Once Shara finishes speaking, Variziel smiles and stands. "As much as I'd love to stay, I think I should be getting back to the ship. I think I know the word I used, so I'll be able to return whenever I want--and I assure you, I won't stay away long. This place is--well, from what I can see now, it's beautiful--and you make finer company than most of the pirates on the Wormwood." Variziel grins and winks. "I don't think I'll be able to keep myself from visiting, but for now, it's best I return." He pauses and thinks for a moment. "Er... How long have I been here? I mean, how long has it been there?"
"I have not seen him this morning, but I know that there's been some real issues among the crew with disrespect of the Captain. It may be that he was tasked to secretly continue my work or someone could have gone after him too. Through the course of the day, I will find him. He can't have disappeared."
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"Very well," Charlotte nods, disgusted but knowing better than to directly oppose Harrigan.
Sure, Syl had tried to kill her, but torture? Seeing the nag nearly piss herself in fear had been all Charlotte needed.
Janus stares directly at Charlotte as he answers the captain. "Oh trust me, I will. The smile that picks its way a crossed his face is one to give nightmares to little children and small puppies, and with that he is off to find his new project.
Charlotte follows along with Janus until they are out of the captain's sight, before she stops and calls for the Kuthonite's attention. "I want no part of this. You go play your vile games all you want, but I am not going to be sullied with any kind of involvement with this."
Ogruk? You mean that lump o'green sh!t that lumbers around here?
See that you do, Mr.Hank. The morning finds me in an ill mood and a missing crewmember only heightens it. Harrigan also wants you to continue rooting out dissenters and troublemakers, though I suspect you figured that out on your own. Now, if that is all?
"Your already involved, had to go causing trouble, had to go making friends. Couldn't keep that pretty little head of yours down could you? Now I am being dragged into your vile little games and I do not have time for them. Next time you want to piss someone off do us all a favor and let them kill you, it will be less messy that way. Now I hope you are happy, forcing me to give lessons where none will be learned, all to satisfy that new boyfriend of yours. Oh yee cozy up to him well enough, but you don't want to take credit for your own mess, just pass the slop down to the doctor, oh and he is so vile for doing what he is told to do. I hope when you finally see the stain on your own soul you start to understand, we are all broken and only the master shows us those cracks so we can fix them." Janus stares at Charlotte daring her to gainsay him.
As they got to work at the mast Temerith spoke, indeed Ogruk is one step away from being convinced to join us in full. At the moment he now believes that Scourge intends to keelhaul him and with what I am planning he will soon be realizing the..."benefits" of switching employers. With that Temerith slyly winks at Rosie.
Iggy nods. "Absolutely. I'll try to keep folks out of your way, if they don't have reason to be around you today." And with that, Iggy is off, both to look for troublemakers and also to track down Janus. His mark glows brightly for just a moment, as his eyes seem focused on their goal.
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Variziel laughs along with the woman. "Of course, of course. Just checking." He does feel a little more out of place and lost when she starts talking about wishes and genies, though. "Wait... so, you're a genie? Incedible!" He looks at her anew, wondering that he's been talking to such a powerful creature without even realizing it. "Amazing..." Variziel shakes his head. "I think it's time I get back to the ship, though. This is a lot to take in, and--oh, damn. If they realized I went missing, that could spell trouble..."
"Oh, please." Charlotte rolls her eyes. "Don't play the pity card with me, you pain-loving freak. You know as well as I do that you're relishing the chance to torture someone. Don't you dare blame me for passing that onto you. My involvement with Syl ended the moment she soiled herself learning exactly what I am and ran away with her tail between her legs like the chienne she is."
As they walk, Charlotte stretches nonchalantly, putting her hands behind her head.
"The captain decided she deserved more of a punishment and told you to do it. It's all on you. If you're not happy with it, take it up with the guy at the top, because it's. Not. My. Problem."
If it were anyone other than Ogruk, I'd be right surprised. As it stands, he's dimmer than than all sh!t. We could still use him though, just use him as a big f&ckin' meatshield and battering ram, yeah? Too bad he doesn't smell as good as those two though, that soddin' b@stard's ripe, he is! So, ya got any other stuff done? I managed to do a few things.
As you two walk and argue, you see a man walking along looking at the air about two feet off the floor chatting to the air and cackling madly. He talks in a whimsical, child-like tone, in stark contrast to his rather deep voice and insane cackling mere moments ago, She what?! That's hilarious! Heeeeheeeeheeee!!! Poor big sister. You know, I had a sister once. What happened to her? Well, Dad sold Jacqueline and I to Harrigan and when Harrigan got bored with her, he got drunk and threw her overboard with a cannonball attached to her neck. Right b@astard ol' pop was. Poor sister. Very sad stuff. But enough of that! Would you like some TEA, young lady?! Oooh, and maybe some crumpets and possibly some of Magpie if a bit got washed down to the bilge? Strange? How am I strange?
You walk into the kitchen and are surprised to see the piles of dirty dishes being cleaned by Kroop, who whistles a shanty of some sort. He turns and looks at you, Top o' the mornin' to ye, Mr. Salt! I took your advice and now I'm cleaning meself up! Don't even look like me anymore, does it boy? Looking at Kroop in freshly washed clothes, hair trimmed down, and stature not slouched, if it were not for his porcine face and massive girth, he would be nearly unrecognizable. Ye got any friends that aren't busy much? Cap'n Harrigan approved of our fare yesterday and wants us to go Reefclaw hunting for Reefclaws, since we're about a league away from a small island. Reefclaws require a team to take down, s'why I'm askin'. I'm still a bit handy with this thing. Kroop grabs a large meatcleaver with a 2-3 foot blade, obviously meant to chop up larger fish. The edge, though pitted, retains a razor-sharp edge.
I have procured the shadowman as an ally of mutual need, he understands how unpleasant Mr. Hank is likely to be towards him if he became the captain. As it stands I have provoked a little too much ire aboard this ship to gain captaincy by anything short of a miracle... However I have a new candidate in mind, what do you think of that knife ears Variziel as captain of this ship?
Oh! I see you've made a friend! Carry on. Charlotte chuckles.
"Any idea who that one might be?" Charlotte asks, setting her issues with Janus aside for a moment.
"Ahh yes, that is master Jack and master Scrimshaw. They are an interesting one, I am working to help them come to terms with each other so that they don't end up killing themselves. Another one of my sick games healing the broken minded yes, such a disturbed thing to do. I really should be stopped and we should just let the suicidal depressed and the mentally unhinged kill themselves like nature intended shouldn't we. Oh, and while we are at it, maybe we should go through and stomp out every spawn of monsterous creatures that walks among us... can't trust those half-orcs, might turn out like their parents, guess I would have to stop seeing my lovely Grok. Maybe we should just sink this ship full of pirate scum as well, some pirates are rapist bastards that do it for the fun, so we can't very well trust any of them."
Suddenly Janus is very close, too close, almost whispering into your ear. His soothing melodic voice hisses in your ear and his hot breath runs along your neck raising hairs along every inch. "Maybe you should kill me now, before I meet with this Syl of yours. It would be easy for you to strike me down, I would not resist you, you could just plunge a knife directly in to my heart. What makes you hate me, you are a woman fair who seems to have a good head on your shoulder. What could someone have done to you to make you distrust me so badly when you don't even know me?
A look of pure pity has crossed his face as he stares into your eyes, you barely noticed that as his hand brushes yours. "Who hurt you, who did this thing to you? Who made it so you can not see the world without judgements and without love in your heart? Do you not understand? I only do what I do out of love and caring."
Variziel catches his footing quickly, quickstepping and throwing his upper body back and forth to maintain his balance as he settles. He crouches down and tosses the blanket over the hourglass, marveling at his discovery. This... this is a great gift.
Then the half-elf looks around and sees that everyone's gone. Great... How will I explain this? Need to find Iggy. That in mind, Variziel begins to creep about the ship, waiting for moments to pass when it seems like not many people will see him, and keeping a special eye and ear out for Scourge, Plugg and Harrigan (to avoid) and Iggy (to approach).
Trying to wipe the grin off his face from seeing the postive response from Kroop, Salt replies, "Ya, dis one be thinkin' a trip off da boat bein a good idea. Be thinkin' of a couple folks be wantin ta doin dis, surely. Cap'n be givin us weapons for dis hunt?"
"If you can't puzzle it out from the last few days, no amounts of claws and lashes could ever teach you." Charlotte offers for all reply, recoiling at the unsettling contact and putting a healthy distance between Janus and herself.
It is within moments of this interaction that Iggy approaches the "surgeon," clearing his throat to make his presence known before he begins speaking. "Janus, is it? I believe you and I need to have a few words, a bit more privately."
He motions over to the railing and heads that way.
Janus will follow Ignatius over to the railing. "If you are planning to throw me over I am sure it would be best to warn you that I can swim quite well." Janus's bemused smile seems more interested and bemused than anything else, almost like a cat regarding a mouse that has decided to try and parlay with it. "If not I am more than happy to finally get a moment to make your acquaintance Master Hank, it is my pleasure to be sure."
Oho... Charlotte reflects to herself, stepping aside. This is going to be interesting.
Charlotte observes Janus and Ignatius, pondering what her ally has in mind.
Oh, ya mean, pullin' his puppet strings and such? Yeah, I think he could be an ok captain if he'll get rid o' that doubt he's got and grow a f&ckin' heart of steel. I mean, ya heard about he's related to that Adrian Bloodsword guy, right?
You cautiously proceed through the lower decks looking for Iggy. Unable to find him, you walk up the steps to the upper deck and cautiously look around. You see him by the railing talking to the surgeon's assistant who patched you up, the fellow Shanghai'd Janus Ult. You are about to proceed towards him when you see Mr. Plugg walking on deck, his stride suggestion some sort of agitation. You wonder, do you go to talk to Iggy and risk running into Plugg or do you slink below deck and lay low?
The madman stops talking to the empty space, looks at you, and bends down, whispering through cupped hands. He skips over to you, a smile plastered on his face. He grabs your shoulders and leans in, kissing you in the mouth roughly. He looks back and yells out, See? I'm not a scaredy cat! Jack's not scared, except when he is, and only around Scrimshaw. He then looks at you and seems startled. He pulls a small white handkerchief with large, suspicious brownish-red stains from his belt and wipes your mouth, Oh, I'm terribly, terribly sorry madam, mortified even. Jack loses his grip sometimes. Allow me to introduce ourselves. The one speaking to you is the Scrimshaw, the gibbering lunatic was the Jack. We were the same until days ago, now we are distinct. He could not accept the truth offered to him, I embrace it. If you would allow me, I would strive to make this up to you my dear. Just... try to keep your sister away from the Jack, she seems to draw my idiotic 'brother' to the fore. I don't believe I need to tell you who the better companion is, do I?
Of course, Mr. Salt! He's already put in the word to Grok to expect us and two more folks. Who've ye got in mind? Kroop asks, his voice noticeably more upbeat and warm since his change. He fiddles with the massive meat cleaver, apparently his chosen weapon.
"Malotru! Chien sale! Gros déguelasse!"
Charlotte stumbles back, wiping her mouth in disgust, before unleashing a resounding slap across Jack's face. "Try and reel him in better," she grumbles.
And you, I swear once I've earned you an actual body, I'm going to bend it over my knee and give you a spanking that'll make you wish I hadn't gone through the trouble, you little rascal. Charlotte whispers to her ghostly companion, frustrated but playful.
Variziel notices Plugg moving over, but he decides to chance it and quickly walks over to Iggy and Janus, where he leans on the railing and waits for one of them to notice him, or for the conversation to end, or (hopefully not) for Plugg to come over.
"Dis one be thinkin' of a couple, ya. Bein right back, dis one will""
Salt will go find Iggy or V, whichever is easiest to approach
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Iggy just chuckles and shakes his head. "No..I may not agree with your methods, but I have no interest in throwing you overboard. I simply see that you have already found that we both are in a very...unique position, and I know that even you have noticed what is coming. Sailors keep a particular mindset with things, and with the way things are looking...well, we may be in an even more advantageous position in the future."
His eyes look over to Variziel, as he acknowledges him with a nod, before continuing. "I'm going to assume that you also are looking to see an improvement in overall morale and leadership?
Variziel nods back, thankful that Iggy's noticed him first. Now to try and explain away what I've been up to...
You hear a sound like small footsteps and feel a brush against your clothing. The strings on your fiddle play themselves discordantly and you hear a faint giggling. Jack, or rather Scrimshaw, shakes his head, Ugh, children and their antics, how very droll. Why do you allow her to do as she pleases? This is not... Scrimshaw seems to shudder a moment and looks at you with wild eyes, Acceptable? Stuff it up your fishy @ss Scrimshaw! Well, actually no, wait... it's our @ss. It may stink, but on second thought, NO SHOVING! Jack takes a moment and headbutts the ships wall. As he turns back to you, blood flows from his forehead. He wipes it with his finger and licks it, Much better. Sorry about that milady, the mongrel temporarily came to the surface. If he ever assumes control, cause me some sort of pain to force Jack back down into the dark, if you would please.
"I'll try to remember that." Charlotte nods. ... weirdo.
"And for the benefit of his curiosity, because it's a free world. Also she's dead. Ever try to discipline the dead? It doesn't work very well."
Eh the knive ears would make a good captain, but I be relying on his natural charm and not his heart. The various crew members need to see that he is a far better and more generous alternative to Hank.
"At any rate, Jack, er, Scrimshaw, er, well both of you guys. I've got some business to attend to."
Charlotte approaches Ignatius and Janus, giving the former a knowing nod and making her presence known, but not saying anything.
"Personally my dear boy I couldn't care less about the morale and leadership, not my job to. I care about keeping every single man woman and child placed in My care alive and healthy, and the occasional teaching of a careless hand to be more careful in the future is sometimes the only thing people understand. Now add to this the need to step lightly cause people can not get it in their heads to avoid being idiots and I get a little cranky. If ya be trying to improve morale I will not stand in your way, but know that I will tend to all wounded regardless of side they take." Janus responds as the witch finally catches up.
He smirks. "Good to see you've got a steady head to match the mind. I hope that I can look forward to you keeping an eye on folks and let me know if there's someone with talent who might not well survive the wounds their...overzealousness might bring out? That way I can prevent such things from happening, aye?"
He laughs slightly and then raises an eyebrow. "And where did you get such an idea that I would want to throw you overboard?"
Jesal heads above deck, looking for his fellow abductees. He find the two of them together with the "doctor" and grimaces, fingering the wooden spoon in his pocket.
Rather wish he wasn't here. Hmmm, this reminds me, need to get someone to identify this.
He slides up nonchalantly next to Variziel, leaning on the rail and listens for now, politely.
-Posted with Wayfinder
"Oh you do not make any effort to hide who you associate with, and a crew talks my friend. Right now it is all abuzz with the sound of dysfunction and struggle, such a disorderly mess. There is word that you and yours wish I was not here, there is another faction building a power base off the simpler of our members, there a third that just wants out of here for this ship is a living hell for them from whence they can not awake, still another would like to keep power for themselves, and yet you all do not seem to know true what each other is doing. Simple rivalries when we should all be united as a crew. It will all lead to ruin and sorrow in the end, and that is where I will be, just picking up the pieces and patching the wounded."
Plugg's eyes lock on the group and he storms over angrily, yelling What the Hells is this you ingrates, a sodding salon?! Mr. Hank, Janus, I hope there is some reason for everyone taking social hour when they should be attending to their duties? Suddenly, Plugg notices Variziel is part of the group, And you, knife-ears, where the hell have you been?! I should have Scourge lash you until we can see your entrails!
True, the boy does have that 'everyman's man' quality don't he now? Rosie looks down below from their position in the nest, Speak of Asmodeus' flaming @sshole, look who it is! What the sh!t's going on down there? She points to the group of fellow Shanghai'd who were being screamed at by the First Mate.
Iggy looks over to Plugg. "Simply following my orders, Mr. Plugg. Have to make sure that the others are also keeping their ears open for any possible...problems, as it were. I mean, we wouldn't want to see more instances of the Magpie or Janus's current assignment, would we? The captain seems to be the sort that's only going to get more mad the more instances of problems he sees. If you'd prefer, Mr. Plugg, I'd be more than happy to give our over-eager swordsman a taste of why the Magpie gave up his morsels of information to me?"
Winking at Rosie Temerith prepares to scare the living s&&* out of old plugs...
Temerith snaps his fingers and subtlety using a piece of sail to make what he was doing seem normal he lets forth the howl of Ydrius the Damned near Pluggs...
Variziel backs up to the rail and, unconsciously, his hand drifts toward his sword. He stops it however and moves it up to grab the railing. "I was practicing my footwork and my swordplay, down in the bilge. Didn't want to intterupt anyone, so I found a spot to myself. In case we get attacked, or do the attacking."
Before Plugg can respond to Variziel, Jesal interjects. "Dis one be recruiting dese three fine men ta be helpin hunt reefclaws. Captain's orders. Be eatin' fine tanight, Mr Plugg."
Turning to the others, "Iffun ya be ready, we be gettin weapons from Grok and leavin wit Kroop inns minute."
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"Just the men? Well I never." Charlotte huffs. "Though I guess the Captain did give me some instructions. Well that's too bad, a reefclaw or two would have been a fun workout, and it's be so long since I've gotten a chance to go for a swim."
Janus just stands waiting for everyone to stop talking. While he waits he smiles and plans on how he will teach his lessons to the lady syl.
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Plugg's face is red with anger. He draws him cat o' nine tails and lunges at Variziel, No excuses! As he lunges, you all notice Temerith doing some barely perceptible, strange motions with his fingers near the sails, staring intently. A discordant rumble builds in the air, turning into a wailing shriek. The sound seems strangely localized for all the noise. The sound startles Plugg and he loses his balance, falling on his face. He quickly gets up, somewhat shaken by the noise, What... what the Hells was that?! Go do what you all were going to do, I need to to talk to Pepper and find out what that was. She should know. Plugg turns around and sprints away.
Iggy fights a smile, but almost anyone can notice the sparkle in his eyes and the wiggle at the corner of his lip that beliefs the humor he feels.
"SO...about that reefclaw duty." Iggy motions, as though it might be a good idea to head that direction.
Temerith works his fingers through a piece of wood he is handling and by doing so disguises another subtle magic...