|
Post by Sorrum on Oct 5, 2019 18:29:17 GMT -5
Calico, Drake and Vile regarded Alriik as he walked by, casually moving their chairs and table back a meter. Calico was interested, watching the man perform magic using his blades on the bottle, while Drake and Vile remained stoic. "Ah, and one of em's creative. I like that. Maybe he'd get along with the engineers?" Calico said over his shoulder to Drake, who simply nodded and took another swill of his drink.
~
With the fireball lighting up the room, the thugs on their asses, and the party at a standoff, a voice shouted over the chaos.
"Hey what are you doing!? Put that out!"
Suddenly, a man in sailor attire came running up to Terra. "It's alright lass you can take their position! Just don't burn down the 'Landing with that thing!"
The skinny leader of the thugs, cupping his hands over his balls, looked down at the floor in defeat. "Guh. That's just my luck, out another job on account of not one but four mages. Can't a decent man get a win?" he groaned.
"What do you think "decent" means?" Asked Aqua.
~
With that, the scuffle was over. Skinny's lackeys carried him and Tom away, accompanied by a gaggle of groans and hushed insults at the group who wasted their crew. The sailor who intervened led the party back to their table, staring for a second at Hien before just choosing to ignore the drunken wyvern.
"I see you folks get the way things go around here. I'm lucky to have you on my ship." said the man. He was short and portly, with a gray head of hair tied back into a short ponytail. He wore a long sleeved yellow-white smock with blue cuffs, brown leather slacks, and black boots that reached up to his knees. "The name's Seamus Waverly. I'm captain o' the Cerulean Shepard. I wasn't happy with taking me a couple of boneheads like those to Sandora but it's been hard findin' a quality mage to run security since I was caught behind a storm when all those mages arrived from the Eulene Festival."
"You want us because we floored those guys?" Aqua asked.
"Yes, m'lady. Everyone in port knows that Icarus isn't just a bar, it's where townies, travelers, sailors, and most valuably mages pick fights over security jobs. What better way to test your employees before you hire em?" Seamus chuckled. "Anyway, our client is a pioneer in Sandora who's peddlin' goods from across the globe to the otherwise isolationist elves up there. He'd make a better killin' if those elves weren't so shrewd with customs, though." Seamus said idly, before noticing Aqua's cross stare at him. "I uh, I didn't realize you might be one of 'em. Sorry miss." Seamus said. Aqua rolled her eyes and took another drink.
~
Meanwhile, Calico and the others sat by. Calico had maybe a dozen glasses in front of him at this point while Drake had just managed to finish three, with another looking mighty full. "Yar, you're offending me cat." Calico groaned. "Should order milk next time, ho.."
Drake blinked a few times before slamming the rest of his drink down and wiping his mouth clean. "Anyway, you had business with Vile here too."
Vile looked over at Calico, who was leaning a bit off in his chair. "Did you find him?"
"Hahaha, information's not free but.. no, not yet. My net's still cast looking for that young man though, so we should get word before long. You sure he didn't disappear into The Frontier? Vane's a helluva ways away but if I had to guess where else he could be-" Calico said.
"I've been on the trail for a while. Certain areas in Vane are hard to get into but getting into The Frontier is a task in itself." Vile replied.
"Go pick a fight then." Calico proposed. "You'll get a Frontier job if you're lucky."
Vile turned and looked down at the party conversing with Seamus. "..Maybe I will."
Calico grinned at that, his red light shining through his eye.. "I like you Rai. Come sail with me after you find him."
Drake folded his arms. "If that's all, then we'll be taking our leave for the night. Until next time Captain Calico." Drake bowed, to which Calico sat back and stared.
"You're a weird one cat, but I'll see you again if it isn't in the locker or at the gallows." Calico raised his glass once more to the duo before they vanished into the night before his eyes. "Aye, a really weird one."
|
|
|
Post by Vic Alriikerson on Oct 5, 2019 22:09:15 GMT -5
"YES, I DO." He would shout down to Arne. "IT'S PART OF MY THING, DON'T JUDGE ME!" He would sigh, and attempt to relax, slumping a bit. "Now, what were we talking about? Eh, doesn't matter. Have a good day gentlemen." He'd begin to slightly stumble towards the stairway.
--
By the time he arrived downstairs with the group he had somehow obtained another bottle of wine, which was somehow already half-full. He stumbled over to the group, draping each arm around Rion and Terra. "Good show, guys." He would speak with a bit of a drunken drawl. "Good to see, uh... Well, no one had to die, we got a boat, and Terra's tuckus was avenged. Victory all around." He'd chuckle, taking another glug. "... For real, though... I'm like..." He'd hiccup. "... I dunno, been a while since I've had... Like... A group of people to be with..." Hiccup. "... I miss this. You guys are great. Don't die." He'd laugh, patting them both on the back as he stepped over to the Captain. He prepared to shake his hand... Before noticing Hien drinking. "HAH! HIEN, YOU'RE DRUNK!" He'd burst into uncontrollable laughter, before getting some sort of cool, his goofy grin not escaping him as he attempted to shake the captain's hand. "Heya, Cap. Yer in good hands. These kids is strong." He'd step back, stifling a burp. "Now, uh, I'mma get some air now 'fore I puke on you, nice man." He'd pat the captain on the shoulder as he stumbled by, taking another drink. He'd sing to himself as he walked off. "Home in' the valley... Home in the city... Home isn't pretty... Ain't no home for meeeeee..." He'd step through the doors and back out into the world.
|
|
|
Post by Swim on Oct 6, 2019 3:57:11 GMT -5
"That's quite the crew she's traveling with down there," a shady looking man remarked to his companions.
"That's why we're going to get some hired help for ourselves," a second man replied. "Look now's our chance."
After Drake and Vile Rai took their leave of Calico a trio of mages slid into their unoccupied seats. Calico regarded them suspiciously over the top of his mug and under the table he placed a hand on the hilt of his blade.
"Captain Calico," the first mage greeted him. "We'd like to hire you for a job."
"Not in the business of chartered tours son," Calico replied briskly, "Plenty of ships down by the docks if ye be looking for a ferry."
"We aren't looking for passage, we're looking for a pirate. And word is that you're the most dangerous one around these parts."
Calico regarded the mages with new interest. "Well you heard right, I am without question the most fearsome pirate to sail these waters. Tell me about the job then."
One of the mages nodded toward the remnants of bar fight below. "That group will be boarding a ship and departing for an unknown destination. One of the women carries something of value to our employer, if you were to help us obtain it there would be a finders fee for you."
"All we need is the woman," the second mage added, noting the smell of mead on Calico's breath. "You can do as you like with the other mages, the ship and its cargo. You can expect to find casks of Honeyfarm stowed below deck, among other merchant goods."
Calico closed his eyes and pretended to mull over a decision. It was clear they were after the princess as well, and that was going to be a problem later on. Still, the information he'd just been given served to sweeten the pot quite nicely. He opened his eyes, exposing that same red glint in his left cornea. "Fair terms gentlemen, we have ourselves a deal."
|
|
|
Post by Swim on Oct 6, 2019 4:29:27 GMT -5
The threat had gone over better than Terra had hoped, after displaying their prowess as mages a ship captain had actually sought them out. Terra had no idea where Sandora was in relation to Shiner's Bay, or even if they were traveling in the direction they wanted to go, so she hung back a bit and let Frida discuss the details of their trip with Captain Waverly.
In the meantime Alriik came back down from the second landing and clapped an arm around her and Rion. Terra couldn't believe the state he was in, how had Alriik managed to get so drunk in so short a time? She made a mental note to ask Frida later if elves tended to be lightweights around booze, but the bigger question was why? This didn't seem like the time to drink heavily, the group needed to keep their wits about them right now. The comments he made before heading outside made Terra worry for the elf, he didn't sound like he was in a good place mentally.
"I'm going to make sure he doesn't wander off too far," Terra told Rion before she followed Alriik out to the street.
"Hey there buddy," she called once she'd caught up to Alriik. "You doing okay?"
|
|
|
Post by Swim on Oct 6, 2019 4:48:26 GMT -5
The bartender squinted over the register as he punched in some receipts and closed out a few tabs. He still had the funny feeling that he'd seen that woman's face before but he didn't think she'd ever been inside Icarus' Landing previously. Suddenly there was a rush of hot air and a bright light filled the space. In the middle of it all was that woman charging an enormous ball of flame in her palm. After a moment the fire died away, but suddenly the bartender suddenly remembered clear as day where he'd seen that face. He punched in a few keys and called up the Bounty Board, and sure enough there was a listing for one Terra Bichaparte. It had gone up just that morning in fact, and the reward was quite a large sum.
The bartender drummed his fingers on the counter and considered his options. She and her friends had already chased off the roughest crew in the Landing, there wasn't much anyone could do if they weren't also a party of mages. He sighed, supposing that he'd have to let this one go, he certainly didn't want to provoke her into burning down his bar. He wondered idly if her allies were aware just how much the woman was worth, anyone that brought her in would be set for life.
|
|
|
Post by Vic Alriikerson on Oct 6, 2019 15:38:24 GMT -5
"Home in the darkness.... Home on the highway... Home isn't my way.... Home I'll... I'll never be..." He'd drunkenly shuffle through the crowd, taking the occasional sip as he made his way to a nearby alleyway, sitting down, and sighing. He'd gently take one of his dragon tooth blades from his back and place it on his lap. He would hold observe the blade for a moment, before lovingly run his finger across it. A tear would land on the blade as Alriik muttered, almost silently, "... Miss you..."
It wouldn't be long before Terra found him, puffy eyed and near a nearly empty bottle of wine. "... Hey, yeah... I'm... I'm fine... At least... Trying to be..." He'd observe the dragon's fang, before placing a hand on it. "... Hey, um... Humor me... Just for a second." He'd take a deep breath, close his eyes... And then look to Terra. "... I've, um... I've killed people. A lot of them. People who've deserved it, but... I'm really good at fighting. Really good at killing..." He'd pick the blade up, observing it's imperfections. It was a crude blade, but it meant a lot to him. "... When I had my, um... My moment... And Buck gave me that look... It really, really messed with me. Could have killed him with the stick. Could have killed him with my bare hands. Not much he could have done to stop me. It's what I was made for. What I've trained for." He'd return the blade to his back. "... But, I... I don't do that when there's another option. I'm... I try to be good. I really, really do. Even when it's stupid to be good. Even when it might kill me. That's why... That damn look..." He'd sigh again, taking the bottle and taking his final gulp.
"... I coulda pulled that sword from him and ran it through his throat and I would have gotten that same look." He'd toss the bottle against a nearby building, shattering it. "... When that guy touched you... I don't know, man, that invasion, with where my head was... I would have killed him if you didn't handle it on your own. I really would have. He would have been a man-kebab, and I would have taken on everyone in that damn bar..." He'd put his head in his hands. "... I can't even ask 'why am I like this?', because I know. I was made to be a warrior. I've trained to be a warrior. I'm possessive of people who like me because... Because they keep dying." Tears would begin to well up in his eyes. "... And... No matter what I do... No matter what I try... I... It's..." His hand would begin to shake as he formed a fist. "... I-It's..." He'd slam his fist into the ground, and would scream loudly. "IT'S NEVER @#$@-ING ME. I JOINED THIS DAMN GROUP TO JUST FIND A FINE WAY TO DIE AND ALL I'M DOING IS MAKING A FOOL OUT OF MYSELF!!!!"
He'd blink, and cover his face. "... I just... I'm not even put all the way together... I don't even have my own sword... And... It's hard to explain, but even that hurts. Everything... Everything hurts... So I just keep fighting. With no idea why... Probably because it's why I was made to do that, I can't have kids, I can't seem to keep anyone around me alive and I... I say it's to help, to save people. To be a 'shield against the Blight.' And I've killed a lot of blight monsters. Stopped a lot of suffering, saved a bunch of people, but I... I've killed people, too."
He'd look up to the sky, tears streaming his face. "... A lot of them."
|
|
|
Post by Swim on Oct 6, 2019 18:23:33 GMT -5
Terra followed Alriik out to a nearby alley and knelt down beside him as he began to speak. She fought to keep a neutral expression as Alriik poured out his heart to her. The elf may be a bit disturbed but he obviously had a keen eye for small details and she wanted to make him feel like he could safely confide in her. There was a lot to unpack here, and the fact that he was drunk didn't really help her to connect the dots. Alriik was clearly a dangerous man with plenty of scars and inner demons, but it seemed like he wanted to be a force for good. She just hoped nothing would set him off. He seemed to sincerely care for her group, but who knew what he was capable of in those moments of madness? He said he'd have killed everyone in the bar, but in the heat of the moment would he be able to discern friend from foe?
She couldn't really understand Alriik's strange connection with his swords or the underlying cause behind his madness, but then he began to talk about death and loss, and these were topics she understood all too well. She placed a comforting hand on his shoulder and shifted her position to sit in the filthy alleyway beside him. With her back pressed firmly against the wall she looked up at the sky, giving Alriik a moment to quietly shed his tears. There was no shame in it, in that moment she had all the pity in the world for him.
"A couple of years ago," she spoke very softly, "I lost some people that I cared for. My brothers, my father, my uncle. All of my childhood friends, my entire town in fact. All in the same day. When the Blight consumed my village I was the sole survivor and I had to deal with that. I had to go on living, knowing that my uncle had given his own life for mine. I had to watch my father leave me behind as he went back into that hell to try and pull my brothers out. I waited and waited but he never came back. For a couple of years after that I questioned why I had been the only survivor. I hadn't been the strongest person there, hadn't fought my way out. I am nobody's moral superior, no god or deity spared me for being pious. And then there were the moments where the 'Why I'd survived' didn't matter, because I wanted to die. I hated myself for it because that meant my uncle had wasted his life when he saved me, but it didn't seem fair! They'd all died but at least they were all together now, it wasn't fair that they'd left me all by myself! It was so lonely and there was nothing to live for, I'd spend entire days scrounging around in alleys just like this one just looking for a piece of bread to eat. I hated my life, I hated that I was alive and they weren't, but in an odd sort of way the guilt kept me going... Because I know that's what they'd have wanted me to do, even if they weren't around to tell me directly, and I couldn't let them down... They all kind of live on in me now, and remembering that sometimes helps me to keep fighting, whether I'm battling in an arena or slaughtering Blight beasts."
Terra gave Alriik's shoulder a light squeeze. "So don't go throwing your life away. I know everything hurts now but believe me when I say that it won't always feel like this. It gets better. You find something to fight for, rather than you looking for reasons to fight because you don't know what else you're good for. You find people that care for you back. And it," her voice cracked here a little bit, "It makes all the difference in the world."
|
|
|
Post by Tony on Oct 6, 2019 22:56:03 GMT -5
With the fight over, Arne turned back towards the table in time to notice Hien pop his head out of the now empty glass and stumble about the table. "Hien! I thought I-" Arne is interrupted by a series of loud chirps from his now intoxicated partner. "Don't you take that kind of tone with me! Come here!" Arne reaches out to grab Hien, only for the wyvern to shakily take to the air and head off into the bar. Arne simply sighs and looks over towards the group, "You guys can take of all the business stuff right? I need to get him under control before he causes any problems. Definitely not looking forward to caring for a wyvern with hangover tomorrow." and with that, he took chase after the drunken Hien.
|
|
|
Post by Vic Alriikerson on Oct 8, 2019 16:46:06 GMT -5
Alriik would listen... As she continued, his head would lower, and he would wipe his tears. He would hang onto every word intently, and as she finished up, with the emotional climax, he'd finally lift his head up, with a bit of a sad, wry smile. He'd put an arm around her shoulders, and bring her in to a side hug. "Hey, just... Just keep an eye on me and I'll do the same for you, yeah?" He'd give a bit of an awkward chuckle. "I mean... I'm sorry for worrying you... And just... Thank you. And I... I feel like I don't -NEED- to say this, but... I promise, I will never harm anyone in the group unless they outright betray us." He'd sigh. "Just... I really appreciate this. I needed this. I'm ah-I'm gonna go buy some water and a bread roll, go sober up. I'm sorry for the mess I made." He'd drunkenly put his head on her shoulder. "Um... Hey, since we're here and, like... Actually talking about things, I got a question. Sorry if I'm prying a bit, but, uh... You and Aqua, are you...?"
Alriik would remove his arm from around her and would start to make a 'crossing scissors' motion, only to realize how ridiculously inappropriate it was.
He'd freeze. His eyes would widen.
Alriik, you have ruined everything. You were having a moment, establishing a real connection with a friend.
He wouldn't know what to do with his hands, attempting to remove the hand gesture from his hands but would just awkwardly move his fingers around, not doing much to fix this issue. Nononononono. He'd look to Terra with a look of absolute fear. Death couldn't come quickly enough. There was no way to save this situation. Eventually, his mind would have realized the 'kissy face' motion would have been much, more more appropriate, eventually making the motion. Sweat would race down his forehead. He would give an awkward grin, unsure of how this would be taken. He would chuckle again, nervously, his look of absolute dread staying on his face.
|
|
|
Post by Swim on Oct 10, 2019 3:42:10 GMT -5
Terra raised an eyebrow and said nothing, but she looked deeply unimpressed with the elf. Alriik was well and truly drunk, and apparently the type that had no filter. At least he realized after the fact what he'd done, and like the incident with Buck he seemed plenty embarrassed without her having to say anything. She'd better find him some food to sober up. Terra helped the elf get to his feet feeling disappointed about the turn the conversation had taken. It felt like they were having a real bonding moment earlier, she would have liked him to open up more about his own trauma. Hopefully if Alriik remembered any part of this conversation later it would be the important parts about comradery and supporting one another, and not giving into destructive behavior when your thoughts took you to dark places.
After guiding him out of the alley Terra steered Alriik towards a nearby vendor and bought him a snack. He really was in rough shape, Terra couldn't remember the last time she'd been that drunk. Probably not since her days living in back alleys and wishing she were dead herself. Nowadays she only drank when she felt safe, in the company of those she trusted, and even then it was only limited amounts. She didn't know if she'd ever truly feel safe enough to let her guard down completely the way Alriik had. She thought it was stupid of the elf to put himself in a compromising position like that but she supposed it just meant that he felt safe with her. That itself wasn't a bad thing, even if he was a bit of an idiot.
As they rounded a corner and made their way back to the Landing Terra spotted something that made her blood run cold. She immediately turned away and drew her hood up around her face. That same face was featured prominently in the center of a notice board. Terra turned and seized Alriik by the arm, the elf had begun wandering away, and began marching him back toward the bar. "Alriik I need you to listen to me very carefully. I want you to feel like you can talk to me when something is bothering you, but you need to be very careful about who you're talking to and the type of questions you ask them. Especially right now, we need to go. It's complicated but what you need to know right now is that I've killed people too."
~
When they got back to Icarus' Landing Terra left Alriik in Rion's care and pulled Frida aside. "We've got a problem," Terra told her friend grimly. "The House knows I'm alive, and they've put up wanted posters all over Shiner's Bay. Everyone here has seen my face, as soon as they make the connection every miscreant in this port is going to be looking to collect on my head. How quickly can we set sail?"
|
|
|
Post by Vic Alriikerson on Oct 10, 2019 16:16:47 GMT -5
Alriik would simply listen and nod. He wasn't going to open his big mouth again... At least, that's what he thought, until Terra explained her situation. After a 'drunken stumble' that involved one of the hilts of his blades catching on the image of Terra on the board, tearing the paper as he stumbled to her opposite side, before whispering something in her ear. He would say nothing else during the walk, content to snack on his food until he was given to Rion. However... He did seem better. He was sobering up, and seemed to have gotten a lot off of his chest. He'd simply sit in the back, munching on his food, eyeing the crowd. "So, uh... I'm doing better. How you been, buddy?" He'd take another over-sized bite out of his large bread roll. "Anything insane happen during my little breakdown?"
|
|
|
Post by Sorrum on Oct 11, 2019 10:00:16 GMT -5
Aqua talked plans with Seamus while the others busied themselves. In no time at all, Seamus produced a sum of gold for the services her friends and herself would undertake.
"Aye, quite strange happenings you've got going on there to be needin' transport by a simple tradesman like meself." Seamus muttered, taking a sip of his tankard he had protected from Hien. Aqua, who herself had gone through a few drinks at this point, agreed with a nod and a drink from her own tankard. "Elves drink that? I always imagined the more fanciful and elequent elves of The Frontier and The Vane Empire drank highly sophisticated spirits if at all."
"I cannot say for Vane, but the elves and humans find harmony with each other in our society. It helps no one to be critical of humankind creations merely on bias.. is what my father and mother have said." She lifted her tankard and turned it sideways, not a drop leaving it. "Honeyfarm is much nicer than the swill my mates stash below deck, so I can drink this all day." She grinned.
"Not me. I must be seein' to the ship." Seamus said. He took with him his tankard still half full, drinking it as he headed for the doors. "Tomorrow miss, you and yours don't be late. We set out at sunbreak." Aqua lifted her tankard in cheers, went for a sip, then realized it was empty again. Damn. She waved to a servicewoman who came to fill her drink. Aqua stared at the ale as it filled her cup. She realized now that, they had never found a place to rest for the evening. Oh well, any inn will do.
She looked around and, through a broken window, she saw the lighthouse fire radiating in the night. The wind broke through the door as Seamus left, blowing past Aqua with icy breeze. A rush of nostalgia and memories flooded her mind, and with it the heart ache she felt over her mother's disappearance wailed inside her. She closed her eyes and took a sip, slunk back in her chair and reminisced.
~
One night many years ago, a woman trekked high into the cliffs of Mt. Remorse, with her a child who kept digging herself out of waist high snow as they progressed closer to the summit. An eternal blizzard blasted them with wind and ice that was blasted away from them completely as they moved up the slopes unfettered.
"How much farther mother?" A young Frida asked. Her mother stopped to point at the end of the path, a plateau that rose above the snow with no more paths leading up. She lifted Frida in her arms and seemingly flew up the walls until they landed softly on it's top, all the while the storm raging as hard as ever.
Frida looked all around, mesmerized by the fury of the storm, until she looked down and shrieked at the sight of a collosal, humanlike body encased below the sheets of ice. "Don't worry, he's been gone for ages." Frida's mother said. "This is where he wanted to go when it was his time." Frida looked up to her mother, down at the titan again, then tried her best to keep her eyes on her mother.
Frida's mother stepped past her and near the tip of the plateau. She raised her hand, snapped her fingers, and just like that, the storm around them came to a complete halt. Silence overtook the world. Frida stared at the crystals of ice that floated in the air as if they were frozen in time. "Come here, Frida." Frida's mother called. As she came, the clouds began to disperse around them, bringing in the full view of the horizon transparent. "This is our home."
A full view of The Frontier stretched before Frida as she stared from the mountain's peak. The warm forests of the south where the indigenous clans lived peacefully could be seen from up here, as their campfires were only dots to her eyes. The cities of Sandora and Meribia and their lighthouses alive with lights and lights from the ships, lights from the street poles, lights from windows, lights from the fences, lights from the citizens lanterns, lights from the town watch lanterns. Then, she saw the enormous statue of her mother and the waterfalls around her lit up with a large flame, the liberator of The Frontier forever memorialized in the country's heart. However, the girl could see further than the rocky cliffs. Far off north she could see the distant campfires of the savages of the wastes, no doubt plotting their attacks on The Frontier and their own neighbors. Even farther past that, she could see the lightning and dark clouds of the Forbidden Sea, the waters no sailor returns from.
"One day my dear, you will be as strong as I and you will be able to protect yourself, this land, and it's people from those who would do harm." Frida's mother said. Frida turned to face her, unsure what to say. Her mother was peerless and even the strongest of mages would surrender to her or find swift defeat.
"Do you really think I could become as strong as you?" Frida asked. Frida's mother took hold of her daughter's face, before kneeling down to meet her eye level.
"I know you will."
~
Aqua's daydream ended abruptly when Terra pulled her away from the table to an isolated corner. "Huh? What?" she asked, confused. Upon Terra's explanation, her expression turned grim. She turned to look around at the people in the bar around them now, seeing them look away as soon as her eyes crossed theirs. "Damn, and they know where we're going, too," Aqua quickly pondered what to do, before an idea crossed her mind. "Come with me," she said, leading Terra to the girl's bathroom.
Once inside, Aqua shouted. "Everybody out now!" A few girls ran out, and once they had, Aqua formed a glyph in her hand and placed it over the door, freezing the handle in place and barricading the door with a layer of thick ice. When the ice was well and in place, she gave it a heavy kick. The door didn't budge.
"Alright good, now take your clothes off," Aqua said as she quickly began removing her armor herself. "They'll be looking for you specifically, so wearing my armor shouldn't get you too many stares. Try to stay hidden as best you can though."
Without her armor on, Aqua wore a black long sleeved shirt and slim leggings. She pulled her long hair back and tied it into a bun on the back of her head, and snagged the ice bolas from her equipment, but left her harpoon behind. In exchange for her boots, she took Terra's and stuffed the rest of the girl's outfit into one of her backpacks. She looked at the skates on them curiously, and made a quick comment. "Hope it's like ice skating wearing these." She reached into her backpack and produced the dead visor used to communicate with Itham. She slid the component into the helmet and handed it over to Terra. "This should cover your face well enough. Tell everyone to meet up at Pier 34, Dock 3 tomorrow morning at sunrise. Find an inn tonight and take turns taking watch, I'll sneak out through the window and meet you all at the dock tomorrow. Don't be late." She turned and climbed up to the window, checking for any watchful eyes. "Give me a head start and wait to leave. Aqua climbed through the window, and creeped through the shadows of the alleys until she was far enough away to escape scrutiny.
|
|
|
Post by Swim on Oct 13, 2019 1:34:26 GMT -5
And just like that Terra found herself alone in the bathroom wearing Frida's clothes. She admired how decisive the elf could be when the situation called for it, this disguise would work wonderfully. She studied her reflection in the mirror for a moment, after managing to tuck all of her hair into the helmet she looked almost indistinguishable from her friend. Just the other day she'd worked to repair this beautifully ornate armor and now she was actually wearing it. It was about as heavy as Terra expected, nothing she couldn't handle of course, but she was surprised that Frida could move so gracefully in it. Terra balanced Sharksbane and tried to go into a battle stance she'd seen Frida use time and again. What really tripped her up more than expected was the long flowing cape and skirt, somehow Sharksbane got caught up in them when she tried to bring it to bear. Obviously Frida had trained and was practiced in fighting with this armor, and given time Terra might adapt to it as well. But she did not need a cape for warmth, and it did not compliment her style of fighting at all. Practicality aside though, it certainly pulled together Frida's outfit. Not for the first time Terra envied the elf's sense of style.
But it was just as well she supposed, that she wouldn't need to fight in this armor. Now that she actually held Sharksbane it felt remarkably fragile to her, she could imagine impaling an enemy with it and snapping it in half after completing the first thrust. Terra would never forgive herself if she were to break her friend's weapon. She already owed Frida a debt of gratitude that she might never repay and this latest favor just added more to the top. Terra sighed and waved a hand in front of the frozen door, causing all of the ice to melt away. Frida was so good to her, she truly did not deserve that woman's friendship.
Terra emerged from the bathroom and scowled at any onlookers. The cape might have been impractical for Terra but all at once she came to appreciate Frida's visor, there was something empowering about hiding her eyes from the world and being able to stare anyone down. She'd definitely have to look into integrating something similar into her own helmet. But that could wait. She strode over to Arne and Rion to fill them in on the situation. "Frida will be meeting us at Pier 34 tomorrow morning," she finished. "Gather up our inebriated friends and keep them close, we're going to find a hotel and lay low until then."
~
Terra led them all to their lodging without incident. She chose a larger hotel in the center of Shiner's Bay, a little further away from the docks. It would be a little more expensive, but they could get rooms on an upper floor, and she decided that an attack would be less likely if there were lots of other guests staying there. Even so she spied another of her wanted posters on the notice board out front, and she took the moment to tear it down and bring it inside with them. After paying and heading up to their rooms Terra drew the curtains and finally removed Frida's helmet. She wanted a closer look at the wanted poster. The photograph they'd used was taken recently, somewhere back in Eulene she judged. In any case it depicted her current fiery hair style and had a good physical description of her build and armor. It warned that she was armed and dangerous, and last seen traveling with a party of mages, though it did not include the names and descriptions of her companions. That at least was a relief. After sharing the information with Rion and Arne, the three arranged to sleep in watches and would bide their time until the next morning.
~
There was a chill in the air the next morning as the party left the hotel well before sunrise and made their way down to the docks. If anyone had tailed them from the Landing to their hotel it was unlikely they'd expect them to depart so early. The streets were almost deserted, only a few fishermen getting their nets ready for the first catch of the day. Soon they had arrived at Pier 34, Dock 3, and before them was the Cerulean Shepard. Terra looked around expectantly, hoping to see Frida and Captain Waverly.
|
|
|
Post by Vic Alriikerson on Oct 13, 2019 19:30:36 GMT -5
Alriik would simply be quiet for the rest of the night. He had done enough for tonight, he would simply go with the flow, only speaking when he paid for his room and said goodnight to the others. "See ya in the morning, guys. I'mma go sleep myself into sobriety." He'd chuckle as he stepped into his room, shutting the door behind himself... Before leaning against it and sighing hard. He'd hold his hands to his face, and simply take in the day. It was just so much.
They knew so much more about him, but it was all fragmented information. They'd surely be filled with questions. How could they trust someone who has so much to hide? It's not that he didn't want to be open, but... There was a lot, and a lot of it was... It was hard to say. He was especially worried about Terra. He saw that look again, just for a moment. He may have been drunk, but he could have sworn... That look of distrust and fear. She may have confided herself, but... He needed to keep himself in check, at least for now. If they feared him, if they didn't trust him... Well, they were going to the Frontier soon. They'd have their chance to get rid of him rather quickly... He'd sigh, as he took off his sword harness, placing it on his bed, before taking off his shirt.
As he stepped towards the window, he admired the moonlight, placing his hand over a particularly large cluster of scars that covered his heart. He'd admire the moon for a moment. He'd try to find a time to talk to them during the boat, and explain it the best he could... His... "Condition". He'd feel the beat, and breathe. You're alive, Alriik. He'd finish getting ready for bed, and attempted to sleep.
--
Hours would pass and it wouldn't come. He couldn't stop thinking. Attempting to put the words in the right order. He'd put his pants back on and swing on his sword harness, before opening the window and scaling to the roof of the building. He'd take time, mouthing drafts of what he was going to say in between moments of admiring the moon, doing a weapon kata with each of his blades, and just... Taking moments to freak out silently. Get it out of the way. He'd watch as the sky began to lighten before the sun itself began to show-He'd return through his window and get himself dressed and ready. He'd be waiting in the lobby when the rest of them would come, fully prepped and ready. "Let's do this, I guess. To the boat."
He'd take to the back of the crew as they traveled to the dock, keeping to himself. He'd let the others speak for him, he'd have plenty of time to talk later. It was time to listen and do as told. This was a job, and he'd need to take it seriously. If he relaxed like that time... Made more of a fool of himself... Acted erratic. He needed to build up trust. He needed them to trust him. He couldn't take risks like that again. No more mistakes, act perfect.
Act like the person you aren't, Monster.
|
|
|
Post by Sorrum on Oct 15, 2019 21:26:14 GMT -5
A single beam of light cut through the darkness, striking Aqua's closed eyelids. She squinted and rolled in her sleep, smacking a barrel immediately next to her and shocking her awake. "Gah!" She shoved the barrel, which didn't budge, sending the elf flying back into another barrel behind her. "GAH!"
She sat still for a second before recalling her position. She found an old ship in one of the docks nearby that had no watch and snuck aboard to find a place to sleep as she had left Terra with her belongings, including her wallet. Once her vision adjusted, she carefully crossed through the room she was in to the door, opened it and darted off the ship and dock, raising only a few eyebrows from idle fishermen.
Captain Waverly called down to the adventurers as they drew close. "Ahoy there Miss Aqua," addressing Terra who wore Aqua's armor. "get on board, we're settin sail now."
"Okay!" said Aqua as she ran past the group, looking back and waving to them. "Cmon! Let's go!" She said with a smile on her face as she ran up the bridge and onto the main deck of the Shepard.
The Cerulean Shepard was a large ship that dominated the dock and it's neighboring boats. Many men ran back and forth shouting from its decks and lines as they prepared to sail. It's wooden frame was reinforced with iron rings and plates that covered intersections over the body at every mast and deck. Three masts loomed above each with massive sails blowing in the wind above them, casting shadows across the empty waters. Several doors led to and from the ship's innards, with a few portholes looking out from them here and there. Above that was a shorter deck leading to the captains quarters, and above that at the top of the ship was the helm, where Seamus stood, along with a few sailors that ran back and forth giving him information.
The ship was well kept, all the boards and nails were polished and hammered flat. The men were gruff but seasoned, focused on their work and rather efficient. They mostly wore loose clothing and boots for good maneuverability and poise. The crows nest above had railing designed for gripping if the ship shook or shifted suddenly from a wave or explosion. The hardwood decks were waxed and shined in the early sun.
~
Seamus waved and cried out. "Weigh anchor and set sail for Sandora!" A chorus of shouts followed him from the crew as the heavy anchor was pulled and the sails tightened against the wind, blowing the boat out onto the waters and headed for the sea. Aqua looked up at the lighthouse as they passed it's island, the flame dying out as the sun rose into the sky. The memory of her mother flickered in her mind, and.. she was happy to be going home, at least.
|
|