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Post by Deleted on Dec 17, 2017 12:21:13 GMT -5
a roleplay between myself and ☾ ահﻨรթεгﻨռց ოօօռร ☽
original plot here.
before we go anywhere, as i said; i'm flexible with muse preference. would you prefer one over the other? |
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Post by ☾ ահﻨรթεгﻨռց ოօօռร ☽ on Dec 17, 2017 12:27:13 GMT -5
[ I'm perfectly fine with Muse A. I think my character fits the role rather well. C: ] |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 17, 2017 12:31:02 GMT -5
alright! would you like to do character sheets? you don't have to, but i probably will <: |
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Post by ☾ ահﻨรթεгﻨռց ოօօռร ☽ on Dec 17, 2017 12:40:31 GMT -5
[ Sure! I don't mind doing a character sheet. ] |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 17, 2017 12:41:28 GMT -5
alright! i'll have one up soon since i'm actually not sure who i wanna use oops |
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Post by ☾ ահﻨรթεгﻨռց ოօօռร ☽ on Dec 17, 2017 12:46:11 GMT -5
[ Lol, that's fine! I'll have mine up soon. c: ] |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 17, 2017 13:00:02 GMT -5
Captain of the Mermaid's Dagger
Gwyn Elias, 26 years old
perhaps in another time, he could've been a true welshman; as it is, Gwyn was raised in London, England under a nobleman embarrassed by him. but that is a sob story for another time, as he doesn't care.
gwyn is not tall, at 5'5'', and he's lean-muscled with a climber's build. despite his height he has long legs, and he has tanned skin. his canines are notably sharper and longer than most, rumours often lingering that he has merfolk heritage - but this is likely untrue, considering he was born on land. he has faint freckles over his nose and cheeks, and his eyes are a keen grey colour. his tousled hair is a dark brown-black in colour, curling a little at the back and behind his ears. a notable scar cuts through the middle of his lower lip, and another goes over the bridge of his nose.
he usually wears clothes of dark greys and blacks, and his hat is adorned with a few colourful feathers from places he's visited. he appears to be missing the tip of his ring finger, though even his crew do not know how that happened. he's still trying to settle into the life of a captain, as it does not come naturally to him; but so far, he's done fairly well. |
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Post by ☾ ահﻨรթεгﻨռց ოօօռร ☽ on Dec 17, 2017 13:32:06 GMT -5
Former Navy Man,
Taika Rissanen, 28 years old
At one point in time, Taika had had a nice, loving life with his parents---until a ruthless band of pirates took it all away. He doesn’t speak of the tragedy, even when asked, though it’s more because he doesn’t have the time. It took him a long time and a lot of hard work to be fit enough to join the navy. He was born and raised in London, but he’s of Finnish descent, and was given the same name as, embarrassingly, his great-grandmother.,
Taika is a man of average height at about 5’6”, with a rather lean and unintimidating body build, though he’s gained a decent amount of muscle. He has short, curly hair that’s almost the color of a pearl, a very light, silvery blonde, and it has only just began to grow out from his most recent haircut. His eyes are a bright, glimmering blue, and he has a beauty mark beneath his left eye, though he lacks any facial scars. However, if one pays attention, they can see that he walks with a very slight limp on his right side. Some men have claimed that Taika must certainly be part fae, due to his subtly pointed ears and rather pretty features, but it’s nonsense to him.
While he’s recently only worn the typical uniform of a navy man, Takia prefers warm colors of reds and golds, and would rather wear his old, reliable boots than anything else he could find in the market. He does, however, wear a gold necklace, adorned with a ruby in the center, that once belonged to his mother; he would rather die than ever take it off. |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 17, 2017 14:36:04 GMT -5
sorry for vanishing,
went to make dinner d: im back now, though! is there anything else you wanna clear up before we start? |
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Post by ☾ ահﻨรթεгﻨռց ოօօռร ☽ on Dec 17, 2017 15:30:44 GMT -5
[ It's fine!
And nope, I don't think so. I think we're good to go. c: ] |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 17, 2017 15:43:18 GMT -5
alrighty, would you like me to start? bare in mind that i'm gonna be gone for up to an hour but i can do it once im back <: |
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Post by ☾ ահﻨรթεгﻨռց ოօօռร ☽ on Dec 17, 2017 15:56:31 GMT -5
[ If you wouldn't mind. ^^
That's okay, take your time! There's no rush. c: ] |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 17, 2017 17:52:40 GMT -5
Legends passed about a legendary ship, one so strong that even a sea dragon could not take it on. The crew, a fearsome thing; large and violent, answering only to their Captain. They were the biggest threat on the seven seas, sending other ships to Davy Jones' Locker; they were the quintessential pirates, ideal in every way.
Unfortunately, that was not what the Mermaid's Dagger was like. Instead, they were small and loyal, a remake of the original crew. While little port towns might've heard of them from years ago when the crew was actually a fearsome thing, Captain Elias' crew was not as old nor as fearsome, but they were skilled in their own ways. Being rebuilt from the ground up had, admittedly, taken a toll on them - but it was worth it. So, so worth it.
Gwyn squinted up at the sky as it darkened, and took note of the lack of seagulls. He shifted his weight between one leg and the other. Ah, right. It was about time for a storm.
"We're going into the cave," he told the navigator, who nodded and began plotting out a route. "Looks like a bigger one. We have supplies, yes?"
"Yes, Captain." the cook, from where he'd been standing, nodded quickly. "We have enough to last a couple of weeks, but after that we should probably go to town and buy some more."
For that, they needed money. Gwyn winced a little but nodded and waved him away, listening to the waves. They were beginning to pick up speed, but he knew that the Mermaid's Dagger could reach the cave before the storm hit. She was a trustworthy little ship, always had been. He trusted her far more than he trusted his men, though he trusted them to a degree, too. Without trust, they would not progress; and he wanted them to be great and feared, to be legends like those before them. The very idea excited him, and his determination shone through.
The storm passed as expected; it hit a little earlier, but otherwise, remained the same. The crew of the Mermaid's Dagger remained firmly within the cave they'd discovered a couple of years ago, laughing and talking, and having a good old time. Gwyn, on the other hand, worked with the navigator to plot a route from the cave to the nearest port town; it seemed that it would be a little town on the coast of Italy, which was all good and fine with him. He watched his crew as he worked, and smiled when he was invited to drink by the fire.
Eventually, as all storms did, it ended and they could leave their little 'home'.
"We should check the island," he said, and the navigator agreed. Gwyn, himself, went to check that they had enough supplies for their journey. It would be unfortunate if they ran out. It seemed that they had the luck of the gods, though, as they had plentiful supplies. Surprising, he thought, but shook it off as he headed back up at the call of land. The sun had come out and beamed down on them like it was pleased; and he looked towards the island. Is that a person? he wondered, looking up at the Crow's Nest. If it was, then he was sure that he'd be told soon enough. If not, then he'd find out.
[ m sorry this is bad orz ] |
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Post by ☾ ահﻨรթεгﻨռց ოօօռร ☽ on Dec 17, 2017 18:44:47 GMT -5
[ It's fine! c: ]
Taika had never been at sea longer than a week's journey in his life, not even for travel purposes. His family had preferred to stay firmly rooted in the bustling center of London; they'd been a lucky family, as work had been steady and money plentiful. Taika had never wanted for food or clothes, his father had often brought him new toys and gifts, showered his mother with jewelry and affection.
His childhood had been a good one, happy and carefree, as a child should be.
Until a group of bloodthirsty, greedy pirates took it all away. That was a story for another time, however.
At the end of his first month as a navy man, his very first time at sea, Taika's ship had gotten swept up in a nasty storm. The whole crew had seen it coming,
yet no one had thought to head for land, not even himself. The waves had slammed against the ship's sides, rocking it violently, and the darkness of the storm clouds had concealed the death trap waiting only feet ahead. In the murky, unsteady waters, the ship struck a nest of jagged stones. Panicked, high-pitched voices rang out through the night, shouting orders and desperately trying to maintain some kind of order.
Order meant nothing in the face of death.
Most men fell into the dark waters, thrashing and struggling for their lives. Some went still after a time, sinking down into the horrifying depths. A few never resurfaced at all, plunging into the water, never to return. A handful of men had fallen onto the pointy, sharp rocks, dying horrible deaths upon impact. It was not only a tragedy, but a massacre at the cruel hands of nature. The sea knew nothing of mercy.
Hours passed. Days, maybe even weeks.
Taika did not know. He awoke slowly sometime in the night, face pressed to soft, grainy sand. Cold, chilly water lapped at his legs, at his side, though all of his clothes hung heavily over his body, soaked salty sea water. Shivering, he groaned as he rolled over onto his stomach, muscles sore and screaming in pain. Somehow, he had survived---had hugging that piece of driftwood truly saved him?---but certainly not unharmed. A small part of him wanted to cry in relief and pain, but he knew better. With what little strength he could muster, he pushed himself up on his elbows, then shakily sat up.
Where in the devil's name was he? This looked like no island he'd ever heard of. The storm had spat him out some tiny, remote little beach, and he feared it would become his future grave as well. It came as a surprise when he saw a ship approaching in the distance, obscured slightly by the fog. His heart leapt a little and he waved his arms, yelling, though he couldn't speak. Throat tight and raw, he couldn't get any words out, tongue too dry to even attempt.
All he could hope for was that they would see him, stop, and be kind enough to take him back to land.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 17, 2017 21:58:55 GMT -5
There were a few reasons that they checked the island, and people being washed up was one of the main ones. After all; Gwyn knew the land (and sea) in this particular area better than he knew his home, which meant that he knew when the storms were coming. This made for easy looting. He wasn't sure how many skeletons were underneath the soft sand on the beach of the island - couldn't even tell how much gold his crew had gotten. Of course, there were the people willing to pay to get home, and they were the sort Gwyn made friendly with.
A couple of them had even joined his crew, though they were often the younger ones, too new to the world to know better. Too soft, too gentle, too trusting. Too trusting of the man who appeared like some kind of fictional angel.
Perhaps it was a little unfair that he took advantage.
Gwyn gestured to his crew and they began readying themselves to stop; the little strip of wood that served as a sort of dock for the ship was nothing much, but enough for him to unboard without bothering with another boat or swimming; neither of which he particularly wanted to deal with today. He grimaced as he dropped down and took a moment to balance himself, before he strode across it with his arms behind his back, stepping onto the sand (bodies, so many bodies), and approached the strange man.
For a moment, he simply studied; watched for potential danger. Then, he took his flask from his hip and offered it; it was fresh water, because he knew what being stranded was like. He also knew that there was no fresh water on this island; just miles of sand, stretching on and on. It had a few plants, but he'd checked them and they seemed to be the sort of deserts rather than forests, and they did not help those in desperate need.
"Take this, friend," he said, in a tone that was kind. Though he smiled, it did not quite reach his eyes; they remained those of a keen-eyed, intelligent man. Gwyn knew when to draw the line, and if he dropped his guard, well. Then he'd be the one losing something, wouldn't he?
There wasn't much he could deduce about the other man. Perhaps navy? That made things interesting. The Mermaid's Dagger wasn't well-known as it was now, but he knew that the previous incarnation had been ruthless and infamous, and so...well, the name displayed boldly on its side said enough about it. Even to those who didn't know who they were, they were pirates, clear as day. From the corner of his eye, he saw a faint glint that suggested his crew were watching over him. Thank you, he thought, that'll make up for if I make mistakes.
To be able to trust them at his back was something. It was strange and new, even now, but it was nice. Comforting, even. "Can you talk?" he asked after a beat, deciding to try to get some information out of the stranger.
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Post by ☾ ահﻨรթεгﻨռց ოօօռร ☽ on Dec 17, 2017 22:50:11 GMT -5
Help, at long last! A kind soul to take Taika to familiar land, so that he could once again regain his bearings.
Or so he thought.
A minute or two of yelling was enough to attract the attention of the men on board, it appeared, as the ship slowly lumbered towards the shore. The closer it came, however, the more dread began to pool low in his stomach. What he had thought was a friendly cargo ship, or perhaps travelling merchants, was quite the opposite. No, the ship he had flagged down was one that sent a mixture of fear and anger spiking through his blood.
The Mermaid's Dagger.
An image of his parents, smiling and happy near the fireplace of his childhood home, flashed through Taika's mind. The crew of this ship had sent two wonderful people to the grave. Slaughtered them in cold blood just as the sea had slaughtered the rest of the navy crew. He'd get his revenge, the moment they docked; he would attack them, with whatever he could find. The fear of dying would not stop his quest for vengeance.
The loud thud of a large wooden plank slamming into the sand shook the man from his enraged and unhappy memories. Taika's cold blue gaze watched as the man descended from the ship's deck, and though he head spun sickeningly, he somehow managed the strength to make his expression fierce and unfriendly.
The hatred melted into surprise. That was not the captain of The Mermaid's Dagger. He looked quite young, perhaps only a few years Taika's junior. The man that Taika despised, the man he wished to kill with his own bare hands, was neither young nor so small. It can't be him, he thought, staring up at him from his place on the warm sand. But only one ship carries that blasted name. This man had to have been a crew member, not the captian. Then where was that horrible man?
Taika did not move. He did not dare to as much as breathe too deeply. The flask, offered to him with such kind words, received quite a bit of harsh glaring. His tongue moved slowly in his dry mouth, his throat aching for just a drop of clean, fresh water. Dare he accept a gift from such a shady man? A pirate, no less? Thirst won in the end, as Taika reluctantly snatched the flask from the man's hand. He didn't bother to be polite or respectful, as he tipped his head back and swallowed as much water as he possible could. Coughing, Taika took a moment to catch his breath, then unceremoniously chugged the rest of the water.
If he had to deal with a nasty pirate, he wouldn't waste his time on being well-mannered.
The flask, now entirely empty, was shoved back into Gwyn's face. On trembling legs, he pushed himself up to his feet, and took a good look around. Nothing but sand as far as the eye could see. When he looked back to the pirate, he immediately disliked the shrewd, calculating look in those grey eyes. "Of course I can speak," he snapped, though his voice came out hoarse and cracked. It made his cheeks warm with embarrassment. "Where is your captain?"
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Post by Deleted on Dec 17, 2017 23:44:05 GMT -5
Something was ferocious about this stranger, something about him wasn't right, and Gwyn was glad he picked up on it quickly. Nonetheless, he maintained his calm expression and tilted his head. His smile turned a little confused as he took the flask back, and he glanced down at it thoughtfully. Ungrateful. He snorted softly and returned the flask to its place on his hip, and took a step back. His stance was wary, one of a trained fighter. He squinted thoughtfully, before smiling lazily.
"My name is Captain Gwyn Elias," he stated firmly. "I am the Captain of the Mermaid's Dagger."
Was the hat no longer enough to identify him as a Captain? He wasn't sure. Plenty of other pirates had been surprised at Gwyn's younger age, but had not argued; for being a Pirate Captain was not something born into, but something voted into, and that meant that he'd been voted in by his crew. Admittedly, there hadn't been better candidates; he was the one who'd known the legends from the previous ship, the one who'd known some of the men. He liked to think that he was doing well, but perhaps he'd made a mistake. Perhaps this was a shred of the Mermaid's Dagger's past. He wasn't quite sure.
The idea that someone had survived the previous crew was something that was so ridiculous. They killed everyone they came in contact with, and then they'd died under mysterious circumstances. Even now, Gwyn wasn't sure what had happened.
"What is it that I can help you with?" there was something about his tone that was cooler, and though the smile remained, it was one from politeness and not from kindness. He did not need to extend kindness to a man who seemed to hate him on sight; that was something so foreign to Gwyn that it had come as a genuine surprise. Very few people disliked him immediately - distrusted him, yes, but did not hate. Well. He assumed so, as his friendships ran strong throughout various countries, and he liked to think that he was a fairly likeable person.
Then again, he could be wrong. Gwyn wasn't too sure. Instead of dwelling on it too much, however, he simply observed this strange man. He took a gentle step back to ensure that he'd have enough time to react if he were attacked; he was armed and ready, left hand resting over his stomach and ready to take his cutlass at any given time - though he knew not to make it obvious, and so it was subtle movements, subtle defenses.
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Post by ☾ ահﻨรթεгﻨռց ოօօռร ☽ on Dec 18, 2017 0:20:15 GMT -5
Captain Gwyn Elias.
Taika almost snorted at the name, for he had never expected a man of such a small stature and young age to be the captain. And of an infamous, bloodthirsty crew, no less! The ridiculousness of the situation was almost laughable. No humor showed in his face or voice, however, only a cold bluntness. Gwyn was not the man he'd searched so long to kill, and therefore, he wanted nothing to do with him. Except to get him off this miserable excuse for an island.
The dumb part of himself, the part filled with pride, wanted to reject any ideas involving this lowlife. Taika ignored that side of his brain, for he knew this man could be his only chance for survival. "Captain Gwyn Elias," Takia echoed quietly, and while he did not smile, he made no attempts to attack. If this wasn't the man he'd searched for, then he wouldn't trouble himself by causing a scuffle. Fighting was out of the question right now, anyway, as he had little strength to stand. He'd be killed in seconds if he so much as tried to throw a punch.
This left Taika rather puzzled. If this man was captain now, then where has the old one gone? Wisely, he chose not to ask Gwyn, to prevent giving away any serious personal information.
Torn between wanting to be rude and wanting to find the real captain, to giving in and forgetting about it. Taika didn't know how to act. Rudeness could get him killed, but he didn't trust Gwyn. Nor any pirates. His shoulders slumped after a moment, the rageful fire smothered from disappointment and exhaustion. "I'd like to return to the mainland," he said, his words slowed by exhaustion. Taika swayed as he stood, dizzy from a nasty blow to the head (he could feel it still bleeding) and rather nauseous from swallowing too much sea water. "I shall pay you well, once we arrive."
A cursory glance up at the deck showed that, indeed, most of the crew were young. Some could even be called boys. None are old enough to be fearsome pirates. What am I missing here?
"My name...is Taika," he offered after very long pause, though he didn't give his last name. No need for such an introduction. "Will you take me back?"
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Post by Deleted on Dec 18, 2017 9:14:41 GMT -5
Gwyn was not comfortable with this man, and that was a fact. There were those he knew how to work around, those he could lie to and steal from, those he could kill without blinking and laugh. But this man was not one of those. Logically, it would be easier to kill him here and now - it would be less dangerous, for men who held such cold anger were often the scariest. But he was curious, and that had always been Gwyn's downfall. His curiosity was something that often got him into trouble, and though he did not like endangering his men, perhaps his curiosity weighed a little heavier. What's your story? he wondered, scanning the stranger's face.
His cautious studying of the stranger meant that the sight of blood made his gaze instantly flick to it. Oh, he thought, and his smile was a tired one.
Many things could be said about Gwyn, but unpleasant was not one of them. He was a kind enough man despite the life he led, gentle to those who deserved and gained it. This man was not one of those people, but he had to try to get his trust somehow. A story was there that he wanted to know, and the idea of having him on the Mermaid's Dagger was not a pleasant one, but an interesting one. He glanced over his shoulder and thought about it carefully. Even if this man didn't have the money to pay up, he didn't care.
"Unfortunately for you, we're about a year...perhaps two, from the mainland." a little of an underestimation. All that sat around here were little ports for them to stock up - and that was how they lived. Stopping from island to island to get what they needed, exploring the ocean, that sort of thing. It was questionable about how they were pirates until the realisation hit that they were night-time hunters. They were so very like the creature they were name after.
The man's name was Taika. An interesting name. He nodded quietly and filed it away in his mind.
"Come with me," he said, and began to walk back towards the ship. Already, the crew were moving around and preparing. "We'll have the doctor check on you," he tapped his own head to indicate the head wound, "but once you're set to go by her, you'll have to work. Unfortunately, I can't have a freeloader for as long as it takes to get to the mainland. I'm sure you understand, Taika."
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Post by ☾ ահﻨรթεгﻨռց ოօօռร ☽ on Dec 18, 2017 11:44:10 GMT -5
Taika neither trusted nor liked Gwyn, and therefore, would not treat him with kindness. Often, even to the normal folk of Londom city, he was a generally unpleasant man to be around. Not due to his rudeness, as he was quite polite, but because of his coldness. His heart had grown colder than the ocean's winter waters; not even the warm smile of an old friend could thaw the ice away.
To him, Gwyn was merely an obstacle. An inconvenience. To get back home, and to find the original captain of this ship, he would have to get past Gwyn first. Tolerate him, be somewhat civil with him, and try not to get killed along the way. Taika could handle a few weeks on board. A month, even, if he put in the effort. However, the captain's words had him freezing to the warm sand.
A year or two?
Gwyn's crew would not return to the mainland for a year or longer. The very thought of staying on this ship, with all these blasted pirates, made him sick to his stomach. Anger swelled in his chest as well. How dare Gwyn assume that he'd agree to work aboard his awful ship for a year? I'd rather stay on this pathetic island forever, Taika thought bitterly, yet the moment he did so he knew he was acting childish. No one else would pass by to rescue him and he could not survive for long on this sandy grave.
Taika let the thought sober him up a little, calm his frustration and anger. Acting like a fool would ger him nowhere but dead. "It's a shame you don't go to the mainland more often," he mumbled, unsteadily following the man up the plank. A shame for Taika, at least. His steps wobbled slightly, unbalanced from his sore head injury, and the world around him a little blurry. Like any well-trained navy man, however, he kept himself upright. "You'd make more business."
The most unpleasant part of this arrangement would be the work, Taika was certain of it. He didn't want to spend time with these people, not unless they could lead him to the original Mermaid's crew. If they couldn't, they were useless, and they were in his way. "What would you have me do? I shall not be saddled with any of your dirty work." If there was a line Taika had to draw, it would be this: he would not stain his hands with any blood for this young, keen-eyed captain. "I can do any basic job on a ship and I will do my fair share. Nothing more."
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Post by Deleted on Dec 18, 2017 12:00:31 GMT -5
If he was being completely honest, it was rare that he genuinely disliked someone. For the most part, he was rather neutral to people - he cared about those close to him, and ignored those who weren't. Sure, there were a few other pirate ships he could definitely say he disliked, but they were few and far between. Taika, however, was someone that Gwyn found himself disliking. As a man of his word (though he hadn't technically given his word, he felt like he couldn't go back on what he'd said), he didn't want to retract the offer to help. Especially if there was money behind it.
"We're explorers as well as pirates," he looked bemused. "We'd rather stay on the open seas, relying on islands to trade with. The mainland has nothing for us, so we don't go there often."
Perhaps he was a little touchy about his own home; Gwyn did not like it. He did not like Europe, he did not like England, etc. He preferred the quieter islands; though the village people feared being pillaged, they had come to realise that the Mermaid's Dagger did not care about harming them. It was a sort of trust that took some time to build up, but nowadays, he had no doubt that if the crew were in trouble, they'd be able to hide in one of the villages. The villagers, after all, did not mind them; liked them, even. They came with money and silk and spices, things that they could not get cheaply from merchants.
It was nice. Like a home.
"Dirty work..." he repeated this with something like annoyance, a brief flicker over his face before it passed. "You had best watch your tongue, Taika. I do not promise that my crew will ignore your words as I do. Naturally, you'd be doing the basics; you can stay with the Cabin Boys. I'm sure they'll teach you how to work around my ship."
Something was cooler about Gwyn's tone, now, as he boarded the ship and nodded quietly to one of his men. "This is Taika. He'll be joining us for a while, until we go to the mainland. Is Ana in her room? Good." he turned to look at Taika and smiled, though it was fairly tight. "Follow me. We'll see to that wound of yours."
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Post by ☾ ահﻨรթεгﻨռց ოօօռร ☽ on Dec 18, 2017 13:22:51 GMT -5
Judging from that tone, Taika had struck a bit of a nerve with the young captain. Apparently he did not consider the work they did "dirty", although all pirates, to him, were filthy. In their work, in their actions, and in their attitudes. Not that Taika considered himself much better; he was a right nasty fellow, though that had more to do with his unpleasant personality. His crewmates back on the navy ship had often told him so. He found that many people who met him tended to disliked him.
That was fine by him. Taika never strived to make friends.
Like he has the right to tell me to watch my tongue, Taika hissed to himself. Gwyn had to be younger than him, to which he didn't take too lightly. The man did, however, hold all the authority on board the ship. His sharp tongue could get him kicked off or worse. It bothered him to be stuck with mere Cabins Boys, how utterly degrading. "Fine," he responded quietly, albeit rather glumly. "I'm sure they won't need to teach me much."
Following after Gwyn as he was told, he took the time to look around the ship. At least, he tried. The throbbing in his skull made it quite difficult to focus on much else. He ignored the man that Gwyn introduced him to, as well as everyone else. They weren't worth his time. Many men from the mainland would balk at the idea of being attended by a female doctor, but Taika cared not. If the woman was skilled at her job, that was enough for him, especially if she could cease the irritating trickle of blood from the wound. Working with the injury sounded unpleasant, though he knew he could manage. He would have to.
"Are all of your Cabin Boys as nosy as that one?" Taika asked in annoyance, gesturing to a small lad a short distance away. The boy in question---though technically a man, at eighteen---jumped a bit, eyes widening. His face was round and youthful, his eyes a bright amber brown and his hair as dark as ebony. Taika disliked him at first sight. If he were to be honest with himself, he disliked everyone on this ship already. "Or perhaps he's shirking his responsibilities like a slacker."
The boy, William, was no slacker, but he looked that way to Taika. A useless child that had no place on a ship such as this.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 18, 2017 13:53:11 GMT -5
There were stuck-up nobles, and then there was this man. He didn't seem pleasant in the slightest, and already, Gwyn found himself considering the idea of throwing him to the sharks. He kept a carefully neutral expression as he walked, trying not to pay heed to the negativity coming from the other man. I have made mistakes in my time, he thought, but this one, perhaps, is one of the largest.
Gwyn was a protective man, and this held very true for the younger members of his crew. When Taika commented about one of his Cabin Boys, he stopped, turned on his heel, and glared daggers.
"Listen here, Taika," there was something dangerous about his tone, though he remained quiet. He was eerily calm. "You are on my ship with my men, and that means you don't dare talk about them like you know them. I will gladly run my blade through your heart because all the money in the world would not be worth allowing my men to suffer your insults. Do you hear me? You don't have to like me or my men, you just have to be civil. If that is too hard, then I will drop you off in the deepest, darkest part of these waters."
He studied the other man's face, with such intensity that he was akin to a predator. He heard rather than saw Ana leave her cabin, one eyebrow raised and one of the younger Cabin Boys at her arm, she shooed him away gently before she focused on the two men in front of her.
"Pardon my interruption, Cap'n..." she seemed rather nervous, like his quiet rage was something foreign even to her. She was an aged woman, easily in her fifties or sixties; she was a wonderful doctor, in Gwyn's opinion. Didn't just resort to cutting off limbs when things went wrong. His crew had survived bad scraps with her around. "I'm sure you'd like to keep tearing into him, but it seems our new passenger needs medical attention."
"Apologise, Anastasia," he flicked his gaze away from Taika and smiled, though it was a tight one. "Yes, he is all yours. Tell me if he misbehaves himself. He seems to enjoy picking on the younger ones."
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Post by ☾ ահﻨรթεгﻨռց ოօօռร ☽ on Dec 18, 2017 14:23:18 GMT -5
A normal man would flinch in the face of such a calm, yet dangerous tone. A common man would have known well that such comments should be withheld, that the consequences should be feared. Taika was no common man. He held the captain's intense gaze, fought down the shivers it sent through his spine. Gwyn spoke the truth. He'd offered Taika a place aboard his ship out of kindness (and for the money) and he could do away with Taika if he so pleased. Didn't stop Taika from wanting to spit in his face. It took most of his willpower to, figuratively and literally, bite his tongue.
He turned his cold, harsh blue gaze away as the elderly doctor approached. "I will be civil, then," he muttered. If the crew minded their own business, Takia would mind his, and no one would have to suffer. The doctor, while old, appeared reliable and as capable as any back in London. He only hoped the visit would be a quick one, so that he could start his first miserable day in a long, miserable year.
To say that Taika was a pessimist would be a severe understatement.
His hatefulness showed in his nasty comments and backhanded insults, his abrasive nature one that drove many away. During the time on this ship, he planned to make no friends, and hoped the rest of the crew would leave him be. Holding his tongue for a year, or heaven forbid two, would be madness. "My head is the worst of it," he said as he trailed slowly behind the woman. "The rest can be left alone."
A head injury was serious business so far from land, but his cuts and bruises would heal in time. Taika was sore, angry and tired, regardless of the work he had to do after Ana checked him over. He looked forward to collapsing onto any comfortable surface to sleep that night. Even being surrounded by pirates wouldn't keep him from getting a good night's rest. Now that Gwyn had gone and left him, Taika seemed a little more subdued. His shoulders slumped, his eyes closed a little, and he didn't speak much. Too tired to care, too indifferent to pick any other fights. Gwyn had simply been the subject of his frustrations.
"I'll pay you well when we get to the mainland," Taika said after some time of silence. It would be a long time before then, but he wanted to reassure Ana that her work would not go unrewarded. He was no noble, but he had money to spare. London had never felt more like home than now, when he could no longer reach it.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 18, 2017 14:32:53 GMT -5
For a moment, Gwyn faltered and was unsure about leaving Ana alone with such an unpredictable man - but he trusted that she could handle herself, and so he left to do his own duties. He went above deck, and simply hoped that he hadn't made the biggest mistake of his life.
Ana gestured for him to sit down on a stool while she gathered her supplies, ensuring that she had everything. Medical supplies were something that she tended to horde for the longer travelling times, and she was glad that she did. While herbs from the local islands were good, the more modern medicine from various ports in the mainland were much more trustworthy, in her opinion.
"Alright," she said softly, beginning to clean the head wound. "You'll probably have a headache for a little while, but I don't think it's as bad as it looks," she told him as she worked, her hands as steady as her gaze. "The bleeding, I think, may have already stopped, but I'll cover it just in case."
Keeping patients informed of what she was doing was not something she always practiced, as the crew trusted her. With someone who likely didn't trust her, however, she knew that it was best to continue talking. When he mentioned payment, the corners of her lips quirked up into an amused smile, and she glanced at him for a moment. What a strange man, she thought, cleaning her hands and pouring a glass of water. She offered it to him, as hydration was a rather important thing.
"I don't need paying." her tone was rather firm. "Gwyn pays me well enough. What is your feud with him? I do hate to pry, but," she trailed off and frowned thoughtfully. "I'll be quite honest, I see very little reason for you to dislike him. He has taken you in and has offered to allow you home - and in return, you have snapped at one of the crew. Rather unfair, don't you think? Is there anything you'd like to talk about?"
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Post by ☾ ահﻨรթεгﻨռց ოօօռร ☽ on Dec 18, 2017 15:39:46 GMT -5
Ana made a wise decision, in talking Taika through every little thing she did. Sitting on the little stool, in not only an unfamiliar place but one he had always thought to be dangerous, put him on edge. Mentally, at least, for he remained rather limp. His muscles did not relax, and there was wariness in his eyes, but he moved very little and spoke even less. Still, knowing what she planned to do eased his paranoia. Her gentle fingers against his wound had him wincing slightly, but he didn't complain.
The questioning, however, did receive a response. He gave a small snort and a rather grim scowl overcame his features. Perhaps if he smiled more and made less vile faces, he would have been handsome. As it stood, his anger brought out every ounce of ugliness in his body. "My feud is not with him," he replied harshly, disappointment lacing his voice. Ana, like Gwyn, only spoke the truth. She was kind to him, if a bit nosy, and rationally did not deserve his wrath. No one on this ship deserved his hatred.
That was the problem.
"Gwyn is not the man I wanted to see. Where is your previous captain?" He questioned the woman unhappily. Bitterly. It would take up too much time to explain the whole story and he had no reason to be so open. He had no intentions to share that kind of information. "Unfair? Life is unfair. This ship will be my prison. That's unfair. All the time I spent searching and this miserable lot is what I'm given."
For years, Taika had trained himself with sword and knife. He'd paid for lessons from the best swordsmen in London, even as far as Italy. It had taken years to join the navy, and after the first month, the whole ship had come crashing down. All of his hard work, gone. His sweat and blood and tears, wasted. Worst of all, the moment he had found the Mermaid's Dagger, he was faced with an unfamiliar crew. Too young, too kind, and not at all who he had longed to meet. Taika couldn't reasonably shove a sword through any of their chests.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 18, 2017 15:54:39 GMT -5
At the mention that this man's feud was not with her Captain, Ana's dark eyes glittered with something akin to knowing. She had, once upon a time, set out on a quest for revenge; but it had eaten her up, had made her forget what she had been like before. Even now, she didn't remember - but she had a purpose in life that was not revenge, and it was pleasant. She loved the crew of this ship with all her heart, and she knew they felt the same way. They were a family, as odd as they were.
"The previous Captain is long dead, I'm afraid," she considered this for a moment, before shaking her head. "The Mermaid's Dagger is no longer the same as it once was. Nobody knows how they died, though. Just that Gwyn turned up and asked descendants of the old crew, primarily; plus some of us. He won't tell us how they died or if they're truly dead, but I'm confident that the previous Captain is dead."
She sighed softly.
"Taika," there was a firmness in her tone that did not match her face nor her slightness, the voice of a fighter, not a healer. "This ship is not your prison if you do not let it be. You do not need to lace your actions with cruelty, you do not need to lash out at those who have not done you wrong. Gwyn is a kind man, but he is not unreasonable; he has killed people for lesser than upsetting his crew. Picking on them is only going to harm you, in the long-run. We are not as terrible as you seem to think we are, and we are not cruel. You, however, are an awfully cruel man."
Ana stood up and narrowed her eyes at him. Her posture seemed as if she had the entire world's weight upon her shoulders; though she tried to stand tall, there was a slight tilt down that suggested she was tired.
"You can only push so much until someone pushes back, and it could very well be fatal. While you may come to me whenever you are having troubles, I will not pick you back up if I find out that you've been causing pain among the crew. Is that clear?"
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Post by ☾ ահﻨรթεгﻨռց ოօօռร ☽ on Dec 18, 2017 16:32:41 GMT -5
Dead. The captain of the ship, as well as the old crew, had all died. A slim chance remained that they might have survived, but for reasons Taika could not explain, he believed Ana's words. The possibility of them being alive and out there was miniscule to none. Gwyn had their ship, for god's sake. The more the realization set in, the more Taika didn't want it to be true. He had dedicated his whole life to this, to hunting down those awful men and showing them just how much he'd suffered at their hands. If they were dead...
Taika had no purpose in life.
"Dead. He's dead. Likely, they're all dead," Taika whispered, and this time when he spoke, it was a deep sadness that flooded his words. He had built himself a life of vengeance, his whole childhood ruined by the sadness and hatred the legendary crew had left behind. Perhaps that was why they hadn't killed him---to cause him a lifetime of suffering. The man's expression remained stiff and hard to read, but his voice and his body did not hide his sorrow. "How unfair."
One day, if Taika kept up his cruel behavior, it was likely Gwyn would grow sick of it. He'd be killed for his harsh words and actions.
"The world has been cruel to me, and so I have been cruel to it," he murmured. His eyes flickered to the elderly doctor, dark and blank. "I will never be a kind man. My only wish is to return home, and if that means tolerating everyone here, I will do so. A place where I do not belong will never be anything but a prison to me. If I am left alone, I will leave the others alone in return. I will do my work and cause no trouble, so long as they respect my wishes." No where was home, and even London would never truly be a home, but he no longer had a reason to be stuck at sea.
Taika's posture as he stood, though tall and prideful, also seemed tired. Much too weary for his age, as though his soul had aged twice as much his body. Hatred could do that to a man, could destroy a young man's youth.
"Rest assured, though, that you do make yourself clear. Unless I have a physical ailment, I will not waste your time by visiting you."
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Post by Deleted on Dec 18, 2017 17:12:25 GMT -5
There was nothing that Ana could prescribe for the pain, and she knew that. However, she watched him cautiously, listened to his words patiently - for she had always been a good listener.
"It is never too late to be kind." she told him, shaking her head slowly. "Kindness is an effort, and if you are kind to those around you, then they, in turn, will reward you with kindness. You are young; you have your entire life ahead of you. Do not throw it away. Clinging onto the past will only hurt you more. If you talk to the crew like they are people and not things, I am sure that they will come to enjoy you, in time."
It hurt her heart to see someone in such distress, but there was very little she could do if he were not willing to help himself. People came to her with their mental pains as well as physical, and all she could do for them was listen and be a source of comfort. While she fulfilled that role well, it became tiring - to be unable to do anything about someone's sorrow. Perhaps it was a curse.
"You would not be wasting my time," despite everything, she laughed softly. "It gets rather lonely, sometimes. You should visit, it would be nice. Even if you do not wish to talk, I am here." she gestured to the little room that served as something of an infirmary, with her own bed tucked beside the desk. It wasn't much, but it was hers. She enjoyed it very much. "And know that it is never too late to start living."
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Post by ☾ ահﻨรթεгﻨռց ოօօռร ☽ on Dec 18, 2017 17:36:37 GMT -5
Time healed all wounds. Yet, having a friend also helped, and perhaps that was what Taika needed right now. A good friend who, while unable to cure his sadness, could listen to his troubles. If, that is, he ever opened up and allowed Ana to be that friend. Only time would tell.
"Yes, well, I believe it's time I took my leave," Taika said, the conversation turning to a rather uncomfortable point. He did not feel okay with discussing his life and how to become kind and well-liked by others. Not today. He'd been through too much in one day and his brain couldn't handle any more bizarre occurrences. "Perhaps I'll visit you some time, if I ever feel the need to. Thank you for your services." His thanks seemed a little forced, and he did not smile, but it was better than his previous nasty behavior.
Apparently, he had his whole life ahead of him, and right now that meant being trained by Cabin Boys to do a job he was already familiar with. It took a lot of effort to not feel bitter about being stuck with a bunch of doubtlessly irritating children. Holding his tongue would still prove to be a challenge, even with most of his anger fading away. People didn't change so drastically over night and Taika was a little too stubborn for his own good.
Frustratingly, Taika had no idea where, exactly, he was meant to go. Gwyn had never told him where to head to and he had little idea about who would show him the basics. He hoped it wouldn't be that nosy, dark-haired boy he'd seen earlier, as the boy seemed too annoying to deal with right now. Unfortunately, he was still much too prideful to ask Ana for any more help, and he made a hasty exit for the door. The doctor's room, though nice and cozy, was not where he wished to spend the rest of his day. No matter how lonely she said it sometimes became.
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