ideas are grand and seem to grow more grand with each new thought or idea.
"Flynn, no one said your idea was discounted outright. This meeting is to throw all ideas into the ring and see where it takes us. Do not take it as a personal attack."
He believes we lack faith in him and in...
Horatio nods appreciatively at Rain’s suggestions of family honor and being the last of her line with no other offspring.
His turn to look out the clouds for a bit.
”Aye – you got a lot on your plate it seems. Now, as for carrying on my own family name, or being the last of my line or fulfilling a legacy?”
He turns back, giving a half smile.
”Yet for me - I live, I love, I slay, and I am content,” he says, but the words seem more like a mantra than an actual admission of feeling.
He turns to Seijiro and nods, his eyes still on Rain.
”He is right – we aren’t an army; nor are we gods, giants or monsters – we’re just men.”
He takes another drink, watching Rain.
”For myself – I thought a uniform may make us feel more like a company or a unit. Not a mob with single goal – but it might remind us more that we are all – not just the officers; but all who serve on this ship – we are all a brotherhood, a family. A family in which each man would be willing to step forward for the good of all; and each man would be confident in knowing that all stood behind him as well.”
He shrugs.
”But it was only a thought. And it was, perhaps, foolish. I had forgotten the true nature of man; but in any case, a uniform will not change it, nor amend it. We are what we are – no more, no less.”
”Nay, I don’t mind either way – after all, it was only a suggestion,” he says taking another drink and smiling.
In a voice sounding more faraway than present, Rain responds as soon as Flynn is done. "We play at dangerous things. To survive we must step forward or else we leave ourselves open to threats imaginable and unimaginable. Mortals, no matter the rate we grow older. Perhaps in time we shall wear a general, symbolic costume as a visible reminder of who we are and our joint goals and allegiances. Perhaps the colours we choose will bring us closer as a company. Yet, they are still only clothes and colours and that is not what brings hearts, souls and minds together. The clothes do not make the man or woman, my good doctor. I think sometimes we forget that ... in such a world as this we live in." Rain turns silent, reflective, seemingly removed from the immediate group, in mind at least.
"I have yet to find a content man or woman, Flynn. We may speak the words but they are only that. Mayhap one day, if we survive this life, we may find true contentment or at the very least enjoy a small taste of it." She gives the doctor a small smile. Rain is simply speaking a portion of her thoughts aloud, hoping Flynn will understand their meaning and that she is not against him nor does she like when misunderstandings and disputes cloud reason and logic.
"Every single being aboard this vessel has a personal load which they carry. I do not suppose my plate is any fuller than your own or one of the other officers or crew. It is simply my own and I attempt to work toward clearing it and keeping myself alive and willing." Rain smiles somewhat self-consciously at Flynn. She had shared more than she intended but she did not regret sharing her more intimate thoughts about this life they seek to lead and what it means to her.
"We cannot be reckless with our lives. There is time for heroism and there is a time where it must be tempered with wisdom for true heroism to take its place. A living hero can achieve as much, if not more, than a dead one. Even good pirates can be heroes."
In a voice sounding more faraway than present, Rain responds as soon as Flynn is done. "We play at dangerous things. To survive we must step forward or else we leave ourselves open to threats imaginable and unimaginable. Mortals, no matter the rate we grow older. Perhaps in time we shall wear a general, symbolic costume as a visible reminder of who we are and our joint goals and allegiances. Perhaps the colours we choose will bring us closer as a company. Yet, they are still only clothes and colours and that is not what brings hearts, souls and minds together. The clothes do not make the man or woman, my good doctor. I think sometimes we forget that ... in such a world as this we live in." Rain turns silent, reflective, seemingly removed from the immediate group, in mind at least.
"I have yet to find a content man or woman, Flynn. We may speak the words but they are only that. Mayhap one day, if we survive this life, we may find true contentment or at the very least enjoy a small taste of it." She gives the doctor a small smile. Rain is simply speaking a portion of her thoughts aloud, hoping Flynn will understand their meaning and that she is not against him nor does she like when misunderstandings and disputes cloud reason and logic.
"Every single being aboard this vessel has a personal load which they carry. I do not suppose my plate is any fuller than your own or one of the other officers or crew. It is simply my own and I attempt to work toward clearing it and keeping myself alive and willing." Rain smiles somewhat self-consciously at Flynn. She had shared more than she intended but she did not regret sharing her more intimate thoughts about this life they seek to lead and what it means to her.
"We cannot be reckless with our lives. There is time for heroism and there is a time where it must be tempered with wisdom for true heroism to take its place. A living hero can achieve as much, if not more, than a dead one. Even good pirates can be heroes."
”Aye, perhaps you’re right,” he responds, his mood becoming more buoyant.
”As for who we are – well, it recalls to my mind the words of an old sailor I once met – I asked him why he lived life the way he did and his words to me were – I am what I am. A man can’t be more than that, nor less, I reckon.”
He pushes himself off from the gunwale and begins to dance a hornpipe, frolicking about on the deck in front of them with a grin on his face.
”But for me? I don’t reckon on being a bloody hero, just a lad who lives as well as can be; for tomorrow we may all be dead. Hell, I’ve seen enough corpses to know that much,” he adds as his feet kick into a quickstep, even as his back and shoulders remain straight and his gaze remains steady.
He taps off the last steps in the dance with a final thud of his foot on the deck and laughs.
”Ah, gods damn it, that was fair sport,” he says with a chuckle.
”But anyhow – you all figure out what the flag’s going to be – if any; pick the shape, the symbol and the colors – you got some damn definite ideas on what it needs to look like – or not look like, it seems,” he adds with a wink to Seijiro.
”Once you all figure it out – just let me know what the hell flag it is we sail under so I know it when I see it and that's good enough for me,” he says with a grin.
Rain watches Flynn in silence, his posturing and dancing seemingly making light of the frank discussion. Her eyes shade her true feelings this time. She had attempted to instigate a serious, open conversation and was met with foolery. So be it.
"The colours are to be black and red as there was mutual agreement earlier in the conversation. In regard to the exact symbol, that is still being settled. I am certain we will have something agreed on by tomorrow for all to be happy with."
Aye, opposite sides of a coin.
She seemed to fail getting through to him. When she was serious, he was nonsensical and when she was carefree, he was judgemental.
Rain was eager to see the man happy but this show, she wondered at its sincerity. She was always thinking ... and on this ship it seemed to get her nowhere.
Seijiro watches Flynn cavort and narrows his eyes slightly. He reaches for his harmonica almost as a reflex, and then pulls his hand away slowly. The man's frolicking didn't seem joyful or sincere on the surface and the urge to join in left almost as soon as it struck. He sighs softly.
The man is an enigma, that's for sure. It's as if he doesn't want to be understood. He gets excited over ideas that might not be without merit, but then carries them each to extremes sure to put others off. Does he actually want to push people away from himself, creating a self-fulfilling prophecy that he's not understood or liked? He sure seems to act that way. Perhaps he feels the need to play the victim and when life doesn't victimize him, he does it to himself?
He glances over at Rain to try to gauge her reaction to all this, but she was sometimes an enigma as well, and her guarded expression told him nothing. He nods at her comment about the flag.
"Aye, black and red it is. I just wish we'd settle on a design soon. All this bickering over it is distressing."
Seijiro smiles slightly, not without some blame in the bickering department as he, too, has had his input on design.
Rain watches Flynn in silence, his posturing and dancing seemingly making light of the frank discussion. Her eyes shade her true feelings this time. She had attempted to instigate a serious, open conversation and was met with foolery. So be it.
"The colours are to be black and red as there was mutual agreement earlier in the conversation. In regard to the exact symbol, that is still being settled. I am certain we will have something agreed on by tomorrow for all to be happy with."
Aye, opposite sides of a coin.
She seemed to fail getting through to him. When she was serious, he was nonsensical and when she was carefree, he was judgemental.
Rain was eager to see the man happy but this show, she wondered at its sincerity. She was always thinking ... and on this ship it seemed to get her nowhere.
Horatio takes a long gulp from the flask at his side and looks at Rain as he leans on his propped shoulders.
”We all got bad blood in our wake, I reckon – but you don’t really want me to talk about it now, do you?” he says, watching her, his eyes flick over the others, and then back to her.
”The way I figure it, if I answered you true on that... well... such speeches can be long; and I reckon when I make long speeches that they don’t suit the fancy of most folks. And anyhow – such tales can also be dark; and some folk like dark tales of shadowed past even less than long speech,” he adds a bit dryly.
He swings up from the gunwale and moves closer to her.
”You want to talk to me of dark tales and deep things; I’ll listen and share words with you, aye – if you want to; but I ain’t about to launch into them in front of them who who’d rather not hear such stories,” he says bluntly; keenly aware that although it is evening time after supper they are still on the main deck in front of mixed company.
”Just say the word and I’ll go talk with you on them tales when none are to be burdened by them. But I’ll not speak on such things when mates wish for a pleasant evening and the chance to relax and enjoy themselves after taking plunder in good battle,” he adds, his eyes darting around, examining the crew; especially pausing to rest on the new Apsis folk.
He takes another drink, watching her for a moment.
”Meantime – red and black for the colors? That’s damn right agreeable to me; it figures well on things past; and hearkens better on things to come,” he adds somewhat cryptically.
”Anyhow – on such things as colors, and style, and clothes that look as if they’ll unite us - there’s been enough talk, I reckon – at least from me. Begging your pardon, but if anyone wants to chat on other matters, I’ll be on the foredeck near the artillery,” he adds, than gives a tip of his hand to his forelock and turns and strides off to the foredeck; away from the view and earshot of the other sailors who may even now be eavesdropping.
Seijiro watches Flynn cavort and narrows his eyes slightly. He reaches for his harmonica almost as a reflex, and then pulls his hand away slowly. The man's frolicking didn't seem joyful or sincere on the surface and the urge to join in left almost as soon as it struck. He sighs softly.
The man is an enigma, that's for sure. It's as if he doesn't want to be understood. He gets excited over ideas that might not be without merit, but then carries them each to extremes sure to put others off. Does he actually want to push people away from himself, creating a self-fulfilling prophecy that he's not understood or liked? He sure seems to act that way. Perhaps he feels the need to play the victim and when life doesn't victimize him, he does it to himself?
He glances over at Rain to try to gauge her reaction to all this, but she was sometimes an enigma as well, and her guarded expression told him nothing. He nods at her comment about the flag.
"Aye, black and red it is. I just wish we'd settle on a design soon. All this bickering over it is distressing."
Seijiro smiles slightly, not without some blame in the bickering department as he, too, has had his input on design.
”Whatever you fancy suits me fine; I’ll not protest on what you choose for the flag,” he calls out over his shoulder as he walks off.
”Black and red be fine colors on lots of levels – I’m right pleased with that,” he adds as he hops up the stairs to foredeck and dismisses the forward watch for some privacy.
Leaning against the rigging his eyes watch the waves in front of the ship as the keel plows the waters like a dark scythe.
Away from the possibility of eavesdroppers, he makes himself comfortable; not know if anyone will follow - but at least sure that if they do, they can speak with more secrecy in front of men who are not wholly known.
Rain had kept her voice deliberately low and thus was not expounding her views for all ears on deck.
She watched Flynn stride toward the foredeck within a moment of taking his leave from the group. She did not stop him nor follow. There were matters to finalise and she would not desert the group for darker, secluded discussions. That is not what she had meant; Flynn always misunderstood her intent.
Upon Jiro's words, Rain turns her eyes to the red-haired kitsune, "Aye, no time for bickering, Jiro. This needs to be sorted well and truly before we enter the waters of Bloodcove."
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Horatio turns in the rigging to watch and is surprised to hear that Rain would refuse to talk to him privately about matters which she brought up – ones that she knew quite clearly were hard for him to discuss in front of others.
He weighs that in his mind and shrugs, and than simply turns back to the sea.
I watch the waves frolic with pale, clouded eyes
I see the fair ocean; for her my heart sighs
It calls to my spirit as I watch the gray waves
It beckons my heart; aye – to the end of my days
Waters and waves they crash in my soul
Rising and falling; they dance
They grip my heart fierce and take hard hold
Than drag me deep under, not sparing a glance...
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I think that you have the gist of it though for the flag. Colors are determined already as we are all agreeable to that. The wings on the skull in reference to the Erinyes is a tad obscure, but we will 'educate' those unenlightened about our symbol.
AT this point Variel gets more animated than usual. It seems that he has had an experience that has opened his eyes to the ability to dream and fantasize. It is a good start I must say. And start is what I mean. Not that we need to spend long hours discussing and revamping this flag's design, but rather, thinking ahead. Someday, we may each have our own ship in a united fleet. If that is the case then from here on, each of you gets to design the flag for your own ship. The Dread Lady may not always be our flagship, but its flag will be. The next ship we capture we may well keep if we have a berth for her to stay in. Once we get enough crew for both ships, then we can sail together to hunt prey. Then one of you will captain that ship and have his or her own personal flag to raise.
Imagine the sight of two or more of our ships bearing down on merchant ships and cargo ships. With Jiro and Rain at each helm our prey would be hard pressed to avoid both of us. Even if there was an escort, we would be able to engage both at the same time instead of worrying about the escort first.
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Short sword through skull
Other short sword design
Sword going up and bat wings but you should imagine bird wings.
Crossed swordsbut lacking Rain's awesomeness
some of these may work well to add the wings to.
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Rains design, I just made an inversion layer and cut out the wings to make them black.