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scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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 Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2023 12:38 pm
For a brief few months, Illapha was invited on as crew on 'The Whispering Witch'. It was his first foray into working on a ship, and it was obvious. His buddy, a grizzled older guy who he'd drunk under the table a number of times over the years, took him under his wing and taught him everything he could, but that didn't save him from the first mate Indra's harsh tongue, and even harsher methods. By the end of those few months, Illapha felt he was acceptable, if not the best - but he was tired of the lack of respect. He was young, sure - not the most skilled, but he was strong and competent and he could learn. Everywhere else he'd ever worked had understood that.
Of course, The Whispering Witch was a pirate ship - a fact his friend had said to him behind a cupped hand and with an excited grin. They were involved in nefarious, illegal activities - and because of that, the possibility of getting a big payout was there. Unfortunately, the pay was crap, the attitude was even worse - and while Illapha didn't have a problem with illegal activities, he had been raised in a settlement of monks, and he drew the line at cruelty for cruelty's sake.
And there was more than enough of that to go around, on that ship. So - once his few months were up, he got off at the nearest harbor, took his pay, and left. He was smart enough to keep his mouth shut, but also resolved himself to steering clear of the ship and any other offers that came around.
So, color him surprised when his buddy, jovial face drawn into a serious frown, caught up to him a few months later and told him he should meet up with 'the captain'. So here he was, drinking cheap ale and waiting for the captain to show up.
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Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2023 12:39 pm
[Post via Painted Moose on Discord]
Life aboard ‘The Whispering Witch’ amid it’s hierarchal transition had been nothing less than interesting. When Xenia had started her life aboard it’s well worn decks she’d been careless and stupid; as oblivious to a life of hard truths as the next poor soul. Now that she’d had more than a few storms under her belt the yaeli was scarred, tatted and more determined than ever to make a mark.
With each voyage Xenia took more and more of a frontal presence among the crew. She learned how to act the part of a true Captain from Indra, but also from others as well. By now she’d become an acceptable stand in, a figure that was believable at the very least, and more than capable of holding her own. It irked Indra; burned in a way that Xenia could feel as visceral as a true fire. During their latest voyage she’d even chastised Indra publicly for the first time and when the scarred matorian had no choice but to comply Xenia knew something had changed.
Something as dangerous as a powder keg.
She’d gone under the title of Wolfsbane for a while, but since then Xenia had rebranded herself. She didn’t need a title to keep herself hidden; after all, it wasn’t Indra’s ship, right?
Still, there was now the process of amassing a crew she could trust. Every move she made was more dangerous than the last and Xenia was running out of time. So, when she’d spread her threads out, hoping to land a few bites, she’d been pleasantly surprised to gather them. Curls piled high atop her head, the petite yaeli made her way toward the tavern with her head held high and a purpose in mind. She needed to find a yaeli born hybrid; his appearance would be obvious enough. He’d worked aboard the ship before, but that was before Indra really let her out of her room and now…
“I’ve seen you before, haven’t I?” Xenia came closer to the young man and furrowed her brow. “The festival in Sulburi! For the goddess of mothers?”
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scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2023 12:41 pm
If he was honest with himself, an almost Yaeli suspicion had been borne in him that meeting the captain was actually some sort of lie to get him to come out, so he could be killed or something. He hadn't learned any secrets aboard the ship - nothing more than swabbing and cleaning and standing there, looking scary, while other people threatened their victims - occassionally he'd been needed for his fists. But in his time on board, he'd never met the captain. Too high and mighty, some of the other deck hands had said, to meet the random louts they picked up at port.
He hadn't been given a name to expect, just that she'd 'come to him', which probably compounded his paranoia quite a bit. So... his first expectation was that the person who approached him would be the captain.
Instead, when someone spoke to him he turned and saw a familiar face. Although - almost not, because she looked so different from the young woman he'd seen what felt like so long ago. Ink sprawled up her arm, and her wild mess of curls was drawn back from her face. She was still petite, almost dwarfed next to him, but she didn't look like the frail young Yaeli he'd met at a sprawling festival in Sulburi. "May Hatald Bless you -- yes." He said, tone wondering as he fully turned to looka t her. His eyes swept the room, concerned about dragging her into the illicit meeting he was expecting, but no one had come forward yet, and he was more excited than he expected to see someone familiar. With an almost secretive smile he slipped his hand into an inner pocket at the front of his vest and drew out a familiar looking comb - tipping it towards her so she could see it.
"Illy. And you're - ah. Blast." He murmured a curse and tapped the comb against his temple. "... Xanai? Sorry, I'm balls with names."
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Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2023 12:42 pm
[via Painted Moose on Discord]
“May Hatald bless us all.” Xenia quirked her lips into a half smile. She hadn’t been stupid enough to come alone; a few of her chosen guard stood at the fringes of the room, keeping an eye on things. They wouldn’t have been noticeable to anyone else and she liked keeping it that way. The less that knew of her intentions the better.
Xenia pulled herself up onto a stool and made herself comfortable. As she was organizing herself, her eyes traveled to the comb he pulled out and her wry grin turned into an actual smile. “You kept it…that’s so sweet of you.” If she needed anymore convincing that this meeting was a worthy one then she had it. “The name’s Xenia, though these days I go by many others.” Leaning closer, she caught his eyes and didn’t break contact. “Wolfsbane among them, but I’m thinking of rebranding. I’m glad you came this evening, Illapha; we have much to discuss.”
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scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2023 12:42 pm
Sweet? Er... maybe. But it was, also, easily the most expensive thing he owned, why would he throw it away? He returned it to its pocket, propping his arm on the counter again as he reached for his drink, nodding a bit sheepishly as she introduced herself. The mug, however, stopped on its way to his mouth when she continued, dark eyes blinking at the new name. Wolfsbane - the captain. He was silent for a long moment, then set the mug down, leaning back a bit in his seat so he could look at her again.
Her? She was the captain of that ship? It wasn't that he doubted her, per se - though her petite frame and friendly nature were a surprising combination for a Pirate Captain. What concerned him was the way the ship was run, the cruelty of many of its members, the literal children, thin and trembling waifs, who worked aboard. "Huh. Couldn't say I expected to run into you, this way, again." he said slowly, giving her a look that was decidedly more icy than before. "The last I heard you weren't one for mingling with the help. What changed?"
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Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2023 12:43 pm
[via Painted Moose on Discord]
Xenia raised her hand and flagged down a mug for herself. When the bar keep started to fill the stein with mead she shook her head. “Pineapple juice, please.” She wasn’t really one for drinking at all, and not during negotiations. When the mug was brought her way a strange look was passed and it was one she wholeheartedly ignored.
“Appearances can be deceiving; I’m sure you’ve been taught that.” She looked at him over the rim of her glass and took a drink. For a moment Xenia was content to just watch him and gauge his reaction. Dropping information like that could bring out a myriad of looks from any sailor, especially those who had worked above the Witch. Admittedly, it did hurt to see the way he seemed to lock himself away, but if he hadn’t she would have judged him for it.
“Before tonight what were your impressions of Wolfsbane? Or of First Mate Indra? You won’t be harmed for your honesty; if you don’t believe me take heart in the witnesses around us.”
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scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2023 12:59 pm
Pineapple juice. If she hadn't just dropped the news that she was THE Wolfsbane, he would have probably teased her for it, or reminded her she was in a seedy tavern in Oba, not a summery beach in Matori. As for appearances... she surely knew how accurate that statement was about him, in turn, so of course he understood. He was, after all, the same man she'd met with a flower crown in his hair, after all.
"First Mate Indra?" He deadpanned, taking a deep drink from his cup. His eyes flicked around them, taking in the people who had trailed in after her. It felt... risky to just openly discuss it, but the barkeep had gone off to wash things, and most of the other patrons were just as eager to keep away, for their own privacy.
"... Heartless. When she was on deck, I could never tell if we were gonna get a pat on the back or kicked overboard. Not that I expect people in ... our profession to hold hands and sing lullabies together, but-" He snorted. "Even the most careless owner knows to toss their mutts a bone, here and there."
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Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2023 1:00 pm
[via Painted Moose on Discord]
Xenia gave a knowing ‘hmm’ as she drank her juice and listened. “Indra has kept her name because of the actions she’s taken to ensure it’s survival. The Witch owes a fair deal to her and if she’d had a heart then we may have been one of many ships rotting at the bottom of the sea.” As she took another drink Xenia slipped a bit of parchment toward Illapha. It was folded once over with a few statements written inside.
”Indra is the true Captain; she took me from yael as a false Captain incase found by Oban navy. Will take another if I leave.”
Inside was a bit of coal, should he chose to respond.
Looking around the bar, Xenia kept an eye out for supporters. Just as she’d brought others to guard her she had no doubt that Indra had sent others to watch for her. Even if they didn’t work on the ship itself didn’t mean they weren’t under her employ.
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scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2023 1:02 pm
(5/10)
It was a diplomatic answer, and if Illapha was more the type for secrecy and subterfuge he may have appreciated it for what it was: a careful answer. But he wasn't, and though he wasn't a fool, he also didn't appreciate the complimentary answer. Then again, he had no reason to believe this woman would even care for how he felt about it all - if she was the captain of such a ship, she probably would encourage her underlings to throw their weight around.
He grunted, displeased at the answer, but then a piece of parchment was set between them. He made to shuffle his cup a bit, and picked it up as he did so, tucking it into his palm so he could read it. And... what he read made his expression darken, perhaps into one that finally matched his intimidating appearance.
So... he'd just bad mouthed the 'true' captain. Illy opened his mouth to respond, but then pursed his lips instead, regarding the woman next to him. His hands were... slightly too big to write very legibly on the slip he'd been given, but he tried nonetheless. 'why talk to me? mutiny?' He could think of no other reason for her to reach out to an obviously disgruntled ex-deck hand.
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Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2023 1:03 pm
“If your expressions were any less grave, Illy, I’d have a hard time thinking you were younger than me.” Xenia raised a brow and settled into her seat with a slight grin. When the barkeep came by to refill her glass she pinched her forefinger and thumb together, graciously accepting a very mild amount of clear liquid with her pineapple. Just enough to tamp down her nerves. Xenia had been forced to become a master of subtly, but she didn’t like it. It settled in her gut like a nest of keldari and always left her nervous.
“We’re just talking, aren’t we? And I heard you might be looking for work? You know your way around a ship well enough, but I was thinking of having you work with me directly. Big guy like you can do a lot to help me out.”
She gave just the barest of glances to the slip to read it, marked a few words and slid it back with the crossing of her legs as a distraction. ”Yes. Need crew I can trust. Danger, but pay big.”
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scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2023 1:03 pm
Illapha wished he could say that simply helping someone was enough reason for him to do it, but that would be a lie. He wasn't a good person, even if his birth father and family would wish it so. As much as the darker parts of Oban society disgusted him, he also fit in well, and didn't do horribly for himself. He watched as she got a refill, then gestured for one of his own; the cheaper stuff, but pure enough that it made his nostrils burn as he drank. Young or not, he hadn't actually acted his age in a very long time.
"... I am." he said, slowly, tilting his head. What did she want him for? As a bodyguard? Or simply as another body to back her on that ship? He subtly took in the note, somewhat gratified that it confirmed his thoughts. It made her strange behaviour make sense. "An invite from Wolfsbane herself might just make me listen. But what's in it for me?"
She'd already said, in her note, but this was for the conversation - for what he assumed were the spies that could be around them. If he agreed too readily, when minutes ago he'd badmouthed the true captain, it might seem suspicious.
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Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2023 1:04 pm
[via Painted Moose on Discord]
Xenia clicked her tongue and offered a half-smirk before giving the remains of her glass a little swirl. “The freedom to walk away from this conversation? Two lungs? Two working eyes?” Of course she knew they were being watched; she was always being watched. Xenia couldn’t afford to let her guard down for a second and the sharpness in her features during that moment was an elaborate falsehood. She didn’t want to threaten the boy; he’d been nothing but kind, if a little gruff. However, if she showed him favor anywhere she could see then Illapha might as well be a walking corpse.
“You have skills that I find useful; simple as that. I’m being generous because of your previous work with us.” In one quick drink Xenia drained her glass and sat it back on the counter before giving him her full attention. “Don’t think you’re my only option; arrogance isn’t a good trait for a sailor who wants grey in his beard.”
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scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2023 1:05 pm
"So much for just talking." He replied lowly, grumbling a bit as he threw back his drink. He wasn't good at these... spy games, but he hoped that seeming unfriendly might help his new 'boss' in the long run - their conversation about how they met, with the comb, had been before he realized they were being watched after all. But ... he'd admit to himself he had fond memories of their first meeting, and - hearing she had been captured, and put in a position, made him feel uncharacteristically noble.
"Okay, Cap, I hear you. It was starting to get boring here, so a bit of fresh air'd be good. And I do like my eyes." He smirked a bit, though he hoped it came off tense, like one would expect a bigger man to bristle at being threatened by a waif of a woman.
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Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2023 1:06 pm
[via Painted Moose on Discord]
“Have you ever heard of Wolfsbane being a negotiator? Or taking ‘no’ for an answer?” Xenia shook her head and leaned back in her seat. Even that light bit of alcohol was already bringing a warmth to her cheeks and she knew better than anyone that she needed to stop before she got too loose with her words. “My hands are tied, really; reputation and all.”
And it did come off as tense. Perhaps if she hadn’t had that shot of liquor she would have been able to see through it clearer than she did, but when Xenia’s lip pulled back in a snarl it wasn’t an act. It wasn’t until she’d taken a good breath that she regained her composure. “Good, I’m glad we could have this talk. I think it’s important for crew relations to have that personal touch.”
Thinking on things, she added, “If you have anything you need to wrap up I’d do it soon. Next Full Moon we set sail.”
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scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2023 1:07 pm
(8/10)
This was stupid. He had nothing in this game, no reason to run to this woman's aid, but he found himself pulled in despite his better judgement. He wasn't lying before - it had gotten dull, just breaking drunken noses to put down bar fights. He'd rather work with someone he could tolerate than the grumpy old Obans who employed him most days.
But, as said before, he wasn't good at this spy stuff - and there seemed to be true agitation on the woman's face when she scowled at him, an expression that on most people would make him toothily grin, but on her made him feel immediately guilty.
In answer he tapped his finger once against the note they'd been writing on before, then pushed it back to her under the guise of standing up, briefly towering over her before he stepped back and away from the bar.
Was what she said another double meaning message? Perhaps a 'if you want to escape do it now' sort of comment? Or- was this all some convoluted trick, and the notes were fake, and he'd fallen for it and was being lured on board to be gutted and used as fish bait?
His head hurt from overthinking everything. "Personal. Sure. Good catching up, Xenia." And- it was. He... felt glad that she'd reached out to him, if she really needed help. All of this was ridiculous, insane-- and he wanted to find Indra and strangle her for making life so difficult for people.
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