IC: The Abatan.

[Raven Black.]

[align=justify:69fba223df]Raven listened to the information about the storm which they were about to face, but she had much confidence in Basingstoke that she held no urgent doubt that they would receive the same fate. Basingstoke probably knew how to handle the storm since she has sailed these waters many times at the helm of The Abatan; the captain had possibly seen all the horrors of these seas and whipped them into shape with her sharp wit and temper… there was no doubt about it, Basingstoke was a pirate to be reckoned with. Offering a soft light-hearted chuckle, eyes burning with the excitement of a challenge, her first storm experienced at sea, Raven could not help but experience and anxiousness to be up on deck, yelling her own curses at the storm. The mention of curses and spells brought another interest to Raven since that was something well in her experience being a gypsy.

”There’d b some pretty bad curses out there, no doubts Capt’n Tim Higgins. But yer see, ‘dere is a trick to curses zat cannot be denied nor forgott’n. Curses only work sir, if yer be believin’ in dem. It’s an old gypsy antidote, yer see curses be workin’ on yer fear, wot scares yer zee most. From zat fear, the curse feeds shrouds yer in a negative energy drinkin’ in all the good. Easiest way to be fightin’ a curse, is ter fight yer fear!” Raven’s black eyes narrowed, twinkling like twin black holes before flashing open wide as if portending her own ill-omen, not towards Tim Higgins, but to who or whatever placed a curse on his ship or him… in warning. There was one thing she was an expert at, and that things of this exact nature, she had learned from the best, the Romany Gypsies of the mortal world, their skill was yet to be matched.

She nodded about his promise to return to Sharvani and take penance upon the witches hide who had placed the curse upon him, but until he had actually faced his fear and laughed back into the face of the curse, the witch would always have power over him. Then again there were ways to ward of witches, and take their power to keep for yourself or to use it against them leaving them powerless. This, Raven would keep to herself until getting to know Tim Higgins better; she still did not completely trust him. Wicked ways brought wicked deeds, but one can still be wicked and be justified at the same time, it was all how you handled the situation whether or not it would come back to haunt you… you just had to play it smart, and be extremely cunning how you go about it.

This dark-haired beauty took much pride in justifying her deeds, she killed because she was starving, animals were placed to the earth to kill when hungry, and people were no better than animals and to her honest beings were no such thing. Everyone had their own interests in heart, rarely caring about another person unless they were to gain something out it. In that alone, Raven was always justified. Still, whatever he had done was his business, and all Raven cared about was The Abatan and her crew… and she made no attempt in hiding it. The information about the diamond caused Raven to chuckle, she actually wasn’t worried about anyone retrieving it, just let them try, they would find themselves no fingers, no hands and no eyes. Nothing was ever taken from Raven, not without a fight and not without a death. ”I be not worryin’ ‘bout such tings Capt’n. ‘Dere is not a lot in dis world zat makes me think bout me life at risk. We all live an’ we all die… eventually. Tis zee way of tings, mate!”

Smiling boldly ”Dere is many lil beasties out dere. An’ I am one of dem!” making and action across her throat with her right hand while her left eye winked at him before pouring him another rum and pouring one for herself. Thumping the wooden urn down before sculling her rum in one gulp. ”I’ll ‘ave to be getting’ back to me tasks… be makin’ sure dem scallywags up ‘dere ain’t slackin the bilge rats dey are. If we be sailin’ thru this storm like a knife in zee belly of a dog, we’ll be need’n all the fire we got on deck. Yer stay dow’n ere all nice n warm. The Abatan will be tamin’ this bitch of a storm.” During the time of their conversation, Raven took no offence or appeared to take any, just sitting there relaxed and well poised. Despite his questionable appearance, there was nothing at all about Tim Higgins that frightened her.

She poured them each another rum, lifting her rusty old cup towards his "Tis is for us and the storm we be about to be defeatin'. To the Lamminger and The Abatan!"[/align:69fba223df]

[Viperstrike]

Raven's words were like a spark to kindling.  Relighting the fire of passion for what Tim really loved best.  He did not have to let that curse overpower him after all.  If anything he knew he had a fear to face, and face it he would.  He smiles and raises his glass immediately to her explanation.

" Ahh yes, now these are words I can definitely live by.  To the Abatan and the Lamminger!   May the sea always bow down to our feet!"  

He touches his glass gently to hers and swigs down his entire glass of rum.  If it were not for his injuries he would get back up on his feet in a heartbeat, and take the Lamminger's wheel along side the Abatan willingly.  There was still a question about a formidable crew.  He couldn't sail beside the Abatan without one.

" Facing my greatest fear won't be easy Raven, and in order to do such a thing, I will need a new crew.  One that I can trust with my life.. One who's heart is as blood thirsty as mine.  My previous crew met my expectations, for they were all like me in a way, creatures fighting to live, doing whatever they could to survive.  By day, they were men, and by night, Warewolves.  But that did not stop me from seeing their potential as worthy crew men.  Not once did I have to bark at them because of laziness, the only time I had to shout, was to direct them in firing the figurehead cannon which I dare say is quite rare among ships.   But that is a story I shall tell you when you have more of a free moment.  You had best return to your crew.  "

He pours her another drink for her travels, with a smile on his face and then takes off the amulet around his neck.  He stares coldly at it.

" Rest assured this will not run my life any longer my dear.  If anything I shall deem this as a sort of good luck charm.    Then again, I have so many of those.  But if I give this to anyone they might ... Oh no, I am definitely going to have to stowe this one away.. No telling who might fall under its curse.  As soon as I can, I will return to the Lamminger and lock this infernal amulet in the unlockable chest."

[Raven Black.]

[align=justify:b6e7a20590]Raven’ eyes also glimmered, was it the candlelight which gave the black a crimson sheen to the pupils, or was it something else dark lingering in those arcane reflections? Raven wasn’t what anyone would consider evil, but there certainly was something undeniably sinister lingering in the center of her soul. Her life growing up had been anything but easy not that she would ever complain. Usually Raven didn’t take delight in company, having always found it a drain to her own necessities of survival… there was always someone ready and waiting to screw it up the moment a back was turned; perhaps this, being a pirate was a way she could be justifiably selfish without society demanding guilt? Not that she ever cared what anyone thought about her, she always met them face to face, eye to eye with a blade to their throats. To hold someone’s precious life in her hands was even more intoxicating that the most opiate of drugs.

Even the thought of blood on her hands made a purr escape from the back of her throat and roll over her tongue in a raspy, sultry intonation. It wouldn’t be easy for Tim Higgins to sail the Lamminger by himself in this state, and ‘The Abatan’ certainly wouldn’t wait for no ship and no tempest. Perhaps Basingstoke for the right price would part with some of her crew, maybe the newest of crew who had only just boarded? From what Raven noticed they had more than their bounty. Having made the toast and drunk down the contents of rum in one hearty swallow before pouring another. If they were going to face the biggest bitch of all storms, she may as well have a belly of rum to warm the soul while getting drenched with the rise and thrashing of the sea. A little something to soothe the whips of wind and salt.

”Perrr’aps owr capt’n would be content in parting wif some of our crew, if the price be right and she be feelin’ generous to the mood?” Raven could not speak for Basingstoke, she would not even attempt to say yes or no to the question in her own mind, it was more of a query on whether or not she should ask. If Tim Higgins was ready to be on his way and cut the seas with the Lamminger and it was only a suggestion where either way he really could not lose. ”Ah as for zee magicks of ‘dis world an zat of zee underworld, I not be only a pretty face” Offering a quick wink before sculling down the next pint of rich dark rum. The taste tingling on her tongue as it traveled down her throat, burning like a fire to the center of her stomach, a warm feeling rising from her toes to the tip of her nose. It was the thing about rum she loved the most, the way it made her tingle.

Watching as he poured her another drink, continuing with his story about his crew and how they weren’t slackers, unlike some of those on ‘The Abatan’ but between her and Basingstoke they would not be slackers for long. Indeed she should return to her crew, but Raven also knew they would be rigging the magnificent ship down, preparing her for the tempers of nature that she was about to face. Nodding her head in agreement ”Aye, ye I better be tending ter zee crew, an’ git to me own chores before we ride zee back of tis beastie!” Slowly rising to her feet, taking another swig of rum for the good measure ”I’ll be speakin’ ter zee capt’n when I gets given zee chance. We may not sail into this storm, ‘pends on wat our capt’n decides.” Looking at the amulet he spoke of, a question dawning but for now she refrained from asking. Shrugging it off  as hands brushing off the dust of the chair where she has just been sitting from her attire, flashing a smile before turning her back and making her way to the door.

”Yer know where I am,if yer be needin’ me” Opening the door and stepping out onto the deck where the rain had already began to fall, covering it in a sleek sheen. Pirates rushing about on deck, tightening and tying down ropes, making sure no loose planks would come away and cause damage. Basingstoke still busy in her captain plotting out charts and their course through the storm. Once Raven made sure all was well on deck, she would tend to the Lamminger… making sure the ropes and tethers weren’t too tight to snap and not too loose to be snagged. Pushing men to and fro, directing the lesser experienced to chores required to be done, the sails properly tended to. From what Raven could detect they were heading straight into the storm, tackling head on… Raven knew that this ship didn’t bow down to any storm and this would be an example set. She grinned fiendishly… [/align:b6e7a20590]

Sorry about the wait hun.

[Viperstrike]

Tim was more than ready to pay whatever it was to get himself a handful of crew members to help sail his mighty Lamminger.  He had then remembered one thing, the most important thing that almost slipped his mind.  He sits up rather quickly, with raised brows.  He knew if he forgot to tell Raven that a sea dragon guarded his ship and if she did not know that Tim had befriended the crew of the Abatan, they would surely die to a snap of the mighty serpant's tail.

"Darla!  Calypso forgive me for my abscent mind!  I must tell Raven of Darla before she has her crew venture to my ship!"

He stumbles out of bed, and tightens his coat as best he can, quickly grabbing his hat , holding it so the wind does not swipe it from his head.  Although the top half of his body suffered greately from injury, he still had his legs and feet completely unharmed by his ordeal.  He navigates his way through the abatan, being careful not to plow into anyone, which was never his way, and excuses himself when necesary.  He finds Raven and quickly walks up beside her.

" Raven, forgive me for my interruption, I would not have done otherwise if I had not forgotten to tell you something highly imperative.    My ship has a guardian, and her name is Darla.  She is a fully grown sea dragon, the size of a hump back whale, perhaps even larger.   Surprisingly enough she has not yet surfaced... "

As he explains to Raven about Darla, a ripple in the ocean catches his ear quickly.  Being partially feline, he had the hearing ten times more sensative than a human.  He looks out from the Starboard bow, and spots a long, slender serpantine body arching up from the surf.  He knew right away who it was.  He heads up to the figurehead of the Abatan, and hopes to call his large companion over to meet Raven.  

"DARLA!  OVER HERE!  ON THE ABATAN!  I WANT YOU TO MEET SOMEONE!"

Darla hears her friend's call, and pokes her head out of the surf.    She follows his voice to the bow of the Abatan, and almost effortlessly treads water with her rear legs, and arches her long slender neck above the railing of the ship, being careful not to lay claw on it.  Tim smiles, and then looks to Raven.

" Come, Raven, over here.  I'd like you to meet Darla.  She's been my guardian for many years, always faithful and fortelling of danger.  Some Pirate captains have parrots as companions, I have a sea dragon."  

Darla curiously peeks to Raven now knowing who she is, she felt at ease with anyone from the Abatan approaching her Captain's vessel.  

" So She is the one who has graciously taken you aboard when you called for distress.  My lady, I am forever in your debt for saving my companion.  As I protect the Lamminger, I pledge my promise to guard the Abatan as well."

She bows to Raven as best she can, and then recedes back into the water, circling both ships as she so promised.

Tim grins at the thought.  Now whatever came everyone's way, would also face the threat of dealing with an angry sea dragon.

" If I had not told you about Darla, she may have outwardly attacked you and your crew.  I couldn't see that happen Raven."

[Raven Black.]

[mod:b1d8c2d9ad]Out of respect to Reggie that when she returns doesn't have a hundred posts to read before she can reply. And out of respect to Ryan who has yet to enter into this scene... I will start a new thread with my next IC post, entitled something involving the storm they are about to sail into. We can place Reggie's character in her captain plotting out charts or something that doesn't involve us having to auto her character which I feel discomfort in doing.

I hope that this will make it easier for everyone. -crosses fingers and hopes for the best-

Beep... beep

{THREAD CLOSED UNTIL OUR REGGIE RETURNS.}

RP LINK: http://thedarkrealmz.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=16219#16219[/mod:b1d8c2d9ad]