Introduction Solo
New Crew
Quiet sniffles mixed with the sounds of the wind and tide. A small blonde girl rubbed her eyes as she shoved her whole body weight against a little wooden boat, desperately trying to push it back out into open water. If she'd known this little island was so small, there's no way she would've wasted her time by stopping here! She had to make it to... well, somewhere! Her parents' sacrifice meant nothing if she died out here in hot, salty nowhere... By now, she was up to her chest in water, her little boat ready to float away from her if she didn't keep her hands on it. Taking a deep breath, she hauled herself over the edge, scrambling to get her feet out of the water before tumbling down into the boat.
Charlotte sighed as she lay on the wooden floor, wet blonde streaks of her hair falling into her eyes. At this time yesterday, she'd been sailing with her mother and father, and an entire crew of playful, story-telling seafolk! Ugh, how had this happened...? Charlie curled up tightly around herself, squeezing bright fuchsia eyes shut.
She didn't really remember how it had started. Charlotte had been below deck, in the kitchen, trying to swipe a delicious looking cream-filled pastry (after a night alone at sea, just the thought was tasty) before the cook could see. Just as she was about to wrap her tiny fingers around the treat, the ship gave a jarring rock, effortlessly tossing her against a wall. Startled, Charlie struggled to stay on her feet for the aftershocks. The people around her were rushing to the deck, just as curious as she was. Unfortunately, she also had the shortest legs, and was probably the slowest among the taller men.
She couldn't even make it across the cabin without being knocked over by another violent rocking. This one was enough to upturn tables and chairs, and was even accompanied by shrill screams that had Charlotte even more curious as to what was happening on deck. She squirmed back to her feet only to be tipped over again. With a huff, she continued on her hands and knees, even climbing the stairs on all fours. By now, most of the others had made it onto the deck, leaving Charlie alone to peek her head up into the open.
Charlotte froze as a roar of wind and water cascaded over her. There were people laying haphazardly over the deck. The screams had intensified tenfold, and they seemed to be words, although amongst the other noises, Charlotte couldn't tell what was being said. She caught sight of large blue eyes that were out of her view before she could identify what they even belonged to. But they struck fear into her nonetheless. A part of her wanted to scurry back down the stairs, but a mass of beautiful golden hair strewn across the wood had Char scrambling from her only safety, anyway.
It wasn't as hard a challenge as it should've been to avoid the heavy footfalls crashing around her. She may've even been pushed around a little bit, but Charlie could hardly even tell in her state of focus. "Momma?" She squeaked, reaching the golden mass. With all the fearful delicacy she could muster, she pushed a few shimmering strands from the fallen woman's face. She received no answer, but couldn't possibly give up! Her voice rose as she started violently shaking her mother, tugging desperately on her clothes and hair. And then suddenly, she was scooped right up. Fear lanced through her as she turned to face her attacker.
Her father tucked her under his arm and ran across the deck. Before she even had the chance to protest this treatment, he brought her to his face, kissed her softly on the forehead, and whispered, "I love you, sweetheart." His voice was quiet and fearful. Looking at his widened eyes, Charlie felt her own heart leap painfully. She didn't have the chance to ask him what was happening before he tossed her unceremoniously in one of the little wooden life boats and dropped it into the crashing ocean below.
The larger ship's rocking was enough to push her tiny vessel off. "Daddy!" Charlie called desperately, as her little boat floated away. Already, she was shivering as she looked on, watching the ship she'd known all her life be ravaged by some great, scaly flying beast. It commanded the water like it was apart of itself, making the crew's attempts to slay it look like nothing. The arrows and blades of the men on deck did nothing, and it didn't take Charlotte long to realize that although she was, in fact, getting farther away, that wasn't the only reason the ship was getting smaller...
She couldn't even bring herself to watch the rest. After that realization, she'd caved quickly, tucking herself under the single wooden seat and crying until her eyes burned from the saltiness of her own tears. It was quiet for a while after that. Charlie had no idea where she was headed or how long she'd been in this little boat. She had no idea if anyone had managed to take one of the other lifeboats, or if the dragon had caught them too. All she knew was the sun was drawing low in the sky, and if she didn't do something soon, she'd die out here despite her father's best efforts.
It wasn't long after she'd collected herself to find the little island and catch a quick meal and an even quicker nap. And that's how she came to be where she was, floating alone in a tiny boat to nowhere, tucked in the bottom of-
"Oof!"
An anxious wave washed over Charlie as her head shot up from the floor, suddenly fearful she was next to go. She looked up... And up, and up! And when her gaze finally reached the top, she spotted what actually appeared to be a friendly face. A horned, scaled, face, but still humanoid... A Dovaa...? Charlie tried to sink lower into her boat, but the face smiled softly at her. "Aye, Captain. There's a little lass in 'ere." With no hesitation, the man jumped from his ship down into hers.
Charlie went instantly into attack mode, screaming and leaping at him for all she was worth. Still smiling, he dodged her, carefully moving around her ship until she'd worn herself out and was reduced to sobs again. He carefully picked Charlie up, despite her feeble attempts to swat him away. Once he'd collected her, she found it remarkably easy to latch onto this stranger, and sobbed quietly into the creamy cloth at his shoulder. Unbeknownst to her, a rope fell from the larger ship, and the man began to climb back on board, his small wings fluttering like they could help him ascend.
"It's alright, little one." He whispered once he was fully on board, delicately trying to pry her from him. Charlie shook her head stiffly and clung for all she was worth, refusing to let go on anyone's terms but her own. She could practically feel several sets of curious eyes on her back. With a sigh and a soft chuckle, the Dovaa patted her head, but let her stay. After a few moments, she heaved an air-deprived sigh and looked up, seeing nothing but the ocean. "'Ey, lass." Her captive soothed, rubbing her back. This time, when he tried to set her down, she allowed it, slipping from his fingers slowly.
Charlie rubbed her eyes. This strange Dovaa actually seemed... decent enough, but she was afraid to turn and face the rest of the crew. She didn't know how many there were or if any of them were even remotely friendly... But, she'd shown enough fear. Any more, and they'd think her weak and prey upon her for it. Huffing in determination, she whirled to face them, pink eyes fierce.
The first thing she saw was a rather bulbous Orderite, clad in dusky-looking blues and greens. He looked significantly more gruff than the Dovaa who'd come down to save her, but his eyes were no less warm and friendly. "Welcome aboard, lass!" He boomed brightly. Despite the circumstances and fear she felt, Charlotte smiled. A tiny little grin that hopefully, things would get better from here.
New Crew
Quiet sniffles mixed with the sounds of the wind and tide. A small blonde girl rubbed her eyes as she shoved her whole body weight against a little wooden boat, desperately trying to push it back out into open water. If she'd known this little island was so small, there's no way she would've wasted her time by stopping here! She had to make it to... well, somewhere! Her parents' sacrifice meant nothing if she died out here in hot, salty nowhere... By now, she was up to her chest in water, her little boat ready to float away from her if she didn't keep her hands on it. Taking a deep breath, she hauled herself over the edge, scrambling to get her feet out of the water before tumbling down into the boat.
Charlotte sighed as she lay on the wooden floor, wet blonde streaks of her hair falling into her eyes. At this time yesterday, she'd been sailing with her mother and father, and an entire crew of playful, story-telling seafolk! Ugh, how had this happened...? Charlie curled up tightly around herself, squeezing bright fuchsia eyes shut.
She didn't really remember how it had started. Charlotte had been below deck, in the kitchen, trying to swipe a delicious looking cream-filled pastry (after a night alone at sea, just the thought was tasty) before the cook could see. Just as she was about to wrap her tiny fingers around the treat, the ship gave a jarring rock, effortlessly tossing her against a wall. Startled, Charlie struggled to stay on her feet for the aftershocks. The people around her were rushing to the deck, just as curious as she was. Unfortunately, she also had the shortest legs, and was probably the slowest among the taller men.
She couldn't even make it across the cabin without being knocked over by another violent rocking. This one was enough to upturn tables and chairs, and was even accompanied by shrill screams that had Charlotte even more curious as to what was happening on deck. She squirmed back to her feet only to be tipped over again. With a huff, she continued on her hands and knees, even climbing the stairs on all fours. By now, most of the others had made it onto the deck, leaving Charlie alone to peek her head up into the open.
Charlotte froze as a roar of wind and water cascaded over her. There were people laying haphazardly over the deck. The screams had intensified tenfold, and they seemed to be words, although amongst the other noises, Charlotte couldn't tell what was being said. She caught sight of large blue eyes that were out of her view before she could identify what they even belonged to. But they struck fear into her nonetheless. A part of her wanted to scurry back down the stairs, but a mass of beautiful golden hair strewn across the wood had Char scrambling from her only safety, anyway.
It wasn't as hard a challenge as it should've been to avoid the heavy footfalls crashing around her. She may've even been pushed around a little bit, but Charlie could hardly even tell in her state of focus. "Momma?" She squeaked, reaching the golden mass. With all the fearful delicacy she could muster, she pushed a few shimmering strands from the fallen woman's face. She received no answer, but couldn't possibly give up! Her voice rose as she started violently shaking her mother, tugging desperately on her clothes and hair. And then suddenly, she was scooped right up. Fear lanced through her as she turned to face her attacker.
Her father tucked her under his arm and ran across the deck. Before she even had the chance to protest this treatment, he brought her to his face, kissed her softly on the forehead, and whispered, "I love you, sweetheart." His voice was quiet and fearful. Looking at his widened eyes, Charlie felt her own heart leap painfully. She didn't have the chance to ask him what was happening before he tossed her unceremoniously in one of the little wooden life boats and dropped it into the crashing ocean below.
The larger ship's rocking was enough to push her tiny vessel off. "Daddy!" Charlie called desperately, as her little boat floated away. Already, she was shivering as she looked on, watching the ship she'd known all her life be ravaged by some great, scaly flying beast. It commanded the water like it was apart of itself, making the crew's attempts to slay it look like nothing. The arrows and blades of the men on deck did nothing, and it didn't take Charlotte long to realize that although she was, in fact, getting farther away, that wasn't the only reason the ship was getting smaller...
She couldn't even bring herself to watch the rest. After that realization, she'd caved quickly, tucking herself under the single wooden seat and crying until her eyes burned from the saltiness of her own tears. It was quiet for a while after that. Charlie had no idea where she was headed or how long she'd been in this little boat. She had no idea if anyone had managed to take one of the other lifeboats, or if the dragon had caught them too. All she knew was the sun was drawing low in the sky, and if she didn't do something soon, she'd die out here despite her father's best efforts.
It wasn't long after she'd collected herself to find the little island and catch a quick meal and an even quicker nap. And that's how she came to be where she was, floating alone in a tiny boat to nowhere, tucked in the bottom of-
"Oof!"
An anxious wave washed over Charlie as her head shot up from the floor, suddenly fearful she was next to go. She looked up... And up, and up! And when her gaze finally reached the top, she spotted what actually appeared to be a friendly face. A horned, scaled, face, but still humanoid... A Dovaa...? Charlie tried to sink lower into her boat, but the face smiled softly at her. "Aye, Captain. There's a little lass in 'ere." With no hesitation, the man jumped from his ship down into hers.
Charlie went instantly into attack mode, screaming and leaping at him for all she was worth. Still smiling, he dodged her, carefully moving around her ship until she'd worn herself out and was reduced to sobs again. He carefully picked Charlie up, despite her feeble attempts to swat him away. Once he'd collected her, she found it remarkably easy to latch onto this stranger, and sobbed quietly into the creamy cloth at his shoulder. Unbeknownst to her, a rope fell from the larger ship, and the man began to climb back on board, his small wings fluttering like they could help him ascend.
"It's alright, little one." He whispered once he was fully on board, delicately trying to pry her from him. Charlie shook her head stiffly and clung for all she was worth, refusing to let go on anyone's terms but her own. She could practically feel several sets of curious eyes on her back. With a sigh and a soft chuckle, the Dovaa patted her head, but let her stay. After a few moments, she heaved an air-deprived sigh and looked up, seeing nothing but the ocean. "'Ey, lass." Her captive soothed, rubbing her back. This time, when he tried to set her down, she allowed it, slipping from his fingers slowly.
Charlie rubbed her eyes. This strange Dovaa actually seemed... decent enough, but she was afraid to turn and face the rest of the crew. She didn't know how many there were or if any of them were even remotely friendly... But, she'd shown enough fear. Any more, and they'd think her weak and prey upon her for it. Huffing in determination, she whirled to face them, pink eyes fierce.
The first thing she saw was a rather bulbous Orderite, clad in dusky-looking blues and greens. He looked significantly more gruff than the Dovaa who'd come down to save her, but his eyes were no less warm and friendly. "Welcome aboard, lass!" He boomed brightly. Despite the circumstances and fear she felt, Charlotte smiled. A tiny little grin that hopefully, things would get better from here.
Results: Met new crew
Words: 1394
