Luke must have thrown more rope out than he thought. He can barely maintain his group, much less pull in Xav.
As the floatation device lands near Xav he snatches it up and holds on with everything he has, trying to pull himself in and avoid being swept away.
Ausk climbs down a bit from his high perch and works on the main sail, seeing the others struggle so much with it.
Unfortunately, he is not used to the heat of this particular storm and gets himself worn to the bone even though he displays extreme prowess with the mainsail.
The half orc growls, seeing his allies struggle to get their fellow back on the boat. He grasps the rope, knowing that his strength here is to lend his strength and not his voice.
With Ausk's help, Xav is slowly pulled back aboard. You aren't given the time to celebrate, however, and are shouted back up to your posts in no time.
The storm seems everlasting. Ropes begin to fail, the sails start to fray, and everyone only talks when necessary. Well, everyone except the Captian. Harrigan stands at the wheel and shouts through the storm the whole time. He never leaves his post, and skillfully guides his ship through the maelstrom.
Finally, the storm seems spent. The wind dies down, though the gusts remain harsh, and the rain stops stinging when it hits you. Hours after that, the sea finally stops white-capping, and the ship bobbs in high but comparatively calm seas. Parts of the rigging, especially the secondary ropes, are in tatters. The ship is listing slightly from water in the bilges, and everyone looks like they're about to drop dead.
No time for rest now, ye swabs! Roars the Captain. We be sitting ducks with all this damage. All men are now on repair and rope work until we can get this all set right! Mr. Plugg! See to it!
He then disappears into his cabin, and Plugg drives you to your tasks with his lash at the ready.
Mikael laughs in half-mad glee as the storm finally subsides, delighted to have survived another night. "Come on, lads!" he calls, his tanned face split in a white-toothed grin as he continues his work on the ropes. "We've survived it, and all we have to do is get this bucket back up to her miserable self!" He pulls Sabine into a one-armed hug as he walks past her to continue his work. "The storm itself couldn't best Ausk in strength, Sabine's fearless enough to dive into the waves after Xav - who'll live to fight another day, I'll add!" he laughs, winking at the half-elf as he seats himself on the lip of the forecastle. "And even this lad was keen-eyed enough to toss out a lifeline to where it was needed most!" He claps Luke on the shoulder as he walks past him, tying down another rope. "We're alive, by Desna's graces, so let's get this done so we can be bak on the waves!"
Luke wasn't to happy with his inability to haul Xav in but at least there were others to assist. nobody was lost on this day.
He simply returns to his tasks at the ropes, returning the ropes he had used for the life line.
the now water soaked ropes prove to be more strenuous than he had thought and soon the signs of fatigue begin to set in. Luke fights the fatigue to finish the day's work, hoping to avoid the lash.
He tries to focus on his work and the events of the storm to occupy his mind instead of his aching muscles. a roll of the eyes and a smile as if to say, "what the hell was I thinking?" as he recalls pulling Sabine back on board before she fell overboard.
It wasn't helping her out that bothered him, but more of the after...
ahh forget it.. he thinks and gets back to work.
Sabine's morale is high as she slings rope to help get the ship back into working order. The storm had been just what she needed, despite her close call. When Mikael puts his arm around her, she smiles like an fool for a moment, before scowling and shoving him further down the line. She drops her head and focuses on the rope, silently hoping that nobody saw her.
Ausk's limbs still quiver from the exertion needed to pull one of his fellow captives back onto the ship, and his hands slip in getting the ropes unknotted and then reknotted in appropriate lengths.
Xav works well and the ship surely rights itself as the day drags on. The cloud thin by evening, and the entire sky lights up in a brilliant display as the remaining clouds drizzle resolutely on you.
That evening bloody hour finds an exhausted crew. Archepex, Samms, Sandara, and "Narwhal" Tate all look like they are about to pass out where they stand.
Xav, Ausk, and Archepex are called to the mast and given three lashes each for various failures during the storm.
Though Mikael did nothing wrong, he can feel Plugg's eye on him, just waiting for the first sign of a mistake.
Mikael doesn't flinch as his friends are whipped at the mast, hardening his resolve and showing no weakness to the officers, though he does pat each sympathetically on the shoulder as they go past. He pointedly ignores Plugg's eyes on him, refusing to give the first mate the pleasure of knowing he's shaken him. Despite everything, he doesn't regret his actions in the slightest.
Instead, he checks in with the rest of the party before heading belowdecks for sleep.
The next couple days see the weather gradually improve, even if Plugg's mood doesn't. He targets your group in particular. The slightest provision results in a knotted rope over the head, or worse.
Thankfully, Sandra and your other griuo mates are able to keep everyone patched up, mostly.
Three days pass, and the morning dawns bright and beautiful. You are excused from your duties today and told to report to the Master Gunner, Raris Kane.
Kane is a surly, foul woman with a peg leg and language that makes Rosie Cusswell sound like a saint.
While still sore from the storm, Mikael remains unbroken and indefatigable. He rolls his shoulders as he stands before Kane, grinning as he asks, "So what gives us the pleasure of your company?"
Shut your ******* hole! You each of you ******* are here to ******* learn how to pirate. Captain stuck me with the job. Lucky you.
Two of you are going out on one of the ship's boats. Your job is to hook the Wormwood with grappling hooks from thirty feet and haul your sorry ***** back aboard. You. You. Go.
She points to Mikael and Luke. The small boat is hanging by its launch rigging ready for you and comes with an anchor and two grappling hooks on a length of 50' hemp rope each. The water is relatively shallow here, thank the heavens.
Once the two men are off, she orders an all stop and the Wormwood drops anchor. To the rest of you, and really to the rest of the crew, she says, Grab scraps or rotten food! Let's make their climb interesting! There is a general chuckle and a cheer or two and the crew gathers at the rail. Fishgut's pantry is raided and barrels of rotten stores are rolled up on deck. Those of you left have no choice but to join in. Kane is watching.
Luke did his best to keep a relatively low profile. he spent the previous days taking things to the man chained in the hold. taking time to get to know him.
The boarding training proved an interesting twist.
Luke takes his position on the long boat and picks up the grapple hook.
judging the distance to the ship, he looks to Mikael, he quietly asks you ready?
the first toss looked rather pathetic, almost hooking the long boat and flipping it over, but he manages to recover rather quickly and gets a secure grapple of the Wormwood's railing.
Luke quickly starts the climb to reach the ship. (use accelerated climb if possible)
Mikael shakes his hair back into place, settling it again after it was blown about by the verbal lashing. "Well, this will be a nice change of pace," he shrugs, easily hefting himself over the side and into the boat.
Picking up the grappling hook, he shrugs to Luke. "Ready as I've ever been, really. Let's get this over with quickly." He flashes a competitive grin, throwing the grappling hook effortlessly and hooking the side solidly.
After an experimental tug, and a moment to admire his handiwork, he begins his climb.
After a false start, he realises those on the ship are throwing things at him! "How on earth can he have that much rotten food in there?" he mutters, losing his grip and along into the water.
Coughing and spluttering, he hauls himself back into the longboat, peeling away his drenched vest. "Alright, Mickey, time for round two," he mutters, shaking his head.
The site of his Reefclaw wound flares up; he clutches one hand over his side, and the other slips, sending him tumbling again.
Spitting and cursing and generally feeling sorry for himself, he drags himself back into the boat, shakes water out of his ears, cracks his knuckles, and tries again.
The boys start up the ropes and the fruit flies. At first it all misses. Mikael had a grad time even getting a few feet up the rope, so the smelly missiles quickly focus on Luke. He is hour several times as he gets closer, but manages to keep his grip on the wet line. Just as he is about to board a squishy apple smacks him across the face and STINGS.
At that time, Mikael gets done making himself look like an idiot and is commanded to bring the boat back with a blistering stream of curses that scalds the very water from his ears.
Next Raris points to Sabine and Ausk. You're up, bi*****.
Mikael barely manages to haul himself over the side of the ship, collapsing in an undignified heap. He quickly scrambles to his feet, trying to salvage what little respect he can still command. He deliberately avoids looking at Luke, but manages a weak smile and an apologetic shrug for Ausk and Sabine.
Ausk and Sabine make a good go of it. Both latch their hooks first throw. Ausk would have beat Luke with his experience and brawn, but an unfortunate case of hard tack biscuit to the face knocks him into the drink. His second attempt is more successful.
Sabine performs similarly, though her agility is what stands out. Unfortunately, she also runs afoul of the Wormwood's primary carbohydrate source. She dodges a blistering toss from Narwhal Tate only to have a second throw from Aretta Bronson across her left fingers.
One swim back to the skiff later she climbs the rope successfully.
Archepex and Xav are called to the boat.
Mikael claps Ausk and Sabine across their respective backs, avoiding eye contact in shame. Seemed everyone could climb the damn rope but him, and he curses his hands for betraying him. He tries to redeem himself by chucking things at the remaining climbers - all in good fun, of course.
Sabine laughs when she manages to climb the rope on her second try. She teases Mikael. "I thought you were supposed to be the nimble one."
Luke made a go at throwing things but was purposely trying to miss, without looking like he was trying to miss.
Luke knows he isn't exactly "part of the team" but he still does what he can to help the others. of course he failed to help Mikael get up the rope, there is only so much one person can do.
F~#$, Mickey, she's teasing you. Come on, you might be able to leave this with your pride intact. "Well, I guess there's a reason for that..." Yeah, real good start. Try deflection. Or reversal. Yeah, that'll work. Pin it back on her. But be nice about it.
Mikael grins at Sabine as she finishes her good-natured ribbing. "What I mean is, how can I expect my hands to cooperate when they're so eager to to get reacquainted with what was waiting on deck for me?" He gives a wink, squeezes her upper arm briefly, and turns away, weighing a rotten orange in his hand before pelting it at Archie.
Yeah. Smooth, Mickey. Real smooth, he thinks, shaking his head.
Archepex takes one look at the rope and drops it. He unfurls his full wingspan in front of the crew. All 17 feet of it. Great black feathers glisten as he pushes off and flaps a few times to land lightly on the deck. Raris purses her lips and glares at him.
That's f****** cheating, you feather-brained B******. Get out there and try again! she roars.
Archepex scowls right back and pushes off back toward the boat. The fact that Raris got a full face of wind may or may not have been accidental.
He lands back on the boat with gentle grace while the water around whips up in a mist. He takes up the hook...
And latches it easily.
He then climbs easily up the rope, using his wings for balance, and flutters onto deck.
Xav starts up the rope and falls. Then starts again and falls again in exactly the same place. Jeers of "we don't even need fruit!" circulate, but third time's the charm and he makes it. He even gets the distinction of being the only one unhit by anything.
Raris ends the training with a sound verbal dressing down and lashing complete with grisly descriptions of how youall will die in the first battle you fight. She then waves her hands at you and shoos you off to do... whatever.
Mikael rolls his eyes at Raris the moment her back is turned, thoroughly miffed and disgusted at his own failures. Figuring he has a bit of time, he approaches one of the riggers, the well-dressed gnome. "So, where'd you manage to get such fancy duds on a bucket like this?" he asks, by way of striking up a conversation, leaning against the mast to disguise his own shaking legs.
The gnome looks down at his fopish outfit and smiles. These old things? Why I came aboard with them on, sir! One cannot go into captiv...service looking like he's been pulled form the gutter, can he?
Luke takes his rum ration like he always does and subtlety finds a way to dump it.
He then simply blends in with the crew as best he can. watching their games. seeming to cheer some on as they compete. he listens to the tunes played by the musicians.
all the while he keeps a weather eye on the horizons, looking for other ships. Awaiting the inevitable, a battle.
taking notice (possibly) of his avian shipmate, Luke works to make his way to join him in his lofty perch.
(assuming here that he spends time aloft being a bird man.)
"Shame. I was hoping you'd be able to tell me where to get a new vest," Mikael grins at the gnome, extending a hand. "Name's Mikael, one of the new recruits - helping Fishguts, matter of fact. How long have you been in 'service' here for?"
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Archepex takes his food and predictably soars up the upper rigging. A bit later, Luke joins him. He is quiet for a while, only the echos of the games below disturbing the peace.
Do you enjoy the sky, Tien? Archepex finally asks.
I'm Shortstone. Conchobar Shortstone. I was actually taken same time as you, but I've been keeping my head down. Not a hard feat, I assure you. This ship seems to be polarizing all the time, and I figure I'll stay out of it. He chugs the ale, which is almost as big as his torso, and sighs in satisfaction. So vile, and yet so satisfying...
Xav is feeling a little high on himself from the afternoons activities and decides he's going to double up.
Time to have a little fun.
Xav tracks down Cog and accidentally bumps into him in an attempt to knock him over.
In his head he pictures Cog looking up at him from the deck Xav while Xav showboats a bit and tries to garner some goodwill of the crew watching the encounter. Having rehearsed this scene in his head a dozen times already, he is not prepared when things go horribly askew.
Xav bumps into Cog but places his foot on a portion of the deck that is still wet and he looses his foot and his legs spread wide as he falls into a full split. He avoids pulling a groin muscle but groans audibly as he hits the deck with a thud.
That is not how this was supposed to go ...
Cog's scowl burns into Xav. Watch where you're going, Elf. I may like your friends, but that doesn't mean I won't dislocate those pretty feasts of yours.
"Probably safer that way," Mikael shrugs, grinning, "but I've always been a risk-taker. Don't mind sticking my neck out now and then to keep things interesting."
Noting Shortstone's grimace at the ale, he chuckles. "Not too fond of it, myself. 'Least it tastes better than the demon rum, you gotta give it that." He stretches out his shoulders, looking over the horizon. "So what was it you did, back on land?"
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Xav stands up and brushes himself off. He bites his tongue and nods to Cog.
One day Cog, one day reealll soon. You are going to meet an untimely end I'm afraid.
Xav backs up still facing the man and spins on his heals and walks away. Within a few seconds he comes across Mikael talking to a gnome, looking out into the horizon.
His eyes perk up,"Ale, did I hear talk of ale?"
Looking over to Mikael he adds, "I just came from a brief run-in with your knivesies partner and could use a swig."
"A run-in? That's weird, he seems pretty cool about the whole thing," Mikael shrugs, shifting aside to allow Xav to lean next to him. "What happened?"
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Archepex takes his food and predictably soars up the upper rigging. A bit later, Luke joins him. He is quiet for a while, only the echos of the games below disturbing the peace.
Do you enjoy the sky, Tien? Archepex finally asks.
Luke was quiet as well, not wanting to say the wrong thing. finally Archy breaks the awkward silence.
taken slightly off guard at the question, Looking skyward, I enjoy the sea.
Archepex nods. And what are you seeking. I have noticed your wanderings. They were not without purpose.
Luke seems hesitant to answer the bird man. but eventually he does. my brother, Daniel Caine. He was once a crew member on board this ship. pressed into service just as I was.
Archepex looks surprised. Truly! Well, you're family luck is rather poor, if you don't mind my saying.
Not expecting to be asked about the embarrassing event Xav stammers. b]"I, uh, literally ran into him and tried to get him to show some respect but, things didn't quite work out like I had intended."[/b]
He glances down at his clothes which are wet from slipping on the deck on the freshly washed area. "I was hoping to help acquaint his face to the deck but luck has a way of working against me sometimes."
He looks over at Mikael and inclines his towards Shortstone, "Who's your friend?"