Callum smacks his lips in pleasure when Grog comes around with the rum and gives her a wink. As soon as the opportunity arose he found a nice spot and dumped the swill.
He then quietly guided his companions down into the quartermaster's.
"If anyone asks you bartered this stuff from me, fair and square. All the same, I wouldn't suddenly show up on deck tomorrow armed to the teeth with all your stuff. Store it in your trunks and 'reaqiure' pieces of it gradually, a couple a day. Any more and people will get suspicious. If you have need of anything else in my stores in the future, let me know and I'll see if we can work something out."
"Aye, that be the wisest course, an'..." Callum began until he saw his... "Oh! Me hat!" he then snatches it up gives it a quick wipe, and checks the lines and places it on his head. "Ahh, lass," he said looking at Grok, "I be severely in yer debt now, me an' this hat done been through a lot together."
Returning to his hammock, he reverently placed the hat in the chest atop his other gear. "Ye'll have te wait a bit longer as ye've no place in the rigging," he said before closing and locking his chest and returning to the galley.
Once finished his meal, Callum got up and noticed the surly dwarf that had spat on Young Tully. "Hey you filthy scallywag! When ye be on the rig, ye keep yer s**te te yerself. An' if ye got somethin whats against any that don't cause ye no grief, ye can speak it te me."
Turning to see you, she notices the fiddle in your hand and jumps up with a huge grin. You cheeky lil' shit! Ain't you just trying to butter me ass quick enough. Without even waiting she snatches the instrument out of your hands.
She puts it to her shoulder and begins playing a merry tune, sailors starting to clap along with it. As she plays she spins off around the ship, smiling at you as she leaves. The gnome pats you on the shoulder as he too walks off. Well played sir. It seems I might have some competition on this leaky tub.
As you attempt to salvage the night you approach the woman heading towards the the lab Calvin mentioned earlier. At your introduction, she gives you a cool look. Don't waste your words on me fool. With that, she heads into the lab and shuts the door in your face.
Ignoring them, you wait while the caltrops are put down. After that it's a quick and bloody affair.
The man cries out in pain as his hand slams into the barrel top, the caltrops digging in deep. He pulls his hand back, hate in his eyes as he looks at you. Go ahead, take your damn money ya freak!
He swings again, but this time you are better prepared. Still though his fist connects with your jaw.
Having secured your things, you head back to the deck to find Rosie sitting on the edge of the ship, her legs dangling over the side. Sitting next to her is the other gnome that was recently brought on board. Dressed rather foppishly, he's carrying on when you walk up although judging by her posture, Rosie's more than a bit bored.
Turning to see you, she notices the fiddle in your hand and jumps up with a huge grin. You cheeky lil' s+*#! Ain't you just trying to butter me ass quick enough. Without even waiting she snatches the instrument out of your hands.
Xanxan grins widely. "Happy to help you." Ah, there's one done at least. And who doesn't like good music?
She puts it to her shoulder and begins playing a merry tune, sailors starting to clap along with it. As she plays she spins off around the ship, smiling at you as she leaves. The gnome pats you on the shoulder as he too walks off. Well played sir. It seems I might have some competition on this leaky tub.
Xanxan was clapping his hands along too, but as his fellow gnome speaks, he laughs, "I've honestly had my eye on another, but no hard feelings whatever maybe I hope."
Calvin is a little shocked by how handily he beats the man. He holds his hand down, pressing the caltrops further into the man's hand - his intense eyes never breaking contact with the other's. When the man pushes back, Calvin begins to laugh - it sounds high-pitched, manic and crazed.
However, when the man the calls him a freak, the laughter ends and Calvin moves within inches of the man's face before saying in an abnormally lucid voice, "You are the freak. The outcast. The outsider. You are not in tune with the forces that are larger than you or the whip man. The shark and the tiger await."
Tobias jumps on Calvin's shoulder and snaps his beak in the man's face when Calvin finishes his speech. The man's head snaps back in surprise and Calvin resumes his manic laughter. His laugh dies when he reaches the group that is gathered around the man in the hat and a dwarf.
Grateful to the hat man for his assistance, Calvin focuses his attention on the dwarf. He imagines that the dwarf is covered in flammable grease and Callum is wielding two flaming torches. One touch from torch would cause him to be consumed by flame. He chuckles to himself and projects that image on the dwarf.
You think that s#%* is free?! That'll be the post for you tomorrow!
Wait, what? I am forced to drink or I face the lash? That makes no sense, why would they want me to drink?
Casually, Ko'ulu stands up, untouched mug of liquor in his hand and walks over to stand in front of Plugg, blocking his progress. Locking eyes with Plugg, and grinning a wide white grin, he holds the cup out at arm level, and pours it out over the deck in a single long stream.
He rejoins the others, "Thanks to you again, Jirobo. You're a good friend."
"No trouble, Xanxan. We must look out for one another because leaders will not."
Jirobo drags himself to the evening meal, completely drained by the extra effort he put into the bilges today. He nimbles the food as he watches the others go about chatting with their fellow pirates or testing their meddle in games of chance. His rum is descretely dumbed again. When Callum berates the surly dwarf who shared Xanxan and Jirobo's punishment the day before, the tengu hops down off his seat and tries to put himself between the two of them, "Stop, stop, friends. Fight now only make tomorrow harder. Drain energy and health so can't do work that Mr. Plugg give then more lashes, swish-slash. Not fun for anyone." His words are nearly drowned out by the calls of the other pirates, cheering the other two on in their brawl.
When Xanxan sees Ko'Ulu pour out the drink on Mr. Plugg's head, his green eyes widen. A rush of emotions cross his odd little heart. He wants to cheer, or maybe laugh, or perhaps cry out a warning in distress because he knows the doom the man may have brought upon himself. Instead he covers his mouth to conceal the wide grin now adorning it.
Tully's father had once told him, "Don't decide. Act. If you try to decide, you'll rationalize, you'll prevaricate, you'll hesitate. Commit yourself. Decide later."
A hand like an iron vice, grabbed Tully by the shoulder and spun him around.
That's three lashes boy. I hope you give me reason for more by tomorrow.
Tully barely heard Scourge. For the briefest moment, he knew what it was to be one of those perfect warriors. The entire deck of the ship unrolled like a tapestry, and in that instant, Tully saw everything.
Tobias and Calvin were squawking and trilling maniacally as Calvin slammed an unfortunate sailor's hand into a pile of twisted, jagged metal. Two gnomes were dancing and clapping as a halfling wench scratched away at a fiddle. The surly dwarf, called Narwhal, spun on the spot and threw a punch into the gut of Callum, while the Strix bounced from foot to foot, trying to get between them.
But, beyond the fight, and the bird-man, beyond all of it, Ko'ulu stood before Mr. Plugg, barring his path, and lifted his cup high in the air, until his arm stood straight out. Perhaps Tully had a moment of foresight. Perhaps understanding came as fast as sensation. All Tully knew for sure, was that he never actually decided to move.
Callum staggers at the two blows from the dwarf. Damn it man, ye shoulda been prepared fer that. May as well have been tastin the rotgut. Oh.. I can't take much more o' this. Let's hope 'e's well into 'is cups. He then starts to duck and weave, looking for an opening and lashing a fist out at the dwarf.
Most of the pirates jostle a bit at the interuption but continue to watch the fight. The one Tully bumped turns around and pushes him back. Piss off, ya' drunk sod!
The man tries to push Tully but he's drunk enough that it's equally ineffective, almost a stumble, simply bumping into tully sloppily.
Calvin is more interested in the fight that is currently occurring rather than the one that is fomenting. His attention is still on the dwarf as he is eager to help the Hat man win.
Jirobo hops back and forth between one foot and the other, clearly agitated, "No, no. Everyone will get in trouble. Many whip slashes for all. Please stop friends!
When Tully joins in so to speak, Xanxan isn't sure what the hell the lad is up to. Add to that the fight going between dwarf and Callum which Jiboro is trying to stop. Calvin is doing the gods knows what, and no doubt Ko'Ulu is going to get the lash for pouring out that drink.
I've no idea what to do. Callum looks rocky though, and I like the fellow. Not sure Jirobo will be able to talk them down, and as for Tully? He's up to somewhat unless he's VERY drunk but I've no idea. He sighs.
While folks are distracted by the fight, he gets moving, sneaking along behind the dwarf.
Tully believed for one second he could shift the whole of the crowd to encompass his friend and Mr. Plugg. Unfortunately, the reality was, that a crowd of drunken sailors is rather hard to move. The annoyed sailor gave Tully a half-hearted shove, but never really turned away from the melee already in progress.
I beg your pardon, sir. Years of diplomatic aplomb brought the apology automatically to his lips. Callum was in trouble. Ko'ulu was in serious trouble. And apparently, the best Tully could come up with was shoving around a poor, drunken lout.
Callum's first punch connects but the sturdy dwarf manages to keep his legs under him. Tate then sends another punch flying towards Callum. Connecting with his jaw, it's almost enough to send the man to his knees.
Staggering back from the hit to the jaw, Callum shakes it off as he is pushed back into the fight by the surrounding pirates egging the fight on. Again, ducking and weaving, Hope I don' slip into his fist again. The scalywag has a mean hit, Callum takes a wild swing at the dwarf.
Callum's vision blurs from the latest hit and his next swing goes wild. The two men circle each other, looking for an opening.
Plugg turns to the fight, his voice booming over the deck. Belay that fighting you scurvy dogs!!! The next man to throw a punch will receive a day in the box!
The pirates around the fight step back a bit, clearing more room for Plugg. Callum and Tate stand near each other, breathing hard and looking at the first mate. Plugg looks around at all of you (). You mind telling me what the hell it is you think you're doing?
Callum stands up straighter, turning to Plugg but keeping an eye on the dwarf. Fight, Mr. Plugg? Ye be mistaken what us fightin'. Tate an me be showin' the lads here 'bout a tavern brawl seen landside. I be the one who were duckin' and weavin," Callum said demonstrating, "an' he be the one what clocked the guy somethin fierce what with him, duckin' right into the hammer each time, clocked 'im right out. A classical bit o' hilarity, aye?"
Plugg looks to Callum. Oh Mr. Carnvegas I know exactly what you and Mr. Tate were "demonstrating". And you've both earned three lashes for it, which we'll settle up tomorrow. Now mind your tone or it'll earn you a few more.
He turns to look at the rest of the PC's. What I want to know is, what you lot think you're doing?
"I was growing wealthy by making a man's hand bleed," Calvin says simply. Tobias squawks in concurrence.
Jirobo seems to shrink under Plugg's hard gaze as he chirps, "Just trying to keep the peace of the ship, Mr. Plugg. Only that." He starts to edge away from the site of the brawl and over by Xanxan.
Just skylarking, as it were, sir. As it happens, this fine fellow bore the brunt of my carelessness. Tully indicated the drunken sailor he had shoved.
Having not thrown a punch , Xanxan says "I were watching, sir."
Ko'ulu grins his giant white toothy smile, "There looked like there was going to be a fight. I was going to watch."
Plugg sneers at your various justifications, knowing that more than a few of you are lying through your teeth. Seems you lot have grown to like the bilges with the rate you all are shoveling shit. It looks to me like you were fixing to gang up on Mr. Tate there. He raises his voice to make sure the entire crew on deck can hear him. Two men decide to settle a "debate", thick-headed an act though that might be, and rather than let them work it out as men you decide to cheat Mr. Tate of his fair and honest chance at defending himself! The expression 'honor amongst thieves' comes to mind, yet apparently you lack even that small amount of honor! I know I'd find it hard to trust my shipmate after something like that! At this a number of the pirates watching the interchange start to mumble amongst themselves, giving you all unpleasant appraising looks.
He moves forward, his voice carrying. Or perhaps Mr. Carnvegas, your friends simply think you too weak to defend yourself. Maybe they were simply rushing to your aid, as a knight to a damsel in distress! Is that it Mr. Carnvegas, are you too weak to be aboard this ship? Please let us know if this voyage is too much for you and we'll gladly see to your needs! More than a few men laugh and look at Callum with a predatory glint in their eyes.
Plugg moves away from the crowd, his business clearly done and brooking no debate. That's enough idiocy for one evening. All crew are confined to quarters tonight! All of the pirates on deck groan loudly at this. Mr. Scourge, see that the door is locked, a guard posted and rounds are made. I'm done dealing with these worms for the day. Plugg then walks into the officers' quarters, although he turns to look at Ko'ulu. And don't think I forgot about your insolence, savage. You'll be paying for that tomorrow as well. He moved in and shut the door behind himself.
As the crew is herded below decks, a good number of them mutter and grumble under their breath and shoot Tam (the dwarf) and Callum dark looks.
Xanxan sighs low and whispers to Callum "We best ALL watch our backs, but none more so than you and Tam there. Plugg is a sadist, but he's not stupid and he played the crew like puppets on this one and used us as the stage for it." The gnome almost has to admire the way things were twisted. He's seen swindlers that didn't do it as smooth.
Interesting. A tactical reversal worthy of a Hellknight Paralictor. Damnit! I told myself to tread carefully! Charging headfirst into a dangerous situation... Now, matters are worse.
Tully found himself walking down the gangway beside Callum's friend, the gnome. Even in defeat, opportunities exist.
Good evening, sir. You and I seem to be as ships passing in the night. I've noticed that you've made a number of friends among the crew. I would be delighted to be counted among them. My friends call me Young Tully. If I may ask, how do your friends address you, Sir Gnome?
Good evening, sir. You and I seem to be as ships passing in the night. I've noticed that you've made a number of friends among the crew. I would be delighted to be counted among them. My friends call me Young Tully. If I may ask, how do your friends address you, Sir Gnome?
The gnome smiles "Some folk what refer to me as a shepherd of the stars, some call me an outlaw of romance, some what call me Maurice for I doth give voice to the ostentatious displays of the heart..." Then his grin widens as he takes the hand, "I be pulling your chain a bit lad. Just call me Xanxan as others do." He lowers his voice, and grows somber, "Be on your guard, young Tully. Plugg has used this moment to tar us blacker than pitch in the eyes of some and we maybe more alone that afore. It'll get worse before it gets better again, mark me."
Some folk what refer to me as a shepherd of the stars, some call me an outlaw of romance, some what call me Maurice for I doth give voice to the ostentatious displays of the heart...
Ha! I think, perhaps, you are merely a Joker!
Be on your guard, young Tully. Plugg has used this moment to tar us blacker than pitch in the eyes of some and we maybe more alone that afore. It'll get worse before it gets better again, mark me.
Xanxan has drawn the same conclusion. Excellent. Fishguts' warning was clear, though. Better if it is not spoken aloud.
More alone? I think not, friend Xanxan. For now, your friends and my friends become our friends. Let us remain positive. We should not speak our fears. Though, be assured, we have an understanding.
The gnome has sense. I pray he understands.
"Aye, I ken your meaning I think ," Too many ears around we can't trust. Assuming I can trust young tully, but Ko'Ulu was right. This lad squeaks of land lubber and that is a sign to be trusted right now. "if you be hurting, I might suggest seeing Miss Quinn. I think she can be of help for all sorts of problems."
"Well this is not a very good. I was looking forward to fishing tonight. The stew was all vegetable today...no meat at all!"
Ko'ulu walks over and claps Tully on the back, leans over and whispers to Xanxan. "I think that Tully is not a very good cook XanXan. There was no meat in the stew. I think that he must have missed when he was doing his chopping."
"I wish there had been a fight. I might have gotten a chance at Plugg."
"Well this is not a very good. I was looking forward to fishing tonight. The stew was all vegetable today...no meat at all!"
"I might have liked some tuna or the like.. true. But I've had worse"
Ko'ulu walks over and claps Tully on the back, leans over and whispers to Xanxan. "I think that Tully is not a very good cook XanXan. There was no meat in the stew. I think that he must have missed when he was doing his chopping."
A grin "You should have some of my stew sometime. I've been accused of poisoning."
"I wish there had been a fight. I might have gotten a chance at Plugg."
"A hit, maybe, aye. But the pleasure wouldn't have lasted long enough to get you any freerer. Long aim, long game." His voice a soft.
"Well this is not a very good. I was looking forward to fishing tonight. The stew was all vegetable today...no meat at all!"
Ko'ulu walks over and claps Tully on the back, leans over and whispers to Xanxan. "I think that Tully is not a very good cook XanXan. There was no meat in the stew. I think that he must have missed when he was doing his chopping."
"I wish there had been a fight. I might have gotten a chance at Plugg."
Well... Tully stole a glance at Xanxan. No subtlety there. Ko'ulu is a straightforward, stalwart, honest fellow. A liability, perhaps. But, he is strong. That will keep him safe from everyone but himself...
Ha! I doubt Plugg would make for a palatable stew, my friend!
He moves forward, his voice carrying. "Or perhaps Mr. Carnvegas, your friends simply think you too weak to defend yourself. Maybe they were simply rushing to your aid, as a knight to a damsel in distress! Is that it Mr. Carnvegas, are you too weak to be aboard this ship? Please let us know if this voyage is too much for you and we'll gladly see to your needs!" More than a few men laugh and look at Callum with a predatory glint in their eyes.
Callum looked around noting which of the crew laughed and glares down those thinking they could get the upper hand. Oh, aye, I've a special place in Hell set aside for ye lot. Before he could say anything, however...
Plugg moves away from the crowd, his business clearly done and brooking no debate. "That's enough idiocy for one evening. All crew are confined to quarters tonight! All of the pirates on deck groan loudly at this. Mr. Scourge, see that the door is locked, a guard posted and rounds are made. I'm done dealing with these worms for the day." As the crew is herded below decks, a good number of them mutter and grumble under their breath and shoot Tam (the dwarf) and Callum dark looks.
Noticing that Tam still got a portion of the ire of the crew, Callum relaxed a bit. Good. It looks like Plugg's words didn't stick much... This time, he thought, and noted those in this latter group that hadn't laughed.
"We best ALL watch our backs, but none more so than you and Tam there. Plugg is a sadist, but he's not stupid and he played the crew like puppets on this one and used us as the stage for it."
"Oh aye, ye've got that straight," he whispered back. "I con te the fact thems all didn't latch te it all. Tate got as much hate as did I, and it were him whats was the 'victim' in the play."
Once locked in the cabin with the others he turns to them and whispers, "Lemme take a sec te help 'em think their win was bigger than real, then we can chat, aye?", winks then yells, glancing back at the doorway
Calvin approaches Ko'ulu, Tully and Xanxan when they are talking. He listens intently and then says quietly, "The wave takes time to build. The storm is on the horizon before it is overhead. The shark bides its time to strike. "
He looks at them knowingly and then turns to Ko'ulu, squints his eyes and says, "The tiger shark bides its time. Haha!" He then heads with Tobias to his hammock, both laughing and squawking.
The gnome nods willing to play along.
"By Besmara, ye lot! What ye be in yer skulls, thinkin' te interfere in me debate with the dwarf! I don' need yer help! Ye lot are like an anchor in me wants te be a part o' this sweet trade! Now keep quiet an' leave me be as I be hittin' the hammock."
The wave takes time to build. The storm is on the horizon before it is overhead. The shark bides its time to strike. The tiger shark bides its time. Haha!
Tully gave Calvin a knowing smile. He continued to find amusement from the quirky man with his even quirkier bird. I'm almost ready to believe he can talk to that bird...
Ko'ulu scratches at his braids for a moment, then leans over to Tully. "Do you know what he is talking about? Is there a storm brewing...with sharks?"
Ko'ulu scratches at his braids for a moment, then leans over to Tully. "Do you know what he is talking about? Is there a storm brewing...with sharks?"
Never fear, Mister Ko'ulu. The storm is, as yet, still far distant. The sharks are still in the water. And as for the tiger, Tully clapped Ko'ulu good-naturedly on the shoulder, he is docile and well fed... Even if there was no meat in the stew!
The night is long and dull, the crew all grumbling about the confinement. Callum attempts to reassert himself with the rest of you to try to mitigate some of Plugg's words and he appears to be met with some success with some of the crew. Most still look angrily at him and Tate though, both men responsible for their current misfortune. Some are drunk enough on rum that they don't seem to care either way.
Some of the pirates still manage to dice together while others talk quietly and the overall atmosphere is one of bored acceptance. Quickly though people retire to their hammocks and drift off to sleep. You were able to gather a little bit of info on some of the other members of the ship in their various conversations but it was, for the most part, an uneventful evening.
The sun rises the following morning and the bell rings out as you all climb wearily up to the main deck. The sky is a clear expanse of blue that matches the water passing beneath you, the sun already scalding the deck beneath your feet.
Plugg begins assigning tasks to the crew and is coming up to you all when one of the crew comes hustling over to him, his face ashen and his arm bleeding. Clutching his arm, he moves up to Plugg to make a report before moving off to seek aid for his arm. Plugg turns to the group of you with a grimace on his face.
It appears we have a bit of an infestation problem in the bilges this morning. He looks to you. You lot get down there and clear out whatever it was that bit Mr. Scrimshaw. Don't bother coming back up till it's been dealt with. It appears Mr. Tully that you will have some company in the bilges today, more the luck for you. With that he turns and continues to assign tasks to the remaining crew.
Heading back down the stairs, you can already feel the heat saturating the lower decks from above and know that the bilges aren't going to be pleasant.
Ko'ulu puts on his dagger and wrist sheath.
"Infestation can mean a lot at sea Tully man. Worms, rats, rat-worms...it is good to be ready for anything."