Ceallach had allowed himself to be restrained. It would do no good to kill these simple mariners. There was no profit in it, no honor, no point.
He looked up at the gnome. He carefully weighed his options.
With a grievously serious expression, he stared right into the little man’s eyes. He locked him into a soul searing glance, and simply said, “Yes.”
He judged by the alarmed look and his previous knowledge of the conversation that this was at least somewhat expected.
“He threatened you. And all the ‘foreigners’ on board. He said something about having a mind to kick in the door, pry that elf ‘f--’ off of you, slit his throat, gouge your eyes, and toss you overboard.”
The warrior still had something of a showsman in him, so he waited a second, took a deep breath, and enjoyed every second of the anticipation.
“The man then drew a dagger and made to stab at me with it. I blocked his clumsy blow.”
He harshly barked to himself. A short laugh to demonstrate his superiority, as he would be expected to.
“I pinned the bastard against the wall and stabbed him. Then, as a simple matter of cleanup, I tossed him overboard as he had shit himself.”
There was silence for a moment or two. Ceallach broke it.
“I would have cleaned the decks as well if these whoresons had not pinned me up like a dog in heat.”
He spat in distaste.
Seemingly Pointless Meandering
Re: Seemingly Pointless Meandering
Shann chose not to accompany Jinhuff when he went to interrogate the chained madman. He got enough looks from the other passengers without associating himself with the clearly crazy human. The way he dressed, as well as the heavy accent that he had not bothered to try to drop marked Shann as a Darleone elf. Though they might have originated from the same island, elves of Corezo and those of Darleone hardly considered themselves to be similar, let alone equals. Those of Darleone thought themselves to be pure to their origins, where as those born off the island thought that Darleone elves were stuck up and ignorant.
He had tried his best to occupy his time on the ship with breaking down the gnome's stubbornness and getting on his good side. He avoid the other passengers whenever he could so as not to cause a scene. That's not to say that he had not caught the eye of one or two lovely ladies on board, but for the time being he had behaved himself.
Shann's usual antics tended to cause a stir wherever he went, but unlike some backwater human village, he couldn't just leave town when things turned rough. Being out on the sea meant that Shann had to keep his urges in check or risk ending up in chains like the man below deck.
Once we reach land again..., he was already promising himself the amount of liquor and ladies he was going to go through the moment the ship touched land again and he wasn't limited to such a small, confined space. He liked the freedom of movement and travel and something about being aboard a ship felt so restrictive to him. There was only so far he could go before he had to turn around and circle back to the other end of the deck.
That was where he had gone after the crew had overpowered the mad man and took him away. What was he thinking? Shann ran his hands through his hair, pulling it back behind his head and tucking it around his ears. His hands remained there for several moments as he tried to clear his mind.
Damn it all. He had made so much progress in gaining Jinhuff's trust. They were in the middle of signing a contract when he had to go and do that. What was he thinking?
He shook his head and headed back towards the gnomes room when he spotted the furry creature his nephew kept hiding in the shadows. "How are you holding up?" He delayed his trip just long enough to check on the boy. Zain had taken the experience in Trelham pretty hard, enough so that Shann noticed just how withdrawn he had been in the time since. He didn't know how the boy would handle this latest event.
After getting no response from the boy or his animal, Shann nodded his head in the direction of the cabins below. "Come on you don't need to stay out here where that happened, we'll find you some place quiet for you."
He had tried his best to occupy his time on the ship with breaking down the gnome's stubbornness and getting on his good side. He avoid the other passengers whenever he could so as not to cause a scene. That's not to say that he had not caught the eye of one or two lovely ladies on board, but for the time being he had behaved himself.
Shann's usual antics tended to cause a stir wherever he went, but unlike some backwater human village, he couldn't just leave town when things turned rough. Being out on the sea meant that Shann had to keep his urges in check or risk ending up in chains like the man below deck.
Once we reach land again..., he was already promising himself the amount of liquor and ladies he was going to go through the moment the ship touched land again and he wasn't limited to such a small, confined space. He liked the freedom of movement and travel and something about being aboard a ship felt so restrictive to him. There was only so far he could go before he had to turn around and circle back to the other end of the deck.
That was where he had gone after the crew had overpowered the mad man and took him away. What was he thinking? Shann ran his hands through his hair, pulling it back behind his head and tucking it around his ears. His hands remained there for several moments as he tried to clear his mind.
Damn it all. He had made so much progress in gaining Jinhuff's trust. They were in the middle of signing a contract when he had to go and do that. What was he thinking?
He shook his head and headed back towards the gnomes room when he spotted the furry creature his nephew kept hiding in the shadows. "How are you holding up?" He delayed his trip just long enough to check on the boy. Zain had taken the experience in Trelham pretty hard, enough so that Shann noticed just how withdrawn he had been in the time since. He didn't know how the boy would handle this latest event.
After getting no response from the boy or his animal, Shann nodded his head in the direction of the cabins below. "Come on you don't need to stay out here where that happened, we'll find you some place quiet for you."
Re: Seemingly Pointless Meandering
~ Selena had stayed most of the time with in the confines of her room. She really had no aspirations of going outside unless she needed a breath of fresh air. She continued her training and continued to read constantly from the same book her mother had introduced to her. She had gotten stronger over the years but that really meant very little without a proper teacher. Selena had learnt that if she over extended her mana and skills she would slowly drain the life and energy out of her own body, and very well could kill herself. Selena sighed and her slender shoulders dropped low in defeat. She wanted to be stronger. She wanted to be much stronger, but how? She began to contemplate her situation before her thoughts were interrupted. She got up from her bed and moved in one fluid motion towards the door and peeked through. She felt the thud of a body hit the wall and without thinking a dagger slipped into her hand. She notched her door open slightly and peeked out. She missed the interaction between the drunk and the soldier but clearly it had went badly as Selena mentally noted the splash of water. The soldier was subdued and Selena knew it was by the man’s choice. Withdrawing into the confines of her room, Selena dressed herself casually and slipped on her long black robe. This time she did not draw her hood up, but exited her room and walked among the passengers. Their voices ranged with fear and anger and Selena merely shook her head. She had heard the story of what could have happened over and over but Selena did not pay any heed. She merely searched around the area and found what she was looking for on the orlop deck. She found the warrior chained with a gnome questioning him. The warrior’s voice was stern but Selena knew it was a lie. Her emerald eyes pierced through the darkness and laid upon his face. It was a dark place, but it was befitting for the crime that was committed. Selena remembered seeing the blood but that did not phase her. She had killed herself before. She merely shook her head knowing the old saying. "Once a murderer, always a murderer." She thought of the saying and merely allowed herself in. This deck was not the place for a lady, but Selena felt herself being drawn to these travelers.
“Your anger overrides your judgment warrior.” Selena’s voice was soft but clearly audible to those in front of her. Her face held a stoic look as she gazed at the warrior. Her pale skin seemed to rival the moonlight and her long dirty blond hair was wet as she had just washed it. She did not mean to interrupt the conversation but she could not let this man kill everyone aboard this ship. They surely would try to kill him because of this and he would slay everyone aboard this vessel. This was not the voyage that Selena wanted to have at this point in time. She was not disappointed in the warrior for it seemed like he reacted in the only form of knowledge that he knew, which was violence. Selena stood back and crossed her arms under her bosom and merely just watched. She had no trouble finding out where they took this man for everyone knew. They had wanted her to stay away from him, but unless she was reckless with her words, she knew the man would not harm her, but that notion wasn't something Selena wanted to put a bet on.
“Your anger overrides your judgment warrior.” Selena’s voice was soft but clearly audible to those in front of her. Her face held a stoic look as she gazed at the warrior. Her pale skin seemed to rival the moonlight and her long dirty blond hair was wet as she had just washed it. She did not mean to interrupt the conversation but she could not let this man kill everyone aboard this ship. They surely would try to kill him because of this and he would slay everyone aboard this vessel. This was not the voyage that Selena wanted to have at this point in time. She was not disappointed in the warrior for it seemed like he reacted in the only form of knowledge that he knew, which was violence. Selena stood back and crossed her arms under her bosom and merely just watched. She had no trouble finding out where they took this man for everyone knew. They had wanted her to stay away from him, but unless she was reckless with her words, she knew the man would not harm her, but that notion wasn't something Selena wanted to put a bet on.
Re: Seemingly Pointless Meandering
"It was a rhetorical question." Jin muttered, exhausted, but his voice was overridden by another's. But then, when she remained quiet, the gnome resumed speaking. The edge had left his voice.
"What passed tonight cannot truly be judged; in any case the only other witness is gone and sure to fill the bellies of whatever fish -- he's gone. So. I have held more respect for you than for certain other members in my retinue. I trust you will redeem that respect by the time we dock, and not cause any other trouble without consulting me first. A bodyguard who kills without keeping his master up to date is not a bodyguard, but a dangerous killer. See to it you remain the former."
He turned towards Ko, whose glazed expression was hidden well by the dark. "Vexako, you will see to it Ceallach is not treated poorly. It is not the crew's duty to make sure he is fed and kept clean; it is your own. Likewise, it is by the Captain's graces that we have not all been dumped into the sea. He is to remain chained securely until the Captain says otherwise. I must return to my meeting. I will see you tomorrow morning."
Ko had his mouth open to complain, but Jinhuff disappeared faster'n a startled cat. The cramped and smelly and stupidly low-ceilinged deck was left to the three of them.
He cracked a smile, since it was the only thing left to him the gnome couldn't boss around. "He sure does have a tongue on him, yeah?" He said to the strange woman who had followed the lot down. The deck was cramped enough to strip anyone of dignity, as it was hard to carry airs when you were crouched to keep your head from bangin' on the roof.
"What passed tonight cannot truly be judged; in any case the only other witness is gone and sure to fill the bellies of whatever fish -- he's gone. So. I have held more respect for you than for certain other members in my retinue. I trust you will redeem that respect by the time we dock, and not cause any other trouble without consulting me first. A bodyguard who kills without keeping his master up to date is not a bodyguard, but a dangerous killer. See to it you remain the former."
He turned towards Ko, whose glazed expression was hidden well by the dark. "Vexako, you will see to it Ceallach is not treated poorly. It is not the crew's duty to make sure he is fed and kept clean; it is your own. Likewise, it is by the Captain's graces that we have not all been dumped into the sea. He is to remain chained securely until the Captain says otherwise. I must return to my meeting. I will see you tomorrow morning."
Ko had his mouth open to complain, but Jinhuff disappeared faster'n a startled cat. The cramped and smelly and stupidly low-ceilinged deck was left to the three of them.
He cracked a smile, since it was the only thing left to him the gnome couldn't boss around. "He sure does have a tongue on him, yeah?" He said to the strange woman who had followed the lot down. The deck was cramped enough to strip anyone of dignity, as it was hard to carry airs when you were crouched to keep your head from bangin' on the roof.
Re: Seemingly Pointless Meandering
“I would agree. But he knows a worthy investment,” The warrior interjected.
Even chained, his presence dominated the room, his hulking physique made even more impressive when compressed. He gave the impression of a deadly viper coiled to strike, or a panther awaiting the perfect moment to pounce.
Something was even more dangerous about him when he was in captivity. Perhaps it was his wild, mismatched eyes, at the same time cold and calculating, yet with a wild streak. This man was much as a lion in that he could never be tamed. He was a predator by nature, a carnivore. He was the top of the food chain, and, worst of all, he knew there was nothing that could knock him from it.
Further enhancing his bestial nature, the tattooed man licked his lips and grunted.
“I need drink. Might I have some water?” He asked, letting his gaze settle on Vexako.
Not waiting for a reply, he turned his eyes to the pretty lady. His gaze softened a little.
“I have been in chains before. But even as a gladiator, I realized the one thing they cannot hope to restrain is my mind. I remain alert and I know that if they are here, they will take their chance.”
He smiled a bit. “After all, I know that you know exactly what I’m talking about. My they may not be your they, but they are still out to get you, nonetheless.”
Ceallach leaned his head back and closed his eyes. “But for now, I wait for my drink. And my freedom.”
Even chained, his presence dominated the room, his hulking physique made even more impressive when compressed. He gave the impression of a deadly viper coiled to strike, or a panther awaiting the perfect moment to pounce.
Something was even more dangerous about him when he was in captivity. Perhaps it was his wild, mismatched eyes, at the same time cold and calculating, yet with a wild streak. This man was much as a lion in that he could never be tamed. He was a predator by nature, a carnivore. He was the top of the food chain, and, worst of all, he knew there was nothing that could knock him from it.
Further enhancing his bestial nature, the tattooed man licked his lips and grunted.
“I need drink. Might I have some water?” He asked, letting his gaze settle on Vexako.
Not waiting for a reply, he turned his eyes to the pretty lady. His gaze softened a little.
“I have been in chains before. But even as a gladiator, I realized the one thing they cannot hope to restrain is my mind. I remain alert and I know that if they are here, they will take their chance.”
He smiled a bit. “After all, I know that you know exactly what I’m talking about. My they may not be your they, but they are still out to get you, nonetheless.”
Ceallach leaned his head back and closed his eyes. “But for now, I wait for my drink. And my freedom.”
Re: Seemingly Pointless Meandering
Shann had decided to take the boy back to Jinhuff's cabin. Sure it was easier to do business without having to worry about keeping an eye on the young man at all times, but there was little harm he could do in the room while being watched. So overall it put him at greater ease keeping him nearby than having him holed up in some dark hiding spot.
Later he was going to have to talk with Zain. It was obvious that the boy was in some kind of pain, but getting through to him and trying to figure out how to get past it was always a challenge with him. Shann wanted to claim that it was his age that made it hard to talk to him, Shann never had an easy time with children, but that wasn't fully it. Zain was like a rock. You could sit there all day asking him questions, but at the end of the day you would still just have this rock and no answers.
So the boy curled up in one of the corner's of Jin's room with his mutt. The damn dog was the only one that seemed to get anything out of him.
"I have some business to attend to. Afterwords, you and I will talk. I need you to stay quiet until then, can you do that?" Shann asked as he paced the room waiting for the gnome to return from his interrogations.
That man better not have ruined this for me. He pulled another cigarette out of his pocket and counted the few he had left. Not enough to put up with this shit, not nearly enough.
Later he was going to have to talk with Zain. It was obvious that the boy was in some kind of pain, but getting through to him and trying to figure out how to get past it was always a challenge with him. Shann wanted to claim that it was his age that made it hard to talk to him, Shann never had an easy time with children, but that wasn't fully it. Zain was like a rock. You could sit there all day asking him questions, but at the end of the day you would still just have this rock and no answers.
So the boy curled up in one of the corner's of Jin's room with his mutt. The damn dog was the only one that seemed to get anything out of him.
"I have some business to attend to. Afterwords, you and I will talk. I need you to stay quiet until then, can you do that?" Shann asked as he paced the room waiting for the gnome to return from his interrogations.
That man better not have ruined this for me. He pulled another cigarette out of his pocket and counted the few he had left. Not enough to put up with this shit, not nearly enough.
Re: Seemingly Pointless Meandering
~ Her eyes focused on that of the gladiator's eyes and she refused to turn them away. She had noted the Gnome’s idea of tolerance for the man, but was that enough? This man was dangerous, very dangerous. What does one do with a man who cannot control his temper and resorts to killing at a moment’s notice? Tame him…..or Kill him? Selena then expressed a smile at that time. The idea of smiling was something she had not done for quite a while. She had smiled once at the man but now this would have been her second time doing so. However this smile was not a fake one. Something had surfaced to her mind; an idea of some sorts, that only time will play out. She indeed saw herself as the victor but she knew only time will tell.
“I have seen death, I have killed before. Not for glory and not for game, but for revenge. The light fading from the eyes of a man that you have killed will always haunt you.” Selena looked down at her hands, her smile faded and those emerald eyes grew a bit darker. “They will haunt me forever and ever time I sleep I will first dream of their faces. You do what you do because you know no better, and for some reason you believe that is a perfect excuse for your actions. Because you can kill someone does not always mean you must do so. If one insults you, learn to be the bigger man and act with humility and embarrass not your master any further.” Selena’s cold stare stayed on the barbarian's face without even a flinch. Her voice had darkened and for a moment she paused. She had sensed her own aura. It was that of death. Had she really intended to give off the feeling that she was going to hurt this man? Who knows....“Your strength…..” Selena's voice reached outward as she then walked forward towards the murderer. “Is renowned….” She then stood face to face with the man; her soft breath reached out and pressed against the murderer’s cheek. Her voice lowered to a slight whisper as her eyes held a touch of anger. “But it is renowned only to you. I implore you murderer. Strip your name of that title and make your skills legendary to where people will speak of you with respect rather than distaste.” She then lifted her head up, trying not to hit her head on the ceiling. She had just noticed that the room was a bit smaller than she would have liked. She gave the man one more look before her eyes fell upon the gnome.
“Sometimes one must be frank in order to make one see the truth.” She said in respond to his comment. “I ask you to take me to your friend. “ She slowly backed away from the murderer. At that point she did not care how he responded. If he wished to kill her, she would meet him in battle without fear, but she hoped that he would listen. She had dreamed of him before….she knew it when she had first looked at him. This group…..this group was special. Her decision was already made. She looked at the gnome as she walked up to him. “ I wish to join you.” She said simply.
“I have seen death, I have killed before. Not for glory and not for game, but for revenge. The light fading from the eyes of a man that you have killed will always haunt you.” Selena looked down at her hands, her smile faded and those emerald eyes grew a bit darker. “They will haunt me forever and ever time I sleep I will first dream of their faces. You do what you do because you know no better, and for some reason you believe that is a perfect excuse for your actions. Because you can kill someone does not always mean you must do so. If one insults you, learn to be the bigger man and act with humility and embarrass not your master any further.” Selena’s cold stare stayed on the barbarian's face without even a flinch. Her voice had darkened and for a moment she paused. She had sensed her own aura. It was that of death. Had she really intended to give off the feeling that she was going to hurt this man? Who knows....“Your strength…..” Selena's voice reached outward as she then walked forward towards the murderer. “Is renowned….” She then stood face to face with the man; her soft breath reached out and pressed against the murderer’s cheek. Her voice lowered to a slight whisper as her eyes held a touch of anger. “But it is renowned only to you. I implore you murderer. Strip your name of that title and make your skills legendary to where people will speak of you with respect rather than distaste.” She then lifted her head up, trying not to hit her head on the ceiling. She had just noticed that the room was a bit smaller than she would have liked. She gave the man one more look before her eyes fell upon the gnome.
“Sometimes one must be frank in order to make one see the truth.” She said in respond to his comment. “I ask you to take me to your friend. “ She slowly backed away from the murderer. At that point she did not care how he responded. If he wished to kill her, she would meet him in battle without fear, but she hoped that he would listen. She had dreamed of him before….she knew it when she had first looked at him. This group…..this group was special. Her decision was already made. She looked at the gnome as she walked up to him. “ I wish to join you.” She said simply.
Re: Seemingly Pointless Meandering
Jinhuff did not know what services if any the woman could offer to their mismatched little group, but as long as she didn't start murdering members of the crew she couldn't be that much trouble. On top of that, she had paid for her own accommodations and wouldn't be just another mouth to feed. But why did she want to join them? With everything that she had seen of their ragtag little group wouldn't she rather head for the hills, sort of speak, then join them? Wouldn't any sensible person think twice about joining up with the likes of a killer bodyguard and his unsociable gnome master?
Whatever her reasons were, Jinhuff didn't question her. He let her follow him back to his room at her own digressions. The gnome had other matters to attend to and inquiring into the motives of an attractive young lady did not fall very high on his list.
When Jinhuff entered his room once more he found not only the red-headed elf but also the younger one. Shann appeared to be idly smoking a cigarette whereas the boy looked to be curled up in a corner of the room napping, or at least hiding his face in the fur of his dog and keeping quiet. Jin was not sure as to the nature of the relationship between the two of them but as long as neither of them presented him with any problems, he didn't see any reason as to why he would need to involve himself.
"Take a seat if you will." Jinhuff instructed the woman.
In the meantime Shann had turned his attention from the papers in front of him to the new addition to the room. If there was anything that could distract Shann from business it was the presence of a lovely creature such as her. Well really most females could distract him from work, some just required varying degrees of alcohol in his system first. So within moments of her entering the room, Shann went from rapping his fingers on the table and flipping through the pages before him to leaning his elbow on the table with his chin resting in the palm of his hand while he looked over the newcomer.
"Well fancy seeing you again." He spoke in a playful manner.
Whatever her reasons were, Jinhuff didn't question her. He let her follow him back to his room at her own digressions. The gnome had other matters to attend to and inquiring into the motives of an attractive young lady did not fall very high on his list.
When Jinhuff entered his room once more he found not only the red-headed elf but also the younger one. Shann appeared to be idly smoking a cigarette whereas the boy looked to be curled up in a corner of the room napping, or at least hiding his face in the fur of his dog and keeping quiet. Jin was not sure as to the nature of the relationship between the two of them but as long as neither of them presented him with any problems, he didn't see any reason as to why he would need to involve himself.
"Take a seat if you will." Jinhuff instructed the woman.
In the meantime Shann had turned his attention from the papers in front of him to the new addition to the room. If there was anything that could distract Shann from business it was the presence of a lovely creature such as her. Well really most females could distract him from work, some just required varying degrees of alcohol in his system first. So within moments of her entering the room, Shann went from rapping his fingers on the table and flipping through the pages before him to leaning his elbow on the table with his chin resting in the palm of his hand while he looked over the newcomer.
"Well fancy seeing you again." He spoke in a playful manner.
Re: Seemingly Pointless Meandering
Ceallach flexed his wrists in an attempt to restore blood flow to the parts of his body that were bound by restraints. There was very little in the way of light in the hold, but his eyes had adjusted at least somewhat.
The big man looked over at the rogue that watched him.
“I could untie these if I wanted. You know that.” There was no intentional menace in his voice. It was a simple statement of fact.
The boards creaked in response to his whispered observation.
“But I won’t. People like you need people like me and I’ll be cut loose eventually.”
He smiled. “I don’t know if you’re asleep or just ignoring me. Either way, I should shut up before I have to ask for water again and interrupt your brooding.”
The mercenary closed his eyes. He tried to relax.
One of the lessons he had learned as a young soldier was to sleep and eat at every opportunity because, quite simply, you never knew when the next chance would be.
The big man looked over at the rogue that watched him.
“I could untie these if I wanted. You know that.” There was no intentional menace in his voice. It was a simple statement of fact.
The boards creaked in response to his whispered observation.
“But I won’t. People like you need people like me and I’ll be cut loose eventually.”
He smiled. “I don’t know if you’re asleep or just ignoring me. Either way, I should shut up before I have to ask for water again and interrupt your brooding.”
The mercenary closed his eyes. He tried to relax.
One of the lessons he had learned as a young soldier was to sleep and eat at every opportunity because, quite simply, you never knew when the next chance would be.
Re: Seemingly Pointless Meandering
~ Selena didn't really know what to expect from this conversation she knew she would be having. She followed the Gnome quietly and efficiently making almost no sound behind him. Her steps were soft and she walked as if someone was going to jump out and kill her. Very cautious.......but in the same tone she walked as if the gnome was walking to her own pace. A lady should never be rushed....ever. She drew back her cloak and she remembered the conversation she just had the barbarian. He was very crazy, but strength was all that was needed from him. As she entered the room, her eyes darted straight to the small child. She noticed him smothering his face in the dog's fur as he seemed to be asleep. However, Selena doubted that was the case. What better way to gain assess to information or knowledge than to make everyone believe he was sleeping. Selena's eyes then moved to the older Elf. Her face remained stoic as she sat down and leaned back in her chair, her right leg crossing over her left. Things must be explained....Selena knew that and so she cut through the common pleasantries and decided to explain herself.
"Thank you Master Gnome, and greetings Elf and child." Her eyes made a quick move over the child then back at the elf, then landed on the gnome. "I know it may have been an odd request, but there are reasons why I wish to join you. As, I mentioned before, My name is Selena Contes Nichole. My birthplace is unknown to me and both my elven parents are dead. I am not elven however, but human, but my step mother....my mother, has taught me the arts of magic, in which i study fluently every night for hours and hours at a time. I believe I can assist you on this journey of yours...and I'll greatly wish to join it. To be honest I have no where to go, and my blood is itching to do something worth while." Selena had many other skills but she did not disclose everything up front. She had to have a bargaining chip for later.....yes she had to.
"Thank you Master Gnome, and greetings Elf and child." Her eyes made a quick move over the child then back at the elf, then landed on the gnome. "I know it may have been an odd request, but there are reasons why I wish to join you. As, I mentioned before, My name is Selena Contes Nichole. My birthplace is unknown to me and both my elven parents are dead. I am not elven however, but human, but my step mother....my mother, has taught me the arts of magic, in which i study fluently every night for hours and hours at a time. I believe I can assist you on this journey of yours...and I'll greatly wish to join it. To be honest I have no where to go, and my blood is itching to do something worth while." Selena had many other skills but she did not disclose everything up front. She had to have a bargaining chip for later.....yes she had to.
Re: Seemingly Pointless Meandering
"Oh damn it all I shouldn't have eaten that mouse."
The words were followed by a violent retching sound that sounded quite unhuman and so disgusting that anyone who had heard it might have vomited themselves, though the likelihood of that was null. Sandelmingoblius hated ships. There was something profoundly terrible about being stuck on a floating thingiemabob with dozens of foul-smelling men and elves and whatnot, oh and then there was that other part of being surrounded by very deep and mysterious water which could at any moment come over the side of the damn boat and sweep him off into mermaid land.
Of course he wasn't about to complain if he did get to see some mermaids, although maybe without the shell bikinis. Yeah, he could see that.
Wiping some spare saliva and chunks of partially-digested mouse from his lips with his wrist, Sandelmingoblius sighed, felt the ship lurch further than a normal rocking motion for a moment, and moaned pitifully. Why was this a good idea? Why did he have to go by ship instead of road and why was he going to damned Keltarwhatsit anyway? The truth, he realized, was that it was of course a fucking terrible idea and why was he on this stupid ship and why?!
"WHY?!" he moaned.
What he should have done was follow Ardys and stop being a prick about everything she'd said to him, maybe, but... well she was a woman and you just couldn't submit to women like that or they'd walk all over you like damned succubi, with the life-sucking abilities and everything, the stuff he'd read about in scholarly books once upon a time. Oh but he did miss her company, even if he'd never admit it. He'd never really thought rats as the best meals in the world, but after he'd met Ardys it had become increasingly difficult to kill them, perhaps for some weird little paranoia that some of them were probably relatives, considering the way rats breed. Of course he'd never think of Ardys herself breeding because that was obviously just a despicable, offensive idea.
Not that she was ugly...
Well she certainly wasn't ugly...
Anyhow, he'd left Marn in a storm of anger, confusion, and some unknown force that he refused to admit to. His original intention had been to get as far away from anyone he knew as possible until he came to the port, where he'd man a man called Glidus who had somehow convinced him that Keltaris was a place full of treasures and wonders and women. He didn't know why the first two things were important, or at least wouldn't admit it, but whatever. Women was enough for him. At least he thought it was.
The burning in his throat from the bile wouldn't stop, and after hacking and wheezing a few times, the man emerged from a cupboard below deck, sneaking up only to hear a slight commotion that he didn't care about. He peeked over the last stair and caught, "-take me to your friend."
A woman on board? How interesting...
A man was tied, blah blah, nothing of interest except for a young and ripe for the picking lady following an ugly little man like a dog on a leash.
At last, once the crowd had dissipated somewhat, Cat came out into the open and it was apparent then how small he was in comparison to literally everyone else on board. He had stored his hat away to prevent it from getting any dirtier than it already was, and to look at least somewhat normal.
The silver tabby silently trailed after the lady, not close enough to tell whether or not she was wearing a skirt he could look up beneath that silly cloak. He ran up behind her and slipped into the doorway of an odd room with several others already inside, and, not wanting to alert them immediately to his presence, quickly darted under the bed. If he was lucky, they hadn't seen him, too distracted by Miss Lady waltzing in and immediately introducing herself with her life story.
But then he hadn't seen the dog.
The words were followed by a violent retching sound that sounded quite unhuman and so disgusting that anyone who had heard it might have vomited themselves, though the likelihood of that was null. Sandelmingoblius hated ships. There was something profoundly terrible about being stuck on a floating thingiemabob with dozens of foul-smelling men and elves and whatnot, oh and then there was that other part of being surrounded by very deep and mysterious water which could at any moment come over the side of the damn boat and sweep him off into mermaid land.
Of course he wasn't about to complain if he did get to see some mermaids, although maybe without the shell bikinis. Yeah, he could see that.
Wiping some spare saliva and chunks of partially-digested mouse from his lips with his wrist, Sandelmingoblius sighed, felt the ship lurch further than a normal rocking motion for a moment, and moaned pitifully. Why was this a good idea? Why did he have to go by ship instead of road and why was he going to damned Keltarwhatsit anyway? The truth, he realized, was that it was of course a fucking terrible idea and why was he on this stupid ship and why?!
"WHY?!" he moaned.
What he should have done was follow Ardys and stop being a prick about everything she'd said to him, maybe, but... well she was a woman and you just couldn't submit to women like that or they'd walk all over you like damned succubi, with the life-sucking abilities and everything, the stuff he'd read about in scholarly books once upon a time. Oh but he did miss her company, even if he'd never admit it. He'd never really thought rats as the best meals in the world, but after he'd met Ardys it had become increasingly difficult to kill them, perhaps for some weird little paranoia that some of them were probably relatives, considering the way rats breed. Of course he'd never think of Ardys herself breeding because that was obviously just a despicable, offensive idea.
Not that she was ugly...
Well she certainly wasn't ugly...
Anyhow, he'd left Marn in a storm of anger, confusion, and some unknown force that he refused to admit to. His original intention had been to get as far away from anyone he knew as possible until he came to the port, where he'd man a man called Glidus who had somehow convinced him that Keltaris was a place full of treasures and wonders and women. He didn't know why the first two things were important, or at least wouldn't admit it, but whatever. Women was enough for him. At least he thought it was.
The burning in his throat from the bile wouldn't stop, and after hacking and wheezing a few times, the man emerged from a cupboard below deck, sneaking up only to hear a slight commotion that he didn't care about. He peeked over the last stair and caught, "-take me to your friend."
A woman on board? How interesting...
A man was tied, blah blah, nothing of interest except for a young and ripe for the picking lady following an ugly little man like a dog on a leash.
At last, once the crowd had dissipated somewhat, Cat came out into the open and it was apparent then how small he was in comparison to literally everyone else on board. He had stored his hat away to prevent it from getting any dirtier than it already was, and to look at least somewhat normal.
The silver tabby silently trailed after the lady, not close enough to tell whether or not she was wearing a skirt he could look up beneath that silly cloak. He ran up behind her and slipped into the doorway of an odd room with several others already inside, and, not wanting to alert them immediately to his presence, quickly darted under the bed. If he was lucky, they hadn't seen him, too distracted by Miss Lady waltzing in and immediately introducing herself with her life story.
But then he hadn't seen the dog.
Re: Seemingly Pointless Meandering
Shann burnt the soft spot of skin between the base of the ring and little finger on his left palm as he tried to catch the cigarette that fell from his mouth. Jinhuff didn't look all that happy as he shot Shann a dirty look over the potential fire hazard coming dangerously close to the stack of paperwork that he had worked so hard at putting together.However, the long and detailed life story the woman used to introduce herself had caught him off guard and he found himself laughing in response to it.
"That's quite an introduction miss," he was finally able to get out after the laughter died off. "The name is Shann, that one over there is Zain," he pointed over to the boy as he put his cigarette back into his mouth and then proceeded to pick at the pink spot on his hand. "Oh and I'm sure you've already met our charming benefactor, Jinhuff."
Shann brushed a bit of ash off the table and went back to reading over the documents. Normally he might have given the girl all the time and attention he could afford, but he had work in front of him. Not only that, but Jinhuff was paying their passage aboard the ship and if Shann didn't put forth his part of the bargain, well Jinhuff made it very clear that there were more than a few ports on the way to Keltaris. That wasn't to say that he didn't steal a glance at her after every few lines, he just didn't make it a point to pull his chair up to her own and try to get to know her better. Not for the time being that is.
Once he was finished with his work he would have more than enough time to give to this woman and any other he deemed were worthwhile. He didn't even take the time to correct the woman, that was how involved in work he was. Normally, Shann would be the first person to correct an error made by somebody else, but he let it pass for now. If the woman wanted to believe that Zain was a child, let alone his own child, he'd let the boy be the one to correct her.
However, the only sound that seemed to come out of that corner of the room was the low but distinctive sound of the dog growling. If there was one thing Shann hated to hear, it was that sound. Fucking dog, was the only thought he had time to let come to mind before the mangy mutt left his quiet master and went sniffing under Jinhuff's bed. It wasn't like the beast to go sticking his nose where it didn't belong, but when it came to the occasional rat or mouse hole, that dog had to be forcefully pulled away.
"Control your animal." Shann barked at Zain. For all he knew the boy was asleep and had no idea that the dog was about to make a disgusting meal out of whatever rodent he found crawling under the mattress.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Ko wasn't sleeping, he was simply just ignoring the other man. Just because he had been put on babysitting duties didn't mean that he had to keep a smile on his face or even pretend to like sitting in the cramped, dark room while the man continued to ramble about how strong he was and how he thought that he could take down everyone on board. Rather than entice him or give him the encouragement he so desperately seemed to be after, Ko remained silent. He just sat there on an overturned crate and occupied himself within his own thoughts.
"That's quite an introduction miss," he was finally able to get out after the laughter died off. "The name is Shann, that one over there is Zain," he pointed over to the boy as he put his cigarette back into his mouth and then proceeded to pick at the pink spot on his hand. "Oh and I'm sure you've already met our charming benefactor, Jinhuff."
Shann brushed a bit of ash off the table and went back to reading over the documents. Normally he might have given the girl all the time and attention he could afford, but he had work in front of him. Not only that, but Jinhuff was paying their passage aboard the ship and if Shann didn't put forth his part of the bargain, well Jinhuff made it very clear that there were more than a few ports on the way to Keltaris. That wasn't to say that he didn't steal a glance at her after every few lines, he just didn't make it a point to pull his chair up to her own and try to get to know her better. Not for the time being that is.
Once he was finished with his work he would have more than enough time to give to this woman and any other he deemed were worthwhile. He didn't even take the time to correct the woman, that was how involved in work he was. Normally, Shann would be the first person to correct an error made by somebody else, but he let it pass for now. If the woman wanted to believe that Zain was a child, let alone his own child, he'd let the boy be the one to correct her.
However, the only sound that seemed to come out of that corner of the room was the low but distinctive sound of the dog growling. If there was one thing Shann hated to hear, it was that sound. Fucking dog, was the only thought he had time to let come to mind before the mangy mutt left his quiet master and went sniffing under Jinhuff's bed. It wasn't like the beast to go sticking his nose where it didn't belong, but when it came to the occasional rat or mouse hole, that dog had to be forcefully pulled away.
"Control your animal." Shann barked at Zain. For all he knew the boy was asleep and had no idea that the dog was about to make a disgusting meal out of whatever rodent he found crawling under the mattress.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Ko wasn't sleeping, he was simply just ignoring the other man. Just because he had been put on babysitting duties didn't mean that he had to keep a smile on his face or even pretend to like sitting in the cramped, dark room while the man continued to ramble about how strong he was and how he thought that he could take down everyone on board. Rather than entice him or give him the encouragement he so desperately seemed to be after, Ko remained silent. He just sat there on an overturned crate and occupied himself within his own thoughts.
Re: Seemingly Pointless Meandering
Ceallach ducked, brought his shield up, and knocked his opponent’s sword spinning into the sand. He hooked his short sword around, and lopped off his foe’s right leg at the knee.
The limb folded in two. Blood spurted. The man screamed and crumpled.
Ceallach removed his heavy bronze helmet and tossed it to the ground.
The crowd roared, women flashed their tits, men screamed and spilled wine, and children thrust their own version of the killing blow with their wooden swords.
Ceallach looked around, surveying the crowd. When he reached his master, he saw his master’s wife with him, and with her, his own wife.
Her eyes were the only ones that were unapproving of the spectacle. She was unmoved by bloodshed, in fact, even disgusted by it.
The gladiator shrugged indifferently. He would never understand that woman.
Almost casually, he thrust his blade into his enemy’s chest, twisted, and withdrew. The man’s life blood splattered on his face. He did not bother to wipe it off.
With a gasp, the warrior awoke. He was cold, his body ached, and yet somehow, he was drenched in sweat.
The subtle rocking of the ship and pitch blackness reminded him where he was. He did his best to calm his shaking hands and prayed that Vexako did not notice his momentary lapse.
The limb folded in two. Blood spurted. The man screamed and crumpled.
Ceallach removed his heavy bronze helmet and tossed it to the ground.
The crowd roared, women flashed their tits, men screamed and spilled wine, and children thrust their own version of the killing blow with their wooden swords.
Ceallach looked around, surveying the crowd. When he reached his master, he saw his master’s wife with him, and with her, his own wife.
Her eyes were the only ones that were unapproving of the spectacle. She was unmoved by bloodshed, in fact, even disgusted by it.
The gladiator shrugged indifferently. He would never understand that woman.
Almost casually, he thrust his blade into his enemy’s chest, twisted, and withdrew. The man’s life blood splattered on his face. He did not bother to wipe it off.
With a gasp, the warrior awoke. He was cold, his body ached, and yet somehow, he was drenched in sweat.
The subtle rocking of the ship and pitch blackness reminded him where he was. He did his best to calm his shaking hands and prayed that Vexako did not notice his momentary lapse.
Re: Seemingly Pointless Meandering
~ Selena nodded her head towards the man and moved around the room examining things around. She said nothing for a while as she assessed the situation. Two gnomes, two elves...a child..and a barbarian. It wasn't he best of matches but Selena couldn't have done any worse. She moved over to the table where Shann sat and brought close to her and sat down, crossing her right leg over her left yet again. Her emerald eyes gazed at the man as he was so involved in his work. By nature she wanted to let him control the situation but that could not happen at the moment. Selena had to force his hand in accepting her into the group. For some odd reason she was compelled to do so, as if destiny in twined their lives together.
"Perhaps, I was always raised in being truthful. My parents were murdered before my eyes, and my murderers were murdered by my hands. I do not claim to be innocent in this world Master Shann but I do ask to be taken a fool. I ask no payment from you, but rather just companions to travel with. It may be a bit safer than me traveling alone. " The fact that he was so busy with his work didn't bother her. She would have done the same thing and perhaps...maybe just perhaps she would be in his spot one day. She grinned at him and kept it on her face, another show of emotion.....odd.
"Perhaps, I was always raised in being truthful. My parents were murdered before my eyes, and my murderers were murdered by my hands. I do not claim to be innocent in this world Master Shann but I do ask to be taken a fool. I ask no payment from you, but rather just companions to travel with. It may be a bit safer than me traveling alone. " The fact that he was so busy with his work didn't bother her. She would have done the same thing and perhaps...maybe just perhaps she would be in his spot one day. She grinned at him and kept it on her face, another show of emotion.....odd.
Re: Seemingly Pointless Meandering
The hiding spot he had chosen was not really up to par with his standards, as the bed was small and so low to the ground that he had to scrunch himself up on the floor and pretend to be a weasel in order to stay under it. The unfortunate lowness of the piece of furniture was also making it rather painful to stretch out in order to get a better view of the room he had so blindly entered, but such was necessary. If anyone had been paying attention to the bed they might have noticed a small silver head just beneath it, as Cat had to get so close to the end of the bed to see that it made his appearance painfully obvious to those who were looking, but then, who the shat would be looking at the bed?
He could barely make out the contours of the gnome, as the creature was obscured by the absurdly taller, perhaps more sophisticated-appearing elf sitting near him. Cat's ears twitched and he ducked back under the bed as the girl's shoes clacked against the dirtied floor, no doubt stained permanently with a dozen men who had previously vomited on it, or worse. She seemed rather out of place to him, but then Cat was always out of place no matter where he went, it was just that people didn't always realize it even when he did.
Not least of all she seemed odd because she readily admitted to killing some dumbshit who had apparently killed her parents, which was, honestly, some heavy stuff for talking to people you'd never met before and on top of that she claimed it was because of her "honesty." Oh joy. She was downright insane too. 'Course most women were.
Grrrrr.
The menace in a canine's growl is impossible to describe with combinations of silly letters. It is impossible for a writer to force the reader to feel the back of the neck prick up and the fur on the back of the spine stick firmly into a vertical position the way that Cat's did the moment he heard it. Then the smell, the smell - a combination of liver, clothes that have never been washed, and putrid, stagnant air - a scent that can only be described as:
dog.
His silver-striped tail, normally only an inch and a half or so in width, had sprang itself so that it was in fact three times the size, and had he been able to stand the feline would have looked absolutely ridiculous with puffy, fluffy fear. He hated dogs, mangy, horrible beasts able to lick their own pricks and with a love of rolling in dead things. Sandelmingoblius had always hated dogs, and thus, being a cat did nothing but strengthen the rational fear and loathing of the entire canidae clade, along with those related to such that looked remotely like a slobbering fluffy thing with teeth and a bark.
And so it was that a hiss, also indescribable with letters, sounded from beneath the bed as Cat bunched himself into a ball to face (or, more likely, run from) the intruding enemy of death and doom. And Death's true name was: Thanmorion.
He could barely make out the contours of the gnome, as the creature was obscured by the absurdly taller, perhaps more sophisticated-appearing elf sitting near him. Cat's ears twitched and he ducked back under the bed as the girl's shoes clacked against the dirtied floor, no doubt stained permanently with a dozen men who had previously vomited on it, or worse. She seemed rather out of place to him, but then Cat was always out of place no matter where he went, it was just that people didn't always realize it even when he did.
Not least of all she seemed odd because she readily admitted to killing some dumbshit who had apparently killed her parents, which was, honestly, some heavy stuff for talking to people you'd never met before and on top of that she claimed it was because of her "honesty." Oh joy. She was downright insane too. 'Course most women were.
Grrrrr.
The menace in a canine's growl is impossible to describe with combinations of silly letters. It is impossible for a writer to force the reader to feel the back of the neck prick up and the fur on the back of the spine stick firmly into a vertical position the way that Cat's did the moment he heard it. Then the smell, the smell - a combination of liver, clothes that have never been washed, and putrid, stagnant air - a scent that can only be described as:
dog.
His silver-striped tail, normally only an inch and a half or so in width, had sprang itself so that it was in fact three times the size, and had he been able to stand the feline would have looked absolutely ridiculous with puffy, fluffy fear. He hated dogs, mangy, horrible beasts able to lick their own pricks and with a love of rolling in dead things. Sandelmingoblius had always hated dogs, and thus, being a cat did nothing but strengthen the rational fear and loathing of the entire canidae clade, along with those related to such that looked remotely like a slobbering fluffy thing with teeth and a bark.
And so it was that a hiss, also indescribable with letters, sounded from beneath the bed as Cat bunched himself into a ball to face (or, more likely, run from) the intruding enemy of death and doom. And Death's true name was: Thanmorion.