Alabaster's shoulders sag when he sees the empty locker, but when he sees the crossbow, he sets his shoulders and his eyes burn with rage. He grabs his cutlass from his own locker and storms over to the group, where he levels the blade at Aretta.
I be givin' ye one chance an' one chance only ta' be tellin' me how ye got that crossbow, an' by tha Queen's sails, ye better gi' me tha' truth! Where be Ranak?
"Mm, dis might be trouble" Salt mutters to Isaac nudging him and heads over sans weapons, to stand by Alabaster.
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"Not the favorable one either. But he's right though."
Isaac sees the crossbow that Aretta and her gang are appraising. Before he can approach them, Alabaster approaches them. Sighing, he nods to Jesal and heads over to the group. He tilts the priest's blade downward. "Easy ther', lad." He leans in and whispers, "Ther' ar' other ways to get th' information we be wantin' without threatenin' them or killin' them. We do need to keep a lo' profile." He then turns to the opposing team. "I be suggestin' tha' ye tell us wha' happened to our green friend. Or, mayhaps, you lot would lik' anot'er date wit' "Thunderbolt" Dario?" He makes a gesture to Dario.
"Isaac my friend, a mere word wouldn't suffice. If they want to lose some facial features from Dario's fists, i'm not going to stop them or him in the least."
"In fact, after Dario's through and they won't talk, i got something too.", he says with a devilish grin on his face.
He conjures up a mandolin decorated with skulls and terrifying pictures.
Grabbing it in to hands. "See, this came to me in my dream last night, this mandolin absorbs vitality from the blood it draws. When it's full.....well i'll not describe the details just yet. >:)"
Ye ain't fer knowin what was happenin ta 'im, but ye were sure quick like ta gran 'is gear! What do ye mean, "sailin' wit tha Queen"? Ye best be tellin' me what happened!
Alabaster looks over to Isaac.
Mighten one of us should be checkin' tha crows nest? Scourge best notta been doin' anythin' shady ta 'im, or 'ell be punished by Besmara 'erself, fer sure.
He looks back at Aretta and furrows his brow.
Is that all yer knowin, then? How did ye hear about it 'afore we did?
Isaac remains silent throughout the conversation. Isaac asks, "Are you sure you didn't notic' anythin' off in the Nest? How abou' ye friends? They see anythin'?" He looks to Fipps, Jape, and Sy.
He also adds with a smile, "See? This is bein' nice. The lot of us chattin' and not tryin' to kill each other. Not lik' our first meeting'."
When Alabaster shares his thoughts, Isaac whispers, "See if you can be gettin' anythin' else. Jus' in case." He also adds sternly, "No threatenin' them. We don't wan' the hammer comin' down on us. They may be under Scourge's thum', but that doesn't mean we can't be nice."
He then heads up to the crow's nest to investigate.
Alabaster sheathes his cutlass and offers up a smile of his own.
Aye, tha' it did, an' ye best be rememberin' it when it be matterin'!
He looks at the crossbow again, and then back at Aretta.
Yer right about tab law o' tha' sea, an' iffen we fin' out he be gone fer sure ye have all tha rights ta it. But... Iffen we be findin' out he be alive an' well, ye be givin' it back, see?
He smiles again, and then moves in closer.
Ye think Scourge mighta done somthin' ta 'im...?
Edward dismisses the gruesome mandolin as easy as conjuring it up.
"Well, if you're in for talking, that's better for all of us."
Jesal breathes a sigh of relief, now that there's no fight imminent and returns to the group.
"Dis one be thinkin' it possible. Be needin to get someone in da galley, though. Anyone else be knowin how to cook? Dis one can go, sayin dis one know about herbs, but da food bein terrible."
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Isaac gives a chortle. "Well, I mus' admit, ye got me on me toes, fer sure."
Isaac picks up the fabric. He looks at it for a good while before his ice blue gaze turns to the sea and the horizon. 'Ranak... He then looks for any other signs.
He then heads back to the others. When he arrives, he hands the fabric to the others. He says solemnly, "Tha' be all I can find up ther'."
Mayhaps we be needin' ta search tha deck, then... Alabaster says solemnly, sheathing his cutlass and putting it back in his locker.
Iffen he fell, he may be needin' our healin'....
Isaac nods. He then scours the deck, looking for any signs of Ranak or evidence that could lead to him
Edward doesn't mind at all seeing Sandara. Though he doesn't intend to make being ill a habit.
"Dis one bein da cooks mate iffun he bein havin it?" Jesal offers to Scourge. "Dis one be know in plants and herbs and coulda probably help Kroop fix up somethin."
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Isaac frantically searches the boat for Ranak. Eventually, he needs to be pulled from the search. Before heading to bed, he states at the horizon. 'Ranak. Wherever ye may be, please be safe.'
He lets Sandara and Jesal look him over due to his sickness. As Sandara dotes on Edward in particular, the rogue smirks and rolls his eyes. When she tends to him, Isaac gives a good-natured smile. "Careful, lass. Wouldn't want Edward and Rosie to be jealous, now would we?"
He then heads to bed. As he passes by Rosie, he smiles at her and gives a small nod.
During the night, Isaac can't sleep. He decides to get out of bed, kneel down, and pray. "Besmara, this is yer faithful, Isaac Silvermane. I be hopin' to ask ye fer a favor. Pleas', le' Ranak be saf' and among the livin'. Pleas', le' him find the safety ye gave Sebastian Silvermane. And, if he hav' fallen to th' deep, then may ye embrace him into yer mercy. May ye accept 'im into yer arms and in yer crew. He be a wonderful cook, ye shall enjoy wonderful feasts nightly." He says that with a smile. "Thank ye fer listin'." With that, he climbs back into bed and is lulled into a peaceful sleep.
Isaac gets up, feeling a lot better from his disease. Ranak's disappearance, however, still wears on his mind. He stares blankly at Scourge. When Jesal offers to cook, Isaac says, "I be secondin' that choice."
Just as he's about to issue a prayer of his own, Alabaster hears Isaac's. He lets the man finish before softly adding Aye, what he said, me Queen. As he falls off to sleep, his thoughts keep asking the same question over and over.
Why do ye keep takin' all me friends, Besmara? Is it tha price o' tha life itself?
The next morning Alabaster lines up with everyone else, and when Scourge asks for a new cook's mate, he sarcastically replies while leaning casually on the railing.
Mate, there ain't enough healin' between me, Sandara, and tha Queen 'erself ta save ye, what if yer eatin' my cookin'. Best let Salt at it.
Isaac still has a neutral expression on his face at Scourge's shouting. When he receives his job, he just gives a snort and a salute. He then leisurely walks off to the job.
Much to Scourge's displeasure, the job doesn't get Isaac down. In fact, he excels at it.
While working, Isaac decides to talk to Samms. "Ahoy! Sorry fer not talking' to ye fer th' longes' tim'. Been quite th' busy last couple o' days, eh? So, how're ye be doin', Samms?"
Edward's kind demanor turns into aggressive payback-rage.
Daytime:
Edward visits Sandara.
"Got to go up against more rats today. Fortunately, it was the other way round. I couldn't have you worry your pretty head even more.
Which is to say, much appreciated your taking care of me. Guess that means i'll have to double my effort to repay you then.", he says with a wink.
After Scourge's outburst, Alabaster makes an even bigger show of leaning against the railing, until he scoffs at the man and heads off to his duties. He takes a moment to speak with Shivikah, though.
Oy there Shivikah! I ain't been fer speakin ta ye since me first day on board, when I told ye tha' story! I was jest fer wonderin if ye needed any help taday... Scourge's got me fixin' that ship but I be bout done.
He starts to assist her in whatever task she is doing, and makes small talk with her, which he eventually steers to her opinions and feelings about Scourge and his treatment of the crew.
Say, 'ow is everyone feelin' about Scourge? 'e seems ta enjoy causin' pain, an' Harrigan let's 'im... Ain't nothin like me old ship, an' tha captain I be choosin ta follow on me own choice'll be just tha' same as them. Iffen ye wanna be truly successful on tha open sea, ye gotta be a family, see?
Jesal stares at Kroop, having heard stories from Ranak and then just shakes his head, getting to work in the galley.
Arhiel looks around at her rescuers as she stands shivering and exhausted. Her blue hair is tangled in seaweed and her tattered clothing barely covers her slight form. She gives Arreta a quick hug, as much to say thanks as to keep from falling to the deck in total exhaustion. Hanging onto the other woman, she says "Oh, my... I thought I was going to die out here... You have saved me! Thank you, thank the gods, thank the stars!"
It is then that she finally looks around at the rest of the crew around her, and her relief is fraught with fear as she realizes this is no disciplined, cohesive crew, but a motley one... While it might be a bunch of down on their luck merchantmen, one look at Scourge and Plugg sends her spirits plummeting.
She hangs on Arreta in her fatigue, and nearly swoons, her knees buckling a bit and her voice fading as she speaks softly... "I am saved... aren't I?"
Isaac looks at Samms. "Well, I be all righ'. Thank ye fer askin'. And I'll try to be keeping' a low profile'. Though, I be makin' no promises. When th' attention is bein' on ye, it bein' hard to remov' it. The two louts can try to remov' us. But, we ar' not goin' anywheres." He finishes off with a smile.
When the call of castaway rings through the air, Isaac heads to the location. He raises his brow at the woman. Her odd blue hair. The tattoos that embroider her skin. When Scourge yells at her and Grok takes her to get her clothes, he looks to his allies and give them a nod.
When the girl reaches back to the deck and she's alone, a voice rings out. "Ahoy there, lass." When she looks up, he sees a young man hanging from the ropes. He appears to be in his early 20s. He's appears to be strong. He wears a green collared shirt, black pants, black leather boots, leather armor, and a black belt with silver buckle. He's also wearing a black overcoat. On his head, he wears a blue bandana and a black tricorn. One of the most striking features is his sliver hair that reaches his shoulders. He smiles at her, his blue eyes twinkle with mirth. He hops back on the deck. "Allow me to be introducin' myself. I be Isaac Slivermane. As to yer question, ye ar' saved in a way. Howeve', yer still in danger. If ye ar' goin' to be here, then ye need friends to watch ou' fer ye."
When the girl first arrives, Alabaster shoots a look at Isaac. When the man nods, Alabaster looks back at the girl, and assess her mentally.
By tha looks o' 'er, I be bettin' thars more then meets tha eye.... She be too... differen't lookin' ta be normal. Best be talkin' ta Isaac bout 'er...
However, when Alabaster finally has a moment to spare, he finds Isaac already talking to her. He looks at Isaac, and then nods.
He wears simple brown pants, black boots, and a weather beaten old black tricorn that looks like it's a size or two too big. He's shirtless, and his tanned skin shows that he is no stranger to work, or the lash, as several scars mar his back. He looks at her, almost appealingly, and then speaks with a grin.
Aye, tha' ye do, milady. Me name's Alabaster Cain, an' I be a man o' faith. Tha' Lady o' tha Waves, iffen ye couldn't tell. Best be stickin' wi' me, Isaac, an' our lil' group... Tha others can be gettin' pretty nasty, iffen ye get what I mean.
He rubs his knuckles absentmindedly when he says the last part.
By tha looks o' ye, though, ye mighten be able ta take care o' yerself... But just be rememberin', yer onna piratin' ship, an' bein' strong on yer own usually innit enough.
He bows to her, flourishing with his hat, and flicking his long blond hair over his shoulder when he straightens back up.
"although I am glad that you are better again, that repaying starts good, what did you have in mind?" she says, feigning innocence.
He smiles, likewise feigninginnocence.
"Well, i could start with a song, but there's no privacy to bring it to you.
Secondly, i should improve my cooking, there's this recipy you wouldn't believe, so good. I could talk to Jesal some time. I'm sure in time i'll be able to find other things to catch your eye."
When the new girl comes board:
Edward taps Alabaster on the back.
"So my friend, what is going on here that has you and Isaac occupied?" He sees the blue haired girl. Oh? Blue hair, she dyed it? Because that isn't natural.
"Hello, i'm Edward."
To the others, Edward might seem less carefree than around Sandara, not distrust, more likely because of obvious reasons.
Arhiel, not knowing much about the protocols, flashes the captain a smile of thanks when Scourge tells her it is by his whim she's saved... Then she turns her attention back to Scourge and listens to his words most carefully. She nods sagely when he says she'll have to work on the ship to repay her saviors.
"I understand, and I'll do my best, Master Scourge. I am no sailor, but I can learn whatever you want me to do. I owe you and your good captain my life, after all." She smiles at him slightly.
She takes the clothes from Grok when the quartermaster returns with them, and simply blinks back a few tears from the smell coming off of them. She does her best not to wrinkle her nose in distaste. While she changes into the provided outfit, she asks Grok, "WHat is bloody hour?"
-----
When Isaac approaches her later, she listens to him and nods in understanding at his warning. She speaks softly, but with some conviction. "You are most kind to come speak with me, and warn me of the dangers, Isaac. I guess there are some factions here I should be wary of? And you, Master Alabaster, thank you for the welcome." She returns his bow with a pretty one of her own, that starts as a courtesy, then turns into a bow when she recalls she's not wearing a skirt any longer.
When Edward walks up, she smiles and greets him as well. "Nice to meet you too, Edward. You are all most kind. I know some superstitions say a survivor of a wreck is bad luck aboard a ship, so you are all most brave souls for befriending me. Thank you. I may be a bit damp," she says, shaking a bit of water from her hair still, "but I am not all washed up... not even the sea can take me, it seems."
Isaac nods and keeps his voice low. "Aye. Ther' be factions here. Allow me to explain. First, there's Harrigan. Free Captain of the Shackles and Captain of The Wormwood. He calls th' shots. Though, he be focused on sailin' the ship." He then points to Plugg and Scourge. "That be Plugg, th' First Mate. And Scourge, th' boatswain and master at arms. They be our primary problems here. Fail to do yer work, Scourge lashes at ye with th' whip in th' midst of the Bloody Hour. Or if you giv' them trouble, they whip ye. Really peev' them and Plugg lashes at ye with th' Cat-o'-nine. They hav' already whipped som' o' us." He gestures to himself, Salt, Edward, and Alabaster. "Wit' Alabaster, Scourge practically beat on him."
He then continues, "Rule 2: when ye get yer grog at nigh', drink it or try to ditch it unnoticed. Otherwise, it's th' whip for ye."
He then points to the gents around her. "Then, ther' be us. About a week ago, we be press-ganged into service. So, we formed our own group. We've been makin' good impressions on som' of th' crew. It helps us in th' long run fer our plans. We mostly butt heads with Plugg, Scourge and their lot. Now, fer introductions."
He then gestures to himself with a flourish. "As I said, I be Isaac Silvermane. Since ye migh' be unawares, th' Silvermanes are a notorious pirate family in thes' parts. Captains, every one of them. Ther's Alabaster, our priest to Besmara. Edward, our songster." He then points at the Mwangi druid. "Our druid, Jesal, who now works in th' kitchen." He then points to the monk. "Dario, our hand to hand exper'. Also, goes by th' name of 'Thunderbolt' around here. We did hav' one more. Bu'..." He looks down in sadness, the memory of Ranak's loss still getting to him. He then points out all of the allies they made and what their specialties are.
When he's done, he asks, "So, lass, where are ye from? Can't be th' Shackles, otherwise ye would hav' at least heard 'bout me family. Blue hair is unnatural, too. Wha' can ye do lass? And, wha' were ye doin', bobbin' in the water? By tha', I mean, how'd ye ge' shipwrecked? As fer them bad luck sayin's, it be only bad luck when bad thin's start happenin'. So, worry not, ye'll be fine."
"I am so sorry that I haven't heard of your family, but I'm not versed in pirate lore, or even lore of the sea much. I've not lived in the Shackles that long. That you come from a long line of captains is commendable. It seems you have quite a skilled group, and I thank you for befriending me. I know a bit about the arcane arts if such can prove useful to you." She nods in turn to the others as they are introduced.
"As for my story, there is not much to tell. Originally I'm from Absalom, it's where I was born, but I was mostly raised in Magnimar in Varisia, where my family moved to when I was tiny. I don't even remember Absalom. I was on my way back to that city to live with my Aunt Karista when my ship was taken by pirates. They were holding all of us for ransom when they were overtaken by a Chelaxian warship. Rescued we were, but they cared nothing for those of us who weren't put to the rope for being pirates. They put us off at the nearest port. When I'd saved enough money for passage home, I took a ship back to Absalom, but it was caught in a storm and capsized. I don't know if any of the others survived, but I grabbed some floating debris and made it this far... when your ship rescued me. I feel bad that I know nothing about sailing to be much good here. I fear I have a lot to learn. 'Tis a good thing I learn quickly."
Isaac nods at Arhiel. "So, ye be someon' from the Inner Sea, eh? Not expectin' to see one such as yerself so far out. Hope yer time on The Wormwood fares well fer ye. Jus' be stickin' wit' us, lass. We could be usin' yer talents. We keep an eye fer our own." When she mentions Cheliaxians, Isaac forms a frown and spits on the deck. "Bah! Chels! No good, they be!" Odd to Arhiel because Issac shows features of Chelish descent.
Arhiel opens her mouth to say something about Isaac looking of Chelaxian descent... then shuts it again I'm sure he's got his reasons for hating his own folk, and perhaps not something he's ready to talk about.
"Thanks Isaac for your welcome. I surely get the impression this boat is not someplace one wants to be without friends."
"It sure isn't, safety with friends is what's survival here.
Aside from us, there's some other friendly folk. There's Cogwald, a capable fighter who won the arm wrestle with Dario, Sandara....the lovely cleric. My friends here can name a few others."
Isaac takes it from there. "Ther' be Rosie, a capable fight'r, sing'r, and fiddl' play'r. Lil' spitfir', she be. Then, ther' be Barefoot Samms. She's one o' th' ones workin' the Riggin's."
Arhiel looks up into the rigging and shudders slightly hoping she isn't going to be expected to climb up there.