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| The Slave Trade | |
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| Topic Started: Aug 23 2011, 08:54 PM (2,451 Views) | |
| Daiohma | Feb 10 2012, 07:26 PM Post #41 |
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The Ice Fang
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Tsukiko followed her two new friends as Jel'din asked the question of Kokyrie's whereabouts. "Well we could.....er, go back to....." Nixie did not seem to of thought that far ahead to were they should be going, Which worried Tsukiko as she was the one who was most out of place right now. Not only was she with people that she did not fully know but she was in a place that worked in a very different way to the life she was used to. "Yeah. Let's just go back." Nixie then replied All the Shrine maiden could do was follow Nixie and Jel'din as the town had already become unfamiliar to her, also she had a feeling that they had already been in the same area before. As the group walked Tsukiko had her head in her book again. From the information she had down she had guessed that things might get a little worse before anything good happens. ''How I wish to be home..'' She told herself, slightly blushing incase the others heard what she just said. She was in no way unhappy with meeting her new friends, but the whole situation and thought of war was a little too scary for the young girl. "I wonder if Kyrie will even recognize us now." Nixie then spoke up. ''I'm sure she may remember me?'' Tsukiko answered, giving a little playful twirl in her kimono. She was the only one not in a real disguise after all, yet she noticed a few eyes looking over at her from time to time. It was a little worrying but no one would mistake her for a slave in the cloths she was in, her gold dragon necklace catching the light around her neck. Soon they reached the spot that they had been hiding in earlier, however there was no sign of Kokyrie. They walked past the washhouse that they had been in before. Tsukiko looked up at the building, still wishing that it had been a bath house, a place that she could of had a long rest from her journey. "Hey! You three!" A voice suddenly called out from behind them. The voice scared Tsukiko as she was still not used to people shouting out like that. Before she could even turn around Nixe was already running towards the voice, ''Hey! Kyrie!". Indeed it was Kokyrie who had found them. The two of them exchanged words as the groups got back together. Tuskiko stood before Kokyrie and placed her hands together while taking a bow, ''It is fortunate that you found us, we are sorry if we caused you any trouble.'' Tsukiko's face went a little red as she spoke, she knew it was the right thing to do but she never thought that she would have to say sorry to a Pirate. |
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| Gordreg | Feb 12 2012, 07:18 PM Post #42 |
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Administrator
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Jel almost jumped as the angry voice called out from behind them, and turned about hesitantly to look; but her worries almost melted away at the sight of Kokyrie. She rushed on over, hovering at Nixie’s side whilst the captain gave her friend a slight scolding. “Oh, it’s a good one!” she trilled up as Nixie mentioned their story, jumping up to hang her arms across Kokyrie an Nixie’s shoulders, though she dropped back again almost at once. Scampering over to the treeline, she gave a glance about to check nobody outside of the group was watching, gave her fingers a quick fold, and cleared her throat. “Well, it all started when Nix found the wash-house.” Jel began “...or we, um, thought it was at the time, anyway.” She explained, gesticulating gently as she spoke. “Her plan was to sneak in there and find some clothes for us to wear, and we managed to get inside fine -we even found some washer’s gowns to slip on… only they weren’t washing clothes inside.” she clasped her hands together, tilting her head a little downward. “They were washing sails. Ship’s ones. In great huge tubs.” She looked upward again, biting her lip, and glanced to Nixie for moral support. “But we were in the washroom now, and they had a guard who’d seen us, so we couldn’t just walk back out again… and then he counted us, and things could have gone really bad when he started questioning us, but a woman came over to stand up for us. I think she thought we were working with her or for her, and we played along for a while as she took us to her, umm…” Jel hesitated, unsure of the exact word to use for the squalid shack “… home.” She finished lamely, but a slight smile had appeared on her face, and she gave a glance at Xera to watch her expression, anticipating change. “We didn’t give much away…” she faltered “at first, anyway, but… as she asked us our tribes, she let slip hers!” Jel beamed widely. “She was from Ixa’ness! She’d been taken by the Iron ships, and her name was Kaia…” Jel clasped her hands together firmly, the smile now broader “…and she mentioned her sister, who she’d always hoped would come rescue her. Xera…” As Xera’s expression changed, Jel gave a slight giggle. “She gave us these clothes, and let us on our way. She’s going to get the slaves organised for an escape, she wants them evacuated before the attack… and to meet in the forest behind their pens two afters hour the sun has gone down…” she faltered, realising her error. “I mean, the other way around. And she said she’ll have information on the town’s defences for us by then, too!” Jel finished with a clap of her hands, and an enthusiastic bounce on the spot. “So! What do you think of that, Kyrie?” |
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| Jet Blackbeard | Feb 15 2012, 02:47 AM Post #43 |
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aka Bear
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"Thank you Tsuki." Kokyrie accepted the priestess' apology. "I just wish someone ELSE around here were so polite as you are." Nixie sniffed indignantly but refused to take Kokyrie's bait. She had too much on her mind right now to argue. Jel'din gave the two older women a brief recount of all that had occurred during their misadventure into the pirate town. Nixie winced when she spoke of how she'd mistakenly led them into the washhouse and nearly gotten them all caught. She also shared in Jel'din's enthusiasm when it was revealed that they'd met Xera's sister. If they were both expecting her to break down in tears or leap for joy then their expectations were about to be crushed. "You saw Kaia? Here?" Xera gasped. "What....was she doing? When you saw her I mean?" Nixie glared hotly at her. She was beginning to think that the two long lost sisters weren't all that interested in being reunited for some reason or another. What was with them? "She seemed to be some kind of overseer or something. Like, she was in charge of the other slaves." Nixie answered her question flatly. "Oh. And she's going to help us free the other slaves?" Xera asked mechanically. "Yes! Geez, what is with the two of you?" Nixie blurted out. "I mean, first she was like this and now you! Don't you want to see your sister again?" Xera had been lost in her thoughts but Nixie's outburst brought her out of them. "What? Of course I do! But you need to keep your nose out of my family's business you little..." "Alright, calm down and lower your voices." Kokyrie's stern words silenced them both. She turned her attention back to Jel'din. "Now then, you say we're to meet her at the slave pens two hours after the sun has set? I think it could work. An escape attempt would put the pirates in disarray. If we time our attack to begin just right we can catch them with their hands full." Nixie's anger with Xera quickly subsided and her enthusiasm returned. "Right, but what about the town's defenses?" She asked. "Kaia said she'd tell us all about them. Don't you want to wait until you hear what she has to say?" "And what do you think I was doing the whole time you were getting yourself into trouble?" Kokyrie retorted. "I think I've got a grasp on the situation now. But we're going to have to move fast. The longer we wait, the more likely it is we'll be discovered." Nixie fumed silently for a moment. Then she narrowed her eyes at Kokyrie. "Wait a sec. You ran into the old man didn't you?" She asked suspiciously. "Sturges, yeah. I kinda did." Kokyrie admitted. "And I think he suspects I'm up to something." "Glad to hear I'm not the only one who screwed up." Nixie taunted her. Kokyrie glared at her. "Stow it half-pint." She muttered. "So.....now what do we do?" Nixie asked, steering the subject away from their mutual foul-ups and into a more constructive direction. Kokyrie rubbed at her chin as she thought about the situation. "Well, for starters we'll get some rest and wait until night falls." "Sounds like a plan to me." Nixie agreed. She took a look around the clearing until she found a patch of soft grass. "Wake me up when it's time to go." Kokyrie brought her up short by snagging her ponytail. Nixie yelped in protest and gave Kokyrie a pained look. "Not you. You've got work to do." "What? You want me to scout out the town or something?" Nixie asked hopefully. Between a nap and the chance to explore the pirate town she would choose the latter. "Hell no. I want you to carry a message back to Shandala for me." Kokyrie answered. Nixie blanched at the idea. "What? Why me?" She whined. "Why not send Xera. She's all buddy-buddy with her and all." Nixie suggested, jerking her thumb at the other woman. "Because you're the fastest runner." Kokyrie replied. Nixie nodded slowly, liking the idea that she was better than Xera at something. "Plus this is your punishment for traipsing off into town on your own this afternoon." Kokyrie added. Nixie frowned and opened her mouth to protest but Kokyrie cut her off by raising her finger for silence. "This is very important Nix. Can I trust you to handle it?" "Yeah, I got it. And don't worry. I'll make sure Shandala gets your message." Nixie answered glumly. "Good. Now come over here." Kokyrie ordered, pulling Nixie aside. "This is what I want you to tell her." ~ Confident that Nixie understood the gist of what she had said Kokyrie sent her sprinting off into the forest. "As for the rest of us, we'll wait here until it's time to meet your sister." She said to the others, directing the last towards Xera. Xera merely nodded her understanding and walked a short distance away from the others where she sat down at the base of a tree. Kokyrie eyed her with concern. Xera hadn't said a word since she'd learned that her sister had been found. Much like Nixie she suspected the two of them had not parted under the best of circumstances. Their reunion wasn't likely to be the happiest of occasions. Deciding that it was best to leave Xera to her peace Kokyrie sat down on the forest floor and motioned Jel'din and Tsukiko to join her. "You girls had an exciting day today didn't you?" She asked, making small talk. "It's going to be a rough night too so be sure that you're ready for anything." As if to demonstrate her point Kokyrie laid her spear across her lap. It had spent the day hidden beneath a bush on the outskirts of town. She hadn't needed it then but Kokyrie was certain that it would draw blood before the sun had risen tomorrow. She wasn't looking forward to the violence that was sure to come but she had spent much of the voyage to this island convincing herself that it was justified. "You remember what I told you right?" Kokyrie asked as she removed a rough chunk of stone from her pocket and began to hone the edges of her spear. "When the fighting starts, steer clear of it. Use your magic to heal our warriors. If the action gets too close, run away." Kokyrie thought as Jel'din as a regular member of her crew now and she couldn't imagine Tsukiko playing the role of a warrior. Even if she were trained to fight this was probably the priestess' first time she'd ever been involved in a battle. Kokyrie wanted to make certain that the two girls did not become casualties of it. She was also aware that they stood to lose more than their lives in the conflict. Kokyrie reflected on the first battle she'd ever fought in. She recalled how she had been unable to take the life of a rival tribesman and didn't want to put Jel'din or Tsukiko in the same situation. To her mind they were best suited to saving a life, not taking one. Kokyrie knew full well the grief they might suffer if they were forced to do so. Then again, there was always the chance that the two of them would wind up right in the thick of things despite her sage advice. Thankfully Nixie wouldn't be around to get them into trouble but it was possible that some of her bad habits had already rubbed off on Jel'din and Tsukiko. ~ Xera sat beneath the bow of a pine tree, drowning in the ocean of mixed emotions that had been slowly but surely rising around her since the day Kokyrie had been crowned as the new War Chieftain. So muddled were her feelings that she wasn't sure how she felt right now. And what should she be feeling right now? Relief that her sister had been found? Dread of their impending reunion? Fear of what would come of it? One thing was for certain. Xera realized that her situation, no her very life, was about to change. The shameful stalemate she'd been frozen in for the past couple of years was about to be broken. It was the veiled possibilities of what lay beyond that dismal confrontation that so troubled Xera now. The uncertainty was like a thorn in her heart that she could not pluck out. "Whatever happens, happens." Xera muttered to herself. "Tonight, it'll happen." |
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| Daiohma | Feb 16 2012, 08:46 PM Post #44 |
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The Ice Fang
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Tsukiko smiled, she was not sure how she felt at this time. Kokyrie was a kind person from what she had seen of her, yet the label of Black Pirate worried her still. The group started talking about the lady that had saved them only moments ago from the washhouse. As it turned out Kaia was the sister of Xera, which Tsukiko thought was wonderful for the two to see each other again. She did not know how long they had been apart but Tsukiko herself had only been away from her sisters for a few days and yet she was missing them allot. As the youngest of the sisters this was the first time that she had ever been parted from them all at once. Midori was to drop her off but thanks to some unexpected happenings she had to leave her with this group. The Shrine maiden smiled to herself as a thought crossed her mind, Her sister Takibi would of loved this journey that she was on. She was the type to want to have an adventure with pirates after all. The conversation in the group caught Tsukiko's attention as she heard a few words she recognized, escape and pirates being two of them. It seemed like they were planning a rescue mission to get the slaves out of the town. "Well, for starters we'll get some rest and wait until night falls." Kokyrie mentioned. Tsukiko felt like she could do with a rest, she had more excitement today already. She could not help but notice that Nixie was sent off on her own, yet she was not too worried as she still had Jel'din and Kokyrie around. Kokyrie then motioned for the two girls to come over to her side. She explained what was going to happen tomorrow. Tsukiko nodded at her words, she knew she should stay out of the way. She thought to herself about her training, all her life just like her sisters she has trained with her given Moon Stone. Even at such a young ages she had already masters all but the last of her magic. Unlike her sisters however she had yet to ever need to use her magic on other people. She had used them a few times on small animals, but tomorrow she could not help but think of what might be asked of her when the time calls for it. Tsukiko looked down at her Moon Stone as she held it in her hands. |
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| Gordreg | Mar 24 2012, 12:27 PM Post #45 |
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Administrator
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Xera’s reaction had not been what she’d expected, Jel considered thoughtfully as she sat down to watch whilst Kokyrie and the others discussed these revelations. She’d expected something a little more… obvious, she supposed, as she considered her thoughts. Perhaps she might have expected an outpouring of grief and regret, or even a shift to a greater level of determination for her sister’s sake. Not… this. Not cold detachment. She bit her lip thoughtfully. Perhaps there had been some ill feeling between the sisters, she wondered? Or perhaps neither of them had been getting their hopes up, for fear of having them dashed? She continued to listen as the conversation unfolded, giggling slightly as Nixie taunted their captain over their mistakes, then again as Kokyrie burdened Nixie with the job of messenger for it. Kokyrie was right, Jel supposed, Nixie was their fastest runner in any case – her memories returned to a dash through the streets of Yafutoma around a year before – but Jel still felt a little worried for her friend. They’d been lucky before, but what if someone found Nixie this time? Jel’s lip gave a slight tremble at the thought, hoping as she did so that it wouldn’t come to pass. “Take care, Nix…” Jel’s quiet voice trailed off as Nixie scampered off into the forest, until she quickly vanished completely from sight, and Jel exhaled a breath she hadn’t known she’d been holding. Glancing about, she saw Kokyrie signal to her, and so scampered over to join her. “Well… um… we did. But we’ve been through worse together.” Jel nodded, a slight smile rising back onto her lips. She was about to say more, but then the yawn came, unbidden, and she placed her hand quickly across her face to cover her mouth. She blinked rapidly as she pulled her hand away once more, a little embarrassed by the action. “I’ll, um try to.” Jel swallowed again, reaching to her back and patting the haft of her bow. “But I have this if things start to go… bad.” She swallowed. “I… don’t want you worrying if I’ll use it or not, captain, if I need to. I’m… I’m prepared to.” she answered, a little surprised by her answer herself. Her hand pulled sharply from the curve of the bow involuntarily and grabbed for a pouch hanging from her belt, clinging onto her supplies of ointment as if to refute the words her mouth had spoken. Perhaps she was prepared to… but being able to and wanting too were very different things, she considered. And as she considered this, her mouth opened again in a second yawn. “I… um… think I’ll take that rest now…” Jel blushed, her cheeks slightly red as she paced across the clearing to the patch of soft grass Nixie had been forced to vacate, and settled herself down there. She closed her eyes… |
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| Jet Blackbeard | Mar 29 2012, 02:14 AM Post #46 |
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aka Bear
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The little clearing in the forest had grown quiet and still. Nixie's absence was only partly responsible for this however. Kokyrie glanced around at the others and saw that Jel'din had nodded off into a fitful slumber. Xera sat quietly some distance away and Tsukiko appeared to be lost in her own thoughts. "The calm before the storm." Kokyrie sighed. She slumped down at the base of a tree and closed her eyes. Sunset was still a few hours away and Kokyrie was exhausted from the day's events. The huntress slowed her breathing and cleared her mind of troubling thoughts, instead envisioning pleasant events from her past to help lull her to sleep. This was a trick she'd learned long ago during the first years of her life as a Black Pirate. Being able to rest one's body and mind even in the most stressful of times was an important skill for someone in her line of work. And it was a skill that Kokyrie had mastered over the years. And so, with her back resting against a tree trunk and her mind filled with visions of peaceful forest glades and crystal blue skies, Kokyrie drifted off to sleep. ~ Kokyrie's eyes were greeted by darkness when she next opened them. She snapped to her feet in a moment of panic, fearing that she had overslept. Peering up through the forest's canopy above she checked the position of the stars and sighed with relief. Night had fallen a little over an hour earlier, leaving them plenty of time to reach their destination at the appointed time. Waiting a moment for her eyes to adjust to the gloom Kokyrie moved around the clearing, rousing the others. "Wake up Jel. It's time to go." She said in a quiet voice, gently shaking the young healer. "Tsuki, wake up. It's time." She repeated the gesture for the Yafutoman girl. Kokyrie approached Xera, intending to wake her up as well. Although she moved in near silence Xera detected her movements. Her eyes snapped open and her body tensed in sudden wakefulness. On reflex Xera half-rose from the ground, her hand flashing to her waist and the club that hung there. Seeing Kokyrie's face and the wry grin beginning to spread across it Xera relaxed and glowered up at her. "A little jumpy eh?" Kokyrie teased her. Xera stood up and brushed past her, putting a little distance between them. "I'm alert. My senses haven't dulled since leaving Ixa'ness." "Glad to hear it. I'll need everyone to be on their toes tonight." Kokyrie returned coolly, refusing to be baited into an argument. Nor did Xera didn't pursue it any further. Instead she merely gritted her teeth in annoyance and joined the others as they prepared to head to their rendezvous with her sister. ~ Despite everyone wearing disguises Kokyrie led her small group through the forest just beyond the light of the pirate town. It wasn't just Sturges that she wanted to avoid. Kokyrie really didn't want to deal with anyone else who might hinder their progress. She didn't feel like stopping to explain to any drunken pirates where a group of young and attractive women were going and having to turn down invitations for drinks or other less savory nighttime activities. And so the women skulked through the darkened forest, finding their way by following the lights of town until they had reached its furthest border. In the distance Kokyrie could hear the sounds of drunken revelry but one poorly lit area near the town's outskirts was almost silent. There was a light breeze blowing in from the skyfront. She breathed deeply, catching the unpleasant aroma of offal and unwashed humanity carried on the wind. It seemed to her that they had found the slave pins. "Okay, I'll go first. Follow me and keep sharp." Kokyrie whispered in the darkness. Hefting her spear she stepped out of the forest and crept forward until she reached the edge of the town. Crouching in the darkness Kokyrie strained her eyes against the gloom until she could make out the vague shapes of each individual building. Her attention was drawn to a large tent. Motioning for the others to follow her Kokyrie stealthily approached the thin veil of fabric. From within she could hear the sounds of quiet movement, cloth rustling and an occasional cough. She estimated there to be a large crowd inside. Suddenly the sound of someone approaching caused Kokyrie to whirl about, spear at the ready. "Ssshhh! Keep still. It's me." A strange voice whispered from nearby. "You're here to rescue the slaves right? I'm Kaia." Xera sucked in a breath of air at hearing her sister's voice after so many years. "Hello Kaia." She spoke in a quiet, awkward voice. "It's been a while." "Yes it has. Hello sister." Kaia returned. "Our reunion will have to wait I'm afraid. Right now we need to move fast and get our people to safety." "Indeed we do." Kokyrie interjected. "Let's get to work." ~ Kaia showed the women the way, leading them all around to the front of the tent. The street in this part of the town was dimly lit and nearly deserted. Kokyrie thought it strange that no one was around to guard the tent. "I gave the guards the night off." Kaia hissed, as if reading her mind. "Getting inside will be easy." Parting the folds of fabric Kaia stepped into the tent and motioned for the others to follow. Kokyrie entered next and halted. Something seemed out of place here. Even in the darkness of the tent she felt the presence of many people. It was to be expected but... "There, the cage in the center. Let's get it opened." Kaia whispered. Kokyrie reluctantly followed her further into the tent where a large structure loomed. From inside of it she could hear quiet movement, as if many people were within. The smell of human filth emanating from it was overpowered but there was another faint scent that set her on edge. She couldn't quite place it though. The tent flap was parted again as Xera entered and then fell closed once more. The other Ixa'ness seemed intent upon keeping as much distance between herself and her sibling as possible for as long as possible. Xera was not the only thing to enter the tent at that moment. A gust of wind accompanied her inside, stirring the fetid air within. It wafted beneath Kokyrie's nose, clearing the air just enough for her to recognize the elusive scent. It was a heady combination of smells she'd become all too familiar with in recent years. Stale beer, gunpowder and sweat. It was the smell of a pirate. Kokyrie spun around to face the others. "It's a trap! Get out! RUN!" The words had scarcely left her mouth when the tent was illuminated by the light of many lanterns being lit. Kokyrie's eyes scanned the room, taking in the set-up. Inside the cage were a group of pirates armed with an assortment of swords and rifles. An equally large group stood behind the cage. These quickly moved to encircle the women while their cohorts exited the cage through an open door at one end. In a matter of seconds they had completely surrounded Kokyrie and her friends. "Wonderful. Just wonderful." Kokyrie sighed, dropping her spear and raising her hands over her head. "Just when I thought something might actually be easy for a change, THIS had to happen." |
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| Daiohma | Mar 29 2012, 07:43 PM Post #47 |
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The Ice Fang
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Tsukiko closed her eyes for only a moment yet found herself drifting of to the world of dreams. Her first adventure outside of Yafutoma was indeed something she would not soon forget. In her mind she remembered the moment she arrived in the odd new place, with people who at first scared her. A smile appeared across her face as she spoke softly to herself in her dreams. She found herself on a odd looking wooden ship with her new friends around her. Looking out into the distance she saw her sisters, each on their own ship of different styles. ''Tsuki...'' A soft voice called out to her, ''Tsuki, wake up. It's time.'' The shrine maiden's eyes opened as she looked on at Kokyrie's face. ''I was dreaming...'' Tsukiko told herself as Kokyrie moved away to wake the others. Tsukiko made a quick note in her book, she had to remember to tell her sisters of her adventure with pirates. She paused for a moment as she tapped her pencil against the page, adding a little note to the bottom. ''I should probably leave out the pirates if I tell my mum.'' It then seemed like everyone else was getting ready for something. That was when Tsukiko remember there was going to be a fight to save Xera's sister. She tied up her hair the best she could in order not to trip over it in the heat of battle. A quick check of her Moon Stone and she was ready to help in any way she could. ~ As much as she was pleased to help out the people who had helped her Tsukiko was not too happy with walking in mud again. Her dress would need some attention after the day was over. She followed the group without once complaining, just keeping up and hoping that she will be of use to them. "Okay, I'll go first. Follow me and keep sharp." Kokyrie stopped the group as they came to the edge of the town. Tsukiko watched as Kokyrie moved in to check over a tent. Just then another woman seemed to come out of nowhere. She turned out to be Kaia, Xera's long lost sister. Tsukiko took a moment to look at the two, feeling a small connection to the situation. "Let's get to work." Kokyrie got the team moving again. She entered the tent first, followed by Xera who was keeping her distance. Tsukiko entered with the others. She wanted to cover her nose from the smell but as she was not sure what the smell was she did not raise her hands. To her doing such a thing would of been rude, after all the smell could of been the people they were there to save. It all seemed dark inside of the tent, there was the odd feeling that something was wrong. Just then Kokyrie turned around, "It's a trap! Get out! RUN!" She yelled at the group. Before they knew what was going on they found themselves surrounded by pirates. Tuskiko looked on at them in shock, and in that moment she saw and understood the difference between Kokyrie's pirate group and these pirates. She had the feeling that these pirates would not be so friendly towards her. Tsukiko was still looking on in shock as she felt her hand move up towards her necklace. It was just as her fingers touched her Moon Stone that she realized her hand was moving. Quickly she moved her hand back down to her side, trying to fight the feelings she had inside of her. She waited to see just what was going to happen, yet to her the air felt more tense than anything she had felt before. ''Is this what it is like to fight?'' She asked only herself. |
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| Navarro | Apr 19 2012, 02:04 AM Post #48 |
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What is this, a title for ants?
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((Hey all, joining this thread as per Bear's suggestion. I'll stick to the sidelines until a good time to interact shows up.)) The Nasrean held the keys like a steak before a hungry, chained animal; the light of the Red Moon glinted off the silvery surface and put a glimmer in Jagger's captive eye. He held forth his manacles, no longer bound to his chair. The skies were maddeningly silent, save for the occasional roar of a devil below deck. One of the vicious creatures from the Deep was still locked up somewhere aboard, and sooner or later, one of the two survivors would need to go down there. And given Jagger's clearly submissive position, he had a feeling he knew who it was gonna be. "No funny business, I'm not playing with you," the Nasrean warned again. The blonde hissed as the tight clamps fell from his wrists, raw and red, clanking on the steel floor. "I been telling' ya since ya put me here," Jagger insisted, "You're the one with the gun, and I'm not that stupid." After he unlocked the manacles, the Nasrean became pensive. Jagger eyed him inquisitively, waiting for confirmation that it was okay for him to move. "So many dead," Jagger mused, trying so very hard not to look at the disturbed heap of flesh in the corner. The Nasrean visibly shuddered. "I'm new here," he stammered. "I didn't know any of them that well." "I lost a lot of friends here." "Piracy has a price." "No one was supposed to get hurt. If not for those...things...". The Ship's bowels bellowed, the unholy cry of a demon freed, as if to punctuate Jagger's timid speech. A low roll of thunder washed over the duo. "I'm Jagger," he said, "A pleasure, I guess." "Soto," the sailor replied. "Soto DiGiacomo, and I wish I could say the same." "DiGiacomo? Not the most culturally appropriate name, is it?" "Like I said, I'm new." The soldier, DiGiacomo, loosened the screw to the room's only window and pulled it inward against the sucking motion of the room repressurizing. The cool fog billowed in, shrouding the sailor from view. Jagger Schenkkan leaned his gloved hands on the decrepit balcony jutting from the edge of the harbor, careful not to wrap his fingers around the rail. He was sick of the rust. It was on his hands and in his hair, on his shirts, in his lungs. Every meal was gruel with a hint of iron; every glass of liquor had a metal aftertaste. Never before had he relished his cigarettes so. It was his private sanctuary on the corrupt little island. No one came down, because they all had shit to do. Slavery was serious business, and slackers were not tolerated. Fortunately, Jagger did not have a superior, he just looked the part. Lift a box here, crack a whip there - and no one asked questions. His cigarette breaks kept him out of view when he needed a break from being constantly incognito. Puff puff, he thought idly. He tried to blow a smoke ring, but failed miserably. "You! Down dere!" The man glanced backward, toward a stumpy little man on the land above. "-ey! How come you ain't workin'?" Jagger sighed. He was tired of these smartasses. "Smoke break, buddy!" Jagger called back, not giving Stumpy the pleasure of eye-contact. Stumpy walked away from the situation, only to pop up beside Jagger on the balcony. "What the-" the startled privateer exulted. Stumpy feinted back, his hands held up in peace. "Sonny, sonny! Sorry, I was just wantin' to ask-" "Good GODS, man! You do not sneak up on a man in a place like this!" fumed Jagger. He took another drag, and watched Stumpy eye it like candy. "What's in the paper?" "Tobacco. Unfortunately." "Can I have some?" "Do what I did and steal it off someone." "Can't. Island's been dry for weeks." "Your problems aren't mine, buddy. Get on, skedaddle, back to the grime wit' ya." Stumpy wrinkled his nose at his noncompliant acquaintance, his eyes narrowing, red with stress and pollutants. He snorted into his beard and stormed off into the dark subterranean corridor, presumably back to work. "It's not that easy, Jag!" "All's I'm saying," Jagger interrupted, oblivious to the rage bubbling up in Soto. Like he had something he wanted to say, but just couldn't articulate..."is everyone else is dead! How'll they ever know?" "You just don't understand! That's not how it works around here, okay? I've been with this navy for far longer than you, and-" "Yea, a whole month, and I bet your CO doesn't even remember your face." "...okay, but LOOK, LISTEN. Listen." Soto sighed and relaxed his shoulders, emptying his lungs and meditating inward. "I can't just...defect, like that. I can't not go back." Jagger threw his hands up. "You JUST said you couldn't go back! Now you can't not go back? I tell ya, you're just all kinds of mixed up, aren't you? A Valuan in the Nasrean navy, don't know what he likes or don't like, needs to go home but can't...what do you want in life, Soto?" "Well, after I get rid of you, a thick bottle of loqua and a plate of sardis." "Ah, the instant gratification type. Won't get ya far in this world, vato." Soto swirled the remains of the spiced rum they'd been sipping off of. It was the only drink on the ship that they had access to at the moment, after Jagger's expeditious saunter through the ship's bowels failed to turn up supplies due to evil Deep Sky creatures. The shadow of Soltis had disappeared from the skyline completely, as news of Galcian's defeat slowly reverberated, unbeknownst to the duo, around the globe. Jagger stomped his boot on the remnants of the cigarette, showering the abyss with sparks that fell like moonstones. A glance to the sky, and he could tell the time; only a couple hours left of the slaver charade. |
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| Gordreg | Apr 19 2012, 01:34 PM Post #49 |
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Administrator
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"Wake up Jel. It's time to go." Jel’din opened her mouth wide as Kokyrie’s quiet voice roused her from slumber, her arms still tucked against her body as she blinked herself awake. “…’ready the time?” she murmured softly as she was shaken by the chieftain, unfurling her limbs into a slow rise to stand, giving her body a quick brush-down to shift some freyed strands of vegetation from her clothing. Blinking again to fully ready her eyes, she gave a look around the resting spot, and a nod to the shrine maiden. “Is everything all right, Tsuki?” she asked, quietly, as she gave a wriggle to adjust a crease. Jel paused for a moment as she listened, then gave a short nod, and reached for her belt again to give one of the pouches hanging from it a slight squeeze. Even through the fibrous fabric Jel could still feel the hard surface of the stone within, could still feel the rising energies of the glow-rock passing against her skin, as her finger’s grip grew tighter about the pouch. How much would she need to call upon the energies, Jel wondered, as she turned her mind back to the day before, and the herd of washerwomen who had obeyed their captor’s orders like the most docile of Que’laks. How many of them would have physical wounds? Those she could fix, to a point. How many would have wounds of the mind? Those, she could not. Her mind lingered on the subject as Kokyrie led their group through the dingy town, wondering as she did just how long it took slavery to break a person. She had seen herself how easy it was to start acting the part, to become fearful of retribution – and for her it had lasted a far shorter period then any of the captives. How many of the captives would welcome a return of their freedom, Jel wondered? Would the women in the sail-wash? Would her father? Giving a small sniff, she paced a little way behind the leading group as Kaia led Kokyrie’s band onward. Kaia’s re-union with Xera had failed to meet even her most dismal of expectations; the two seemed barely to have acknowledged one another, and yet they seemed to have recognised each other at first sight. Had there been some other past friction between the pair, Jel wondered, something so bitter or deep that neither was able to rise above it? Her nose wrinkled at that moment, though not from the thought; but from a smell instead. There was a rather rancid odour in the air, though she could not place exactly what the smell was of or from. Had the others smelled anything of the sort, she wondered; when with no warning Kokyrie spun about to bellow loudly that it was a trap. Jel felt her knees shake, and glanced about franticly to try and find a place to run too. In front of them were a host of armed men, but as Jel turned to flee she found another such band already spreading out to cut off their escape. “Ahh!” she shrieked in a moment of terror, her whole body swaying as balance left her in fright. Her fingers tightened further about the glow-rock concealed in her pouch, and Jel could feel the urge to use it; to unleash a venomous green mist against the pirate band. But quickly she reconsidered; even if she did so, what good would it do? The pirates had them outnumbered to such a degree, and using it now would only get the hidden stone taken at best. “Kaia…” she whined, disappointed as she looked toward the Captive Ixa’ness. Suddenly, her cool reception of Xera made a certain kind of twisted sense. “…why?” her voice trailed away, as one of the pirates yanked away her precious bow and quiver. Swallowing, and on the verge of tears, Jel was directed into the centre of the cage. And there, through a tear-streaked face, she heard the doors slam closed behind them all. |
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| Jet Blackbeard | Apr 24 2012, 01:34 AM Post #50 |
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aka Bear
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"Kaia...why?" Jel'din's mournful question hung in the hostile silence as the four of them were ushered into the cage. It begged an answer when the door was slammed shut behind them with Kaia still on the other side of the bars. It burned like a hateful flame in the back of Kokyrie's throat, begging to be spit out. "Sister! Explain this treachery!" Xera demanded an answer in her place, slamming her hands against the bars to emphasize the harsh tone of her voice. A few of the pirates around the room laughed in response to her impotent fury but Kaia remained silent. She had no voice at that moment but the raw emotion reflected in her eyes spoke volumes. Xera glared right back at her sibling for several tense moments. Xera's gaze was finally torn from Kaia's when the tent flap parted and a handful of men entered. With a sad smile on her face Kaia stepped over to one of them and placed her arm around his waist. The man in turn rested his across her shoulders in a half embrace. Kokyrie recognized what he was at a glance. She took in his short-cropped blonde hair, his tattered clothing that had once been of fine quality and the condescending slant of his eyes. Before her stood one of Valua's fallen sons who had turned to piracy after the fall of his homeland. Kokyrie had seen more than a few of his like recently and could honestly say that she didn't like what she saw. Yes, Kokyrie saw him for what he was but it was Xera who recognized him personally. "Darius! You wretch!" She screamed, lunging towards him like a caged animal. Her arms slipped through the bars but came nowhere near to the pirate. Kaia gazed angrily at her but Darius only laughed. Kokyrie wondered silently how an Ixa'ness warrior could have possibly known a man like him. "Answer me sister!" Xera turned her attention back to Kaia. "After so long I finally came for you just to be betrayed in the end! At least tell me why!" Kaia remained silent for a moment. She looked up at Darius who gave her a sadistic smile and a nod. Kaia stepped free from his arms and stepped forward to confront her sister. "You're a little too late for that sister. About seven years too late. But if it is an answer you seek I will give you one. I doubt it's one you wish to hear though." "I still want to hear it." Xera growled. With a shrug Kaia began the explanation she'd been rehearsing all day. From the way her voice cracked and the hesitation in her eyes it was plain that she was nervous. But as she began to speak many years of anger and despair surged forth, pouring out with the words. "Seven years. That's how long ago it was when the Valuans captured me and carried me back to their homeland along with the rest of their prisoners. I was so afraid, wanting nothing more than to return to Ixa'ness. I prayed to the Green Moon every night that you would come for me. I knew that such a thing was impossible, but still I hoped. With every day that I spent in the belly of that iron ship that hope died more and more until there was none left and I resigned myself to whatever miserable fate awaited me." The sadness in her sister's voice caused Xera's anger to abate somewhat. "Kaia...I..." She stammered a reply. But she was cut short when Kaia began to speak again, this time in a more whimsical voice. "But when I arrived in Valua my fears were laid to rest! Oh sister, we had always spoken so harshly about the homeland of our conquerors but when I first beheld it....so beautiful! Like a clutch of gems glistening in the darkness! It was a paradise sister! A paradise where even a servant like me could live like royalty!" Xera's mouth dropped open at this admission. She stared at her sister in utter shock. But Kokyrie merely settled into the background to listen. Unlike her hot-headed companion she'd begun to suspect such a plot twist and now had a good understanding of Kaia's situation. "How can you even say such a thing?" Xera screamed. "Just listen to yourself! Oh sister, what have they done to you to make you think this way?" "You think I've been brainwashed dear Xera? Or perhaps I'm under a spell? You think that this is all a horrible nightmare and that your poor sister is really the victim you believe me to be, yearning for the day that you'll come to rescue me and take me back to Ixa'ness?" Xera's mouth worked but nothing resembling speech emerged. "Well....I..." "Well, you'd be wrong on all counts. And your first mistake would be in believing that I'd ever want to return to that filthy mud hole that I grew up in." Kaia returned coldly. "You'd leave your home behind? Your family?" Xera countered. She shot Darius a look of utter disgust. "For him?" She spat the last words out as if to rid herself of a foul taste in her mouth. "And what kind of life would I have had there Xera? What kind of a future could the Ixa'ness have given me? I wasn't a skilled hunter like you sister! I didn't have any skills that would have allowed me to be apprenticed to a craftsman either. No, my lot in life would have been to rely on your charity and breed with whatever men the warriors managed to capture. Is that the sort of life you would envy sister? Being nothing more than a piece of livestock for the tribe?" Xera was nearly in tears after hearing the emotional confession that had been gnawing at her sister for so long. It hurt her all the worse because Kaia's words rang true. She had no words of comfort or even a half-hearted excuse. "Sister I....you never said....." She fumbled for any sort of answer but had none. "I was never allowed to." Kaia snorted. Then a smile lit her face and she stepped back into Darius' embrace. "But then I was taken away from that miserable life and given a much better one. I was put up for auction and Darius bought my freedom. He CHOSE me from among all the others. And I'll tell you something sister; he gave me a better life than anything I could have ever dreamed of. Even as a servant I always ate my fill. I wore fine clothing. I wanted for NOTHING Xera. And all Darius asked in return was my loyalty and a little...affection. Even then I only had to lay down with one man, and that's a better fate than the one I would have been condemned to in Ixa'ness." "And in all these years I haven't heard any complaints." Darius spoke up for the first time. He sneered at Xera, clearly enjoying the emotional trauma Kaia had inflicted upon her. "As touched as I am by this family reunion I simply must cut it short. We have an invasion to plan for and there's much to be done." This last was clearly directed at Kokyrie. "I told Darius all about your plans." Kaia spoke up again. "Your little army of savages will be waiting for your signal but it will never be sent. On the morrow we're going to bombard that entire forest until neither a single tree nor warrior is left standing." "It's time to go Kaia." Darius said with a tinge of impatience. The arm that rested across her shoulders began directing the smaller woman towards the exit. Kaia allowed herself to be led away without a single look back at her imprisoned sister. "Someone will be along to deal with you all shortly." Darius called over his shoulder at Kokyrie and her group. "Damn it Kaia! After all these years...." Xera howled angrily at the retreating couple. Her words poured out in a broken torrent of half finished thoughts. "....after all that bastard has put me through....damn you! Moons damn you both!" "Well, look on the bright side." Darius paused to drive one final barb into Xera's soul. "You don't have to worry about your sister anymore. And after tomorrow your business with me will be finished." This last bit of information caught Kokyrie's attention. She could see how Kaia could be in cahoots with a group of slavers but what role did Xera play in their operation. "Oh ho! It looks like you haven't told your friends about that yet have you?" Darius laughed, silencing Xera immediately. "Well, let me do the honors for you." As Darius paused for dramatic effect Kokyrie glanced suspiciously at Xera. The other woman's face was streaked with sweat that had nothing to do with the balmy night air. "It's funny, Xera coming here to help you free our slaves." Darius sneered. "Especially after she delivered so many of them into our hands herself." |
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8:55 AM Jul 11