RUNE WAS A THIEF NOT BY PASSION, BUT BY NECESSITY. They were born and raised in the gutter, with a skill set lacking in most well-paid professions. They stole to survive until the day their brother came back with enough wealth to get them a home and food, and though they understood the difference, many merchants in the Shambles didn't. They saw Rune as a nuisance, a rat that needed to be scared away, and that's precisely what happened today.
They just wanted some bread to snack on while they waited for the dinner rush to walk through, but the merchant knew them too well and saw through their innocent act. He grabbed his broom and started pushing them away, but he underestimated their desire for a loaf of sourdough.
"Please, sir." They paused, holding onto the edge of the stall. "I'm just trying to get some food for my sick friend here." They nudged the person next to them, hoping the person would get the hint and play along. "The doctor said it's not looking good.. I don't think they have much longer."
being stuck marinating in tortuga the entirety of the morning, as she waited for the raiders to dock and spare her the torture, was proving considerably less a doable feat.
"do you hear this shit?" she sees, perhaps, the single face in the room who could make this more bearable. the most milquetoast lovers' quarrel known to the ile de la tortue happens to unfold right beside her, and they are failing even at that..
ah. bejewelled fingers give it a tentative wave through the air, and she pauses to listen mid-word. remorse, there it is. the final refuge of the tedious. any second they'll begin apologizing, she thinks.
"i am surrounded by people with no sense of occasion. it is an ailment to my health, and a personal affront besides." her eye catches on the steel striker they carry, and a slim cigar appears between fingers, bargained earlier from a spanish merchant who had first demanded a kiss, then an emerald, and finally settled for her promise to abstain from the yelling. alas, with no light. "would you please?"
THOUGH VAILA WAS KNOWN FOR BEING GOOD AT PREDICTING EVENTS, SOMETIMES SOMETHING WAS SO OBVIOUS THAT SOMEONE OTHER THAN A SEER COULD PREDICT THE OUTCOME. The couple near her was obviously a doomed pair based on their very loud, public lovers' quarrel in the early hours of the morning, and it almost made Vaila want to turn away to avoid the secondhand embarrassment. She couldn't, though. Much like a shipwreck, it was hard to turn away from such a sight.
She listened to the woman next to her comment on the event, and she found herself agreeing with her. It was a choice to have such a conversation in public, and she couldn't help but feel grateful that those on the Harbinger know better than to act like that--- at least, she hoped they did.
"They're certainly... expressive." She nodded, watching the couple go from yelling to kissing within seconds. She examined the woman more as she handed over a lighter (not that she smokes--- she snatched it from some kid who was waving it too close to her crew's ship), and recognition dawned on her. "I thought you Raiders were known for making a scene. It's nice to know even you all have your limits."
who: open to anybody (4/6)
where: the devil's cask
the place was filled with pirates and civilians alike drinking and celebrating, or some drinking for the hell of it. with all the tables occupied, vidar found himself at the back, standing near a window and staring at it, his eyes founding the sky and stars. a puff of smoke left his mouth after he took a breath from his cigar. despite the noisy tavern, he found himself deep in peace, that probably won't last for long. and it didn't, as someone chose this moment to stand next to him and vidar took his time, he wasn't going to talk first, if said person had something to say, they would say it, otherwise the two of them can stare out of that window together.
IRONICALLY, VAILA FELT MORE RESTLESS ON LAND THAN AT SEA. She felt more in control of her surroundings when she was surrounded by water and the open air. Land had too many hiding spots for thieves and enemies to take advantage of, and too many strangers or rivals just waiting for the Harbinger crew to be caught unaware. Her dreams had also been... unsettling as of late, which only added to the antsiness.
Luckily, her eyes spotted Vidar. The captain's presence had a way of calming her down, and her body naturally found its place next to him in the crowded room. She knew he could tell what she was thinking; he always did, but she voiced it anyway. "I don't like this." She said quietly, watching the pirates and civilians celebrate around them. "Too many pirates in one place doesn't end well."
now, who would try and attempt to pickpocket DAIRO? before THE DEVIL'S CASK too? if only the stranger knew better. // accepting replies
he waits. it's between one breath and the next that he senses the hand reach. it's less premonition, more experience of twenty-seven years fighting his way. dairo's fingers snap around the wrist of the pickpocket, tugging at their arm so they stumble forward. a smile spread, unamused and sharp across his face.
"your next words will determine if you're fortunate or foolish. your choice."
RUNE MADE THEIR LIVING AS A PICKPOCKET, BUT IT DIDN'T MEAN THEY WERE HIGHLY SKILLED AT THEIR JOB. They relied on luck and the ignorance of tourists and travelers, but sometimes, people caught on to their schemes before they could disappear into the crowd. It was their unfortunate luck that DAIRO just so happened to be the person they tried to rob today.
Their cheeks flushed at the realization they were robbing one of the pirate captains, especially as they longed to join a crew. They squirmed in his grasp, trying to twist their hand away from him. "Hey, let me go." They whined, even though they knew they looked like a mouse caught in a trap. "Just because you caught me doesn't mean others would." They pointed up, chin jutting upwards to hide the fear they felt at getting on his bad side, "That's why you should recruit me to your team."
[ laura harrier, cis woman, thirty five, she/her ] for the crimes of piracy VAILA LYSELL / THE STAR SEEKER is hereby wanted. those who surrender them dead or alive to the crown will receive TWO HUNDRED pounds. theyâre famously known to be part of the THE HARBINGER as their SEER. before engaging be warned as they can be PARANOID AND DISTRUSTFUL, but if youâre lucky theyâll be PROTECTIVE AND ANALYTICAL. legends say that when you speak their name youâre reminded of A SACRIFICIAL LAMB WHO ESCAPED FROM HER GILDED CAGE MOMENTS BEFORE THE SLAUGHTER, A LOST SON IS CALLED PRODIGALâ A LOST DAUGHTER IS JUST CALLED LOST, A GIRL WHO FEELS MORE AT HOME WITH THE STARS THAN ON LAND. // alyx, twenty seven, she/her, est. vidars closest friend wc
FILE.
full name:Â vaila lysell
nickames: the star seeker, the seer, the prophet, cursed one
age: thirty-five
gender / pronouns: cis woman, she/her
orientation: bisexual
affiliation: the harbinger
occupation: team's seer/navigator
family:Â victor lysell (father, deceased), valencia lysell (mother, deceased)
WHO WERE YOU? You were a child chosen by the gods, or at least that's what your family viewed you as. You grew up in a cult that worshipped the stars as if they were the gods themselves, and as someone who always had a way of interpreting the stars through visions and dreams, your family's group treated you as the chosen one. They placed a crown upon your head and called you a prophet, and you--- a young child who didn't know any better -- accepted it with nothing but a polite smile. It didn't matter that they placed their expectations on you and expected you to perform miracles. No, you were a child who valued duty above all, so if it's a prophet they want, you'll act as one. But, that's the thing. They didn't want a true prophet, only someone who told them good visions and helped make their lives easier. The moment you revealed a sense of chaos heading towards them, you went from savior to pariah--- a girl abandoned by her family and forced to walk a path alone
WHO ARE YOU? You're a seer on the harbinger--- using your talents to help your crew evade capture and secure the treasures they seek. You're a girl who abandoned her family, your life and former role in favor of a new one and you couldn't be happier -- or so you say. And yet, fears creep in that you'll shatter your found family like you did your former one. Will they still value you if you're unable to save your crew from a storm or an attack? You'd like to think it's different this time, that they value more than just your predictions, but you've been blinded by adoration before and failed to see the deceit behind the veil. You love your crew, you're loyal to your captain, but that fear keeps you from fully opening up and accepting them as your own.
WHO WILL YOU BECOME? You don't like it when crews gather in one place, and you can't deny the sense of reckoning that brews in your bloodstream. You don't know how the future will play out and what it'll mean for your crew, but you're on guard around the other ships for the time being. For now, you'll observe, interpret the stars and your dreams, and keep any doubts hidden under your tongue until you're confident it'll come to pass. Your feelings and visions haven't failed yet, but there's always a first, right?
WANTED CONNECTIONS.
THE FATED CONNECTION: You don't know why, but you keep seeing this person everywhere. In passing and in your dreams, they haunt your vision and won't let you out of their grasp. What does it mean, you wonder? Are they your salvation, your destruction, or perhaps both? You don't know, but you're determined to find out. (This would ideally be a fated lovers/soulmates connection where Vaila feels inexplicably drawn to yours for some reason. Would be sexy if it was a rival pirate but down for whatever!)
THE NON-BELIEVER: This is someone who doubts Vaila's title as seer and doesn't believe that she can sense things in her dreams or through the stars. Would be sexy if it was a crew member on the Harbinger who is skeptical of her and believes she could be taking advantage of their captain, but also open to it being someone else who has heard of her reputation and doesn't believe she's a factor in the Harbinger's luck.
THE INDEBTED: This is someone whom Vaila saved during one of her visits to Tortuga, and who wants to pay her back for her kindness. She truly doesn't see it as a debt to her, but they refuse to accept that she did it without wanting anything in return. She'll play along with them to ease their mind, though she doesn't like having the title of savior tied to her, as it reminds her of her childhood and her group's faux belief in her.
OTHER CONNECTIONS: someone trying to poach vaila from the harbinger, someone she's thinks would be a good crew member for the harbinger, townfolks she's befriended over the years, friends, enemies, lovers, an ex boyfriend/girlfriend, anything and everything!
[ cailee spaeny, demi girl, twenty five, they/she ] is that tortugaâs very own RUNE DAHL ? the PICKPOCKET at THE SHAMBLES has been around the island for THEIR WHOLE LIFE, and they remind us of A RAT SLIPPING THROUGH THE CRACKS WITH A BALL OF CHEESE TUCKED BEHIND GREEDY FINGERS, A DESPERATION TO PROVE YOURSELF AS SOMETHING OTHER THAN A BURDEN, ALWAYS GETTING UP AFTER BEING KNOCKED DOWN. people say theyâre DETERMINED and CRAFTY but weâve heard they can be STUBBORN and DELUSIONAL too. rumour would have it that they have a POSITIVE view on pirates, but one thingâs for sureâtheyâd better get used to them. // alyx, twenty seven, she/her, est.
FILE.
full name:Â rune dahl
age: twenty-five
gender / pronouns: demi girl, they/she
orientation: lesbian
affiliation: n/a, though hoping to be a pirate someday
occupation: pickpocket aka unemployed
family:Â ellen dahl (mother, deceased), frederick dahl (father deceased), utp brother (missing)
faceclaim: cailee spaeny
inspiration: aladdin (aladdin), eurydice (hadestown), eleanor shellstrop (the good place)
Pinterest
BIOGRAPHY.
WHO WERE YOU? You were a child who watched your parents wither away from years of poverty and inconsistent work. Your brother shielded you from the worst of it, taking the role of caretaker upon himself, but you knew what happened when you saw your parents on a Monday, and by Friday their spots in your makeshift home were vacant. Life became just you and your brother, and though you often struggled to get enough to eat to fill both of you, you were content. You didn't need riches or a home as long as you had him, and he promised to always be there for you--- pinkies wrapped around each other as he made the most sacred of oaths.
WHO ARE YOU? You're a thief who survives by stealing from someone else--- a nuisance that has pissed off half of Tortuga by now. You slip through crowds and cracks in the wall, sneaking away with money or goods and taking it back to your makeshift apartment. You're essentially the same as before, but this time, you're alone when there used to be another. Your brother had vowed to find work and come back a richer man, but like many who come through the seaside town, he disappeared over the horizon and never came back. You still wait for him at your old spot, leave food in case he arrives hungry, but every day you remain without your other half.
WHO WILL YOU BECOME? With the pirate crews all gathered in Tortuga, you see a chance to escape your ways and potentially find your brother. You want to become a pirate and run with a crew, but you know most don't think highly of a lowly street rat who has probably stolen from multiple potential crewmates. Still, you strive to prove yourself as someone capable. You're quick, light on your feet, and know how to read a crowd. That has to count for something--- if not, you may suffer the same fate as the rest of your family.
WANTED CONNECTIONS.
THE BROTHER: This will also be sent to the main as a wc but would love Rune's brother!! Giving classic eldest sibling who takes on the role of caretaker for his family and cares more about his sibling than himself half the time. He disappeared 10 years ago, and where he's been is UTP, though it would be fun if he became a pirate or got arrested and broke out of jail or something. I'm imagining them with a decent age gap (5-10 years apart), and am open to fcs that are full or half white, since they could easily be half siblings if needed.
THE PSEUDO-FAMILY: The Dahls have been living in Tortuga their whole lives, so people around the town should know them or know of them. This person is an old family friend who has been keeping an eye on Rune since her brother disappeared. They help bail her out when she gets in trouble, give her food whenever she's hungry, and essentially act as an older sibling to her. How they feel about her wanting to become a pirate is UTP, though it would be fun if they were against it and were trying to talk her out of it.
THE CRUSH: Rune needs a silly little crush!! I feel like they're crow-coded in the sense where they just leave (stolen) gifts for their crush in an attempt to woo them, though the gifts are always mundane like buttons or shiny rocks or something. Would be fun if it was a pirate and that's part of the reason they want to become a pirate (because who wouldn't want to base their career off of if there's a pretty girl in the vicinity) but open to anything.
OTHER CONNECTIONS: pirate captains they're trying to convince to hire them, people they've stolen from, potential targets for their schemes, childhood friends, childhood enemies, rivals, someone teaching rune to read (bitch never learned), someone teaching rune to fight, exes, flings, anything and everything!
