Of Pirates and Mermaids

[Doctor Wormy]

Nicholas kept his smirk, though she hadn't given him the response he hoped for...it did well enough, and it at least satisfied Mitch enough that he didn't insist on coming along.

He lead her towards the helm, normally a place that was unwelcome to the most of his crew...which meant it'd be fine for talking with her while getting her in to his cabin seemed like it'd prove dangerous. The woman was quite the tempest, she seemed to flaunt her body--though it was only in his head, and drop him down to the point where his temper was definitely tested. He wondered, if she were truly a gift from the sea...or part of the curse that the treasure told of.

Reaching the risen area of the helm, he turned around to face her. Again the question about Aaron popped in his mind, he wanted to ignore that need to ask, but then the thought struck. Perhaps he could soften her vile attitude enough the she'd cooperate without feeding the ache in his head he was beginning to feel because of her. "The boy spoke to ye...?" He asked, his tone hushed should the sound of it carry further than he intended.

If she had a soft spot for the child, then it would be he who would be sent to keep an eye on her. Aaron was already like a natural spy for him, acting as his eyes and ears since the child was so easily ignored when near those of his crew that worried him at times. What was best, was that he hadn't even known he was helping his captain when he chattered about what had interested him during the day, and so he was never caught acting unnatural.

(That's fine o-o I didn't leave too much to respond to...still didn't do a ton x-x)

[punky_brewster]

Chastity rose a slender eyebrow as she followed behind the captain. She had thought he would lead her to his cabin since he seemed set on her bunking with him. She mentally scoffed at the audacity this man seemed to hold.

When he turned to face her, she matched his stare. She wouldn’t look down like a beaten dog. She found it pathetic when one couldn’t stare another in the eye. After all the eyes are a passage to the soul, its best to see what the person is truly saying if you are willing to listen to them.

Her curiosity was piqued when the man brought up the boy. The way he said it made her think that perhaps the boy wasn’t supposed to have spoken to her. She kept the anger from showing in her eyes. Just like a filthy vermin to think they have a right to control another’s actions.

“I heard you say his name when he approached earlier,” she smoothly lied. In her experience men, especially pirates had horrid memories, more so when it regarded small details. It would be easy to mix up whether he had truly said ‘neglecting your chores,’ or ‘neglecting your chores, Aaron.’ With skill developed from years of practice, she kept the smirk of victory from her face.

[Doctor Wormy]

Nicholas stared at Chastity, keeping eye contact since she had dared to look at his. That she so confidently looked at him he couldn't tell so easily if she were lying, and if she had not heard from him, than there were others that she could have overheard. "I see..." He mumbled, dreading it as he stared at the proud look she wore.

"Mess with that child and ye will regret it." Before he'd realized it, the words had left his lips in a dark threat, he broke eye contact a moment to shake his head, running his hand through his dark hair. The threat had been vague enough that it would take a bit of thought to even guess the reason for it was an attachment though, at least that was what he told himself. This woman..was only growing more frustrating, only the belief that she would lead him to what he desired kept him from thinking she wasn't worth it.

The thought of the treasure reminded him of the real reason he wanted her alone with him. He glanced over at the water, a slight smile, not a smirk but a real smile, upon his lips. "Tell me woman, which direction?" He asked, the question, as he replayed his words sounded sudden to even him though so he clarified. "Vane's treasure...ye know the hiding place, do ye not? Tell me which direction to head my ship."

(Haha, he sounds insane o-o That siren's song seems to have taken a hit on his sanity...at least from an outside perspective.)

[punky_brewster]

A dark slender eyebrow rose in interest and Chastity made a note that she had been doing that often. This adventure had been chalk full of surprises. So the Captain didn’t want her talking to one wee boy that wasn’t even a member of the crew. That, of course, made her want to seek out the boy even more. There was no way she was just going to leave the child to the wolves.

She hummed in thought at his next question. Yes, yes, the grand treasure. They had actually been called upon to protect the treasure. Riding the world of a crew full of pirates while removing their blood money at the same time? It had been a win-win situation. Those who dared search for it wandered to their death.

Green orbs snapped to the man resting against the railing of the ship. A few short strides had her back leaning against the rail of the ship and she looked up into the cloud coverage. “Vane’s treasure,” she repeated his words in a whimsical voice. She wondered if she should play with him more; claim to have no idea what he was talking about. Then again, if she enraged him enough he might toss her overboard and she wouldn’t be able to fulfill her duties.

“South east,” her voice was smooth like silk and held complete confidence in her words. Chastity had no reason to lie: even if she gave him the directions step by step, they would never find the treasure. Crossing her arms over her chest, and grinned over at the man with a sense of victory. “You want to know anymore than that and I get my own quarters. I know there are plenty- you are a horrible liar.”

[Doctor Wormy]

Nicholas waited, in an attempted patience for her to answer. The way he felt when it looked to him that she was debating over her answer...made him glad that he took her aside.

At the her words of which direction his smile grew, excellent, she actually gave an answer and didn't completely infuriate him with it. At least that had been what he thought, he sighed at her demand; she wanted her own quarters... It was a small request compared to the promise it seemed to provide in return. Her expression, however, that 'I win' look to her...or rather one that said he lost made it hard for him to just agree so easily.

"Ye know...there are other ways to make a woman talk?" He smirked, it was only a bluff of a warning though, he heaved a heavy sigh as he touched his hands to the wheel. "Fine, ye so much as chip the floor and ye will pay for it with yer skin." He said before turning his ship in the direction that she indicated. After a moment he turned to look to her, "I'll take ye then...." He mumbled, crossing his arms, how frustrating, that he'd have to admit defeat, even if in such a small battle....merely killing the woman would do him no good, though....the debate entered his mind briefly. They could just go to their usual ways of stealing and sinking ships, burning towns, and being trouble for the law. It seemed it'd be more a blow to his pride to give up so soon though, so for now he'd try to tolerate the irritating woman.

[punky_brewster]

Chastity smirked as the man’s grin of excitement seemed the sour. Someone was a sour loser. She almost laughed at the man’s veiled threat. “Aye, aye, your majesty, I’ll be a perfect house guest.” She made a motion for him to lead the way.

She could see his aura darken and had to keep from relishing in upsetting him openly. She wondered how long it would be before this miserable man realized that she held all the cards and there was no way to win against her. Chastity could taste the cogs in his head turning. She knew that if she pushed just a little more it would be full check mate.

“You know,” she started off casual. “Without the treasure you will be remember as a pirate, a great pirate, but still just a pirate. But, if you do manage to grasp Vane’s legacy with your own two hands; well, then you become a legend.”

[Doctor Wormy]

Nicholas narrowed his eye at her gesture, but sighed as he lead her away. If she had her own quarters soon, hopefully for now, or at least a short while, that'd mean she'd be out of his way and mind. He'd rather her annoying him directly though rather than causing trouble among his crew like she already seemed to promise to do, he doubted Mitch would be the last to complain to him.

He sighed at her words, mumbling to himself something about her making too noise before gazing at her. "There are other ways to become a legend, my dear." Despite appearing calm, the way he addressed her was practically hissed. "And there are many types of legends. I care not for such things, what good would bein' known do me when I'm gone?" His words were only partially true, he did like the idea of being told of, of being something that was feared and at the same time exciting to think about. Answering her this way helped with him babbling to her about that sort of idea. For now he was happy to be 'King of the Pirates'.

Aaron ran around the corner, as he scanned the area he saw Nicholas, but not in time to not crash in to him, the impact setting him off balance a bit, but Nicholas was able to catch the child by the collar before he crashed to the hard wood. "What're ye doing..?" He asked in a hushed tone, the woman was still with him. "Nik...hide me." Aaron said frantic, but not fearful, he grinned at his captain, but moved his gaze when he saw he didn't look amused, and that his gaze was not on the boy. Aaron looked to Chastity, he most likely should have given an apology, but he instead back stepped a little then smiled at her, trying to buy time as he thought of an excuse.


(Baaah, well, shite, my head went blank, and his reaction to her was kinda boring, so I thought I'd try to make some fun...)

[punky_brewster]

Wishing to mess with his head just a little bit, Chastity pressed ever so slightly against his back as she whispered into his ear, “I suppose, but legends never die- so, you would never be gone.” She grinned and pushed away from him just in time to see the small boy from before rounding the corner.

She brought up her hand to cover a laugh as the mighty captain seemed taken off guard. She smiled fondly at the boy and gave him nod of acknowledgment knowing that Nicholas wouldn’t see because she was behind him. She wondered what had spooked the boy into running about the ship, or perhaps he was having a bit of fun. Her eyes softened at the thought that even in such horrid surrounding a child could still find light. They truly were remarkable creatures. She never quite understood what happened to change awe inspiring children to transform into pathetic men and disgraceful women. That was a thought for another time.

Chastity waited, wondering if something or someone was going to round the corner in chase of the boy. She was also curious to see the Captains reaction who the boy claimed to be his “favorite.”

(It’s fine, mine have been kinda…yeah….and Aaron is a cutey patootey.))

[Doctor Wormy]

As she pressed up to him, the young captain felt something different than anger, he couldn't place exactly what it was, which in itself frustrated him, but for now he'd leave it be. It wasn't worth wasting time over.

Nicholas stared at Aaron a moment, he was smiling, which told him he hadn't gotten in to any real trouble--the boy wasn't always treated well by his crew, their frustrations often seeming to want to turn to the weakest around. "What happened?" He finally asked, he'd seemed to avoid answering what he was actually doing, though the words 'hide me' were most likely his honest answer, he could only assume he was running off from some task.

The child kept his smile as he decided to explain what had happened, though rather than answering out, he waved for Nicholas to come closer, which with a sigh he knelt down on one knee. The boy whispered to him about what was wanted of him, he'd been requested to help the chef, and rambled a moment about how dull kitchen duty was. Nicholas chuckled softly as he stood back up, forgetting for a moment that he'd been with Chastity, he ruffled the boys hair. "I'll 'hide' ye then." He laughed softly, but composed himself as his gaze returned to the woman. He didn't actually want to see what sort of defiant and cocky expression she had--one that if she'd been a man most likely wouldn't of bothered him so much, he wasn't used to such a gutsy woman.

"Let's go." He said, his tone losing the friendliness it had as he spoke to the child, before he headed to where she could stay. He purposely took her to a room that wasn't too common for his men to be near, though why he'd taken the care to do so, he told himself to avoid his men acting too much like eejits at the thought of the woman being so close.

[punky_brewster]

Chastity pursed her mouth together as she watched the two interact. She wondered what kind of spell the man had the boy under. Yet, Nicholas seemed almost happy around the boy. The thought puzzled her and she did not like to be puzzled. So, she did what she always did when she didn’t like something- she shoved it to the farthest corner of her mind.

Ah, there was the captain she knew and detested. Her smirk fell into place at his childlike order. ’yes, yes, be a mean old grump for I have something quite fun planned…’ She followed behind silently, having decided she had won the battle for now.

Taking a look around the room, Chastity decided it met her standards. “This will do,” she spoke as if she had many choices and she was just deciding to put up with the circumstances. She turned her attention to Aaron and she wasn’t sure if it was to rile up the Captain or merely an endearment towards the boy. “Would you like to hide in here with me and play a game?”

(eejits, hehe, tickled me pink.))

[Doctor Wormy]

(Shite, my 'Irish is showing' xD)

Nicholas watched as Chastity examined the room, he scoffed at her response. "Be happy ye get this much." The nerve she had, talking like she had much choice, and even if there were better, besides his own quarters perhaps, he'd give it to her.

As she turned to Aaron he glared, Aaron gave a sheepish smile at her suggestion, he liked the idea of playing a game, but the way the two adults seemed to speak to each other worried him a little. Before he would give Chastity an answer he looked to his captain. "Can I?" He whispered, it was clear in the way he smiled and stared that he was trying to bend the will of the pirate.

Nicholas stiffened at the gesture, he glanced over at that woman, she'd asked of this to irritate him, he was sure of it. Using the boy, it was a dirty trick, especially when the child looked eager to play whatever game she had in mind. "Do what ye want." He shrugged, but gave him a small smile.

Aaron cheered, and wore a large grin. "I wanna play, I wanna play!" He chimed, practically bouncing where he stood. Nicholas chuckled, trying not to think of the reason for the child's excitement was the woman who was making a hobby of getting on his nerves. "What sorta game are we gonna play?" Aaron asked after a moment, calming down a small bit, though he still seemed to have a bounce to is step.

(I just realized, Nicholas technically doesn't know her name o-o)

[punky_brewster]

Chastity grinned at the boy’s excitement. She rose an eyebrow as the boy turned to the captain for permission to play. She was surprised when the man seemed to comply. She motioned her hands up and down in a ‘calm, calm’ motion. Her eye snapped over to Nicholas and she rose a slender eyebrow as if asking if he was just going to stand there while they played their game.

Her sadistic nature was starting to surface, but she hid it very nicely. “Have you ever played jacks?” she asked as she pulled a small pouch out of her waist band. She emptied it into her hand revealing one small rubber ball and a bunch of tiny metal jacks.

These however were no ordinary child’s plaything. They were actually made as a curse back when the game first became popular. They were imbedded with the essences of the sea. Once out of their protective pouch they would conjure up the winds of the sea. The more they were tossed about, the greater the storm began.

As she dropped the metal piece to the floor, she handed Aaron the rubber ball. She knew that from her first action the winds would have picked up on deck. “You bounce the ball and try and pick up the jacks. First you only have to pick up one jack, and then you have to pick up two, and so on until one of us has managed to nab all the jacks. Understand?” Chastity informed before urging the boy to start the game.

It was starting to exhilarate her. She knew without a doubt that when the boy bounced the ball the first bolt of lightning would flash across the sky. It was due time for a grand storm.

((Nope, bwahahaha. I have no idea when Jacks were created, but I’m just going with it.))

[Doctor Wormy]

Nicholas rolled his eyes at the look she gave him, he'd go with the original thought of having the child keep an eye on her, it'd be as simple as that. He turned and left the room and Aaron paused from his excitement a moment to watch.

At the mention of the game he shook his head, he'd never heard of such a game, but then he didn't often find someone willing or not too busy to play with him. The thought left his mind as she pulled out the pouch, staring in awe at the small objects, fiddling with the ball in his fingers after it was handed to him.

Aaron listened with great interest to directions on the game, he was eager to start, and once he was urged to do so he grinned up at her. "Yeees!" He giggled a bit as he sat on the floor, bouncing the ball to start the game.

Nikolai stared out in the distance, the weather seemed like it was starting to turn for the worse. A moment ago the wind had suddenly picked up, and now even the sky had started to darken. Lightning crashing closer than what felt comfortable. He mumbled a curse as murmurs of the storm being the woman's fault already started. "If ye have time to complain and gossip like old women, yer not workin' hard enough." He growled, his words worked for the majority and they got to work and setting the ship so she would survive the storm, but it quickly seemed to be getting worse.

Aaron grinned up at Chastity as he was able to catch the first jack in time with the bounce of the ball. "I'm doing it right?" He asked in curiosity, though the commotion of outside could be heard a bit, for the moment he tried not to let it concern him too badly, he'd only be in the way.

[punky_brewster]

“You did just lovely,” the raven exclaimed as she took the piece of rubber from the boy. “My turn!” Chastity bounced the ball and as it met the floor a loud crack of thunder ran through the room from outside. She quickly swiped up two jacks along with the ball as a shiver of excitement ran through her body. Dropping the jacks back to the floor, she held the ball out for Aaron. “Now, you have to grab up three.”

She smiled at him with affection as she ignored the rocking of the ship. She wanted to keep him from worrying about the happenings outside. She was glad that she had him so close. Let the pigs drown, but the child: she was glad the child was out of harm’s way and safe in her presence.

[Doctor Wormy]

Aaron's smile grew as he was told he was doing a good job, and watched with interest as she played her turn. He nodded as she handed him the small ball, "Alright." He mumbled, still excited, but it was clear that he looked to be concentrating on the game. He bounced the ball before moving his hand to grab the three jacks, but then froze as the sound of thunder booming from outside grew louder. "It sounds bad out there...." He said, biting his lip a moment as he looked to Chastity, worry in his eyes.

Nicholas cursed aloud as the storm so quickly grew worse. The weather had looked to be fine before, there were clouds in the sky, but not like this, the sky had grown dark and it looked to be night instead of mid-afternoon. The sun was supposed to be out high still, but instead there was no sign of it, and it grew all the more cold because of it. At the rate it was going they'd have to tie everything down and head below. The ship was beginning to rock hard enough that even he had trouble keeping complete balance as he walked across the deck, giving orders, and helping where it looked needed most.

Aaron fidgeted a moment, the way the ship rocked was making him a little dizzy, but still he worried. Nicholas had gone out, he would surely be out in the storm now. Aaron, without much warning stood up. "I'm gonna go help, ye should stay in here 'kay?" He said giving a slight smile before he ran out the door.

Cold rain was already pouring down, seeming to add to the miserably cold wind that sprayed a mist of water from the ocean that was swelling up. The child tried hard to endure it though as he headed for the main deck, he'd most likely only get scolded, but he wanted to be thought as part of the crew like the others...