The rest of the morning/afternoon proves uneventful, and all of you successfully complete your assigned duties. At the beginning of the Bloody Hour, however, things take an unexpected turn....
"For being a pansy and wasting perfectly good rum," bellows Scourge as he points to Aldous, "this bastard is sentenced to six lashes!"
As several pirates move to grab Aldous, Tao suddenly steps forward to block their way. "No." His face is calm, and he shows no emotion as he removes his shirt and steps up to the whipping block.
There's a slight pause, and even Scourge looks confused. Then Mister Plugg strolls over. "What's this? Our new recruits are sticking together? Such an admirable show of support and camaraderie.... Well, Master Scourge, as he seems inclined to share this man's punishment, it's only fair that we extend the same courtesy to his friends!" At this order, ALL of you are ushered/dragged to the whipping block, and the punishments begin.
Fade to Black...
When you awaken, you find yourselves lying in your hammocks in the sleeping area. A young woman (Alain, Enya, and River have interacted with her before) stands nearby and is putting away what appears to be a miniature skull-and-crossbones flag.
"Ow... Sandara, is that you? I feel awful. But that's way better than feeling dead. Thank you."
Aldous's eyes widen when Tao steps forward, and he counts each blow when they land, taking note that before all is said and done, his whip will taste their flesh three times the amount he and his companions face now.
After the healing, he is still very much unconscious, having taken such a bad beating.
Tao wakes up feeling, well, feeling like he was whipped to unconsciousness again. He tries to sit up only to pause and lay back down as a surge of pain racks through his whole being. Every muscle in his body ached. The wounds on his back were still fresh and burning. They were definitely there today. He could feel cold spots where his attempt to sit up had reopened some of the lashes. As he looked around he noticed all of his companions laid out in the hammocks around him. Blinking away the morning haze, he focused on why they were still sleeping. Then it came to him. The dawning realization. The memory of his great error.
Then Mister Plugg strolls over. "What's this? Our new recruits are sticking together? Such an admirable show of support and camaraderie.... Well, Master Scourge, as he seems inclined to share this man's punishment, it's only fair that we extend the same courtesy to his friends!"
A red rage filled Tao's vision then. A profound and utter hatred the likes he had never felt before. An anger so primal words and thoughts were no longer within Tao's grasp as everything turned red. His ears pounded as the blood started pounding in his head. A roar of protest erupted from his throat as he got out of the hammock fully intent on storming up to the deck and ripping Plugg's spine from his throat. Unfortunately, the sudden movement coupled with the adrenaline rush just amplified the swirling dizziness that enveloped Tao, forcing him to stumble, then fall heavily into one of the posts where he clutched to hold his ground a moment. His focus did not hold though as he slumped down and the painful throbbing intensified. That was when he caught sight of the woman folding the small flag. He looks over to her still seething, but the anger quickly subsides as he watches her. Something told him he should not point his anger in her direction. He turns to place his back fully on the pillar wincing as his wounds make contact with the hard wood and just sits quietly now, watching her.
Can you give me an account of what happened aftu I blacked out?
No greeting. No thanks. No gratitude for who he surmised took care of them. He couldn't push the anger back enough to offer any semblance of kindness quite yet. He seethed and the single sentence was all he could muster to hold back the brewing pressure inside.
Enya grunts and turns over as she comes to. "What the hell?... Oh thank you Sandara. Oh Sweet Besmara, I feel like I've been tanned... Wheres Mica?"
Mica pops her head up at the mention of her name and goes to cuddle with her mistress. Nuzzling lovingly, sending feelings of empathy and pain.
"So... Tao. That was a great idea..." She looks over at Tao, not exactly mad, but not exactly friendly either. "Why the honor, don't you realize they're sadistic a$+ h~%&s? That wouldn't have ended well no matter how it played out."
She grunts again as she sits up and sighs as the pain bites at her. She looks over at River, her unconscious form lying on her rack. She painstakingly gets up and takes her blanket to cover the 'elf' with another layer. "Mica, Stay with River and come to me swiftly if anyone bothers her other than Sandara or one of us."
Mica nods and hops softly onto the rack, curling up by Ararai, taking a watchful stance.
She winces as she sits down with Tao. "What were you thinking?" Her usually friendly and sweet demeanor twisted into something unusual for a face as beautiful. Her skin, even with the heat of the lashes still on her back, is much warmer than ever felt and her eyes burn hot with anger.
As I see Tao step forwards to take someone elses lashes I look a little impressed, but when we all hear that we are all going to get whipped for it I step back in fear. As I am dragged to the whipping block I look to Plugg, "I curse you human, may the sea drink your blood and crush your bones!" I don't give him the satisfaction of screaming each time I am whipped and fall unconscious quietly and bloody.
While everyone is stirring in their hammocks I roll over and a blue arm falls out of my hammock, I then groan in pain as I come to and a couple of seconds later the arm turns from blue to a usual flesh colour. I then stumble out of my hammock and fall to the floor, it takes me a few moments to sit up, but once I am up I start to speak in a strange bubbly sounds and my hands glow with a golden radiance. I place my hand on the lower of my back and golden liquid spreads out from my hand and seeps into the fresh wounds and once they touch the wounds they begin to close up rapidly.
I look up to my fellow captives, "I've tried to be nice and do the work quietly, but no more! He is going into the cold depths and receiving his punishment there ... if he survives the ordeal! If he doesn't, then I will use that whip on him!" My tone is like that of an angry storm, the only time you have heard her mad was during the fight before, but not this mad ... this is quite scary, especially coming from a woman who is usually so quiet.
"Cut him some slack. Like you said they're the evil sons of b$+@$es, not him. I thought it was a noble sacrifice, no matter how it turned out." Alain tells Enya, sitting up with a wince. Turning to Tao, "And no, that doesn't mean I want to start taking long warm showers together. You meant well, that's all."
Enya turns her stare to Alain. "Oh don't even start, pretty boy. Im cutting him slack by not unleashing the fire of a thousand suns on him. Don't make me do it to you." Her gaze is as hot as the sun, piercing into Alain's eyes.
Enya looks over at River as she comes to and listens to what she has to say, impressed by her ferocity. "I agree! They will meet a fate worse than death. But we cant do this alone."
She gives one last glare at Alain and walks to her bunk, where Mica is now waiting.
He looks away from Enya as she sits next to him. The shame is plain on his face. As he turns she gets a closer look at his shirtless form. His wrists and malformed wrist bones show the signs of slavery. The heavy irons that he lived with for most of his life left their mark forever on how the bones and skin grew right at the joint. As her gaze moves up she can see dozens of old burns and a half dozen overlay brands on his shoulder showing that he was passed from one slaver to another throughout his twenty years. If that were not enough, the lash marks that covered him nearly neck to waist was an identifying mark of his "occupation" before being here.
I taut... I taut, if I offud mysewf, my fwends would not suffew... But... I was wong...
Tears began to run down his face as his jaw muscles could be seen knotting on the side of his face. He tightened his jaw and tried to force the tears back. He then took a deep steadying breath as he wiped the tears away.
I am sowee fow what I put you all thwew. Besmawa fowgive me fow tha wongs I have done to you all.
Enya's face softens as tears run to her eyes. "Oh Tao. Don't cry!" She walks back over to him and plops down next to him, offering him comfort and hugs. "I understand now that you were only trying to help. Its just not the way to do it here. They have no honor like you, Tao. They know only cowardice and hatred. We have more than that. We will win." She silently prays to Besmara: "Please, Besmara, help us so that we may help you. These officers are of no use to you, let us take their place so that the seas can be better served."
Shaking his head of the fog of from all the pain, he sits up and looks about at his companions. Some of them he would call friends at this point, especially Enya and Tao, after what Tao just did for him. Sitting up slowly, his back very tender, he moves to a spot near the center of the group and clutches his hand to his chest with a silent prayer and the burst of healing begins.
Enya feels a good bit of pain rise off of her. She sighs in relief and looks at Aldous. She smiles gratefully as she continues to console Tao mouthing: "Thank you"
Nodding, while he is still a bit tender, he walks over to Tao, and places a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Thank you, my friend. I will not forget what you tried to do tonight. While we may find the sting of their anger sharp, they will learn that my sting will be sharper. What does not kill us will only make them suffer more," a malicious grin on his face as he looks over to Enya and nods to her before gazing over at Sandara.
"Thank you, kind lady. It seems that you have been very helpful to us in the last few days, might I ask what we owe this honor?"
She leans in to hug him and her weight pushes his wounded back harder into the wood. He winces but accepts the heartfelt comfort in stride. He grits his teeth not wanting to say the words, but mumbles them anyway.
Tha code say, "End yourr Quarrrrels off shore." We should honu da code.
He spoke the code slow and emphasized the "R"s as if refusing to let his accent mar the holy words. He takes a deep breath then as he helps Enya back out to arms length and looks her in the eyes with a fiery intensity that would make her proud. He then looks to the others with the same gaze.
I tink we should be caaful moving fowad. We aw still at sea and we aw few. I want vengance, but now is not da time.
His words seemed to be more for himself than anyone else.
But owu time wiw come. We just need to be patient.
He begins to stand bracing the post for support as he moves slowly trying to ensure he doesn't do more damage to himself.
We aw have long days ahead of us. If we stick togethu we can get thwew this. I pwomise, I wiw not make such a bad mistake as yestewday evew again.
I seem lost in my own mind and don't even notice Arirai come over and sit in front of me.
I seem to be mumbling to myself, even though I think I am being quiet everyone else can hear too, "Hmmm ... burn their flesh so they scream out in pain for each lash dealt ... or make someone a giant and get them to lift them up and throw them overboard ... oooh, why not both?!"
Smiling as he hears River. "Oh River, I think the biggest thing one could do to a pirate is remove him from his ship, but like Tao said...now is not yet the time. We have to bide our time, mind our manners as best we can and earn as much favor with the crew as we can...and when it is right. We will have our revenge."
Enya nods at the code. "And so it shall be done. Besmara will not desert us." She smiles at Sandara and at Tao. "It is wise to realize now is not the time, but that shouldnt stop us from planning." A wicked grin passes over her face as she hears Rivers murmurings.
She looks at Aldous. "I dont know how minded my manners will be, but Ill try to keep my spirit in check for this one. Besmara, help me..."
She smiles again to Sandara. "Once all this is over, can you help me learn more about how to worship Besmara the best way I can?" She looks almost childlike with longing.
"If we don't take care of ourselves, we could end up keelhauled, and that is not a fate I wish for any of us. Disgruntled...yes...but outright defiance should be avoided...for now...but only for now."
He reaches over, his hand covers Enya's on Tao's shoulder and he gives it a squeeze, emulating giving the warrior a squeeze, but it is clear his hand is there to comfort her as much or more.
"There's no use fighting amongst ourselves. We have enemies enough right now. That's kind of why I thought we should compare notes. I'll share what I know..." Alain will share what little he's leaned about the crew. "I've been trying to improve the attitude of the crew toward us newcomers. Sandara Quinn is a good sort, saved some of our lives on more than one occasion and Rosie is getting friendlier. I'm not sure what else we can do at this point but if we're to survive we need to work together."
I look around shocked that the others aren't as angry as I am, "You're kind always do this to everyone, you can see why I usually stay away from the savages!" I look around once more and spot Tao's wounds once again, "But you all seem different from the usual vermin that call themselves Humans. I will do as you ask for now, but if they try to punish us for nothing again they will learn the coldness of the deep, dark depths!"
"They have punished us for not doing what they demand of us. Whether it be drinking the rum or shirking our duties, they have punished us. This time...they decided to punish all of us," shaking his head, then looking to her again. "They want to break us, to ensure that we are a part of their misbegotten crew. I am guessing that Sandara will agree that biding our time would be the best bet..."
I look around shocked that the others aren't as angry as I am, "You're kind always do this to everyone, you can see why I usually stay away from the savages!" I look around once more and spot Tao's wounds once again, "But you all seem different from the usual vermin that call themselves Humans. I will do as you ask for now, but if they try to punish us for nothing again they will learn the coldness of the deep, dark depths!"
"Your kind?" Alain answers with a confused look on his face, "I thought... well I assumed... Um, what kind are you then?"
Cuddles does not come to slowly. He first hears muddles voices talking about doing aweful things to someone else and plans of revenge. Suddenly memories of pain arc across his back, but only the memories. When he wakes, it is with a gasp and a mighty roar.
He had been the last whipped. All his friends who had been taken the same day as him had been lashed senseless. Then the men grabbed him.
In the end it took three men per arm to lift his arms to the post and another two to tie him there. Two lashes in and the ropes burst and he had to be re-tied with leather straps. Even still, Cuddles nearly split the whipping post in his rage.
Cuddles explodes from his hammock and punches the nearest post, sending a shudder through the floor and ceiling. He roars and turns on the nearest thing he can find, an unfortunate sack of sand used as counter-weight. Not even the tough rough spun cloth of the sack can withstand Cuddles furious blows. He reduces the hard packed sand to floating dust in seconds. Enemy vanquished, he spins again and eyes the people nearby, evaluating them as threats. Seeing his comrades, he bellows in barely contained fury,
CUDDLES CRUSH! CUDDLES BIND! CUDDLES BONE-HUG UNTIL THERE BE NO MORE BONES!
A pained smile slides onto his face as he turns to Cuddles, he more or less expected this when the Half-Orc woke up. "Not yet, but you will. I promise."
This does little to satisfy cuddles, but he breathes, pauses, and says LUCY SAY "NOT YET" MEAN NO HUG, BUT WILL. EVEN MEAN PEOPLE GET ONE NOT YET.
He leans in and locks eyes with Aldous, ONE.
She looks towards Alain, her glare burning into his soul. "Which is exactly why you don't want to make another out of me. Do not mistake my usual kind demeanor as my entire core." The words simmer like hot coals raining down.
@River: Enya stands up quickly, and stomps over to River, getting right in her face, screaming at the top of her lungs. With that, she flings her hand to a place safe from the party. A cone of fire engulfs the area. She never takes her eyes off of River and never even blinks, as tears stream down her face.
"Sadly, sometimes, it might be wiser to have more than one, Cuddles. We will have to see. But one day, you can hug them all you want."
"Ow... Sandara, is that you? I feel awful. But that's way better than feeling dead. Thank you."
Sandara smiles at Alain. "Of course, friend. But try not to keep this sort of thing up. I won't always be here to save you."
"Thank you, kind lady. It seems that you have been very helpful to us in the last few days, might I ask what we owe this honor?"
Can you give me an account of what happened aftu I blacked out?
Sandara turns and addresses your group as a whole. "For those of you who I haven't had the pleasure of meeting yet, my name is Sandara Quinn - priestess of Besmara. I've been keeping a discreet eye on you since you've arrived and am glad that I was able to get to you in time today. Basically, I need your help, as it seems that we all share a soul."
She pauses for a moment as Enya's gout of flame ignites some wall paneling. She mumbles some words, and several gallons of water shoot from her hand and extinguish the small fire. Turning to Enya, she says in a calm voice, "Well, the first thing to teach you is to not do that. End your Quarrels on Shore. In other words, choose your battles. Attacking a superior opponent onboard a ship is extremely foolhardy, and rash actions will only cause you grief. Besides, unless you can swim and breathe water, setting the Wormwood aflame is a poor way to express your anger. We can talk more later, if you wish, but there are more important things to discuss presently."
She raises her voice slightly to include the rest of you. "Back to what I was saying. As you are all finding out, the Wormwood is not a happy place and has brought much shame to Besmara. Captain Harrigan, Plugg, Scourge, and the like are polluting these waters, and I cannot tolerate this much longer. The crew isn't uniformly bad; as some of you are finding out, there are many good people here. The body is mostly healthy, but the head is corrupted, rotten, and completely evil."
"While the time to act is not yet at hand, I'm working to gather allies. We are too weak now, but more importantly, we lack support. We barely have enough crew to adequately man this ship as it is. However, when the opportunity arises, will you stand by my side?"
"I think that it is safe to say, as long as your side is on the opposite side of Scourge and Plugg, then we are all at your side, perhaps even heading the charge. That being said, I am Aldous Mathis, Cleric of Calistria and traveler. And apparently a tolerable cook." The last of it is said with a shrug.
Alain will hold up his hands in mock surrender and back away from the crazy lady verrrry slowly.
Tao watches the scene unfold before him having gone very quiet. He notes the reactions of his new friends with close scrutiny and absorbs the words being spoken. He is humbled by the fact that although it was his fault this occurred, they were all quick to forgive his foolishness. Leaning back to the post he starts at the display of fury set off by Enya and instinctively goes for a bucket and to find some water, but the shooting pain gives him pause long enough for him to watch Sandara extinguish it with her own display of power. He finally looks to Sandara hard as she makes her inquiry.
I agwee with Aldous. I will do what I can to help. I am 逃生[ooc](Táoshēng), a fwee man. Well, he gestures around them, mostly fwee. My fwends call me Tao.
As the Enya comes up to me and starts shouting in my face I rise very slowly and quietly, muttering something in an angry tone, my eyes shoot up at hers and just as I am about to start shouting back the other woman starts speaking and making sure I don't miss it Arirai smacks my leg with one of his paws. "What part of, you lot are not like that did the stupid woman not understand? Go on firestarter, burn the ship I will get to watch you drown then! It's not even that great a spell, I can do it too ... hag." A hint of an evil smile plays across my face, barely visible.
As everyone introduces themselves I look to the flag holding woman, "River, curser of savages and explorer of ancient ruins."
CUDDLES! Cuddles says, raising a hand.
Enya aknowledges the words of Sandara and agrees she wants to meet later. As for now, she excuses herself from the party, her tears streaming down her face. It killed her that she reacted in such a way, especially to River, but the fuse had burned out. There was only so much she could take. She tried to quiet her sobs as Mica hugged close to her neck, failing to calm the passion in her heart from overwhelming her.
She found a secluded part of the boat, fell to the floor, and began to sob. She didnt care who heard her. She had had enough of it all. It hurt to get lashes, but it hurt even more to see her friends pain, and now she had lost two. Mica tried to calm her, curling up around her, but it wasnt working. What now? Rivers gone insane and Alain hates me, and everyone has seen my wrath... They're going to think horribly of me... Damn my temper. Her sobs continue. Besmara help me...
I watch Enya run off crying, but I don't follow her. I am still mad that she shouted at me like that, I continue to mumble quietly and stop suddenly when Arirai smacks me again. I look down at his face, his angry face and an obvious fear grows over my face, a fear much worse than when we were whipped. "Sorry..."
With that Arirai runs off to try and find Enya, he is very quiet and remains hidden whenever he can. When he finds her he will nudge her leg with his head, pat her leg with his paw and then return to the sleeping quarters.
Cuddles buffs at the angry girl with the fire hands. She was just whipped a d now she's running off alone. She was even yelling at the other Otter-Girl. If they were to gt their revenge he would need everyone.
It was time for hugs. But, how? They were mad at each other. What would Lucy do? He remembers she liked to have people talk things out, then they would hug and make up. It didn't always make them friends, but they usually stopped yelling.
It was time for some hugs!
Cuddles tromps over to River and proclaims Hug Time. He scoops her up undner one arm like a coil of rope, and carries her about the ship until he finds Enya. He plops river down in front of her and says REVENGE TEAM. ALL WHIPPED. ALL HURT. ALL TIRED. ALL TOGETHER. HUGS TIME.
He looks at them expectantly.
As Cuddles gets up and tries to pick me up I glare at him, my deep blue eyes seeming to swim, "Don't pick me up!"