IC: Into the Maws of Devils

[Raven Black.]

The rain tasted salty on her lips while Raven stood there with hands on her hips and a foot resting on a deck-scrubber’s back. Black eyes narrowed to heinous discord while looking out over the ocean to the black swirling storm building on the horizon. ”Git ye backs into it yer liver-lovin-baboons!!” She barked at them, eyes glancing back over her shoulder checking to see if Basingstoke approved of her thick-skinned hardness. Surely by now if the captain of The Abatan didn’t approve she would have already been thrown over the side taking quite a few of the crew with her. Yo perish… she would never be alone and unlike the majority of them… she knew how to swim and the sharks too would meet their match. ”Begad yer blaggards be slow…zee Brimy Deep be callin’ to her devils to come claim our souls an’ drags us d’wn beneath her salty depths. Use yer deadlights, zat be no bloomers waggin’ yer doubloons in!!” Boot heel finding the hard wood of the deck, swiftly marching to the forrard of the mighty ship as the waves rose higher, some even crashing over the bustling bow. Lashing against the array of figureheads of souls and skulls- los muerto.

There had been no time as yet to send any of the crew over to the Lamminger in order to steady her sails and ensure she was fit to tackle the tempest once more. Pirates spewing from the forepeak, yelling obscenities at the other while Raven just shot them cold, menacing stares. She didn’t care if they abused each other so long as the work got done, they had no time for gawkers and none would be tolerated… not if they were crew of The Abatan. It was here, when through the gyrating winds and howls that Raven heard the voice of Tim Higgins. Turning to greet him and scowling ”Ye shud be owt of zee wind or yer be catchin’ yer death!” A sound of blunt concern lashing from the tip of her tongue, then taking her turn to listen as he spoke, though not approving of his presence on deck until he was better in health and sound in vigor. It was interesting to her about this sea dragon that had not yet surfaced to unleash spite on the body of The Abatan, perhaps the stain of lost souls and death stilled it for a while. Waiting to see if its friend came to harm.

Even Raven had felt a ghostly presence on board of The Abatan but being who… and what she was… Raven didn’t fear what she understood or did not fail to understand. Raven had heard legends of sea dragons and other strange monsters and beasties that dwelled in the blackness of its locker. There wasn’t a lot that did surprise Raven just in the manner her nerves were that of steal. Coming to learn of its name Darla brought another added dimension and she was sure Basingstoke would love to hear of its origins of where this dragon had come from, being that she was a captain and having the skill to navigate the waters. It only made sense she would want to know of such things. At least in the mind of Raven. Head quickly turning to the sound of water rippling, a dripping sound echoing as rivers traveled upwards only to fall like waterfalls from the scale-plated armor of this amazing beast.

Black eyes widening, admiring the size or what was visible to her eyes and she could only imagine how big it was under the surface. In accordance to Tim, Raven moved closer to the rails as men gasped and swore behind her. Quickly head turning to yell back at them ”Oi, yer’ll be watchin yer tongues unless yer wanna be losin’ it by me own teeth!” Whipping back to pay attemtion and respect to a beautiful creature, one that she wanted to reach out and experience just what it would be like to touch it… would it even let her if her small hand reached out, fingers splaying to offer only the most feathered of strokes. Boot by boot, her feet rose to the lower rail only to elevate herself upwards for closer examination. For the first time ever being caught by surprise that the sea dragon, spoke. Raven couldn’t believe her ears let alone her eyes. ”Yer be speakin’?” Flashing a gaze at Tim ”Wot magic’s fused zee words of man to beastie?”

Taking in a deep breath only to pay her respect to the dragon, devoting honor in taking Tim in and The Abatan tending to his ship and him ”Speak nuffin’ of it. Just takin’ zee orders of me Capt’n and doin zee honors of lookin’ aft’r owr own!” To Raven, Tim Higgins was one of theirs. Basingstoke, wouldn’t have ordered The Abatan to retrieve whatever crew was left and the care of the Lamminger in compliance to The Abatan. Bowing back just as the sea dragon returned to the warmth of the ocean, shaking her head while the crew had all ceased in their activities only to rush back at it before this harpy of a woman began yelling again. ”Dere be nuffin’ n it to acquire apology, we be not needin’ no drag’n chewing on owr arses. We not be tastin’ ter good withowt spices’n’jams!” laughing casually, the sound far sweeter than the barking of orders and cursing. ”If yer be up ter it. Yer more than welcome ter ‘andle a few’a these bilge-rats n keep em on dere toes, eh! How bout it?” The choice would be his but with this storm brewing and The Abatan hot on the devil’s heels, they would need all the deckhands they could muster.

[Viperstrike]

Raven's help was like finding the most priceless treasure in all the sea.  Yet Tim knew that even through injury, the Lamminger was still his responsibility and he needed to be sure that the crew from the Abatan which was helping to sail the Lamminger, would need his assistance since he knew his ship inside and out.  

" Raven I do not mean to disobey your orders, but I have great responsibility toward my ship and the crew you have lent me.  Their lives while aboard are in my care, and I will not let anything happen to them!  "

He goes to the bow of the ship, and spots Darla circling about.  Yet, loss of blood still leaves him a little unsteady on the foot.  He puts a hand over his forehead, as Darla quickly swims back knowing of her companion's condition.  She hoists herself up to the bow and gives her friend an extremely troubling look.

" In Caylpso's name Tim, you should obeye Raven!  You are in NO condition to sail!"

Tim smiles and rubs her nose.

" Darla, your concerns and Raven's are just and I do appreciate them greatly.   But try to understand that I can not bare the pain of losing more lives who sail upon my ship as my crew.  No matter if I know them or not.  They risk their lives to keep the Lamminger above the surf.   For that I must give something in return!"

Darla nodds and turns to Raven. She agreed with her more than she agreed with Tim, but she knew when not to get in his way.

" I whole heartedly agree with your concern for Tim.  But alas, he is who he is.   He is highly concerned for your crew as if they were his very own.   He has taken them under his wing.   Truthfully I do not think he is fit to sail, as you feel as well.   Unfortunately we can not change his mind.   I will return him to his ship.  If he falls into distress I will return to the Abatan at once.   Good speed to you and your crew. "  

She lowers her head just enough for Tim to step onto it.  He steps on and looks to Raven, while holding one of Darla's horns to keep himself steady.

" If the waters were still my dear, I would have truely obeyed your wishes.  But danger is a foot and It would not sit well for me to lose anyone to a storm and especially anyone who is aboard my ship as well as yours.  May Caylpso also be on your side!"

With his well wishes to Raven and the Abatan, Tim is swam back to his ship, via sea dragon, who is swift upon the rough waters, returning him to his own figurehead, and sees him safely aboard his ship.   She lingers for a moment to see how he fares.

As if by magic, yet still a bit unsteady on his feet, Tim shakes off the groggy feeling that was residual to his loss of blood, and takes on a more steadfast stance and expression upon his face.  He was not about to lose another crew and he was going to face his demons rather than fall to them.  Quickly he gets to the wheel of his ship, and narrows his eyes and presses his ears flat back on his head.  His palms slap loudly to the handles of the round wheel, as knuckles grip tightly.   He looks back to the crew lent to him by Raven before taking on the rough waters.

" As you sail the Abatan with loyalty, I shall hold you to your reputations!  Yet, let there be one thing clear to all of you, no matter the demon, no matter the difficulty, we work as one!  Those who do not wish to work together, WILL FIND THEMSELVES IN THE BELLY OF MY DRAGON!  WORK WITH ME AND I WILL WORK WITH YOU!  NOW, LOWER THE SAILS AND KEEP THE RUDDER ON COURSE WITH THE ABATAN!  AT NO TIME DO I WISH TO SEE ANY DEVIATION FROM MY ORDERS!"

He looks out at the sea, steering in the same direction as the Abatan, holding his position to sail right behind her.   The Lamminger groans as it rocks with the waves, yet the groans almost sound beast like, as if a lion were growling.   He looks to his keel which seems to appear too narrow to keep his ship a float through rough waters.  But only he knew of Lamminger's special features and did not expect his crew to know everything.    Beside his wheel, he cranks a lever that exends a wing like ornament at the keel of the ship, giving it a wider surface and more leverage to take on the large waves.  She was now sailing the water as if she were flying.  Tim grits his teeth with a wild grin.

" All right witch, if it is a game of wits you wish to play with me, then SO BE IT!  I'M READY FOR YOU!"

He looks to his crew, keeping an eye on them in short glances.  He notices that his sails at the crow's nest still need to come down.  

" I WANT THE SAILS AT THE CROW'S NEST LOWERED AT ONCE UNLESS YOU WISH TO PAY FOR NEW ONES OUT OF YOUR OWN FILTHY POCKETS!"

After barking at his crew.  Tim stops short.  He had never done that before.

" What am I doing?  I've never acted like that in my life."

Her quarters were small, just enough for her to start feeling uncomfortable as basingstoke rose from her chair, a bottle in front of her, once full, now gone doing its job of fogging her head and warming her throat. She heard commotion outside but thought nothing of it. The wood throughout her ship shining strong and true, lasting, giving her a sense of accomplishment in being on this ship, let alone being the owner ant the captain. A heavy leather clad boot hit the ground from her once cross legged position in the chair. She was indeed extremely inebriated at this point. Basingstoke looked through the smoke of her mind to raise herself up, even to constrict the muscles in her legs, she worked. She smiled at her dizziness, laughing in the face of this potential danger as the waters cradled her ship in little lullabies, enough to make a baby sleep, but enough to make a grown man sick. "If I were on the bumblebee 'dis wou'nt be nigh as bad." She laughed at her own statement, making it perfectly clear that she was able to entertain herself through her own insanity. Yes, she loved the way that things decided to pan themselves out, a first mate at her side, one that seemed quite fitting for the task at hand, one that seemed quite fitting for the insane and strong of heart and will. Basingstoke took another step, the archway of her door coming into focus, after what seemed like the longest walk of her life. She heard Ravens voice, the calm tone of it somewhat deceiving, as always. Basingstoke loved Ravens voice, she had seen it in all of it's glory, like the roar of a lion, but she had witnessed it as broken as a child's toy as well.

Her hand outstretched for the door, turning the handle as lightly as she could, carefully, and as she grabbed the handle, it seemed as though a tsunami had rose up from the depths of the sea, the waters crashing against her ship, and Ravens voice booming over the commotion, as if Raven were the cracks in the cement during an earthquake. Basingstoke was not a stupid woman, by any means, but as inebriated as she was, when the door swung open to be greeted by a beast being controlled by a man, her vision was awestruck. She stood in shock for a moment, as if to take it all in, the magicks of another working together. Basingstoke slammed her door shut and ran to her the closest cabinet near her screaming "VOODOO" more than five times in a row to those around her. She grabbed all the pistols she could fit in her holsters and opened her door once more. Her voice was large, and it seemed to take presidence over the thoughts of the crew, especially those who had never seen her face before.

"What in the bloody fuckin' hell be 'dis 'ere voodoo hoodoo magic crap on me ship?!"

Her gun was pointed straight at this man, his face vulnerable, as if his wounds had just been tended to. Basingstoke looked around to see a few more, wounded but still breathing, and lucky for it. She was faced with a decision, Who should she shoot first? Basingstoke was one of the only women who owned as many pistols as she did, at least this was her firm belief, she was far to trigger happy, and far to proud of her bad habits. She decided to go for the one who looked like the Ringleader, the one who looked like he could be running it all, the one conversing with her first mate. Her pistol was dead on with his head, if his movements caused him any trouble, he would be greeted with a silhouette of metal shards eating away at his insides, until Basingstoke was done watching him squirm. Her footsteps demanded attention, though her inebriation was obvious and her mind was racing, she didn't mind attacking this man while drunk, she had done worse things before. He then made his escape to another ship, she didn't know what was going on, but her ship was in movement, and being followed. Basingstoke kept walking, turning to Raven, and grabbing the nearest bottle. She brought the sauce to her lips and took it down like honey.

"Would ye mind tellin me what the hell happened on me ship?"

Basingstoke had a pistol in hand one hand, gripping it with a warning for all of those around her, and a man following her close, she was deeply confused, but also very intrigued by whatever went on while she was in her quarters.

[Viperstrike]

Basinstoke could be heard from across the way, as Tim's ears catch her mention of Voodoo.  She was right of course.  It was a magic that had followed Tim across the ocean and still clung to him like a vulture over a rotted corpse.  Darla's pressense was harmless and uncontrolled, but he also realized that not everyone knew that he was not controlling her, but merely keeping a long term friendship with the sea dragon.

Darla tries to keep herself beneath the surf, and away from both ships' keels to be sure she lays no harm on them.  She had a feeling that Basingstoke would not know that she was actually ally and not enemy.  

With his hands firmly on his wheel, Tim attempts to slay another phsycological demon and slowly brings his ship beside the Abatan, keeping a respectable distance from it.  He could now see Basingstoke clearly.

"Ahoy Captain!  I assure you that I mean you no harm!  The beast you see in the water, no magic controls her!  Her name is Darla, and she swims beside me as my companion!   I was rescued by Raven  and in return for her help, Darla has pledged her services to your ship as she has to my vessel!  She will not harm you!  When we get past the worst of this storm, I am willing to explain everything you need to know!  But now, we have a tempest to fight!  Allow me to sail besside you so we can face it together!"

Tim could now hear a rumbling in the water.  It was the same rumbling he heard before he lost consciousness during the first round with the monsterous storm.  

" I know that sound.  It's the same sound that saw me nearly to my death."

He follows the sound with his head turned and ears forward.   The tsunami which had taken his crew rises once again to have  a second shot at the kindered Captain.

" ROGUE WAVE!  TURN HER ABOUT OR WE'LL BE SMASHED TO SPLINTERS! AHOY CAPTAIN OF THE ABATAN!  YOU'D  BEST DO THE SAME THING!  FACE HER STERN TOWARD THE WAVE!  THE WORST THAT WILL HAPPEN IS THAT YOU'LL BE THROWN OFF COURSE!  KEEP AS YOU ARE AND IT WILL SMASH YOUR VESSEL!  COME ON THEN EVERYONE!  TURN STARBOARD BOW, TILL THE STERN VACES THE WAVE!"  

He desperately turns the wheel starboard bow as he falls back enough to turn about without hitting the Abatan.  It was the same move which had saved him the first time during the storm.  It was as Raven had said, curses were all in the mind, and all he had to do, is get past his fears and face them head on.   Instead of barking commands to his crew, he does the best he can to do the work of more than one person, joining them to perform the difficult task of turning the ship about abruptly.  He knew it was difficult to do, and that the ship would not always respond as it should.  Again it groans as if roaring as the Lamminger is forced to make a very sharp turn about.