Having doffed her chain shirt, Marisan dutifully clambers down to the jolly boat when called. It takes two attempts to secure the grappling hook, but then she hauls herself up the rope with confident strength.
Similar to most of the others, Marisan's attempt is slow and steady, ignoring the various items thrown in her direction.
Once Marisan reaches the top, Krine calls for Donomsail to make her attempt.
Fail
Dunk
Dunk
Success 1
Success 2
Success 3
Success 4
Fail
Success 5
Dunk
The tielfling's initial attempt is shaky and she quickly slips from the rope and spashes into the water. She begins making headway on her second attempt, but a thrown piece of tattered rope catches her at the wrong time and down she goes again. Her third attempt sees her make it almost to the top before her lack of ability asserts itself again and into the drink she plunges.
After her third attempt, Krine yells out at the woman, "I think you've got the basics! Get back on the ship!"
After the exciting day of boarding, Contessa reviews her options of who is left that she needs to win over to their side. There's Syl, Narwhal, Big ears and Fipps. Looking among the four of them, she purposesly avoid Aretta and seeks out the next most challenging target, Fipps Chumlett.
"Heya Fipps, hows it going? Vi isn't going to be feeling up to her meal this evening. If you want, I can get her meal and give it to you instead. That is, if you are still hungry?"
Polli spends her time reading, if allowed. Her spell book has missed her terribly, and she is making amends by curling in her hammock and doing the quality time.
Harmony lands the grappling hook first time (just), but her climbing... the second times she trips, grabs at the rope and goes straight back into the water.
The third attempt she clings brutally to the rope for a while, but with all the extra weight from her first two dunkings she makes no progress at all and soon ends up in the seas warm embrace again...
She still gets a cheer when she returns, dripping wet to the deck. Perhaps its something to do with the state of her shirt?
Marisan joins the cheer as Vi emerges, dripping wet. It definitely has something to do with the state of her shirt.
Tessa cheers loudly for Harmony when she lands the grappling hook, "Nice shot!" she hollers. "C'mon, you can do this!" she adds, trying to bolster her confidence on the climbing. When she fails even to advance at all, she grimaces. Trying to make light of the situation she adds "Vi, now's not the time for your comedy!"
When she emerges with a wet shirt, Tessa laughs and then sticks her fingers in her mouth, whistling loudly.
"oh my... she certainly will have back problems in her future." she'd suggest for Azadi to dry the lass but she is certain he'd be beaten to a pulp if he tried.
Once Harmony climbs out of the water for the third, Krine indicates for her to just sit down. The one-legged woman's face is a mask of disgust as she grasps the oars and rows the small boat back to the ship where they both climb back on deck.
When the 'Bloody Hour' arrives, both Harmony and Donomsail are brought in front of everyone to be derided and then receive two lashes with the whip for their dismal performance
Mariana winces and shakes her head sadly to see her friends whipped. She hopes Donomsail will tend to their injuries. After dinner, she approaches Maheem to attempt to get on his good side--and let him know he should stay on hers.
After dinner, she approaches Maheem to attempt to get on his good side--and let him know he should stay on hers.
After dinner Azadi heads down to the kitchen, making an effort to be somewhat subtle, and scrapes together a bowl of leftover crab stew. He whistles inconspicuously as he carries the food to Owlbear in his dark hold.
”Here you go, Pirate,” he says when he offers the bowl to the large dullard. He sits down nearby while the oaf eats and tells him the story of the crabbing excursion and how Polli almost drowned Tessa and then knocked out all the little sea monsters with her magic. When Owlbear finishes eating, and the story is done, he collects the extra bowl, fills the usual food bowl with fresh water, and heads out.
Azadi scowls while his comrades are whipped, and winces at each crack of the cat.
one day he’s going to lose that whip, and most likely his life... I wonder if the captain is really as dangerous as people say... he must be or there would have been a mutiny already... one day...
At dinner the young Undine seeks out Sandara and sits down next to her. ”Hey, uh, I wanted to apologize to you,” he offers, ”for what may have seemed like bizarre behavior... I’m not interested in some pissing contest with Tessa and, well, it kind of seemed like you were enjoying having two people fight for your attention, which is why I haven’t spoken with you in a few days. And then there was the whole thing with having sex with Badger and the debacle that turned into... that didn’t seem to bother you at all, but I just wanted to say that I really didn’t mean to disrespect you and if it felt like I did, after our last conversation, then I’m sorry. Anyways, I, uh... well, I don’t need this leather armor anymore and I’d like you to have, if you want it... no strings attached, just my way of saying ‘sorry I’ve been acting weirdly’... hopefully it’ll help keep you safe.”
Harmony retains enough good cheer to offer a mock bow or two to the crew. The good cheer is gone later when she takes two blows from the cat, but she manages just about to avoid screaming aloud, repressing it to a muffled whimper.
After that she, gingerly, takes a seat next to Narwahl Tate. "So, I guess good advice number two is not to get hit by the cat right?" She asks with a pained smile. "At least it didn't hit me in the balls right?"
Tessa watches the lashing with clenched fists. She was fine with administered punishment where it was deserved, however these were not appropriate measures for forcing one to perform a talent to which the party was not trained or aware of. When the deed is done, she seeks Harmony out and puts her arm around her neck and kisses her cheek. "I'm sorry I couldn't help you. I'm sorry if it's my fault that you stuck around The Maid and got caught up. Things will be better one day soon, I'm sure of it."
Tessa watches Azadi speaking to Sandara at dinner, but doesn't make any movement to intervene this time. After dinner, she seeks out the redhead back above deck and asks "How are you holding up these days, Sandara? Is there anything my little group can do for you?"
After small talk, she gets to the point of the real reason she wants to talk. "I want to apologize for my behavior the a couple of nights, I believe I offended you. This was not my intention. Marisan and I aren't involved like you think. I know we have slept together in the hammock, but due more to warmth and safety, nothing is happening under the sheets. There relationship is one formed from comradery. If you still feel the same way regardless, then I'll leave you be from now on if that is what you wish. While I may antagonize plenty of people aboard this ship on purpose, you are not one of them."
After the lashing Donomsail asks Azadi for a cupful of water, once received she makes her way to Harmony. "Hey Vi, let me take away the sting some." With that she takes the water and dips a cleanish cloth then softly pats it softly chanting as she does so. "Geseënde Gozreh Ek vra dat u hierdie kind sal help, nie net die angel, maar ook die merk wegneem nie. In die belang van die balans, laat haar nou heel wees, sodat u geseënde wind haar kan lei waarheen sy moet gaan."
The water trickles down her back and Harmony feels it tingle as it soaks into the welts and takes away the pain as well as knitting the torn flesh, leaving no scar or bruising.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"Thanks Donomsail." Harmony replies with a smile. "I owe you one. Come and see me if you ever want an extra grog or something, I'm happy to make it happen."
She bids Tate a friendly farewell and gets up gingerly, before grinning when the motion causes no pain. "We need to talk you and I, and the others. Lacey, can you talk to the rest? Meet by the capstan in ten."
-----------------------
Harmony takes a swift look around to ascertain that the group is alone and out of earshot before speaking.
"So, for a group that's been kidnapped together I think we're doing well. From what I can tell the majority of the crew is favorably inclined towards us now, except for that woman with the ears and Fipps Chumlett. I can work on him, sway him to our cause. We just need to decide now..." She pauses and looks around, "What exactly is our cause? If we want to," She waves one finger significantly, "Then we're going to need supplies and surprise, and preferably a way to deal with a number of the officers. Plugg keeps Oil of Taggit in his quarters - if someone can get it for me then I can could arrange for it to be in the food. It's not guaranteed, but it might tip the odds in our favor." She pauses for a moment and Tessa can see the signs that she is stealing herself to say something. "Azadi, Polli, you were talking about how you could make Scourge and Are... whatever, disappear? What do you need to make that happen? Picking him off would be a good first step - then we'd just need to wait for the right moment."
She looks around the group with a small gesture, opening the metaphorical floor for questions and ideas.
Owlbear seems genuinely pleased to see Azadi and grins broadly. "I'm a pirate!" he proclaims. The nature of the stew seems to excite him as well. "Clams are yummy," he says, leading the undine to believe that perhaps the man knows more than just two phrases. He sits enthralled at the story of the defeat of the reefclaws, his eyes wide. How much of it he comprehends is anyone's guess. "I'm a pirate!" he calls out with a clumsy wave as Azadi leaves.
~~~~~
Sandara looks up as Azadi approaches, giving him a pleasant smile. She listens to his explanation slash apology with genuine interest.
"Thank you," she says when he presents her with the armor. "I appreciate this." She considers her words for a moment. "I don't mind the pursuit if I'm the focus of it. If your goal is simply to see how many other sailors you can bed, then I'm not interested." She quirks an eyebrow at him and smiles. "Although, I can point you in the direction of a few that would probably be interested." She looks out over the water. "However, if your interest is more than that, then I wouldn't be opposed to the pursuit as long as you allow me m' own."
~~~~~
After that she, gingerly, takes a seat next to Narwahl Tate. "So, I guess good advice number two is not to get hit by the cat right?" She asks with a pained smile. "At least it didn't hit me in the balls right?"
Narwahl chuckles at Harmony's joke. "He's a man who loves bein' the one holdin' the handle, Scourge is. Just be glad he didn't decide to lay it across yer chest." This seems to strike the dwarf as extremely funny and sends him off in laughter.
~~~~~
"While I may antagonize plenty of people aboard this ship on purpose, you are not one of them."
Sandara laughs lightly at Tessa's speech. "Did you and Azadi rehearse this together?" she asks. With a shake of her head she places a hand on the woman's shoulder. "Like I told Azadi; If I'm just another in a line of sailor conquests, move on to someone else. I'll be happy to flirt with ya, but ..." She shrugs. "If'n it's something more that you're interested in, then let's see what develops, shall we?" Her eyes move away. "And to be honest, someone else has caught m' eye, but I don't know if'n anything'll come o' that either."
~~~~~
As Harmony finishes her speech and waits for someone else to speak, there's the sound of drunken singing and 'Fishguts' staggers across the deck and into the midst of your group.
"Yo, ho, and a ... " His singing rambles to a halt as he looks around at you all. "Care t' join an ol' sailor in a song?" he calls out loudly.
Harmony has become familiar with Ambrose's drunken moods and this seems a little out of character for him. And as she looks at him closer, she can see that he isn't as drunk as he's portraying. As if to lay truth to her thoughts, he leans in close and hisses in her ear. "There might be more painful ways t' commit suicide then stand on th' deck talking o' mutiny not twenty feet from the cap'n's cabin, but I don't know what they are. Get yer arses below decks afore you get strung up! Now!"
Harmony then notes the slender figure of “Caulky” Tarroon (the Cabin Girl) sitting on the steps to the poop deck.
Tessa is confused about Sandara's mention of Azadi "What? No, I'm not sure what you're talking about. To be honest, I've been trying to leave the boy alone and stay out of his way recently so I certainly haven't planned anything with him."
When she mentions someone else has caught her eye, the redhead isn't quite sure how to respond. For the second time she in as many sentences she repeats "What?", unable to muster anything else. Who could be more interesting than her on this ship?! She looks at Sandara, her pride clearly hurt before looking out to the water and turning away from her to hide the fact that she's hurt and that her feelings are not reciprocated. "I see." she says, but clearly doesn't. "Good luck to you both then." she turns back to the cleric and offers a smile accompanied by "Good evening, Sandara." before taking her leave to find Harmony and the others planning a conspiracy.
Later, after Harmony tries to get them all killed like the worst captain ever, Tessa looks around anxiously once it's obvious their discussion has carried on the winds. Pulling Harmony aside, she whispers a shout into her ear "VI! We need to watch our words a bit more carefully, I thought we already learned that lesson!"
Blowing out a breath of frustration, she adds "There is something important I need to talk to you about when this business is sorted. Alone. "
Azadi smiles. ”Something casual might not be terrible, if there were someone attractive on board who was my age, and interested,” he answers with a little bit of a chuckle, ”but the first two make for a short list, and the third one pretty well empties it.”
Looking away, his smile fades and he adds, ”And, as for pursuing... chasing someone who wants the freedom to chase someone else doesn’t seem a whole lot different than whatever’s been going on with Tessa, always coming and talking to you right after I do... trying to one up me or whatever.... thats not the point... I’m not interested in those kind of games. I hope you find what you’re looking for though.”
He gives her a half a smile and strolls off to check on Vi and Donomsail.
Azadi almost interrupts Vi before the cook barges in.
Plugg isn’t the real problem... it’s Harrigan everyone fears...
Looking around fearfully after realizing that they aren't being as sly as they thought in their furtive meetings Donomsail shares an idea with the group. "Mayhap we should meet together in a diff'rent way. If'n ya like I can set up a service ta Gozreh tonight 'n' we could use that time to decide what we should do next."
Before they vacate the area quickly, Polli moves up to Tessa and Harmony, "Shouldn't one of you social butterflies talk to the girl, a potential ally at best or knowing onemore enemy at worst." then she'll turn to Donomsail "A brilliant idea, it has been a long time since I attended a service."
”or, both of you, if you can work together...” Azadi adds quietly.
Tessa was dragging Harmony away by her sleeve but stops when Polli suggests they talk to the girl. She turns to Azadi and frowns, "What is that supposed to mean? Of course we can work together."
She exchanges a brief glance with Harmony and nods, heading over to Caulky. Closing distance she waves and offers a smile, "Evening Caulky." she says as she tries to break the ice.
Marisan follows behind Teasa in case things don't go the swashbuckler's way.
In anticipation of the services Donomsail will spend part of the evening getting together the liturgical objects used for service cleaned and ready. In that vein she will approach Tessa. "Vi, is it possible to get a serving bowl or a kettle from the kitchen? If'n I'm gonna run a service it's fer sure goin' ta be a proper one 'tis. If'n not that's okay I've been using me mug so far 'n' near as I can tell Hyjarth 'n' Tarithia have been quite unnerstandin' 'bout it." Donomsail is grinning as she says this and for the first time you see a look of excitement and anticipation on her face. That evening after the nightly Flogging and Grogging, ribald jesting and assorted acts of merriment she will slip away to get her makeshift shrine set-up. Once done she will rejoin her companions and quietly let them know her preparations are ready when they are then go back to her shrine for some personal communion.
"Na Gozreh brei ek ..."Then she realizes that she has started the service in Infernal and starts over again in Common. "To Gozreh I extend this offering." She takes some of the water in its vessel and pours it on the deck."This be a strange path that you have set us on. It's not that I question your wisdom but I no be seeing where this breeze will take us. In that vein I ask o' ya that you help us figure out what is the best way to set our steps. Do we be takin' our own fates in our hands or do we be continuing ta learn ourselves the lessons they be teachin' us? That is the question afore us right now, 'n' I do be leavin' it ta you ta guide these capable folks in makin' the right decision."
She exchanges a brief glance with Harmony and nods, heading over to Caulky. Closing distance she waves and offers a smile, "Evening Caulky." she says as she tries to break the ice.
'Caulky' sits on the top step of the stairs up to the poop deck, blending into the shadows. She watches the three of you approach warily. A slender girl in her mid to late teens with short dark hair, pale skin, and dark eyes, 'Caulky' has kept to herself in the time you've been onboard. "Good evening, Miss Steele," she answers - her voice as wary as her gaze.
~~~~~
While Vi, Tessa, and Marisan head towards the cabin girl, Azadi quietly addresses Polli and Donomsail, ”It might be pretty suspicious if it’s just the six of us at this... gathering. But we also don’t want to invite too many folks or the wrong sort might show up... I think maybe we should each invite one or two others to come. What do you say? I could ask Samms and Sandara, I know them both fairly well?”
The young undine seeks out Samms and waits for an opportunity to speak with her privately. ”Donomsail is a priestess of the Wind and Waves and she’s going to do some kind of blessing or something if you want to join us? It should lead to some pretty interesting conversation afterwards...”
When he finishes speaking with the rigger he tracks down Sandara as well. When he gets a moment alone with her he whispers ”we’re having a secret meeting... Donomsail is going to do something from her religion, mostly as a cover, and we’re going to talk about... some ideas for handling Plugg..,” Looking around to double check that he hasn’t been overheard, he adds at a more normal volume, ”Donomsail said she should be ready for the service in a few minutes, would you like to join us?”
Polli is not a good judge of character so abstains from inviting anyone. But agrees with Domonsail, doing a ceremony to the god of weather inside a structure seems wrong. Outside under the Sky with the waves crashing against the ship... would be better in a thunderstorm, she thinks wistfully but they have what they have.
The young undine seeks out Samms and waits for an opportunity to speak with her privately. ”Donomsail is a priestess of the Wind and Waves and she’s going to do some kind of blessing or something if you want to join us? It should lead to some pretty interesting conversation afterwards...”
"Aye," Samms responds with a smile. "I'll be there. I'm more a follower of Besmara, but I'll listen to yer friend."
”Donomsail said she should be ready for the service in a few minutes, would you like to join us?”
Sandara nods and looks around before reponding. "I'll be there. There are some things we should talk about."
Along with the original six of you, 'Barefoot' Samms, Sandara Quinn, and 'Badger' Medlar arrive for Donomsail's service and watch on in silent reverence as she goes through her rituals.
Tessa holds her hands up, palms towards Caulky. "It's alright, I don't bite unless you ask for it." she says, smirking. Leaning against a barrel, she asks "We haven't had a chance to talk, you and I. I'm always looking to make new acquaintances and help out where I can. Is there anything that I or one of the others can do to help you out around here?"
'Caulky's eyes narrow at Tessa. Her head tips to one side as if considering something. "Best be about yer business, Lacy Bottom," she says in a monotone. "I belong to the cap'n and if he sees ya talkin' to me. It won't go good for ya." She smiles the smile of a predator.
After Domonsail speaks the invocations she looks to the rest of the group. "Welp, I need ta tell ya all that Gozreh's ways may seem ta make no sense at the time. And if'n ya wantin' to know if one way or t'other is the right way take a moment ta feel the wind against your body. He will let ya know by the most subtlest o' means. Azadi ya understand right? Much like how ya knows where ta go when ya's swimmin' about in the water. One way will feel right, that's just her way o' tellin' ya that ya chose the right path. Not always the easiest path but the right one." When she is done she looks over the small group that have congregated here and lets out a breath she isn't aware she is holding. "Welp, Gozreh does no like slaggards and layabouts so let us get down ta the task at hand. Who would like to speak first?"
"Hey now, that's well and good. The captain isn't around and besides, I'm not trying to cause any mischief, was just hoping that a couple of gals could talk is all. You know, woman to woman."
She takes a step to go and clarifies "But if you want me gone, I'll be on my way then."
'Caulky' doesn't respond to prevent Tessa from leaving. She just watches her with eyes that carry no emotion - like those of a doll.
When Donomsail finishes her ceremony, Azadi looks back and forth between Vi and Tessa waiting for one of them to begin talking about the real reason for their gathering. After a few awkward moments of silence, he clears his throat and very quietly says, ”So, uh, what are everyone’s thoughts on Plugg and his, umm, future in leadership aboard the ship?”
Sandara grimaces and then points towards the Officers Quarters that are only twenty feet away from the gathered group. The Officers Quarters where the aforementioned man is probably residing at this very moment.
"I think Master Plugg holds discipline in the highest regard," she says in a normal voice and with a remarkably straight face.
Harmony looks around, carefully this time, and then clears her throat.
"So. We are all here... unexpectedly." She begins, remembering Ambrose's recommendation to be more circumspect. "I wanted to ask what you all had planned before this, and what you might do if you were to think about your future plans. This life is certainly exciting, I can imagine doing more of it. Perhaps some of us might want to... advance our careers in future. How might we do so? Any ideas are welcome here."
Azadi sighs with a combination of frustration over his failure to accomplish any constructive conversation and relief that someone better with the subtleties of social interactions is taking the lead.
why did we pick this spot if nobody is willing to talk here... and how sharp would someone’s ears need to be to hear us whispering through the wooden wall twenty or so feet away... I guess there really isn’t any rush, though, since we’re better off waiting anyways...
Tessa nods Harmony's sentiments, and then motions everyone else to lean in and says "Let us pray together, blessed be the Pirate Queen who watches over us and..." but motions downward with her hands indicative of lowering your voice. She then lowers her voice to a whisper, one that could not be heard five feet away let alone twenty feet.
Tessa starts "A time will come where we will need to make a unified and planned approach to changing our future. While this does not need to be today or tomorrow, we should be ready and working toward a plan. Whether our ultimate goal is escape, mutiny or simply shifting the balance of power on the ship, we need to be smart about it."
"We can't talk too long without arousing suspcison, so what we will do is break into smaller groups. Samms, Badger, Azadi, you three start to work on some ideas on how we could get rid of Plugg. Donomsail, Polli, Marisan. You three start to work on a plan on dealing with any unruly or unfit crew that need to be framed or disposed of alongside of Plugg. I'm looking at Big Ears, maybe others. Sandara, Vi and I will work on a plan of possible escape should the situation present itself."
"Questions? Make them brief." she states in her hushed whisper.
”I think maybe you’re being a bit hasty...” Azadi answers just as quietly, ”getting rid of Plugg isn’t the problem, really, it’s Harrigan. We could overwhelm Plugg on the deck any time but the Captain’s the dangerous one... we should stay the course, for now... we’re pirates- it’s only a matter of time before we take another ship... when we do, Plugg will be the most likely candidate to bring the captured ship into port, while Harrigan stays on the Wyrmwood... that’s when we should be planning for...”
”Valid point Azadi, but I disagree. If we don’t get rid of Plugg and the strongest backers, getting rid of the Captain wont be enough. It needs to be staged into at least two actions over time.”
”but if the captain sails off on a different ship then it’ll only be one action...”
"They're both a piece o' work," Badger says, leaning in as she runs a hand through her hair. "But Harrigan's someone that I don't think even all o' us together could take. That doesn't mean we shouldn't watch out for an opportunity to better our situation." She turns to Azadi and gives him a wink. "Right, Az?" she asks as she slaps him on the bottom.
Donomsail looks around at the small group and if any were to look at her they would see concern written across her face."What if we volunteer ta be on the next ship ta be caught by the crew, that way we would have less o' the crew ta deal with." After voicing her opinion she swallows hard and looks around to see if there is anyone around that could over hear their conversation.
To her team, Polli will suggest "The ship is too small and has too many people wandering around at all times. All we can do is stay close to each other so if an opportunity arises we can strike."
”yeah... my, uh, ‘group’ is just gonna think about things on our own too...” Azadi says nodding at Polli. ”We should have talked about this while crab hunting... it’s only a matter of time before they need more ‘volunteers’ for another excursion- let’s all try to get assigned to whatever it is and we can talk more openly while we’re off the ship.”
Tessa rolls her eyes at Azadi’s attempt at independence. ”You have your groups, we should break up now. Stay vigilant. I’ll check in with each group tomorrow .”
Azadi’s shoulders slump as Tessa once again proves her inability to accept good advice. ”Fine, Tessa might not be interested in talking freely but I’m going to try to get on the next excursion and I’ll talk with whoever wants to join me.”