The apparent leader of the group, a man with long, dark hair and a ruggedly handsome face steps slightly forward. One leg has been replaced with a peg-leg from the knee down. Unlike the rest of the sailors around him, he hasn't drawn a weapon, although his hand rests on the hilt of his large sword. He wears a heavy military-looking coat with an eagle motif on the shoulders.
"Now this is an awkward situation," he says in a calm voice with a hint of a smile.
"I didn't expect anyone to be here and you certainly didn't expect to have someone come along while you were already getting squibbed," he continues. His gaze glances over to the Siren. "That's the Man's Promise, isn't it? I'd heard that some of Harrigan's crew had made off with it, led by his First Officer if rumors are to be believed."
He shakes his head.
"But that's neither here nor there. Harrigan is no friend of mine, so I won't be running off to him with this tale. In fact, I'd prefer if no one heard about this at all. We had no intention of breaking Rickety's custom, but there was no flag on the tower so we assumed the facilities were available. We have no wish for this to come to blades."
"There's no issue." Harmony says politely. "We're here for a few days more, four I think, and then Rickety will be all yours. As to what you say about another ship I have no idea what you mean. That beauty on the stocks is the Siren. We had an unfortunate encounter with a nasty shoal - it necessitated considerable repairs."
She steps forwards and offers the man her hand. "I hope we can get along. A little patience all round and everyone gets what they want..." She trails off. "Anyway, my pleasure to meet you Captain?"
"Of course, the Siren, how could I have been so mistaken," he says, taking Harmony's hand in his. "Captain Merrill Pegsworthy of the good ship Free Spirit," he continues gesturing towards the Chelish galleon that's clearly marked with the name Stryx.
He releases her hand and gestures towards his sailors and they stow their weapons.
"Yes, it will be nice for everyone to get what they want without any bloodshed, he says with a broader smile.
"Captain Pegsworthy, I don't suppose I could prevail upon you for a small favor?" Harmony asks, matching his smile with her own. "To have a renowned pirate such as yourself christen the Siren would make the whole crew very happy. I'd happily stand you and your crew a round of drinks to celebrate of course."
"I would be happy to do so," Merrill answers. "In the meantime, I'm going to return to my ship for a short time to inform the crew that we've reached an understanding."
He bows to Harmony and then he and his crew return to their longboat and make their way back to the Stryx.
When Harmony and Tessa return to where the rest of their crew has gathered, they find that Rickety is there as well.
"I'm not sure how that happened and now I'm worried," the man says. He gestures towards the wooden watchtower. "Lyle has always been fond o' his rum, but he's never failed me. If he didn't put up the flag then something must be wrong."
He looks you over. "I'll knock a hundred gold off o' the refit if'n you head out to the tower to check on 'im."
"Of course." Harmony says, somewhat nervous herself.
Polli arrives back with Rickety "See! Don't believe the extremely intelligent wizard that a simple flag is not up." arms crossed and annoyed as heck.
Donomsail wants to stay with Polli but acquiesces to the wisdom of going where the potential action is so she joins the Captains in their conversation. At the offer of checking up on Lyle she speaks up, well as loud as she usually is. "'Tis likely a good idea. With the interestin' encounters we had earlier 'twouldn't harm nothin' ta check on 'im." She looks to her captain to see if she agrees, obviously eager to help.
Assuming we are heading out to check on tower, Polli will voice her opinion before they are away and when they are out of non-Siren ears.
"Captains, we should tell our crew to be on watch, keep together and in weapons reach. You lot that know people trust he didn't want any trouble, but that doesn't mean that will hold water once the majority of the command structure of the other ship is out of screaming range." the sylph frowns looking at the not their ship.
"They're rowing out to their ship right now," Val mentions pointing at their moving longboat, "we probably have enough time to check on the tower and be back to fill in the rest of the crew before they could be back to make any trouble?"
Whichever way her captains decide to head, the slayer follows behind them with her eyes peeled and her bow at the ready.
Harmony lets Tessa take the lead but heads swiftly towards the tower - Polli's point about caution is well taken, as is Val's about getting there quickly enough to get back again if needed. As such she encourages Tessa to set a brisk pace.
The trail up to the watchtower winds through the jungle behind the Commons, then follows the knife-edged ridgeline as it climbs along the headland. The way is rocky and steep, overgrown with jungle foliage, and drops precipitously to the cove 50 or more feet below. As Tessa leads the way along this trail, the group come upon a pair of wild boars that are hungrily rooting around. The boars look up at the red-headed captain and immediately attack. The trail is only 5 feet wide at this point, which means only one boar can reach you at a time.
Combat Begins!
Round 1
Watching the boars come towards them and realizing that only one can reach them at a time Donomsail sees which one will reach them first and holds her palm out shooting an icicle at the lead one.
”I have got this!” Marisan declares. She slips past Tessa and moves up to the first boar before delivering a roundhouse kick!
"Valeria, the ocean winds are erratic through this gap. If you shift the angle of your projectile just a bit..." Polli suggests.
Val cranes her neck and shuffles side to side trying to find an open lane to fire down. She frowns at the lack of good options, but settles on the best one. She quickly studies the boar, adjusts her aim for Polli's advice, and fires.
Valeria opens up the hostilities with an arrow right into the thick shoulder of the first boar and it squeals in anger. Marisan follows up with a kick that drops the creature before it even gets a chance to snap its sharp tusks at anyone. Polli zaps the remaining beast with an arc of electricity.
Of course Tessa leads the way, and she does so with flair. As the wild animals appear and try take her down, she attacks. With practiced expertise she lunges forward with her blade and attempts to stab the creature through its heart before pulling back ready to parry any attack it may have should she fail an downing it.
With well-aimed thrust of Wayfinder, Tessa drops the second boar, leaving the path clear of hostiles.
Combat Ends!
As the crew is stepping over the bodies of the boars, there's a fluttering of wings and a bright red and green parrot comes to rest on a nearby tree branch. It eyes you up and down and then bobs its head.
"Shoo, fly, don't bother me!" it recites. Moving along the branch, it repeats its phrase and then with a snapping of wings, takes to the air back towards the watchtower.
When you finally reach the base of the tower, you find numerous broken bottles scattered around the base of the structure. A ladder climbs the sixty feet to the platform above.
Harmony shares a look with her monkey friend, whose name she still hasn't decided on, and then whispers something that has the little creature chattering in agreement. It leaps onto the stone work and scuttles upwards like... well... a monkey.
”Wow, cap’n,” Val marvels, ”it’s a good thing you’re not as good with cards as you are with that sword or who knows what I woulda lost...”
While Firstmate Furryface scurries up the tower, Val readies an arrow and begins scanning the tree line around them for any signs of danger.
Donomsail has no idea what danger they might possibly be facing, nor what battle aid she might be up to given her recent track record in combat but she is ready to lend aid to her friends.
I think Tessa has crit more than 50% of her attacks since I joined the party. She’s definitely had at least 1 per encounter.
I'm pretty sure that Tessa's been sleeping with the RNG.
Tessa is about ready to talk to the bird when it takes off. "Huh, that was interesting."
She takes a few minutes and looks around before moving to the ladder. "Up we go!"
Tessa follows the monkey up the ladder to the top of the tower above. The roofed, wooden platform rises just above the tree tops and affords an expansive view of the surrounding sea in one direction and the jungle and the small community in the other. It's open on all sides with just a waist high wooden railing preventing a long fall. In one corner is the twisted remains of a rope hammock and there are a few items of clothing scattered around, as well as numerous empty bottles of rum. Over in the other corner are piled a number of different colored flags.
Lying beneath the hammock, with one boot on and the other lying across the floor from it, is the flyspecked corpse of an elderly man. He is recently deceased, and one side of his neck is black and swollen to the size of a melon. A dried ring of foam cakes the man’s beard and moustache around his lips. The parrot that greeted you earlier flaps over, alights on the corpse, and squawks again, "Shoo, fly, don’t bother me!"
The only other item of interest here is a morningstar that radiates faint magic .
At Tessa's description, Polli heads up the ladder.
"Oh that is a view isn't it?" she breaths in awe to Tessa, looking over the trees. Until her gaze moves to the dead man and she frowns. She kneels down and does an inspection.
"Hmm... swollen... puncture wound, similar to the ones in the sailor's leg earlier." she feels around the neck, moving it slightly, leans in to smell. Then she looks up at the captain. "The wasps stung him and he died of an allergic reaction to the venom."
Pointing at the talkative parrot "Those were probably this poor man's last words."
After they all return and inform Rickety of his watchman’s fate, Val quietly keeps tabs on Captain Vi until she finds an opportunity to approach her alone.
Even though she seems done talking she continues to stand there holding the other woman’s hand awkwardly. She starts to blush and bites her lower lip nervously before finally speaking again. ”So, um, I’m new to the crew and I don’t really know how any of this works yet, so I’m sorry if I’m doing this wrong, but I know that you and Tessa are lovers, but that Tessa also sleeps with Marisan, and, well, I’ve been sleeping with Marisan, but, um... well,” she looks down and the blushing begins to spread to her bountiful cleavage, ”if you’re ever lonely, when Tessa and Marisan are together... I would be glad to show you how much I appreciate you coming to help me...”
Nodding to Polli, Tessa says "Makes sense. He's dead then? Completely? Alright."
Once Polli confirms, Tessa shouts down to her allies "Clear the way, incoming!" and rolls the body off the ledge with her boot, dropping him down below.
Looking to the parrot, she asks Polli "Do you think those were his last words? This is his parrot and he said to shoo not bother him?"
Polli watches the body fall to the thud on the ground "hmm... quite efficient, not sure if I would have thought of that" she mutters to herself, then turns to Tessa's question, looking to the parrot then. "If a giant wasp was buzzing it my face it is what I'd yell. Probably a bit higher pitched and panicky, mind you. So yes, that is that I think."
Marisan points to the foam in the dead man's beard and moustache. "Looks like he was drinking. Perhaps he did not realize the danger he was in until it was too late."
"Good observation, Marisan. Based on the number of bottles about and the stench I fully concur." Polli looks to Tessa to ask silently if they are done here.
Tessa nods to Polli, "Let's take the gear he won't be needing any longer and let's get back."
Rickety is quite saddened at the news of Lyle Godwin's demise. "He was a good friend," he says, looking over the man's body. "'e liked his drink, but who doesn't. Still, tis a shame." He notices you carrying the man's morningstar. "That was Lyle's as well. You may as well keep it in thanks for bringing 'im back so we can lay him to rest proper-like."
A few more days pass and the squibbing of the Siren is finally completed. Rickety holds a ceremony to rechristen the Man's Promise as the Siren. True to his word, Captain Pegsworthy is there with a bottle of Sargavan wine. Stepping up to the keel, he turns to the assembled crew. "Good fortune and sure sail await what one can crack the Tidewater Rock."
With that said, he smashes the bottle against the keel. The chocks are released and the ship slides down into the estuary, completely unrecognizable as the ship that sailed into this harbor a week ago.
Congratulations are passed around to both the teams that worked on the ship as well as her new crew. Captain Pegsworthy offers his own congratulations to Tessa and Harmony even if he does seem overly amused at the prospect of the ship having two captains.
"And I imagine that you'll be heading out of port later today or tomorrow?" he asks meaningfully. "My ship could do with a bit of work as well and the sooner the better, if'n you take m' meaning," he says with a wink.
"We leave on the next tide." Harmony replies, shaking his hand. "Our thanks again for christening our ship Captain. Fair winds to you - hopefully we meet again someday soon!"
As she and Tessa get a little privacy she squeezes her fellow Captains hand and grins. "Our own ship Lacey! Who'd have dreamed it? Pergsworth said something interesting, this Tidewater Rock he mentioned would be a fine vantage point to sail from. Good command of shipping lanes. If we're going to live the pirate life there are far worse places we could do it from."
--------------------------
Val bounces over to her charismatic commander and smiles. ”Hey, cap’n, I never got to say thank you before,” she says taking the other woman’s hand in her own and lightly squeezing it, ”everyone was in danger when the wasps came, but you came and helped me, even though you’ve known everyone else for longer... that really meant a lot to me, so thank you.”
Even though she seems done talking she continues to stand there holding the other woman’s hand awkwardly. She starts to blush and bites her lower lip nervously before finally speaking again. ”So, um, I’m new to the crew and I don’t really know how any of this works yet, so I’m sorry if I’m doing this wrong, but I know that you and Tessa are lovers, but that Tessa also sleeps with Marisan, and, well, I’ve been sleeping with Marisan, but, um... well,” she looks down and the blushing begins to spread to her bountiful cleavage, ”if you’re ever lonely, when Tessa and Marisan are together... I would be glad to show you how much I appreciate you coming to help me...”
"It's nothing." Harmony says, returning the gentle pressure. "I stand by all my crew, no matter how long I've known them. You say how we all went after Azadi. There's no way I could have left you alone."
That last line sounds rather awkward when Val goes on to make her proposition and Harmony very nearly gapes before regaining control and smoothing her face out. "Well... thank you for the offer Valeria. You're kind to make it, but... I er... I don't need to square that particular circle. So thank you, again, but I don't think I'll be taking you up on it. Just umm... keep Marisan happy." She seems about to say something else, but then bites her lip on whatever she planned to say.
there’s something she’s not saying... yeah, she’s interested in other girls, just not you... she’s just trying to be nice to you...
The mortified archer spins around to hide her face. ”I’m sorry to have bothered you, Cap’n... I think I better go...”
She rubs the heel of her hand into her face and sighs. "I've been in love with Tessa for years, almost since we first met. But honestly, I don't know if she likes me that way. Have you met our bosun?" She asks the non-sequitur without a blink. "Sandara and I are together, exclusively, at least for now." She gives a wry grin. "I like redheads, that much is very clear. And you're very pretty too." She adds, "Although I cannot imagine how you do anything with those in the way. I have enough trouble and mine aren't anything like yours! Anyway... I'm not on the market right now. Tessa and Marisan can do whatever they like and I try not to be jealous but..." She tails off. "I'm sorry, dropping all my problems on you like this. You were just trying to be nice-ish." She adds a wink to make the final word bawdy rather than judgmental. "Thank you."
"Vi, I ... Oh," Sandara says as she approaches from behind Harmony. "I mean, uh, Captain Vi. I just had a question." She looks between Valeria and Harmony and a slight frown crosses her face before she banishes it. "But it looks like you're busy right now, so I'll come back ... later."
She takes an awkward step backward before turning to walk away.
"Sandy." Harmony says with a smile. "Don't worry, I was just explaining to our newest crew member who is and isn't available on board." Her slight stress on 'isn't' is tolerably obvious.
Val turns to answer Vi and spots the woman who is very obviously the one her captain was just talking about. The embarrassment is more than she can handle and she turns and runs off towards the workermen’s cottages.
Tessa is practicing her forms and has been running through the routine for thrifty minutes and starting to work up a good sweat when she sees Val dashing off in a hurry. Sheathing Wayfinder, she makes her way over to the woman who clearly looks flustered at something. Wiping away the sweat from her forehead she calls out ”Everything alright there, busty?
Val changes course and runs, still beet red, towards Tessa. "Oh gods, red, I just made the biggest ass of myself," she confesses, grabbing her captain's hand and leading her further away from the scene of her embarrassment.
"Marisan told me about how everyone is sleeping with each other--like you and Cap'n Vi, and you and Marisan, and Cap'n Vi and some girl who looks like you--and she said that if I was interested in someone I should just ask if they wanted to sleep with me..." she rattles out quickly, "so, I went and told Cap'n Vi that if she ever got lonely when you and Marisan were having fun that there'd be an empty place in my bed too and she'd be welcome to it..."
She falls silent for a second and then continues more slowly, "well, she was not interested in that... and she said she didn't think I could do anything with my chest in the way... and then that discount version of you showed up and I couldn't take anymore embarrassment, so I just ran away..."
The slayer looks down in shame and for a moment gets distracted by how red the top of her chest is. When she finally speaks again its to weakly ask, "they weren't in the way, were they... when we were, you know, together? I've never had any complaints before..."
Tessa slings her arm around the slayer and pulls her into her in a chummy gesture, shaking her twice before letting her go. "Awww, yeah. That's pretty terrible, isn't it? Don't you fret no further on that though, those two are both particular and are seemingly perfect for each other."
Looking back to make sure that neither one is close, she continues "I love my Vi, but she's completely infatuated with Sandara right now and there is only room for one red in that bed and it isn't me. So you best you keep your opinions on sleeping with her to yourself for the foreseeable future, hmmm?" She looks Valeria in the eye to make sure she gets it before nodding and moving on.
"And to your other question, no, never. Life's all about working with what you're given, you know? Not too many a lady can be gifted with the likes of your generous servings. Don't you mind whatever she said, I know she didn't intend no harm. Besides," she leans in and whispers "I think she's just jealous."
she is a little possessive about Vi... I don't think Marisan understands what's going on in these relationships at all...
Val sighs and almost smiles just a little bit at the comment about Vi being jealous. "She did compare hers to mine in the same sentence," she answers meekly.
"Tessa..."
don't do this... do you really want to get rejected twice in one minute...
"thank you... for trying to cheer me up... you're a really good captain."
She stops and turns to face the kind redhead. Looking longingly into her eyes she says, "I know we've flirted a little since I joined the crew, and we've talked about you maybe joining Marisan and me sometime soon... but... do you think, maybe, just me and you could go back to your room right now and you could... finish cheering me up. And, maybe I could do something for you? If Vi is only with not-you right now, you must have been sleeping alone this whole week..."
Tessa smirks and winks in response to Val's compliment. "Why thank you, it comes naturally, what can I say?"
Putting her right hand on her hip, she leans into it and raises her brows "My oh my! You're a forward something or another when you aren't cheating at cards, aren't you?" she laughs at her own joke before putting on an obvious frown for show. Her exaggerated pout whines "It's been terrible. I've been cold at night with no one to keep me warm. My Marisan hasn't been around for me to nibble on or anything. Terrible, just terrible."
Thinking back, she adds "I was so desperate I even tried to get Polli to, well, never mind. That ended badly. Where were we? Oh, yes. You were going to buy me dinner and get me some rum so I could come cheer you up, right?"
"our ship" Polli's only words said during the christening, both filled with a kind of disbelieving happiness.
---
---
Knocking on the firstmate's cabin, interrupting something she wise she hadn't, she presents a circlet of bone, silver, and two intertwined sirens "Your captain's gift, Harmony." holding up her hand Polli adds quickly "A simple thank you is plenty. Or nothing at all just as well. Okay, carry on."