"Ahh yes, I thought Gozreh was some kind of god not goddess. Oh and if lunch is here I know were I will find the target of my search. Good day my good fellows." With that Janus will bid the party farewell with a flourish and a twirl running off to get the stitchman so they can head to the officers meal with the plan.
Variziel nods to Janus as the strange man dashes off. "Aye, I thought Gozreh was usually depicted as a masculine figure." He graciously take the food and takes a bite.
"Quite... quite good, actually," he says with a small smile after swallowing. "Better than some fare I've had." 'Some fare' being that knock-out ale last night.
"Huh. My adoptive father always spoke to me of Gozreh, goddess of the seas. Could it be that she... he... Gozreh has more than one aspect?"
"I've heard of such," Variziel says. "Usually male... but probably female on occasion. Only a woman could be as fickle as the weather is," he jests.
"Bein careful now, Variziel. Makin a jest at Shimye-Magalla as me people call Him, when ya on da water in Her domain, inna wise. Gozreh bein a dual nature an' ancient as well. Da sky-father and sea-mother together as one form da great deity. He bein' one of dem dat put Rovagug in the prison. Not to be trifled wit' ... sword boy," Jesal chastises, twirling the sea weed in his beard as he speaks.
"Ya too kind, lady bard. Tis terrible, dis one knows. But I thank ya kindly fer not spittin' it out. Bein careful, though. Kroop sayin ta tell em it being his meal."
Ignatius nods, eating a bite of the...food? He seems to quickly shovel it in before he gets too much of a taste of it. He wipes his mouth and takes a slow deep breath, not attempting to sugar coat it or even address food quality. Besmara provides, after all.
"Gozreh may be no Besmara in my book, but they're not a bad sort either. Not gonna get my devotion but ya'd best not insult those responsible for where you are. Gozreh's blessed ain't gonna give me or the Mwangi here any quarter if you make Mr & Mrs. Sea angry."
"You mistake my jest for blasphemy," Variziel says, raising his palms. "I was directing a joke more at these lovely ladies than Gozreh."
He shakes his head, winking at the ladies. "Oh! So you're making it so that they run at you and string you from the mast by your toes! Got ya!"
Charlotte bursts into laughter at Variziel's comment about fickle women. "I should smack you for that, Variziel, but I can't help but agree."
Cogs looks at Ignatius as he talks about being Markborn, putting his swabbing mop and walking over to him, A Markborn, eh? Finally, someone worth getting to know. We serve different goddesses, but out purpose is the same, mate. We fill Pharasma's Hall with souls. Don't deny it, the truth's in your eyes. Call me Cogs, Markborn. A pleasure to meet ya, for sure. Cogs extends his hand out to Ignatius.
At Janus's comment, Sandara rolls her eyes, One of those types are ye? Any woman with an ounce o' respectability would sooner lay a keelhauled Troglodyte! Ye got somethin' to do besides leer like a bloody Cyclops and jaw off at the mouth?
Cogs looks at Jesal, Gozreh, eh? Useful allegiance in the Shackles, to be sure. Not my particular cup of tea. Pharasma is a far easier mistress to serve: you kill your enemies and you pray for the dead. Simple, yeah?
After Variziel's comment, the foppish little Gnome Conchobar walks up to him and squints his uncovered blue eye at him, How dare you make such a spurious remark to besmirch these women's honor?! If I had my blade, I would duel you and heap shame upon your head for your disengenuous comment, you knave! I'm considering taking this swabbing mop and showing you what-for, you uncivilized swine!
You walk into the officer's quarters to find Mr.Plugg spitting out a hunk of grayish, goopy food. His face is one of absolute disgust, Who fixed this disgusting food?! I'll see them scourged! After growling, muttering a few obscenities, and practically jumping out of his chair, apparently ready to take his anger out on whoever prepared the disgusting meal, he notices you, Sawbones, where in the Nine Hells is Kroop and that worthless new meat of his at?! I'll see their backs laid open for the salt spray!
Janus quips as he runs off from the group, "Ahh and I see you are one of those ladies who do not realize a sailor might be more interested in a good rugged mast over her smelly dank bildge." With that he will run off towards the officers quarter.
To Plugg's outburst."I could find them easily sir, bring them here to answer for their transgression. While I do that you could speak with Stitch man about a prosthetic we wish to give a young lady, so she is more careful in her duties."
Plugg's face is a mask of fury, Bring them here! We will speak of prosthetics later, but first, some discipline!
Ignatius smiles, extending his hand to Cog and shaking the man's. "The ones you end may go there, but I find, if I'm set on someone...Besmara likely has worse things in store for them. Just call me Ignatius or Hank. Or Black Spot, if you like." He grins, speaking a cryptic response. "Always some trouble on the winds, and not enough sanity to bear it all."
The Markborn leans back momentarily. "Of course, these fine ladies are more than welcome to call me whatever they'd like, or call on me." He chuckles, looking out at the water. "Rum would be so wonderful right now. Bilge water is nasty stuff. By the way, I'd suggest you all not go down there if you have a choice."
Variziel throws his hands in the air. "It was just a joke!" He then blinks and crouches down to look eye to eye with Conchobar. "Duel? Did you say duel? Are you also a student of the sword?" The half-elf can't help beginning to break into a grin at the idea that he may have found another swordsman aboard the ship.
"Oh, spare me your haughty crap!" Charlotte rolls her eyes as Conchobar steps forward to take her and Sandara's defense. Stepping towards the small would-be defender, she pinches the front rim of his hat and pulls it down in front of his face.
"If Sandara and I had any issues with what pointy ears over there just said, we'd have let him know what for. We don't need some blight in shining armor stinking up the air with all this honor and shame."
With a dismissive huff, she replaces her violin along the length of her arm and resumes playing, this time opting for a more agressive and poignant melody.
"What do I look like?" She mutters to herself, "A porcelain doll?"
"Porcelain makes nasty cuts is all I'll say, Charlotte. That's why I'd not trust angering ya, now that you know where the quartermaster is." He makes the neck slitting motion in time with her music and lolls his head back like he has died, as part of the illustration of making her mad.
Responding to the foppish gnome, Jesal states simply, "Dis one be feelin' the here an' now of da ocean and sky, not da after of da Boneyard. Gozreh gifts dis one wit his divine purpose. Da animals an' da sea dunna care 'bout all dis tomfoolery up in dis boat. Issa good life, ya?"
Charlotte chuckles at Iggy's posturing, a mischievous smile her only answer to him.
"You said it, Salt," she adds. "Could sure use a little spicing up, though. This has to be the dullest ship I've been on in my entire life."
Temerith stopped briefly as he saw an officer charge from the officer quarters, the man made it to the railing and began to puke overboard. Whoever cooked on this ship was about to be flogged,or perhaps keelhauled considering Plugg's nature.
Janus rushes off to carry out Plugg's command. Heading straight for the kitchen; it is the only logical place to find the cook after all.
Good luck!
Cogs leans in close and whispers in a conspiritorial tone, Yeah, trouble on the winds indeed mate. What do you think about our ''gracious hosts'? They look ready to put a knife in one of us, they do.
The foppish little Gnome stares at you intensely, A downright disgraceful joke, if that is what it truly was. Didn't think 'swordlords-in-training' had a sense of humor. And yes, I heard you, I'm half blind, not deaf. As you ask whether he is another student of the sword, the Gnome lets out a haughty chuckle, Oh please, am I a duelist? The Shortstones have always excelled at the art of the blade! Why, if I had my blade, I could take on every man on this ship and become captain! Why do you think these cowards stole it from me?
Conchobar fixes his hat, obviously in a tizzy, I was trying to defend your honor madam, though it appears my chivalry is unwanted and unneeded. Well, harrumph! I say good day to you madam, good day! The offended Gnome stomps his feet and wildly gesticulates as he speaks. After he is done, you comment on how dull the ship is. Cogs breaks away from his conversation with Ignatius for a moment and whispers to her, You may want to curb that talk, lass, I doubt the crew would take kindly to such an observance. You don't want to provoke them, at least until you have an advantage.
Cogs chuckles for a moment, Carefree life? You ever seen a shark that smells blood in the water? Nature ain't all carefree wandering a fun, it's also nasty and brutal. You would do well to remember that, especially in the Shackles, mate.
"Point taken," Charlotte replies to Cog, with a nod, as she resumes her music once more.
Janus rushes up to Kroop and quietly whispers to him,"I am sorry for this" with out giving the man time to think about what had just been whispered to him Janus speaks in a much louder voice"Kroop, the presence of you and your mate are required at the officer's table, Mr. Plugg wants a word with you."
"Dunna be preachin' da ways of fish ta dis one, friend. Salt be growin' up in da sea not on it. Shark inna brutal, jus hungry. Can be predicting dat one, easy. Not so da ways of man on boat. Dis my friend issa brutal for brutalitys sake."
If Salt notices Kroop being hauled off, he'll go along with him.
Iggy shrugs. "Two of the sea's people on board the ship should have a good bit of clout, but we don't. Honestly, the sea will take care of Her own. But we will survive. Probably time in the sweat box. But that Plugg is a sadist, and I don't see his form of piracy working out too well in the long run."
Iggy sees the cook being dragged away. "This is a strange, strange time for the man. I do not envy his place, but I value my neck a great deal as well."
Pausing a moment to try and recall the name--Surely Swordlord von Ordant would have mentioned a clan of gnome duelists?--Variziel decides not to call the gnome on his bluff openly. Rather, he nods his head sagely. "Ah, yes, the Shortstones! I should have guessed. Perhaps you will allow me to duel you some time? Could be good for my prowess. Oh! Or we could shadow-fight here?" Variziel sets his mop aside and takes up Cappirardi's Stance, appropriate for facing opponents on lower ground--an improvisational choice, based on both the gnome's stature and the movement of the ship. "En garde!" he cries with a grin, slashing forward with an imaginary weapon.
As you see Kroop being escorted to the officer's quarters, you follow him. As you catch up to him, the grim look on his face is apparent, Remember what I said, boy. he intones in a voice as desolate as the look on his face. As you enter the officer's quarters, you spot Mr.Plugg, a look of rage on his face, Good work, saw bones, leave us. We will discuss your idea later. He motions for Janus to exit the room. After he leaves, Plugg folds his arms around his back and begins pacing back and forth, speaking to you and Kroop calmly, at odds with the look on his face Now, as you know, ships run on a very strict manner of operation. The captain runs the ship, the officers perform important functions, the swabs perform the tasks beneath the officers, and the cooks provide edible food so that everyone can do their job on a relatively full stomach. Simple, right? Well then why in the Nine Hells is this food not edible?! You meats have a VERY simple job, cook something at least edible so we all won't starve, and what do you do? Serve up this grey sludge that looks like sh!t from a chamber pot and tastes even worse! I'm of half a mind to keelhaul you imbeciles for your incompetence, especially you Kroop, but we don't have time to go back to port to find a new cook. So instead, whoever cooked this filth gets 3 lashes from Scourge and 1 lash from my cat, just so the scars will remind you of your job. So tell me, which of you ingrates was it? Kroop raises his flabby arm, It was me, sir. I just had the boy cleaning the silverware, honest. Plugg obviously does not believe Kroop, Really? I think you're just covering up for the new meat. So boy, did he really screw up the meal or was it you?
Sandra flashes a dark look, Ye'd think so, but this lot don't seem to care about nothin' but the gold. Their whole way of operatin' is an affront to the honor o' pirates everywhere. That Plugg b@$tard and his little pet Scourge especially are filthy little bilge rat. Hopefully they'll get what's comin' to 'em sooner rather than later.
Conchobar folds his arms, Ah, the Roaring Lion Style, the style of an amateur! This is how you truly perform a sword technique! Conchobar pretends he is swinging a one handed sword, slashing in a wide, upward then downward spiral pattern. Behold, the Abendego Flourish! Can you top that, boy? Conchobar asks in an an arrogant tone.
"... tho once upon the beach,
for Thatcher, what a sight,
'stead of two legs each he saw,
fish tails worth quite a fright!"
I don't know this cook, but I can't let him get in trouble for this. He doesn't seem like the rest of the crew. Just a drunk, I think. He may still get lashed but I have to let him know I'm not a coward and more importantly see if I can solidify his friendship
"Dis one messed up Kroop's cooking. He dinna know dis one be doin' it. Be trying to change da spices but got 'em mixed up. Be makin it better nex' time, boss, ya see," Jesal looks apologetically at Kroop.
The Markborn nods slowly. "So it's the whole top of the crew. Well, one day we'll remedy that..issue."
After several moments, he grins. "So how's the ship's grog?"
"Well," Charlotte interjects, taking another gulp from the share of rum she'd been handed, earlier. "If the grog is anything like the rum they handed us, there's still a gleam of hope for these guys."
Then, she leans in and whispers, "Or at least for the guys they stole it from."
[oob]Iggy,[/ooc] Sandara raises her rum rations, Here's hoping, eh Mr.Hank? She downs her rum ration in a few large gulps, letting out a refreshed sigh.
Plugg smirks, I suspected as much. Your bravery is commendable, but it will cost you. Kroop, you will receive one lash for lying to me, but the whelp will receive the rest of your punishment. Both of you ingrates assemble on deck for your punishment.
Cogs looks at you with a half-smile, Agreed, rum makes everything better. Ask any man going wenching at a tavern and he'll tell you the same thing.
Charlotte chuckles at Cog's quip. "You'd be surprised how often that goes both ways."
Jesal will quietly proceed above deck.
The damnable Mr. Hank chuckles, taking a gulp of rum and almost having a reaction that is a cross between spewing his drink and choking on it, all thanks to a large amount of laughter. "Quite the bunch of comediennes and tricksters here, ey? Do how'd you end up here?" Iggy asks.
"It was one of them, I don't remember well, he was kind of elegant. He had the barman bring me a glass of wine after one of my songs. Must have slipped something nasty in it. I'm not making that mistake twice."
At the sight of Salt returning to the above decks, Janus takes a place where he can see. He stands in anticipation, waiting for his moment. Carefully, oh so carefully, he prepares for what must come next.