Capture the wild things and bring them in line

[lavendarseagreen]

Zohra Fadel: Chain of the Raider's Revenge

intro. threads. visage

Ishani Darcy: Former pirate now server at the Devil's Cask

intro. threads. visage

[firestne]

the chest the harbinger has found was already safe within the strong ship, vidar came back to see if perhaps the key was still within reach, he doubted it but he had to check either way. he wanted to be surprised of seeing zohra there but he wasn't, she was in the raider's revenge after all.

she used to be on the harbinger and left it so easily, it was long since he gave it no mind. it made him learn hard lessons, even after years of being captain. "the raiders are no better." he said quietly, lightning up a cigar. and watching the smoke go up into the night sky.

[lavendarseagreen]

Zohra's head snapped to the side to glare at her former captain. "Neither are you" the lying cheat just said one thing and lit that damn cigar.

She tried to ignore Vidar, staring hard at the water instead. Zohra knew he was not one to start a conversation. They would simply just have to sit in silence until one of them broke.

"I thought I told you I never want to see your hideous face ever again last time we met" Zohra growled lowly to her former captain. The Chain refused to move, or to let go of the rumor she believed to be true. She trusted the Raider's Captain to be more truthful than Vidar. There was no way Zohra would tell anyone about the treasure she found, much less someone she loathed.

[cursedsails]

tom was still getting used to the sea air. it had been a few months, but after so many years of the soft and green rolling hills in the countryside of england, it was quite the culture shock. it was no longer a rooster's call that woke him in the morning, instead the squawk of a large sea bird or indeed, the commotion of the town that seemed to never rest. but still, he was grateful for the salt in his lungs. at least he was still breathing.

strolling down the dock to peruse the endless horizon, a masterpiece of god's handiwork, thomas didn't think much of approaching the woman already standing there. his community had been so strong back home that he was foolish enough to think that perhaps he could create the same sense here. "be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions." he mused as he looked up at the sky, uttering the bible verse as second nature. "please be assured, i do not come to watch you. i am watching that." he pointed at a flock of birds circling over some of the wreckage. "do you know what they are?" he was very keen to learn about all of god's creations.

[lavendarseagreen]

Zohra almost burst into laughter at the priest's words. "You are in the wrong place in the Atlantic to say something like that" What business does a kind priest have in Tortuga anyway?

Zohra's eyes followed to the flock of birds. "Pelicans, probably" The odd trilling croak sound gave the animal away. The pirate went back to watching the cargo. She had no interest in birds, and was too focused on scouting her part for the Raider's Revenge. Time was valuable, and she had to find out what the key was for. What if the other crews caught word of their treasure? The Revenge was not the fasted ship out there. "Are you just going to lecture me more or are you going to leave me to my activites?" In the back of her mind, Zohra knew she probably should not speak so impolitely to a priest, but she also did not give a shit about religion in the first place.

[malleythekeen]

malley bared her teeth and hissed, her back arching instinctually at the threat. Just when she was about to draw her cutlass, she realized this was the cask’s employee, and well… drink sort of was their jurisdiction, wasn’t it?

“fine.” She decided. “Drink’s yours. I want to explore the rest of the ship.” Nobody could begrudge her that. Maybe she’d see a crown coward’s body.

[lavendarseagreen]

Ishani smiled when Malley backed off. "I was not expecting a pirate to back down so quickly" She was a bit bewildered. How long had she been gone from the sea?

She struggled to get a hold of the barrel, being a bit heavier than usual. With how long the rum was floating, would she even be able to serve something like this?

Of course, whatever money she made would still technically turn a profit. "Lousy stupid barrel" She murmured as she lifted it and looked across the beach for more, before giving in. "I may need help moving this"

[starsashore]

Krish grinned. His crew had found a map. A map of Tortuga, as if they didn't have an assortment of those already. Though he had to admit that while its shores held little secrets to him anymore, he hadn't adventured all of the land yet. He figured there had to be more, something to offer a hint as to what on the map was of great importance. He was not a mapmaker, however, nor someone who used them much. He sailed by the stars, like his mentors had once taught him.

"Alas, that's old news, and has already been done and dealt with. It is much more interesting to know what others discovered in its hold than to rejoice what was found washed up on shore."

He crossed his arms, looked off into the ocean, stared at the great husk of the ship. "Or to speculate with another about what could've possibly outdown such a great ship, so close to harbour. Perhaps the Revenge has some insights?"

[lavendarseagreen]

Zohra let the thoughts of the key flow through her mind as Krish spoke. She was still a new comer on the Raider's Revenge, so much of the information some of the other crew found never made it her way.

Especially if RIka had the information in hand.

"Hm". Zohra acknowledged Krish with a sound. One thing she knew, the Raider's Revenge did not have a hand in sinking the ship. "We are in the same darkness as your crew" She shifted to face Krish head on. "Unless Storm's Eye has information?"

[piratedgrit]

"That's pirates for you." Amusement gleamed in her direction, there and ready for her to see when she cast a glance his way. "Sunken ships usually mean treasure." At least that was a rather general consensus.

While Erik did his part for his ship he wasn't apart of the madness for a reason. A feeding frenzy was never his style. Which meant he'd go about things a different way. Raiding may have been in his bloodline, there were just smarter, more strategic means to go about it.

"Really?" Brow raised, playful challenge colored his tone. "Your toes are practically curled over the dock's edge and there's a hunger in your gaze yet you're playing at being better than all of them." His arm did a sweep of the scene ahead and all around.

"I'm only curious what's stopping you." The guess was that there was caution to not play her hand. Especially given that eyes were always watching. Hence his presence now.

[lavendarseagreen]

Zohra considered herself above other pirates and above the others on the Raider's Revenge. In fact, her strategies may serve well on other ships that were not as rambunctious.

But, she felt like everyone should have a fair fight when it came to the treasure washing up. "I would find what I consider valuable far too quickly" Zohra's voice was elegant and arrogant. "I am looking for something specific" The more she thought the more she was worried that whoever had the key was an enemy to the Raider's.

She passively watched the loads go back and fourth, before looking at Erik again after a few moments "You hardly seem to be biting at the bit, since you stopped to talk" Zohra crossed her arms "Why? Do you have information on what has washed up?"

[stcrboard]

“that sounds more familiar," jo mused, with a slight nod of her head, a knowing look passing over her features. there were plenty who came through the gull who seemed to forget how to function the moment there wasn't someone behind the counter to tend to their every whim, “though i seem to find they become considerably less helpless when they're told no."

“hm.” her attention returned to the selection, one finger tapping inquisitively against her chin. she moved, her hand now hovering over one of the less offensive looking blocks before she gestured toward it, "this one, perhaps? cheap enough to feed a room full of drunks without wasting anything decent on people who won't remember eating it." she glanced back toward ishani, “how many are you feeding?"

[lavendarseagreen]

Ishani mentally calculated in her head how many more patrons may come through the Cask's doors. There was always a rush, but some days had more than others.

"It depends" Ishani said with exasperation. "Is it a full moon tonight?" She chuckled at her own joke linking the craziness of the Devil's Cask to moon phases.

She checked to see what the block was. Cheddar, but the orange was obviously enhanced by dye. "The block should be enough, aye" Ishani smiled to the store keep.

[searos3]

they share in a small, secret smile. there is much that maya knows of keeping secrets; holding them tight to their chest with spindly fingers, long and versed in the throwing of blades, the climbing of towers — it is a talent which they have long survived upon. that, and their wits. “as am i. perhaps too well versed.” they offer a smile kinder than most upon the lips of a pirate, but maya has never quite felt the most cut throat of their kind. they glance around, dark eyes darting and quick, forever observing even here, upon land. “i used to be quite lonely,” they admit with a shrug of their slight shoulders. they treasure the family made upon the sea, but maya will forever hold onto the childhood self, who was so lost and afraid. “and the church was my sanctuary back then, so i come back when i can.” it is a simple skirting of the truth, that maya holds onto so much guilt that they may choke on it. “what brings you here?”

[lavendarseagreen]

Ishani shrugged at Maya's question. The verse in her head swam from devotion. While her husband was a devout man, Ishani could take it or leave it.

"Perhaps I may also be here for safety" It was a pleasant way to get away from her job and her family without anyone questioning it. Going to the church was also a good way to get to know visiting pirates. "Its quiet, a good place to rest the mind"

[stexdfxsthexrt]

a cipher without an answer was something which was sure to drive khalid mad. a puzzle with no resolution was not something he could abide by. it was why he had gone down to deserters dock. he hoped that something may help him find a solution.

he couldn't quite believe how mad the shipwreck would make people. the dock was busier than he'd intended and khalid simply stood and watched. he was intrigued to see the pattern of people - to see what they would do for a little bit of something interesting.

" it's hardly a surprise, is it? " khalid commented. his voice was steady. he didn't want to reveal his cards too early. he didn't wish for anyone to know how he looked down upon the people who were scrambling like little ants for something interesting. " watching you? i believe i was watching them. "

[lavendarseagreen]

Zohra gave Khalid a side-eye. She did not truly believe the other pirate was watching the cargo as much as she was. The young pirate was from the Widow's Wake, and she decided Khalid was just as much as a coward as the others aboard.

He was probably waiting for her to do the difficult part of stealing.

"For the same reason as I am I suppose" Whatever the key went to, it could have a connection to the other artifacts that washed upon shore as well.

She bent and rested her head on her hands, ignoring the itch to start a fight with Khalid. "There are other parts of the dock to watch the shipments." Zohra allowed one more glance "Preferrably with the rest of your weakling crew"

[lavendarseagreen]

Who: for @stcrboard, @etherealgraced, @fals3colors, @malleythekeen Where: The shore, shortly after the wreck

Ishani had ran to the beach the second she heard that free rum was washing ashore. She may not have been a pirate anymore, but still cheered when she heard of the Charter ship's wreck. Nobody had enough power to outsmart mother nature, not even the most powerful of companies.

Ishani bent over and attempted to carry the unclaimed rum. The Cask would certainly make a profit serving alcohol without needing to purchase any!

And if Adeola objected, then Ishani would take the liberty to enjoy it all to herself.

She lifted her head as she sensed someone approach. Townsfolk? Pirate? She did not care. "Back off I saw it first!" She yelled, her old pirate instincts kicking in. "You will have to fight me for it"

[pearlkiiss]

“who says i'm looking at you.” he huffed, giving her a side glance. he raised an eyebrow at her before looking outward toward the sea. his gaze settled on the wreckage. unlike most pirates he knew, endless riches wasn’t necessarily why he was in the pirating game. he had never been particularly interested in chasing some grand fortune simply for the sake of being wealthy. still he was a pirate. not only that, but the letter in cipher the oathbreaker crew had found proved to be somewhat interesting. whatever the damn thing meant, winston couldn't say but he knew enough to recognise that something like a letter in code was unlikely to be meaningless. there had to be something worth finding and if that something happened to come with a decent payday at the end of it, well… he certainly wasn't going to complain.

winston let out a small snort, “i’m more interested in the free booze that seems to be popping up, seems worth going mad over.” he shrugged, a glint in his eye. gold was one thing, mysterious letters were another but free rum? now that was something winston could get behind.

[lavendarseagreen]

Zohra rolled her eyes. Booze and alcohol. Half the time, Zohra questioned her own choices of becoming a pirate and sailing with people like Winston.

She gave her dockside companion a sideways glance. "You do not find the wreck at all strange?" Zohra was suspicious and a bit paranoid with the Revenge's new found treasure. It was a key, but a key to what?

Unless it was specifically a key to the dungeons Zohra could not care less to what it went to. "The rum left behind was not even that good" She murmured. All too salty and flat from being left out on the sea.

[lavendarseagreen]

Where: Deserter's Dock Who: open to everyone

Zohra calmly walked along the docks, watching the cargo unload. Her ship had found a key, but no lock to go with it.

The Chain was not pleased at the idea of talking to other pirates. In fact, she was tempted to swim out to the wreckage herself in the dangerous currents just to see if the key fit anywhere there!

She lingered on the edge of the dock, watching patiently. If she came later, how difficult would it be to swipe one of those crates?

A shadow approached on the edge of her vision. "Everyone seems to be going mad over the salvage that washed up" Zohra said, glancing sideways at her guest. "There are much better activities to do with that rather than watch me"

[firestne]

vidar raised an eyebrow at the mention of the gallows but realized that the other woman was probably joking. probably. because if she was in the gallows, it's likely she wouldn't be back serving in this inn. he nodded respectfully as she went to refill his beer.

once she came back with the beer. "thanks." he said, just so she won't excuse him of being impolite again. "why the gallows?" he asked anyway, out of curiosity.

[lavendarseagreen]

Ishani set the beer down on the table and leaned on her hand. "My explanation depends on your time" Many of the patrons had places to be and no need to hear about a retired pirate's sorrows. "But if you must know...." Ishani trailed off.

She shifted her weight to her elbow for more stability. "I made a few mistakes that I regret." Ishani shrugged nonchalantly. The noise of the Devil's Cask floated around her ears. Not many, save her former crew, knew about Ishani's past, but surely nobody would hear her story besides Vidar. "I was given a choice between the noose or giving up my life of piracy and marrying an officer" She met his eyes with a mix of sorrow and longing. "And I wanted to live, nothing more than that". Ishani slammed her palm on the table and pushed herself back up. Best not to dwell on sad subjects too long. "Is there anything else you need? I have other thirsty customers"

[stexdfxsthexrt]

adeola was bored. and when she was bored, that was when the bad thoughts came back to her. the look of her son in her arms, her husband after he had died ... images she had never properly been able to shake. it didn't do to dwell and yet that was all that she had ever been able to do.

that was what found her idling in the shambles. she hoped that something would distract her before the evening rush at the tavern. luckily for her, that was when she heard ishanis voice.

" you could do that. " adeola mused, a conspiratorial smile on her face as she looked to the other, " or you can come back to the cask with me and we can stowaway with a drink for a little while. " she raised an eyebrow, " they've survived without you this long. they could last a little while longer. "

[lavendarseagreen]

Ishani straightened her back for a moment when she saw her boss approach. Those old instincts of sailing under a captain kicking in before she relaxed. Nothing bad would happen to her now. She was safe, albeit very bored.

"What a marvelous idea" Ishani returned Adeola's conspiratorial smile. "But I am fearing tonight may be extra rowdy" Maybe it was the tides, maybe it was the moon, but Ishani had noticed a uptick in unruly customers. Then again, would anybody really notice if they stowed in the back for a moment? "We should not leave Patrik out of this"

[cursedsails]

"do you really think the uniforms you see in this port, and in my house, are the same as those who hunt on the sea for your kind?" a mischievous grin spread across his lips and a chuckle escaped him. "turncoats are everywhere, darling. it's me you should trust." her choice alone, but he always made sure it was the favourable option. as she stepped closer his eyes darkened slightly, grin turning coy. "do my sirens relax you? what do you ask of them?" he liked to know what is was that others turned to for pleasure, a fascination of his own. of course the answer was hers to give, but he still enjoyed asking.

[lavendarseagreen]

"I highly doubt turncoats are that abundant" Zohra was slowly feeling her rage at the sailors subside. They did not seem to recognize her in the interference anyway, but she was still pissed.

She gazed back at Dorian. "None of your business," Zohra matched his mischievous smirk. "But if it was..." She went on, allowing herself to indulge and distract from the present problems. "I enjoy being held, having my hair stroked" Zohra always got what she paid for, they were not usually difficult tasks.

"I enjoy feeling protected" She narrowed her eyes again "Which may effect my patronage, if you do not watch who graces your door"

[cursedsails]

with all the heat and abruptness of a crack of lightning, rika's expression suddenly shifted. there was a wildness in her eyes, a feral snarl on her lips as she flipped the blade in her fingers and held it right to zohra's throat. it happened in an instant, a woman so changeable that so few could ever predict. "don't you fucking talk about them, about him." she growled, her blackened heart pumping venom through her veins. how many times had their captain had to step between them in a moment just like this? but he wasn't here, and even the soft spray of the sea could do little to cool her. "like you don't still fucking smell like them."

[lavendarseagreen]

Zohra had barely seen Rika's blade coming before it found its place against her throat. She had only let the fear in her eyes flash for an instant.

"You have some strong words considering you nothing but a glorified butcher" Zohra hissed as she gripped Rika's hand, fighting the blade off. "Our dear captain does not seem to mind my tainted smell" She barred her teeth, a warning if Zohra decided to strike Rika next. "Shall I tell him of this incident? Would you prefer to stay in my brig?" Being the chain on the Raider's Revenge afforded Zohra the ability to keep prisoners on bored. "I'll have my advantage then"

[stcrboard]

jo's eyes lifted from the wheel of cheese to the dark haired woman beside her, then toward the bustling street beyond. "careful," she said, a hint of amusement lacing her tone, "disappear for too long and they'll start believing they can survive without you." a lesson she had learned many years ago, or perhaps a trick depending on how one looked at it. she accepted a small wedge from the merchant to inspect, turning it between her fingers before setting it back down, her nose wrinkling. the options were slim, none standing out to her enough to bring back to the inn. "you see anything you like? or i guess, something the customers may like?"

[lavendarseagreen]

Ishani met Jo's eyes besides the goods that were offered. "I fear too many have believed they could not live without my service lately" She stuffled a laugh. The mix between sailors and pirates present at the Devil's Cask had proven to Ishani that everything would go to shit if she took her eyes off of them for more than a few hours.

"Nothing too fancy or expensive" Ishani passively looked over each block. "Just something to sate those that drank more than their share"