Mr. Plugg is the one that wanted it. He got me in the galley after 2 days of no rest, and no food. he offered 100 gold if I won, I was going for that, otherwise I would have let him go.
He takes a breath.
I was wondering if I might be able to get one of my axes back. With the feeling of a storm coming, I just feel a bit more at ease with a good axe to hand.
Dreamer pauses.
No, I don't have plans to use it on anyone.
Yet
Sandara hugs Des overtop her own arms. "You're not okay. C'mere.". The redhead held Des close. "Talk to me. Did something happen? Or just nerves?"
--------------
She accepted the hug and extended her arms to include Sandara as well. It was at least enough to calm her down somewhat. "It was last night... and the locket was opened. It... wouldn't have been as bad if it was just that... but I was held down too."
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Mr. Plugg is the one that wanted it. He got me in the galley after 2 days of no rest, and no food. he offered 100 gold if I won, I was going for that, otherwise I would have let him go.
He takes a breath.
I was wondering if I might be able to get one of my axes back. With the feeling of a storm coming, I just feel a bit more at ease with a good axe to hand.
Dreamer pauses.
No, I don't have plans to use it on anyone.
Yet
Grok hesitated but then nodded, and dug one of his trusty axes out of a chest, handing it over. Right after she did, Mr. Plugg himself stormed in. He held up a large ruby.
"Tell me, mongrel. Do you make a habit of leaving the Captain's goods unsecured? This was stolen from your store, apparently. Or had you not yet noticed?". His gaze shifted to Dreamer, and the axe.
Dreamer thought for a moment Plugg might demand to know whether he paid for it, and was surprised when the first mate spoke. "Give him the rest of what he had when he came aboard."
Grok blanched pale green but did as asked.
-----------------
She accepted the hug and extended her arms to include Sandara as well. It was at least enough to calm her down somewhat. "It was last night... and the locket was opened. It... wouldn't have been as bad if it was just that... but I was held down too."
Sandara held her a few moments more, then drew back, not wishing to attract undue attention. "They won't touch you again."
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
The bell rang signaling the Bloody Hour had come, and an ill wind blew in with it, sea spray from the turbulent waters lending a damp chill to the breeze.
There have been rumors all day of the Captain’s displeasure with something. The officers have been on edge, taking it out on the crew, shouting more and threatening minor mistakes. There is a general air of nervousness as the crew gathers on deck, fearing the hour would be bloody indeed. Tiffer is biting her nails nervously and lingering near Cass. Jack has his arms crossed and seems to be trying to go unnoticed by making himself look small. Even the brash Tilly is frowning as she waits.
Captain Barnabas Harrigan walks onto the upper deck like the stormcloud the overcast day has been heralding. He was always an intimidating man, but each step resounded from the wooden deck, and his expression was without a shred of humor. He let the silence linger for a long while, letting the crew squirm as the boat rises and falls with the waves. Finally, he speaks, his deep voice booming across the deck.
”When a Captain gives an order, the crew follows it. That’s how a ship works. I thought I made it clear a week ago what the consequences are when that doesn’t happen.”
He let his stare slide over each face, but Des was certain he lingered on hers.
”Some of you have done an admirable job, following orders.” His eyes scan the crowd. ”Seadreamer, was it?” He stares at the dwarf. ”Plugg said you were relentless, fighting his pet. Merciless. You may have lost, but you showed ruthlessness. That’s the sort of man I want on this vessel. Do what you’re told. No questions. No flinching. So you’re Plugg’s mate, now. An officer, albeit the lowest ranking one. No more swabbing, you’ll assist Plugg with his duties. The rabble will answer to you as they do the rest of the officers.”
He looks around again. ”There are also those who serve as my eyes and ears on this ship. The ones who bring me information, and alert me when other crewmen are not falling into line. I won’t name you. But know you are valued, and will be rewarded, once we hit the shipping lanes.”
Syl appears seemingly from nowhere, suddenly behind Atia’s left shoulder. ”Nice to feel appreciated…” she whispers very quietly, ominously, right into Atia’s ear.
”Then, there are those apparently unable to follow the simple orders they are given.”
Harrigan snaps his fingers, and suddenly hands are seizing Destinie... and Atia.
Fipps, Tam, and the old harlot take hold of the oracle, and Jape, the big Rahadoumi man, and Syl grab the cook. Both women are dragged forward, and Scourge has slipped around behind Joran to stop him from doing anything foolish, resting his sword beside the big man’s neck, on his shoulder. ”Be a good boy and behave yourself, Shark Bait.”
Harrigan looks at Atia. ”It was brought to my attention that our new cook’s assistant has been taking advantage of her proximity to the store to steal from this crew.” He holds up a large ruby Atia had never seen before. ”Someone reported the theft, and when we checked, we found it in her locker.”
Harrigan lets the words hang in the air for a long moment. Everyone remembers the keelhauling. And what was left of Jake when they pulled him up.
Finally, the inevitable. Captain Harrigan’s gaze settles firmly, immovably, on Destinie. Despite the crowd, he speaks as if they are alone.
”I gave you a chance. You could have had it easy. Even when you balked at what I wanted, I told you what you had to do to stay in my graces anyway. Instead, as I’ve pieced things together, you hatched some little scheme to let yourself be robbed, as if incompetence is any excuse for failure.”
The silence again.
”Throw the cook in the sweat box for a week. She’s a better chef than Kroop and she might survive to feed us again, if she’s lucky. As for the other one...” Harrigan sneered as Des.
”Habbly. Take one of her eyes.”
A gaunt man, one of the officers you've seen around, moves forward with a metal implement.
Atia felt tense when the Bloody Hour began...and it only got worse as the Captain spoke. Seadreamer was promoted - which wasn't bad, although it came as a surprise to her. She felt some remorse at it - she had started to trust the man, and it was hard to continue trusting people who had power over you.
Atia felt herself tensing up even more when the Captain began to speak of informants, and her heart stopped when Syl whispered in her ear. She turned her head ever so slightly, giving Syl the satisfaction of seeing the fear in her eyes right before Syl grabbed her with the others and dragged her towards the Captain.
She tried to glance at Joran, but there was only Syl in her face, grinning her psychotic grin. Harrigan held up the ruby and Atia felt a brief moment of confusion. I don't even use my locker...!? She was about to protest, to beg for her life, to do anything to prove that she hadn't seen the ruby ever before, until he suggested the sweat box.
She didn't want that, either, but at least she wouldn't die.
Syl purred in Atia's ear. "Oooh...crammed into a tiny confined space...exposed to the elements...no food...only enough water to keep you on the cusp of life...this might be even more fun than a keelhauling. I'll be sure to visit., frequently."
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Syl purred in Atia's ear. "Oooh...crammed into a tiny confined space...exposed to the elements...no food...only enough water to keep you on the cusp of life...this might be even more fun than a keelhauling. I'll be sure to visit., frequently."
Atia found enough bravado within her to quietly respond to Syl's barb, even though her voice was shaking. "Gosh, Syl, you'd think that you're playing this game with us because you want me for yourself. You didn't have to go through all this trouble just to let me know how you felt!"
Stanley Scourge, man in love, found Cass that afternoon, an hour or two before the day's end.
"Pretend we ain't talking," he said, making a show of looking over the crew at work and scowling. "I have to apologize, love. Had planned on whisking you away from your drudgery today and making a woman out of you. Worked it out all romantic, even. Cabin would be empty, weren't gonna be no one watching us, and I even make you a pillow."
"But Cap's in a foul mood and been ranting about his crew getting distracted with one another, said he's putting a stop to it. Said he'd be dealing with the problem this evening. Don't want my back getting striped, so we'll have to wait until this blows over. But don't worry.". He smiled at her, several teeth missing. "I won't keep you waiting too long."
Cass takes Scourges advice and simply nods trying to keep her face neutral despite the discussion.
The Bloody Hour
As the evenings events start Cass walks over to Tiffer and places her hand onto her shoulder trying to keep her somewhat settled. "Hey, it'll be okay" she whispers down to her. at the taking of Atia and Des Cass cant help but to rush forward over to Scourge. She starts to sputter starting a demand before thinking better of it Thats what got us into this situation, we need to think to get out not make rash choices that will dig us deeper into the hole.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"Gosh, Syl, you'd think that you're playing this game with us because you want me for yourself. You didn't have to go through all this trouble just to let me know how you felt!"
Syl laughed in her unhinged way and wrenched Atia's arm painfully as the three of them made to drag her towards her punishment.
Cass cant help but to rush forward over to Scourge. She starts to sputter starting a demand before thinking better of it Thats what got us into this situation, we need to think to get out not make rash choices that will dig us deeper into the hole.
Tiffer nodded a took a deep breath, grateful for the reassurance. Scourge didn't notice her movement, keeping a wary eye on Joran. He looked as if he HOPED the man would try something, and give him an excuse.
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Slightly taken aback by Seadreamer's promotion, Wow. Really? 'Dreamer? Well, that's interesting. I did not see that coming.
Joran's eyes then go wide and his heart falls right into the ocean when Atia is sentenced to the sweatbox. Snapping his attention in her direction, he sees Syl and his face goes into fury mode, the desire to pummel her into oblivion being magnificent. He starts to take a step but stops as soon as he feels Scourge's blade upon his neck. His breathing coming rapidly, he closes his eyes and repeats Atia's words once again. "You need to keep your head down, Joran. You need to keep your head down, Joran."
Opening his eyes and with his jaw clenched, Joran is careful not to budge and get his throat cut. "WAIT! Wait! Let me take her place! Think about it, you're not going to get turtle soup without her. Fishguts is pretty much drunk all the time and has only been awake like once the entire time I've been here. We'd all have pretty much starved by now if it wasn't for her." Cutting his eyes toward Scourge, yet, unable to really see him, "Plus, if you put me in there, there's a good chance I could die. It's a two for one. You keep your best cook and I could very well die within the week." Grimacing, he works hard not to move a muscle as Scourge's blade digs in just a bit, drawing a thin line of blood.
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Atia's face goes still at Joran's suggestion. No, no, no. Please don't, Joran. She struggles futilely in the grasp of Scourge's minions, but finds herself able to turn just enough that Joran can see her face.
She looks into his eyes from a distance, searchingly. She felt...odd. A wrenching feeling gripping her chest, making her feel as though she might sob right then and there. She had never felt more vulnerable at that moment, right when she realized that Joran was serious. He was ready and willing to sacrifice himself for her. Nobody she had known in her entire life had been willing to do that; not even family. Especially not family, who would willingly see her burn if it meant preserving the family name. She wasn't sure how to name this feeling that was blossoming in her.
She tries to shake her head "No" at him, to beg him to stay safe, that she would be able to handle it. If only a gesture could convey that much.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Joran cuts his eyes over to Atia and manages to catch sight of her. He wishes he could speak to her, hold her, smile at her, nod, something! Anything! If only he could project his thoughts to her. There's nothing I wouldn't do for you, my angel. I want you to know that.
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Harrigan's eyes narrow at Joran, and shift subtly to Scourge behind him. Scourge takes it as permission to voice his opinion. "Like I told you, Captain. Taken a shine to each other, they have."
Harrigan is quiet a moment, the three crewmen grappling Atia pausing, awaiting his decree.
"Sounds like they both need a reminder that I'm the only one on this ship they should be worried about pleasing. He wants the box, let him have it. Then give her a sound lashing and send her back to the galley."
Scourge jabs the tip of his blade into Joran's back, not cutting deeply, just enough to hurt, steering him towards the box. It was about the size of a large trunk. The inside was stained and reeked...its last occupant was not the first man to die within its confines.
Joran is made to step into the chest, then sink to his knees. He sits on his feet and bends forward, bringing his head towards his knees. Scourge grins, as happy as Joran has ever seen him. "See you in a week, Shark Bait. If you survive." He swings the lid shut over Joran and locks it.
There are air holes in the top of the lid, but Joran's body blocks the light from most of them. He is in the dark, body bent in a way that makes it hard to take a full breath, and he can't move more than a couple inches in any direction. And he is trapped.
The only mercy was he can't see them tying Atia to the mast, or the whipping that follows. Syl shoves Atia's face into the wood, then rips open the back of her shirt. Plugg comes down with his cat-o'-nine-tails and goes to work. The first strike slices into her skin, the metal beads leaving parallel red lines of blood. It hurts more than she thought it would, and after only a few blows, she's hanging limply from the rope, barely conscious, her back a bloody mess.
"Thank you, Atia," Syl whispers in her delerium. "This has been a wonderful day."
The hug was good comfort for what may come next. She decided to take note of Sandara's confidence, but there was a nagging voice in her head telling her that things wouldn't be so easy. It may have been her intuition as an oracle (even one that faked it for much of her life), but there was no guarantee that it would work.
She got her answer come Bloody Hour.
When rough hands grabbed her once again, she did her best to walk under her own power. At the time, her main concern was how others would react. To Sandara she would quickly shake her head as if not to get her to act. If she was going to get out of this, it would be under her own words.
When Harrigan made his verdict, she looked frantically at the object before she stammered... and noticed Joran struggling as well. While breathing rapidly, she thought up a plan. "Y-yes I disobeyed... but w-what you asked me to do would have led me to kill an innocent man... and I couldn't go through with that. Y-you already know what would keep him in line... She glanced over to Atia. "So I accept my punishment, but I only wish that you give the man another chance to the rules. I will see to that myself if you wish it." She ended up kneeing onto the ground.
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Joran's heart breaks more and more at the sound of each lash. Oh how he wished it was him taking that punishment! I failed her anyway. If the barbarian could move one way or the other, he would, but he finds himself stuck in a horrible position as several tears fall. I swear, by the gods I swear, that every single one of them will pay. Scourge, Syl, and the captain. You better hope I die in here, Harrigan, because if I don't, you will pay for what you've done to her. Your day of reckoning is coming. And know that on that day, I'm coming to get YOU. Lightning can clearly be heard in the distance.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Harrigan snorts a laugh. "I don't need people with qualms about killing on my crew. It wasn't about keeping him in line. It was about proving your worth to me. And you've shown how little you have."
"She'll have even less if she's half blind," Sandara says, stepping forward. "You let Joran step in for Atia. Let me take the punishment meant for Destinie." She holds her chin high, defiant.
Harrigan looks incredulous. He shoots his gaze towards Plugg, who is wiping Atia's blood from his hands, having just finished whipping her. "Mr. Plugg. From now on we only pressgang eunuchs. This is getting ridiculous.". He eyes Sandara thoughtfully and shoots Des a calculating look.
"Fine," he tells Sandara curtly, his mood dark. "But it won't be your eye I'm taking. Put her in my cabin.". He did not elaborate. He did not need to.
"Lashes for the blonde?" Plugg asked.
"No. I'm through wasting my time with her. Let her think about what her failure will cost her lover."
Sandara met Des's gaze as Plugg shoved her toward the cabin. "I told you. It will be okay.". Somehow, despite it all, she managed a smile.
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
It was a decent effort, she thought. For a moment there, she thought she would succeed. But there was little swaying the man, and she bowed her head to accept her punishment.
That is until Sandara spoke up in her steed.
She looked back in horror as she accepted the punishment, made even worst by the ambiguity of it all. She stood back up and almost spoke in protest. Yet no words came out this time. Only tears left her eyes as her confidante turned lover disappeared in the cabin.
Her previous words are now a bitter echo. They won't touch you again.
If only she could say the same for the people she cared about.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
During the whipping, Atia was delirious. Nothing else existed except pain: the lashes splitting her delicate skin, the warmth of her blood flowing down her back, the wood of the post she was tied to digging into her face, Syl’s hands holding her in place. Knowing Joran was stuffed into the box, listening to her punishment. By the time the third lash had hit, Atia had stopped screaming, her voice shot. She merely shook with pain, unable to control the sobbing that wracked her body between hits. She hung limply when it was over, her feet weakly scrabbling to hold herself up a little better. A futile effort, especially with her hands bound high above her head.
Syl’s voice, thanking her, sparks just enough fury in her to keep her from passing out immediately. She turns her face just slightly against the post in Syl’s direction and manages a quiet laugh that sounds more like a breathless sob. “My pleasure, Syl,” She retorts, just before her tenuous grasp on consciousness snaps and she passes out.
Miraculously, all of that training that she's received has brought her an interesting conclusion: she actually has a knack for sailing. Throughout the next three days, her work showed some considerable improvement.
Yet throwing herself to her work was the only thing she could do to try and forget about what happened that day. She couldn't bring herself to say anything to Atia given what happened to Joran. Their plan failed, and any accusations drawn at her felt justified. She did try to talk to Joran provided Scourge and his minions weren't around, but that was little comfort either.
And that wasn't even going into what Sandara Quinn had to go through. The second day was especially bad as it effected her so bad she went straight to bed. Her dreams didn't give her much comfort either. Either it was blame directed at her by Atia and Joran or imagining all sorts of torture Sandy would be subjected to.
Work and comfort from her remaining allies was the only thing that helped her get through the days.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Whipsawed by both the promotion, and the casual brutality again, Seadreamer still remains in a bit of shock.
He takes a bit of time, to gain his equilibrium.
Must act like the others are not worth it; but I need to make time to talk to them.
After the bloody hour, he quietly gets his gear, and takes it to officer country
If Atia is not cut down when he returns to the deck, he then gets a couple of deckhands to take her down and to the surgeon.
He wanders over to the box, looking around to see if anyone is around.
Buck up lad, there is good in today. I am closer to being able to plant an axe in the back of certain officers. I will do what I can to see about getting you some food and water.
He then walks aft towards the quarterdeck, looking for plugg.
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Dreamer sees Atia still dangling, unconscious, from the mast. He gets Tilly and Samms to cut her down and carry her to where she can be treated. As the ship's surgeon was the one about to remove Des's eye, however, they take her to the galley instead.
Grok manages to wake Kroop from his stupor and he sobers up quickly when he sees Atia lying facedown on a table. "Tilda, what did they do to you?" he wails, still turned about by the drink, using the wrong name. He managed to put together a poultice and cleaned her wounds, packing the slashes with the salve to keep away infection. With Tilly and Samms' help, he made her a comfortable spot on the floor where she could lie facedown until she came to, draping a light blanket over the torn back of the shirt that wouldn't hurt her too much when she woke.
-------------------------
Syl, to the surprise of no one, has taken it upon herself to sit atop Joran's box. She smiles at Dreamer as he approaches. "Why hello there sir. Lovely evening, isn't it?" she giggled. "I was just describing to Joran hear how Atia looked like she might not pull through. Plugg was absolutely vicious with her, wasn't he?
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
After overcoming the initial shock, Destinie made her way over to the gallery where she gently placed both hands on Atia's back. With a small whisper, her eyes went white and her hands glowed with healing magic.
It took a couple bursts of magic, but it was enough to bring her up to full health.
Seeing Syl there, Dreamer responds to her, completely throwing his thoughts of talking to Joran quietly out the porthole.
Aye, it was a day like many others, he had to be rough otherwise the capt'n would have looked weak.
He pauses for a moment near Jorans box.
I guess this man will have to suffer a bit afore he can be trusted out
I still got to figure out how to get word to Joran that I am still going to assist even if I am now an officer.
He then continues to walk looking for Mr. Plugg.
I guess I had better find out what my duties are going to be
Dreamer found Plugg in the officers' quarters, along with the rest of that lot. They were eating Atia's stew, which didn't seem right to Dreamer, all things considered.
"Came out good today," Scourge said with a grin. "But then, everything tastes better when you're in a good mood, eh?" he laughed.
Plugg saw Dreamer enter and just watched him, and several of the others in the room followed suit, going quiet. Waiting, watching.
After overcoming the initial shock, Destinie made her way over to the gallery where she gently placed both hands on Atia's back. With a small whisper, her eyes went white and her hands glowed with healing magic.
It took a couple bursts of magic, but it was enough to bring her up to full health.
With enough magic flowing through her to restore her health, Atia's eyes briefly flutter open, but she doesn't move from her position. "Thank you, Destinie," she says, quietly.
With enough magic flowing through her to restore her health, Atia's eyes briefly flutter open, but she doesn't move from her position. "Thank you, Destinie," she says, quietly.
At that point, the oracle's eyes were welling with tears as she spoke softly. "I'm so sorry about Joran."
Dreamer found Plugg in the officers' quarters, along with the rest of that lot. They were eating Atia's stew, which didn't seem right to Dreamer, all things considered.
"Came out good today," Scourge said with a grin. "But then, everything tastes better when you're in a good mood, eh?" he laughed.
Plugg saw Dreamer enter and just watched him, and several of the others in the room followed suit, going quiet. Waiting, watching.
Dreamer picks up his plate and ladles himself a full plate, he then sits down at the end of the table.
Trying to figure out my duties, I guess I will be shadowing Mr. Plugg for the next few days
He then takes a bite.
At that point, the oracle's eyes were welling with tears as she spoke softly. "I'm so sorry about Joran."
Atia drags herself upright with a grunt, holding her ripped tunic over her front, and stares at Destinie. "Joran will make it through. He's strong." Her confidence in him is genuine, albeit tinged with worry. "F*~%ingn Syl. I don't even use my locker. and I'd never do that to Grok." She mutters to no one in particular. She takes a deep breath and lets go of the tunic, covering her face with both hands. "What ended up happening with you, Des?" She finally asks, uncovering her face and resting her arms in her lap.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Syl, to the surprise of no one, has taken it upon herself to sit atop Joran's box. She smiles at Dreamer as he approaches. "Why hello there sir. Lovely evening, isn't it?" she giggled. "I was just describing to Joran hear how Atia looked like she might not pull through. Plugg was absolutely vicious with her, wasn't he?
Hearing the psycho above, Joran listens in on the conversation between her and SeaDreamer. Well that didn't sound too good. 'Dreamer has got to be just playing the part. He hates the lot of them! It doesn't make sense otherwise. Unless he's falling in with them. Thinking on that a moment, he eventually shakes his head. No. I'm not gonna believe it. Not a chance. Not 'Dreamer. I've got to trust him. I need him to take care of Atia for me. Somebody has to take care of her while I'm stuck in this box and he's all I got. Please come back, 'Dreamer.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Hey, Syl, since you've got nobody else to set up, and I know it was you, what are you gonna do now? Just sit up there or lean or whatever it is your doing and mock me? Sounds boring. Well, why you're doing that, I've got another question for you to think on. Are you sad, Syl?"
She was shocked at the lack of anger from Atia's voice. Calming herself down, she sniff as she gave an answer.
"I was getting my eye taken out... but Sandy offered instead. And now she's in the captain's room subjected to gods knows what."
She huffed deeply... and decided there wasn't much point in hiding it. "I guess both of us ended up falling for headstrong people."
She was shocked at the lack of anger from Atia's voice. Calming herself down, she sniff as she gave an answer.
"I was getting my eye taken out... but Sandy offered instead. And now she's in the captain's room subjected to gods knows what."
She huffed deeply... and decided there wasn't much point in hiding it. "I guess both of us ended up falling for headstrong people."
Atia nods slowly, feeling as though she has a pretty good idea of what Sandara is being subjected to. She's sure Destinie does as well, and decides not to voice it to spare the oracle's feelings. "Headstrong is one way to put it." Atia sits up straight, awkwardly feeling around on her back at where the wounds are, the remnants of poultices still stuck to her. She knocked some of it off, contorting to clean her back a little bit. There would be scarring, but much of it had knit shut. "I am taking it as a lesson. I need to be strong enough not to need saving. So my weakness doesn't put anyone else in danger again." She sets her face in a serious, grim expression and stares off at the ground for a moment, lost in thought.
After a moment, she says, "I could really use a new shirt." She peels her tunic off, uncaring of who is watching, and considers it. "Or I can just tie it around me like a scarf." Atia snorts at the mental image and shakes her head. Maybe not...
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Atia nods slowly, feeling as though she has a pretty good idea of what Sandara is being subjected to. She's sure Destinie does as well, and decides not to voice it to spare the oracle's feelings. "Headstrong is one way to put it." Atia sits up straight, awkwardly feeling around on her back at where the wounds are, the remnants of poultices still stuck to her. She knocked some of it off, contorting to clean her back a little bit. There would be scarring, but much of it had knit shut. "I am taking it as a lesson. I need to be strong enough not to need saving; so my weakness doesn't put anyone else in danger again." She sets her face in a serious, grim expression and stares off at the ground for a moment, lost in thought.
After a moment, she says, "I could really use a new shirt." She peels her tunic off, uncaring of who is watching, and considers it. "Or I can just tie it around me like a scarf." Atia snorts at the mental image and shakes her head. Maybe not...
Destinie sat next to the wizard before replying. We need to stick together. It's not like either of us can throw punches any time soon." She checked out either of their muscles.
"I think the Captain wad trying to drive us apart. I figured you would hate me whether I poisoned him or he ended up dying. Now he's trying to do the same with Seadreamer. At least with him I don't think the dwarf's interested in joining at least."
Looking down at the torn shirt, she winced. "Maybe Grok has something you can use to replace that. But at least you'll get a clean set of clothing."
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Destinie sat next to the wizard before replying. We need to stick together. It's not like either of us can throw punches any time soon." She checked out either of their muscles.
"I think the Captain wad trying to drive us apart. I figured you would hate me whether I poisoned him or he ended up dying. Now he's trying to do the same with Seadreamer. At least with him I don't think the dwarf's interested in joining at least."
Looking down at the torn shirt, she winced. "Maybe Grok has something you can use to replace that. But at least you'll get a clean set of clothing."
Atia looks very seriously at the woman, sizing her up. "Physical strength isn't the only way to be strong." She summons corrosive energy into the palm of her hands, the green light casting odd shadows across her face. After a moment, she lets it dissipate, flicking her wrists to "shake" the last of it off.
"A united crew under a ruler who relies on fear to control is a dangerous thing. He's worried, and rightfully so. This will give people another banner to rally under against him. Cheliax has learned that lesson before, as a nation." She glances at Destinie and stands up, stretching herself out gently and looking to see if Grok is around.
"If you had poisoned him, I would have killed you." She says, matter-of-factly, in response to Destinie's worry. "This wasn't your fault, though. Syl spotted a weakness and exploited it. She caught Joran and I kissing a while back. She's got some kind of personal vendetta. For what reason, I'm not sure."
She smiles at Destinie, crossing her arms over her chest to keep the remnants of the tunic up. "We'll see what happens with 'Dreamer. He's been a good enough man so far. Power changes people, though."
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Destinie tilted her head in thought. "He did say he had plans in the future. Yet that could be anything at this point," she shrugged.
When she mentioned Syl, she considered. "That psycho seems like thectype to be obsessed with someone," she shook her head.
With that, she stood up. "Let's get you some new clothes. You need any help getting there?"
Atia smiles at Des again, genuinely thankful for the woman's offer. "I think I've got it, but thank you. Grok's just right next door. After I get another shirt, we should find Cass and see how she's handling Scourge. She's in a scary situation with that man. Those love potions are not just...silly little fairy tale things. They make people scary." She winces a little, her muscles aching from the exertion of enduring the whipping. The healing helped, but it doesn't fix everything, nor did Atia expect it to. She looks around in the galley and the Quartermaster's Store to find Grok and beg a shirt from her and fill her in about Syl and the love potion situation.
Dreamer picks up his plate and ladles himself a full plate, he then sits down at the end of the table. Trying to figure out my duties, I guess I will be shadowing Mr. Plugg for the next few days He then takes a bite.
Plugg studied him a moment more. "Your duties are whatever I need them to be. Relaying orders, doling out discipline, leading shore parties, and the like. Our voyage thus far has been uneventful, yes. But this is a pirate vessel. And there will be plenty to do in the heat of battle."
Whereas Scourge was a firebrand, and wore his hatred on his sleeve, Plugg was more calculating and rarely got riled up. Dreamer pegged him as the more dangerous of the two by far.
"Hey, Syl, since you've got nobody else to set up, and I know it was you, what are you gonna do now? Just sit up there or lean or whatever it is your doing and mock me? Sounds boring. Well, why you're doing that, I've got another question for you to think on. Are you sad, Syl?"
"Oh good try, Joran. You're putting on such a brave face. Most men would already be feeling it. The helplessness. Claustrophobia. Feeling like you're suffocating, never able to take a full breathe bent on half like you are. But not you, right, Joran? I'm sure you'll be just fine in there." She giggled. "I'm not just here to mock you. I'm here to guard you. I know your little friends are going to come by. Try to sneak you food, or cheer you up. We can't have that. That would be cheating."
She looks around in the galley and the Quartermaster's Store to find Grok and beg a shirt from her and fill her in about Syl and the love potion situation.
Grok seems to have suffered some unofficial punishment of her own for 'allowing' the ruby to be stolen. One eye is swollen shut , and a tusk is missing its tip. She sighs with relief to see Atia and Des enter.
"You're both okay. Thank goodness. I was told I'm not to leave this room for the rest of the night, and I didn't see what happened above, but Kroop told he it was bad." She takes in the state of Atia's shredded, bloodied tunic. "Let's get you something to wear, hmm?" She brought out a selection of simple attire.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
She looks around in the galley and the Quartermaster's Store to find Grok and beg a shirt from her and fill her in about Syl and the love potion situation.Grok seems to have suffered some unofficial punishment of her own for 'allowing' the ruby to be stolen. One eye is swollen shut , and a tusk is missing its tip. She sighs with relief to see Atia and Des enter....
Atia sighs and inspects the orcish woman's face. "I was not okay. I'm trying not to think about it. And Joran is locked in the sweat box instead of me." She looked grim, frowning. "I'm so sorry you were collateral damage, Grok. Syl stole the love potion, and I'm betting she also stole that ruby. I don't even use my locker here. Scourge is under the influence of the potion."
Atia picks out just a plain black tunic...and if Grok is amenable, she'd trade in her current light-colored pants for a darker pair.
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Grok frowned at the news. "Prince Beefcake got the box? Well if anyone can tough it out it'd be him. Still." She shook her head ruefully.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"Oh good try, Joran. You're putting on such a brave face. Most men would already be feeling it. The helplessness. Claustrophobia. Feeling like you're suffocating, never able to take a full breathe bent on half like you are. But not you, right, Joran? I'm sure you'll be just fine in there." She giggled. "I'm not just here to mock you. I'm here to guard you. I know your little friends are going to come by. Try to sneak you food, or cheer you up. We can't have that. That would be cheating."
The barbarian manages to lightly chuckle. "That's rich coming from you, Syl. 'Cheating'. I guess you'd know a thing or two about that wouldn't you?" he asks rhetorically. "You know what I still can't figure out, Syl, is what's in it for you? Do you get something out of this? Like, anything? And you were pretty mad when I didn't take that potion. Why? What is it about us that's got you so pissed off? Are you... jealous?"
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
-- Grok, Quartermaster's Store --
"He will survive. He has to," She says in a flat voice, crossing her arms over her chest. "He volunteered to take my place, the idiot," She says the last bit affectionately, a small smile flashing across her face. "Alright. I will be back later, Grok."
Atia looks to Destinie and frowns. "You go find Cass. I'll catch up to you. I'm going to see how difficult it's going to be to see Joran."
---
Atia quietly moves up to the deck, hoping her black clothes helps her blend into the darkness...but they don't.
Atia is unaware of her lack of stealth and approaches Syl and Joran, stepping quietly. She expected he would be guarded, but not necessarily by Syl. Figures, she thinks, rolling her eyes.
"Syl." She says in greeting, stopping and crossing her arms over her chest, regarding the other woman with a blank stare.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"Oh, Joran. Of course I get something out of it. I get to watch your happiness fall apart. It's nothing personal, you understand. Really, it's your fault for being happy in the first place. I was mad about the potion because Scourge is an IDIOT and I went to a lot of trouble making sure it got to you. Ohhhh the look in her eyes would have been so perfect when she realized she'd lost you forever. I'll have to find time to gut Scourge for taking that away from me." At his last comment she laughed, a long bubbly sound that might have been pretty on anyone else. Was she laughing a little too hard? Joran sensed she might be. "Jealous? Of WHAT. You're both fools. Weak, stupid fools. Look at where you are right now. All thanks to feelings."
Atia walks up and Syl frowns dangerously. "Up and about already? I'll have to tell Plugg to hit harder from now on. Go away. No visitors."
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Hearing a very familiar voice, the barbarian smiles, and a sense of peace washes over him. Atia! It is so nice to hear her voice. Stab her in the heart, darlin'! In the heart! No, wait! Go for the eyes! The eyes! I'd love to see that. Syl screaming and flailing because she could no longer see. Oh yeah, good times.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Atia walks up and Syl frowns dangerously. "Up and about already? I'll have to tell Plugg to hit harder from now on. Go away. No visitors."
"You let him know, then. If that helps you." She smiles at Syl, shrugging. Now that she knew Syl was here, she had a million things she wanted to yell at her, to find out from her, but. It all sounded ridiculous when she considered saying it out loud, and Syl already had enough power over her. She simply sighed and tucked some loose hairs behind her ears.
"There really is no escaping you, is there? Now that I know you're here, though, I'm more interested in you." She laughs a little bit, arms still crossed, and regards the other woman carefully.
"No offense, Joran." She adds on, speaking to the box full of pirate boyfriend.
"Is that right?" Syl asked sweetly. "Hear that, Joran? Maybe I tried to drug the wrong partner."
"As much as I may also love women, Syl, I think you're a little too intense for me." She snorts. "So, did this satisfy you?" Atia gestures widely at Joran, towards the mast. "Whatever you're apparently starving for, have you gotten your fill?" She shakes her head, shifting her weight from one foot to the other. "I'm going to guess the answer is 'no,' but I'm hoping for something a little less...predictable."
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"I'm getting very tired of you two talking about me. It's rude."
Syl struck like a viper, her hands shooting to Atia's throat and squeezing hard. "Listen closely, Joran. That's the sound of your love gasping for breath. Isn't it beautiful?"
Her face drew close, nose an inch from Atia's. "All I have to do is hang on. Watch the light fade from your eyes. Listen to his wail as your body hits the deck. I'd be keelhauled for it. Probably. But I'm not afraid to die. Are you?"
She held on for a long moment more, and Joran could hear Atia struggling, helpless to save her. Just when the edges of Atia's vision began to blur, Syl threw her away, hard, making her stumble.
"Go away. No visitors." she repeated, suddenly relaxed, casual. She climbed back on top of Joran's box, reclining comfortably, swinging one leg off the side.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Atia straightens out, gasping to catch her breath again, and grins at Syl, rubbing her neck to soothe the lingering pain of the woman's vice-like grip. "Always a pleasure, Syl," She rasps - the combination of getting choked on top of all the screaming from earlier catching up with her. "Glad to see you defying expectations."
Atia leaves, keeping her pace steady as she goes back into the holds under the deck. As soon as she's out of Syl's sight, she takes a moment to lean against the wall, rubbing the pain in her neck again and cursing slightly under her breath. Ugh, it's going to be so hard to try to talk to him. Please hang on in there, Joran.
After a moment, she goes to find Destinie and Cass for one last chat before sleep, utterly exhausted from the day's events.
Next Day - Fast Forwarding in Day 1
During the day, Atia will spend the morning studying her spellbook & letting Kroop handle the hardtack.
She’ll also work on engaging with Kroop to win him over a little bit more, as well.
1st level: Air bubble, mage armor, burning disarm, summon monster I
At night, Atia will be happy to talk to any of the rest of the party while keeping an eye out for the right opening to go talk to Joran on the deck.
After the events of the evening Cass kept close to Tiffer wanting to avoid being alone. She went downstairs to the galley and started shuffling her deck to give her some sense of ease. head on a swivel.
Atia spends the next couple of days trying very hard not to think of how miserable Joran must be. She gets Kroop to pen up a bit, learning that Tilda was his daughter, and the apple of his eye. She can tell something bad happened to the girl, but he doesn't like to talk about it. "She's in a better place, eh? Let's you just worry about you and keeping out of trouble."
Joran is learning the true meaning of torture. The first evening wasn't so bad...except it was nearly impossible to sleep. His back was agony by the next day, his toes numb, knees bruised. He was lightheaded from shallow breathing, and when the sun came out, the box truly earned its moniker. It was hot inside, and he was sweating far more than they let him drink. And Syl. She wouldn't stop talking. Taunting. His mind was fraying along with his body.
Even Syl had to sleep eventually. Atia worried she’d not be quiet enough to sneak him food herself, and Tilly volunteered. ”I’m pretty good at being where I shouldn’t and not getting caught for it.” She traced her finger along her scar. ”Usually.” They couldn’t risk much, but a few broken bits of hard tack through the holes made their way to him.
Des couldn’t help but think about what Sandara was going through. If the Captain had killed her, surely the body wouldn’t be left in his cabin. But what was he doing to her? Every minute the thought plagued her as she went through the motions.
Cass grew closer with Tiffer and Jack, all of them equally jumpy. Tiffer helped her keep an eye out for Scourge, Jack running interference and making distractions, and they did their best to lay low.
Dreamer got a taste of officer life, and wasn’t terribly thrilled by it. Plugg repeatedly sent him to bully crew members, and he had to walk a careful line of avoiding his own punishment without letting himself become one of them.
On the eve of the third day, the weather took a turn for the worse. This was no overcast sky. There was little doubt a storm was brewing. And when the call of “All hands on deck!” was made, just after dinner, you all realized it would be a bad one.